Fa Xin

1 minute ago, Kar3n said:

I've spent the better part of 3 years upholding and enforcing the egalitarian principles of this forum and defending the thing you, @sean set into motion years ago.

 

I left the day you chose to show how little respect you have for the team who kept this place afloat by closing reports and refusing to answer questions.

 

I've come back here to inform you that I believed in what you had going here. I loved that it was a diverse community awash with different view, people and practices. 

 

Sad you've chosen this path and shat on those who had real faith in you and TDB as a whole. It's really sad...

 

 

See ya bums. 

 Very sad indeed. 

13 minutes ago, ralis said:

 

Did you read either one of the Trump threads? That should be a wake up call as to what was written.

I didn’t really, so it comes as a bit of a surprise to me, as I didn’t see any political stuff in the General Chat, or the “Hindu/Buddhist/Daoist” sections. I didn't visit Off-Topic very often. 

Thanks for letting me be the Welcome wagon for a bit... It’s been fun.  

The staff change comes at a fortuitous time, as I’ve been bogged down with work and school stuff. 

17 minutes ago, Apech said:

Daobums down for hours - I need therapy!!!!  

Thankfully the picture of the meditating monk inspired patience each time I loaded the page.

“Damn, seems I’ll have to actually work now...”

Feels faster here too. 

Hello, ZeroQi, 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

Hello ZeroQi,

Welcome, thank you for the great introduction.  I feel like the Wuxia/Martial arts fantasy movies and culture helped motivate me to pursue a deeper understanding of energy/Daoism/Buddhism etc. I can remember watching "Big Trouble in Little China" at the age of ~10 and being drawn in from there.  I'm sure you can find some good info here.  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, Janergy, 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

Hello Janergy,

Welcome, I like your name.  I'd love to hear more about yourself when you've settled in and feel comfortable.  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, Nathan80, 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

Hello Nathan,

Welcome and thanks for joining. I'm not sure how much help they will be materialistically, but it's probably possible! 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

Kind of off topic but not really...

I just picked up Chogyam Trungpa's book "Cutting through Spiritual Materialism" at a used bookstore this week and spent the day reading it.

Excellent book so far.  He mentions some tantric and guru stuff in the book.  I may share some excerpts on my PPD soon.  I know he has a reputation or whatever, but the book so far is striking me as very deep.

In the past, I've found his talks/lectures are hard to follow, due to the way he speaks... but the book is very clear (and was transcribed from his lectures, funny enough...)

4 minutes ago, Jeff said:

 

That “polarity” combined with the perpetual yab yum (energy flow between the poles) is the underlying dynamic that helps everyone sort of wash away the impurities. 

You have a nice way of putting into one sentence what I cannot seem to express !  Thanks for this.

44 minutes ago, C T said:

 

Any practice that aids in knocking down walls, allowing for clearer perception to arise of the always-perfect, unseparated, stateless state helps in stabilizing the viewless View (sounds corny, I know, but thats what it is basically lol). Intention & motivation is key. Keep it up! 

 

I guess the only slight difference between your understanding and that prescribed in the actual practice of guru yoga ala Vajrayana is only one of premise, wherein the latter attempts to make known to the initiate that any conceptual formulas that suggest approaches to praxis from a dualistic perspective, out of which mentations that involve "merging" are derivatives, is a mistaken premise. While both encourage processes of purification, there are subtle differences in application. The standpoint of Vajrayana has always been the assertion of fundamental non-duality, which is symbolised by the tutelary buddha Samantabhadra (the primordial Buddha) with consort Samantabhadri (the primordial Mother Buddha) in perpetual yab yum, since beginningless time. 

Nice, thank you for  the encouragement, and the info!  I guess I don't really think of it like dualistic or not - I just kind of open myself up to the process and energy, and whatever happens happens.   I've gotten away from the non-dual view, though.  To me, I've found much of it was my concept and ideas of "nondual".  There just is what there is.  Sometimes it presents itself as dualistic, and that's OK because it's contained in the "all".  As the tantric stuff states, nothing is to be rejected.  Is the "stateless state" separate from dualism, or is dualism contained within it?  I don't know... but I'm off to the beach now...  thank you for the fun convo! 

For me, merging and guru yoga type practices is the main thing that started to knock down the walls of separateness. 

I know theoretically, the practice sounds like it perpetuates “I’m over here, I have to merge with that over there.”  All I can say is with time, that view and the idea of separation started to disappear. The gap between “that over there” got smaller and smaller. I know it sounds counter intuitive, like some “hair of the dog that bit ya” practice. But in order to merge with something, the idea that “it’s over there” has to be given up? How can I be the same as something else.

Anyway, I don’t know much about doctrine or scripture, but I practice a lot and that’s what I got so far. Cheers!

Hello, MrTao, 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

Hello MrTao,

Welcome and great name. What style kung fu have you studied? I’ve done some training too. Looking forward to chatting... 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, drifting.leaf, 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

Hello drifting leaf,

Welcome and nice to have you.  I’m happy you found the discussions helpful. Hope you can join in on them too!

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, SirPhillipJFry, 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

Hello Sir Phillip,

Welcome and thanks for joining. I hope you can find some good info on internal alchemy 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

Hello, mskied, 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

Hello mskied,

Welcome and nice to have you.  Looking forward to more of your posts.  Exploring the Western traditions of Christianity and Judaism is fun and you may notice similarities to the East too.

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, waterdrop, 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

Hello waterdrop,

Thanks for introducing yourself.  I hope you find an answer to your question.

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, Timofey Yuriev, 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

Hello Timofey Yuriev,

Welcome... I enjoy Dzogchen, too.  We have a few practitioners 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

2 hours ago, escott said:

I thought some Bums might like this article. I have seen an explosion in promoting mindfulness and meditation apps. It is ironic that the same companies that are always vying for our attention are now telling us to meditate to be more calm so we can be more productive workers.

 

https://www.thenation.com/article/ron-parser-mcmindfulness-mindfulness-meditation-book-interview/

 

I dont quite see it as a bad thing. 

I think people are just realizing how to make the most of their brain, and it’s catching on because it works. 

the flipside could be that our material based society and stressful work habits need to be balanced by stuff like meditation and self care.  I’m sure there’s many corporations that don’t care about their workers mental health, and I appreciate forward thinking companies like Google that offer mindfulness workshops.  

The one thing I do agree with is it’s better with a tradition such as Buddhism or some sort of spirituality, than just a cold scientific approach. 

Lately I've been playing with the 5 Senses stuff... 

Noticing what sounds I hear, and then losing myself in that.

Or if I feel wind blowing on me, I will focus on that feeling, let it bring me back to the moment.

I've never been a fan of noticing the breath, but I like noticing the senses.

Since there are practitioners from many different traditions here, can you briefly explain your method(s)?

Are you into energy work?

Follow the breath?

Practice Tai chi or some movement form?

Witness stuff happening?

Walking meditation?

Hello, ScytheV, 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

Hello ScytheV,

Nice to have you here. I would be interested in hearing more about your Daoist meditation.  Welcome and 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

15 hours ago, sean said:

Hundreds of moons ago, in my late teens and early twenties, I tinkered with "ceremonial magick" a bit, mostly within the Golden Dawn tradition.

 

"Folk magic" (although I don't think I was aware of this term) was always appealing but I could never find a good shaman and Wicca seemed dubious.

 

Lately I've been feeling drawn back into the weirdness. 👹

 

I've been surprised and delighted at how texts on "folk magic" seem to have evolved since I last poked around in this space. Or maybe I was just looking in the wrong places.

 

I recently read The Chaos Protocols, which is more chaos than folk but it was good and it also literally caught fire one evening from a stick of incense nearby. A hole burned through the center almost exactly to the page I was on. Spooky and surely a sign for an Aries Fire Dragon to proceed. 😆

 

Last week I finished A Deed Without a Name, a grounded overview of "Traditional Witchcraft" from a scholar and practicing witch. I enjoyed it enough that I ordered Standing and Not Falling by the same author. Beautiful.

 

I'm also concurrently reading Ancestral Medicine, which is superb.

 

My "witchy read next" list expands and shuffles, mostly with Traditional Witchcraft, Appalachian Folk Magic and Hoodoo titles floating to the top. Good shit. This current feels alive.

 

Anyway, nothing more profound to say. It's been so long since I've shared anything personal here. I've actually grown bashful on my own forum. 😊

 

Sean

 

Very cool, and thanks for sharing.

I practiced the GD type stuff for a while, too. I have to admit part of me is still fascinated by it. I don’t practice, but the culture surrounding it is fun to me. 

I live close to Salem, MA, and I visit whenever I can to feed my inner witch. One thing I found interesting with the history of the city is that while they were busy burning so called “witches” in the 1600s, folk magic was perfectly accepted and practiced amongst the colonists. A good example is the Throwing salt over your shoulder to ward off evil. 

Hello, NotTheEternalUsername, 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 “Thomas”,

Clever and fun intro.  What kind of vinegar do you drink? 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

Hello, Finder, 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 Finder,

Nice to have you here, and congrats on your opening. Glad you’ve liked what you’ve seen so far. Looking forward to reading your posts.

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