Rara

Not that I actually went backwards. What I mean is that I didn't realise all my crap was there...I thought I was dealing ok. The only issue is that this morning, it made me really sad and cranky, so my girlfriend had to deal with "cold, distracted Rara", which made me feel even worse. Does anyone have any remedies?lol

Thanks guys. I've been here before, so considering I've had a great two months without it, I thought that was the progress...so I was shocked to feel like I had gone backwards. I thought I was past this stage! I will take this as a positive then...another lesson learned, correct

A part of me wonders if it was constructed specifically. Especially as it has a pro-veggie vibe to it, given the title. Dunno if the uploaded is even a parent though? I haven't looked that deep. Yeah, when I was young, my parents filmed me playing my imaginary games. The last thing I want is my girlfriend to see the video and I'm 26! So I can see GMP's point there

Good point. Well Japanese game shows also have a twisted sense of humour. Good ole nut-stomping chuckles

Lol, well they do like their wrestling out there.

I second this. 3 weeks of gas, bloating, sometimes runny poo, other times constipated... I got a life to live, yo! I was soon back at the butchers. You can read my thread by searching "vegetarian" on here, I'm sure. Taomeow had a very good answer for all this eventually. It's fascinating how I went from believing that I was channelling with animals and realising that I shouldn't be eating them, to then later do a bit of research on evolution and statistics of morality. Amazing how self centred we can be when "trying" to be moral.

About changing the forum name, naaaah. "Tao" and page 1 of google is still useful for people needing a hookup!

Interesting post! Legally, our names are just "characters" belonging to us. If you never give your name, police can never arrest you hehe.

Labels are annoying me at the mo. If anything, they make others more judgemental of you. Not that it should matter, but if one labels themselves Taoist, or anything, it can easily lead other people into thinking you are XYZ...making a generalization before even getting to know you. Someone asked me the other day "What are your spiritual beliefs? The sound interesting" I told them I have none. That's the closest thing to the truth I've ever said.

This looks interesting! Will watch when I get the time.

I tend to stick to just bodyweight exercises. Pushups, squats, hindu pushups, planks and crunches. And not too many either. I see little point in weights unless you are training specifically for something that requires more strength - championship weightlifting I guess.

I thought cane sugar was meant to be the "better" alternative?

Refined Sugar will be the death of me. I love it, but I too get lethargy/come downs. Makes it hard to concentrate/cultivate when overloaded!

I wish to talk about this character as he has been stuck in my mind for half a year. I can't shift it! He has stuck out to me as one of the most free, liberated people. Though he is a metaphor, the personification of what appears to be madness yet true fulfilment rolled into one is just so amazing to me. Banging his thighs, enjoying himself...and when being disturbed by "Cloud Chief" he is very dismissive. I guess if you're having a good time, why waste time explaining to someone how to find their Way? Simply lead by example. Does anybody here have any words on this entertaining section of the book?

Then I am well on my way Hehe

Thanks...I was fishing for this in my other thread! I always thought this too - that the outside influences us enough to mould us in the first place. But chipping away gently, rather than lecturing.

Just to elaborate on my first post...I don't think it was direct enough... The conflict is you disagreeing with the way the world is - especially your immediate surroundings. You criticize the way the families talk to each other/behave etc etc. And they don't want to hear the nonsense that you speak of...just like you don't want to hear their nonsense! You might be 100% right - you might be more "moral" - but the mentality of getting beat up by the negativity around you doesn't say too much for the way you are! But we have the opportunity to put our money where our mouths are. Meditating is one thing. Moving out/away and going to work to help make the world a better place is another.

PS You can't change people. It's a shame, but you have to let them get on with it. I learned this recently Have a read...it might help: http://thetaobums.com/topic/35286-the-sage-not-acting-for-reward/

I'm a bit late to the party...here goes... I know exactly what you're saying. Going through the exact same thing with a certain someone. It's been better the last 7 days though...this is because I switched off my reactions. We only know certain ways to react because of the way we've been brought up. Our surroundings and the way we've grown as individuals determines who we are today...and often, genetically we end up being hardly any different to our friends, and even families. Social surroundings: Memes. Ever noticed how societies, let's take "the hood" or "estates" as they are called here in England. Stereotypically, they have the same way of dealing with their problems - violence, perhaps stealing. But these reactions seem to ripple through the whole society. "If he cheats on me, then I'll cheat on him" is a mentality I've just seen among a certain crowd. It's the "done thing". Did they ever think to consider their options on how to deal with the conflict? I met one who decided to go to university...just found a way out along with funding. She disturbed the pattern, and broke out and became...well...happy! Now, I don't know your background, so I'm not making any assumptions at all. The above could be miles from your situation. But one thing this all has in common: conflict. Conflict is the issue here, and dealing with it. But there is no right or wrong...only from your perspective. So don't be worried how you handle this - nor what people will think. You seem to be judging yourself more than anything! Throw caution to the wind and try something new...perhaps the opposite to what you would normally do. See how you get on.

You have a beautiful screen name!

Hey! Nice story...I would like to hear more. I think I may know what you mean about the tumbling house of cards! Congrats on the fiance/child too...I am 26 and feel I'm still a bit away from all that! As for the reading, don't worry too much. I find it's easy to tie ourselves in knots. You'll see I have many times in this forum. Keep it simply I look forward to hearing more from you!

It cannot be seen, it is just there. Neuroscientists will be able to tell you which parts of the brain are reactive and responsive to particular situations involving the mind though! Thinking of a computer. Hardware runs the software which is read off of a physical disk or even just "data". What is data and where is it located?

I want to ask a question that has been grinding on me for some time. Let me put to you this every day scenario. A lives with B. A is a sage, goes about his way and acts out of goodness. He does a lot of work around the house, cooks meals for both and ensures that B is well looked after, regardless of the amount of time and effort he puts in. It is often tiring, but A looks past this and carries on day to day. He doesn't seek acknowledgement and praise for what he does, he just continues out of sheer kindness. B is a busy person, but no more busy than A. B is not a sage but prioritises himself before the home environment. B still helps A out, but nowhere near as regularly and when he does clean the place, or cook a meal, he boasts and seeks praise and acknowledgement. Regardless of A's efforts, A cannot help but feel frustrated by the fact that despite all his day-to-day work, it is B that wants to make themselves feel good. A begins to get sad because it is as if he doesn't do much! -------- Now, A being a sage, well, if he IS a sage, should he be paying attention to B's ego? Should he be letting it affect him and speak up and put them back in their place? Or should he be calm, breathe and just let them carry on in this same way for the rest of their lives?

Thank you so much for this response. The advice you give in regard to the family member seems doable! Like MH said, perspective is everything. In which I go on to say, yes, I completely agree with how it is the way that the mind perceives things that is the key here and only we can change ourselves in that regard. But in response to the grass being greener. I think I would rather eat our poisonous food and have the pretty lights around at Christmas than have no food at all and having to fight for survival. While the latter can get on just fine, on the scale of 1-happy, it doesn't measure up to what I have. I have never been to a third world country, but if they are really feeling wholesome, I would love to know! Our happiness grows when being a part of a community and we grow together with loving, trusting relationships. Those without still have to make do, and still miss that element...

In terms of, obtaining things yes. You can search for a great career for example, and if that job is lost, it can create this illusion of your world falling apart around you. Truth is, you never needed that path, so the world isn't ending...you just tricked yourself into believing the situation was real. But when we are talking about people in our lives, we don't gain them. Like that saying, "you can't chose your family". Nope, they are just there! But we can still lose them due to a bad relationship...