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Is 'just sitting' a post-enlightment practice?
johndoe2012 replied to Vajra Fist's topic in Buddhist Discussion
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Full description of methods for the 4 stages of internal alchemy in book: Internal Alchemy for Everyone
Forestgreen replied to Yae's topic in Daoist Discussion
This is an interesting interpretation. I wouldn't have connected that formula to any description of the MCO in a million years, really. I thought that the MCO was a description for the replenishing cycle, and that formula was a rather specific later stage practice. -
Thank you for explaining your point of view, @Nungali! I guess I understand you better now.
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This thread alone is the proof that people can be inspired to observe and self-reflect and question something deeper. That is very auspicious in my view. This thread is full of auspicious moments imo.
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Bruce Frantzis teaches how to do this as well.
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Ok, got a free moment... There's two issues here, first about the status of the categories related to "biological sex", the second related to what is required to make sense of transition. I'll take them in turn. 1. Biological sex categories It's true that there are two biological poles of human sexuality (there are interesting biological/mathematical reasons for this!). These poles involve traits along a number of dimensions (chromosomal, hormonal, behavioral, external-appearance, etc.), which tend to covary but don't necessarily. And, again, some of them are more mutable (with current technology) than others. (None are absolutely immutable.) My point is precisely that our ability to socially recognize "males" and "females" is a simplification imposed on a biological reality that is more complicated. I am absolutely not denying that we can do it. But what we're tracking directly when we make these distinctions (external presentation) is not what anyone takes to be essential to "biological" sex (chromosomes and/or gametes), and the mapping between them is complex. And, indeed, very nearly every aspect of sex classification that feeds into this classificatory ability is mutable with current technology. So I don't take this classificatory ability to speak strongly in favor of realism about immutable biological sex categories. 2. Making sense of transition You say: "if "maleness" or "femaleness" didn´t exist there would be nothing to transition away from" I think this is gets transition very importantly wrong. Transition does not need to be understand as moving away from one category toward another category. For example, I really want bottom surgery. What does this involve? It involves replacing one set of genitalia with another. That is a concrete change, motivated by the fact that my current genital arrangement causes me significant distress. You can understand it as it presents itself: as a desire to replace genitalia. To then call it a change from "maleness" to "femaleness" is a conceptual imposition. Many trans women are quite happy with their "male" genital arrangement. It is, in fact, a choice to deem the penis "male"—a choice that, I might cheekily say, suggests a lamentable unfamiliarity with the pleasure of getting dicked down by a girl. (One can say similar things about boypussy.) This holds for transition-related changes in general. They all deal with particular points of discomfort. One can group those together into more encompassing categories if one wants, but doing so is not required for making sense of transition. And, indeed, I think recognizing this is really important. It is a major barrier to trans people figuring out that they want to transition that we think about it in terms of these nebulous, ill-defined categories. Do I want to be a woman? What's a woman? How does one know one falls into that category? I have watched so many girls trap themselves with this—it just functions as an unnecessary entry barrier to transition, when the reality is very simple. As I said in my first post in this thread: Hungry? Eat Thirsty? Drink Want tits? Take estrogen Want to be called "she" instead of "he"? Change your pronouns And so on The desires are always more particular than the categories, and the categories are more a hindrance than a help. Long reply so I'll stop here. Hope something in this resonates : )
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The doorman gets pissed The monks get into a brawl The cat takes a nap
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Is 'just sitting' a post-enlightment practice?
stirling replied to Vajra Fist's topic in Buddhist Discussion
You are meditating for therapy, but it is ineffective? If you don't want a teacher, I would suggest trying Jack Kornfield's "A Path With Heart". If you become adept at watching your thoughts, feelings and sensations you get to the point where any of them can arise in consciousness and dissolve without triggering an associated dialog. Worth learning to do. I agree with all of that, EXCEPT that anyone who sits will notice that their baggage comes up. It is part of why you meditate, and happens there, but also in your daily life. People often have deep trauma come up on long retreats, for a good reason. Most meditation centers will suggest retreat attendees think carefully about their psychological history before committing to retreats for this reason. If the the "Unus Mundus" is being conflated with the Tao, then I would disagree. Possibly there is a larger discussion of "self" that could be had to clarify this point. Couple of pints in a local pub? Certainly where there is illumination to what the "self" actually IS, interference slowly comes to a halt. -
can't type a response now, but I'll try to do so in the next day or so. feel free to bug me if i forget
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Is it? Seems to me that almost everyone from a very young age can reliably sort people into male and female groupings at sight. There are some people of indeterminate sex, of course, but the vast majority of folks are born clearly male or female. I realize that these categories don´t feel comfortable to some people. Some people avail themselves of medical therapies to successfully change their outward appearance such they appear as a different sex -- and if this make them happier or relieves suffering then more power to them! But let´s not deny the reality of the categories themselves. Afterall, if "maleness" or "femaleness" didn´t exist there would be nothing to transition away from.
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Is 'just sitting' a post-enlightment practice?
Mark Foote replied to Vajra Fist's topic in Buddhist Discussion
Gautama spoke of cessation, in the context of thoughts initial and sustained with regard to the state of mind: (One) makes up one’s mind: Contemplating impermanence I shall breathe in. Contemplating impermanence I shall breathe out. Contemplating dispassion I shall breathe in. Contemplating dispassion I shall breathe out. Contemplating cessation I shall breathe in. Contemplating cessation I shall breathe out. Contemplating renunciation I shall breathe in. Contemplating renunciation I shall breathe out. (SN V 312, Pali Text Society Vol V p 275-276; tr. F. L. Woodward; masculine pronouns replaced, re-paragraphed) The thoughts he described, he said were a part of his way of living. "Contemplating cessation"--the cessation of the "activities", which are the actions of speech, body, and mind that take place as a result of "determinate thought": …I have seen that the ceasing of the activities is gradual. When one has attained the first trance [first meditative state], speech has ceased. When one has attained the second trance, thought initial and sustained has ceased. When one has attained the third trance, zest has ceased. When one has attained the fourth trance, inbreathing and outbreathing have ceased. ... Both perception and feeling have ceased when one has attained the cessation of perception and feeling. (SN IV 217, Vol IV p 146) I'm convinced Gautama touched on "the cessation of inbreathing and outbreathing" as a regular part of his way of living, that he sat until he attained such a cessation and the subsequent "survey-sign of the concentration", and that by means of the "survey-sign" he could touch on "the cessation of inbreathing and outbreathing" in his contemplation of cessation in daily living. But say--what did you mean by cessation? -
Ren acupoints, Daoist Breathing, and Belly-Dancing
Trunk replied to Trunk's topic in Daoist Discussion
I've been doing some review of du & ren in Deadman's Manual of Acupuncture. If you're really into this stuff, consider buying that - or some other hard core - book on acupuncture. Of the caliber that they use in schools. I find it to be a valuable reference. Anyway, the trajectories of ren (and du) are significantly different than is presented in pop-Taoism. A couple of other references. - Yesterday
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Fair question, fair answer .
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Mine where horrified when I said I wanted to become a 'window dresser' ( I saw a guy doing it, he made a life size 'diorama ' in a shop window , I was impressed at his style, creativity and harmonious use of shapes and color ) .... parents where worried that I might have 'suspect tendencies' and made me go to 'career guidance ' .... over 50 years later , I design all aspects and build my own ' rainforest wetroom ' (wash house ) . people are amazed " You did that ! " - river rock tile floor , Imported multi shade greens subway tile with a silver , moonstone and mother-of-pearl accent strip , stone basins , retro fittings and switches in bake-a-light etc etc . That was probably just one of my potential careers they steered me away from ... then went on asking and complaining to me about what I was going to do in life as a career ! ... no, not that , Oh no certainly not that ! No not that either . Why dont you do something with yourself ! .
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But WHY ?????? I never got this ( the pants for boys dresses for girls thing ) . Dresses or kilts or similar ... or at least a pants with codpiece suits the male anatomy , pants do not ! Pants suit more the female anatomy . I even remember it being weird , when fitted for a junior school uniform being asked if I 'dressed to the left or right ', I had no idea what that meant . Later when I understood I thought ' Why should I do either ' ? Why do I need that seam up there in the way at all ? It can get quiet uncomfortable .
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Sorry , bad joke ; No matter how well you look after your cows ..... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorrigo,_New_South_Wales#History
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I love that it's person to person... thanks again mate.
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That works, although it's a tad more person to person than a heart to indicate a love of what was written. You're so welcome! If you're interested, there are some amazing photos of Clear Lake and Mount Konocti, here (and some duds, lots of duds, actually, but what's good is very good)--if you're not on Facebook, just click the "x" in the upper right-hand corner of the "See More on Facebook" pop-up.
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I use this in the stead of a missing heart emoji that photo is absolutely stunning Mark. Thanks for sharing!
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i thought you're the guy trying to balance these are dead, not happily sleeping after consuming to much apples or something
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After the posting of the emoji Tree of Life , she is worried she might not be taken seriously anymore .
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Of course , with me having no spiritual pride , all my cows feel safe and secure Oh ! ... errrr ..... ooops !
