Yinja Posted June 20, 2018 (edited) Hey Steve I dont consider it to be Nihilism. I dont find it depressing, i find it exciting sometimes. This way of seeing the world is clearly because of talking less and listening more and the more i do that there is less me to be found thats all. my guess would be that i am dictated by the tao but i am the tao so in a way i am dictated by me. You suggest many things i agree with and adopt i just dont know how i do it, thats all to it. Edited June 20, 2018 by Yinja 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted June 21, 2018 On 6/18/2018 at 3:43 AM, Starjumper said: true colors Hi Steve, Transformation of the Tao: - Anand 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve Posted June 21, 2018 17 hours ago, Yinja said: i just dont know how i do it, thats all to it. It's a matter of ego identification. There's a thought that wants to claim the role of doer... That thought is just like any other. It's not about how, pay attention to who. That's the direction I recommend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted June 21, 2018 2 minutes ago, steve said: It's not about how, pay attention to who. That's the direction I recommend. Hi steve, Steve steve - LimA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve Posted June 21, 2018 16 hours ago, Limahong said: Hi steve, Steve steve - LimA Not right, not left.... inward. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Sternbach Posted June 21, 2018 It is true that humans usually behave according to preset patterns, not unlike a computer's actions are determined by its program. One thing that distinguishes us from the latter, though, is that we can alter our patterns and reprogram ourselves if we choose to do so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted June 21, 2018 (edited) 4 hours ago, steve said: Not right, not left.... inward. Hi steve, - LimA Edited June 21, 2018 by Limahong Enhance ... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted June 22, 2018 (edited) 11 hours ago, steve said: Not right, not left... Hi steve, - LimA Edited June 22, 2018 by Limahong Correct errors. Enhance. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve Posted June 22, 2018 Can't wait to see where my new Luna's will take me! Spoiler 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liminal_luke Posted June 22, 2018 The Luna picture reminded me of when I used to traipse around town in Vibram Fivefingers. I never got into running "barefoot" -- am not nearly that athletic -- but I love how I felt just walking to Starbucks. Reading this thread, I`m so grateful to have escaped the snare of philosophy. Not that deep thinking about the nature of the universe and our place in it can`t be a pleasurable and worthwhile activity. Many people seem to enjoy it and more power to them. It`s just that all that knowing doesn`t take the place of practice, and for me practice is everything. I want to do things that change how I feel in my body. (Although some of the best things are subtle and don`t initially result in perceptible change.) If I`m calm and happy and flowy, I figure deep Buddah-esque understanding will come in it`s own time -- or not. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted June 22, 2018 1 hour ago, steve said: Can't wait to see where my new Luna's will take me! Hi steve, You have taken your new steps - When you reach wthere, don't forget to call back - A safe trip on Flight LUNA 123. Happy landing. - LimA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted June 23, 2018 9 hours ago, liminal_luke said: I want to do things that change how I feel in my body. (Although some of the best things are subtle and don`t initially result in perceptible change.) If I`m calm and happy and flowy, I figure deep Buddha-esque understanding will come in it`s own time -- or not. Hi liminal_luke, Your above thoughts fit in well with this thread which reads - What is in our power to do? Feeling with my body is also important for/to me. I cleared some bodily hurdles - as difficult lessons. Traversing my chakras as a new kid on the block was not easy. Some lessons - evolve, some - revolve ~ I am still learning. My chakra-journey became easier the moment I recognized/realized the chakras have the same colors and sequence as the rainbow. - LimA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miroku Posted June 23, 2018 “If you are quiet enough, you will hear the flow of the universe. You will feel its rhythm. Go with this flow. Happiness lies ahead. Meditation is key.” Fake Buddha Quote. Sorry guys. :D 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted June 23, 2018 Well, we currently have lots of fake news in America, we might as well have a fake Buddha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve Posted June 23, 2018 14 hours ago, liminal_luke said: The Luna picture reminded me of when I used to traipse around town in Vibram Fivefingers. I never got into running "barefoot" -- am not nearly that athletic -- but I love how I felt just walking to Starbucks. Reading this thread, I`m so grateful to have escaped the snare of philosophy. Not that deep thinking about the nature of the universe and our place in it can`t be a pleasurable and worthwhile activity. Many people seem to enjoy it and more power to them. It`s just that all that knowing doesn`t take the place of practice, and for me practice is everything. I want to do things that change how I feel in my body. (Although some of the best things are subtle and don`t initially result in perceptible change.) If I`m calm and happy and flowy, I figure deep Buddah-esque understanding will come in it`s own time -- or not. Ever read Born to Run by Chris McDougall? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, Miroku said: “If you are quiet enough, you will hear the flow of the universe. You will feel its rhythm. Go with this flow. Happiness lies ahead. Meditation is key.” Fake Buddha Quote. Sorry guys. Hi Miroku, “If you are quiet enough, you will hear the flow of the universe. You will feel its rhythm. Go with this flow. Happiness lies ahead. Meditation is key." No, this is not the Buddha... It seems to be quite recent, and hasn’t made its way into any books that are indexed by Google Books (one of my main research tools)... The Buddha did not use metaphors like “the flow of the universe.” He didn’t tell us to go with the flow. He did however talk about streams and rivers in a metaphorical way. The above is from fakebuddhaquotes.com. Also found on this site are these: - All Fake Buddha Quotes - Fakeish Buddha Quotes - Fake Buddha Stories Besides - I have absolutely no idea where this one originates from - the owner of the site (Bodhipaksa) has indicated this: It’s hard sometimes to pinpoint why they sound fake. Usually it’s the language, which may be too flowery and poetic. Sometimes it’s the subject matter, which sounds too contemporary. From Bodhipaksa's perspective, you have indicated - Fake Buddha Quote. Sorry guys. How about the various translations of the Tao Te Jing discoursed at TDB? Please comment on these Taoist translations in relation to - (a) the language, which may be too flowery and poetic and (b) the subject matter, which sounds too contemporary. - LimA Edited June 23, 2018 by Limahong Enhance ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silent thunder Posted June 23, 2018 4 hours ago, Miroku said: “If you are quiet enough, you will hear the flow of the universe. You will feel its rhythm. Go with this flow. Happiness lies ahead. Meditation is key.” Fake Buddha Quote. Sorry guys. :D wow... thank you my friend! that rang the bell! deep within silence... there is thunder. emptiness is filled with all forms. darkness is light, beyond the ken of our eyes. fake... real... who is the arbiter of such things? the bell ringing, unfolding in presence Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liminal_luke Posted June 23, 2018 3 hours ago, steve said: Ever read Born to Run by Chris McDougall? I haven`t. Do you recommend it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelerner Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) 9 hours ago, steve said: Ever read Born to Run by Chris McDougall? It's on my To Read list. His book Natural Born Heroes: Mastering the Lost Secrets of Strength and Endurance, was amazing. An interesting compilation comparing refound secrets, using the history, particularly the Nazi invasion of Crete as a litmus test for what's possible. Using past inspiration to find and celebrate modern masters of strength, endurance and pieces of the good life. FWIW on my phone I use an app called Overdrive to take out library ebooks and e-audio books from the library. Which is how I read Natural Born Heroes. Hard to beat free. Edited June 23, 2018 by thelerner 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted June 23, 2018 8 hours ago, Marblehead said: We currently have lots of fake news... we might as well have a fake Buddha. Hi Dada-da, Buddha must be respected - but not fake Buddhist monks. So in this post can we put the focus on fake monks instead? Can we have a CVID of fake monks? A complete, verifiable and irreversible disrobe of fake monks? Let us see... The Great Compassion Mantra - a CVID yardstick? Are there fake Taoists at TDB? What is a fake Taoist? - LimA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted June 23, 2018 I encountered the fakers occasionally while in the Army. Sometimes I pretended to believe them in order to stay out of trouble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Limahong Posted June 23, 2018 35 minutes ago, Marblehead said: I encountered the fakers occasionally while in the Army. Sometimes I pretended to believe them in order to stay out of trouble. Hi Dada-da, Fakers are trouble makers? The Army is a great circus. You - a peace/pacemaker? Good night. - LimA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve Posted June 23, 2018 5 hours ago, liminal_luke said: I haven`t. Do you recommend it? Loved it, entertaining read even if you're not a runner. Highly recommended. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted June 23, 2018 Just now, Limahong said: Hi Dada-da, Fakers are trouble makers? The Army is a great circus. You - a peace/pacemaker? Good night. - LimA I doubt that I could accept the label of "peacemaker". I have almost always set my own pace though. And while in a leadership position I set the pace for others as well. It takes a special breed to enjoy Army service as much as I did. Yes, some fakers are trouble makers. They work in groups. Don't let them hit on you they will steal everything you have if they have the opportunity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelerner Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) I consider myself a fake Taoist, fake Buddhist and fake yoga-ist. For example I've enjoyed hanging out at Ashrams but avoid doing actual yoga, love the people and the meditation. And being a somewhat corrupting force there (ditching classes for coffee & casinos). Taoist.. I enjoy reading some taoist literature, certainly the DDJ, occassionally try to see the world and various problems through Taoists eyes, ie a path of nature and patience, yet I'm no Taoist. Matter of fact I often confuse Taoism and Zen Buddhism. I have lots of respect for Buddhism, find there tenets clear and self proving. Yet to say I was a Buddhist would be an affront to true Buddhists; same with Taoism and Yoga. I simply haven't spent the time, effort and sacrificing to truly call myself any of those. I hope with my study and rubbing elbows with those who are, that I've picked up bits of wisdom, some perspective and different ways of looking at the world. Dabbler that I am. Edited June 23, 2018 by thelerner 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
