S:C

Does anyone have an idea, where the first traces of dualistic thought originated in western thinking? I remember Manichäism (Augustinus of Hippo) but it must have been way earlier. Kind of ‘fall of men’ like… serpent, Adam and Eve, own moral judgements etc?

That’s the one I’m interested in … well, please do contribute further, if you like

For a long time I went for oats (either made warm with milk or water) and some fruits. Can't do that everyday, it is so sticky. Don't like bread with cheese, marmelade etc. Ended up with some amaranth, buckweath and millet heated with water and rasperrys/or apples, that's okay. But I am still curious: what are your favorite breakfast dishes? Warm or cold? Did you consciously choose the contents or is it more a habitual (sweet tooth) thing? Did you import some recipies from asian countries? Do you preprep the night before or fresh in the morning. Thanks (I really need inspiration here...)

Why is there a connection to the ‘white rabbit’ song?

We use different concepts and perceptions to think and categorize the world. Our terms and concepts differ, but I can understand your definitions, as you explained them. I just have trouble using them myself, as my processes go different ways and use different categories for the terms you define differently. In one mode of thinking what you describe seems only to be subjective experience of one person. To me, there is no objective reality for the individual as long far as it is bound to its sense doors and interpretes through preconceived notions of mind and conditionings. But that’s just thinking in different categories. Again, thanks for explaining your thinking and interpreting process! Objective reality has as many facets as light broken by a prism, - loosely quoted Mary Bowman Hutton Hart.

Great example, thank you! It provides understanding to the difference in perception aspect!

Probably I lack the subjective experience of objective reality. To me objective reality is not available for a subject and through his sense doors, but your concepts and mine might be lost in translation, but thank you for explaining your understanding!

Would you mind telling which one it is you speak about?

What is what? Sense data interpreted by mind - subjective. Objectively it is not hot, only a sign of the body, that there is inflammation and trying to defeat outside or pathological bacterial or viral influences? What is it about TCM heat? Where does that come from? What of that is objective? Why does this seem obvious to anyone but me?! Oh well… there’s @kakapo, at least someone.

How is that interpreting possible? What do you mean with „in real terms“? Funny, why is it cool for many and hot for others? Electric or fluid? What influences minds interpretation?

Interesting, @Maddie I do remember a different practice suggested to women than men, by Mrs. Edmund/Mr. Mitchell. Heart center for women (emotions), lower belly (base desires) for men. And women have a better tendency for sound practice, I remember…

As I said, he seemed to do well with emotions . (I might be wrong) So does the dan tien practice have anything to do with dealing with emotions better? On a tangent: which system has a practice that teaches this and doesn’t rely on classic meditation?

I see. He was hard to talk to and I never got any straight and true answer from him. I wasn’t even looking for something spiritual. Just dealing with emotions, he seemed to know better than I. and now I am lost doesn’t help to whine, don’t think the practices advocated here would be doing my case any good.

I cannot be sure. I once asked someone to teach me, without asking for qualifications. He didn’t ask what, just smiled and gave me homework. Which met the topic I had been thinking of while asking: how to better deal with one’s emotions (nothing spiritual). I have never known which system if any he works in. At some point, things just got weird. Have never known, now… So no need for this practice, then, I guess? Thought about taking a leave of absence anyways. I ain’t getting anywhere here these days.

How does one know which system one belongs to? (Serious question!)

my interpretations and judgements are quite possibly unsubstantiated. so… don’t mind me. (no pun intended.)

intriguing

I lately found ginger very helpful. I am looking for good recipes.

I would consider it a matter of probability (and paradox, maybe, but you want to exclude ‘absolute truths’).

¿Are they really? [rhethorical question]

I understand your preference and frustration with relativists, @wandelaar. To your question and the interesting article (thanks), - a follow up question: who in your opinion is supposed to have the interpretational souvereignty or prerogative about matters of truth or expertise? — But westerners DO judge if people (also other westerners) judge for themselves now, don’t they? This is probably unfortunately much too generalized now to contain significance.

Please, - do carry on! And thanks for the reminder on my too simplest understanding of Epicureanism @wandelaar.

Agreed. What I meant was rather ‚hedonism‘ or ‚the water way‘ or ‚eudaimonia’ or ‚living on the edge’ or ‚ to the fullest’. Oh no, I am mixing concepts again, damn postmodernism, it gets me so confused.

Classic example of going against nature? (but maybe it‘s her ‚true will‘ or ‚khvarenah‘….so she follows ‚her (perceived) nature‘ modern times are so confusing...)