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I see, Mh, I had a dream last night which spoke to this idea of non-intent , and in my dream one character was 'passive knower' and the other 'obedient doer' ,, and I wonder if such personification of abstracts is really a type of simplification so that the ideas are easier to relate to. Do you think Wu wei might be well personified by either the experience of 'passive knower' or 'obedient doer' ? or perhaps you feel that the 'filling of unfinished footprints' or a 'rider of flowing stream' are more potent descriptors to you ? of following dao in a manner of wu wei. ( thusly either way there is an implied curtain between intent and experience.. ( I hope thats a clear enough presentation of the question)

I think it is getting side tracked here. I brought up rigpa because we were talking about energy...energy is largely non-dual...no discriminating in its primordial nature. Nature of mind in its original form. There are no attachments because there are nothing to attach to. If you want to read up on it and to learn about the Tibetan sleep yoga, you can read this book here.... https://selfdefinition.org/tibetan/Tenzin-Wangyal-Rinpoche-The-Tibetan-Yogas-Of-Dream-And-Sleep.pdf Again, we are talking about attachment. Suffering originated from attachment caused by the arising dependent condition in this world. Attaching to what??? Energy? It can't be since energy by nature is non-dual.

Do you mean to say Rigpa can be experienced only maybe once in a decade or so in dream by advanced practitioners? Can you please elaborate on that?

Here you go..........yes..I have experienced it ONCE...few years ago. For about 5 seconds in the morning in my dream. THAT WAS IT..... http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Rigpa BTW, it appears you are resisting the idea that your attachment is caused by some dependent origination. You insist to argue that it is about energy....moving energy around. There isn't any point for me to participate in this discussion...

They are the same. Rigpa is non-dual energy state in which luminosity dominates your consciousness...nothing else. There is neither ups or downs or rights or lefts. You have no body. You only aware of your consciousness itself. Is the Dharma itself. Buddha Nature? I am not talking about a personality trait. I am talking about state of your mind before even manifesting itself to others. Rigpa can be experienced in dream during your sleep meditation. Only accomplished and advanced practitioners can experience it maybe once in a decade or so...

“That is strange indeed brother Raven, but it is not unusual for Man to try to understand things thus. Although obscure, we can see them struggling towards understanding of the concepts. And that reminds me … on that note … excuse me for one moment.” Centaur drew an arrow from his quiver and notched it in the bow, drew it back mightily and shot it high into the heavens. It left behind a trail of sparks that turned into a magnificent rainbow. “Just a little assistance for them to follow in this matter. Now, back to business. It appears you have comprehension of the process and now can see how one side of our worthy Hydra is that spirit in Man’s soul that may rise above and comprehend the Greater God?” “Yes.” Responded Raven “but what does this have to do with suffering ? And why does Hydra at times have many heads and not one.” “Because men sometimes cannot see it that way, they have trouble seeming unity as they live in duality, and duality spreads to triplicity and before you know it you have multiplication of forms . So sometimes it is explained in that multiplication of forms.” “How so?” asked Raven. “Have you seen the reverse of the diagram that was delivered to you?” “Reverse ? … It has a reverse? “ “Raven!” Centaur admonished. “You must really learn to pay attention, it is very frustrating to the forces that be and rule our development and spiritual growth when they drop things in our lap and we hardly notice! Turn it over and look at the other side.” “Well that IS rather strange. I am wondering what all those heads represent? I know not what in Man has many heads.” “The serpent is inside Man ... but man has another part that is enclosed and how do you think that function looks out from man and observes the physical Universe around him?” “Why, through his senses of course,’ Raven answered “ Aha! I see it!” He counted them out on his wing feathers; “ 1, the eyes for sight, 2, the nose for smell, 3, the mouth for speech and to take in nourishment, 4, the skin to feel and 5 the ears to hear. But the Hydra has nine heads does she not? There are several senses missing. Man only has 5 senses. ” “Did you not listen to the Magpies chorus? ‘The forehead of the snake is bright with one immortal star’ and ‘That star upon the serpent's head Is called the soul of man.’ “ “Ah yes!” responded Raven, “That eye on the brow that sees in spirit is its head and its tail lies in man’s reproductive organs … its all curled up together but when the snake awakens … and comes up from the depths of the water it must make sure the person is worthy to receive its blessing … “ he thinks a bit more … “ and that connects Man’s sacred creative ability with his inner vision … that’s rather clever … whoever thought of that . I see why it is not shown on the diagram as it is hidden within the body, but man, on a higher and more subtle plane sees through that secret eye. But that is only six?” “Yes,” agreed Centaur, “but we can count the sexual organs and the mystic eye as two.” “And that only gives us seven …” “That is so brother Raven … but consider other parts of the Magpie’s chorus; ‘And kindle at a livelier coal the subtler soul of light. From these soft splendours of a dream I turn, and seek the Self supreme.” And “Lighting her coils with living light, to where the nenuphar sleeps ... All darkness dreams - The thing that is not, only seems. “ “Well that is the dream world and the mirror of and the realm of Man’s soul … ah yes, that even more secret eye at the base of the back of the Man’s skull. … still, only 8 though.” “That’s right! But Man has one more opening, by which he expels all forms no longer needed once their energy is extracted. In Man, on the physical plane he has the anus. Man is an oraganism formed around a hollow tube ... so to speak. “Of course!” said Raven “ I had forgotten about that. But I am getting a little confused did not Hercules cut the heads off the Hydra in another story, thus defeating her ?” “Hercules!” cried Centaur in disdain. “Hercules’ journey is about Man’s literalist approach, and how his ego opposes lost soul. Of course soul can NEVER be defeated by ego … it may seem to be suppressed for a time but like all suppression it resurfaces in different ways and in multiples of itself. “If you remember the story, the thing that happened when Hercules cut off any of the Hydras heads was, firstly, water gushed out … he released the waters of the depths contained within the depths of Man’s psyche. And secondly each neck then grew three heads. This is because when man cannot understand singularity - the Empyrean, firstly manifests in Triplicity; the thing itself and how it manifests in the world of duality, thus the mortals always have lessons in Triplicity; Life – birth & death, Tao – Yin & Yang, Humanity – man & woman and recently electrical charge – positive and negative … and so on …” “And” Raven interrupted, ”on this diagram, on both sides we see that unity, and below are the nine heads, making the ten, and also the first three above, with the 7 below … and I assume those 7 relate to the 7 stars that wander about the sky, unfixed - in compasion to us?” “Now you are getting the hang of it.” Centaur told him. “But Man sees these things as bad things as well?” “Ah yes! But Man perceives in duality; He sees one thing as two things that are separate and then separate men decide which side of duality is reality. So then is Man in conflict; man against man. The man of Wisdom however sees One and all men as one. To some men, and in Man at some times, there is a view that these eyes, or senses, or processes of the One are hindrances. Some have called them ‘sore spots’ and are offended by their various functions. In duality they can be seen as ‘either’ levels through which Men have fallen, and hence are barriers to the One, or stages through which Man can ascend and comprehend the One. But like your parchment and diagrams, they are, of course two sides of the one parchment. If one holds it up to the Light and allow Light to pass through it and illuminate it and that same light strikes one’s eye than the One and one image can be seen.” “I see.” Pondered Raven and was silent for a moment … “But what has all this to do with me?” he asked. “Your adventures are just not happenstance. Your story is a myth to instruct Man in the way of his development, if he can and has the will to develop his ability to perceive it …. Excuse me.” Centaur shot another brilliantly plumed arrow across the sky. ‘So you see, young Raven … that is getting older and wiser before my eyes, as we continue our discourse … Man must ever develop, understand and strengthen those senses, and bring them into balance so they can rise higher up the Tree of Knowledge and perceive that one Empyrean from whence they were born and to which they shall return.” “Unto what purpose O wise Centaur?”

Hum, lemme explain my vision of things so that my answer makes a bit more sense. Basically, I come from a scientifc background, so I'm a bit hum, sceptical? however, I believe in consciousness and my dream is to explain it scientifically. That said, I tried meditation for a while, I can now freely control my body temperature in some a small range (I can take cold showers while it's snowing outside, while before I would get sick if I forgot to put my hat on xD ) , my heart rate etc. But for me, that's just me using my awareness to get access to brain functions that are used unconsciously. My interpretation of The Secret Of The Golden Flower was the same: the Light is consciousness, water is calm, fire is thought, etc. And the reason the ancients immortals lived that long is because during marrow washing they activated they marrow cells with their "consciousness", catalyzing the creation of red blood cells. It might be a correct interpretation, it might not, I don't know. But basically all the phenomenas I experienced can be directly explained by me getting access to more functions of my body, causing my brain to change the way I perceive reality etc. But it's all inside my body/mind , and I was wondering if that "awareness" of ours or whatever the cause can interact with anything/anyone else. Telepathy maybe? Experiencing some phenomena? Healing someone without telling him and him getting better? Or yes changing the weather? It's actually a question that's been bugging me for a while, because if it could, it would open the path for me for many possibilities, but meanwhile, I'm still a bit hesitant x) Any ideas are welcome ^^ oh and if you don't agree with my vision of things, I'm open Thank you

I think dream work offers the most bang for the buck. A Siddhi/psychic power that is learnable. I'd suggest we set up a Dreamwork thread in the PPF section. Preferably something starting with the letter A or 1 so it'd be on top and easy to find. It might be interesting to see how and if it evolves. For my part I'd keep it simple. A thread going over one book with one practice to be worked on. In the past I've gone overboard on theory and studying. Keeping it simple, not worrying to much about theory, but concentrating on one thing with group support would be my ideal. Maybe call it A Dream Workshop- To Lucidity and Beyond!

Zhuangzi dream: He dreamed he was a butterfly. When he woke up, he had a dilemma Was he dreaming that he is a butterfly, or is he a butterfly dreaming he's human

A very wise friend of mine shared this with me which I think will help answer your question a little. Zhuangzi Dream: A man dreamed he was a butterfly. When he woke up, he had a dilemma Was he dreaming that he is a butterfly, or is he a butterfly dreaming he's human Staying within the sutra, here is the answer I think from chapter 1. Mahamati, since the ignorant and simple-minded, not knowing that the world is only something seen of the mind itself, cling to the multitudinous-ness of external objects, cling to the notions of beings and non-being, oneness and otherness, both-ness and non-both-ness, existence and non-existence eternity and non-eternity, and think that they have a self-nature of their own, and all of which rises from the discriminations of the mind and is perpetuated by habit-energy, and from which they are given over to false imagination. It is all like a mirage in which springs of water are seen as if they were real. They are imagined by animals who, made thirsty by the heat of the season, run after them. Animals not knowing that the springs are merely hallucinations of their own minds, do not realize that there are no such springs. In the same way, Mahamati, the ignorant and simple-minded, their minds burning with the fires of greed, anger and folly, finding delight in a world of multitudinous forms, their thoughts obsessed with ideas of birth, growth and destruction, not well understanding what is meant by existence and non-existence, and being impressed by erroneous discriminations and speculations since beginning-less time, fall into the habit of grasping this and that and thereby becoming attached to them.

Ones that closely follow this forums theme are Tai Chi, empty, push hands, and sword. Chinese calligraphy taught using breath into dantien as a cultivation and art method. Taoism with Wu Dang Chen (Quanzhen priest). some other classes I enjoyed were with a chinese medicine doc and naturopath which included anatomy, approaches to healing, and nutrition. Some religious studies, Zen, Shambhalla Buddhism. Some western psych classes, Jungian, and Dream psych. What's an MCP? Im not sure the fertility is in the jing of grandma or grandpa, but in the way that brought them together. The 3/4 yielding to the other 1/4 is what makes it great. As a large kingdom yields to the smaller. Puts pressure on the pearl.

Hello all, I will try to make this as short as possible. I was recommended here by someone on a mens health forum. I am 34 yr old male, about 5 ten 175 lbs. Have had a history of celiac disease, chronic pelvic pain, hypothyroidism(which I finally began treatment for in March of this year.) have the other issues mostly under control, I am on very low dose thyroid meds. Anyways, back in March I began meditation, simply as a way to try and calm my overactive mind, and help some of my health issues. I also have done on/off semen retention, quit porn to try and get my sexuality back. Well, for the first 2-3 months I noticed some remarkable results..I was doing 15-30 min a day, sometimes guided meditations from youtube, sometimes just following my breath or using a mantra. I felt much calmer, in control..more like my old self. I was "in the zone' a lot of times so to speak... Something has started to...change the last month- 2 months however. I have had days where I increased my meditation time to an hour, and some where i simply did a 20 min session. Anyways, Ive started to notice some strange symptoms. I had nights..walking my dog around a local lake where I felt as if I was on the drug ecstacy..Obviously not to that extent but a similar feeling where everything felt magnified. Ive also had times..sometimes the very next day after these episodes where I felt beyond depressed. At first I thought it may have been my thryod messing w me, but Ive done blood work and everything came back fine. So, I just kept up my practice trying to maintain an even keel. But my body doesnt seem to be cooperating. Lately Ive noticed Disturbing ADD/ADHD type symptoms..FLAT emotions..low/no libido..vivid dreams..a sort of "hypersensitivity" when out in public. Ive had days also where Ive walked around feeling no fear whatsoever, and others where I didnt want to leave the house. My sense of direction, or feeling of motivation, is almost totally missing. I kinda feel like Im in a dream.It feels like my identity, or who I thought I was, is missing. Like all my past accomplishments, achievements, are a distant memory and not a part of me anymore. I used to be a professional baseball player, a good golfer, loved to golf..I have NO desire to golf, and no feeling of pride from being an athlete.. But at the same time, have a strainge feeling of contentment, at least when the anxiety doesnt take hold.. Just a recent example of how strange things have gotten..I took a girl out a few weeks ago(this has been another thing, women seem to be checking me out much more than before I ever meditated, but my libido..shot), we hit it off very well and after our date she suggested she come back to my place..I agreed. Long story short, I didnt escalate anything, mostly to my feeling tired and inexperience(been out of dating for a long time) and things kinda fell through for us. I am usually quite great at moving on from these types of things and learning from my mistakes, etc..and I had done a decent job of that..however the other day I had to go to the vet where she works(this is where we met) and she wasnt there. As I was standing there buying my dog his meds, I had a very strange feeling come over me of absolute sadness, melancholy, like I was at a funeral. THis freaked me out and I got the meds and got out of there as quick as I could. it was extremely bizarre, as I barely knew this girl save for the one night..this wasnt just a little sadness because of a missed opportunity, this was a feeling of dread and absolute grief that just came over me when 2 minutes before I was content. I got into a car accident a week ago where I did about 5000 dollars worht of damage to my car. That morning, after I got out of shower to go to job interview, I had a powerful sensation or voice in my head telling me not to leave the house.I had to get a cat scan after the accident as I hit my head on the steering wheel, and they found nothing, just said I had a minor concussion. So while I say Ive had flat emotions, I get these weird rushes of either joy or just flat out sadness that keep coming and going. the rest of the time it feels like autopilot, but I feel like I have an intuition like Ive never had in my life before. Ive had physical symptoms too..this one sounds crazy..but it feels like the left half of my head(or brain) is just...not there, not working. I cant explain this any better than that. strange dreams, that keep having some semblance of truth in the days or weeks following the dream..inability to concentrate. lack of appetite...no libido..muscle twitching..hypersensitivity..heightened awareness in public, but a strange..detached feeling from everything. enhanced endurance during exercise, yet feeling no endorphin rush after working out.Pulsing in my head during meditation lately which comes and goes.. A very hard time quitting addictions, yet they are giving me almost NO pleasure now. I drank a bottle of wine the other night and barely felt a thing.. I KNOW this sounds crazy and i hope a psychiatrist isnt reading and turns me into the looney bin. But I hope someone has some type of advice..Ive never felt this "spaced out" yet somehow fucntioning on a higher level before..Its like Im not in my body a lot of times. Idk what to make of it or how to tell anyone without coming off as a freak. I try my best to act normally around others, but something feels very off and Im alone. Idk wether to quit meditating, if thats even the issue, but Ive had tons of bloodwork done and everthign is checking out ok..I thank you all for any help you can give.

@Bax44 The only other thing I can think about in addition to what people have said recently is that what really helped me is understanding or "reality". I won't waffle on here because I can go quite in depth but the fact of the matter is, whether sleeping or awake, you're in a dream. Everything is effectively a perception in which your mind is portraying a series of events. What is emotionally different from a nightmare or having a really bad day? Not a lot! And you will notice that you can have physical reactions from nightmares, right? Most common being heavy breathing, increased heart-rate and sweats. Emotional stress causes physical stress...but everything is mental right from the word go. So begin this practice: When in day-to-day activities, stop yourself every now and then in mid-flow and ask yourself "Am I dreaming?" Then mindfully touch something and just get used to the sensations. Then, before bed, begin mentally preparing yourself for whatever reoccurring scenarios/beasties you come across. Start thinking of a plot twist... Soon, you will be able to control the outcomes of these dreams...but firstly, you will be controlling your role within the dream, as opposed to you just being swept away by it.

"Someone sees in a dream that they are a ruler. They are seated on a throne with servants, chamberlains and princess standing by. They say, “I am ruler, and there is no ruler but I.” They say this in their sleep. When they wake up and see no one in the house but themself, they say, “I am, and there is no other than that I Am.” To realize this, one must be fully awake." ~Rumi

I dream of snakes a lot. I looked it up once, someone told me they represent “change”. Very vague and probably not much help.

I'd prefer to leave my little poem as it is. I feel like I am now being tested and examined, measured and graded. That was not the objective of sharing. Trying to anticipate what you are looking for, trying to describe experience in more detail, adding more words... Trying to describe the natural state with words... I'll pass. I will say that yes, the empty nature does include the body. My ability to rest in the nature of mind as I go through the day and in dreams is something that I currently work with and is coming along slowly but surely. In our tradition, we look at it from the perspective of body, speech, and mind. All three are integrated into the natural state in waking, dream, deep sleep, and at the time of death. My intention was not to describe my true nature but simply share personal meditative experience. I do so rarely and prefer not to have it dissected or graded. No question I am at a stage along the path, nothing more and nothing less. And no, I'm not a realized guru. We can describe our experience but not our true nature, IMO. I can describe the flavor of a mango to you - it's tart, sour, sweet, funky, creamy, there's a bit of umame. If you've never tasted a mango it might sound just like spoiled milk or lemonade but you still won't know the flavor of a mango. A menu doesn't satisfy hunger and the letters w-a-t-e-r don't slake thirst. I'm not much into trying to intellectually understand these things. I'm more interested in seeing how they improve the quality of my life and those around me. Beyond practice, I find relatively little value in thinking or talking about it. I'd much rather discuss the impact it's having on our lives and how it can be beneficial. The words and concepts for me are more a distraction than an aid with a few exceptions as noted in my earlier post.

Let's see.............I finished college somewhat late due to changing college too many times....because of issues relating to my "enlightenment" and my path. The reason I got in to my first college had changed by the time I was at the Dharma Gate...which I haven't entered it yet. This college tried to mold me into what they thought I should be...and to silent my own mind of what I wanted to do. The turning point was that my so-called English professor gave me a F for the course because I was unconsciously writing about Nietzsche. LOLOLOLOLOL... The irony of it all... I am reading an author talking about re-evaluating the herd mentality and to go against the time of the age..the same time I was doing just that and experiencing this herd mentality in this college. I left this college and to move on. Talking about co-incident..... I discovered Carl Jung too.... I had my kundalini energy rising experience after I left this college and to transfer to another one. Unfortunately, I left my second college because I was dealing with karma predated my birth...and getting myself into some troubles with the dean..... I finally got my 4 years degree after attending my third college. LOL LOL.. good news..somewhat uneventful..boring...hardly an epic experience. Then, I started to work in retail and been with this company for 7 or 8 years, with total of 5 years of management experiences. I was surrounded by cool people and very responsible staff. I enjoyed the moment there and even now I have good dreams about the work place. It wasn't bad at all considering all the craps I took in my college years. I can't say I was cultivating during the time I was working in retail management. Maybe I did....because I started to race bike (cycling) locally for 4 to 5 years. Very hardcore with training over 10 hours a week and traveling to races all the way to Rhode Island, from NYC. Even commuting to work. I guess...cycling and bike racing...was my way to work out my own karma. It worked. Always love thos 4 to 5 hours long bike ride...hehehehe There were times I would get so tired from work, training, and racing in that week that my heart felt tired. Somehow, I began to have redemptive dreams about the time I was in college. Something it didn't happen but it took place in my mind, in my dream state. I thought that was great. My heart and my mind were healing from within. Things weren't going so well with this company and I got passed for a promotion and felt like I have been used. Change of upper management and I left the place about 6 years ago. Took a year off and thinking. I began to toy with the idea of starting my own photography business. Been doing it for over 5 years... Well, is seasonal. Is on and off. Some money can be made. No replacement from my old job. However, for what I shoot, is definitely worth it. My photography allows me to manifest my Buddha mind to the world. To bring light to the world of events people aren't aware all. I mainly shoot in grass root sports. Now, is about cultivating my artistic visions and executions. I am hoping something would grow from my photography. I have plenty of free time and I used it to reflect and to meditate and to catch up on my cultivation...which has started when I was 18 but I didn't have a teacher or a master to guide me. What is funny is that the worldview I was prophetizing in my college days and professors and students giving me a hard time for it??? Shit is unfolding them now...hehehehe..

I'm currently reading his book on dream yoga and I can't praise it highly enough. I've read a huge amount of dharma books over the years, many of which were scholarly commentaries to sacred texts. Whilst interesting for what they are, such books lack any real "guidance" element, often failing to contextualise the material from a practitioner's perspective. This book is entirely different to that. It's clear from the start that he knows what he's talking about and has experienced it for himself. There's no superfluous content and it's all applicable and accessible. The book goes way beyond the subject of dream yoga, as many (waking time) practices are discussed as an aid to it. He is conversant with westerners and knows how we think and what background we have. He is very skilled in coming at the subject with that in mind. Very refreshing. I think I will be looking out for more from him in the future. My thanks to Silent Thunder for bringing it to my attention.

In Praise of Dharmadhatu by Nagarjuna, trans. by Karl Brunnholzl pg.44-48 [Nagarjuna's] Lokatitastava says: An entity does not arise as being existent [already], Nor as being nonexistent, nor as being both existent and nonexistent, Neither from itself, nor from something other, Nor from both -- so how is it born? ... It is not tenable for a result To arise from a perished cause, Nor from a nonperished one -- You consider arising as being like a dream, ... Dialecticians hold that suffering Is created by itself, created by something other, Created by both, or without a cause, But you say that it arises in dependence. What dependent origination is Is exactly what you consider to be emptiness. Your incomparable lion's roar is That there is no independent entity. In order to relinquish all imagination, You taught the nectar of emptiness. However, those who cling to it Are also blamed by you. Being motionless, contingent, empty, Illusionlike, and arisen from conditions, All phenomena are elucidated by you, O protector, as lacking a nature of their own. The Niraupamyastava declares: O blameless one, you have realized That the world of beings, just like an echo, Is free from unity and multiplicity And lacks transmigration and destruction. Lord, you have realized that samsara Is free from permanence and extinction And lacks characteristics and what is to be characterized, Just like a dream or an illusion. The Acintyastava states: What has arisen from conditions Is said by you to be unarisen. What is not born by a nature of its own You elucidate to be empty. If there is existence, there is nonexistence, Just as there is short when there is long. If there is nonexistence, there is existence. Therefore, both do not exist. "Existence" is the view of permanence. "Nonexistence" is the view of extinction. Therefore, you have taught this dharma Free from the two extremes. Hence you have said that all phenomena Are free from the four possible extremes, Unknowable for consciousness, let alone being within the sphere of words. What is beyond both being and nonbeing. But has not gone anywhere at all, What is neither knowledge nor knowable, Neither existent nor nonexistent, Neither one nor many, Neither both nor neither, Without base, unmanifest, Inconceivable, indemonstrable, Neither arsing nor ceasing Neither extinct nor permanent -- That is similar to space, Not within the sphere of words or wisdom. What is dependent origination Is exactly what you consider to be emptiness. Of the same kind is the genuine dharma, And also the Tathagata is like that. Emptiness is not different from entities, And there is no entity without it, Therefore, you have declared as empty Phenomena that originate dependently. The Paramarthastava says: Due to the nature of nonarising, There is no arising for you, Neither going nor coming, O protector, I pay homage to you devoid of any nature. The Niruttarastava states: In you, there is neither knowing nor nonknowing, Neither a yogin nor an ordinary person, Neither meditation nor nonmeditation -- I pay homage to the unsurpassable. Stutyatitastava (In Praise of The One Beyond Praise): The skandhas, dhatus, and ayatanas You have indeed proclaimed, But any clinging to them too You countered later on. ... In order to relinquish all views, O protector, you declared [entities] to be empty. But that too is an imputation, O protector -- you do not hold that this is really so. You assert neither empty nor nonempty, Nor are you pleased with both. There is no dispute about this -- It is the approach of your great speech. pg.117-129 Dharmadhatustava: While it's blended with the milk, Butter's essence appears not. Likewise, in the afflictions' mix, Dharmadhatu is not seen. Once you've cleansed it from the milk, Butter's essence is without stain. Just so, with the afflictions purified, The dharmadhatu lacks all stain. ... Similarly, mind so luminous Is obscured by fivefold stains. They're desire, malice, laziness, Agitation, and doubt too. A garment that was purged by fire May be soiled by various stains. When it's put into a blaze again, The stains are burned, the garment not. Likewise, mind that is so luminous Is soiled by stains of craving and so forth. The afflictions burn in wisdom's fire, But its luminosity does not. The sutras that teach emptiness, However many spoken by the victors, They all remove afflictions, But never ruin this dhatu. ... Since dharmadhatu's not a self, Neither woman nor a man, Free from all that could be grasped, How could it be labeled "self"? ... "Impermanence," "suffering," and "empty," These three, they purify the mind. The dharma purifying mind the best Is the lack of any nature. ... Any horns there on a rabbit's head Are just imagined and do no exist. Just so, all phenomena as well Are just imagined and do not exist. ... Through conceptions of a self and mine, Discriminations of names, and reasons, The four conceptions will arise, Based on the elements and their outcome. ... Since [things] dependently originate And in dependence too will cease, If not even one [of them] exists, How can fools imagine them? ... How the dharmas of the Sugata Are established as the very middle Is through the ox- and rabbit-horn examples. ... Virtuous throughout beginning, middle, end, Undeceiving and so steady, What's like that is just the lack of self -- So how can you conceive it as a self and mine? ... Covered by the web of afflictions, It is called a "sentient being." Once it's free from the afflictions, It should be be expressed as "Buddha." In dependence upon eye and form, Appearances without a stain occur. From being unborn and unceasing, The dharmadhatu will be known. In dependence upon sound and ear, Pure consciousness [comes forth], All three dharmadhatu without signs. Linked with thought, this will be hearing. Smelling in dependence upon nose and smell Is an example for the lack of form. Likewise, it's the nose's consciousness That conceptualizes dharmadhatu. The nature of the tongue is emptiness, And the dhatu of the taste is viod -- Being of the dharmadhatu's nature, Consciousness is nonabiding. From the nature of a body pure And the characteristics of the tangible conditions, What is free from such conditions Is to be expressed as "dharmadhatu." Once conception and its concepts are relinquished With regard to phenomena whose principal is mind, It's the very lack of nature of phenomena That you should cultivate as dharmadhatu. What you see and hear and smell, What you taste and touch, phenomena as well -- Once yogins realize them in this way, The characteristics are complete. Eyes and ears and also nose, Tongue and body and the mind as well -- The six ayatanas fully pure. This is true reality's own mark. Mind as such is seen as two: Worldly and beyond the world. Clinging [to it] as a self, it is samsara -- In your very own awareness, true reality. Since desire is extinguished, it is nirvana. Hatred and ignorance are extinguished [too]. Since these have ceased, it's buddhahood itself, The very refuge for all beings. Due to realization and its lack, All in this very body. Through our own conceptions, we are bound, But when knowing our nature, we are free. Enlightenment is neither far nor near, And neither does it come nor go. It's whether it is seen or not Right in the midst of our afflictions ... Just as from a mix of milk and water That is present in a vessel, Geese just sip the milk but not the water, Which remains just as it is. Just so, being covered by afflictions, Wisdom dwells within this body, one [with them]. But yogins just extract the wisdom And leave the ignorance behind. As long as we still cling to "self" and "mine," We will conceive of outer [things] through this. But once we see the double lack of self [emptiness of persons & phenomena], The seeds of our existence find their end. Since it is the ground for buddhahood, nirvana, Purity, permanence, and virtue too, And because the childish think of two, In the yoga of their nonduality, please rest, ... The abode of buddhadharmas Fully bears the fruit of practice. This fundamental change of state Is called the "dharmakaya." Free from latent tendencies, you're inconceivable. Samsara's latent tendencies, they can be conceived. You're completely inconceivable -- Through what could you be realized? ... The nonbeing of all beings -- This nature is its sphere. The mighty bodhicitta seeing it Is fully stainless dharmakaya. In the stainless dharmakaya, The sea of wisdom finds its place. Like with variegated jewels, Beings' welfare is fulfilled from it.

2 weeks ago I decided to renew my lucid dreaming practice. I thought I would try the wake and back to bed routine. I get up at 4:30am to dream journal, walk, qi gong and relax with the StressEraser. Back to bed by 5:30am and sleep for 90 more minutes. I'm fighting with the monkey, but I'm making progress. I'm also investigating sleep and dream supplements. Calcium before bed is supposed to be good, so is b6. There are essential proteins which deepen sleep and promote healing. There is also a dream herb used by ancient shaman, who used it to make a tea and smoke. A few years ago I quit smoking cigarettes because I couldn't stand the opposing duality with breath-work. Now I'm considering the health risks of smoking again. Not habitually like cigarettes, but occasionally as an aid to dream work. Does anyone know of specific practices that will promote lung repair and healing? Is there anything I should avoid, such as bellows?

A true buddhist mahasiddha is also a bodhisattva mahasattva. In keeping with the spontaneously liberated mind of one who has transcended even the subtlest tendencies of dualistic views, he or she manifests the mind of enlightenment thusly: When bodhisattvas enter into a house, they arouse bodhicitta, thinking "May all sentient beings attain the city of liberation." Similarly, When they go to sleep, they attain the dharmakaya of the buddhas. When they dream, they realize that all dharmas are like a dream. When they awake, they awaken from ignorance. When they arise, they attain the body of buddhahood. When they kindle a fire, the fuel of the kleshas is burned. When it blazes, the fire of wisdom blazes. When they move, they attain the amrita of wisdom. When they eat food, theyattain the food of samadhi. When they go forth, they are liberated from the city ofsamsara. When they descend stairs, they are entering samsara to benefit sentient beings. When they open a door, they open the gates to the city of liberation. Whenthey shut a door, they shut the gates of the lower realms. When they set out on a path they tread the path of the noble ones. When they go upwards, they bring all sentient beings into the happiness of the celestial realms. When they descend, they cut the continuity of the three lower realms. When they meet sentient beings, they meet buddhas. When they step forward, they are going to do benefit for sentient beings. When they lift sentient beings, they are bringing them out of samsara. Ifthey see persons who possesses ornaments, they will attain the major and minor marks. If they see persons without ornaments, they will possess the qualities of purity. If they see a full vessel, it is filled with buddha qualities. If they seean empty one, faults are emptied. If they see people rejoicing, they will rejoice in the Dharma. If they see them sad, they will be sad about compounded things. If they see happy sentient beings, they will attain the happiness of buddhahood. If they see sufferings, all the sufferings of sentient beings will be pacified. If they see sickness, there will be liberation from sickness. If they see returning of kindness, they are returning the kindness of all the buddhas and bodhisattvas. If they see it is not acknowledged, they are not acknowledging wrong views as kindness. If they see disputes, they can eliminate all the disputes of the fathers. If they see praise, all the buddhas and bodhisattvas are praised. If they see discussions about the Dharma, the confidence of the buddhas is attained. If they see bodily form, they see all the buddhas without obscuration. If they see a stupa, they become a stupa for all sentient beings. If they see merchants, they will attain the seven aryan riches. If they see homage, they arouse bodhicitta, thinking, "May the world along with its gods attain the non-manifestation of the center at the crown of the head.

This book is very good at showing that Zen = Ch'an was still practiced in Tibet. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tibetan-Zen-Discovering-Lost-Tradition-ebook/dp/B015P5BEYA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516873255&sr=8-1&keywords=Tibetan+Zen I think the debate you quote - or the decisive win for Lam Rim is probably fictitious. the whole journey of Buddhism to China is very interesting also, particularly this account: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Buddhism-Acquired-Buddhist-Studies-Monographs/dp/1845539974/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1516873436&sr=8-1&keywords=Jungnok+Park the early 'schisms' in Buddhism were mostly either about Vinaya rules or a process of throwing out wrong think like eternalism - although it is true that debate over whether an Arhat could have a wet dream did feature.

Before we go further, how about listing if you were under the influence of drugs??? If you were, your experience could be a bit more magnified than they really are. Most of my encounters are in my dream state, in astral projection. I don't use drugs. I can only offer what and who I saw and what knowledge was told or conveyed to me. There was only one incident that my mind was connected to a physical Kwan Yin statue for a brief moment in a Buddhist temple in Westchester NY. I sensed the pull or the energy. That was it. I have one near death experience (was about to get run over by a truck "deliberately" while cycling near my neighborhood.) I ended up dong some Matrix slow motion feats without hitting the truck to the side. Ended up coming to a complete stop and doing a track stand ALONG the side of the truck. I think it was my yi consciousness and wai wu wai at work here...

I'm not familiar with Dogen's terminology so I can't say for sure that I understand his intent. I've read a bit of his writings and your post is stimulating me to want to read more. You mention "finding your place where you are" and "finding your way at this moment." Resting in the nature of mind is primarily about releasing all identification with the you and yet maintaining a deep connection to the present moment. It is very alive and engaged yet dis-identified, unrestricted, undefined, unfabricated, and unconceptualized. I find it relates strongly to Wu Wei. I suspect it is what Dogen is pointing to. It does not mean physical, mental, or emotional inactivity although the early stages of practice occur during formal seated meditation. It is far easier to discover the difference between the mind and its essence when inactive. With certainty and stability, it is then possible to bring this practice to all activities of waking life, sleep, dream, and death - that is the practice. I do think there are strong similarities between what I'm describing and what Dogen is referring to.

OK, I'm in... Here are a couple I love. Once, a poor little boy could not get even a morsel of food to appease his hunger, and stole a banana from a nearby fruit shop. Being a devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan (Krishna), he dropped half the banana into the 'hundi' and he ate the other half. The shopkeeper caught hold of the boy and accused him of the theft. The boy admitted his guilt. The shopkeeper did not have the heart to punish this innocent boy, but to teach him a lesson, he ordered him to walk around the temple a certain number of times. The shop-keeper was aghast when he saw Lord Guruvayurappan follow the little boy around the temple. That night the Lord came to the shopkeeper in a dream and explained, "Since I have also had a share in the stolen banana I am bound to share the punishment, too. So, I followed the boy around the temple." Once a Nenmini Namboodiri, the priest at the Guruvayur temple, instructed his twelve-year-old son to offer the Nivedyam [food] to the Lord. There was only one priest in those days and the Nenmini Namboodiri had to go out on an urgent engagement. The son, Unni, offered a Nivedyam of cooked rice to the Lord; in his simplicity, he believed that the deity would eat the food, but the deity did not move. Unni bought some salted mangoes and curd from a neighborhood vendor, thinking that the Lord would prefer this, mixed the curd with rice and offered it again. The deity again remained unmoved. Unni cajoled, requested, coaxed and in the end threatened, but the deity remained unmoved. He wept because he believed he had failed and shouted at the Lord, exclaiming that his father would beat him. The Lord could not bear it any more, and made the Nivedyam disappear. The boy left the temple satisfied. Unni did not know that the Nivedyam offered to the Lord was the Variyar's prerequisite. When Variyar returned to the temple, he saw the empty plate and became very angry with Unni, but Unni insisted that God had, in fact, eaten the offering. Unni's innocent words made Variyar furious, as he believed the boy had eaten the offering himself and was lying. His father was about to beat Unni, but just then an Asareeri (celestial voice) was heard saying, "I am guilty. Unni is innocent. I ate all the food that he had offered me. There's no need to punish him." There was a man who worshipped Lord Krishna, Lord Hanuman, Maa Durga, and Lord Shiva and other deities. However he was always confused over who was the most powerful and whom to call when in distress. It so happened that he went to take a bath in a river and he started drowning. He started calling Lord Krishna but due to his fear of death he soon thought that "maybe Hanuman can come sooner" and he called "Hanuman" ... but he was not so sure about that too and started calling "Lord Shiva" ... and soon after "Maa Durga" ... and in the process, there was no help coming through and he was swept away by the strong current of the river. When he reached heaven on death, he was in front of Chitragupta who was taking stock of his Karrma but he was looking for God to complain over this injustice. God appeared there in front of him in the form of Krishna (which was this person's first favorite form). God asked him smiling, "My dear son, you appear quite sore. What happened?". This man was pretty angry with God. He said, "Hey, I kept on worshipping you day and night and you didn't come to rescue me from getting drowned when I called you again and again? You just don't take care of your Bhakta when the entire world considers you as the "lover of the devotees". God smiled and said, "You were changing your mind so fast that I could not make it, though I was trying to come to save you! ... and you are blaming me ... that's not fair. See, first you called me in "Krishna's form". As soon as I was getting ready in Krishna's form to come to you, you called Me in Hanuman form. I threw off my form of Krishna and immediately arranged for a monkey face and tail. When I was about to leave to rescue you, you called me in the form of Shiva. So immediately, I threw off my monkey's body, tail, and mace, and took the form of Shiva ... but by that time you had called me in form "Durga”! Now, you know, it takes time to wear a Sari and by the time I was ready wearing Sari and My jewelry and make-up and all, it was too late! So, how can you blame me? " The moral of the story is: You can worship God in any form. It doesn't matter. All forms of God are Supreme. You choose whatever suits you. Please note that in the above story, the fellow did no mistake by worshipping various forms of God but he failed because he didn't have complete faith in any of the forms.