nohbody Posted August 11, 2017 Hi Friends, I'm an American who was born and raised abroad in various military bases. Predictably after 9/11 I joined up and fought in the war on terror/ terrible joke and came out the other side with PTSD and shame. After years of therapy, a failed marriage and more besides I decided that Sunyata was the only viable alternative to suicide. I studied and practiced various eclectic eastern and western systems and achieved nothing (and I continue to cultivate nothing). It is my intent to learn from others and find what else works so that I may offer some relief to those who continue to suffer. My main foci have been Metta and Mindfulness, but because everyone is different I don't want to hold up any technique as a panacea. Thanks for reading, I would appreciate any suggestions and advice. Drift on. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted August 11, 2017 (edited) Hello nohbody, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Marblehead and the TDB team Hi nohbody, Well, allow me please to thank you for serving. Sad that you have had a hard time dealing with your experiences while serving. You will find many here willing to talk with rather than "to" you. You are welcome to jump right in ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forms to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Marblehead Edited August 12, 2017 by Marblehead 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cold Posted August 11, 2017 Yes thanks for serving! And welcome. May your time here be useful. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RiverSnake Posted August 11, 2017 (edited) Welcome to TDB. I've heard of veterans getting good results from spontaneous shaking techniques. Perhaps worth checking out. Trauma Releasing exercises (TRE) is quite popular. Lots of videos on youtube about the topic. Edited August 11, 2017 by WayofChi 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 4 hours ago, nohbody said: It is my intent to learn from others and find what else works so that I may offer some relief to those who continue to suffer. Hi nohbody, On the other side of the learning equation, I am sure many (including me) look forward to learning from you experientially. You have come across as very human and real. A good weekend. - LimA 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 5 hours ago, Marblehead said: May you enjoy your time here. Hi Marblehead, But of course. Just slip in to wish you a great weekend. - LimA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 6 hours ago, nohbody said: After years of therapy, a failed marriage and more besides I decided that Sunyata was the only viable alternative to suicide. I studied and practiced various eclectic eastern and western systems and achieved nothing (and I continue to cultivate nothing) Hi nohbody, It is now clear where you are coming from. You were an unsung hero. Now you a noh-hero. Anybody knows what/who is a noh-body, besides nohbody himself? - LimA 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelerner Posted August 12, 2017 I've always felt keeping a quiet mind is very important, the basis for meditation, its platform per se. But because we tend to drift toward negativity, that we need a push of positivity also. Beyond the abyss imo we need to spend some time on life affirming things. Appreciate the sun, the grass, a cool glass of water, children at play, a gentle smile. It feels cliche almost childish but we need to remember our blessings and be thankful for what we have. One thing I do every now and then is listen to something uplifting. I enjoy guided meditations. Here's a nice one, by Kim Walsh, she's got a beautiful lilting voice. And at its heart, after the induction is the focus on Mindfulness. I'll make mp3's of things like this and listen to them in the morning. Course I'll listen to Chod audio's where you feed your own body to a demon, so.. Beyond emptiness, look for some happiness too. The purpose of the Void, is creation. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 (edited) 15 hours ago, Marblehead said: Well, allow me please to thank you for serving. 14 hours ago, cold said: Yes thanks for serving! THANK YOU TO ALL WAR VETERANS WHEREVER YOU ARE ... THANK YOU TO ALL SOLDIERS NOW IN THE FIELDS ... - for the peace in this world today, albeit it being still precariously held together. "Let's honor all of them. but let's quit calling them troops. it's not the boy scouts. Let's honor them for what they really are. SOLDIERS all ways and forever. Warriors of freedom!!!" - Dennis Dubak - Utube (3 years ago). To all your COMRADES now resting in peace: A peace and freedom lover - LimA Edited August 12, 2017 by Limahong Enhancement of sentence. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 (edited) 14 hours ago, Marblehead said: Well, allow me please to thank you for serving. 14 hours ago, cold said: Yes thanks for serving! 3 Doors Down Lyrics "When I'm Gone" There's another world inside of me That you may never see There're secrets in this life That I can't hide Somewhere in this darkness There's a light that I can't find Maybe it's too far away... Or maybe I'm just blind... Or maybe I'm just blind...[Chorus] So hold me when I'm here Right me when I'm wrong Hold me when I'm scared And love me when I'm gone Everything I am And everything in me Wants to be the one You wanted me to be I'll never let you down Even if I could I'd give up everything If only for your good So hold me when I'm here Right me when I'm wrong You can hold me when I'm scared You won't always be there So love me when I'm gone Love me when I'm gone... When your education X-Ray Cannot see under my skin I won't tell you a damn thing That I could not tell my friends Roaming through this darkness I'm alive but I'm alone Part of me is fighting this But part of me is gone[Chorus] Or maybe I'm just blind...[Chorus] Love me when I'm gone... Love me when I'm gone When I'm Gone When I'm Gone When I'm Gone A peace and freedom lover - LimA Edited August 12, 2017 by Limahong Enhancement of sentence. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 7 hours ago, thelerner said: I've always felt keeping a quiet mind is very important, the basis for meditation, its platform per se. But because we tend to drift toward negativity, that we need a push of positivity also. Hi thelerner, I second that - the importance of a quiet mind for meditation. Perhaps when we are at the earlier stages of trying to meditate, a push for positivity over negativity is a conscious prerequisite. But when we are more entrenched in meditation, wu wei takes charge. Just my own experience to-date; still learning when it comes to meditation. It is also important to be kind to one's own self. - LimA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 On 8/12/2017 at 3:22 AM, nohbody said: Drift on. Hi nohbody, I am drifting on and I ask myself these questions: (i) Why is this thread titled - "Some devil"? (ii) What is PTSD? Please enlighten if you are drifting by. - LimA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nohbody Posted August 12, 2017 Lima First: I was decorated for heroism, and also for restraint. Second: regarding PTSD, it means post traumatic stress disorder. Third: I'm not a Buddha... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 23 hours ago, WayofChi said: Perhaps worth checking out. Trauma Releasing exercises (TRE) is quite popular. Hi WayofChi, Thank you. I have checked out two TRE vidoes and I like it almost instantly. Such smplicity. This elaboration, by Dr David Berchili in this video @ 4:37 min, on healing is pretty interesting: Thanks again for sharing. - LimA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 18 minutes ago, nohbody said: Third I'm not a Buddha.. Hi nohbody, But of course. There is only one Buddha ... You are nohBuddha? 24 minutes ago, nohbody said: Second: regarding PTSD, it means post traumatic stress disorder. Hope that by typing PTSD out in full, it dissolves within you henceforth. Now you are in quite good order? 29 minutes ago, nohbody said: First: I was decorated for heroism, and also for restraint. Congratulations! "Restraint"? Why - "Some devil"? A great weekend. -LimA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nohbody Posted August 12, 2017 Some devil because not a Buddha. Or maybe a devilish part of the Buddha. You too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 1 minute ago, nohbody said: You too! Me? But of course! Welcome on board bro. - LimA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 Hi nohbody, Since we are nohBuddha's, can we be gypsies instead? A gypsy is - "one who follows an itinerant or otherwise unconventional career or way of life" (The Free Dictionary). - LimA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 12, 2017 Hi nohbody, It is now 5+am at my end. Time for me to return to my sleep. It is raining presently - good for sleeping. Before that I like to share this: Good night. - LimA 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 13, 2017 (edited) On 8/12/2017 at 3:33 AM, Marblehead said: Hi nohbody, Well, allow me please to thank you for serving. ... You will find many here willing to talk with rather than "to" you. Hi Marblehead, As a 'wondering Taoist', do you want to be a 'wandering gypsy' as well? I am thinking of becoming one and am asking nohbody to join me. As fellow gypsies, we can be better poised to to talk with each other, rather than "to" each other. Am I sure? Yes because gypsies follow itinerant or otherwise unconventional careers or ways of life. Also I think gypsies are good Taoists in the making as they are unconventional. Yes/no? - LimA Edited August 13, 2017 by Limahong Enhancement of sentences. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 13, 2017 On 8/12/2017 at 3:22 AM, nohbody said: Predictably after 9/11 I joined up and fought in the war on terror/ terrible joke and came out the other side with PTaSD and shame. Hi nohbody, To serve was your game. So no cause for shame. You are now not on the lame. With nohbody your new name. As nobodies, we are all the same. Waiting for blessings to be tamed. March on. As a gypsy? - LimA 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted August 13, 2017 3 hours ago, Limahong said: Hi Marblehead, As a 'wondering Taoist', do you want to be a 'wandering gypsy' as well? That was a possibility right after I retired from the Army but I selected a different path that I am now satisfied with and have no reason to consider such things any more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted August 13, 2017 6 minutes ago, Marblehead said: That was a possibility right after I retired from the Army but ... Hi Marblehead, Perhaps then you were whistling to this: 15 minutes ago, Marblehead said: ... but I selected a different path that I am now satisfied with and have no reason to consider such things any more. From my reading of your postings at TDB, you have come across as one satisfied with your chosen path. You are blessed - albeit an atheist. You deserve your moments. - LimA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
