C T

Funny interpretation, highly inaccurate... a kind of popular inaccuracy, but I can't help but get a laugh when I hear it every time I do.

 

Sorry, it's nothing against you... you probably just ran into some bad teachers and read some bad books.

Hi V! Thanks for the input. FH's feelings are totally reasonable within her own experiences - there are just too many out there who fits in with her description, unfortunately.

However, i do question her view that meditation leads to higher morals. What do you think?

@FH - You said that in your opinion all the striving leads to nothing. Within the limit of my own interpretation of this statement, i would say that to cultivate a good heart and to train the mind are necessarily fundamental to the serious Buddhist practitioner, which are very noble aspirations indeed, and definitely cannot be termed as *nothing*. It is very easy to see that such qualities would lead to much happiness and harmony, which i am sure you would agree we cannot have enough of. Unless we can tame this monkey mind of ours, the aim of *just being* can be quite a struggle, not impossible of course, but a challenge nonetheless.

BTW, liberation (a more appropriate term for me as compared to enlightenment) is anything but boring, because the very word itself says it all, dont you agree? And it definitely does not mean non-existence (god forbid lol). It simply means to kick-ass all our notions, ignorance, fears, and wrong views out the back door and mindfully keep them at bay until a new set of virtuous habits permeate our daily life. This, i assure you, is a real adventure, and one that can fulfill all our basic longing for freedom and emancipation.

Hope you find this helpful. I am sure there are many here who knows much more about the nitty-gritty stuff and who can go into all the specifics with you if you are so inclined to learn more of the authentic teachings.

Have a good weekend!

You are on a spiritual path. Take that path seriously.

 

I have deep empathy for your situation, yet the gravity of it may force you to look beyond your emotions. They are, in the end, only that. But to do so, you must fully accept them.

 

What lies within this situation may be the very thing that can bring you see your true nature. So the best thing is really to look beyond what is hurting, what is suffering,and right into the vast space that accepts everything.

 

But the most important thing to do before deciding anything:

 

Ask the baby

 

h

Words of true wisdom from a deeply reflective mind IMO.

I share the belief regarding acceptance, with all my heart, and i sincerely hope Mestena can see a way into her own wisdom light, and find the gentleness and compassion to allow for this quality to shine through.

@ Mestena - I am not in any position to offer you advice, so please accept my apologies. Perhaps an attempt to do so at this juncture may serve more as a hindrance. All i can wish for you is to have the courage and patience to remain steadfast in the goodness of your own heart.

Very often, when emotions are wild, we tend to forget to be grateful for all the gifts that are still abundantly offered to us daily despite our challenges. Perhaps it would be helpful to focus a little on these. It can at least give you some space to appreciate that there is still beauty around you. This is my only humble suggestion.

All the best to you,

CT

 

No seeking, one slap in the face

No non-seeking, another slap in the face

 

So the child asks, then what the hell am I supposed to do? I can't do anything to please you, he says.

 

If someone says that to you, how do you react?

 

For me, I would think someone who puts things in this form has been...abused. Because experience has done something to make him so uncertain as to his next move, he'd rather endure, and waste away the time in indecision than to throw the dice.

 

If I were you, I'd throw the dice, and see what the outcome is. Because knowing what the change is, you can then throw the dice again, because as long as you can throw the dice, you have the chance to see its next phase.

 

Waste it away, you come away with just a series of big fat questions.

 

Which might be pleasurable, to some people. But answers, buddy, answers are it. Not questions.

Hi MayDay!

Thank you for the facial slaps! Good thing i am not into SM

What an ass i made of myself by mentioning that i have not read many of your posts, not realizing

how new you are! Welcome! And thank you for the passing interest! Rather presumptuous if i may say so, but that has nothing to do with how much i admire the imaginative content presentation, the manner of which almost oiled these ol'joints of mine, from the neck down to my toes, so to speak.

*Which might be pleasurable, to some people.* Hmm, i wonder what pleasures you... perhaps the feel of rolling them dice in your hands? Or the anticipation and the hunger for constant renewals of physical and mental phases? Or both? Answers, buddy, answers please!

Hi -

 

Profound, unobstructed liberation?

 

Is this a phase of nirvana you're describing? some kind of peace that the mind achieves in death?

 

It's the shedding away of everything grown dear to a human existence, is it? It's when all the colors that make up you, you, wash out to become this blend neutral nothing, right? Hm...sounds kinda boring.

 

And yet, whenever it's that profound, that must be some kind of compensation to make it all worthwhile. I am curious.

 

How do you seek such kind of profound, unobstructed liberation? If you're a prisoner, trapped in a cell somewhere, I'd understand the mind-hunger, but you stated, it's a personal choice.

 

I can't help myself. You're quite interesting.

Hi MayDay,

I see you do not post very much, so it is quite an honor (?) to have got your mention in here.

No seeking, and no non-seeking, therefore, no achievement, and no non-achievement.

I am looking forward to hear about your own personal experience in this regard, if you are so inclined.

Hehehe. Now I know over-doing-it when I see it.

 

I like my name. It is the name of the town (Marblehead, Mass.) where a Bluegrass band (Seatrain) first got together and titled their first album after the town. (The band is no longer together.)

 

I also have two areas at my fish pond decorated with marbles. I like marbles!

 

Peace & Love!

Aa ha! No worries there about your fish losing their marbles then... Just kidding buddy Sorry!

Thank you for that post CowTao!

 

Peace & Love!

You have honored my ancestors. How can i ever, ever repay this magnanimous act of yours? Hehehe....

Marblehead. Cute name.

Ah...that applies to me and a few others...I shall endeavor to apply these wise words...I wonder if V would consider that these words also apply to him? Or is he excused because his way is the Highest and is the Ultimate Truth, so he is allowed to "speak too much" because it is "justified"?

I wonder what Buddha Shakyamuni would say here. Perhaps, just perhaps, He might point out that because there is no Highest Ultimate Truth, therefore it gives rise to what is perceived as the Highest Ultimate Truth. Hmm, i wonder....

Salam.

Hello Singapore Guy!

This is Malaysian Guy here

Greetings from Ireland dear friend. We have much geographical connections i see! I am a Malaysian but now residing in Ireland, since 1993. How is the beautiful Singapore these days? God i miss it so much!

Anyway, sorry to hear of your little *distubance*. It is no laughing matter, and not something that should be dismissed lightly. I used to have a Sikh friend in Malaysia who is an Exorcist, and have had a few opportunities to witness stuff first hand to know that its really not a joke.

I do not know what is your background regarding practice, so would not offer any specific advice here. If you are a Buddhist, then it is good to speak to your teacher (if you have one) because there are 2 or 3 very potent mantras/mudras that can be performed to clear the space and for self-protection. Your teacher may also have talismans that have been blessed and will offer them to you gladly, i am sure.

As an introduction, and perhaps to get an idea or ideas about this, there is a video on youtube based on a teaching about entity provocations by HE Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. Its aptly titled "Tsem Tulku Rinpoche the GHOSTBUSTER!!".

In it he did suggest what he said was the most powerful mantra that can be used to deflect negative energies, but if you are not familiar with Tib Buddhism, i would advice against using it before you have received proper instructions.

Please update me on your situation, as I have a (cheeky) interest in this area. If there is anything i can help you with further, drop me a private note if you feel that is more appropriate. It can be helpful to have prayers done on your behalf, but we can discuss this later.

Thank you, and take care.

May the protection and blessings of the Awakened Ones be upon you.

Nice quotes.

 

Now I just need a David Attenborough voice and a sentence along the lines of

"Behold the passion and beauty of a TTB thread in all it's spectramatic bewonderment"

Good on you Mal! You have gifted me smiles for the weekend...and its only Friday hahaha!

Hey Mal

BEWONDERMENT - What a beautiful word you have thought up! Here's one for you, as a return gesture: "The SPECTRUMATIC nature of the spiritual path is such that words are often less than adequate to describe one's innermost relationship with it, let alone attempt to share this intimate knowledge with those whom we have absolutely no relationship with".

Permit me to share a few words for reflection taken from a book i'm currently reading. I think it is quite relevant in this thread. If any one reading this finds it totally off-subject, i apologize in advance. This reflection is taken from *The Heart Treasures of The Enlightened Ones* by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (pages 46/47) -

"If your actions conform with Dharma, you will antagonize everyone; If your words are truthful, most people will get angry; If your mind is truly good and pure, they will judge it a defect. Now is the time to keep your own way hidden". (page 46)

"The mouth is the doorway of sin. Words tumble out of our mouths with the greatest of ease, yet the consequences they bring can be far-reaching and heavy. Most ordinary conversations are mainly expressions of attachment and animosity. If you speak too much, you will run into trouble, just as a parrot ends up in a cage. So give up unnecessary chatter". (page 47)

If you like this, i thank you for accepting its wisdom. Otherwise, please forgive this old fool who knows nothing.

Cheers everyone!

@Marblehead - Murphy's Law in reverse... hehehe - me can relate to that!!

"Even the TAOst taste that little bit better when it is made in total mindfulness" (The essence of a Taoist way of life? Hehehe....)

Laughter precludes accidentally serious life-views....

COEXIST.

It is not very apparent in this thread.

Looks more like *America's Got Talent* bootcamp. Sorry for this negative input. But this thought stayed with me for the 3 times i checked in here.

It does sound a little strange - guys who find V's writing so objectionable, yet who persistently read his posts and offer helpful advice. Hmm, it does create cause for wonderment laced with bewilderment!!

Have a good one - the weekend, Halloween...life!

CT

Why are so many people so effected??

 

Where's the fruit of your spiritual paths?? How are you people so effected by me, how do you people give me so much power to disturb you??

 

These are serious questions. I'm just a 6 foot tall, 160 pound, 34 year old male from San Francisco.

 

I'm not a 1 ton gorilla from Africa in the same room as you guys.

 

Ignore me if you don't like me. Yes, I post a lot, mostly because people ask me questions and sometimes I find certain threads inspiring to write on. Also, some people bring up Buddhist topics and so I add to that. I used to argue the superiority of the Buddhist view because I was invited in here specifically for that purpose by my friend Michaelz, and he asked me more than once because I said no a few times, but I've stopped and mostly debate with other people about the details of the view of Buddhism or just offer my own experience about topics that have arisen, like psychic stuff. Or I tell jokes and laugh with some friends here. I offer information that may challenge someones perspective. Why take it all so personally and get bent out of shape and ruin threads by attacking me personally over and over again??

Hey there 160lb, 34 yr old, San Fran guy -

Keep up the great posts mate!

Please dont be upset with criticisms. If we truly live with the belief that somehow we are all connected in some way, and that others have been our mothers and fathers at some point, its not very hard to let things flow as they are. Taking it personally, especially words thrown up on forums, sounds like you have allowed yourself to a good *doing over* and the funny thing is you dont even know these folks from adam!

If its truly your aspiration to be a realized master of Dzogchen, then have the mental grace to allow for such *attacks*. Even the Buddha had his share of antagonists! If i were you i would use this as a great opportunity for transformation - remember the story of how the mongoose can transform the snake's poison when bitten?

If it really bugs you so much, use the *energy* to heighten your Tonglen practice - i find that quite useful most times.

Be thankful for those who appreciate your efforts - keep the focus brother!

Cowing to the Tao,

CT

I actually have but it was only a scan so Ihave not done an in-depth reading of his work. I do have it bookmarked somewhere on the internet as I did plan to get back to it one day.

Thanks Pietro. You've been a big help. Hehehe.

 

See? I'm consolidating post so my post numbers don't increase too rapidly.

I gotta go read CowTao's post now.

 

C U Later!

Thank you so much, Marblehead - for the welcome you showed a couple of days ago, and for the interest in my post. Much appreciated.

I have been following most of your recent writes - i find them very practical, down-to-earth, and the best thing i noticed is how you always get across as a nice, humble and warm kind of person. Thats really worth mentioning here, with due respect to LeonBasin, as this is kinda like his territory!

Cheers mate!

Maybe, just maybe, one of the better yardstick for self-observation, to see if we are genuinely living up to our own expectations, be it as a Taoist, or Buddhist, or what ever -ist one chooses to be, is to remove oneself from our familiar and comforting surrounds for a period of time (somehow 3 months come to mind - the basic timeframe recommended for those who are determined to venture into doing *serious* retreats) and then reflect on this question - Am i living life as a +++ist now, in this unfamiliar, fearful, strange and sometimes hostile environment? Perhaps go into the forest by yourself (like some of the monks in Thailand do) or find some deserted island to set up *home* for 2 maybe 3 months? Or simply live in a cardboard box off the streets, like some homeless vagabond? Its quite a challenge, and does take a fair amount of grit and determination. However, the outcome may just surprise you!!

Perhaps, exposed to such raw conditions, we are more able to observe our perspectives and priorities reflected in a myriad of differentiating circumstances, and if at the end of our *adventure* we are to find that our values and beliefs have remained steadfast, and have nurtured and sustained us thru this period, then we would have gained transcendent insight into this self-inquiry. Whether we *succeed* or not is not that important. What is, is the act of removing oneself from one's comfort zone, and begin a whole new (albeit temporary) side-path. We may be amazed, and transformed, by what we may encounter on this little sojourn.

Thank you for reading, and pondering.

Where is this guy *getting* this stuff? Didn't just fall off the turnip truck.

Serious sadhu stint.

 

The only thing that I'd add is mention of the bindus. Bindus have a natural resonance with the Vast Light and are key to concentration~openness integration.

Hey Trunk!

Thank you for mentioning the bindus. Not sure what it/they is/are, but will certainly have a dig somewhere to see what you have alluded to here.

Have a good day.

Hello Ct,

 

Well, from what I have gathered, it seems like there is not much to "Living Life as a Taoist." It really resides in the mind. I do not think there is really external specifications. However, it does help one others share how they are "Living Life as a Taoist." I mean this forum specifically, has helped me change my mind and in return, everything I do externally seems to resonate through Tao. Does that make sense? What about you?

Hello again LB!

You said "It really resides in the mind" - a slight agitation i had with this, hence the question, does it really reside in the mind? I am interested to hear where you have come from in this regard. (Would it be helpful to consider that the Tao that can reside *somewhere* is not the real Tao? )

Sharing is really cool LB. If not this forum would not have taken off! Personally, i tend to adhere to, and promote simplicity as a sustainable platform for spiritual cultivation, be it in intentions, thoughts, words and deeds. It seems to be a good way to travel, and after a few years, one can actually observe the gradual dissipation of all 'sense' desires. This i say from personal experience. I had, at the start of my path, thought that i have an immense need to accumulate as much *knowledge* as i can to arm myself for all the trials and challenges ahead, but i was completely fooled! It is actually how much *knowledge/rubbish* we can discard that really counts! Once we have this understanding firmly habituated, we can have the courage to let go of everything, and... flow. Could this be what is meant by Spiritual Warrior-ship?

Please share your thoughts on this.

Thank you.

Many people speak about "Life of a Taoist?" How can one live as a Taoist. What steps, beliefs, clothing, furniture, jobs and etc does one need in order to live "Life of a Taoist?". Thank you!

Hi LB!

A similar thought crossed my mind a few years ago. Spoke to some friends and one recommended a book by Marsha Sinetar called *Ordinary People as Monks and Mystics*. Found it quite relevant in this context.

Personally i do wonder if it ever can be a defined 'life' - there are many out there whose *Tao* resides deep in their hearts, and have no apparent external marks, so to speak. At the other end of the spectrum, i have personally observed and met many whose outward displays are impeccable, but are so far away from being the genuine article! Perhaps you have had similar observations?

Regards,

CT

It seems to me that there is too much focus on the condition of being enlightened and not enough talk about the things that get in the way of reaching enlightenment. It is easier to talk about the things that falsely appear to be real than it is to talk about being at the point when false appearances no longer arise.

Hello Inedible!

Indeed you have observed well! However, may we consider that when one is at the point where false appearances no longer arise, all the *talk* possible becomes irrelevant and insubstantial? Moreover, there are just too many things that gets in the way of liberation, in fact, for one who sees not perfection from the beginning, every *thing*, no matter how profound or insightful, will simply create yet more get-in-the-way things? Isnt this the norm?

This is merely my own limited understanding. Your views?

Hi all!

A friend asked me this question not so long ago - "What does profound, unobstructed liberation mean?"

Spontaneously, my reply was, "Its the moment when one arrives at the one-pointed state of absolute recognition of the empty, yet substantial nature of the arising, and waning, of all thought formations and perceptions.

In that state, all self-grasping and aversion subsides, and mind-stories give way to an awakened state of pure, pristine clarity where the * I * falls away together with all concepts and notions of the dualistic separation of self and other, subject and object, where words and descriptions and labels no longer hold any relevance.

At that moment of the uncontrived, unobstructed collapse of all projections (of mind), where one remains in spacious, non-fabricated, primordial awareness, one IS the liberation, or the divine union with the Self. The sense of re-tuning in, and returning to, one's true nature, to the Mother Womb, will have been complete".

If anyone care enough to share their thoughts and personal experiences here it would definitely make for interesting reading!

(Please note that the above observation was made shortly after completing a nine-year celibacy stint. Its not part of any tradition, nor instructions given by any guru or lineage-holder. It was a personal choice, one that was made with much fear and hope.)

What we must decide is perhaps how we are valuable,rather than how valuable we are.

- Edgar Z. Friedenber

 

One kind word can warm three winter months.

- Japanese proverb

The earth has music

for those who listen.

- William Shakespeare

"Fundamentally our experiences as experienced are no different from the Zen master's. Where we differ is that we place a fog, a particular kind of conceptual overlay onto our experiences and then make emotional investments in that overlay, taking these experiences to be *real* in and of themselves" - The Wanderling

Greetings everyone!

 

Thank you for accepting my intro!

 

Have enjoyed browsing through some inspirational and some not-so inspirational thoughts and wisdom proclamations, some pretty original and others not so, yet, all made for interesting *mind* gymnastics so its all good! Hence the dive!

 

Looking forward to an exhilarating gasp of air upon resurfacing then!

 

May all be well, as well can be.

 

Regards,

 

CowTao

Trailmaker and Marblehead - thank you both for the welcome!

@ Marblehead - i am following your thread (descartes) with much interest. Keep it up!

Greetings everyone!

Thank you for accepting my intro!

Have enjoyed browsing through some inspirational and some not-so inspirational thoughts and wisdom proclamations, some pretty original and others not so, yet, all made for interesting *mind* gymnastics so its all good! Hence the dive!

Looking forward to an exhilarating gasp of air upon resurfacing then!

May all be well, as well can be.

Regards,

CowTao