thelerner

Mal, we just need 30 minutes of your time a day. Michael

Sad to see you go, but glad you shared so much with us. Hope you stop in again every now and then with words of insight. Adios my friend Michael

Hah?! I was wondering why I just got the message 'Beware the red truck on the Ides of March'. emailed from my futureme!!!

All we are is dust in the wind. Though its annoying when we get in each others eyes. Sorry for my criticism. Neimad I'm sure you're an excellent teacher. Your post reminded me of some sharp words my Sensei had for me when I was spouting off about a student. Michael

Does mindfulness have a flavor? Do moods intrude upon it? Or if it has one then you're not truly mindful? There are times taking long walks where its beautiful and everything around me seems special. But during the daily grind, say doing laundry, it seems like I'm mindful, keeping my attention within my body, concentrating on what I'm doing and its lacking that sense of -this is wonderful-. Is the walk more mindful then the laundry? Is either true mindfullness. Is caring about such things mindless? Chop Wood, Carry Water and let the mind take care of itself.? Michael

I'm thinking Revenge of the Book Club or perhaps Son of the Book Club maybe 'The Book Club that used to be called Book Club but is now called something else' the possiblities are endless M.

Lets make it personal. Where do we stand on Shamanistic transformation? Turning into an animal, I don't think so. Controlling an animal with ones thoughts and body language, yes. Transfering your consciousness into an animals body, maybe. Another level- gaining knowledge through spirits? I don't know if I believe in that. I think we're smarter and more intuitive then we realize. I often think those who Channel are really accessing inner knowledge that they won't consciously cop to. Could be wrong though. Michael

The original source of the pot is not the clay but in the thought of its creation by the potter. The source and power of a word is not its sound or meaning it is the intent the speaker uses it for. Michael I look up and stare at the sky and stars in awe. Does anything gaze back at me?

At night I embrace my shadow remember it is a part of me and become one with it. Michael When is a man is truest to his original nature?

Its a cliche but, let your fingers do the walking. Take the yellow pages and look up Yoga, Tai Chi, martial arts etc. Find and go to the ones that seem most traditional. Look around and join the best option. It probably won't be your final destination, but its action/ You'll meet like minded people who may have connections with what you're truly looking for. It would be even better if someone came up with a top instructor in your neck of the woods, but if not, take action, find the best situation thats visible. Its likely to lead you to best situation thats nearby but hard to find. Michael

My local library had a copy of the book. Even if it didn't they could get one within a few days. My book shelves overfloweth, so my 2008 resolution is using the library more. I just started reading the book. Her experience and enthusiasm really comes out. Jumping the gun.. From the first chapter on Taoism shamanic roots, I can't tell how literally she takes the old legends. The early shamans who could turn into bears. Does she take the stories literally? Its not clear to me, doesn't really matter. Though in religion its interesting to see how fundamentalist the writer is. She certainly takes the concepts of magic and talismans seriously. Michael

Haven't had a live chat in a while.. Join me? Michael Very cool. Sean has redone Live Chat. Now you can pick out a facial avatar!! New sounds, easier to set up multiple rooms. You don't choose a new name anymore, you're stock w/ you usual one. M.

Thoughtful thinking Wayfarer. You do the Western world proud I'd ask the alchemical Taoist about the importance of the microcosmic orbit. We have instructors who teach it using guided imagery, others who use chi gung forms to develop it and others who say it should come along naturally without force or mental effort. What does he teach? I'd also ask how we should relate to the major organs in the body? Should we consider them as housing independent souls? For both of the masters I'd ask; I have a family, many responsibilities and often little time. Is there a particular practice they would recommend for a lay person such as myself to develop. Jesse, many thanks for this opportunity. Michael

Its an honor to have someone so gracious and knowledgeable sharing with us here. Thank you Michael

Thankfully there was an intergalactic newcast showing how we earthlings can fight this menace. One way shown was to construct a primitive cannon using everyday objects like tnt, diamonds and such. They're strong, but slow lumbering beasts so you'll have plenty of time, especially in winter where they'll be even slower! Another had scientific information showing the so called 'advanced' race couldn't handle strong emotional thoughts. Just think dark thoughts until one gets close enough to choke out. See, they're not so tough. As long as you remember to keep a blaster close and not believe everything you see you'll be just fine. Michael

Like understanding a magic trick, what you don't see is more important then what you do. You don't see the multiple takes and videos of the failures. Darren may have tried that trick 8, 10, 20 or 100 times before finding the perfect pigeon and conditions. Hitting someone over the head and taking there wallet may be a faster and more time effective way of getting peoples money His stuff is real, but without a rough idea of how many tries it takes to succeed, its probably not the super power it appears to be. Magicians practice dozens of hours to develope a trick that takes 30 or 40 seconds. Michael

It sounds pretty basic but, practicing acts and thoughts of loving kindness. And keeping the mind quiet. Michael as Joey Buddha once said; feedeth the monkey mind bananas til it barfs and goes comatose. Then sweepeth it away and enjoy the silence

Works for me, even though I don't own the book yet. The most important thing is we have people on the same 'page' er book. In some ways I'll miss the first choice. Taomeows criticisms of Luk formed a great basis for future discussions. Nothing more boring then everyone agreeing with each other Though sometimes its a nice change of pace. Michael

Brilliantly done. Thanks for the link. Michael

Cha cha cha cha cha Changes. Change is good. Leads to adventure. Good luck Cam in Atlanta, which is wonderful town Congrads on the pyramid in paradise Sean & Lezlie as I've always said, in the future we'll all wear chrome cover alls and live in pyramids Michael

I have an aging laptop. Its a nice small Sony w/ a small 10 inch screen. With a old celeron processor it runs slowly and then as time goes by it crawls til I wipe its memory, which speeds it up at first, then it gradually slows again as Windows fills its memory w/ crud. I'm thinking of loading in Linux. Should be smaller faster and not accumulate the constant heebie jeebies that windows does. Any thoughts on which version of Linux I should get? Any benefits or problems? Thanks Michael

Thanks Smile, that decides it. I've been confusing myself looking and trying to compare all the different flavors of Linux. Unbutu seems to have the most support and best interface. Now I have to decide Unbutu or Kunbutu? Michael

Thanks Mal. Hoping I'd find more users and opinions here. Haven't loaded it in yet. Still trying to decide between versions, Unbutu, Red Hat, Pandora. It probably doesn't matter. They're all available for the price of a cheap book, heck you can probably download'em for free, but I like having some paper documentation. Michael

Either book would be fine. I might prefer Krishnamurtis book because I think the Light of Bliss is more practice oriented whereas K.'s book (I think) is more philosophy. It might be better to go w/ Practice type, philosophy type, fun type then back to practice. This might stop the practice dujour orientation. Give a person at least 2 or 3 months to see if a practice resonates. Month to month books full of exercises might burn people out. Just a thought. Michael Any thoughts on a Fun book suggestion?