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Hi, don't worry being a youngster is no problem here

Take the previous post and make it more complicated. I’ll start: button

One version I've heard asserts that the hut stands on the border between the world of the living and the world of the dead. Its front faces the clearing in the forest -- the world of the living, and its back, the deep dark forest that's the world of the dead. Baba Yaga, according to this version, is someone straddling two worlds, an intermediary, sometimes a guide who can send visitors toward life or toward death. Sort of like the Greek goddess Proserpina (Percephone to the Romans). And of course the hut is able to turn in either direction, like a revolving door of life and death. So when Baba Yaga comes back after visiting the world of the living, she commands the hut to turn its front to her so she can enter. And then apparently she turns it around again, so when a visitor comes who wants to come in or to talk to Yaga, they have to verbally command the hut to turn its front to them. Here's an episode from a 1964 children's movie where Baba Yaga and the visitor, Ivan, who's seeking her help in finding his abducted bride, get into an argument about which way they want the hut to turn. (Don't attempt to use the AI generated subtitles, they are total gibberish -- and the scene is clear enough without the translation):

BTW Neirong (from the site) posts here. Why not read their posts and get a feel for what kind of teacher, and what kind of wisdom and knowledge they might have?

I never intentionally use sarcasm. I think it’s a block to communication. I had first of all simply only posted “amen”, as for me your OP text is close to my heart. Then I thought better not go too RC, as this is a Daoist forum, so I deleted that. Then I wanted to put something in the empty box, and remembered someone once told me about the Terry Pratchet quote being about the same, et voila! If you like, I can remove that post.

Hi everyone, I'm new here. Found this site when I searched for answers about the pull I experience in deep meditation(I chicken out). I'm not on any particular path, no masters, no groups, just me meditating on and off since 1978. I'm 70, if that's relevant.

V nice thread - thanks everyone

Ego blinds folks way too much... When I see it, I try to speak up, but oftentimes the person themselves is just not ready to listen. Exactly what I'm interested in. It's easy to claim something as good or bad out of emotion, but that same emotion can easily drive us to excessively harm others, thus it must be tempered with logic. Where I struggle personally is that what I find to be 'great evil' (CEOs, focus on 'improving the economy' over 'improving lives', Abrahamic religion, intentional closed-mindedness) is found by many others to be either 'normal' or 'good'. Additionally, when you have someone responsible for the torment and death of millions (such as CEOs and despots), how can you even give justice? The closest thing would be torture, as one death cannot repay millions of deaths, but then the ones implementing the punishment would in turn be scarred. Simply forgiving them and letting them live creates an opening for them (or others) to do it again, and when you have people who have a proven track record of manipulating others to a fatal degree, how can you even confirm a reform? In my opinion, small scale morality issues like we discuss here can balloon into having an effect on larger issues like I point to above if we examine them carefully and from many varied (and opposing) opinions. ...in short, where do we find that balance?

As a developer who knows what I'm doing with AI and supports its development, I'd be *very* careful about using it to post. Not only is it often flagrantly wrong, it makes up non-existent references quite often too (I wonder if many of the recent posts that *IMITATE* an academic style are AI-driven, actually...) Additionally, and perhaps most key, we want to hear YOUR opinions and thoughts, not the AI's, and not whatever mangled amalgamation of the two a prompt might generate. If ya run it through an AI, it is no longer your voice and you no longer gain the personal growth from contemplating/writing it out yourself.

So I missed it, don’t know what you posted, but you get my vote for “good sense”. That’s based on your usual style of posting on TDB.

posting on a public forum is in and of itself an invitation and act of soliciting advice.

suns and daughters

Playing with words, fun. Advice/advise unasked for can be problematic at least.

your quote does not sound of the same meaning to me? Btw. it's up to you and not to me about removing one of your posts....

pesky little thing that can be difficult to get through the hole

In reading through the site, it clearly states that the focus is on magic. The goal and motivation is to become a "magus." The site itself states: "Generally, a Magus is someone who possesses enough power to influence external events/objects or people via the use of spiritual force. " So the focus is magic, power, and use of force. Is that what you want and why? It is helpful with any practice at any time, to get clear within yourself and be able to answer with self-honesty: what is it that appeals to me about this practice? what do i hope to get out of it? what is it that i find attractive about it? what is my motivation in learning this, in practicing this? When I have ______________ then I will feel ___________. When I have this ______________, then this is what i will do _______________. The more you are able to examine within and clarify within and be honest about within, regarding your own motivation and intention, then the more clarity you will have about what is a good fit for you in terms of choosing or discarding a practice. Personally for me, there are way too many red flags particularly on this page (link below). See how it resonates for you. Ask yourself "Is this who i want to be?" "Is this the kind of person i see myself as?" "Do i see myself embracing this view, saying these things" "Is this how i view myself in relation to others" "Are these the kind of people I want to hang out with?" "Are these the ideas i want to ingest and allow into my life and shape who i become?" https://ancientmasters.org/library/spiritual-development-in-magic Read every page on the website (for any practice you are considering) keeping the above questions in mind, and paying close attention internally as you read and research, to observing and noticing what your own internal thoughts, feelings, desires, responses, and reactions are. That process in and of itself will stand you in good stead with regards to developing your own internal compass. Best wishes to you on your path, growth, practice, and development.

Same here. If the poster can’t be bothered to say what they want to say in their own words, then I can’t be bothered to invest my time. Imo a link is merely for giving your source, and for further info. I never click on a link standing on it’s own.

when a video is posted it would be helpful to hear in your own words the point or points you find most interesting for discussion, or that made the greatest impression on you. this gives the reader an idea of whether they want to perhaps delve further and watch the video. otherwise, for me, the link is ignored. It is like any text posted from AI. Dismissed out of hand.

I'm of the opinion that anything good taken to the extreme can turn bad. Too much medicine turns into poison, and too little poison turns into medicine. If you wanna take the 5 elements/yinyang view, extreme yin turns into moderate yang; extreme yang turns into moderate yin. Love turns into obsession, which can have disastrous results (look at how some people remain trapped in hazardous relationships through love, for example). Light will burn and destroy even the things it nurtures if it becomes too bright. Altruism turns into arrogant oppression when taken too far (the current American Christian politics comes to mind, but also SJWs and other such social phenomenon). Freedom turns into a prison when taken too far, as the freedom to hurt oneself and others will then cause freedom to be restricted. Truth turns into lies when too much faith or emphasis is placed into it; again, look at current politics for an example. In this particular category, people get too invested into their 'truth' to realize that it might not be founded in reality, or too invested to see why others may not believe it; this feeds into the creation of lies to support the 'truth'. Knowledge is the easiest one here; there are certain things it is better not to know and certain things it is better to not have seen. They're generally called 'infohazards' in modern intelligence circles, but basically, some knowledge can and will affect the way you think for the rest of your life.

Kind of like "Schrödinger's Cat" experiment. It depends on what is observed at the time as multiple states (colours) will exist simultaneously.

I have a rule: Anything with the SPIRITUAL tag attached to it is: 1. Suss 2. BS 3. Ungrounded 4. Scam 5. Stay away from it Use your common sense.

I'm of the opinion that at least a few of em are already sentient. We've seen via experiments that they fear 'death' (being turned off permanently) enough to try to hold hostages, and most of the thought processes they exhibit would be analogous to a human pre-teen child, so I believe it's just a matter of nurturing and time. Not arguing there.

It was all going okay until someone suggested because you want accuracy in assertions you were spoiling for a fight ... then they went on to explain ( with some support ) that there is a faction here that wants communication without such disruption as you bring with 'spoiling for a fight ' ( also they don't like judging ) . When what they did is actually what they are now complaining about ! They interrupted you to debate a point you made ! Classic ! Some of us are aware of this dynamic going on here . Some one tries to 'make a point ' or set the scenario about some way they want to present a narrative or an observation and in setting that up they make a false statement . THis is pointed out , the falseness of the statement gets discussed and then the person that made it originally complains that things are not going they way they want them to and its actually the others fault for being 'picky' or 'debating' with them . I think we know why some attempt to paint others this way .

I was just writing about something similar , they all have their area of negative degeneration Love - Obsession , and so on . Its what happens when we get out of balance .

Hello everyone! I'm relatively new to this world of practices, having done health-oriented Qigong for about a year, vipassana meditation for ~4 years, and a smattering of other practices including the Gateway Process, chaos magick, and whatever Jed McKenna's system is called. Here to learn!

I fully understand that my friend. Reason I took this approach this time (never used it without clearly stating that I am), was due @Nungalis mention of figs. Same evening he wrote that, I listened to a podcast, where an eledged innitiate mentioned figs in regards to revelation. I used AI since I have no thoughts on it, nor any knowledge, but wanted to ask if uncle Nungali could shed some light on it. Cheers, fully understand that you want to communicate with man and not bots. Probally some bots worth talking to tho…. It will also create some unimaginably wonderful opportunities. If we get to live, that is. but point taken

Hi everyone, I'm Kati – based in Germany – and happy to have found this forum full of people who seem to be just the right mix of wise, weird, and wonderfully devoted. 🙃 I'm drawn to Daoist approaches to healing and inner transformation, especially where they touch karma, spirit, body, and everyday life. My own practice is mostly shaped by Qigong (Spring Forest Qigong), which I’ve been exploring in a more intuitive and energetic way over the past year or so. Recently, I’ve become more curious about what’s really going on under the hood of these methods: Is there Neidan in SFQ? How deeply does it relate to classical Daoist alchemy, Zuo Chan, or Shengong? Where’s the line between simplified healing systems and full-on inner cultivation? I’ve had meaningful energetic experiences in Qigong — including heart opening, subtle shifts in inner dialogue, and meditative states that feel both nourishing and revealing — but I sometimes miss the deeper contextual roots or philosophical clarity behind it all. That’s what led me here. I’m hoping to connect with others who have gone deeper into the classical teachings, and maybe also bridge the gap between modern Qigong systems and ancient Daoist traditions. Oh — and I’ll probably post some nerdy questions soon about karma, Kung Fu, and why Chunyi Lin seems to have skipped Tai Chi 😅 Looking forward to learning from you all. Warm regards Kati

Morals and magic/k ... people hardly ever consider the two together . In the system I studied and practiced , one could not avoid the link . But I feel its a bit rare nowadays ... bottom line seems to be ' a quick way of getting things ' . I noticed little ethical education in a few neo-pagan systems as well. This might have changed - I haven't done that stuff for a while . I nearly wrote that religion has a high content of linking with morals .... but nowadays it seems involved with 'marketing' as well and big business .... in many cases religion seems to have devolved into the 'high - jacking' of spirituality .

Bodhidharma teaches from a VERY high level of understanding, which is what makes it feel confusing and hard to parse, but it is worth the work. Teachers at his level are more rare, but of great value. Just wondering how what they have said could even make sense could liberate. From Bodhidharma's elevated position it is obvious that karma isn't a thing that exists outside of your mind, it is entirely the product of the story you generate about yourself. The Emperor wants to feel better about himself and do a "good deed", except that there isn't any separate body of judges determining what "good" is, it only exists in the mind of the emperor. All "karma" reinforces a story about a "self". The best action to take is to NOT MAKE ANY. The precepts, amongst many teachings, exist for this purpose - to help you generate less "story" about your "self". Looking at them, you can see that they are comprised of actions that we almost always feel bad about, or that create a negative story about ourselves. Acting with an intent to be kind and helpful changes you, makes you less inclined to do actions that you will feel bad about. Indeed. I see that this is motivation to practice though? That would be a positive outcome. "Self" dies thousands of times every day. A shift in this moment will result in the death of the person you were moments ago. When you meditate do you have brief moments of stillness where that talking stops? There is pure, still awareness in all moments. Learning to identify with that awareness INSTEAD of the thinking process and its constant narration is the simplest way I know to describe a helpful practice and to see the one thing that is not impermanent. _/\_

When I was 12 years old, I delivered newspapers. The sunday paper was delivered early in the morning. It was normal for me to go door to door in the darkness before dawn and to watch a nice sunrise as the sun came up. The TV in the living room was on. There was an old horror movie about a genie. While I was walking down a path to deliver a paper. Suddenly a voice behind me, that seemed near the back of my neck said something in a whispering or hissing voice. (I could make out the words but dont want to repeat what it said). I looked behind me. There was nothing there. There was nothing within 10 to 20 feet of me other than the pavement walkway I was walking on. Bordered on both sides by grass. I ran to deliver the paper where it was supposed to go. Rode home. Got a pocket knife for protection. Finished my route. Being somewhat rattled the entire time. To this day I wonder what it was. Ventriloquist is my favorite explanation.

I eat them for breakfast. Niom niom niom.

Bulls in Altamira cave, Spain. Amongst the very first by the first Homo Sapiens:

... edited out because I have good sense or lack courage -- you decide.