UnbornTao

Fuck what anyone says -- including oneself. Ultimately, it is always about personal comprehension. Short of that, why defend a notion, something assumed, that essentially boils down to "hearsay" or rumor in one's experience? We could start with the simple fact that we don't really know who Jesus was or what he said (or most other "religious" figures for that matter). So how could we assume belief is warranted here? Do we even know what it is that's being believed? Have we taken the trouble to investigate belief itself -- something that, by its very nature, isn't and can't be true? Again, I think a claim like "Jesus wasn't a Christian" can illuminate this whole dynamic of faith. But it's clear that a belief was adopted at some point, displacing any possibility for insight to occur, unless the belief is challenged.

It's usually hard for anyone to challenge their own presumptions about themselves and existence, especially the deepest ones. Yet, the ones consciously adopted -- being more superficial -- are more easily recognized as artifice. In other words, you likely notice, at some level, that they are just beliefs -- as something that is not true for you; you simply like them. Hopefully, they're beneficial in some way, but that doesn't make them true. And, especially with religion, they more often than not undermine genuine inquiry. I'd invite you to consider why you feel so drawn to adopting and believing in a set of presumptions in the first place -- and to notice that this has nothing to do with honesty. An assertion such as "Buddha wasn't a Buddhist" isn't just a cute saying; it points to the principle of responsibility. It isn’t so much about what Jesus said -- it's about the mass of people, not having truly grasped what is being conveyed, yet believing in it nonetheless and use it as a pretext for all kinds of unconscious behavior -- which often is directly antithetical to what the original guy said. This is a propagation of ignorance, not consciousness. But we aren't aware of this difference.

Jesus, another religion is emerging. Faith and doubt (questioning) are not the same; as a matter of fact, the former tends to preclude the latter. A "crisis of faith" occurs when someone starts doubting their faith -- questioning it. One of the main appeals of adopting a religion is that it seems to relieve us of any personal responsibility. Why go through the struggle of challenging one's conception of existence and self and go towards what's genuine, when taking on a nice set of beliefs is so much easier and faster? But what does this result in?

I don't know about the 'hate' part directed at any particular religion, but it turns out that religion and true questioning are pretty much antithetical pursuits.

Banned. And thread locked. Seriously though, as a joke the idea can be fun. Moving to Entertainment subforum.

Clarify for yourself: Why do you practice it and teach it? What do you want to get out of this pursuit? For example, if your goal is to understand the workings of the body, then that would be the direction to go. The practice could be embraced as a means of investigating the body, movement, and so on. If there's an element of fantasy involved, recognizing this may be challenging and could lead to a sense of hopelessness for a time -- but that depends on why you're doing it. Your goal might be teaching a beneficial physical practice that you enjoy, sharing it with others and bringing them value. Or perhaps your purpose is something less explicit, like promoting mindfulness, or mental wellbeing, or whatever, through physical exercise. Notice how this would shift your relationship to Qigong, making it about something beyond the practice itself while still actualized through it. Besides, realize that this purpose could take many forms, Qigong being one of them. Moreover, keep in mind that you can practice something like yoga without adopting all the conceptual baggage that comes with it. Your experience of the practice is distinct from the set of concepts that accompany it -- concepts that may or may not be accurate, but are, in the end, representations. Again, clarifying -- or reframing -- your purpose is invaluable. And this is something you can consciously create. edit: I just read some of your other responses. It sounds like you're quite clear on it.

You must exercise, if you want health, or better health. The intensity and frequency depends, but point taken. Good reminder!

Fictional, but Aragorn.

I wish I knew more about Kant's work to refute that. Give me a decade to take a look at it. Weren't his contributions a turning point for philosophy as a whole? The guy might have had an enlightenment experience.

Where science?

Hey, ever considered being a mod yourself? Thank you for all that.

... Jesus Christ.

Great journal, inspiring. Frequently this seems to be the case: Practice > theory.

You need to experience something new! That is to say, merely going through the motions in your mind isn’t the point of growth or consciousness. You have to encounter, see, notice--become aware of--something new within your experience. To experience something differently--toward greater clarity, freedom, and truth.

You can discuss these things in your own journal thread, through DM, or in your posts, and even start a specific abuse case thread if you'd like. Overall, keep the forum focused on promoting growth and consciousness. But thanks for the heads-up.

I think it would be useful to start fresh: What is struggle? Is it actually essential? If so, to what degree? Can some of it be unnecessarily generated? And then contemplate from there.

@Ishanga @OBEler stop it already.

https://fb.watch/ycjZW4G1_9/?mibextid=z4kJoQ

And it seems to apply to living beings in general; we humans are just very prolific at it. It goes deeper than resisting one's experience, doesn't it? Asking "What within our experience isn't completely at ease and free?" creates a contrast to better see the dynamic of struggle.

I'd say you do, for the most part, not as blame but as fact. For example: Doesn't it seem that in the very act of dividing things into good and bad experiences -- which is necessary for you, by the way -- it already gives rise to struggle, among other things that you do? A rock doesn't seem to struggle. Why is that? What is the case for us such that struggle can occur?

Stop the drama already.

I’d suggest that survival isn’t just an ancillary process, it is your life. The experience you’re having right now is survival in action. For instance, consider that your very perception itself is a survival occurrence. Sorry I'm not addressing the play part in here. Might do that at a later time.