a danger at home that is just nuts!

[old3bob]

 

A danger at home that is just nuts!  Besides the many hazards one may have around or in their homes like falling trees or a natural gas explosion, there is a new one with several cases of exploding garden hoses causing injury!

So next time you re watering your plants by hand, (a sort of spiritual activity)  make sure you have a safe hose!  

 

 

[Taomeow]

Everything is out to get us.

 

Statistically, the most dangerous place in the house is the bathroom.   I knew that but I had to ask Grok about the numbers and got this:

"In the U.S., approximately 235,000 people aged 15 and older sustain nonfatal bathroom injuries annually, with about 370 injuries per day. Roughly 32,900 of these require hospitalization. It’s estimated that around 1 person dies daily from bathroom-related injuries, primarily in the bathtub or shower, totaling about 365 deaths per year."

 

I also asked about children younger than 15 but don't want to post it here.

 

 

[Nungali]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 06:27 AM by Nungali

[old3bob]

11 hours ago, Taomeow said:

Everything is out to get us.

 

Statistically, the most dangerous place in the house is the bathroom.   I knew that but I had to ask Grok about the numbers and got this:

 

"In the U.S., approximately 235,000 people aged 15 and older sustain nonfatal bathroom injuries annually, with about 370 injuries per day. Roughly 32,900 of these require hospitalization. It’s estimated that around 1 person dies daily from bathroom-related injuries, primarily in the bathtub or shower, totaling about 365 deaths per year."

 

I also asked about children younger than 15 but don't want to post it here.

 

 

Did the stats say how many were electrocution's?  Even with the newer gnd. fault outlets I think some people are not being very safe with electrical devices in the bathroom.

 

I've told family members to never let electrical cords get near water or get wet!

Edited yesterday at 01:48 PM by old3bob

[old3bob]

 

FYI, some of the newer garden hoses have had their plastic parts burst apart under pressure and then hit the person using them...

 

 

Edited yesterday at 01:48 PM by old3bob

[liminal_luke]

Modern life is full of hazards, not the least of which is the hazard of overworry and paranoia.  There´s a balance point between sensible caution and stressing oneself out about impending catastrophe.  On the one hand, beginner skiers should avoid pointing their skis down black diamond runs.  On the other, we all need to go to the bathroom.  Live dangerously, I say.  Take a shower, water a plant.  Don´t let the horrors of life, real or imagined, ruin your day.

Edited yesterday at 02:35 PM by liminal_luke

[stirling]

An interesting watch:

 

 

[Taomeow]

35 minutes ago, liminal_luke said:

Modern life is full of hazards, not the least of which is the hazard of overworry and paranoia.  There´s a balance point between sensible caution and stressing oneself out about impending catastrophe.  On the one hand, beginner skiers should avoid pointing their skis down black diamond runs.  On the other, we all need to go to the bathroom.  Live dangerously, I say.  Take a shower, water a plant.  Don´t let the horrors of life, real or imagined, ruin your day.

 

I didn't mean to discourage anyone from going to the bathroom or taking a shower.  Perhaps, based on personal experience, I would caution against doing yoga in the bathtub while taking a bath, especially halasana aka the plow pose.  That's because the space in the tub is tight and surfaces slippery, and getting stuck is quite likely if these two factors cause your shoulders to slide forward while your  legs, the moment they touch the wall behind your head, lock you in this position with your head possibly underwater -- unless you're at least cautious enough to have nearly drained the tub before doing something this poorly thought through. 

 

   

[liminal_luke]

49 minutes ago, Taomeow said:

 

I didn't mean to discourage anyone from going to the bathroom or taking a shower.  Perhaps, based on personal experience, I would caution against doing yoga in the bathtub while taking a bath, especially halasana aka the plow pose.  That's because the space in the tub is tight and surfaces slippery, and getting stuck is quite likely if these two factors cause your shoulders to slide forward while your  legs, the moment they touch the wall behind your head, lock you in this position with your head possibly underwater -- unless you're at least cautious enough to have nearly drained the tub before doing something this poorly thought through. 

 

   

 

This is the kind of thing that has made TDB into a success when so many other spiritual forums have faded into obscurity.  I never imagined when I got up this morning that I´d be contemplating the pros and cons of doing plow pose in the bathtub.

[Taomeow]

36 minutes ago, liminal_luke said:

 

This is the kind of thing that has made TDB into a success when so many other spiritual forums have faded into obscurity.  I never imagined when I got up this morning that I´d be contemplating the pros and cons of doing plow pose in the bathtub.

 

There's two basic animal behaviors all life forms on this planet share, from unicellular organisms to us eucaryotes: seeking and avoidance.  In fact, being able to discern what to seek and what to avoid may be the very definition of what life is.  (Nonduality aficionados are after something else, but this something else, whatever it is, is not how life on Earth works.)  

 

The above bathtub yoga technique has been presented as part of the "avoid" category.  

 

[old3bob]

 

...and not far from the bathroom some women (and guys too) are going through the dangers of 'putting on their 'faces' with god only knows what compounds... ;-)

 

 

Edited 22 hours ago by old3bob

[liminal_luke]

38 minutes ago, Taomeow said:

 

 (Nonduality aficionados are after something else, but this something else, whatever it is, is not how life on Earth works.)  

 

 

Your personal experience has led you to avoid bathtub yoga, but how do you feel about public discussion of nonduality?  I suspect the later also falls into the avoid category. While perhaps not as physically treacherous as underwater halasana aka, such talk might be socially ill-advised.  Still, I can´t resist asking: is nondual realization in the way it´s generally spoken of here a part of the Taoist path?  Or does Taoist practice head in an entirely different direction? 

 

Feel free to leave this one unanswered if your feline nature suggests that´s best.  

[Taomeow]

10 minutes ago, liminal_luke said:

 

Your personal experience has led you to avoid bathtub yoga, but how do you feel about public discussion of nonduality?  I suspect the later also falls into the avoid category. While perhaps not as physically treacherous as underwater halasana aka, such talk might be socially ill-advised.  Still, I can´t resist asking: is nondual realization in the way it´s generally spoken of here a part of the Taoist path?  Or does Taoist practice head in an entirely different direction? 

 

Feel free to leave this one unanswered if your feline nature suggests that´s best.  

 

It's funny how our minds branch out god only knows where once someone accumulates enough neural connections for that.  When you asked how I feel about public discussions of nonduality, I remembered that a long time ago, before the existence of TDB, I made friends on a food-related (of all things) forum with a much older Japanese American guy who was into nonduality -- Advaita.  (He passed away recently at the age of 96.)  We became friends beyond the scope of that forum and exchanged many discussions over the years.  He was a physics professor and a very colorful person.  Had to overcome quite a few serious hurdles in his youth (e.g. the whole family, himself and his parents and siblings spent over 3 years in an internment camp during WWII, for being Japanese. He contracted tuberculosis in that camp, among other things.)  So anyway, he had many interactions with famous gurus of that modality when it was being introduced to America, and remained faithful to that system.  I, a budding taoist at the time, argued with him -- we spent a couple of years at it and ultimately agreed to disagree.  Whereupon, at my request, we moved on to Japanese Cooking 101 lessons, and those I followed to the letter.  I recognize a true My teacher when I meet them.  

 

The point I'm trying to make is, he was so good at presenting his views, and such an interesting and nice guy overall, that I feel I would neither gain nor contribute anything of great value by participating in TDB nonduality exchanges.  If even he failed to convert me...  

 

And of course taoism has its own counterpart of nonduality -- only it is part of a dynamic process going both ways, and this going both ways is more up my alley.   

[liminal_luke]

44 minutes ago, Taomeow said:

 

And of course taoism has its own counterpart of nonduality -- only it is part of a dynamic process going both ways, and this going both ways is more up my alley.   

 

"A dynamic process going both ways" sounds great to me. To me this is reminescent of the kabbalistic interpretation of Ezekiel 1:14 -- and the creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning -- and I wonder if  perhaps mystical Judiasm and Taoism are eluding to the same phenomenon.  Much is made of this dual process of running and returning.  If it´s of interest, here´s what Gemini had to say about it...

................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

The verse Ezekiel 1:14, "And the creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning," is a pivotal and highly-debated passage in Jewish mysticism, particularly within the Kabbalah. It describes the movement of the Chayot HaKodesh (Holy Living Creatures) that support the Divine throne. Kabbalistic interpretations delve into the nature of these movements, connecting them to fundamental concepts of creation, divine emanation, and the human soul.

 

The Dynamic Nature of the Divine

 

At its core, the Kabbalistic interpretation of this verse sees the "running and returning" as a representation of the dynamic and cyclical nature of the divine flow.

• Running (Ratzo): This is understood as a movement of intense, outward expansion. It signifies the divine emanation—the impulse for creation to extend itself from the infinite, unknowable God (Ein Sof) into the finite world. It's a movement of longing and passion, a desire to unite with the divine source.

• Returning (Shuv): This is the counter-movement, an inward contraction or withdrawal. It represents the self-limitation of the divine to allow for the existence of creation. It is the return to the source, the act of humility and self-nullification that is necessary to prevent the created world from being overwhelmed by the divine light.

This dual motion of Ratzo v'Shuv (running and returning) is not just a one-time event but a continuous, pulsating rhythm that sustains all of existence. It is the breath of God, the constant interplay between expansion and contraction that maintains the balance of the universe.

 

Connection to the Sefirot

 

Kabbalists link this concept to the structure of the Sefirot, the ten divine emanations through which God interacts with the world.

• Ratzo is associated with the downward flow of the Sefirot from Keter (Crown) to Malkhut (Kingdom), the process by which divine will manifests in the physical world. It's a movement from potential to actual, from spiritual to material.

• Shuv corresponds to the upward movement, the desire of creation to return to its source. It is the spiritual work of humanity to elevate the physical world back to its divine origin, a concept often connected to the idea of tikkun (repair).

The creatures "running and returning" are thus seen as personifications of these two fundamental forces that animate the entire cosmic structure of the Sefirot.

 

The Flash of Lightning

 

The phrase "as the appearance of a flash of lightning" is equally significant. A lightning flash is instantaneous and represents a sudden, intense burst of light.

• Supernal Intellect: In Kabbalah, lightning is often a metaphor for Chochmah (Wisdom), the second Sefirah. Chochmah is the point of initial conception, a flash of insight that is pure potential before it is structured into Binah (Understanding). The instantaneous nature of the lightning flash suggests that the entire process of Ratzo v'Shuv happens in an instant, transcending time as we know it.

• Divine Revelation: It also represents the nature of divine revelation. The insight is blinding and overwhelming, a moment of direct, unfiltered connection to the divine. The creature's movement is not a plodding journey but a flash of pure, unmediated consciousness.

 

The Human Soul and Mystical Experience

 

Beyond the cosmic interpretation, Kabbalists also apply this verse to the human soul and the mystical experience.

• The Soul's Longing: The human soul is seen as a spark of the divine that longs to "run" back to its source. This is the yearning for devekut (cleaving to God), the desire to transcend the limitations of the physical world.

• The Fear of Annihilation: The "returning" represents the simultaneous fear of being utterly consumed by the divine light. To truly "run" and merge with the divine would mean the annihilation of one's individual self. The "return" is the act of maintaining one's identity while still being connected to the source.

• The Mystic's Journey: The mystical journey is thus a constant dance of Ratzo v'Shuv. The mystic "runs" towards God in moments of ecstatic prayer and meditation, experiencing a powerful connection. Then, they must "return" to their physical reality, bringing that divine insight back into the world to perform good deeds and elevate the mundane.

In summary, the Kabbalistic interpretation of Ezekiel 1:14 transforms a seemingly simple description of movement into a profound teaching about the nature of God, the structure of the universe, and the spiritual journey of the human soul. It is a verse that encapsulates the dynamic interplay of divine emanation and contraction, a constant rhythm that sustains all of reality.

 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by liminal_luke

[BigSkyDiamond]

10 minutes ago, liminal_luke said:

a profound teaching about the nature of God, the structure of the universe, and the spiritual journey of the human soul. It is a verse that encapsulates the dynamic interplay of divine emanation and contraction, a constant rhythm that sustains all of reality.

 

Yes.  So it is not "God created" the universe past tense.  It is "God creates" the universe present tense in every moment.

 

Edited 20 hours ago by BigSkyDiamond

[Cobie]

30 minutes ago, liminal_luke said:

… here´s what Gemini had to say about it...

................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

The verse Ezekiel 1:14, "…

In summary …

 a profound teaching about the nature of God, the structure of the universe, and the spiritual journey of the human soul. It is a verse that encapsulates the dynamic interplay of divine emanation and contraction, a constant rhythm that sustains all of reality.

@BigSkyDiamond  It surprised me to see you replying to Gemini (AI)

 

 

[BigSkyDiamond]

8 minutes ago, Cobie said:

@BigSkyDiamond  It surprised me to see you replying to Gemini (AI)

 

Just the final two lines summary that God is creating the universe (present tense) in every moment.

 

Plus, the person posting included their own thoughts in their own words:

42 minutes ago, liminal_luke said:

"A dynamic process going both ways" sounds great to me. To me this is reminescent of the kabbalistic interpretation of Ezekiel 1:14 -- and the creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning -- and I wonder if  perhaps mystical Judiasm and Taoism are eluding to the same phenomenon.  Much is made of this dual process of running and returning. 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by BigSkyDiamond

[liminal_luke]

23 minutes ago, Cobie said:

@BigSkyDiamond  It surprised me to see you replying to Gemini (AI)

 

 

I find AI useful (though imperfect) and have thus far shared AI quotes in two posts.  What´s important to me is that AI quotes are clearly marked as such, so there´s no confusion between human and machine.  In this case, AI was able to call up and summarize material that I learned in a Jewish mysticism class thirty years ago in a way that I would of struggled to do on my own.

Edited 19 hours ago by liminal_luke

[Cobie]

 

19 minutes ago, BigSkyDiamond said:

Just … two lines … Plus, the person posting included their own thoughts in their own words:

I couldn’t advise it, it’s a slippery slope. 

 

 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by Cobie

[Cobie]

 

10 minutes ago, liminal_luke said:

... AI was able to call up and summarize material … that I would have struggled to do on my own.

O little one, it’s the “struggle” that will turn liminal into enlightened. 

 

 

 

[Cobie]

@liminal_luke you’re a good sport. 
 

 

[old3bob]

 

So we have morphed from garden hose safety to non-duality, and nobody is upset like some get get upset with talk of politics.  (which is part of the subject daily life and death a lot whether we are able to admit it or not) 

 

[Taomeow]

17 minutes ago, old3bob said:

 

So we have morphed from garden hose safety to non-duality, and nobody is upset like some get get upset with talk of politics.  (which is part of the subject daily life and death a lot whether we are able to admit it or not) 

 

 

It's apples and oranges orange man bad.  

 

 

We have no ban on tangents per se.  Only on tangents that cause people to unsubscribe, get banned, get into fights, lose respect, gain adversaries, and beat herds of dead horses on a daily basis.  No one can change anyone's political opinion nor even pierce someone's information bubble on an online forum.  "It is known."    

 

The story about exploding hoses -- news to me -- is also a current events story to an extent -- in that they used to not let every product out there go to shit.  Garden hoses used to have metal parts where now they have plastic parts.  And never ever exploded, far as I know.  So from here I could go into plastic takeover of the world and the companies and CEOs behind it -- from DuPont to ExxonMobil, Dow, Sinopec and so on.  Could be quite enlightening to take a political discussion in this direction -- in fact, to take all political discussions in that direction.  But another round of _______?  No thanks.  

 

[Nungali]

9 hours ago, old3bob said:

 

Did the stats say how many were electrocution's?  Even with the newer gnd. fault outlets I think some people are not being very safe with electrical devices in the bathroom.

 

I've told family members to never let electrical cords get near water or get wet!

 

We usually loose a few during winter .  One time, household was cold so dad shuts all doors and windows ,   and gets something to   burn some wood in , lights a fire inside in a closed house .... no chimney or anything .  

 

I think the main cause of death in the home is stupidity .

[old3bob]

38 minutes ago, Taomeow said:

 

It's apples and oranges orange man bad.  

 

We have no ban on tangents per se.  Only on tangents that cause people to unsubscribe, get banned, get into fights, lose respect, gain adversaries, and beat herds of dead horses on a daily basis.  No one can change anyone's political opinion nor even pierce someone's information bubble on an online forum.  "It is known."    

 

The story about exploding hoses -- news to me -- is also a current events story to an extent -- in that they used to not let every product out there go to shit.  Garden hoses used to have metal parts where now they have plastic parts.  And never ever exploded, far as I know.  So from here I could go into plastic takeover of the world and the companies and CEOs behind it -- from DuPont to ExxonMobil, Dow, Sinopec and so on.  Could be quite enlightening to take a political discussion in this direction -- in fact, to take all political discussions in that direction.  But another round of _______?  No thanks.  

 

 

and of course the first part of that is up for interpretation via various opinions.