Fa Xin

Great post Pilgrim, powerful stuff.

Yes, this is important. Since it's a subtle, energetic thing we're talking about - there's many ways to "interpret the data". Many times I'll refer to "seeing" spirit, but really it is a combination of my WHOLE BEING. Call it Energetic Listening, would be a closer description. It's feeling, intuition, a knowing, sometimes seeing in your minds eye, sometimes seeing with physical eyes, sometimes hearing and even smelling.

I always did it to feel better, and to get over my hangups. It was always done to feel better NOW. I tried other things like exercise and drugs... but nothing felt like it was actually working - was more a temporary fix. In an anxious situation? Connect with a deity and I feel peace. Can’t focus on what your doing? Meditate for a moment and it’s like a reset button. Rinse and repeat for years. I used it as a tool to help deal with myself and the world. It may not sound holy, but this type of motivation had me practicing all day everyday. Any kinds of “achievements” for lack of a better word happened almost like a side effect of trying to feel better in the moment. Eventually, hopefully... you notice you need the practices less and less. That the pain or anxiety or whatever isn’t there anymore. That you’re more balanced and feel good all the time. Your life becomes the practice. It integrates at some point.

I think a good practice in spirituality is doing things we do not want to do, in order to face our fears and our attachments/aversions. Something like college could be the very thing a person needs. Not for the paper degree, but for the experience itself... the growing that it entails. I have heard monastery life is not so dissimilar... lots of chores, studying... a life of discipline. Doing stuff you probably don’t want to do. Maybe there’s some secret in that. Using the energy from such things to propel us forward.

Very helpful post.

Curious as to the back story of Falun Gong, the origins... like How did Mr Li come to the practices? Were they channeled or did he claim to invent them or learn them somewhere? Anyone know?

Just that it's the foundation. Even if I connected someone to some powerful spirit, chances are they would not be able to perceive that spirit because their minds are too busy chattering away, and their inner senses are not developed. The technique of "how to" is relatively easy... it's being able to discern the subtle realm that takes time. The "how to" will be worth nothing if you aren't sensitive. Meditation and internal work makes you sensitive.

90 years old! That’s an old turtle.

Good question! Do you have any sort of meditation practice you do right now? Think of it like joining a gym. At first you walk in the doors and you have no idea what your doing. Then you start learning different techniques and workout routines. Everyone tells you what they do, or what may work for you. Some people lift heavy, some do cardio, others do pushups. Some of it works for you, some of it doesn't. Over time, you start to come up with your own style of working out, and you know how your body responds the best. But the biggest thing is getting up and going to the gym everyday. If you don't walk through those doors, nothing happens. In this metaphor, the "going to the gym" is meditation ... going inside. Closing your eyes and feeling energy, feeling your body and diving into your mind. Relaxation is key.

Hello, DharmaKarma, 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, Fa Xin and the TDB team Hi DharmaKarma, Welcome. I have 2 good friends who are Ashtanga teachers. I haven't read the yoga sutras, but I am familiar with them through conversations with the aforementioned friends. I hope you enjoy it here. You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Lol That'd be a good one too. Seems these memes change often

Keep thinking of this

Im not too sure. I think things are subjective to the point that everyone has different levels of clarity to perceive stuff. Different points of view and different filters for translating things. Ive read many books which don’t line up with my experience. Not that the books are wrong in any way - just not how I see things. But your question is a good one. 😊

Hello, Hattaway, 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, Fa Xin and the TDB team Hi Hattaway, Welcome. That sounds like fun! I saw a show about a magnetic guy on TV once. The show came up with the theory he had a high amount of some mineral in his blood. I thought that theory was rubbish though. I’ll wait for others to chime in. Enjoy! You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

I can only imagine having this dilemma when your job/career is to argue for a point. Our world is by nature dualistic, so there will always be the other side to the coin. Do your job, argue your point ... but in your heart, you may have to acknowledge a higher truth that transcends duality.

The World of Spirits "Lady Mary was in a village giving teachings, and a man said to her, "My Lady, you speak of the Lord of Spirits and the play of spirits in the world, both spirits of light and spirits of darkness. Yet, these do not appear to us in the world. Where do these spirits dwell?" She said to him, "My brother, the world of spirits is hidden within and behind the world that appears, and it is veiled by the appearances of this world. The spirits play in the hearts and minds of human beings, some seeking good, some evil. Many are neither good nor evil, but something admixed. To know the Lord of Spirits is to gain discernment of the spirits and to no longer be bound to the play of spirits. The Annointed is the Lord of Spirits, for he was raised up in a spiritual body and ascended into the Supernal Abode." Then the man asked Mary, "Knowing the Lord of Spirits, do we invoke spirits?" She said to him, "We are no longer the slaves of the archons or the spirits. Yet, truly, we do invoke the spirits, for we are to impart the Spirit of Truth to visible and invisible spirits so that all might be uplifted in the body of the Human One." He said to her, "How can we believe in and invoke what we do not see?" She said to him, "We speak of love and we love, but no one has ever seen love. It is the same in spiritual things. Yet, when one awakens, they can see. It is only while we sleep that we cannot see because our eyes are closed. Pray to the Lord of Spirits to awaken you!" -St Mary Magdalene by Tau Malachi p 94

Think about a powerful drive to some addictive behavior you have. It feels like something influencing you, right? It can harm others around you too? Would you call it a spirit that you made? Hmmm. Maybe. When I read that part of the book, my impression was daskalos was trying to make his students aware that their thoughts are powerful and can manifest in the real world. But the idea that we are generating sentient beings on a regular basis is just not my experience.

I think I'm the one who should be blamed. I let all the trolls in...and poor Karen is left to sort out the mess.

Qigong?

I like to see this sort of thing, but it seems these doctors were quick to pull the plug and free up hospital resources. Again, there’s no coming back from brain death. The science is very clear on this.

I almost forgot the educational little lessons in these old cartoons. So cool.

From a medical perspective this is false. There's no coming back from brain death. If someone is pronounced brain dead, clinically they are dead. Coma or vegetative state can still show brain activity, which is probably what you mean.

agreed. At least they’re moving around and putting in some effort, and still able to.

I sure hope my airline pilots are having thoughts about landing the plane !!!!

There's a good documentary on Amazon called Talking Story, about a woman who travels and meets healers from different traditions (I think she goes to South America, Hawaii and Nepal?)