Mahayana

[Piney]

2 minutes ago, XenoFish said:

Sounds similar to the breathing meditation I used to do. Where the whole point wasn't just to focus on the breathing, but to really feel it. Seems like focal meditation really.

That's what it is. I'm not really practicing what I preach anymore though. My sister dies, I go to prison, my stepfather dies, I come out sick. A aneurysm breaks and I lost my balance. I have maintained my diet but I rarely work out with my blades or meditate unless I'm really off kilter.

Diet is a big part too. I don't eat junk, fast, or preprepared food. I don't drink soda or energy drinks. High protein low carb. My only carb is rice. Lots of fish. Red meat only once a week. 

There is more to the meditation though. You start to see nature at work yet your still staying empty of all thoughts. Watching corn snakes and jumping spiders hunt. cicadas coming out of their shells. Preying mantis' and cicada wasps hunting and feeding. Moccasins eating chain pickerel. It relaxes you even more. You feel more part of it. You feel more part of the Earth. More balanced. 

 

 

[+Sherapy]

47 minutes ago, Piney said:

You pretty much know all you need to know. It's simplified asceticism without getting carried away. Your in a actual good area to practice it. You were a follow of Spare so you shouldn't even need to know Mudras or Mantras. I stopped using them when some goofy Gaijin started calling them "Ninja" and I was approached with way too many idiotic questions. They are just a focus anyway. You could use sigils. 

Start by finding a quiet spot with natural events happening. Next to a stream is my preference. Cast a sigil to empty your mind and think about nothing.

Now....how to I explain this...ok.  To teach yourself to "take in all in"  look straight ahead. Stick your arms out on either side and wiggle your middle fingers. You should see your middle fingers wiggling in the corners of your eyes.  Look at things that way using your full field of vision. But don't focus on anything. Keep your mind empty. 

Get to the part where you can maintain "empty". We'll go from there.

 

I am struck by how you make suggestions based on our journeys and what we relate to. You are a keen observer, and active listener, Piney. 

[XenoFish]

21 minutes ago, Piney said:

That's what it is. I'm not really practicing what I preach anymore though. My sister dies, I go to prison, my stepfather dies, I come out sick. A aneurysm breaks and I lost my balance. I have maintained my diet but I rarely work out with my blades or meditate unless I'm really off kilter.

Diet is a big part too. I don't eat junk, fast, or preprepared food. I don't drink soda or energy drinks. High protein low carb. My only carb is rice. Lots of fish. Red meat only once a week. 

There is more to the meditation though. You start to see nature at work yet your still staying empty of all thoughts. Watching corn snakes and jumping spiders hunt. cicadas coming out of their shells. Preying mantis' and cicada wasps hunting and feeding. Moccasins eating chain pickerel. It relaxes you even more. You feel more part of it. You feel more part of the Earth. More balanced. 

 

 

The best and most functional type of meditation seems to be living fully in the moment. 

[Piney]

4 minutes ago, Sherapy said:

I am struck by how you make suggestions based on our journeys and what we relate to. You are a keen observer, and active listener, Piney. 

"Medicine Man" training. I started at 10. The first thing you learn is observation and how people's minds work. Then you learn to manipulate their minds. I took it further. Realized the underlying animism in my stepsister's uncle's Tendai and wanted to learn.  I realized that I could use it and improve my skills as a Kiimochknii. Which is more of a "spiritual police officer" than healer. 

[+Sherapy]

1 minute ago, Piney said:

"Medicine Man" training. I started at 10. The first thing you learn is observation and how people's minds work. Then you learn to manipulate their minds. I took it further. Realized the underlying animism in my stepsister's uncle's Tendai and wanted to learn.  I realized that I could use it and improve my skills as a Kiimochknii. Which is more of a "spiritual police officer" than healer. 

Interesting. What does a spiritual police officer do?

[Amita]

Being only a lazy bookworm, I have discovered that Mahayana not only 'carries all' to Bodhi, but also has almost countless 'vehicles' to do so.  Also called Dharma doors are the many methods of cultivation.  

Some of you sound like you are attracted to mind watching mind sorts of practice.  Here are some of Master Hua's teachings on Chan Meditation, with an Introductory talk by Great Master Hsu Yun:

https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/Hsuan-Hua-Chan-Handbook.pdf

[Piney]

1 minute ago, Sherapy said:

Interesting. What does a spiritual police officer do?

Handle bad "woo". Make items used in ceremonies. Scare the bejesus out of screw ups who think you can control spirits and shapeshift. 

Think about a "Skinwalker" who knows Shaolin martial arts. I terrify those rubes.

[+Sherapy]

18 minutes ago, XenoFish said:

The best and most functional type of meditation seems to be living fully in the moment. 

I love this, I have my own version of a living meditation going on too.

I connect to Piney's suggestion of holding the emptiness for longer, for me I call it the silence. Years ago I hired a meditation teacher and he gave me one suggestion: he said go to the silence that is already there and expand it.

It reminds me of yoga, with ujayi breathing between the inhale and the exhale there is a pause and with practice we try to increase this pause at times it is effortless, at times a struggle. I am just a human have good days and bad days. Lol 

When I was caring for the Psycho lady the only way I could reconnect to my inner meditative state was by running a few miles every morning. There were times my body would crave running and my body would urge me to go to the point I just had to run. The mind body connection is very wise. 

 

Edited September 17, 2018 by Sherapy

[+Sherapy]

11 minutes ago, Piney said:

Handle bad "woo". Make items used in ceremonies. Scare the bejesus out of screw ups who think you can control spirits and shapeshift. 

Think about a "Skinwalker" who knows Shaolin martial arts. I terrify those rubes.

Wow, very interesting. 

What is bad woo? 

Are you into chakra's at all? 

Edited September 17, 2018 by Sherapy

[Piney]

Just now, Sherapy said:

Wow, very interesting. 

What is bad woo? 

Curses, evil spirits, hauntings.

The Shorin Ryu ( Shaolin Boxing) actually improved my contortionist skills to do the whole shapeshifter show.  My youngest son is better. He gets into it. He started learning when he was 8 though.  He's not as good of a contortionist but he knows how to use shadows and mimicry better.  His panther growl scares me. 

 

[Piney]

11 minutes ago, Sherapy said:

When I was caring for the Psycho lady the only way I could reconnect to my inner meditative state was by running a few miles every morning. There were times my body would crave running and my body would urge me to go to the point I just had to run. The mind body connection is very wise. 

 

I'd do it through the brush. Through the swamp. Jumping over and ducking under obstacles. Sometimes I would have my short jians in my hands working on my cutting moves.

[+Sherapy]

6 minutes ago, Piney said:

Curses, evil spirits, hauntings.

The Shorin Ryu ( Shaolin Boxing) actually improved my contortionist skills to do the whole shapeshifter show.  My youngest son is better. He gets into it. He started learning when he was 8 though.  He's not as good of a contortionist but he knows how to use shadows and mimicry better.  His panther growl scares me. 

 

Wow, very interesting. Well you certainly are unique. 

[Piney]

Just now, Sherapy said:

Wow, very interesting. Well you certainly are unique. 

ASD child mind. I always want to learn more. I've never lost my child inquisitiveness. 

[+Sherapy]

2 minutes ago, Piney said:

I'd do it through the brush. Through the swamp. Jumping over and ducking under obstacles. Sometimes I would have my short jians in my hands working on my cutting moves.

My only claim to badassery is I ran hills, up and down very steep hills for 3 miles. Lol 

Geez Piney, you sure you are not really Tarzan? 

[+Sherapy]

Just now, Piney said:

ASD child mind. I always want to learn more. I've never lost my child inquisitiveness. 

Very cool, you are a wealth of knowlegde. Well read and interesting. 

[Piney]

Just now, Sherapy said:

Geez Piney, you sure you are not really Tarzan? 

You don't think I look like him? 

[+Sherapy]

4 minutes ago, Piney said:

You don't think I look like him? 

As a matter of fact.... I see a resemblance, you are hotter though. 

[Piney]

4 minutes ago, Sherapy said:

As a matter of fact.... I see a resemblance, you are hotter though. 

A old logger we call "Uncle Steve" who was in the Navy caught me on it. He said "Son, your built like a friggin Shaolin Monk". I said "Yup, I practice Shorin Ryu but keep it in your helmet I like the edge of others not knowing". 

Edited September 17, 2018 by Piney

[Piney]

18 minutes ago, Sherapy said:

Very cool, you are a wealth of knowlegde. Well read and interesting. 

Back on topic. Dogma and Doctrine. I consider it garbage. We enlighten ourselves by listening to different opinions then figuring what's best for ourselves. People are over complicating spiritual growth when they should simplify it. But I think they do that to keep control of their followers. 

[+Sherapy]

9 minutes ago, Piney said:

Back on topic. Dogma and Doctrine. I consider it garbage. We enlighten ourselves by listening to different opinions then figuring what's best for ourselves. People are over complicating spiritual growth when they should simplify it. But I think they do that to keep control of their followers. 

Well said, I think for me, "spirituality" is keeping things simple, pure, no dogma it is trying things out and then letting the experience speak its insights to me for my own journey,  whatever that is at the time. There isn't just one way, all paths have value even if it is to remind myself of what not to do or be. 

The conversation we have had today, together was delightful and enriching, thank you Piney. 

Edited September 17, 2018 by Sherapy

[StarMountainKid]

48 minutes ago, Amita said:

Being only a lazy bookworm, I have discovered that Mahayana not only 'carries all' to Bodhi, but also has almost countless 'vehicles' to do so.  Also called Dharma doors are the many methods of cultivation.  

Some of you sound like you are attracted to mind watching mind sorts of practice.  Here are some of Master Hua's teachings on Chan Meditation, with an Introductory talk by Great Master Hsu Yun:

https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/Hsuan-Hua-Chan-Handbook.pdf

Very interesting link. To my mind: Taoism - Chan - Zen. I have a book, 'Original Teachings of Ch'an Buddhism', translated by Chang Chung-Yuan, Pahtheon Books, 1969.

Also, 'The Tao of Zen', Ray Grigg, Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1994. in which is stated there is actually very little Buddhism in Chan. When Buddhism came to China, it was considered an inferior version of Taoism. Chan is actually Taoism disguised as Buddhism. An interesting read. 

Just some thoughts. 

[Piney]

Just now, Sherapy said:

Well said, I think for me, "spirituality" is keeping things simple, pure, no dogma it is trying things out and then letting the experience speak its insights to me for my own journey,  whatever that is at the time. There isn't just one way, all paths have value even if it is to remind ourselves of what not to do. 

The conversation we have had today, together was delightful and enriching, thank you Piney. 

In real Algonquian Spirituality. We don't have leaders, just advisors and there are many different opinions. 

[+Sherapy]

10 minutes ago, StarMountainKid said:

Very interesting link. To my mind: Taoism - Chan - Zen. I have a book, 'Original Teachings of Ch'an Buddhism', translated by Chang Chung-Yuan, Pahtheon Books, 1969.

Also, 'The Tao of Zen', Ray Grigg, Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1994. in which is stated there is actually very little Buddhism in Chan. When Buddhism came to China, it was considered an inferior version of Taoism. Chan is actually Taoism disguised as Buddhism. An interesting read. 

Just some thoughts. 

I am more interested in having my own experience than reading about others whom I will never know. My inspirations show up in my everyday life, my hair stylist, my kids, the elderly who have dementia with whom I work with, other people's kids, my friends, my hubby, my comrades on UM, the wisest oerson I know right now is a 9 year old girl with cerebral palsy, she is pure everything, life, joy, love, she teaches me so much just doing her.

I am not against reading or recommends, but I think the best teacher is life and those who I know who are living it. 

Edited September 17, 2018 by Sherapy

[StarMountainKid]

Just now, Sherapy said:

I am more interested in having my own experience than reading about others whom I will never know. My inspirations show up in my everyday life, my hair stylist, my kids, the elderly who have dementia with whom I work with, other people's kids, my friends, my hubby, my comrades on UM. 

I am not against reading or recommends, but I think the best teacher is

life and those who I know who are living it. 

I wasn't recommending, I was just reminded by Amita's link to '.The Chan Handbook' by Hsuan-Hua. 

Personal experience is, of course, what it's all about. Though I do think it's interesting to have some background knowledge. 

[+Sherapy]

51 minutes ago, StarMountainKid said:

I wasn't recommending, I was just reminded by Amita's link to '.The Chan Handbook' by Hsuan-Hua. 

Personal experience is, of course, what it's all about. Though I do think it's interesting to have some background knowledge. 

Absolutely, you should pursue what works for you and post thing so you think are viable. I am not against books by any means, just limit them in my spiritual pursuits. I enjoy your posts too.