Fa Xin

Hello, Petah Raven, 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 Welcome Petah, Sounds like you will fit right in here, and have a lot to offer. Looking forward to your posts. 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

This is interesting. Perhaps it would be helpful to define what ego is... Also wondering how it’s helpful for you. Thanks!

Have the digital EVP gear and thermal imaging camera ready.

Ohhhh. FIRE CIDER! I've had that before... Really good for immunity but too spicy for me Yes, the acetic acid in ACV is known to cause esophageal burns, and the esophagus is, how shall we say - temperamental? Easy to damage. As far as teeth... ever put a chicken bone in ACV? It becomes brittle after a time. I'll usually rinse my mouth out with water to get the acid off, if I drink it straight. On that note... it's *excellent* if you have indigestion. Immediate relief, and works to actually help speed up the digestion process, rather than Tums just stopping the process.

I like spinach the best! And bok choy

ACV I usually do mine mid morning or mid afternoon. I just make sure it’s spaced out from food. Also I add water and honey and cinnamon to mine, I can’t drink it straight, not good for throat or teeth. 😊 I like my tea dirty... right above “compost” I believe oolong has active cultures too but not like the puerh.

The only common denominator in every tradition is ourselves. No matter which tradition you study, you will view it through a lens of your own experience and what resonates with you. Since you seem to dislike following traditions and find faults in other practitioners, maybe you should start just by listening to your own intuition. Be like Bruce Lee, "Use no way as way." Use what resonates for you. Who cares what others do.. who cares about some grumpy Buddhists or some judgmental Christians. Spirituality is about working on yourself. Good luck!

Hello, Faz, 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 Welcome Faz, Hello and welcome. I also practice the 24 Yang. 20 years is a solid chunk of time. i hope you share with us some of your wisdom. 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

95. [Jesus said], "If you have money, don't lend it at interest. Rather, give [it] to someone from whom you won't get it back." -Gospel of Thomas

Hello, squashedface, 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 Welcome squashedface, Hello, and thank you for sharing how the forum has helped you over the years. I'm glad you've signed up, and I am sure you will find some things that will help you continue forward on your journey. 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

Be well ... the door here is always open...

The length of that post speaks to that fact that you sir do not hurry

Thanks, I agree. The way I saw it relate to light was, the pruning is expansion so ability to provide more space. The cutting off being if we don’t use it you lose it... but your right, it can be interpreted differently

Could this verse be about sharing the light?

Great quotes and clues. Thanks... One thing that sticks out for me is the line in the Thomas verse, "apart from the father..." Maybe there are two grapevines? One that is tended by the father, and one that is not. I am drawn to this verse, also from the Gospel of Thomas: 76. Jesus said, "The Father's kingdom is like a merchant who had a supply of merchandise and found a pearl. That merchant was prudent; he sold the merchandise and bought the single pearl for himself. So also with you, seek his treasure that is unfailing, that is enduring, where no moth comes to eat and no worm destroys." Perhaps the grapevine that is apart from the Father is the world, which is impermanent, unlike the "treasure" that is enduring.

40. Jesus said, "A grapevine has been planted apart from the Father. Since it is not strong, it will be pulled up by its root and will perish." What's the grapevine in this verse?

Never heard this view, interesting. Thanks Any link or image to the "proper" way?

My understanding of something like this is to read it over, maybe read it twice...slowly and feel the words. I want to say a prayer, but it's not quite a prayer... it's like tuning your mind into the vibration of the text. I read Chapter 4 as @Bodhicitta suggested...I read it slowly, with feeling, and found it very uplifting.

I really enjoy the way you think! I always try to drink something with cultures in it once a day... apple cider vinegar, puerh tea, kombucha. I do feel better when I do. Now I realize I am just a slave to the gut bacteria. Oh well, it’s a symbiotic relationship... as long as they keep up their part of the bargain.

Hello, Nipa96, 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 Welcome Nipa96, Glad you are here and seeking relief from your symptoms. I am sure there will be some people coming along who can give you some helpful suggestions. Enjoy the forum 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

Hello, Butterball, 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 Welcome Butterball, Good to have you here. This is a great place to talk shop! Lots of different methods represented here. 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

Interesting selection. What’s your take/interpretation on this?

Here's a good verse about "inner knowing" "When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything occurs in parables; in order that 'they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.'" Mark 4:10-12

Hello, cah5896, 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 Welcome Cah, Nice to have you here. In my view, it's all about figuring out what resonates for you. Everyone has their own path - it may not be yours, but it's good to not judge other views as "meaningless" or "bullshit"... more that it's just not for you. There's many paths represented on the forum, and a good place to practice respect for everyone. As far as finding a cave to practice the Dao in ... the Dao is in your own heart and can be practiced anywhere at any time. So no I don't know of any, but maybe someone here does. Cheers. Enjoy the forum! 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

Today I heard someone say “Being thankful is accepting things as they are.” I suppose they’re right, and gave me a new way to look at the concept. I would maybe go further and say Being thankful is embracing things as they are.