thelerner

Still seems pie in the sky but I'll read through more of the 105 FAQ's. Let me just add. Historically a week or two after the revolution the nice guy idealists are killed off by the hard core fanatics who sit on the side line.

well put.

Negativity isn't always bad. In the discussion of an idea its needed, otherwise a discussion devolves into group think. I do apologize for the sarcasm, but your argument seemed to be saying one side thinks people should live, the other side says no. I mentioned giving out flocks of chickens (through Heifer) not to say 'mine is bigger' but to move the discussion in the direction of solid things that can be done now. Truthfully I haven't read the whole thing (separate paragraphs please), but I have spent time skimming it. As philosophy its good, in reality I think its dubious. Human nature works against it. But its worth discussing. There are ideas from it that I think can be adapted to smaller settings. When times are hard some of Venus's ideas evolve naturally. I've been employee, manager and boss. I've worn many shoes in my life. Many people are inherently lazy, myself included. In a world where I could get equal pay or in Venus's case stuff for working an easy job and short hours I would. If I was less lazy and perhaps brilliant and it would give me the opportunity to have even better stuff then I had at the moment, or better stuff then the people around me, I'd take it. I don't think those are minority traits in humanity. Outlaw money and people would quickly recreate it. Getting real If someone said today, they'd bought 600 square miles in Australia and were creating a sovereign nation based on Venus, would you go? A condition would probably be you'd have to sell everything you owned and give it to them as terms of entry. The costs of starting up a spankin new society is enormous. Think about..uh..tampons. Say you 40,000 people, 20,000 woman. Who designs and says how many there are. Are you the one working the expected 10 hours a day in the factory or the one who puts in 2 hours when they feel like it and go home? How do you feel when a guy walks out of the market place with 3,000 of them and tells you he's using them to build a kayak (unrolling and repasting as skin). These and there ilk are the real questions in my opinion. Your philosophical ones feel like a smoke screen. Looking through your other questions: SDog:"You ask about who has the power? Let me ask you... if this is a concern to you Michael, who has the power right now? Can you honestly say?" Me: I don't remember asking that question. Can you be more specific, power of what? We can back it up to the constitution and get into my rights to own property and stuff. It can't be taken away without due process. I have the power to travel, buy what I can afford, read, free speech etc. I'm actually incredibly powerful. My control over the environment at the moment is frickin amazing. I can make the lights go on and off, temperature rise and fall. I'm not being sarcastic, but I have powers that would make the kings of old pale with envy. One power I don't have and don't want is to force other people to be like me. I can offer a flock to a family in the Sudan, but They are going to have to be incharge of there education and mostly there own welfare. It would be stupid of me to impose my culture, religion or ideals on them. We circle back to how to help the less fortunate. I think Capitalism (with all its problems) has lifted more people out of poverty then anything else. For better or worse it clicks with the human condition. I think Communism historically did the opposite, created and spread poverty. Thats my opinion, I know its debatable. So my questions are would you head to Australia to join a Venus Project? How would Venus correct the inequities in the Tampon factory or would it claim they don't exist? Sincerely, Michael

Its a great feel good Ideal but the Who had it right, I'll tip my hat to the new constitution Take a bow for the new revolution Smile and grin at the change all around me Pick up my guitar and play Just like yesterday Then I'll get on my knees and pray We don't get fooled again Don't get fooled again Meet the new boss Same as the old boss It dances around who has the power. Giving it to 'Cybernetics' who'll 'fairly' distribute the goods as they/it sees fit. I'd welcome and applaud anyone who had the guts to create a commune or city based on these ideals. One where people weren't forced into it. We could see if an MIT's professor's thesis translates into real power or stays on paper. There may be a reason why he's not an engineer. Whether resources were used wisely or squandered. If people had freedom or were forced into being 'good comrades'. Show me it working. I haven't checked on it lately but Trunk had some good posts and sites on Communal based living and hyper farming. That kind of thing works best when its purely volunteer. Seems like Venus wants to take over the world first, solve problems later. Michael Yo Sdog you seem to be dancing around with soft ball sophistry like: "Joeblast, you can't honestly believe that human beings have no innate rights to live and be alive and be educated and contribute to society? Can you?" Uh, I think Joe (and 99% of all people) would say people have the right to live, shocking!!!, they have the right to contribute to society ?? Thats a deep question, NOT. Education, at least there is some meat to that one. So does Venus say we should all get an elementary education or highschool or Masters degrees. If people could stay in school (avoid real work) til they're 32 and have free master degrees thats wonderful, not practical, but wonderful. In the here and now, what are you actually doing to see someone in say an African village is getting an education?? Anything??. Here's what I'm doing. Every month some family somewhere gets a flock of chickens thanks to thelerners. Its not a lot, its not an education, but its food, fertilizer, pest control, a renewable sellable resource. IF well cared for it will grow, slowly, but possibly exponentially. Slow, but real. Versus the Venus Plan of give us Everything and the Cybernetics will treat you kindly. Michael

I share JoeBlasts sceptical view, too much Star Trek, not enough Animal Farm & 1984. In the 1800's and 1900's there were a couple of Utopitarian towns built in my state. They all failed. Most communes fail. In Israel where they had various forms of communistic villages and farms called Kibbutz, some of which were even had raising the kids away from parents as a group, they've tended to do poorly. After a generation or two the kids left. Idealists continually underestimated the hard work it takes to house, feed, and clothe society. So far in history the communistic model has tended to produce starvation and stagnation. I don't see how this plan is different or how those who run it don't become powerful Overlords who will try to dictate people lives from start to end. I think North Korea would applaud this plan and say (very truthfully)'We've achieved it'. Before people sell there goods and give up there power, I think we'll need a generation or two of large scale success. There are still places with open land. Good luck. Michael

Hmmnn, I'm a few days late paying the telephone bill. Perhaps I'd go back in time and remind myself. Actually From my vast reading of scifi I've learned 1-its best not to change the past (no matter how crappy things are there's always room for more crap) and 2-when in doubt, reverse the polarity of the neutron flow. Seriously, if I could change history I'd be very reluctant to do so, without G-dlike intelligence you'd be setting things in motion you couldn't foresee. Unseriously, heck I don't even try to change the present . Michael

The last post here was the end of July. I wanted to see people had any words of wisdom on how there gardens turned out. What they tried, planted and learned from the growing season. In the Midwest we had a lot of rain and everything grew like crazy. My mix of Mesclun lettuce grew great, but I wished I had planted a milder mix (& some spinach). I grew mammoth Jalapenos, which did brilliantly and were milder then small ones, at the end of the season they turned red and sweetened. I planted yellow grape tomatoes, despite being planted in the same area as last year they did great, giving me 3 1/2 months of sweet tomato berries. This is my second year planting on the super simple raised square foot garden(from Mother Earth mag). Last year I laid 8 40Lb bags of cheap soil end to end, I made one long cut on the bottom and totally opened the top. I mixed in one bag of miracle grow, things grew well, at the end of the summer I removed the plastic bags. This year I had to pick out some grass that grew as weeds & I mixed in another bag of miracle grow soil. It was very productive. My plantings, especially the lettuce and carrots was helter skelter, no rows just dumping everything down. It didn't hurt the mesclun lettuce (I think it helped keep it weed free infact), some of the carrots were stunted by over crowding. Still it was 30 or 40 carrots from a $1.99 bag. I didn't have a fence last year, and I didn't lose too much. This year instead of putting a fence around the garden I laid down some fencing on top of it. The wire lattice had point edges. It worked, the plants grew through the fencing and it mostly escaped animals. I suspect they might have been poked by an edge or bitten into wire and given up. Or other gardens were tastier. I did have some marigolds on both ends for looks and the supposed ability to detour some pests. Michael

Dealing with Sexual energy is a little like dealing with fire. Those who are sensitive or over due can get burned. I've heard specific criticisms about that book. I've heard criticisms over the MicroCosmic Orbit meditations. In my opinion they're worth while, but if you start heating up or have any symptoms, stop. At least until you can do it under the guidance or an experienced teacher. Michael

There have been people, posts and premises here that have inspired me. Not everything, maybe not even most things, but there have been some great connections here. Being exposed to practices I'd otherwise have no idea about from Kap to Kunlun. Meeting interesting people, not only through type, but also some great late night sessions on Live Chat and even a fantastic road trip meeting a couple bums live in Sedona & Phoenix. Being exposed to heavy duty Taoists from Ai Wei to Mak Ti Sin. Learning from the good, the bad and the ugly. Lots of good stuff, some even great. Michael

Its not the most pleasant concept of an afterlife, but its shared by a number of Taoists Traditions, not just BKF. (In a history as diverse as Taoism undoubtedly there are a couple other competing theories) The thinking is some people remember past lives because they have a fragment soul that lived it. It also explains human confusion based on the many voices going on at one time due to the number of souls. Michael

Short answer: Not for those who get them to work. In each case there are people who get excellent results. Medium answer: I find Kunlun is an easy exercise and a nice addition to a meditators practice as something totally different. Retention can be problematic, but lots of traditions call for it. If done you should probably be actively in and watched by an experienced teacher within the tradition. Tummo is fascinating, not easy, but as winter is coming its a life skill that makes sense. I've done a bit of tummo with KAP. Personally I've had so so results, but others get pretty hot. I think its a matter of practice, practice practice. Some give up because its not for them, others give up too early. Michael

It may vary from person to person, but I find avocados an energizing, qi filled food. They're such a unique fruit, power packed with healthy fats and excellent vitamin/mineral content. Taste wise they are immensely satisfying. Here's a internet quote: "According to Chinese medicine, the avocado has the ability to build blood and yin, harmonize the liver, and lubricate the lungs as well as the intestines." If you like vanilla shakes try: half avocado, half frozen banana, handful of baby spinach, little bit of vanilla extract, little bit of sweetner and fill with enough milk (your type of) to blend an inch or two over rotors(stump it down if its not blending). Its a nice green color, but the taste is creamy vanilla shake. Sometimes I'll add in a few almonds. Michael

I tend to practice in cycles. There's a point where after 2 or 3 weeks of daily emptiness meditation when my mind is getting quiet so that what thoughts are there become louder. When you dial down the static what comes through can be disturbing. A week to two later it settles down or something happens and I break up my routine. Earlier this year I was doing Zhan Zhang. I found a spot where the the afternoon sun streamed through a window strongly and did 20 minutes standing each day. Even with my eyes closed the sun would throw my vision into neon oranges and reds. After 3 weeks I had the feeling of energy bouncing way too fast up and down my center. My heart literally hurt afterwards. In 25 years of practice I'd never experienced that kind of rush. I followed the advice I've seen and given other. Backed off that particular meditation. I did and in a week or two I felt better. I think the standing combined with strong light overloaded my system. I've done Zhan Zhang since, but not in a position where I soak up so much sun for so long. Michael

Nice picture, you are also a taoist. but seriously, I think of 'energy'/alchemical taoism in terms of what Mantak Chia teaches (though some argue it may be a bastardization of the real thing(huh bastardization is considered a real word by the word processor dictionary, wouldn't it be amazing to use it in a scrabble game, I digress)). Its the exploration of energy systems in the body. The meridians, chakra's, organ/gods etc. To get a handle on one way its taught you can go to HealingTaousa.com and look under FAQ:Straight Answers. Again everyone has there own definitions and it goes from circulating energy all the way to immortality. Taoists have different levels of immortality, frankly unless the person is at least 200 years old they're talking second hand . Michael

Here's my take on it; Labeling and judging create filters that distort reality. When you drop them action can still be taken, but it is done egolessly and simply, without stories and justifications running through your mind. Michael

The strange truth is- I decide if someone is a Taoist or not. Looking at your picture I have decided---....you are a taoist. Now go study and meditate. 1 question answered 999,999 to go

I'm on a computer most of the day. One thing I've been tuning into is Ted.com. I think its one of the best things on the internet. Its different videos on deep subjects taught in entertaining fascinating ways. For example I just finished listening to Randy Pausch: Really achieving your childhood dreams, also known as 'The Last Lecture'. Brilliant, heartfelt. Every thing I've listened to there has been dynamic and meaningful. If you're hopping around the internet, its a good place to sit a spell, choose a video based on courage, beauty, inspiration and listen. I think most people will be very impressed. Ted knows how to pick them. Michael

You have a nice site yourself. Glad we have your experienced input. Michael

Am there, grin and bare it. Also there are certain low humming tones you can use to counter act annoying external sounds. Til you find them, focus on the love. Michael

Unless you are naturally gifted dream work takes time and effort. IMO many dreams are 'junk' dreams, misc regurgitations of days events and various fears and wishes. Recurring dreams go beyond that, showing aspects the subconscious wants us to examine. Dream work goes very deep as you gain lucidity. Personally I don't buy into the whole are we may be butterflys dreaming we're men dictum. A great modern teacher is Robert Bruce, he's done lots of research and has quite a bit of free material available.. Here is a link to an interview http://www.theartofastralprojection.com/blog/interview-with-robert-bruce and http://www.astraldynamics.com/home/ Michael

I'm mostly agnostic to the magic paradigm. More open minded since I've been hanging out on the bums and reading some of the works of Rawn Clark and other Hermetics. If its real, its a difficult skill needing much discipline and talent. Still there are internal magics, within the body, dream work etc. that can be obtained through steady work. They may open the door to other things. My thinking about spirits run along the same line, most being various internal voices..but somethings that bump in the night, really are bumping. The world may be stranger then what we know, yet real life is chop wood, carry water. Michael