47 minutes ago, ralis said:

 

If you want to participate in the topic of this thread that is fine. Do you have anything to add?

He just did. The site owners actions and words define the site. They carry a strength no admin or participant  can.

2 minutes ago, Nungali said:

 

 

Yeah Pilgrim  .... thats sure right !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best laugh I had all day thanks Pilgrim! 😁

1 minute ago, ralis said:

 

Thanks for reiterating the point of this thread. To express leftist ideals without being bullied and attacked is refreshing!

Yes it is being protected for once is nice isn’t it? 

 

Been a hard run for allot of folks. Glad you stuck it out, yours is a voice I really respect.

20 minutes ago, cheya said:

It may serve to recall Nungali's recent post repeatedly in this thread:

(this time, for Stosh  )

 

 

I am reminded of how much I respect the degree of clarity Stosh brings to topics and scholarly wisdom.

 

Perhaps his track record should be reflected upon?

I participate on other forums and quite honestly the stuff that goes on here would have gotten people banned long ago.

 

Even the whiff or a hint of a whiff of political talk earns an immediate warning.

 

This site in my opinion needs some stricter guidelines but hey what do I know I am only trying to learn Daoism and it seems the chaotic the disrespectful and generally uncivilized behavior is part of the TAO or DAO as well from this site,  so meh not too impressed.

 

I will say this much other sites not even dedicated to spirituality conduct them selves far better than the behavior exhibited here.

 

Food for thought?  I doubt it.

33 minutes ago, ralis said:

 

‘Perhaps you read my earlier post regarding Reagan and neoliberals? The largest transfer of wealth from the middle to the 1% upwards of 7 trillion. It wasn’t an overnight transfer, but in small increments over time. The latest transfer in the name of tax cuts is around 1 trillion plus. The cuts to the 1% are permanent whereas the few dollars the middle received are temporary. 

 

 

Ok went back and reread and both you and Sean did a good job of explaining how things have come to be and filled in some things I have wondered about.

 

Great job both of you. 

 

I also agree with Sean’s view of capitalism but am not so sure socialism is the answer.

 

So what Sean is the way foreword? I would be glad to be rid of Trump but Biden is certainly not the answer that would just be a return to Bill and Obama and I for one have had enough of that.

 

So what is a better way forward? Do you have a view of how Socialism  can change things for the better? I thought socialism was just about as bad a system as one could hope for where everyone but the elites are reduced to a common level of poverty. 

 

Kind of the way way things are going now.

 

Is this view wrong? if so if so please do educate me.

 

 

7 minutes ago, ralis said:

 

‘Perhaps you read my earlier post regarding Reagan and neoliberals? The largest transfer of wealth from the middle to the 1% upwards of 7 trillion. It wasn’t an overnight transfer, but in small increments over time. The latest transfer in the name of tax cuts is around 1 trillion plus. The cuts to the 1% are permanent whereas the few dollars the middle received are temporary. 

 

 

Hmmm have to go back now and reread the posts somehow I am mixing you two up. Either way it is good stuff to read and comprehend.

10 minutes ago, Aetherous said:

 

It's the polar opposite for me.

 

Steve, you should honestly ask yourself why you'd feel like you can suddenly breathe, when there's essentially talk of banning (or otherwise disallowing) those whose opinions you disagree with, and only allowing those of a certain opinion to express their thoughts. Falsely labeling the other side as "socially toxic", etc...or "racist" as ralis did, without a smidgen of proof of such.

These are not things that should cause a person to breathe more easily.

I am certain he is just pleased that the owner of the site shares his ideology.

 

In all fairness the ones calling them self's leftest have not had a strong or clear voice on this forum and I am finding what Sean has to say interesting as the leftest view has never been presented the way he is doing it.

 

My Own Cousin in California calls herself leftest and she is so left she goes in circles  but honestly as much as I love her she does not present as well as Sean. 

 

I for one am genuinely interested in hearing more of what he says, anyone who sees through Obama and Clinton and so direclt and clearly describes not only them but the Regan era  the way he does clearly has some valuable insights. 

1 hour ago, sean said:

There's a better and much more magical way forward.

This was how I was trying to quote Sean.

 

Would love to hear more about what the way forward is as Sean is writing things I have never read before and it is sounding hopeful.

3 minutes ago, ralis said:

 

I don’t know where you found that quote, but it isn’t mine. 

Sorry Ralis it was Seans I am trying to multitask and got it mixed up some how. 

14 minutes ago, steve said:

Ahhh, I feel like a cool, fresh breeze is blowing through the board and I can breath.

 

Thanks Sean

Not sure about a cool breeze but I think there is a new Sheriff in town and I am starting to like the way he talks  

1 hour ago, ralis said:

There's a better and much more magical way forward.

What would that be? 

 

Honestly I am all for something that will actually work and reading your thoughts is very different than what anyone else proclaiming a leftest viewpoint has written. Perhaps they were not true leftest after all?

 

Thanks.

19 hours ago, sean said:

It's been incredibly disheartening to see that many of the loudest, most active voices here are right-wing reactionaries and conspiracy theory bros. Frankly, it makes the entire forum feel juvenile and toxic to me.

 

I can barely imagine wanting to share anything in this environment, let alone intimate, personal details of my spiritual practice.

Hi Sean,

 

I will add to this.

 

All of the political threads on this site from all points of view have indeed made your site appear both juvenile and toxic.

 

Furthermore it is my recommendation the threads be removed entirely and no further political discussion be permitted of any kind.

 

People are going to have strong points of view about political matters and will voice them,  there is no stopping it as long as it is permitted.

 

I say remove the old political discussions,  they serve no purpose, no one really listens to each other from opposing sides anyway all it has been is a pressure release valve for people to vent,  some quite convincingly and intelligently.

 

This is the only way you will remove the stain.

 

The last I checked this was not a site dedicated to endless political debate. 

7 hours ago, windwalker said:

 

You sound like a left-wing dipshit.  

 

 posting viewpoints on a public board warning others to limit theirs. 

Hmm let me get this straight Sean is the site owner is he not?  So his site his rules does not seem to bright to fight with the site owner.

4 hours ago, ilumairen said:

Awareness would indicate recognition, (although we may be using the terms a bit differently).

Hmmm Seems we are. In my case I mean it like this: Recognition is dependent upon awareness. Awareness is not dependent upon recognition.

 

I remember one time seeing a turkey neck that had somehow fallen in a pot and got put away. My Mother discovered it by accident trying to find the source of what smelled bad in the kitchen.

 

She was pissed off and was certain the source of the smell was going to be something either I or my two younger brothers had caused to happen in her kitchen. 

 

She was in a bad mood as she started pulling all the pots and pans out of the cabinets, then she screamed.

 

I thought oh great a snake got in then was staring dumbfounded at what was in the pot like a ape watching a wheel spinning not able to recognize it as a wheel.

 

I looked at it wondering what the hell it was?

 

My Mother was beside herself pointing and the contents of the pot she dropped, yelling Oh My God it's a Dead Penis!!!   

 

Clearly I was aware of this thing I was seeing but there was no dawning of recognition whatsoever at all.  My Mothers hysterical proclamation was weighed and analyzed immediately for validity then rejected based on the probability of such a thing in the first place.

 

What could it be? 

 

My Great-grandmother came in the kitchen wondering what all the commotion was about. At this point I was wondering well whatever it is I sure hope I don't get blamed for it! 

 

The older woman reached in the pot while my Mother was screaming are you crazy don't  don't touch that!!! 

 

She then identified the offending object as a turkey neck.

 

I busted up laughing and it was ill appreciated. My Mother was / still is possessed of an Epic short lived temper with a rough mouth.

 

She scornfully looked at me and said I am sick and tired of living in a house full of filthy disgusting men what makes you think this is so funny?!! 

 

Danged if I did not just laugh harder and judiciously ran outside forthwith & posthaste least she employ a hair brush, wooden spoon or other object to aid in correcting my sense of humor which had found root in her embarrassment.

 

Had I not been at the counter sitting in a chair but had been in bed asleep or even outside in the woods this drama would have escaped notice.

 

Awareness of the outer world ( as an example ) is not possible when one is tuned in or focused on the inner world as occurs both in deep sleep and deep Samadhi by practices.

 

So it is a prerequisite that one is consciously awake and not asleep or in Samadhi  and present and aware of their environment otherwise recognition of anything is impossible. 

 

In the middle of the night when you are soundly snoring though the car exists you are neither aware nor conscious in the outer world.

 

This makes any possibility of recognition of the outer world or the things in and of it quite impossible as your awareness is adorning another dimension at the time. 

 

Reminds me of if a tree falls int he forest is their a sound if no one is their to hear it. The answer of course is yes the sound made by the tree falling is not dependent upon anyone being aware let alone recognizing yep that's the sound of a tree falling for it to have made a sound.

 

It is also equally irrelevant, that is unless it happens to be your house it fell on while you were absent.

 

3 hours ago, ilumairen said:

 

Awareness would indicate recognition, (although we may be using the terms a bit differently).

 

 

This hypothetical car drives by, whether I recognize or am aware of it's passing, or not - which was rather the point. 

 

Non-reified silence and energy would be ever present in the experience of a living human. 

 

 

Sure, you can... 

 

The issue, for me, is in regard to the degree "an introduction" is dependent as much (or more so) on the individual being introduced to themselves, as the person "providing" said introduction. And the degree to which the "introducing party" may be "elevated" in perception. 

Yes we are on the same page.

 

I also think a person sufficiently elevated shall not be able to effectively communicate with the introductory party least the introductory party be of sufficiently elevated perception. 

22 hours ago, ilumairen said:

 

Wouldn't both the silence and energy already be present? So both would be experienced, and the question would actually be one of recognition?

I would say not recognition alone as it must surly follow awareness which comes from focus.

 

For example when you are asleep do you perceive the car driving by your house in the middle of the night?

 

First you would have to awaken then something would have to catch your attention like the sound of the car or the flashing of the headlights then you focus looking out the window and recognize a car driving by.

 

Alternatively you can keep vigil at the window and wait for something to go by that can be recognized.

14 minutes ago, ilumairen said:

 

 

This is golden.

Exact same essence.

5 hours ago, ilumairen said:

 

I've experienced the same, and thought it was on this end. 

 

 

Good idea imo.

Seeing the same thing here from different locations. Hosting bandwidth issues most likely.

Pay attention to this:

 

Desiderata

GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

 

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

 

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

 

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.

 

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

 

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

 

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

 

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

 

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

 

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

 

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

 

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

 

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

 

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

 

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

 

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

 

By Max Ehrmann © 1927
Original text

5 hours ago, dwai said:

In taiji it becomes the natural state (to remain in the present all the time)

The same.

5 hours ago, Apech said:

You really don't want to know

I’ll take your word in it. Seems it was a bit of a messy time.

3 hours ago, Kar3n said:

sexcapades thread

Oh my, whatever was that all about? 

 

I had only one interaction with him and I guess that was on his way out.

 

Always wished he had stuck around to discuss more.

 

During my introductory writing as required on this site,  he remarked my view was was mostly Tantrik (Which Is technological means within the body) ( Kriya )   yet I was ripe for Dzogchen.

 

This stuck with me.

 

Over time life has proven he was correct.

 

Due to this I would like it if he were to return if nothing else to discuss in private and worthwhile or not to tell him, yes you were right. 

 

Beyond this I do not know Tibetan Ice but respect him.

2 hours ago, dwai said:

They are not mutually exclusive. Tai chi is a type of qigong, and you get to meditate while moving, which may or may not be part of a qigong set. 

Now do this effortlessly while working at your occupation, cutting the grass, doing the dishes, cooking the meal, grocery shopping, and dealing with a blow out on the highway, maintaining a none contrived equipoise that surprises even you for its genuine nature  then you will begin to comprehend the Paravastha state of Kriya.

 

I suspect the many ways of both Tai Chi and Qi Gong lead here as well but my goodness so very complicated. This is not to say it is inferior,  no far from it!

 

Having known many Kriya practitioners (Kriyabans), who do not get this, it is very fortunate other systems exist that do a better job of facilitating this and that in and of itself makes them superior. _/|\_ 

10 minutes ago, Aetherous said:

 

I'm getting pretty used to wearing these shoes lately, not only with this situation.

No hard feelings, I just didn't appreciate the response, and was hoping for a more rational discussion on the issues I brought up.

I am sorry you are wearing those shoes.

 

They tried to get me with false promises but I grew up real hard on the streets and always looked at everything like a one eyed cat cocking my head sideways making sure what I saw was what I thought I saw.

 

No hard feelings here either and do understand but at some point in time rationality has to be understood as the falsehood it is as it only serves the point of view of those declaring it to be so.