BaguaKicksAss

He's kinda long winded! I enjoyed it though. So how are these different from Siddhis? What is the point and purpose of them in particular? (I mean aside from saving money on natural insect repellent of course).

Bagua .

I'm curious what are the benefits of noticing the jhanas? Of focusing on them? Is it something along the lines of oh you are having a. and b. happen,which means you have likely managed to get to some specific attainment? (I'll admit I'm borrowing from some Taoists on this one lol). Where/when did tantra come in and why do you think, if Buddha didn't teach it? I get the impression this isn't a simple cut and dry just go check wiki sort of thing...

Very fortunately early on when I started meditating I was taught that all the neato experiences that come up during practice are yet just another distraction.... all those amazing insights, the funky energy stuff and etc. Just another distraction like those darn mosquito (I swear they were sent here to distract us meditators). Or perhaps I guess it depends from which source you derive your teachings whether this is fortunate or not. The source where I read this is most definitely not highly regarded (Ram Das; hey I was 19 at the time OK lolol) Not with that phrasing no... though there are people who meditate to get the "high", and we call them energy junkies; especially in group meditations... I found it interesting that during buddhist meditations (all the ones I have been to so far), they emphasize that one remain aware and not "bliss out". Also ones keeps the eyes partially open to avoid going to far out. Interesting. Also completely opposite to the meditation methods where one completely loses themself into a really deep altered state for shamanic journeying or such. So you are saying more awareness and less chasing after the states/funky stuff. This reminds me of when I started Bagua and odd stuff started happening. Everyone told me to just ignore all that. But damn, it was all so interesting! The sutras seem to talk about that, random joe average millworker who has never practiced a day in his life suddenly becomes enlightened! Or folks who do practice, but suddenly. But, but, I enjoy the journey . Some folks say that the magic I practice is only a distraction too... but then I ask, is this a race? Though I fully get the whole don't get to side tracked by stuff bit. Even in the distractions of magic itself, there are further distractions which can make one wander very much off the path, or any path! Your image didn't work... in your post, but I see it shows up just fine here in my quote! Well I have to say, I most definitely didn't come into this lifetime (for long at least lol) in tranquility and equanimity . I have met some who seem to have, but then life seems to get them . It sounds like all the meditation doesn't help much... or that perhaps it is irrelevant. So I would guess there is either more we need to do than just meditate and/or just meditate and not worry about it so much, we will get there eventually, in some lifetime or another.

What is wrong with the jhanas, and what are they in the context of getting becoming problematic? (newbie terms would be awesome if you are up for it ).

Awesome!

I think the women thing is sort of a big deal, is that in society in general, we still have such a long way to go. Who doesn't of course, but the folks who can relate to the type of person who might need a little more awareness about them can always relate the best. Things are improving daily. For example on my facebook feed recently I have seen that some folks are working on nail polish which changes colour when the person has ingested a date rape drug. Recently some other folks are trying to work with nightclubs to introduce plastic cups which change colour when a date rape drug is in the mix. These sorts of things not only keep people safe (I'm pretty sure they are used for nefarious actions towards men as well), but also brings about awareness that in general some things need to change, and also shows how much support there is for things which are no longer (and never were) OK.

My inner Beavis and Butthead just loved that one .

Reading through 11 pages... I have to say I'm surprised at so much resistance; to what boils down to just a discussion on "lets all have a little more forethought and respect before posting". I would think (if the thread were reversed) "Hmmm, the men are saying that when we post, we should just think for a second to see whether we are being derogatory with our words before we hit the post button. OK, I'll work on that." would sort of be the natural thought process. I don't feel it is the sort of thing where you have to go being really careful or anything, just a second or 2 of extra thought; just like in person where you say some things, but not others. Btw, I like the cultivation threads; I like to learn about what people experience. Also it is good information that helps me to understand the guys I know better. I also do join in those threads from time to time .

I feel we should have a crohns awareness challenge . I will contact the FDA about acquiring me some salmonella infected chicken for everyone. I know I shouldn't make light of a horrible condition, and it is awesome that people are aware of things, but I find it a tiny bit funny! I have heard the water wasting argument many times, but we waste more than that watering our lawn once, or washing our car. I think awareness is good; I think peer pressure is bad.

Instead of an ignore list I would like a posts only by my fave 10-20 posters list, for days when I don't have as much time to spend in front of my computer . (though when I previously brought this idea up, folks thought it was stalking lol)

http://globalnews.ca/news/1513118/ghost-town-mysteries-bradian-b-c-a-ghost-town-for-sale/

The one about men, since I don't like hate speech, and not enough care yet about putting down men. But also unfortunately because I'm so used to women being trashed on over the years that I don't notice or react to the second one as much... *sigh*.

Reminds me of Haiti .

I have a copy now . Thank you for this.

That definitely lines up with everything I have read, and a few things I have experienced . *grumble* darn ancestors should have cultivated more *grumble* (joking)

The whole grow a thicker skin might sound like good advice, but it doesn't help any in this case, imo. The reason for this is that it doesn't help others to feel welcome. If something which is posted regularly which isn't respectful to others were only about me, I would likely just ignore it, get over it, or leave the forums (if it ever bothered me that much). That however doesn't help society, the internet, or these forums to grow at all. Respecting others is actually quite a new thing. If you think about it, bullying (for example), has only been not OK in the past few years. Before it was thought of as bad, but everyone just sort of ignored it. Now everyone talks about it and watches out for it. This is the same for respect in general. The internet is growing up a bit I think . So I could just put the folks who make snide remarks about women on ignore (like I do in person), or I could say something to help make this a more positive and growth related enviroment for everyone. Also when people tell me "oh but you are different than other women". Well that is a nice of them to think and all (if they think others are not awesome), but that doesn't help others to be respected and honoured as every person should be. Also I would like to encourage the possibility of people looking at women differently. Past their own personal previous experiences and blockages. I think perhaps there is a lot more to us than some folks are perceiving .

Will try again after sleep is acquired...

Looks his books up... see you all in a few months!

Just to clarify, I'm definitely not personally thinking or talking about banning folks, or even suspensions. It's pretty friendly and low key here lately which is nice. More of an awareness and open discussion sort of thing (unless someone does such things all the time, or to extremes). Btw to the post above, I agree, our members are awesome . I like them all too, and miss the ones who have left (though OK maybe don't miss the posting style of a couple of them lol, but the ones with the most belligerent posting styles also seemed to have well thought out posts at other times. :>)

How come that is? In person being different than on the forums? The way I see it, the practice is the real meat and what we all do, TTBs is most of the time what we do for comrade and instead of watching TV . OK maybe that is just me. Though I do also come to learn, ask questions and answer questions. Sometime a learn a lot, other times I learn that I just wasted 4 hours... ROFL.

In person ones too? I find in person Buddhists to be completely different than many online ones for some reason (no idea why).

In a situation like this, as long as he was saying it respectfully, I would hope that a few members would let him know how closed minded and outdated, and disrespectful of a view that is, even though they are his beleifs. I mean just explaining it to him, instead of telling him he sucks for it. This is sort of what I would hope would happen in general when certain groups of people are stereotyped against or trash talked. Works better than a ban, if they are a contributing member, imo. On a side note, it's pretty sad that people still feel that way in this day and age. Did I ever mention that all our neighbors hate us because we are the only white people in the neighborhood, and trash talk us as well as treat us as poorly as they can (but within decent boundaries at least?) To me, all this us vs them stuff is so odd. Fortunately I can just laugh at it. I did finally stop waving hello to one of them though after they told our friends we are no good people. I was proving a point.

When someone is strongly connection to divine forces, those around them tend to be affected by this. With your average cultivator, the folks around them feel a bit or a lot better. Someone who's at the Dalai Lama level, well it's a lot stronger . The Dalai Lama's main Buddha is the one of compassion, and there is no doubt about the connection. That's how I perceive all this anyways, from my own personal experiences teachings. I look forward to seeing what his affect on an entire stadium is in October .

I agree, new rules or tougher moderation I don't think is the solution to this sort of thing. More education and awareness instead .