TheSongsofDistantEarth

Ah, Stigweard and Mal May moderate the rabble-rowse May the best bum win!

lighting up the depths lightening up the lightning lighten up, would'ja?

Ah, I see your point. [Message sent by my iPhone from Everest Base camp.]

'amatuer' >>'amateur' is the preferred spelling in the US. Welcome. SoDE .

I think what people are picking up has nothing to do with "conspiracy theories", in which I put just about no stock. If you're not sensing somewhere deep in your intuitive belly that things are not all right with the world, then that's fine. For example, the events of this and last year show all too clearly that the US and global economic structure is deeply rotten...run by people who run wild with greed and little regulatory oversight. No conspiracy, just a bunch of people who can game the system and it wouldn't take too much for things to get much, much worse. It seems there is imminent collapse of many of our systems and institutions. I dunno, I can sense/feel some things ominous looming in the near future. I hope I'm wrong, and we'll all live happily ever after, but if the events in just the economic world haven't shaken you a bit, wait until you lose your job, and the world may seem a different place.

I find his stuff interesting regarding energy interesting. I really like how he teaches this street smart urban shaman kind of stuff. I don't know what to think about the Greys and the Morph and all the entities that he sees appearing around him. I kind of lost track of him a few years ago, thanks for the reminder. I've never met him. I tried to go to a conference four years ago, but my father suddenly became ill and died. The ruffian who runs his White Dove organization was unsympathetic and told me it wasn't his fault. I was unable to get a refund, but only a credit for my $900 to attend a future conference, of which I think this may be the first one since. Kind of left a bad taste in my mouth, but maybe I should go... .

OK. Let me attempt to summarize the way things appear to me. >Yes, things seemed nicer in the "old days" when there were fewer members and a more cohesive membership. But, TaoBums has grown enormously recently. As such, there are many new members whose interest in Tao/taoism is peripheral, marginal or non-existent. This has led to a lot more varied threads. Some don't like to see too much about martial arts in topics. Some don't like the Buddhist barrage. Whatever, the thing is, with so many people now of diverse interests, there is a lot more commotion. That's going to part of the growth of a forum, like it or not, we're going to see a lot more of everything here. (I do enjoy the variety, but it gets harder to sort through the stuff with so many new posts and topics). >Of course, Buddhist discussion should be encouraged here. What is frustrating to many is when the Buddhism invades most any discussion on unrelated topics. A casual observer may wander into a thread or two, and wonder,"What's the problem? These guys are just bringing their Buddhist perspective, and there's nothing wrong with that. We all learn something." Others who are participating more actively, become frustrated when many discussions become hijacked, in their view to one or two committed Buddhist who seem to have a mission, are not open , really, to other points of view. Others points are not taken, but refuted, and the superiority of a particular brand of Buddhism is constantly trumpeted. This might be OK if the Buddhist started a thread with a particular Buddhist topic, but Buddhism has seemingly "invaded" the forum by an individual with boundless energy and intellectual and spiritual enthusiasm. >Fact: Vajra is a divisive figure here. Perhaps he is a litmus test inside of us. (Personally, I find him deeply irritating. But that's as much about me as him, I realize). Perhaps he might ask himself why not just one, but a number find him so off-putting. >He does have his supporters. Some of the supporters are these people who haven't been following closely and wonder what the fuss is about. Others approve of him. If you read back, there are several people who find his attitude overbearing and subtly insulting. Vajra himself, until this thread perhaps, has not had insight into how he comes off to some people, despite varying attempts of frustrated others to point out his behavior. He seems to be bewildered that others have a problem with him, and throws it back at them. This increases the frustration. > Vajra has become devisive by having a strong viewpoint, and often coming off as dismissive and disrespectful to others points of view. He does not realize or does not admit to this. Because of his well meaning energy, enthusiasm and intellect, that he posts a lot, and touts the supremacy of his brand of Buddhism, others react strongly to this subtle divisiveness, and begin to argue with him personally (including myself). >He has a right to be here, to say the things he does. Because of his manner, those that feel affronted by his attitudes also have a right to oppose him. Otherwise they feel that someone has invaded and taken over, to some extent, monopolizing the discussion. This does become tiresome, however. >As a community that is growing so rapidly, we have to sort out how we will deal with this kind of thing. Some are considering leaving because of the wrangling. Others consider leaving because of the dilution of the spirit of the forum and the invasion of other interests. My take on it . .

Yes! That's right!! I'm glad we're on the same team now. .

Pietro Mar 18 2009, 01:28 AM Post #7 Lazy Wandering Taoist Group: The Tao Bums Posts: 1,287 Joined: 6-November 04 From: Europe, mostly Coimbra in Portugal or Rome in Italy. Occasionally Brighton (UK), Dublin (IE), Jena (DE) or Castellina Marittima (IT) Member No.: 15 If you are new here: When people arrive here, eventually they get really passionate about this place. This place has a strong uprooting energy. Soon they forget your center, their roots, their ground and their feet. And then we offend each other in the dialectic passion. Some blushing often is the end result. It is so common that is nearly an initiation. Somehow going through it makes a real Tao Bum. Just be relaxed with the whole process.

I like to play Yahtzee!!!! .

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I beg your forgiveness, Lord Vajrahridaya.

Ah, thanks again for the reminder, Vaj. According to your many posts, everyone else has opinion while you have the Truth. We keep forgetting...Tibetan Buddhism, and more specifically, Dzogchen is the highest form of spirituality that exists...everything else is lesser... keep reminding us, we're so deluded here. Thank God (or Lord Buddha) you're now amongst us to save us from ourselves. .

OK, Plato... a void, by definition is nothingness. Nothingness is void. All void is absolute. There is no 'relative void'. What would that be? Maybe these ideas of yours would make sense if you were able to explain them coherently. By the way, pay attention to my above argument...that's how one argues philosophically. Simple, direct, clear, incontrovertable., and devastating. "As Buddhism is deeply spiritual"? Really? I thought it was like, cagefighting or something. Thanks for pointing that out. Just sayin'. hehe .

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Whatever, doo-doo head. Whoever "you" are, your internet personality is smug and annoying as all hell. But that's 'my' trigger, then idn't it? Can't you at least admit that you annoy a lot of people here? Where are your defenders, besides Mikey (who I actually like). OK, I'm bowing out of this scrap. Let the discussion continue.... .

sorry, I had to post this, before you've had a chance to erase/edit yours... (p.s., those experiential signs are to be considered obstacles....shhh....) Woo Hoo!! I haven't had this much fun since Kwan Yin and I went on that 4-day bender in Shanghai back in '26! bye!

Yes, you finally got it! Just what we've been telling you!! Congratulations!!! I very happy for you .

ego, my man...again, your ego... ya, sure, when do you meditate? You don't even sleep! .

Wayfarer, I share your sentiments. Vaj is totally oblivious, too wrapped up in his own ego to reflect on self and his obnoxious attitudes. Nothing gets through to him. He's already written me off as "sad" for challenging him. He fancies himself a writer and philosopher, yet cannot write clearly, simply or cogently. He preaches his brand of Buddhism with the zeal of the newly converted, blind because he has found The Way. He reached 1,000 posts in the last 3 months usually around the clock, many of them meandering and obscure, and frequently arrogant and obnoxious... I have yet to hear him talk about socially engaged Buddhism, he appears to be on the Fast Track to Enlightenment now, so we should listen to his often nonsensical meanderings, right? What is his daily meditation practice? Thank God his girlfriend arrived and forbade him his forum addiction, we've had a little break lately... .

Yin smiles sweetly Yang wants another beer, now! Oops!! The glass has spilled! .

You are probably safe to take it. I would use extra caution though, if one of your antidepressants is an MAOI. Otherwise, start with a low dose for a few days to make sure, and work your way up. The same cannot be said for St John's Wort or Rhodiola Rosea, which should definitely not be taken with antidepressants ordinarily. .

I like it up there. My secret fort in the trees- it's no girls allowed! .