[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, geezerfreak geezerfr...@... wrote: Judy's obsession with Barry continues...she blows her post count in a day or two obsessing about Barry. There's a kind of sick amusement watching this seemingly endless play. Their synastry chart could be mighty interesting... : )
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, yifuxero yifux...@... wrote: ---.To Turq. Received e mail from J.J. : Sure I remember Barry Wright tell him to call anytime and say hello. jerry I'll send his phone # Monday. Don't have it right now...I'm at a cybernet place. Thanks for passing along my best wishes, Yifu. Maybe I'll SkypeOut him sometime. I won't be asking any tough questions. :-)
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, metoostill metoost...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: I think this yogic identification theory is totally bogus. It is a made-up problem. I am not identified with any object of perception. I can be passionate about some things, but trying to paint that as some kind nonspiritual way to live seems so contrived. I was getting ready to go out for pre-Carnivale celebrations last night, and didn't have time to reply then, so I'll do my me too's now, and add them to metoostill's. :-) I thought that this short post just *nailed* it. And the phrase that was most relevant to FFL and the ongoing debates here was It worked on me when I was a LOT younger. Seems to me that there are a lot of people here who are trying to hang on to the certainty about things that was sold them in their youth. Like you, Curtis, I don't find identification to be an issue of any kind. I'm sitting in a cafe, and a beautiful woman walks by. I look up. I look at her. I *appreciate* the beauty. It does not inspire lust in me (I'm too old to be locked into that rut any more); it just inspires a love of beauty. I think, Wow. Now *that* is a beautiful woman. She walks on. So does thinking about her. Out of sight, out of mind. No identification, no problem. In my honest opinion, those who perceive one in that interaction are doing so based on an intellectual interpretation *about* identification that they were taught in their youth, and which they have never been able to outgrow. They are also doing this based on a distrust of anything in the [said with disgust] *relative*, something that was *also* taught to them in their youth by someone who *felt* disgust for any- thing in the relative. So much so that the worst thing he could imagine was to be reborn and have to deal with the relative again in a future life. The whole premise of yoga that we are somehow not OK right now and need to be fixed, that the fundamental way that we are inside is wrong and unenlightened, the mistake of the intellect, seems to be a manufactured problem meant to enslave people who are not confident about themselves. It's the Hindu counterpart of Catholic sin and the notion that man is fallen. I don't buy it. It worked on me when I was a LOT younger. To this wonderful line I can only add a visual, found on Digg entitled When life teaches you nothing. http://i43.tinypic.com/2rg1c9v.jpg And the threat of living on earth again as something to escape? Being damned to live again? We should be so lucky. Exactly. How can anyone in their right mind NOT understand that their FEAR OF REBIRTH was *taught* to them by someone who feared it? Maharishi did not LIKE the relative world. He spent his entire life trying to CHANGE it, to make it look more like the fantasies in his head. You know, the ones where everything is golden and the world is run by benevolent kings and the peons do as they're told and none of the Brahmins have to work for a living and multicolored soma popsicles grow on trees. The world he saw around him wasn't *enough* for him to love and appreciate. Not only didn't he like it much and dedicate his life to trying to change it, he taught millions of gullible youths to fear the world as much as he did, and to have as much fear of being reborn and having to do it again as he did. Rebirth is seen as a *perk* by most people. That is exactly why skeptics look down on it as a fantasy. They believe that life *ends* at death -- game over -- and you get no more shot at living. And so they look at those who believe in reincarnation as silly dreamers. And so what did Maharishi Mahesh Yogi do with the idea of reincarnation? He took the (possibly) silly dream and turned it into a nightmare: We are opposed to reincarnation. He taught gullible people in their youth that reincarnating was a Bad Thing, not a Good Thing the way it is to anyone who finds life lovely. Who is having such a sucky life that you wouldn't jump at the chance for another one? This is another great point in your post, Curtis. It has to do with something I talked about last week, why I find the Life is suffering and take refuge notions of Buddhism offensive, and why they don't appeal to me. The reason is that they're so OLD. They come from a time in which life pretty much WAS suffering, pretty much by definition. Short life spans, disease every- where, everyone you knew dying all around you, being born into poverty in India because of your caste, that sorta thing. So OF COURSE basing a spiritual tradition on *appealing* to people who felt that life was suffer- ing made sense at the time. But does it make sense now? Not to me. My life has *never* been suffering. I *love* life in the relative, and always have. There is nothing in it for me to take refuge FROM. Yet in my youth someone took advantage of my gullibility and made me believe
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, geezerfreak geezerfr...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_reply@ wrote: lol- fifty bucks says Barry never makes the call. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, yifuxero yifuxero@ wrote: ---.To Turq. Received e mail from J.J. : Sure I remember Barry Wright tell him to call anytime and say hello. jerry I'll send his phone # Monday. Don't have it right now...I'm at a cybernet place. In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote: But when he gets like this, calling someone *else* a stupid cunt is kinda laughable. Hmmm, I see Ms. Enlightened has also become enamored with Barry. Barry, how do you do it? What is your mysterious power over these women?? Same way Obama does. Walk softly and have a big package to promise people. :-) The funny thing is that the sight of my package seems to inspire obsession not only in women but in men who are pretending to be women. It doesn't seem to do that here in Sitges, which has more than its share of cross- dressers. Maybe it's something that only happens to cyber cross-dressers. I dunno. It's just one of those mysteries of life that make life so interesting.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: interesting insight. both of the hobby buddhists on this site (not criticizing, both admit this openly) have asserted things lately to which they will not respond, except by being nasty, insulting and arrogant; Barry for failing miserably to explain his double standard regarding TMers and himself, and speaking of Self, Vaj for being unable to explain why he openly contradicted and, in effect, insulted Amma, by giving one of the dumbest definitions of the Self this side of the Rockies. interesting that both of these individuals constantly challenge TMers here on FFL, but when asked to respond to their own twisted logic and inconsistencies, all either of them can do is get angry and stalk off- an age appropriate action for what, a two year old, or at best a ten year old? my theory is that because neither of these individuals has practiced TM, and regularly trascended, for decades, their minds have become rigid and inflexible; they believe what they believe and to hell with anyone who challenges them. except in Barry's case, in which he freely admits to being both unstable AND rigid. the fellows ought to get a mantra and begin taking it as it comes. until then all we are left with are a couple of old farts who can't do much when challenged except whine or go mute. Well said !
[FairfieldLife] Some key concepts of linguistics, part 1: minimal pair
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_pair From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In phonology, minimal pairs are pairs of words or phrases in a particular language, which differ in only one phonological element, such as a phone, phoneme, toneme or chroneme and have a distinct meaning. They are used to demonstrate that two phones constitute two separate phonemes in the language. As an example for English vowels, the pair let + lit can be used to demonstrate that the phones [#603;] (in let) and [#618;] (in lit) do in fact represent distinct phonemes /#603;/ and /#618;/. An example for English consonants is the minimal pair of pat + bat. In phonetics, this pair, like any other, differs in number of ways. In this case, the contrast appears largely to be conveyed with a difference in the voice onset time of the initial consonant as the configuration of the mouth is same for [p] and [b]; however, there is also a possible difference in duration, which visual analysis using high quality video supports.
[FairfieldLife] It's not rocket surgery. :D
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1062343.html The cerebral Weinstein used to play down the complexity of his trading, saying he used common sense and simple mathematics. He sometimes would quip, deliberately conflating two cliches: It's not rocket surgery. But he has also boasted that people viewed him as the best credit trader in the world. Until December his Facebook page featured a photo of himself playing poker with actor Matt Damon.
[FairfieldLife] Yet another example of Turq checkin' out a younger woman
I know that this will probably send Edg into a tizzy. Another example of Turk being a predator, finding a woman much younger than himself attractive: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/07/jennifer-figge-swims-acro_n_164964.html or http://tinyurl.com/dgdc8m [ For those who are tempted not to check out this link, believing it to be Yet Another Lapse Of Taste on my part, it isn't. It's a link to a story about a 56-year-old woman who just swam the Atlantic. Yes, I typed that correctly. The Atlantic. Ocean. Edg, *this* is My Kinda Younger Woman. ]
[FairfieldLife] Unemployment Rates and Presidents
Civilian Unemployment Rate U.S. period start end chng President Party Jan 1949 Jan 19534.3 2.9 -1.4 Truman Democrat Jan 1953 Jan 19572.9 4.2 +1.3 Eisenhower I Republican Jan 1957 Jan 19614.2 6.6 +2.4 Eisenhower II Republican Jan 1961 Jan 19656.6 4.9 -1.7 JFK/JohnsonDemocrat Jan 1965 Jan 19694.9 3.4 -1.5 JohnsonDemocrat Jan 1969 Jan 19733.4 4.9 +1.5 Nixon Republican Jan 1973 Jan 19774.9 7.5 +2.6 Nixon/Ford Republican Jan 1977 Jan 19817.5 7.5 0.0 Carter Democrat Jan 1981 Jan 19857.5 7.3 -0.2 Reagan I Republican Jan 1985 Jan 19897.3 5.4 -1.9 Reagan II Republican Jan 1989 Jan 19935.4 7.3 +1.9 Bush, GHW Republican Jan 1993 Jan 19977.3 5.3 -2.0 Clinton I Democrat Jan 1997 Jan 20015.3 4.2 -1.1 Clinton II Democrat Jan 2001 Jan 20054.2 5.2 +1.0 Bush, GW I Republican Jan 2005 Aug 20085.2 6.1 +0.9 Bush, GW IIRepublican -Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics Via: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/27/155243/895/618/612643 Current Unemployment Rate: 7.6% http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5153B720090206
[FairfieldLife] Re: Unemployment Rates and Presidents
If the numbers appear to run together, go to link for proper view: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/27/155243/895/618/612643 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, do.rflex do.rf...@... wrote: Civilian Unemployment Rate U.S. period start end chng President Party Jan 1949 Jan 19534.3 2.9 -1.4 Truman Democrat Jan 1953 Jan 19572.9 4.2 +1.3 Eisenhower I Republican Jan 1957 Jan 19614.2 6.6 +2.4 Eisenhower II Republican Jan 1961 Jan 19656.6 4.9 -1.7 JFK/JohnsonDemocrat Jan 1965 Jan 19694.9 3.4 -1.5 JohnsonDemocrat Jan 1969 Jan 19733.4 4.9 +1.5 Nixon Republican Jan 1973 Jan 19774.9 7.5 +2.6 Nixon/Ford Republican Jan 1977 Jan 19817.5 7.5 0.0 Carter Democrat Jan 1981 Jan 19857.5 7.3 -0.2 Reagan I Republican Jan 1985 Jan 19897.3 5.4 -1.9 Reagan II Republican Jan 1989 Jan 19935.4 7.3 +1.9 Bush, GHW Republican Jan 1993 Jan 19977.3 5.3 -2.0 Clinton I Democrat Jan 1997 Jan 20015.3 4.2 -1.1 Clinton II Democrat Jan 2001 Jan 20054.2 5.2 +1.0 Bush, GW I Republican Jan 2005 Aug 20085.2 6.1 +0.9 Bush, GW IIRepublican -Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics Via: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/27/155243/895/618/612643 Current Unemployment Rate: 7.6% http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5153B720090206
[FairfieldLife] A Chart that Might Get Your Attention
http://www.speaker.gov/img/jobsrecessions.jpg
[FairfieldLife] Re:'We Need to Stop Our Addiction to Weapons Deals'
'Obama-lies, which Obama did you vote for?' http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=5630 __ Går det långsamt? Skaffa dig en snabbare bredbandsuppkoppling. Sök och jämför priser hos Kelkoo. http://www.kelkoo.se/c-100015813-bredband.html?partnerId=96914325
[FairfieldLife] TCM formula for Tinnitus available from reputable TCM practitioners in the US
http://www.ancientacu.com/products/tinn.htm
[FairfieldLife] Re:Chris Wallace at FOX News grills Obama
Barack Obama: The Naked Emperor: www.davidicke.com/obama Obama-lies, which Obama did you vote for?: http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=5630 The Obama Deception: http://www.obamadeception.net/ ___ Sök efter kärleken! Hitta din tvillingsjäl på Yahoo! Dejting: http://ad..doubleclick.net/clk;185753627;24584539;x?http://se.meetic.yahoo.net/index.php?mtcmk=148783
[FairfieldLife] Slice O Life
I sent this earlier to a few people via email, but now that I can post again I'll post it here. For those of you whom I have managed to infect with my love of singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn, a new 2-CD live album will be released March 31st. But there is a web page up about it at True North Records: http://truenorthrecords.com/Albums.php?album_id=536 This is a live solo album, so those who appreciate Bruce as a guitarist are probably in for a treat, because the full extent of his guitar expertise rarely makes it onto studio albums, or is concealed there by the other instruments. It shines here. There are 'Play' icons for all of the songs, and they are even done right, so that if you click the first one, the next one plays automatically, so you can listen to the whole album, in order. These are also at this point not partial clips of songs, but the full songs. It makes great background music for surfing the Net. I should know. It has been mine pretty much since Thursday, when I first heard about this site. There is even a new song, The City Is Hungry. It's bluesy, and we get to hear it the first night it was ever played for an audience. I suspect even Curtis will be impressed by his version of Soul Of A Man here, and by his off-the- cuff riffs during the 12-String Warm Up sound check. Others will find his performance (and remember, this is live, solo, with no prerecorded tracks to play against) of The End Of All Rivers. One could meditate to this. I know. I have. And Child Of The Wind is essentially my credo in life, performed better here than I've ever heard it before. There are some real gems here, especially for those of you who are guitarists. As the excellent article on the website points out, this is a gentleman whom Acoustic Guitar magazine placed in the esteemed company of Andrés Segovia, Bill Frisell and Django Reinhardt. Slice O Life also reveals a lot of how *human* Bruce is, in the wonderful sound check improvisations included, and in his banter between songs. In one of the best moments, Bruce is talking about having studied for a time at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston. At the time he thought he'd become a composer, writing for jazz ensembles, so he studied diligently. A guy in the audience shouts out, Yeah, and you kept all that to yourself, right? Bruce cracks up and says, Yeah...that's just the kind of prick I am. Slice O Life demonstrates, possibly more than any of his previous 33 albums, just what kind of prick Bruce Cockburn is.
[FairfieldLife] Get a genie.. wish for the Best - What a beautiful world
A sales rep, an administration clerk and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out in a puff of smoke. The Genie says, I usually only grant three wishes, so I'll give each of you one wish each. Me first! Me first! says the admin clerk. I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world. Poof! She's gone. In astonishment, Me next! Me next! says the sales rep. I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life. Poof! He's gone. OK, you're up, the Genie says to the manager. The Resort manager says, I want those two back in the office after lunch. http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=Rooyt3ptNco --
[FairfieldLife] Re: Slice O Life
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: Slice O Life also reveals... ..but omits to mention his follow up album, rumoured to be Crime against the Apostrophe Uns.
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
thanks for bringing this up-- something which i have been thinking about as well lately. i think the beauty and power of the bubble diagram is that it suddenly made consciousness comprehensible in a simple and elegant way that hadn't been seen before. like so much of what he brought out, the Maharishi transformed the way the western world thinks about thought, action and the link between the two. when the Maharishi began using the bubble diagram to explain the process of transcending thought, this was a radical and unknown concept. and to tie this simple yet radical view of consciousness and transcending to a technique whereby anyone could enjoy and explore this process on their own, examining the very mechanics of consciousness, was completely unheard of. based on my own experience i'd say you are correct when you say that aside from some early experiences tip toeing through the sleeping elephants, it takes years to reliably and regularly reach the source of thought, even using the mechanical and reliable mechanicm of TM. however not so for younger people i know who meditate. they seem to dive more deeply from the beginning. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, BillyG. wg...@... wrote: Most TM'ers think they are actually transcending to Pure Consciousness (i.e. Brahman or unmanifest Being), in the daily 2X20 meditation they practice. Nothing could be further from the truth! The illustration of the thought bubble coming up from the source of thought is essentially correct, however it takes many, many years before a TM'er is actually able to do it *fully*, if at all! Hey, no thought, no mantra, that's it man you've transcended, (and don't even remember it,...huh?). It makes me want to laugh that someone could think that their consciousness had merged with Almighty God and they didn't even remember it! Please! If you had actually transcended to pure consciousness (Brahman or even to just Self Realization) it would be such a tremendous experience it'd knock your socks off, (even for a second)! And you certainly wouldn't forget it!! It's a good teaching illustration, but has tended to be a bit misleading, something MMY didn't seem to mind, like the 5-8 year controversy. Doesn't mean you don't transcend.at least a little, enough to experience peace and deep rest and that's good a good start, and like MMY let out himself, sometimes you CAN get a very clear experience right from the very beginning (tip toeing thru the sleeping elephants) but it's not common, like seeing a house and knowing it's not a tree, etc.. But Brahman? The source of thought and the ultimate Purushottama come on, get real! Correct me if I'm wrong...please!
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
On Feb 7, 2009, at 10:14 PM, geezerfreak wrote: Judy's obsession with Barry continues...she blows her post count in a day or two obsessing about Barry. There's a kind of sick amusement watching this seemingly endless play. Well please keep in mind, this same irresponsible, unethical and dishonest behavior is what still, to this very day, holds the entire list hostage. Hurling lies and dishonest characterizations only further spreads this irresponsible behavior as others are offended by the fabrications. There's really now only one or two reasons freedom of speech is curtailed on this list. And you've found the key one. Because of this one person, great questions never get answered, debated or tossed around. Instead everyone has to watch their number of posts because one or two people have issues and these are probably more of a personal nature than those against their imagined enemies.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: thank you-- it says a lot about someone professing to progress on a spritual path when they deliberately do not address their blind spots. and it is thankfully coming to light as a dynamic example here on FFL. You're commenting, of course, on you not explaining to us how you knew about my one-liner a tempest in a pisspot, even though it was last posted here six months before you first joined FFL. :-) discounting one of the friends of one of the faux buddhists here on FFL who slavishly defends him in hopes of becoming enlightened (wtf?)... WTF indeed. Hey, all you friends and faux buddhists out there who are depending upon me for your enlightenment, your checks are late. Get on the stick. :-) ...most of those who post here regularly, and many that don't, do not think highly of this old doofus at all. recently there have been many who now openly criticize this faux buddhist. what a change from several months ago when i first joined FFL! H. Could this have anything to do with WHY you first joined FFL? After all, you arrived here with foreknowledge of things I'd said six months previously. And when you did first join FFL, after only two posts you were saying negative things about me, when all that I had done at that point was suggest that I did *not* found your posts negative, merely boring. That assessment has not changed, BTW. the fact that so many see through him is a perfect example both of the systematic mental clarity gained through the regular practice of TM... I think you left out that being able to see through me is a pretty good siddhi, and would probably rate you a Class I experience at an IA course, one would that get read to Maharishi out there listening from heaven. Or from some- where better than heaven. I never got that one straight. ...and the lack of same when someone rashly decides to quit the practice. Just as a question -- and this is a *theoretical* question, mind you, pure fiction -- what would you think it would say about systematic mental clarity gained through the regular practice of TM if a person who had been practicing it regularly for many years decided to pretend to be someone other than who he really was? And not just once, but more than once? What would it say about systematic mental clarity that the first time he did this everyone figured out who he really was within a few weeks? And what would it say about systematic mental clarity if at no point did this fictional person ever *admit* to being the person everyone knew he was? And do this while occasionally posting songs published under his real name, but posted using the fake name? Is that the kind of systematic mental clarity that the non-regular practitioners of TM here are missing out on? Would your assessment be colored in any way by the fact that *under* that real name this fictional person had claimed to be enlightened? Remember, this is just a theoretical question. Surely no long-term regular practitioner of TM would ever do such a thing, right? But if one did, honestly, do you think you might just be able to make a little progress on that being able to see through him siddhi yourself? anyway, thanks for your appreciation. And for yours. Glad you appreciated the tempest in a pisspot one-liner. You know, the one that you knew about without ever having read it here. Now *that* is systematic mental clarity. As for your oft-repeated question, here's why I am ignoring it: Have you stopped beating your wife? That's the kind of question it is. Find a better way of phrasing it -- you know, like a question and not an accusation -- and I might deal with it. If you can, maybe I'll reply. And if I don't, I told you in our first interaction after you first joined FFL why.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
ha ha - good one! perhaps you are the one who should be doing stand up, Vaj! you regularly lie through omission and selective hearing here. and you give far too much power to Judy in your whine below, who holds this entire list hostage. granted she is more powerful than you are, but she also has no fantasies about controlling this list, something which i cannot say about you. this MUST be a joke post of yours, right? satirizing my comment that you and the other hooby buddhist on here have just two responses to any rational challenge, whine or run. and this definitely goes into my whine column. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradh...@... wrote: On Feb 7, 2009, at 10:14 PM, geezerfreak wrote: Judy's obsession with Barry continues...she blows her post count in a day or two obsessing about Barry. There's a kind of sick amusement watching this seemingly endless play. Well please keep in mind, this same irresponsible, unethical and dishonest behavior is what still, to this very day, holds the entire list hostage. Hurling lies and dishonest characterizations only further spreads this irresponsible behavior as others are offended by the fabrications. There's really now only one or two reasons freedom of speech is curtailed on this list. And you've found the key one. Because of this one person, great questions never get answered, debated or tossed around. Instead everyone has to watch their number of posts because one or two people have issues and these are probably more of a personal nature than those against their imagined enemies.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
On Feb 8, 2009, at 9:58 AM, enlightened_dawn11 wrote: thanks for bringing this up-- something which i have been thinking about as well lately. i think the beauty and power of the bubble diagram is that it suddenly made consciousness comprehensible in a simple and elegant way that hadn't been seen before. like so much of what he brought out, the Maharishi transformed the way the western world thinks about thought, action and the link between the two. when the Maharishi began using the bubble diagram to explain the process of transcending thought, this was a radical and unknown concept. and to tie this simple yet radical view of consciousness and transcending to a technique whereby anyone could enjoy and explore this process on their own, examining the very mechanics of consciousness, was completely unheard of. Thanks again for sharing you naivete. The basis of bubbles, thoughts and an ocean of consciousness come right out of Vedanta Dawn. The imagery has been around for over a thousand years. Since Vedanta is the end of the Veda, this same imagery probably extends backwards into the remote past. I'm pretty sure it's found in early Buddhism. It's nothing new, except of course for the slick packaging. based on my own experience i'd say you are correct when you say that aside from some early experiences tip toeing through the sleeping elephants, it takes years to reliably and regularly reach the source of thought, even using the mechanical and reliable mechanicm of TM. however not so for younger people i know who meditate. they seem to dive more deeply from the beginning. You might want to re-read Billy's post. It sounds to me like you glossed over what he was saying based on the delusion caused by the rose-colored glasses of true believership you have on. The problem is few--if any--ever truly transcend. This is probably why we still, after decades of mantra cogitation, have no scientific examples (or traditional examples for that matter) of samadhi in TM practicers--a technique that's supposed to lead to samadhi. I seriously think you should consider changing your name to Dawn of Delusion. If really fits based on the consistent incongruity of your responses, which more often than not seem to have no connection to what the writer you are responding to says!
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
lol- ok Einstein, here's my magical sidhi trick for knowing what you posted previously, and i'll openly share it with you, and all others on FFL, for free! 1. open your browser. can be either Mozilla or IE (any version). 2. type www.yahoo.com into your browser's address line. 3. don't sign in to Yahoo. (key step) 4. go to the Groups service, and click once to select it. 5. when the page opens, go to the search box labeled Find a group, type in fairfield life, no spaces. 6. you will receive several hits on your search. select the one that reads fairfieldlife. 7. you now have access online to FFL, without signing in or being a member. read to your heart's content. thanks for proving my point that you have a weak and immature mind. i joined FFL to discuss my experiences with TM. i had noticed your negative and simplistic attitudes earler, though i did like and give you credit for your tempest in a pisspot phrase. anyway, have a nice day, Einstein. I will, albeit a chilly one. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_reply@ wrote: thank you-- it says a lot about someone professing to progress on a spritual path when they deliberately do not address their blind spots. and it is thankfully coming to light as a dynamic example here on FFL. You're commenting, of course, on you not explaining to us how you knew about my one-liner a tempest in a pisspot, even though it was last posted here six months before you first joined FFL. :-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
ha ha! you really ARE a stand up comedian, Vaj! wait, wait, i am bowing in obescience to your grand revelation to me-- the bubble diagram comes from Vedanta? holy shit, why didn't someone tell me before this?! and yes, i am the Dawn of Delusion, yours and the other fellow's. great suggestion. delusion has dawned so clearly and obviously since i began calling you on it! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradh...@... wrote: On Feb 8, 2009, at 9:58 AM, enlightened_dawn11 wrote: thanks for bringing this up-- something which i have been thinking about as well lately. i think the beauty and power of the bubble diagram is that it suddenly made consciousness comprehensible in a simple and elegant way that hadn't been seen before. like so much of what he brought out, the Maharishi transformed the way the western world thinks about thought, action and the link between the two. when the Maharishi began using the bubble diagram to explain the process of transcending thought, this was a radical and unknown concept. and to tie this simple yet radical view of consciousness and transcending to a technique whereby anyone could enjoy and explore this process on their own, examining the very mechanics of consciousness, was completely unheard of. Thanks again for sharing you naivete. The basis of bubbles, thoughts and an ocean of consciousness come right out of Vedanta Dawn. The imagery has been around for over a thousand years. Since Vedanta is the end of the Veda, this same imagery probably extends backwards into the remote past. I'm pretty sure it's found in early Buddhism. It's nothing new, except of course for the slick packaging. based on my own experience i'd say you are correct when you say that aside from some early experiences tip toeing through the sleeping elephants, it takes years to reliably and regularly reach the source of thought, even using the mechanical and reliable mechanicm of TM. however not so for younger people i know who meditate. they seem to dive more deeply from the beginning. You might want to re-read Billy's post. It sounds to me like you glossed over what he was saying based on the delusion caused by the rose-colored glasses of true believership you have on. The problem is few--if any--ever truly transcend. This is probably why we still, after decades of mantra cogitation, have no scientific examples (or traditional examples for that matter) of samadhi in TM practicers-- a technique that's supposed to lead to samadhi. I seriously think you should consider changing your name to Dawn of Delusion. If really fits based on the consistent incongruity of your responses, which more often than not seem to have no connection to what the writer you are responding to says!
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: lol- ok Einstein, here's my magical sidhi trick for knowing what you posted previously, and i'll openly share it with you, and all others on FFL, for free! 1. open your browser. can be either Mozilla or IE (any version). 2. type www.yahoo.com into your browser's address line. 3. don't sign in to Yahoo. (key step) 4. go to the Groups service, and click once to select it. 5. when the page opens, go to the search box labeled Find a group, type in fairfield life, no spaces. 6. you will receive several hits on your search. select the one that reads fairfieldlife. 7. you now have access online to FFL, without signing in or being a member. read to your heart's content. thanks for proving my point that you have a weak and immature mind. i joined FFL to discuss my experiences with TM. i had noticed your negative and simplistic attitudes earler, though i did like and give you credit for your tempest in a pisspot phrase. anyway, have a nice day, Einstein. I will, albeit a chilly one. Cool. Well, that explains that. Thanks. But you didn't tell us what you thought of the fictional guy who did all the things in my example. Say it really happened, and the real name was Jim Flanegin and the fake name was sandiego108, and it really did happen. You're a smart gal, Dawn...would you consider a person who did that enlightened? Would you consider that person an example of systematic mental clarity? Do tell. Show us what a strong and mature mind you have, in contrast to my weak and immature one. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_reply@ wrote: thank you-- it says a lot about someone professing to progress on a spritual path when they deliberately do not address their blind spots. and it is thankfully coming to light as a dynamic example here on FFL. You're commenting, of course, on you not explaining to us how you knew about my one-liner a tempest in a pisspot, even though it was last posted here six months before you first joined FFL. :-)
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
On Feb 8, 2009, at 10:37 AM, enlightened_dawn11 wrote: ha ha! you really ARE a stand up comedian, Vaj! wait, wait, i am bowing in obescience to your grand revelation to me-- the bubble diagram comes from Vedanta? holy shit, why didn't someone tell me before this?! Probably because they didn't want to embarrass you when you say clueless things like: i think the beauty and power of the bubble diagram is that it suddenly made consciousness comprehensible in a simple and elegant way that hadn't been seen before. when the Maharishi began using the bubble diagram to explain the process of transcending thought, this was a radical and unknown concept. And then have you turn around and try to cover your tracks with misdirection, something you use a LOT to try to lead people away from your foibles: and yes, i am the Dawn of Delusion, yours and the other fellow's. great suggestion. delusion has dawned so clearly and obviously since i began calling you on it! The only thing I get from your responses is that you either don't understand what is being said or you just don't listen well and post knee-jerk responses posting your incongruent, off-subject beliefs. So while you might think you're calling people on it, all I see is you missing what people are saying and then pushing a TB agenda with parroted phrases. That's certainly why I don't even bother responding to most of your posts, because all they show to me is that you either weren't listening to what I said, you didn't understand what I was conveying or the allusions being made. I get the same feeling as when I'm having a conversation with someone and it's clear they're not really listening to what I'm saying, but just waiting for me to finish so they can interject what they have to say.
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchy...@... wrote: Curtis is assuming of course, his next life will be at least as good as his current non-sucky life. I am assuming that this is my one and only life and that the story of reincarnation is a fairy tale like salvation. What if his next life IS sucky? Really sucky. He should know that having this life is a lucky opportunity and having a next life is just a crap shoot of whether or not he will even get a human body. In the event that the gods of karma decree his next human life will be be suckier than this one, Are you trying to instill a phobia in me so I will fear not believing in fairy tales from an old culture's books as literal fact? That is sooo cute. it's all good. So be kind... (song) http://tinyurl.com/d7pllt Funny song, thanks. I love duck and am very kind to them by rendering the fat from their skin whenever I buy them so no part goes to waste. (Fry potatoes in duck fat for heaven on earth.) Human body is attained with great difficulties. Being born in human species is the only way out of the prison of birth and death. If one misses this opportunity out of negligence, lethargy and hesitation one is bound to undergo, forever, the plight of birth and death. Hence rise, awake, attain eternal peace and bliss by being in contact with the best of mankind. Guru Dev Oh Gramps, you are adorable when you go off on your fundamentalist Hindu tirades! You see you grew up in a Hindu culture and never traveled throughout the world enough or did enough reading to learn that each culture has its own myths to explain what happens after we die. For example where I grew up I was raised to believe that I had to engage in the sacraments of the Catholic church to ensure my best life after death. Some Christians believe that this is wrong and that you have to accept Jesus as your personal savior. So did you do that or due to negligence, lethargy and hesitation did you miss out on your eternal life with God after your death old fella? Wait a second, the old coot dozed off again, somebody get a napkin he is starting to drool again. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, metoostill metoostill@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: I think this yogic identification theory is totally bogus. It is a made-up problem. I am not identified with any object of perception. I can be passionate about some things, but trying to paint that as some kind nonspiritual way to live seems so contrived. The whole premise of yoga that we are somehow not OK right now and need to be fixed, that the fundamental way that we are inside is wrong and unenlightened, the mistake of the intellect, seems to be a manufactured problem meant to enslave people who are not confident about themselves. It worked on me when I was a LOT younger. And the threat of living on earth again as something to escape?Being damned to live again? We should be so lucky. Who is having such a sucky life that you wouldn't jump at the chance for another one? Curtis is assuming of course, his next life will be at least as good as his current non-sucky life. What if his next life IS sucky? Really sucky. He should know that having this life is a lucky opportunity and having a next life is just a crap shoot of whether or not he will even get a human body. In the event that the gods of karma decree his next human life will be be suckier than this one, it's all good. So be kind... (song) http://tinyurl.com/d7pllt Human body is attained with great difficulties. Being born in human species is the only way out of the prison of birth and death. If one misses this opportunity out of negligence, lethargy and hesitation one is bound to undergo, forever, the plight of birth and death. Hence rise, awake, attain eternal peace and bliss by being in contact with the best of mankind. Guru Dev Curtis, your post resonated with me. A manufactured problem, yes. And that last paragraph is in my estimation a gem. That really when given the chance to come here we all waved our hands wildly saying me, pick me. And will again the next time. Thanks.
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: snip Like you, Curtis, I don't find identification to be an issue of any kind. I'm sitting in a cafe, and a beautiful woman walks by. I look up. I look at her. I *appreciate* the beauty. It does not inspire lust in me (I'm too old to be locked into that rut any more); it just inspires a love of beauty. I think, Wow. Now *that* is a beautiful woman. She walks on. So does thinking about her. Out of sight, out of mind. No identification, no problem. In my honest opinion, those who perceive one in that interaction are doing so based on an intellectual interpretation *about* identification that they were taught in their youth, and which they have never been able to outgrow. Or, if they've experienced *witnessing* such an interaction as well, they perceive the difference between that experience and this one. (The example, of course, is loaded; it's designed to minimize the effect of identification. To take an example from the opposite end of the spectrum, let's say what you see is your only child running out into the street while you were distracted by the beautiful woman, and being hit by a car.) They are also doing this based on a distrust of anything in the [said with disgust] *relative*, something that was *also* taught to them in their youth by someone who *felt* disgust for any- thing in the relative. I can't recall ever having been taught anything like this by MMY, nor ever having sensed any such disgust from him. So much so that the worst thing he could imagine was to be reborn and have to deal with the relative again in a future life. The whole premise of yoga that we are somehow not OK right now and need to be fixed, that the fundamental way that we are inside is wrong and unenlightened, the mistake of the intellect, seems to be a manufactured problem meant to enslave people who are not confident about themselves. It's the Hindu counterpart of Catholic sin and the notion that man is fallen. I don't buy it. The basic notion that life is not what it should be is, of course, far more pervasive than just Catholicism or Hinduism. snip And the threat of living on earth again as something to escape? Being damned to live again? We should be so lucky. Exactly. How can anyone in their right mind NOT understand that their FEAR OF REBIRTH was *taught* to them by someone who feared it? Maharishi did not LIKE the relative world. He spent his entire life trying to CHANGE it, to make it look more like the fantasies in his head. Does working to change the relative world so it more closely resembles one's ideals mean that one fears and hates the relative? I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today! You know, the ones where everything is golden and the world is run by benevolent kings and the peons do as they're told and none of the Brahmins have to work for a living and multicolored soma popsicles grow on trees. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; 'and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.' snip Rebirth is seen as a *perk* by most people. Not. That it's a perk is primarily a New Age Western notion. snip And so what did Maharishi Mahesh Yogi do with the idea of reincarnation? He took the (possibly) silly dream and turned it into a nightmare: We are opposed to reincarnation. Or Reincarnation is for the ignorant. He taught gullible people in their youth that reincarnating was a Bad Thing, not a Good Thing the way it is to anyone who finds life lovely. Actually, what he taught is that enlightenment is a Better Thing. (And as ed11 pointed out, one may find *this* life lovely, but there's no assurance that one's next life will be lovely as well.) Who is having such a sucky life that you wouldn't jump at the chance for another one? snip Yet in my youth someone took advantage of my gullibility and made me believe for a while that I *didn't* enjoy life, and that I should fear life and retreat from it into hotel rooms with my eyes closed, in an attempt to prevent having to have another life in the future. Again, I was never made to believe that I wasn't enjoying life, or that I should fear it or retreat from it. Reincarnation per se aside, by the time I
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradh...@... wrote: On Feb 7, 2009, at 10:14 PM, geezerfreak wrote: Judy's obsession with Barry continues...she blows her post count in a day or two obsessing about Barry. There's a kind of sick amusement watching this seemingly endless play. Well please keep in mind, this same irresponsible, unethical and dishonest behavior is what still, to this very day, holds the entire list hostage. Hurling lies and dishonest characterizations only further spreads this irresponsible behavior as others are offended by the fabrications. You mean geezerfreak's lies and dishonest characterizations (example above), or Barry's? You should include your own, BTW, as exemplified below: There's really now only one or two reasons freedom of speech is curtailed on this list. And you've found the key one. Because of this one person, great questions never get answered, debated or tossed around. Instead everyone has to watch their number of posts because one or two people have issues and these are probably more of a personal nature than those against their imagined enemies. Anybody think Vaj really believes this absurd nonsense?
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
do you honestly think you are onto something here Einstein? let's have a look, shall we? so far, according to you: i am blond, but i am boring and you will no longer respond to my posts, however upon reflection i am boring, and you will respond to my posts, although i have an indian sounding name, and i post under my real name, unless i post under a fake name (at the same time). i am a man, though i am a woman, while also a song writer, who cross dresses. at the same time, i do TM, even though i don't do TM, and i think i am enlightened, while also not thinking i am enlightened. please add any further inconsistencies of yours i may have missed... wtf Einstein? is this a last ditch attempt of yours to gain some credibility around here? oh no, i forgot, you only write for the moment...and moments change... anyway, those of us here on the board would really like from you a definitive list, about what you have -really- and -finally- concluded about me. as i said to your groupie earlier, good luck with that, Einstein. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_reply@ wrote: lol- ok Einstein, here's my magical sidhi trick for knowing what you posted previously, and i'll openly share it with you, and all others on FFL, for free! 1. open your browser. can be either Mozilla or IE (any version). 2. type www.yahoo.com into your browser's address line. 3. don't sign in to Yahoo. (key step) 4. go to the Groups service, and click once to select it. 5. when the page opens, go to the search box labeled Find a group, type in fairfield life, no spaces. 6. you will receive several hits on your search. select the one that reads fairfieldlife. 7. you now have access online to FFL, without signing in or being a member. read to your heart's content. thanks for proving my point that you have a weak and immature mind. i joined FFL to discuss my experiences with TM. i had noticed your negative and simplistic attitudes earler, though i did like and give you credit for your tempest in a pisspot phrase. anyway, have a nice day, Einstein. I will, albeit a chilly one. Cool. Well, that explains that. Thanks. But you didn't tell us what you thought of the fictional guy who did all the things in my example. Say it really happened, and the real name was Jim Flanegin and the fake name was sandiego108, and it really did happen. You're a smart gal, Dawn...would you consider a person who did that enlightened? Would you consider that person an example of systematic mental clarity? Do tell. Show us what a strong and mature mind you have, in contrast to my weak and immature one. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_reply@ wrote: thank you-- it says a lot about someone professing to progress on a spritual path when they deliberately do not address their blind spots. and it is thankfully coming to light as a dynamic example here on FFL. You're commenting, of course, on you not explaining to us how you knew about my one-liner a tempest in a pisspot, even though it was last posted here six months before you first joined FFL. :-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jst...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradhatu@ wrote: On Feb 7, 2009, at 10:14 PM, geezerfreak wrote: Judy's obsession with Barry continues...she blows her post count in a day or two obsessing about Barry. There's a kind of sick amusement watching this seemingly endless play. Well please keep in mind, this same irresponsible, unethical and dishonest behavior is what still, to this very day, holds the entire list hostage. Hurling lies and dishonest characterizations only further spreads this irresponsible behavior as others are offended by the fabrications. You mean geezerfreak's lies and dishonest characterizations (example above), or Barry's? You should include your own, BTW, as exemplified below: There's really now only one or two reasons freedom of speech is curtailed on this list. And you've found the key one. Because of this one person, great questions never get answered, debated or tossed around. Instead everyone has to watch their number of posts because one or two people have issues and these are probably more of a personal nature than those against their imagined enemies. Anybody think Vaj really believes this absurd nonsense? You still haven't seen Doubt, have you, Judy? Is this going to be another one of those scenarios (as with Apocalypto) in which you carefully never see the movie so that you'll never find out that comments you've made about it were...uh...wrong? I can understand the aversion thang in this case, though. It would be tough to go into a theater, grab a handful of popcorn from the bag, and then see yourself up on the screen. A lot of people would not be able to handle that gracefully. But I'll trade if it'll help you to take the risk and see the film. You pick any movie character (or characters...you can pick more than one) you can think of whom you think is/are just like Barry and tell me what they are, and I'll promise to watch the movies. Hint: I re-watched Silence of the Lambs again last week, so if you pick Hannibal Lechter, I got ya covered. Same with Angel Heart, if the char- acter you pick is Lucifer. :-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
as is common knowledge to anyone who practices TM, the Maharishi was insistent that he wasn't bringing out -anything new-. his was a revival of simple practical knowledge that had been lost. he stated this so many times, i was sure even those who haven't practiced TM in decades like yourself would have known that. and this was my context for statements about the bubble diagram. what you call slick packaging, i call an elegant and simple explanation. this is precisely what i mean when i talk about your rigid mind, Vaj. you have no clue about context. you are so lost in hearing yourself pontificate about obvious shit that you forget what is already basic knowledge for the rest of us. PS please continue not bothering to respond to my posts- lol --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradh...@... wrote: On Feb 8, 2009, at 10:37 AM, enlightened_dawn11 wrote: ha ha! you really ARE a stand up comedian, Vaj! wait, wait, i am bowing in obescience to your grand revelation to me-- the bubble diagram comes from Vedanta? holy shit, why didn't someone tell me before this?! Probably because they didn't want to embarrass you when you say clueless things like: i think the beauty and power of the bubble diagram is that it suddenly made consciousness comprehensible in a simple and elegant way that hadn't been seen before. when the Maharishi began using the bubble diagram to explain the process of transcending thought, this was a radical and unknown concept. And then have you turn around and try to cover your tracks with misdirection, something you use a LOT to try to lead people away from your foibles: and yes, i am the Dawn of Delusion, yours and the other fellow's. great suggestion. delusion has dawned so clearly and obviously since i began calling you on it! The only thing I get from your responses is that you either don't understand what is being said or you just don't listen well and post knee-jerk responses posting your incongruent, off-subject beliefs. So while you might think you're calling people on it, all I see is you missing what people are saying and then pushing a TB agenda with parroted phrases. That's certainly why I don't even bother responding to most of your posts, because all they show to me is that you either weren't listening to what I said, you didn't understand what I was conveying or the allusions being made. I get the same feeling as when I'm having a conversation with someone and it's clear they're not really listening to what I'm saying, but just waiting for me to finish so they can interject what they have to say.
[FairfieldLife] Obama puts brake on Afghan surge
Times of London - President Barack Obama has demanded that American defence chiefs review their strategy in Afghanistan before going ahead with a troop surge. There is concern among senior Democrats that the military is preparing to send up to 30,000 extra troops without a coherent plan or exit strategy. The Pentagon was set to announce the deployment of 17,000 extra soldiers and marines last week but Robert Gates, the defence secretary, postponed the decision after questions from Obama. The president was concerned by a lack of strategy at his first meeting with Gates and the US joint chiefs of staff last month in the tank, the secure conference room in the Pentagon. He asked: What's the endgame? and did not receive a convincing answer. ~Full article - Times of London: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5683681.ece
[FairfieldLife] Re: Ringing in the ears during meditation
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradhatu@ wrote: On Feb 7, 2009, at 10:14 PM, geezerfreak wrote: Judy's obsession with Barry continues...she blows her post count in a day or two obsessing about Barry. There's a kind of sick amusement watching this seemingly endless play. Well please keep in mind, this same irresponsible, unethical and dishonest behavior is what still, to this very day, holds the entire list hostage. Hurling lies and dishonest characterizations only further spreads this irresponsible behavior as others are offended by the fabrications. You mean geezerfreak's lies and dishonest characterizations (example above), or Barry's? You should include your own, BTW, as exemplified below: There's really now only one or two reasons freedom of speech is curtailed on this list. And you've found the key one. Because of this one person, great questions never get answered, debated or tossed around. Instead everyone has to watch their number of posts because one or two people have issues and these are probably more of a personal nature than those against their imagined enemies. Anybody think Vaj really believes this absurd nonsense? You still haven't seen Doubt, have you, Judy? Is this going to be another one of those scenarios (as with Apocalypto) in which you carefully never see the movie so that you'll never find out that comments you've made about it were...uh...wrong? Are you certain my comments were wrong, Barry? (And WTF does whether I've seen Doubt have to do with the comments you're responding to??) I probably will see it at some point. I didn't see Apocalypto for the same reason I didn't see Passion: I really don't enjoy gory films. I can understand the aversion thang in this case, though. It would be tough to go into a theater, grab a handful of popcorn from the bag, and then see yourself up on the screen. A lot of people would not be able to handle that gracefully. I'm not concerned about that possibility, given your descriptions of the film. Of course, if your descriptions were wrong... But I'll trade if it'll help you to take the risk and see the film. You pick any movie character (or characters...you can pick more than one) you can think of whom you think is/are just like Barry and tell me what they are, and I'll promise to watch the movies. Can't recall ever having seen a film with a character just like you, sorry.
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltabl...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchydog@ wrote: Curtis is assuming of course, his next life will be at least as good as his current non-sucky life. I am assuming that this is my one and only life and that the story of reincarnation is a fairy tale like salvation. What if his next life IS sucky? Really sucky. He should know that having this life is a lucky opportunity Raunch, I'm pretty sure that Curtis is more aware of that than most. So is Bruce Cockburn, in the song that opens the album I posted a link to today. You might like it. It's all about how having this life is a lucky opportunity: World Of Wonders June 1985, Toronto, Canada Stand on a bridge before the cavern of night Darkness alive with possibility Nose to this wind full of twinkling lights Trying to catch the scent of what's coming to be In this world of wonders Somewhere a saxophone slides through changes Like a wet pipe dripping down my neck Gives me a chill -- sounds like danger But I can't stop moving till I cross this sector Of this world of wonders There's a rainbow shining in a bead of spittle Falling diamonds in rattling rain Light flexed on moving muscle I stand here dazzled with my heart in flames At this world of wonders Moment of peace like brief arctic bloom Red/gold ripple of the sun going down Line of black hills makes my bed Sky full of love pulled over my head World of wonders http://truenorthrecords.com/Albums.php?album_id=536 ( first cut after the introductory applause )
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: thanks for bringing this up-- something which i have been thinking about as well lately. i think the beauty and power of the bubble diagram is that it suddenly made consciousness comprehensible in a simple and elegant way that hadn't been seen before. like so much of what he brought out, the Maharishi transformed the way the western world thinks about thought, action and the link between the two. I think that's a legitimate comment! when the Maharishi began using the bubble diagram to explain the process of transcending thought, this was a radical and unknown concept. and to tie this simple yet radical view of consciousness and transcending to a technique whereby anyone could enjoy and explore this process on their own, examining the very mechanics of consciousness, was completely unheard of. Again touche, nicely put! based on my own experience i'd say you are correct when you say that aside from some early experiences tip toeing through the sleeping elephants, it takes years to reliably and regularly reach the source of thought, even using the mechanical and reliable mechanicm of TM. however not so for younger people i know who meditate. they seem to dive more deeply from the beginning. We are on the same page here, thanks for your input, it looks like you haven't drunk the coolaide and haven't lost your objectivity...:-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: Slice O Life
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, uns_tressor uns_tres...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote: Slice O Life also reveals... ..but omits to mention his follow up album, rumoured to be Crime against the Apostrophe Uns. LOL!
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: thanks for bringing this up-- something which i have been thinking about as well lately. In addition, I've come to conclude that when MMY said thought comes from the source of thought he was talking about the Holy AUM vibration. That is, when we think the mantra it becomes subtler and subtler and eventually *merges* into the Holy Sound OM or 'thought' of God and from there one is buoyed aloft to bliss consciousnessinteresting, just speculating, never having done it myself. :-)
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
curtisdeltablues wrote: I think this yogic identification theory is totally bogus. It is a made-up problem. I am not identified with any object of perception. I can be passionate about some things, but trying to paint that as some kind nonspiritual way to live seems so contrived. The whole premise of yoga that we are somehow not OK right now and need to be fixed, that the fundamental way that we are inside is wrong and unenlightened, the mistake of the intellect, seems to be a manufactured problem meant to enslave people who are not confident about themselves. It worked on me when I was a LOT younger. And the threat of living on earth again as something to escape? Being damned to live again? We should be so lucky. Who is having such a sucky life that you wouldn't jump at the chance for another one? Curtis, dude, buddy, whoa . . . You-son, we have a problem. I'm wondering if you read my entire post. (It was s long, so who could blame you if you didn't?) From your response, it seems like the examples I gave were not deeply considered. Perhaps you did do so, or perhaps you have done so in the past and feel it was unnecessary to once again bat down the same old tired concepts that you long ago dismissed and feel that you did so with clarity. Good news: news:%A0 I think we merely have a problem with definitions -- and that's it. I deeply trust your ability to examine the passing parade of ideation inside your mind and to come up with concepts that wonderfully capture what you've experienced. I hope you hear my true admiration for your ken. Get it that I am honored by your attention even when it is packaged in a brusque tone. I know you are seeking truth and trying to help me do so too. But, your reaction seems to have a strident emotional soundtrack and I hesitate to re-engage you on the issues of my post. I'm not here to piss you off with a droning redundancy of a true believer, and in fact, I think that you have helped me on many occasions to sort out our various dissonances when I have had the mojo to toe-toe with yo. I think you have enjoyed dialog with me in the past, and, for this reason, the above post seems oddly incomplete or rushed. You say: I am not identified with any object of perception. I can be passionate about some things, but trying to paint that as some kind nonspiritual way to live seems so contrived. This statement shocked me. A true wallop; it made me wonder if I have even the least insight into you, or anyone for that matter -- I would have bet a ton of bucks that you DID believe in the concept of attachment/identification, and that you also felt that life was a long struggle to free oneself from the world's tarbabies. Common ground for us might be: that certainly you've had various addictions and habits that you've found to be a drag and that you have tried to free your mind from in order to stop the repeating of such unwanted patterns, and for sure you must have found that it is not all that easy to assure the future contents of your mind. Here's a few examples -- if they are not you, I'm sure you can provide others that do pertain. Haven't you had a song going in your head that kept looping and was a bother? Haven't you had desires for high calorie foods, when you've tried to maintain some sort of dietary regimin, and found that they kept coming up in your mind no matter what you tried to do to prevent them from repeating? Even on the level of playing a guitar, in your past, you must have had many a struggle with your hands wanting to finger a passage one way but you know you have to use a different fingering if you're ever going to play that piece fluidly, and you had to train your hand to do your bidding instead of its own, ahem, knee-jerk approach to the new fingering challenge. Haven't you also found that your mind can dwell indulgently on pleasurable experiences that were, as if, cul-de-sacs, time-wasters, health challengers, risky, etc. and despite your enjoying the experiences, you knew that there was a downside to luxuriating in them too much and felt that you were at least a little bit victimized by your addiction to repeating the experiences? However much or little the above examples resonate, are we not agreed that the overhead of maintaining a human existence can be fatiguing? burdensome? boring? not-getting-anywhere? too pedestrian? obsession driven? Etc.? To me, the unwanted repetition of a pattern of mind is a proof that attachment has occurred. If I want ice cream while on a diet, I am bothered by the pronging urgency, the overpowering of my logical conclusions and the weakening of my intents, and, ick, the sheer creepiness of an out-of-place--time allure. We've all had a pitchforking imp on a shoulder, but miss not that it is just as bad if an angel is on a shoulder bothering one with a constant harping that one must do a spiritual solid or cease a sin of omission. Either side of the force, dark or light, yields
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
The bubble diagram was an intriguing way to conceptualize what was going on in meditation for me for years. Now, however, I find it to be major mental maya. The whole concept that you need to go somewhere to experience transcendence, not just away from sensory experience with eyes closed etc, not just away from corporal experience with cessation of breathing etc., but also to go deeper inside the mind or down into the ocean consciousness -- I experience all that to be a false and distracting concept. The only place I think you go to in the mind is to another place in the mind. The bubble diagram makes it sound better to go deeper down, but that's just imagery. The feeling of mental relaxation going on has its benefits, but it's not necessarily in the direction of transcendence, anymore than anything else the minds does. After I started practices such as chigong and tai chi, my teachers often had to stop me from going away inside whenever I began to feel more in the present, more integrated. What I've learned is that going away bubble style to deeper levels while experiencing this present moment, no thought, unified awareness was actually limiting my spiritual development, keeping it from becoming fully integrated, esp in body/emotions. OF course this gets us to another tmo classic, the dyeing the cloth analogy, which I also think is useful for the mind to have when beginning meditation, but which I now find counterproductive - either you experience transcendence as it naturally permeates all experience, including in an integrated manner with your body/emotion/thoughts, or you're not integrating it. (will try to post more on this later)
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: as is common knowledge to anyone who practices TM, the Maharishi was insistent that he wasn't bringing out -anything new-. his was a revival of simple practical knowledge that had been lost. he stated this so many times, i was sure even those who haven't practiced TM in decades like yourself would have known that. MMY asserted that tm and other techniques came from a 5000 yr old tradition, but the tmo credits MMY with numerous new cognitions and interpretations of the veda, or in some cases, repackaging the concept so creatively as to be considered new. Actually I think the reverse is true: TM and the tm sidhis were made up by MMY, but most all of his concepts were taken from other vedic thinking already out there. and this was my context for statements about the bubble diagram. what you call slick packaging, i call an elegant and simple explanation. this is precisely what i mean when i talk about your rigid mind, Vaj. you have no clue about context. you are so lost in hearing yourself pontificate about obvious shit that you forget what is already basic knowledge for the rest of us. PS please continue not bothering to respond to my posts- lol --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradhatu@ wrote: On Feb 8, 2009, at 10:37 AM, enlightened_dawn11 wrote: ha ha! you really ARE a stand up comedian, Vaj! wait, wait, i am bowing in obescience to your grand revelation to me-- the bubble diagram comes from Vedanta? holy shit, why didn't someone tell me before this?! Probably because they didn't want to embarrass you when you say clueless things like: i think the beauty and power of the bubble diagram is that it suddenly made consciousness comprehensible in a simple and elegant way that hadn't been seen before. when the Maharishi began using the bubble diagram to explain the process of transcending thought, this was a radical and unknown concept. And then have you turn around and try to cover your tracks with misdirection, something you use a LOT to try to lead people away from your foibles: and yes, i am the Dawn of Delusion, yours and the other fellow's. great suggestion. delusion has dawned so clearly and obviously since i began calling you on it! The only thing I get from your responses is that you either don't understand what is being said or you just don't listen well and post knee-jerk responses posting your incongruent, off-subject beliefs. So while you might think you're calling people on it, all I see is you missing what people are saying and then pushing a TB agenda with parroted phrases. That's certainly why I don't even bother responding to most of your posts, because all they show to me is that you either weren't listening to what I said, you didn't understand what I was conveying or the allusions being made. I get the same feeling as when I'm having a conversation with someone and it's clear they're not really listening to what I'm saying, but just waiting for me to finish so they can interject what they have to say.
[FairfieldLife] Age of Aquarius
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related Remember Hair? Well.. now we have a date, February 14th,2009. The moon will be in the 7th house. Jupiter will align with Mars. Which, if we old hippies are right, will mean.. peace WILL guide the planets and love WILL steer the stars. Finally, this IS the dawning of the age of Aquarius! In mid February a rare astrological concentration brings together a number of planets together with the North Node - denoting higher purpose - in Aquarius that energizes and inspires the possibility for transcendental breakthrough in some perhaps seemingly intransigent situations. We measure our global sense of both space (latitude and longitude) and time (universal time - UT or GMT) from the prime meridian located at Greenwich, England. So we can perceive the collective influence of this momentous astrological event by looking at the alignment from this globally 'centered' perspective. When we do something extraordinary and exquisite emerges. At dawn on 14th February the day dedicated to St Valentine, the patron saint of Love, the Moon in Libra enters the seventh house of relationships. And Jupiter and Marsare aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house of spiritual transformation .Forty years ago, the intuitive words of a song called Aquarius, brought the dawning of the new age into our collective awareness: When the Moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars. Then love will rule the planets and peace will steer the stars At dawn on 14th February the Cosmos actually embodies this perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of love and peace and dawning of the Age of Aquarius. The Aquarian chart of 14th February reveals an incredible concentration of cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius in the twelfth house. Expansive Jupiter and energetic Mars are aligned with the higher purpose of the North Node. The presence of Chiron the wounded healer offers us the opportunity to heal the schisms that have separated us for so long. Neptune emphasizes collective humanitarian movements and the co-creation of social justice. And the presence of the radiant Sun enlightens the entire alignment. Mercury also in the twelfth house but just beyond the cusp in Capricorn, allies with transformational Pluto to communicate and anchor the Shift throughoutour global structures and institutions. The Moon in Libra in the seventh house emphasizes harmonious real -ationships. Venus in Aries in the first house energizes and empowers dynamic co-creativity. And whilst Saturn the great task master in opposition to Uranus the unexpected awakener is suggesting an ongoing confrontation as the dregs of the unsustainable old paradigm reluctantly give way to the untested hope of the new, their placements in Virgo and Pisces brings practical altruism and visionary inspiration to the transition. At 7.25am on 14th February - and for the 18 minutes of the alignment, I invite you, in the universal heart, to add your own intention for love and peace and to co-create the dawning of the Age of Aquarius to that of the Cosmos. In whatever way feels appropriate for you, you may choose to align with7.25am (UT) or 7.25am local time energizing a wave of intention that will surge around the Earth. Please feel free to circulate the Aquarian chart and its cosmic invitation to birth the Age of Aquarius. With love, joy and gratitude in the universal heart, Jude Jude Currivan PhD Aquarius Lyrics When the moon is in the Seventh House And Jupiter aligns with Mars Then peace will guide the planets And love will steer the stars This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius The age of Aquarius Aquarius! Aquarius! Harmony and understanding Sympathy and trust abounding No more falsehoods or derisions Golden living dreams of visions Mystic crystal revelation And the mind's true liberation Aquarius! Aquarius! When the moon is in the Seventh House And Jupiter aligns with Mars Then peace will guide the planets And love will steer the stars This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius The age of Aquarius Aquarius! Aquarius! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, boo_lives boo_li...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_reply@ wrote: as is common knowledge to anyone who practices TM, the Maharishi was insistent that he wasn't bringing out -anything new-. his was a revival of simple practical knowledge that had been lost. he stated this so many times, i was sure even those who haven't practiced TM in decades like yourself would have known that. MMY asserted that tm and other techniques came from a 5000 yr old tradition, but the tmo credits MMY with numerous new cognitions and interpretations of the veda, or in some cases, repackaging the concept so creatively as to be considered new. But what he always claimed to be was a back-to-basics reformer, i.e., restoring the correct original interpretations after millennia of misunderstanding. That he claimed to have come up with new cognitions or creative packaging do not contradict the notion that his primary teaching came from a 5,000-year-old tradition (whether you believe his claims or not).
[FairfieldLife] 60,000,000 geniuses (Re: Greedy Bastards Whine Over Obama's Pay Cap)
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John jr_esq@ wrote: snip On the first lap around the field, I noticed many black crows have decided to hang around the southern part of the field. The crows were dark and sinister, although from another angle their feathers would have a purple sheen on them. John, the crows were NOT dark and sinister. THEY WERE JUST BIRDS. Not, of course, mutually exclusive. You *perceived* them as dark and sinister. That you do not understand this is the very issue I dealt with in my original set of questions to you. Clearly he *does* understand this. As he noted (and you ignored), he also saw them, from another perspective, to have a purple sheen. Similarly, I find that your concerns have negative hue to them. Again, that is your *perception* about my concerns. NOT the reality of it. That you cannot tell the difference between your perceptions and beliefs and reality IS my concern. The words I find indicate clearly that John knows it's his perception; and Similarly with reference to the crows indicates he knows dark and sinister was his perception as well. snip I don't. Do tell. I'm curious. What DO you see as the end of all things? Like the crows, you question from the point of disbelief. You failed to understand that the answers were already provided to you by your teachers, parents, and gurus--including MMY. FINALLY a straight answer!!! That is *exactly* what I was hoping to get you to admit -- that the things you believe are answers were PROVIDED TO YOU by your teachers, parents, and gurus--including MMY. Remember this list; it'll become relevant a little later on. You believe what you believe because of an appeal to authority, John. THAT is the bottom line I was trying to get you to accept about your life, and your stance about life. I doubt you recognized it when you wrote it, but I'm pointing it out now in hopes that you might this time. Again Barry makes the mistake of assuming that if authorities have said something, therefore anyone who believes what they have said believes it *only* because they said it. Why do you ask me this question now? If you don't know it by now, I don't want to waste my time explaining it to you. As if your answer -- as you have just admitted, being nothing more than parroting something that was provided to you by someone you consider an authority -- would explain things to me. :-) He admitted no such thing. It's only Barry's *assumption*. Yet Barry is quite certain of it. snip It can, but are those classifications meaningful or accurate in any way? I do not believe that they are. You seem to, and you have already admitted WHY. You believe this because answers were provided to you by MMY. Go back and look at the list of authorities John cited, and Barry's acknowledgment thereof. From here on, when Barry refers to John's original statement, he'll abbreviate the list to just MMY, omitting teachers and parents and other gurus. snip No one is imposing anybody's will on anybody. Its a matter of sharing the work to function in a civilized society. Whether you like it or not, this varna system is functioning in any of the world cultures today. Name one. Even one. U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Sweden, China--as John says, any of the world cultures today. snip CEO jobs are executive jobs, as in kshatriya class positions. These are not intellectual or brahmin type positions. Says who? By definition, that's who. By YOUR definition, the one that was provided to you by MMY. Just MMY, please note. No parents, teachers, or other gurus, according to Barry. And of course by definition is perfectly accurate; it's a statement of fact, not of opinion: this is how the varna system defines such positions. Has nothing to do with MMY in particular. snip My rant was aimed at a larger audience than you, John. In this paragraph I was speaking to those in the past who either believe that a high IQ qualifies people for positions or who have lauded the Do nothing and accomplish everything ethos of the TM movement. And to those who seem intent on proving the truth of that ethos by doing nothing. There's a deeper meaning as to what MMY meant by that phrase. If you don't know by now, why bother discussing it. Why indeed? For you, the only reason to discuss things seems to be to get others to accept the answers that were provided to them by MMY. Yet it was Barry who quoted MMY here, attributing a meaning to what he said that MMY did not intend. He tries to use that unintended meaning to make his point, then complains when John correctly disputes it. Life IS slavery for many of them. My contention is that the system you are proposing would make MORE of them slaves, not fewer. If a person limits his or
[FairfieldLife] Grist for the Rumor Mill
From a friend: hey rick, heard from a pretty good source that bevan is retiring due to health reasons and that raja bob of v.c. along with hagelin has diabetes. heard anything like this?
[FairfieldLife] Re:Chris Wallace at FOX News grills Obama
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Jan-Åke Ingvar Jönsson transcendentalcosmicbl...@... wrote: Barack Obama: The Naked Emperor: www.davidicke.com/obama Obama-lies, which Obama did you vote for?: http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=5630 The Obama Deception: http://www.obamadeception.net/ Great, Obama did what Bush didn't do for four years...admitt to a mistake. even after WMD etc. he was asked years into his term and he himed and hawed and could't come up with a single mistake. IT'S REFRESHING TO HAVE A PRESIDENT THAT WILL ADMITT A MISTAKE, BIG DIFFERENCE FROM THE BUSH DARK AGES. P.S. FOX NEWS SUCKS AND THE BIGGEST DRAG TO THE TRUTH THERE EVER HAS BEEN IN AMERICA ! ___ Sök efter kärleken! Hitta din tvillingsjäl på Yahoo! Dejting: http://ad..doubleclick.net/clk;185753627;24584539;x? http://se.meetic.yahoo.net/index.php?mtcmk=148783
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, boo_lives boo_li...@... wrote: The bubble diagram was an intriguing way to conceptualize what was going on in meditation for me for years. Now, however, I find it to be major mental maya. The whole concept that you need to go somewhere to experience transcendence, not just away from sensory experience with eyes closed etc, not just away from corporal experience with cessation of breathing etc., but also to go deeper inside the mind or down into the ocean consciousness -- I experience all that to be a false and distracting concept. The only place I think you go to in the mind is to another place in the mind. That's why analogies will always be just that, but make good teaching tools. Actually, I agree with you, you don't go anywhere you just drop the mental fluctuations (vrittis) in the chitta or (feeling), consciousness is already there. The bubble diagram makes it sound better to go deeper down, but that's just imagery. The feeling of mental relaxation going on has its benefits, but it's not necessarily in the direction of transcendence, anymore than anything else the minds does. After I started practices such as chigong and tai chi, my teachers often had to stop me from going away inside whenever I began to feel more in the present, more integrated. What I've learned is that going away bubble style to deeper levels while experiencing this present moment, no thought, unified awareness was actually limiting my spiritual development, keeping it from becoming fully integrated, esp in body/emotions. OF course this gets us to another tmo classic, the dyeing the cloth analogy, which I also think is useful for the mind to have when beginning meditation, but which I now find counterproductive - either you experience transcendence as it naturally permeates all experience, including in an integrated manner with your body/emotion/thoughts, or you're not integrating it. (will try to post more on this later)
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, metoostill metoostill@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: I think this yogic identification theory is totally bogus. It is a made-up problem. I am not identified with any object of perception. I can be passionate about some things, but trying to paint that as some kind nonspiritual way to live seems so contrived. I was getting ready to go out for pre-Carnivale celebrations last night, and didn't have time to reply then, so I'll do my me too's now, and add them to metoostill's. :-) I thought that this short post just *nailed* it. And the phrase that was most relevant to FFL and the ongoing debates here was It worked on me when I was a LOT younger. Seems to me that there are a lot of people here who are trying to hang on to the certainty about things that was sold them in their youth. Like you, Curtis, I don't find identification to be an issue of any kind. I'm sitting in a cafe, and a beautiful woman walks by. I look up. I look at her. I *appreciate* the beauty. It does not inspire lust in me (I'm too old to be locked into that rut any more); it just inspires a love of beauty. I think, Wow. Now *that* is a beautiful woman. She walks on. So does thinking about her. Out of sight, out of mind. No identification, no problem. In my honest opinion, those who perceive one in that interaction are doing so based on an intellectual interpretation *about* identification that they were taught in their youth, and which they have never been able to outgrow. They are also doing this based on a distrust of anything in the [said with disgust] *relative*, something that was *also* taught to them in their youth by someone who *felt* disgust for any- thing in the relative. So much so that the worst thing he could imagine was to be reborn and have to deal with the relative again in a future life. The whole premise of yoga that we are somehow not OK right now and need to be fixed, that the fundamental way that we are inside is wrong and unenlightened, the mistake of the intellect, seems to be a manufactured problem meant to enslave people who are not confident about themselves. It's the Hindu counterpart of Catholic sin and the notion that man is fallen. I don't buy it. It worked on me when I was a LOT younger. To this wonderful line I can only add a visual, found on Digg entitled When life teaches you nothing. http://i43.tinypic.com/2rg1c9v.jpg And the threat of living on earth again as something to escape? Being damned to live again? We should be so lucky. Exactly. How can anyone in their right mind NOT understand that their FEAR OF REBIRTH was *taught* to them by someone who feared it? Maharishi did not LIKE the relative world. He spent his entire life trying to CHANGE it, to make it look more like the fantasies in his head. You know, the ones where everything is golden and the world is run by benevolent kings and the peons do as they're told and none of the Brahmins have to work for a living and multicolored soma popsicles grow on trees. The world he saw around him wasn't *enough* for him to love and appreciate. Not only didn't he like it much and dedicate his life to trying to change it, he taught millions of gullible youths to fear the world as much as he did, and to have as much fear of being reborn and having to do it again as he did. Rebirth is seen as a *perk* by most people. That is exactly why skeptics look down on it as a fantasy. They believe that life *ends* at death -- game over -- and you get no more shot at living. And so they look at those who believe in reincarnation as silly dreamers. And so what did Maharishi Mahesh Yogi do with the idea of reincarnation? He took the (possibly) silly dream and turned it into a nightmare: We are opposed to reincarnation. He taught gullible people in their youth that reincarnating was a Bad Thing, not a Good Thing the way it is to anyone who finds life lovely. Who is having such a sucky life that you wouldn't jump at the chance for another one? This is another great point in your post, Curtis. It has to do with something I talked about last week, why I find the Life is suffering and take refuge notions of Buddhism offensive, and why they don't appeal to me. The reason is that they're so OLD. They come from a time in which life pretty much WAS suffering, pretty much by definition. Short life spans, disease every- where, everyone you knew dying all around you, being born into poverty in India because of your caste, that sorta thing. So OF COURSE basing a spiritual tradition on *appealing* to people who felt that life was suffer- ing made sense at the time. But does it make sense now? Not to me. My life has *never* been
[FairfieldLife] Skillful Non-Means (a rap about synchronicity)
Buddhism likes to talk about skillful means (upaya), behaviors that move toward or bring you up to something (i.e., a goal). This eve- ning, watching a real scorcher of a sunset from the patio of my favorite seaside bar as part of my ongoing sadhana as a Buckaroo Banzai Buddhist, I'm finding myself pondering the opposite, skillful non-means. The Rama fellow I studied with for some time was big on non. We'd have Non-Poem evenings. We were supposed to write a poem and read it aloud in front of several hundred people, while a photo we'd taken was displayed on the screen behind us. Sound like fun? Well, to some, it didn't. It sounded like horror. As an ex English professor, Rama was aware of this reaction, and that many people have inner angst and traumas that they associate with writing poetry, much less reciting it aloud. So to alleviate this, we never had to write poems or read them aloud. Instead, we wrote and read aloud our non-poems. It seemed to make things easier, and as such was in itself a kind of skillful means. For those interested in the concept, here's a link to a story I wrote once about the Non-Poem evenings: http://www.ramalila.net/RoadTripMind/rtm49.html But today I found myself sitting here watching a scorcher of a sunset, listening to music on headphones, and thinking about those non-poems, and that particular form of not doing. And what I find myself thinking about is whether one could take this idea of not doing and apply it to meditation? No, not the effortlessness thing during meditation. That's been done to death. :-) I'm speculating more about not doing the thing outside of meditation where we examine it and what it means. Say we might normally say something like, I had a clear experience of transcending. That means that What Really Happened was that I connected with and merged with the home of all the Laws Of Nature. To do this is beneficial for me in that every time I do it it brings me closer to enlightenment, which is the highest goal that a human being can aspire to in life. It is also beneficial to the world at large, because every time I come in contact with this home of all the Laws Of Nature, that enlivens these Laws and makes them more powerful, and thus enhances the nature of Nature itself. Instead, one could practice skillful non- means and say something like, I had a clear experience of transcending. Cool. See how much easier to say that is than the first version? Which one, when you say them both aloud, makes you feel better about the experience? YMMV, but I kinda prefer the feeling I get from the second one. Skillful non-means (TM). Available at your local Buckarai Banzai Buddhism wine bar and pharmacy. :-) This whole rap, BTW, was inspired by getting just now in email the URL to a web page on which some friends have put up my latest attempt at one of these silly non-poems I mentioned earlier: http://ramalila.net/Adventures/ZenArts/NonPoems/ut-satoriSitges.htm This non-poem is another example of skillful non-means. I honestly think that stopping to analyze what that moment meant would have made it less of a cool moment. There was no moving towards or growing closer to something (i.e., a goal), so it wasn't skillful means. There was only the moment. It didn't mean shit. It just was. And that was enough. Skillful non-means (TM). If you want a fun thing to do, try reading it while listening to the song The End Of All Rivers at: http://truenorthrecords.com/Albums.php?album_id=536 That's the song I was listening to on headphones when I wrote the non-poem, and the one I was listening to when I got the URL in the mail just now, and clicked on it. Synchronicity, dudes. Or skillful non-means (TM). Whatever.
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, geezerfreak geezerfr...@... wrote: Beautiful post...yours and Curtis's. Put into words thoughts I've had ever since leaving the TMO. And, as you well know Barry, life since then has been utterly amazing. 6 years ago I contracted endocarditis (infection of the mitral valve in the heart) from, of all things, a dental procedure. I came very close to cashing in. As I was sitting on the cold slab in the operating room waiting for the sedation to start, I had the overwhelming thought wow.what an incredible ride! I wouldn't change a thing! I had the exact same experience while waiting for the results of cancer scan. Cool realization. And you know, that includes TM and my time with MMY. When I see fanatics of any kind, especially religious fanatics. I have an insight into their mind set that one can only get from having been there. Me, too. As Tallulah Bankhead said, If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner. (Switch gears) Saw Vicky Christina Barcelona yesterday (as usual, I'm late with movies.) Most of it takes place right near your current 'hood Barry. I loved the movieespecially when it became clear that Vicky was Woody Allen in drag, at least in the first half of the film. What did you think of it? I liked it. Beautiful Barcelona eye candy, and there was some pretty babalicious not-in-drag eye candy as well. :-) To be honest, the only fault I can find with the film was intentional on Woody's part, so I can't really fault him on his execution, only his vision of love compared to mine. None of the people really changed. There was no character arc. No one learned a thing from any of it. I guess in a Zen way, that's cool. But in a way it reminded me of this graphic I found on Digg, under the caption When life teaches you nothing. http://i43.tinypic.com/2rg1c9v.jpg
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: thanks for bringing this up-- something which i have been thinking about as well lately. i think the beauty and power of the bubble diagram is that it suddenly made consciousness comprehensible in a simple and elegant way that hadn't been seen before. like so much of what he brought out, the Maharishi transformed the way the western world thinks about... Sorry, but I tripped over that one. I learned a lot from Maharishi many years ago and at times have revered him greatly but it would require considerable myopia to think that Maharishi has transformed the way the western world thinks about... His influence, whether his ideas were profound or not, while perhaps greater than your average rock band, was nothing on the order of transformational to the western world's thinking. As you more accurately state later based on my own experience i'd say. Yes he has transformed your thinking, and lets grant that in some ways for the better. But in some ways observation tells us not so. The ease with which his most ardent admirers slip into that disproportionate image of self and group cannot be missed when looking at his legacy. That perspective is endemic among his followers and has been cultured by design. The stream of discourse on this site can sometimes fail on civility and email can miss the nuance of considerate human communication, so for the avoidance of doubt I will add that I'm sure you mean well and that I appreciate your taking the time to put down your thoughts. thought, action and the link between the two. when the Maharishi began using the bubble diagram to explain the process of transcending thought, this was a radical and unknown concept. and to tie this simple yet radical view of consciousness and transcending to a technique whereby anyone could enjoy and explore this process on their own, examining the very mechanics of consciousness, was completely unheard of. based on my own experience i'd say you are correct when you say that aside from some early experiences tip toeing through the sleeping elephants, it takes years to reliably and regularly reach the source of thought, even using the mechanical and reliable mechanicm of TM. however not so for younger people i know who meditate. they seem to dive more deeply from the beginning. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, BillyG. wgm4u@ wrote: Most TM'ers think they are actually transcending to Pure Consciousness (i.e. Brahman or unmanifest Being), in the daily 2X20 meditation they practice. Nothing could be further from the truth! The illustration of the thought bubble ... Correct me if I'm wrong...please!
[FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer r...@... wrote: From a friend: hey rick, heard from a pretty good source that bevan is retiring due to health reasons and that raja bob of v.c. along with hagelin has diabetes. heard anything like this? I'm sure they're all just experiencing some roughness of awareness Rick!
[FairfieldLife] Re: Age of Aquarius
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer r...@... wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related Remember Hair? Well.. now we have a date, February 14th,2009. The moon will be in the 7th house. Jupiter will align with Mars. Which, if we old hippies are right, will mean.. peace WILL guide the planets and love WILL steer the stars. Finally, this IS the dawning of the age of Aquarius! In mid February a rare astrological concentration brings together a number of planets together with the North Node - denoting higher purpose - in Aquarius that energizes and inspires the possibility for transcendental breakthrough in some perhaps seemingly intransigent situations. We measure our global sense of both space (latitude and longitude) and time (universal time - UT or GMT) from the prime meridian located at Greenwich, England. So we can perceive the collective influence of this momentous astrological event by looking at the alignment from this globally 'centered' perspective. When we do something extraordinary and exquisite emerges. At dawn on 14th February the day dedicated to St Valentine, the patron saint of Love, the Moon in Libra enters the seventh house of relationships. And Jupiter and Marsare aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house of spiritual transformation .Forty years ago, the intuitive words of a song called Aquarius, brought the dawning of the new age into our collective awareness: When the Moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars. Then love will rule the planets and peace will steer the stars At dawn on 14th February the Cosmos actually embodies this perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of love and peace and dawning of the Age of Aquarius. The Aquarian chart of 14th February reveals an incredible concentration of cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius in the twelfth house. Expansive Jupiter and energetic Mars are aligned with the higher purpose of the North Node. The presence of Chiron the wounded healer offers us the opportunity to heal the schisms that have separated us for so long. Neptune emphasizes collective humanitarian movements and the co-creation of social justice. And the presence of the radiant Sun enlightens the entire alignment. Mercury also in the twelfth house but just beyond the cusp in Capricorn, allies with transformational Pluto to communicate and anchor the Shift throughoutour global structures and institutions. The Moon in Libra in the seventh house emphasizes harmonious real -ationships. Venus in Aries in the first house energizes and empowers dynamic co-creativity. And whilst Saturn the great task master in opposition to Uranus the unexpected awakener is suggesting an ongoing confrontation as the dregs of the unsustainable old paradigm reluctantly give way to the untested hope of the new, their placements in Virgo and Pisces brings practical altruism and visionary inspiration to the transition. At 7.25am on 14th February - and for the 18 minutes of the alignment, I invite you, in the universal heart, to add your own intention for love and peace and to co-create the dawning of the Age of Aquarius to that of the Cosmos. In whatever way feels appropriate for you, you may choose to align with7.25am (UT) or 7.25am local time energizing a wave of intention that will surge around the Earth. Please feel free to circulate the Aquarian chart and its cosmic invitation to birth the Age of Aquarius. With love, joy and gratitude in the universal heart, Jude Jude Currivan PhD Aquarius Lyrics When the moon is in the Seventh House And Jupiter aligns with Mars Then peace will guide the planets And love will steer the stars This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius The age of Aquarius Aquarius! Aquarius! Harmony and understanding Sympathy and trust abounding No more falsehoods or derisions Golden living dreams of visions Mystic crystal revelation And the mind's true liberation Aquarius! Aquarius! When the moon is in the Seventh House And Jupiter aligns with Mars Then peace will guide the planets And love will steer the stars This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius The age of Aquarius Aquarius! Aquarius! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related Fascinating...let's hope it's true and not just a drug induced fantasy! :-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: Age of Aquarius
Somewhere in this world, there may exist a copy of the original release of the Fifth Dimension's album on which this song first appeared (other than on Broadway) which is strangely autographed. I was in a shopping mall in San Bernardino, CA, the straighter, more conservative town near River- side, where I was going to college. This was an adventure only in that at the time I had long hair, and the gentle people of San Bernardino had not seen that much of it on men yet. Mine hung down past my shoulders in what I realize in retrospect was an unruly, unattractive mess, but whatever. It was the 60s. So I'm in this record store, probably buying the latest Dylan or Stones record, when this giggling group of teenagers walked up to me. They were carrying this album. As I wondered what they wanted with me, one of them said to another, Go ahead, ask him. He's a real one. I said, Ask me what? One of the girls said, Well, we like this album and we've heard about hippies, but look at the guys on the cover. They are wearing suits and have short hair. One of them is bald. I said, And? She said, indignant, Well, they're not really hippies, are they? I guess not, said I. The girl then said, So we were wondering if you'd sign the album for us, so we can tell our friends that we met a real hippie. I was charmed. So I took the pen that one of them handed me and signed it: Sincerely, A. Hippie Still makes me laugh thinking about it. Always hated the song. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer r...@... wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related Remember Hair? Well.. now we have a date, February 14th,2009. The moon will be in the 7th house. Jupiter will align with Mars. Which, if we old hippies are right, will mean.. peace WILL guide the planets and love WILL steer the stars. Finally, this IS the dawning of the age of Aquarius! In mid February a rare astrological concentration brings together a number of planets together with the North Node - denoting higher purpose - in Aquarius that energizes and inspires the possibility for transcendental breakthrough in some perhaps seemingly intransigent situations. We measure our global sense of both space (latitude and longitude) and time (universal time - UT or GMT) from the prime meridian located at Greenwich, England. So we can perceive the collective influence of this momentous astrological event by looking at the alignment from this globally 'centered' perspective. When we do something extraordinary and exquisite emerges. At dawn on 14th February the day dedicated to St Valentine, the patron saint of Love, the Moon in Libra enters the seventh house of relationships. And Jupiter and Marsare aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house of spiritual transformation .Forty years ago, the intuitive words of a song called Aquarius, brought the dawning of the new age into our collective awareness: When the Moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars. Then love will rule the planets and peace will steer the stars At dawn on 14th February the Cosmos actually embodies this perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of love and peace and dawning of the Age of Aquarius. The Aquarian chart of 14th February reveals an incredible concentration of cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius in the twelfth house. Expansive Jupiter and energetic Mars are aligned with the higher purpose of the North Node. The presence of Chiron the wounded healer offers us the opportunity to heal the schisms that have separated us for so long. Neptune emphasizes collective humanitarian movements and the co-creation of social justice. And the presence of the radiant Sun enlightens the entire alignment. Mercury also in the twelfth house but just beyond the cusp in Capricorn, allies with transformational Pluto to communicate and anchor the Shift throughoutour global structures and institutions. The Moon in Libra in the seventh house emphasizes harmonious real -ationships. Venus in Aries in the first house energizes and empowers dynamic co-creativity. And whilst Saturn the great task master in opposition to Uranus the unexpected awakener is suggesting an ongoing confrontation as the dregs of the unsustainable old paradigm reluctantly give way to the untested hope of the new, their placements in Virgo and Pisces brings practical altruism and visionary inspiration to the transition. At 7.25am on 14th February - and for the 18 minutes of the alignment, I invite you, in the universal heart, to add your own intention for love and peace and to co-create the dawning of the Age of Aquarius to that of the Cosmos. In whatever way feels appropriate for you, you may choose to align with7.25am (UT) or 7.25am local time energizing a wave of intention that will surge around the Earth.
[FairfieldLife] Bottom Line Problem-Reaction-Solution =More Control
February 08, 2009 Ouch! “Largely a Joyless Society” with an “Illusory Stimulus Package” The Much Deeper Meanings Of Wall Street’s Wild Ride By Louis Rene’ Beres, Professor of International Law, Purdue University Special to The Jewish Press, January 23, 2009 In figuring out the core weaknesses of our troubled financial markets, there is far more than meets the eye. On the surface, Wall Street’s seemingly interminable wild ride is the obvious outcome of purely economic factors. Yet, at a deeper level, the problem of market weakness and volatility is not really fiscal, but human. Sure, the interrelated banking and housing and credit crises have played havoc with securities, but these crises are themselves epiphenominal. That is, they are a mere reflection of something “underneath” and much more fundamental. At its heart, the ups and downs of Wall Street are the product of largely engineered and distorted human needs. As Americans, we are what we buy. Our status and self-worth correspond closely with what we own. This palpable celebration of inauthenticity and hyper-consumption is an incessant message received by everyone - again and again, day after day. More than anything else, it has created our broken economy. This economy, like the fragmented society from which it has plainly sprung, lacks any firm foundation. It is built upon sand. Surely, this is not what we hear from the “experts.” It is not their task to go beyond hard economics to soft psychology. But, if we should look more closely, it will become clear that we may have as much to learn about core market crises from Adam Smith and Karl Marx. So long as we Americans accept expanding debt and a decidedly negative savings rate as the price of appearing successful to others, all government stimulus packages will be utterly beside the point. Soon we Americans shall have to get a handle on the unceasing public need for more and more things, for tangible goods that can seemingly validate us as individuals. Wall Street’s wild ride will never slow down meaningfully with the arrival of more money to spread around in stores. And, even if we could actually fix core market problems by expanding consumption, exactly what sort of society would we be encouraging? Ralph Waldo Emerson once spoke of self-reliance. He understood that a foolish “reliance upon property” was the result of “a want of self-reliance.” Today, living amid a humiliating barrage of advertising jingles, delirious collectivism and relentless imitation, the individual American desperately wants to project a “correct” image. The demeaning consumer message of our American mass society is everywhere, even in the universities here, for the part, mimicry and repetition define “excellence.” Today almost all higher education is vocational. We generally graduate newly minted PhDs, MDs, JDs and MBA’s who know almost nothing but how to progress in their own fields. They may turn out to be perfectly good teachers, doctors, lawyers and accountants but they are nonetheless trained not educated. Do we want a genuinely robust economy and a stable stock market? Then we must first re-orient our society from its cheapened ambience of mass taste to a more cultivated environment of thought and feeling. There is great beauty in the World, but it is best not to search for it at the bank, the video store or the shopping mall. Even in that very large segment of Main Street that still knows little of Wall Street, there is deepening anxiety and considerable unhappiness. Taught that respect and success lien high salaries and corollary patterns of consumption, the American public dutifully worships the commonplace. Why should it be otherwise? Galvanized by mostly patronizing and vulgar entertainments this lonely American crowd thoughtlessly follows a flamboyant but impotent ringmaster. However well-intentioned and capable our newly elected president, he can never save us from ourselves. Wall Street remains a thoroughly corrupted product of mass society. This mutually destructive dependence between Wall Street and Main Street can never bring us any success. Soon we must create conditions whereby each of us can feel important and alive without surrendering to manufactured images of power and status. Without such conditions, millions of Americans will continue to seek comfort in crime, mind-numbing music, mountains of drugs and oceans of alcohol. Despite all the noise, we are now a largely joyless society that finds little or no authentic meaning within. This plainly human problem of a socially crushed individualism must be understood before we can fix what is actually wrong with Wall Street. It may seem re-assuring to count on the next, “stimulus package,” but the real benefits will be altogether illusory. LOUIS RENÉ BERES was educated at Princeton (Ph.D., Politics, 1971) and is Professor of International Law, Department of
Re: [FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
On Feb 7, 2009, at 3:34 PM, curtisdeltablues wrote: I think this yogic identification theory is totally bogus. It is a made-up problem. I am not identified with any object of perception. I can be passionate about some things, but trying to paint that as some kind nonspiritual way to live seems so contrived. Look at it this way: if you were no longer identifying with your body, you'd either be constantly dissociating or, you'd be dead. Identification is required to live a normal life. What's not required to learn how to disassemble our identification, i.e. yoga. Do you really believe that you don't identify with he body you inhabit or the instrument you pick up every day and play or the sounds that come out of it? Sorry for the delay, it takes me a while to catch up on emails. :-)
[FairfieldLife] 'For Mother Divine Valentine'
'A Mask of Light by R.Gimbel She became calm, Like a cool breeze, on a hot summer's day... After years of changing herself, to fit the season, She now rested. Her death mask was as beautiful as a young girl. Her face shone a light, that was beyond the physical. The golden dust sparkels in the Sun. She is Calm She Loves for Love's Sake, Everything and Everyone. She is Calm.
[FairfieldLife] So what does it mean if you're a Valentine's baby
A good friend of mine is a Valentine's baby. Which means she'll be celebrating the dawning of the Age of Aquarius on her birthday. Does that mean anything special about her (besides her already being very special), besides being able to get a free breakfast at Denny's on her birthday?
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradh...@... wrote: On Feb 7, 2009, at 3:34 PM, curtisdeltablues wrote: I think this yogic identification theory is totally bogus. It is a made-up problem. I am not identified with any object of perception. I can be passionate about some things, but trying to paint that as some kind nonspiritual way to live seems so contrived. Look at it this way: if you were no longer identifying with your body, you'd either be constantly dissociating or, you'd be dead. Identification is required to live a normal life. What's not required to learn how to disassemble our identification, i.e. yoga. Do you really believe that you don't identify with he body you inhabit or the instrument you pick up every day and play or the sounds that come out of it? I'm glad you weighed in Vaj. I guess the word identify doesn't have much meaning for me in this context. I feel my body and flow my feelings through my instruments when I play them. But saying that this is an identification doesn't register. I am closer to my body than my guitar and it is certainly more a part of my sense of my complete self. Although I understand the conceptual usefulness of the body mind distinction, that is not usually how I experience the package deal of being human. My point was that the idea that someone else have a superior way of organizing their internal sense of self, has lost its appeal. I don't see any evidence for this claim. I believe that some people have more or less intelligence, or have a better ability to express and even feel their emotional capacity. But the whole idea that somehow we are identifying with the objects of perception, which lies at the core or Maharishi's assumptions about ignorance, doesn't ring true to me. I think he is describing a severe mental deficiency. I just did a show for the kids who can't be in the school system due to emotional or mental problems and some of them might have this problem of identifying with an object of perception. But I am not broken in this way and need no fixing. I probably missed you point but would be interested in any more thoughts you have about the value of cultivating a different style of internal functioning. Sorry for the delay, it takes me a while to catch up on emails. :-)
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
so like when you go to like Bruce Cockburn concerts, do you like bring a pair of extra boxers, and like, scream, Brce!! and like, toss your boxers at the stage? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchydog@ wrote: Curtis is assuming of course, his next life will be at least as good as his current non-sucky life. I am assuming that this is my one and only life and that the story of reincarnation is a fairy tale like salvation. What if his next life IS sucky? Really sucky. He should know that having this life is a lucky opportunity Raunch, I'm pretty sure that Curtis is more aware of that than most. So is Bruce Cockburn, in the song that opens the album I posted a link to today. You might like it. It's all about how having this life is a lucky opportunity: World Of Wonders June 1985, Toronto, Canada Stand on a bridge before the cavern of night Darkness alive with possibility Nose to this wind full of twinkling lights Trying to catch the scent of what's coming to be In this world of wonders Somewhere a saxophone slides through changes Like a wet pipe dripping down my neck Gives me a chill -- sounds like danger But I can't stop moving till I cross this sector Of this world of wonders There's a rainbow shining in a bead of spittle Falling diamonds in rattling rain Light flexed on moving muscle I stand here dazzled with my heart in flames At this world of wonders Moment of peace like brief arctic bloom Red/gold ripple of the sun going down Line of black hills makes my bed Sky full of love pulled over my head World of wonders http://truenorthrecords.com/Albums.php?album_id=536 ( first cut after the introductory applause )
[FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill
Who would be he next tier of leaders of the TMO? Are there any people in their 40's who might take over leadership roles? I hear that there is a great deal of hope that the DLF and Paul McCartney concert at Radio City Music Hall this April will change things in the US re TM. If not, I think things will fall apart. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, geezerfreak geezerfr...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer rick@ wrote: From a friend: hey rick, heard from a pretty good source that bevan is retiring due to health reasons and that raja bob of v.c. along with hagelin has diabetes. heard anything like this? I'm sure they're all just experiencing some roughness of awareness Rick!
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: so like when you go to like Bruce Cockburn concerts, do you like bring a pair of extra boxers, and like, scream, Brce!! and like, toss your boxers at the stage? At least I'm not on record as liking The Backstreet Boys. How gay is that? :-) --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchydog@ wrote: Curtis is assuming of course, his next life will be at least as good as his current non-sucky life. I am assuming that this is my one and only life and that the story of reincarnation is a fairy tale like salvation. What if his next life IS sucky? Really sucky. He should know that having this life is a lucky opportunity Raunch, I'm pretty sure that Curtis is more aware of that than most. So is Bruce Cockburn, in the song that opens the album I posted a link to today. You might like it. It's all about how having this life is a lucky opportunity: World Of Wonders June 1985, Toronto, Canada Stand on a bridge before the cavern of night Darkness alive with possibility Nose to this wind full of twinkling lights Trying to catch the scent of what's coming to be In this world of wonders Somewhere a saxophone slides through changes Like a wet pipe dripping down my neck Gives me a chill -- sounds like danger But I can't stop moving till I cross this sector Of this world of wonders There's a rainbow shining in a bead of spittle Falling diamonds in rattling rain Light flexed on moving muscle I stand here dazzled with my heart in flames At this world of wonders Moment of peace like brief arctic bloom Red/gold ripple of the sun going down Line of black hills makes my bed Sky full of love pulled over my head World of wonders http://truenorthrecords.com/Albums.php?album_id=536 ( first cut after the introductory applause )
[FairfieldLife] How the Brain Creates God
Latest theory, from New Scientist: ...Some of the unique cognitive capacities that have made us so successful as a species also work together to create a tendency for supernatural thinking. There's now a lot of evidence that some of the foundations for our religious beliefs are hard-wired, says Bloom ...How does the brain conjure up gods? One of the key factors, says Bloom, is the fact that our brains have separate cognitive systems for dealing with living things - things with minds, or at least volition - and inanimate objects Bloom says the two systems are autonomous, leaving us with two viewpoints on the world: one that deals with minds, and one that handles physical aspects of the world. He calls this innate assumption that mind and matter are distinct common-sense dualism There is plenty of evidence that thinking about disembodied minds comes naturally. People readily form relationships with non- existent others: roughly half of all 4-year- olds have had an imaginary friend, and adults often form and maintain relationships with dead relatives, fictional characters and fantasy partners. As Barrett points out, this is an evolutionarily useful skill. Without it we would be unable to maintain large social hierarchies and alliances or anticipate what an unseen enemy might be planning ...Bering considers a belief in some form of life apart from that experienced in the body to be the default setting of the human brain. Education and experience teach us to override it, but it never truly leaves us, he says. From there it is only a short step to conceptualising spirits, dead ancestors and, of course, gods, says Pascal Boyer, a psychologist at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri The ability to conceive of gods, however, is not sufficient to give rise to religion. The mind has another essential attribute: an overdeveloped sense of cause and effect which primes us to see purpose and design everywhere, even where there is none. You see bushes rustle, you assume there's somebody or something there, Bloom says. This over-attribution of cause and effect probably evolved for survival. If there are predators around, it is no good spotting them 9 times out of 10. Running away when you don't have to is a small price to pay for avoiding danger when the threat is real Religion is an inescapable artefact of the wiring in our brain, says Bloom. All humans possess the brain circuitry and that never goes away. Petrovich adds that even adults who describe themselves as atheists and agnostics are prone to supernatural thinking. Bering has seen this too. When one of his students carried out interviews with atheists, it became clear that they often tacitly attribute purpose to significant or traumatic moments in their lives, as if some agency were intervening to make it happen. They don't completely exorcise the ghost of god - they just muzzle it, Bering says. Read more: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126941.700-born-believers-how- your-brain-creates-god.html?full=true http://tinyurl.com/aqmsnn
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Age of Aquarius
BillyG. wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer r...@... wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related Remember Hair? Well.. now we have a date, February 14th,2009. The moon will be in the 7th house. Jupiter will align with Mars. Which, if we old hippies are right, will mean.. peace WILL guide the planets and love WILL steer the stars. Finally, this IS the dawning of the age of Aquarius! In mid February a rare astrological concentration brings together a number of planets together with the North Node - denoting higher purpose - in Aquarius that energizes and inspires the possibility for transcendental breakthrough in some perhaps seemingly intransigent situations. We measure our global sense of both space (latitude and longitude) and time (universal time - UT or GMT) from the prime meridian located at Greenwich, England. So we can perceive the collective influence of this momentous astrological event by looking at the alignment from this globally 'centered' perspective. When we do something extraordinary and exquisite emerges. At dawn on 14th February the day dedicated to St Valentine, the patron saint of Love, the Moon in Libra enters the seventh house of relationships. And Jupiter and Marsare aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house of spiritual transformation .Forty years ago, the intuitive words of a song called Aquarius, brought the dawning of the new age into our collective awareness: When the Moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars. Then love will rule the planets and peace will steer the stars At dawn on 14th February the Cosmos actually embodies this perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of love and peace and dawning of the Age of Aquarius. The Aquarian chart of 14th February reveals an incredible concentration of cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius in the twelfth house. Expansive Jupiter and energetic Mars are aligned with the higher purpose of the North Node. The presence of Chiron the wounded healer offers us the opportunity to heal the schisms that have separated us for so long. Neptune emphasizes collective humanitarian movements and the co-creation of social justice. And the presence of the radiant Sun enlightens the entire alignment. Mercury also in the twelfth house but just beyond the cusp in Capricorn, allies with transformational Pluto to communicate and anchor the Shift throughoutour global structures and institutions. The Moon in Libra in the seventh house emphasizes harmonious real -ationships. Venus in Aries in the first house energizes and empowers dynamic co-creativity. And whilst Saturn the great task master in opposition to Uranus the unexpected awakener is suggesting an ongoing confrontation as the dregs of the unsustainable old paradigm reluctantly give way to the untested hope of the new, their placements in Virgo and Pisces brings practical altruism and visionary inspiration to the transition. At 7.25am on 14th February - and for the 18 minutes of the alignment, I invite you, in the universal heart, to add your own intention for love and peace and to co-create the dawning of the Age of Aquarius to that of the Cosmos. In whatever way feels appropriate for you, you may choose to align with7.25am (UT) or 7.25am local time energizing a wave of intention that will surge around the Earth. Please feel free to circulate the Aquarian chart and its cosmic invitation to birth the Age of Aquarius. With love, joy and gratitude in the universal heart, Jude Jude Currivan PhD Aquarius Lyrics When the moon is in the Seventh House And Jupiter aligns with Mars Then peace will guide the planets And love will steer the stars This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius The age of Aquarius Aquarius! Aquarius! Harmony and understanding Sympathy and trust abounding No more falsehoods or derisions Golden living dreams of visions Mystic crystal revelation And the mind's true liberation Aquarius! Aquarius! When the moon is in the Seventh House And Jupiter aligns with Mars Then peace will guide the planets And love will steer the stars This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius The age of Aquarius Aquarius! Aquarius! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGLf4J33vUfeature=related Fascinating...let's hope it's true and not just a drug induced fantasy! :-) And of course in the sidereal astrology of Jyotish quite a few years off.
[FairfieldLife] Re: How the Brain Creates God
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jst...@... wrote: Latest theory, from New Scientist: This is fascinating. Religion is an inescapable artefact of the wiring in our brain, says Bloom. All humans possess the brain circuitry and that never goes away. Petrovich adds that even adults who describe themselves as atheists and agnostics are prone to supernatural thinking. Bering has seen this too. When one of his students carried out interviews with atheists, it became clear that they often tacitly attribute purpose to significant or traumatic moments in their lives, as if some agency were intervening to make it happen. They don't completely exorcise the ghost of god - they just muzzle it, Bering says. I can relate to this. I still have a magical thought process that pops up sometimes about events. Then I laugh at myself for my own conditioning. ...Some of the unique cognitive capacities that have made us so successful as a species also work together to create a tendency for supernatural thinking. There's now a lot of evidence that some of the foundations for our religious beliefs are hard-wired, says Bloom ...How does the brain conjure up gods? One of the key factors, says Bloom, is the fact that our brains have separate cognitive systems for dealing with living things - things with minds, or at least volition - and inanimate objects Bloom says the two systems are autonomous, leaving us with two viewpoints on the world: one that deals with minds, and one that handles physical aspects of the world. He calls this innate assumption that mind and matter are distinct common-sense dualism There is plenty of evidence that thinking about disembodied minds comes naturally. People readily form relationships with non- existent others: roughly half of all 4-year- olds have had an imaginary friend, and adults often form and maintain relationships with dead relatives, fictional characters and fantasy partners. As Barrett points out, this is an evolutionarily useful skill. Without it we would be unable to maintain large social hierarchies and alliances or anticipate what an unseen enemy might be planning ...Bering considers a belief in some form of life apart from that experienced in the body to be the default setting of the human brain. Education and experience teach us to override it, but it never truly leaves us, he says. From there it is only a short step to conceptualising spirits, dead ancestors and, of course, gods, says Pascal Boyer, a psychologist at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri The ability to conceive of gods, however, is not sufficient to give rise to religion. The mind has another essential attribute: an overdeveloped sense of cause and effect which primes us to see purpose and design everywhere, even where there is none. You see bushes rustle, you assume there's somebody or something there, Bloom says. This over-attribution of cause and effect probably evolved for survival. If there are predators around, it is no good spotting them 9 times out of 10. Running away when you don't have to is a small price to pay for avoiding danger when the threat is real Religion is an inescapable artefact of the wiring in our brain, says Bloom. All humans possess the brain circuitry and that never goes away. Petrovich adds that even adults who describe themselves as atheists and agnostics are prone to supernatural thinking. Bering has seen this too. When one of his students carried out interviews with atheists, it became clear that they often tacitly attribute purpose to significant or traumatic moments in their lives, as if some agency were intervening to make it happen. They don't completely exorcise the ghost of god - they just muzzle it, Bering says. Read more: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126941.700-born-believers-how- your-brain-creates-god.html?full=true http://tinyurl.com/aqmsnn
[FairfieldLife] Re: The confusion caused by the bubble diagram.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, BillyG. wg...@... wrote: MMY let out himself, sometimes you CAN get a very clear experience right from the very beginning (tip toeing thru the sleeping elephants) but it's not common, like seeing a house and knowing it's not a tree, etc.. But Brahman? The source of thought and the ultimate Purushottama come on, get real! Correct me if I'm wrong...please! FWIW: *suSuptasthaana* ekiibhuutaH prajñaanaghana *evaanandamayo*[!] hyaanandabhuk ceto mukhaH praajñastRtiiyaH paadaH.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill
Could be all that healthy vegetarian dietary regiment these people have used over the last 30 years, along with tons of white sugar. Sooner or later, the body catches up to dietary deficiencies. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer r...@... wrote: From a friend: hey rick, heard from a pretty good source that bevan is retiring due to health reasons and that raja bob of v.c. along with hagelin has diabetes. heard anything like this?
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltabl...@... wrote: snip My point was that the idea that someone else have a superior way of organizing their internal sense of self, has lost its appeal. I don't see any evidence for this claim. Seems to me you'd have to live with the experience of identifying with the Self, rather than with the mind and body, for a while to decide whether it was better or not. I believe that some people have more or less intelligence, or have a better ability to express and even feel their emotional capacity. But the whole idea that somehow we are identifying with the objects of perception, which lies at the core or Maharishi's assumptions about ignorance, doesn't ring true to me. I think he is describing a severe mental deficiency. First, the notion of identification is hardly something MMY came up with on his own; it's a staple of Vedantic teaching, which suggests it couldn't be a matter of severe mental deficiency. Second, it looks to me as though you're taking it way too literally. In this context, one's body and one's thoughts are both objects of perception, not just the objects out there. As Vaj points out, if you didn't identify with your body and mind, you couldn't function at all. As I understand it, enlightenment doesn't do away with identification but rather puts it in proper perspective. (I know MMY addressed this at some point, I think in either SBAL or the Gita, but I can't find it quickly.)
[FairfieldLife] Re: How the Brain Creates God
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltabl...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: Latest theory, from New Scientist: This is fascinating. Religion is an inescapable artefact of the wiring in our brain, says Bloom. All humans possess the brain circuitry and that never goes away. Petrovich adds that even adults who describe themselves as atheists and agnostics are prone to supernatural thinking. Bering has seen this too. When one of his students carried out interviews with atheists, it became clear that they often tacitly attribute purpose to significant or traumatic moments in their lives, as if some agency were intervening to make it happen. They don't completely exorcise the ghost of god - they just muzzle it, Bering says. I can relate to this. I still have a magical thought process that pops up sometimes about events. Then I laugh at myself for my own conditioning. But he's saying it's not conditioning; it's hard-wired.
[FairfieldLife] Re:Chris Wallace at FOX News grills Obama
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, menkemeyer menkeme...@... wrote: snip Great, Obama did what Bush didn't do for four years... admitt to a mistake. even after WMD etc. he was asked years into his term and he himed and hawed and could't come up with a single mistake. IT'S REFRESHING TO HAVE A PRESIDENT THAT WILL ADMITT A MISTAKE, BIG DIFFERENCE FROM THE BUSH DARK AGES. What exactly *was* the mistake he admitted to?
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill
On Sun, Feb 8, 2009 at 3:56 PM, pranamoocher bh...@hotmail.com wrote: Could be all that healthy vegetarian dietary regiment these people have used over the last 30 years, along with tons of white sugar. Sooner or later, the body catches up to dietary deficiencies. Researchers have shown that half of college (US football) lineman have metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes). Research is now underway on high school lineman and the same result is expected. Carrying a lot of weight around predisposes one to diabetes. And yes, the tons of white sugar and the carbs exhaust insulin production.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill-Ramblings
Reading this post motiviated me to write about something I've been thinking about. I recently re-read Elizabeth Haich's INITIATION, and scanning the internet, it seeems that some of the luminaries from that period have re-appeared in the forms of Vivekenanda, and as disciples of Ramana Maharishi. So, it kind of rekindled my confidence in the eastern tradition that most of us here are familiar with, and have trod down. Then, a couple days ago, I received the University Report which lists the donors to the University in the last year, with all kinds of nice pictures and stories. And I remembered my time spent as a loyal soldier in that army. I never would have achieved any notoriety as a donor, but I could hold my own on the experiential level. And I thought, well, maybe that's not a bad way to spend a life-devoted to a teacher, who I am inclined to believe did achieve the heights of spiritual development. I don't think anyone likes being taken for a dupe, so evidently those who have kept the movement afloat financially either feel their funds have been used appropiately, or maybe they just have too much invested, to look at other possibiiities. But, at the very least, it created a feeling of goodwill towards those still carrying the flame. :) --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer r...@... wrote: From a friend: hey rick, heard from a pretty good source that bevan is retiring due to health reasons and that raja bob of v.c. along with hagelin has diabetes. heard anything like this?
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jst...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: snip My point was that the idea that someone else have a superior way of organizing their internal sense of self, has lost its appeal. I don't see any evidence for this claim. Seems to me you'd have to live with the experience of identifying with the Self, rather than with the mind and body, for a while to decide whether it was better or not. The interpretation that the experiences gained by meditating is the Self is not one I share now. When I was in the movement I did relate to this interpretation, and did believe I was experiencing what Maharishi was talking about. But once your perspective changes you relate to the experience that meditation brings differently. Meditation altered functioning is not self evidently what Maharishi claims. By my way of thinking you would have to experience this shift in interpretation while still being able to access the experience to know why I would make such a statement. In any case concerning people who make such claims I haven't seen any evidence of superior anything. I believe that some people have more or less intelligence, or have a better ability to express and even feel their emotional capacity. But the whole idea that somehow we are identifying with the objects of perception, which lies at the core or Maharishi's assumptions about ignorance, doesn't ring true to me. I think he is describing a severe mental deficiency. First, the notion of identification is hardly something MMY came up with on his own; it's a staple of Vedantic teaching, which suggests it couldn't be a matter of severe mental deficiency. I'm not sure people long ago could relate to how our minds function today. Compared to them we may all be what they believed was enlightened. But I still can't relate to the concept as meaningful. Second, it looks to me as though you're taking it way too literally. In this context, one's body and one's thoughts are both objects of perception, not just the objects out there. OK As Vaj points out, if you didn't identify with your body and mind, you couldn't function at all. As I understand it, enlightenment doesn't do away with identification but rather puts it in proper perspective. (I know MMY addressed this at some point, I think in either SBAL or the Gita, but I can't find it quickly.) I am claiming that my my relationship with my body and mind are in proper perspective. It isn't broken and doesn't need fixing. I am rejecting the whole model as making a big deal out of nothing. Yes you can change your internal functioning through meditation, but I don't see the value. It doesn't seem to improve people's minds or ethics in any way I can detect. I'm not arguing that you shouldn't find value in it. If you do, that's great. But the assumption that everyone else is functioning in some sort of ignorance seems far fetched. And the term enlightened to describe what it seems to be accomplishing for people seems doubly far fetched. I think of yoga as an internal hobby, not as realizing the purpose of life. Fun if you are into that sort of thing, but no more.
[FairfieldLife] Re: How the Brain Creates God
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jst...@... wrote: But he's saying it's not conditioning; it's hard-wired. I haven't had this experience since reading this. In the future I will laugh at myself for my hardwired connections! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: Latest theory, from New Scientist: This is fascinating. Religion is an inescapable artefact of the wiring in our brain, says Bloom. All humans possess the brain circuitry and that never goes away. Petrovich adds that even adults who describe themselves as atheists and agnostics are prone to supernatural thinking. Bering has seen this too. When one of his students carried out interviews with atheists, it became clear that they often tacitly attribute purpose to significant or traumatic moments in their lives, as if some agency were intervening to make it happen. They don't completely exorcise the ghost of god - they just muzzle it, Bering says. I can relate to this. I still have a magical thought process that pops up sometimes about events. Then I laugh at myself for my own conditioning. But he's saying it's not conditioning; it's hard-wired.
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltabl...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: snip I believe that some people have more or less intelligence, or have a better ability to express and even feel their emotional capacity. But the whole idea that somehow we are identifying with the objects of perception, which lies at the core or Maharishi's assumptions about ignorance, doesn't ring true to me. I think he is describing a severe mental deficiency. First, the notion of identification is hardly something MMY came up with on his own; it's a staple of Vedantic teaching, which suggests it couldn't be a matter of severe mental deficiency. I'm not sure people long ago could relate to how our minds function today. Compared to them we may all be what they believed was enlightened. Are you suggesting that most people long ago were what we today would cosider severely mentally deficient??
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill-Ramblings
On Sun, Feb 8, 2009 at 4:40 PM, lurkernomore20002000 life-devoted to a teacher, who I am inclined to believe did achieve the heights of spiritual development. I don't think anyone likes being taken for a dupe, so evidently those who have kept the movement afloat financially either feel their funds have been used appropiately, or maybe they just have too much invested, to look at other possibiiities. But, at the very least, it created a feeling of goodwill towards those still carrying the flame. :) Yes, I know the feeling. But it gets to a point where even the most diehard believer in carrying the torch starts to wonder if they're being taken for a ride. Let's take the recent announcement, posted here, about the Brahmastan of India. How the TMO is wanting to increase the numbers to super radiance but suddenly there's a hitch: 3 parcels of land given to sell to raise the cash for the project now probably can't be sold because of the economic situation. So donors are being solicited for the zillionth time. OK, well let's apply some TARP thinking into this. Why should we donate money if there's land that could be sold to raise it? Because it can't be sold right now? OK, I don't have a problem with that. Just package up the land and offer it to the people you're trying to get fresh money from. Give us something in exchange for our cash. Eventually the economic situation will improve. It has before, it always does, eventually. If we just cut checks now, then when land values recover, the TMO will have the money all over again. Now this misadventure in India has been going on for quite a while. Remember when there were all these monorails planned for the massive construction along the Ganges? What happened to that construction? What's the current value of it? Where did the money for its purchase, planning and construction on it go? Eventually you have to say Look. You've asked and were given, you asked and were given. Now show me something. Or remain a fool.
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jst...@... wrote: I'm not sure people long ago could relate to how our minds function today. Compared to them we may all be what they believed was enlightened. Are you suggesting that most people long ago were what we today would cosider severely mentally deficient?? Back to my original point. I can't relate to any normal person being identified with the objects of perception. I don't know if how our minds have changes by our media exposure and education is significant compared to people in the past or not. I'm guessing that an average agrarian person in ancient India might be impressed with what people today take for granted. But if it was big news that we shouldn't be overshadowed by or identify with the objects of perception was big news back then...then maybe they were different in some way. I am trying to figure out why they made such a big deal out of something that seems obvious to me. Every hang out with a woman from a country who does not educate women? Education makes a huge difference in mental development. But specifically, I am not dissing people in the past. I am trying to figure out what their point was. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: snip I believe that some people have more or less intelligence, or have a better ability to express and even feel their emotional capacity. But the whole idea that somehow we are identifying with the objects of perception, which lies at the core or Maharishi's assumptions about ignorance, doesn't ring true to me. I think he is describing a severe mental deficiency. First, the notion of identification is hardly something MMY came up with on his own; it's a staple of Vedantic teaching, which suggests it couldn't be a matter of severe mental deficiency. I'm not sure people long ago could relate to how our minds function today. Compared to them we may all be what they believed was enlightened. Are you suggesting that most people long ago were what we today would cosider severely mentally deficient??
[FairfieldLife] Re: How the Brain Creates God
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jst...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: Latest theory, from New Scientist: This is fascinating. Religion is an inescapable artefact of the wiring in our brain, says Bloom. All humans possess the brain circuitry and that never goes away. Petrovich adds that even adults who describe themselves as atheists and agnostics are prone to supernatural thinking. Bering has seen this too. When one of his students carried out interviews with atheists, it became clear that they often tacitly attribute purpose to significant or traumatic moments in their lives, as if some agency were intervening to make it happen. They don't completely exorcise the ghost of god - they just muzzle it, Bering says. I can relate to this. I still have a magical thought process that pops up sometimes about events. Then I laugh at myself for my own conditioning. But he's saying it's not conditioning; it's hard-wired. Maybe we are all segments of the main program?
Re: [FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
On Feb 8, 2009, at 4:19 PM, curtisdeltablues wrote: I'm glad you weighed in Vaj. I guess the word identify doesn't have much meaning for me in this context. I feel my body and flow my feelings through my instruments when I play them. But saying that this is an identification doesn't register. I am closer to my body than my guitar and it is certainly more a part of my sense of my complete self. Although I understand the conceptual usefulness of the body mind distinction, that is not usually how I experience the package deal of being human. My point was that the idea that someone else have a superior way of organizing their internal sense of self, has lost its appeal. I don't know that it should be looked at as superior. The ordinary state of affairs is that our consciousness identifies with our body, unless we're knocked out or have a mental illness or something like that. Yogis make the decision to unravel and play with that identification. Chances are that's not going to appeal to a lot of people, who are quite happy with skin-encapsulated egos and maintaining ordinary references. I don't see any evidence for this claim. Well you know what they say about extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. In such a case you need an extraordinary person who meets those criteria and you'd have to be impressed enough by them to think that what they have, is in fact extraordinary (and worthwhile). Then and maybe then you consider trying out their goods. I believe that some people have more or less intelligence, or have a better ability to express and even feel their emotional capacity. But the whole idea that somehow we are identifying with the objects of perception, which lies at the core or Maharishi's assumptions about ignorance, doesn't ring true to me. I think he is describing a severe mental deficiency. The Vedantic and Samkhya slant on things has some appeal to me, but being trapped in identification with external objects only has a limited appeal to me, but it is really just the wording I don't like. I can see for example how there is a certain ring of truth to it--the only thing is western, (esp. American) consensus reality really brainwashes us that it's ok, it's a good thing. For example I can see and I know many people who are attached to objects and acquirements and I can also see and sense how they use acquisition of objects of temporary pleasure to maintain certain reference points that surround their awareness and attention like an ever-changing security blanket. But it's a moving security blanket that never gives any lasting security or satisfaction. The mind feels satisfied by thinking over the various reference items it likes and has acquired, the new boat, the new TV, the new CD, the new scenery we need to visit in some foreign locale. Then we run them through our mind till we get tired of the new items we acquired and start searching for new ones to possess and reference and roll over in our minds. Commercials and advertisements constantly barrage us with objects we should like and attach to and show us the cool and happy people who have them. They seem very happy. But these are really, ultimately lies. So some people have decided that this pattern ultimately doesn't make you happy. They devised techniques to unravel the pattern. One way is common sensical: observe something already automatic (like your breath) and then you slowly learn to be more aware by seeing others things you're just doing habitually, automatically. Instead of being caught in this push-pull, you begin to see things simply as they are. We can understand how that's helpful and the habitual keeping of reference points (identification with objects in that manner) isn't necessarily a desirable thing. But for me the better way to parse it is maintaining reference points or referentiality, as I know in my own experience that that temporary pattern isn't one that makes me happy or a better person, despite what consensus reality might insinuate.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill-Ramblings
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal l.shad...@... wrote: Remember when there were all these monorails planned for the massive construction along the Ganges? What happened to that construction? What's the current value of it? Where did the money for its purchase, planning and construction on it go? Eventually you have to say Look. You've asked and were given, you asked and were given. Now show me something. Or remain a fool. Oh yea. Examples like this could fill up a page or two. Here's what just occurred to me as I was firing up the grill for a flank steak for the family. Probably Bevan, Hagelin and whoever else consulted a movment lawyer, and determined they could qualify for disability and thereby recieve a good chunk of their present income from Uncle Sam, or Sydney. What you describe above is so typical. Play any angle to get funds.
[FairfieldLife] A Message from a Star
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=48995048996h=IIWcxu=STOFE
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradh...@... wrote: snip I don't know that it should be looked at as superior. The ordinary state of affairs is that our consciousness identifies with our body, I'm not so sure about that. My identity is biased towards my mind and emotions. My body is getting older but my mind and capacity to feel is getting better. I think only very superficial people identify with their bodies. unless we're knocked out or have a mental illness or something like that. Yogis make the decision to unravel and play with that identification. Chances are that's not going to appeal to a lot of people, who are quite happy with skin-encapsulated egos and maintaining ordinary references. I don't view people that way. Most people seem to be more similar than different to me. They share the same cares and desires for their loved one's lives. I don't see any evidence for this claim. Well you know what they say about extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. In such a case you need an extraordinary person who meets those criteria and you'd have to be impressed enough by them to think that what they have, is in fact extraordinary (and worthwhile). Then and maybe then you consider trying out their goods. Granted. I know that some here have found such people and found them impressive. snip The Vedantic and Samkhya slant on things has some appeal to me, but being trapped in identification with external objects only has a limited appeal to me, but it is really just the wording I don't like. I can see for example how there is a certain ring of truth to it--the only thing is western, (esp. American) consensus reality really brainwashes us that it's ok, it's a good thing. For example I can see and I know many people who are attached to objects and acquirements and I can also see and sense how they use acquisition of objects of temporary pleasure to maintain certain reference points that surround their awareness and attention like an ever-changing security blanket. But it's a moving security blanket that never gives any lasting security or satisfaction. The mind feels satisfied by thinking over the various reference items it likes and has acquired, the new boat, the new TV, the new CD, the new scenery we need to visit in some foreign locale. Then we run them through our mind till we get tired of the new items we acquired and start searching for new ones to possess and reference and roll over in our minds. Commercials and advertisements constantly barrage us with objects we should like and attach to and show us the cool and happy people who have them. They seem very happy. But these are really, ultimately lies. Most people I meet are most attached to their loved ones. There are superficial people who are things oriented but most people seem pretty clear on the value of relationships in their lives. Then you have plenty of people engrossed in skill acquisitions of various kinds. So some people have decided that this pattern ultimately doesn't make you happy. They devised techniques to unravel the pattern. One way is common sensical: observe something already automatic (like your breath) and then you slowly learn to be more aware by seeing others things you're just doing habitually, automatically. Instead of being caught in this push-pull, you begin to see things simply as they are. This was really well said. I can relate to this. Meditation has this value for me as well. We can understand how that's helpful and the habitual keeping of reference points (identification with objects in that manner) isn't necessarily a desirable thing. I'm not sure I relate to it this way. I didn't notice that materialistic people in the movement got less so. The people with money seemed to run the same routines people in Northern Virginia do. But most of them still value family over objects unless they are complete tools! But for me the better way to parse it is maintaining reference points or referentiality, as I know in my own experience that that temporary pattern isn't one that makes me happy or a better person, despite what consensus reality might insinuate. Thanks for keeping the ball in play and giving me more to think about.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill-Ramblings
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal l.shad...@... wrote: On Sun, Feb 8, 2009 at 4:40 PM, lurkernomore20002000 life-devoted to a teacher, who I am inclined to believe did achieve the heights of spiritual development. I don't think anyone likes being taken for a dupe, so evidently those who have kept the movement afloat financially either feel their funds have been used appropiately, or maybe they just have too much invested, to look at other possibiiities. But, at the very least, it created a feeling of goodwill towards those still carrying the flame. :) Yes, I know the feeling. But it gets to a point where even the most diehard believer in carrying the torch starts to wonder if they're being taken for a ride. snip, One of the former department heads that used to come into my shop had donated money and worked for many years and, in the end, due to some disagreement, was told to get a job as he was out. So much for the retirement program. N.
[FairfieldLife] Elephant and Dog Prove Best Friends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs_a98AySNk
[FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill-Ramblings
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, lurkernomore20002000 steve.sun...@... wrote: Reading this post motiviated me to write about something I've been thinking about. I recently re-read Elizabeth Haich's INITIATION, and scanning the internet, it seeems that some of the luminaries from that period have re-appeared in the forms of Vivekenanda, and as disciples of Ramana Maharishi. So, it kind of rekindled my confidence in the eastern tradition that most of us here are familiar with, and have trod down. Then, a couple days ago, I received the University Report which lists the donors to the University in the last year, with all kinds of nice pictures and stories. And I remembered my time spent as a loyal soldier in that army. I never would have achieved any notoriety as a donor, but I could hold my own on the experiential level. And I thought, well, maybe that's not a bad way to spend a life-devoted to a teacher, who I am inclined to believe did achieve the heights of spiritual development. I don't think anyone likes being taken for a dupe, so evidently those who have kept the movement afloat financially either feel their funds have been used appropiately, or maybe they just have too much invested, to look at other possibiiities. But, at the very least, it created a feeling of goodwill towards those still carrying the flame. :) Heaven will walk on earth, in this generation. - Maharishi Thanks to very, very many you call soldiers! Thank's to you also ! Jai Guru Dev
Re: [FairfieldLife] So what does it mean if you're a Valentine's baby
No. --- On Sun, 2/8/09, I am the eternal l.shad...@gmail.com wrote: From: I am the eternal l.shad...@gmail.com Subject: [FairfieldLife] So what does it mean if you're a Valentine's baby To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, February 8, 2009, 3:57 PM A good friend of mine is a Valentine's baby. Which means she'll be celebrating the dawning of the Age of Aquarius on her birthday. Does that mean anything special about her (besides her already being very special), besides being able to get a free breakfast at Denny's on her birthday? To subscribe, send a message to: fairfieldlife-subscr...@yahoogroups.com Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!'Yahoo! Groups Links
[FairfieldLife] A Pretty Great Short Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySrsZuD4w0c (under 5 minutes)
[FairfieldLife] Consciousness, Creativity the Brain
http://tinyurl.com/buxv75
[FairfieldLife] Re: Grist for the Rumor Mill
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, pranamoocher bh...@... wrote: Could be all that healthy vegetarian dietary regiment these people have used over the last 30 years, along with tons of white sugar. Sooner or later, the body catches up to dietary deficiencies. Our species didn't evolve on a diet of grains, beans, and the milk of other species. My opinion of heavily agrarian diets is that they are suboptimal at best and do the least amount of harm when there's sufficient poverty to keep caloric intake down. With the growing middle class in India, there's a huge increase in type 2 diabetes. On top of that, modern diets are loaded with polyunsaturated seed oils and refined carbohydrates. All in all, it's a recipe for chronic degenerative disease. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer rick@ wrote: From a friend: hey rick, heard from a pretty good source that bevan is retiring due to health reasons and that raja bob of v.c. along with hagelin has diabetes. heard anything like this?
[FairfieldLife] Re: Consciousness, Creativity the Brain. David Lynch about doing.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_re...@... wrote: http://tinyurl.com/buxv75
[FairfieldLife] Post Count
Fairfield Life Post Counter === Start Date (UTC): Sat Feb 07 00:00:00 2009 End Date (UTC): Sat Feb 14 00:00:00 2009 256 messages as of (UTC) Mon Feb 09 00:01:45 2009 27 TurquoiseB no_re...@yahoogroups.com 25 authfriend jst...@panix.com 20 sparaig lengli...@cox.net 18 enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@yahoogroups.com 15 BillyG. wg...@yahoo.com 14 I am the eternal l.shad...@gmail.com 13 curtisdeltablues curtisdeltabl...@yahoo.com 11 Bhairitu noozg...@sbcglobal.net 9 yifuxero yifux...@yahoo.com 9 Vaj vajradh...@earthlink.net 8 nablusoss1008 no_re...@yahoogroups.com 8 cardemaister no_re...@yahoogroups.com 7 raunchydog raunchy...@yahoo.com 7 Arhata Osho arhatafreespe...@yahoo.com 6 geezerfreak geezerfr...@yahoo.com 6 do.rflex do.rf...@yahoo.com 4 Robert babajii...@yahoo.com 4 Peter violates the FFL rules fairfield.li...@gmail.com 3 Duveyoung no_re...@yahoogroups.com 3 Barry is a stupid cunt fairfield.li...@gmail.com 2 wayback71 waybac...@yahoo.com 2 shempmcgurk shempmcg...@netscape.net 2 metoostill metoost...@yahoo.com 2 lurkernomore20002000 steve.sun...@sbcglobal.net 2 boo_lives boo_li...@yahoo.com 2 wle...@aol.com 2 Rick Archer r...@searchsummit.com 2 Nelson nelsonriddle2...@yahoo.com 2 Marek Reavis reavisma...@sbcglobal.net 2 John jr_...@yahoo.com 2 Fairfield Lifer fairfield.li...@gmail.com 2 =?iso-8859-1?Q?Jan-=C5ke_Ingvar_J=F6nsson?= transcendentalcosmicbl...@yahoo.se 1 uns_tressor uns_tres...@yahoo.ca 1 shukra69 shukr...@yahoo.ca 1 pranamoocher bh...@hotmail.com 1 off_world_beings no_re...@yahoogroups.com 1 menkemeyer menkeme...@yahoo.com 1 guyfawkes91 guyfawke...@yahoo.com 1 film_man_pdx no_re...@yahoogroups.com 1 dhamiltony2k5 dhamiltony...@yahoo.com 1 Sal Sunshine salsunsh...@lisco.com 1 Peter is an ignorant cunt fairfield.li...@gmail.com 1 Peter drpetersutp...@yahoo.com 1 Patrick Gillam jpgil...@yahoo.com 1 Joe Smith msilver1...@yahoo.com 1 Alex Stanley j_alexander_stan...@yahoo.com 1 Richard J. Williams willy...@yahoo.com Posters: 47 Saturday Morning 00:00 UTC Rollover Times = Daylight Saving Time (Summer): US Friday evening: PDT 5 PM - MDT 6 PM - CDT 7 PM - EDT 8 PM Europe Saturday: BST 1 AM CEST 2 AM EEST 3 AM Standard Time (Winter): US Friday evening: PST 4 PM - MST 5 PM - CST 6 PM - EST 7 PM Europe Saturday: GMT 12 AM CET 1 AM EET 2 AM For more information on Time Zones: www.worldtimezone.com
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
---.I fully agree...then the question becomes one of subjective importance, AFTER a given assumption: that something, some transition or quantum leap of sorts, takes place in Enlightenment or in stages before that. Then: a. the ancient Sages and/or Neo-Advaitins or globally, the Wilberian Great Tradition ists (nondualist Hindus and Buddhist), make various claims regarding the issue of Identification. b. But then, those making claims in (a) make other claims which are actually speculative leaps of faith, pointing to a Holier-Than-Thou perspective and statements such as: 1. People in (a) can't make mistakes, they automatically get Nature's support, they are to be worshipped on occasion, have sex with your wives, get free lunches, etc. b. Then when people discover that the people in (a) are sometimes immoral, irresponsible, ignorant,.., etc; then we call into question the meaning and value of the claims concerning Identification and where it fits in. Is there a broader theory encompassing what those in (a) experience, along with room for the types of behavior mentioned in (1b). YES!. In spite of his faults, Adi Da came up with brilliant insights into the nature of Enlightenment. One of his gems was that before Enlightenment, people ARE the body/mind. But after Enlightenment, they still ARE!...even though they say I AM THAT...etc. But THAT is the misidentification!. The Neo-Advaitins have it BACKWARDS. As long as people have bodies (i.e. are bodies), they ARE body/minds. There is no entity apart from the body/mind which says I am identifying with this or that. This model doesn't deny that Enlightened people may undergo some type of transition. It only says/proposes that before, people are a body/mind. After, they still are a body/mind. But the real question is one of importance, and where is such and such a behavior taking people? Nobody seems to have great answers yet. In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltabl...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: snip My point was that the idea that someone else have a superior way of organizing their internal sense of self, has lost its appeal. I don't see any evidence for this claim. Seems to me you'd have to live with the experience of identifying with the Self, rather than with the mind and body, for a while to decide whether it was better or not. The interpretation that the experiences gained by meditating is the Self is not one I share now. When I was in the movement I did relate to this interpretation, and did believe I was experiencing what Maharishi was talking about. But once your perspective changes you relate to the experience that meditation brings differently. Meditation altered functioning is not self evidently what Maharishi claims. By my way of thinking you would have to experience this shift in interpretation while still being able to access the experience to know why I would make such a statement. In any case concerning people who make such claims I haven't seen any evidence of superior anything. I believe that some people have more or less intelligence, or have a better ability to express and even feel their emotional capacity. But the whole idea that somehow we are identifying with the objects of perception, which lies at the core or Maharishi's assumptions about ignorance, doesn't ring true to me. I think he is describing a severe mental deficiency. First, the notion of identification is hardly something MMY came up with on his own; it's a staple of Vedantic teaching, which suggests it couldn't be a matter of severe mental deficiency. I'm not sure people long ago could relate to how our minds function today. Compared to them we may all be what they believed was enlightened. But I still can't relate to the concept as meaningful. Second, it looks to me as though you're taking it way too literally. In this context, one's body and one's thoughts are both objects of perception, not just the objects out there. OK As Vaj points out, if you didn't identify with your body and mind, you couldn't function at all. As I understand it, enlightenment doesn't do away with identification but rather puts it in proper perspective. (I know MMY addressed this at some point, I think in either SBAL or the Gita, but I can't find it quickly.) I am claiming that my my relationship with my body and mind are in proper perspective. It isn't broken and doesn't need fixing. I am rejecting the whole model as making a big deal out of nothing. Yes you can change your internal functioning through meditation, but I don't see the value. It doesn't seem to improve people's minds or ethics in any way I can detect. I'm not arguing that you shouldn't find value in it. If you do,
[FairfieldLife] Re: How the Brain Creates God
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Nelson nelsonriddle2...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: Latest theory, from New Scientist: This is fascinating. Religion is an inescapable artefact of the wiring in our brain, says Bloom. All humans possess the brain circuitry and that never goes away. Petrovich adds that even adults who describe themselves as atheists and agnostics are prone to supernatural thinking. Bering has seen this too. When one of his students carried out interviews with atheists, it became clear that they often tacitly attribute purpose to significant or traumatic moments in their lives, as if some agency were intervening to make it happen. They don't completely exorcise the ghost of god - they just muzzle it, Bering says. I can relate to this. I still have a magical thought process that pops up sometimes about events. Then I laugh at myself for my own conditioning. But he's saying it's not conditioning; it's hard-wired. Maybe we are all segments of the main program? Evolutionarily hardwired. But of course we are constantly evolving a I do think that this tendency towards believing in supernatural forces is reinforced by the fact that humans are pattern spotters, with the unfortunate side effect of seeing patterns when there are none. Also, the tendency towards justification may be a part of finding purpose in certain events. Don't forget Darwin Day February 12!
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, yifuxero yifux...@... wrote: they are to be worshipped on occasion, have sex with your wives, get free lunches Whoa, wait a minute here! I didn't get this memo and now may have to re-think my opting out of the whole program. This has more appeal than not identifying with the objects of perception! Just to clarify, does the free lunch come before or after the sex with other people's wives because I don't perform too well after a big meal, but AFTER adulterous sex I can get really hungry and a lunch would be very nice. I don't need anything too elaborate but a sandwich would be nice (toasted sourdough) and if possible could I request mustard instead of mayonnaise? Not to make too much of a big deal about this but if it could be the extra spicy kind with horseradish that would be a plus. And if it isn't putting you out too much would you mind not using that processed crap from the supermarket cold cuts section but actually get some nice pastrami at a real deli or if you have access to a real Italian gourmet joint a little prosciutto and fresh (buffalo) Mozzarella would be nice if it is not too much trouble. (In this case please hold the mustard but include some fresh basil.) Oh and not to be a complete pain but please don't forget the pickle and not the mushy kind thank you very much. ---.I fully agree...then the question becomes one of subjective importance, AFTER a given assumption: that something, some transition or quantum leap of sorts, takes place in Enlightenment or in stages before that. Then: a. the ancient Sages and/or Neo-Advaitins or globally, the Wilberian Great Tradition ists (nondualist Hindus and Buddhist), make various claims regarding the issue of Identification. b. But then, those making claims in (a) make other claims which are actually speculative leaps of faith, pointing to a Holier-Than-Thou perspective and statements such as: 1. People in (a) can't make mistakes, they automatically get Nature's support, they are to be worshipped on occasion, have sex with your wives, get free lunches, etc. b. Then when people discover that the people in (a) are sometimes immoral, irresponsible, ignorant,.., etc; then we call into question the meaning and value of the claims concerning Identification and where it fits in. Is there a broader theory encompassing what those in (a) experience, along with room for the types of behavior mentioned in (1b). YES!. In spite of his faults, Adi Da came up with brilliant insights into the nature of Enlightenment. One of his gems was that before Enlightenment, people ARE the body/mind. But after Enlightenment, they still ARE!...even though they say I AM THAT...etc. But THAT is the misidentification!. The Neo-Advaitins have it BACKWARDS. As long as people have bodies (i.e. are bodies), they ARE body/minds. There is no entity apart from the body/mind which says I am identifying with this or that. This model doesn't deny that Enlightened people may undergo some type of transition. It only says/proposes that before, people are a body/mind. After, they still are a body/mind. But the real question is one of importance, and where is such and such a behavior taking people? Nobody seems to have great answers yet. In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: snip My point was that the idea that someone else have a superior way of organizing their internal sense of self, has lost its appeal. I don't see any evidence for this claim. Seems to me you'd have to live with the experience of identifying with the Self, rather than with the mind and body, for a while to decide whether it was better or not. The interpretation that the experiences gained by meditating is the Self is not one I share now. When I was in the movement I did relate to this interpretation, and did believe I was experiencing what Maharishi was talking about. But once your perspective changes you relate to the experience that meditation brings differently. Meditation altered functioning is not self evidently what Maharishi claims. By my way of thinking you would have to experience this shift in interpretation while still being able to access the experience to know why I would make such a statement. In any case concerning people who make such claims I haven't seen any evidence of superior anything. I believe that some people have more or less intelligence, or have a better ability to express and even feel their emotional capacity. But the whole idea that somehow we are identifying with the objects of perception, which lies at the core or Maharishi's assumptions about ignorance, doesn't ring true to me. I
[FairfieldLife] What is the nature of attachment? (Re: All of Patanjali's 8 limbs )
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltabl...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: I'm not sure people long ago could relate to how our minds function today. Compared to them we may all be what they believed was enlightened. Interesting hypothesis. Are you suggesting that most people long ago were what we today would cosider severely mentally deficient?? Back to my original point. I can't relate to any normal person being identified with the objects of perception. I don't know if how our minds have changes by our media exposure and education is significant compared to people in the past or not. I'm guessing that an average agrarian person in ancient India might be impressed with what people today take for granted. Brain plasticity is getting more and more attention and research. Modern education and life-long reading and learning may indeed reshape the anatomy and physiology of brain function -- something not thought possible several decades ago. I wonder if this may result in some hereditary changes -- which if such occurs, could make increasingly educated societies as quite distinct from past generations -- particularly 1000-3000-5000 years back. And technology has raised the bar as to what are fascinating powers. People in the past who may have been impressed with an advanced yogi with super ritam abilities -- may yawn off at such when the whole world of knowledge is increasingly at our fingertips. Some excerpts -- which I am sure don't do full justice to the field. * Neuroplasticity (variously referred to as brain plasticity, cortical plasticity or cortical re-mapping) refers to changes that occur in the organization of the brain as a result of experience. The brain consists of cells which are interconnected, and learning may happen through changing of the strength of the connections, by adding or removing connections, or by adding new cells. Plasticity relates to learning by adding or removing connections, or adding cells. ... However, studies determined that environmental changes could alter behavior and cognition by modifying connections between existing neurons and via neurogenesis in the hippocampus and other parts of the brain, including the cerebellum[4]. Decades of research have now shown that substantial changes occur in the lowest neocortical processing areas, and that these changes can profoundly alter the pattern of neuronal activation in response to experience. According to the theory of neuroplasticity; thinking, learning, and acting actually change both the brain's physical structure (anatomy) and functional organization (physiology) from top to bottom. Neuroscientists are presently engaged in a reconciliation of critical period studies demonstrating the immutability of the brain after development with the new findings on neuroplasticity, which reveal the mutability of both structural and functional aspects. A substantial paradigm shift is now under way: Canadian psychiatrist Norman Doidge has in fact stated that neuroplasticity is one of the most extraordinary discoveries of the twentieth century.[5] Michael Merzenich is a neuroscientist who has been one of the pioneers of brain plasticity for over three decades. He has made some of the most ambitious claims for the field - that brain exercises may be as useful as drugs to treat diseases as severe as schizophrenia - that plasticity exists from cradle to the grave, and that radical improvements in cognitive functioning - how we learn, think, perceive, and remember are possible even in the elderly.[5] ... It was as though the brain didn't want to waste any `cortical real estate' and had found a way to rewire itself.[5] This implied brain plasticity during the critical period. .. Merzenich asserted that if the brain map could normalize its structure in response to abnormal input, the prevailing view that we are born with a hardwired system had to be wrong. The brain had to be plastic.[5] * But if it was big news that we shouldn't be overshadowed by or identify with the objects of perception was big news back then...then maybe they were different in some way. I am trying to figure out why they made such a big deal out of something that seems obvious to me. Every hang out with a woman from a country who does not educate women? Education makes a huge difference in mental development. But specifically, I am not dissing people in the past. I am trying to figure out what their point was. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: snip I believe that some people have more or less intelligence, or have a better ability to
[FairfieldLife] Re: A Pretty Great Short Video
great find-- i recognized awhile ago while shooting video that it is very hard to duplicate all of the dolly effects used in professional cinematography. these guys came up with a cool solution. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavisma...@... wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySrsZuD4w0c (under 5 minutes)
[FairfieldLife] 'A Valentine for Mother Divine'
She became calm, Like a cool breeze, on a hot summer's day... After years of changing herself, to fit the season, She now rested. Her death mask was as beautiful as a young girl. Her face shone a light, that was beyond the physical. The golden dust sparkels in the Sun. She is Calm She Loves for Love's Sake, Everything and Everyone. She is Calm. Peace is Good.
[FairfieldLife] Re: A Pretty Great Short Video
It was a great solution for their purpose. For me, it was almost an ideal flick; the wonderful matter-of-factness to it, the play of attention throughout, the uninvolved 'witness' thing, and all those great people living their lives in the sushi bar for the span of the video. Watched it twice right away; totally dug it. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: great find-- i recognized awhile ago while shooting video that it is very hard to duplicate all of the dolly effects used in professional cinematography. these guys came up with a cool solution. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySrsZuD4w0c (under 5 minutes)
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: How the Brain Creates God
On Sun, Feb 8, 2009 at 6:40 PM, ruthsimplicity no_re...@yahoogroups.com wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Nelson nelsonriddle2...@... Don't forget Darwin Day February 12! How can you forget Darwin and his day if you visit FFL? The gene pool is so shallow here it's a wonder you don't scrape bottom.
[FairfieldLife] Re: How the Brain Creates God
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal l.shad...@... How can you forget Darwin and his day if you visit FFL? The gene pool is so shallow here it's a wonder you don't scrape bottom. I am not regular in my visits, as I am not regular in my meditations. :)
