Jadespear

... It means to not be afraid of people, by asserting that possessions and humiliation of oneself will never deter one from the "spiritual life". It's basically a way of saying that nothing in this world is actually as/more important than the inner quality of oneself. It's an enlightened person telling others to remain enlightened and not deterred by the evils of the world.

...well - there are different interpretations or "stories" about the death of Jesus... some people cite sources that say Jesus in fact was never crucified, but Judas was. Anyway you slice it - Christianity was a religion that combined symbols/stories/enculturation from other pre-existing ones and concurrent ones at the time of its proliferation by the Roman Empire. Anyway - the symbol of the cross has been observed throughout many religions across history. All of them - basically revere the symbol as a representation of balance. Christianity basically appropriated the symbol to be one of "sacrifice"...because the story goes that Jesus sacrificed himself for the greater good. That story is actually lifted form the Egyptian myth of Horus, having to sacrifice himself... which dates all the way back to sun worshippers witnessing the natural movements of the sun during the winter solstice... which lasts 3 days. Hence the whole sacrifice of the sun and 3 day time frame of resurrection. Western magic sources use the symbol of the cross as balance and interconnectedness. The Celts also used it in the same way. Christianity isn't really a good place to find truth...as it was completely made to subdue people into extortion for political gain. Some of it is able to be learned from, like the book of proverbs, the book of genesis, and the sayings of Jesus at times... but the dogma of it - is really confusing and mostly worthless in the pursuit of truth.

... it seems to me that dzogchen practices are centered on re-integration into the formless tao, through sublimation of the elements into their non-reactive nature ( non causal-effect related ); in essence the nullification of them operating under either awareness or ignorance ( positive or negative ) to their roots in the absolute (the tao/khunzi). Taoist practices vary widely. What seems is being discussed here is the actual opposite of dzogchen aims. Taoist practice to transform their physical bodies into pure yang energy ( all positive ). This practice is similar to cultivating an astral body or pure light. ... if you have ever seriously meditated and opened your heart, you will know what this light or energy is. It is pristine. Beyond words. Diamond like, because it feels like a smooth sparkling stream that is absolute and indestructible.