What I love about this forum... how about you?

[ben_s]

Maybe it would encourage Hilary if we talk about what we like most about the site. I'll start with a post I put in another thread. I'd like to use this one to focus on what is already excellent here. Here's my take:

The human element is exactly what I love about this forum! I really like the way there's the exploration of the ancient wisdom, of course. There's common sense, experience, and everyday life shared. Sometimes seriously, sometimes with fun. There's respect for the people, while disagreeing with the points they made. It's all good!

All of this inspires me. I enjoy it. I don't want to change it. I want to participate in it as it is. Selfishly, I want to see the fewest possible changes to the forum, that are consistent with Hilary's business goals!

Some people I encounter in everyday life bring along negativity and despair. They turn away from anything about wisdom or introspection. (I don't just mean they don't take my advice! ) In addition, I'm going through a whole lot of heavy-duty things in my own life these days. I guess I'm a really pondering type right now. This forum helps me see a bigger picture.

It does me good to join in a discussion around a spiritual concept that was here long before we came along and that will far outlast us. I have people in my everyday life that are into mainstream Christianity, or New Age thought, or hard-core evangelistic atheism (!)... but not the I Ching.

I guess I do bring a pretty serious attitude here. Just because I don't always join in a joke doesn't mean I look down on it. Just because I sometimes get so worried or serious I don't talk from the heart, doesn't mean I don't want to be open hearted.

And what do all y'all think? What's best about this site for you?

[dobro]

I think the word that sums up what you're describing about this place is 'sangha'.

A lot of people who come here don't see it that way (a lot of people who come here see it as a visit to the fortune teller, and a lot of others just enjoy hanging out with like-minded eccentrics lol) but you and I see it as sangha. As sanghas go, though, it's kinda sloppy, cuz so many people who come here don't treat it as such.

[sparhawk]

or New Age thought, or hard-core evangelistic atheism (!)... but not the I Ching.

Not as oxymoronic as it sounds. I've met many of those in my life... :D Almost as dangerous as religious fundamentalists.

[sparhawk]

just enjoy hanging out with like-minded eccentrics lol) but you and I see it as sangha. As sanghas go, though, it's kinda sloppy, cuz so many people who come here don't treat it as such.

LOL! Like you can exclude yourself from that dearest group. For you it would be that plus sangha... :rofl:

[rosada]

In daily life we are subject to so much what I call "content free conversation." We speak off the top of our heads and the people we talk to rarely know anything different from what we already know.
I love it here at onlineclarity because we have time to consider what we want to say. We have the time to figure out our true feelings before we speak and the responses we get are usually equally well thought out and give us valuable new perspectives.
Plus you all think of me as being skinny, good looking and rich, Yes?

[listener]

Plus you all think of me as being skinny, good looking and rich, Yes?

Absolutely! BUt somewhere in there is this image of socks and sandals... and they look great on you...Gucci, OF COURSE!

Of course, what everyone probably sees in their image of me is Rice Kripsie Treat crumbs on my sweater. I guess I like this forum because I can confess to such a faux pas...being an eccentric and all

here's a treat for the old hippies on board......this jukebox will play in the background as you do other things.....it is a gift to all my forum buddies because I like you guys

http://www.tropicalglen.com/index.html

[meng]

Listener, really cool juke site. Thanks! Gads, those 50's tunes :eek:.

Sangha - I used to think of this forum that way, or at least aspired to help make it so, but it continuously felt as though I was pushing on a string.

[sergio]

YEAH!great site!See,that's one the the things I like from the forum but mostly the exchange of information,links,opinions...the list is endless.But we already know that....that's why we are here all the time,curious about what will show up next,what to learn or discard or just to see what the brotherhood is up to today...
Sergio

[maremaria]

I’ve been in this forum for less than a year. I sign in because it was easier than other forums, because It was free ( didn’t have to decide whether I wanted to pay a subscription or not ) .
My first posts was, hmm, the kind of Luis’ favourites questions ;)

I stayed because I met some very interesting people. For me the forum IS the people. When those people share their knowledge or their ignorance I like it. When people discuss and a see a subject evolves, and all discover new meanings, new things, I like it. When people care about the others and help them with advices or just hear them I like it. When people have fun together I like it. I have been heard, helped about personal issues, I have learn thing about Yi, and I feel grateful for those things I have been given. Since I’m new to Yijing, I have not a lot to give but everything I give is from the heart and I think that has some value, at least to me. This is why I spend some of my very limited free time here. And there are times , when interesting discussions take place and I don’t have the time to follow them I feel frustrated with my lack of time. Those times , although I can’t I wish I could have the time to be here.

But there are times, that even if I have some time, I prefer to be somewhere else because I can’t find here what I like. Till now there were good times and bad times for me. So for me, in this imperfect community, as any other community, what I like is some people I can hang out.

[fkegan]

Listener, really cool juke site. Thanks! Gads, those 50's tunes :eek:.

Sangha - I used to think of this forum that way, or at least aspired to help make it so, but it continuously felt as though I was pushing on a string.

I appreciate the ironic counterpoint in the above quote.

I had to reach back to remember my ancient Indian Buddhism class to figure out "sangha" and then I remembered the generally accepted view, in terms of ancient Indian Buddhism, that the original insights and transcendental faith-community or sangha only lasted for half a millennium after Buddha's death.

Communities have a place the folks congregate and a Dispensation maintained by the ruler of that place. I greatly enjoy both the virtual salt lick/water hole of the Yi savanna and the spirit that Hilary creates and maintains upon her site.

Frank (Kegan)

[getojack]

I had to reach back to remember my ancient Indian Buddhism class to figure out "sangha" and then I remembered the generally accepted view, in terms of ancient Indian Buddhism, that the original insights and transcendental faith-community or sangha only lasted for half a millennium after Buddha's death.

hmm... this is a rather restricted interpretation of the meaning of "sangha," i believe. what are buddhist monasteries, if not sanghas? what is this existence in samsara, if not a sangha, through which we attempt to learn our true natures?

i rather think of this particular community as akin to what the japanese call a "dojo"... a place where we can practice our skills in verbal combat, pick up a few pointers, learn a little, teach a little, and just enjoy the journey.

[dobro]

Listener, really cool juke site. Thanks! Gads, those 50's tunes :eek:.

Sangha - I used to think of this forum that way, or at least aspired to help make it so, but it continuously felt as though I was pushing on a string.

For me, this site includes a sangha function, because I can share ideas about spiritual stuff with certain people here and

1 they will understand what I'm talking about (they will know what 'sangha' means, for instance)

2 they won't reject me or view me with suspicion because I'm interested in this kind of thing

For me, that kind of support and understanding and exchange and spiritual focus is what sangha is about. But yeah, this place is 'sangha lite' lol.

[meng]

But yeah, this place is 'sangha lite' lol.

lol!

[fkegan]

lol!

Sangha, Dojo, Laya Center, Locus, many names for a place where a group of folks are found together. Their definition also a matter of debate, though in general neither the word used or the group as objectively assayed has much hard content.

Perhaps that is the punchline in the Indian Buddhism story that the original truth of Sangha was lost within 500 years for various reasons meeting the current commentators expectations and thus current suffering.

Communities run upon the intensity of inward-directed development which is then the gyroscopic foundation of the available interaction amongst the folks involved who may share their insights or just their jokes outwardly, but none of that matters.

Those who get hung up in those outer trappings keep finding their attempts to make the environment fit their expectations painful. Or in more general terms, if you are seeing the mote in the other folks' eye through their postings, you would probably do well to have the log in your own looked after...

Frank

[meng]

Sangha, Dojo, Laya Center, Locus, many names for a place where a group of folks are found together. Their definition also a matter of debate, though in general neither the word used or the group as objectively assayed has much hard content.

Perhaps that is the punchline in the Indian Buddhism story that the original truth of Sangha was lost within 500 years for various reasons meeting the current commentators expectations and thus current suffering.

Communities run upon the intensity of inward-directed development which is then the gyroscopic foundation of the available interaction amongst the folks involved who may share their insights or just their jokes outwardly, but none of that matters.

Those who get hung up in those outer trappings keep finding their attempts to make the environment fit their expectations painful. Or in more general terms, if you are seeing the mote in the other folks' eye through their postings, you would probably do well to have the log in your own looked after...

Frank

All of that in response to "lol!"? Wow, you're a generous guy.

[dobro]

lol

Now it's my turn.

[topal]

Communities run upon the intensity of inward-directed development which is then the gyroscopic foundation of the available interaction amongst the folks involved who may share their insights or just their jokes outwardly, but none of that matters.


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/sizkar/funny_animal_pics_5.jpg

[fkegan]

All of that in response to "lol!"? Wow, you're a generous guy.

Hi Meng,
I am. Thank You.

More to the point, I was reacting to the entire set of your earlier posts. Issues of Community are their own universe, which tend to be seen through a glass darkly which encourages mirror reflection which appears to some folks as what they see through the window.:D

Frank

[meng]

Frank, actively hang around for seven or eight years, post around 8 or 9 thousand times, observe carefully, and then come and lecture me about specs and logs. Glass darkly indeed.

[frank_r]

For me it is a learning space, talking over the Yi. Talking personal what you see in an answer from the Yi. Share thought and feelings with words.

And everything with words in a foreign language. (Still find it quit difficult to make a joke in an other language). And I still find it amazing to be in a sort of world village, sitting here and talking to all kinds of people from all over the world.

And sometimes I really get inspired like the links of beautifull websites and videoclips like the one last about the woman with the brainhemorrhage.

For the rest there are a lot of interesting people with a lot of knowledge who are also interested in the Yi, and where can you find more people who know so much about this subject. So you can test and practice your knowledge and in the meantime have some fun.

Sometimes I only read for some time other times I feel invited in the discussion, but it is nice to pick your moment.

This is my second year here and I usually have a look each day.

Frank

[sparhawk]

Frank, actively hang around for seven or eight years, post around 8 or 9 thousand times, observe carefully, and then come and lecture me about specs and logs. Glass darkly indeed.

LOL! This is a small circus, indeed. Monty Phyton version. Hey, I have an animal already! Don't even think about tagging another one to my charming personality! :rofl: If I have to tag one to Bruce, it would be a "phoenix" (Western version, colorful feathers, fire, ashes and all that...) :D

[rosada]

Oh my, Listener! How could you tell there were socks with the sandals? You're so good!

Thanks for this station. Maybe you'll feel like posting it again on the thread I just started for saving all our favorite sites.

[trojan]

You told us all once you were wearing black socks with your sandals - its something we can never forget :D

[sparhawk]

You told us all once you were wearing black socks with your sandals - its something we can never forget :D

Oh!! My eyes!!! (http://scienceblogs.com/transcript/2006/08/nerd_fashion_sandals_with_sock.php) :rofl:

https://www.yogasandals.com/wholesale/images/1007-1.jpg

[trojan]

:rofl:

[rosada]

:eek:
I am not recommending this for the Sites Worth Seeing thread.

[meng]

If I have to tag one to Bruce, it would be a "phoenix" (Western version, colorful feathers, fire, ashes and all that...) :D

As images go, it's a good one. But if I had an image I'd only have to destroy it again, and again, and.... But then I guess we're back to the phoenix, aren't we? Do you (or anyone) know if the Phoenix's image ever changed, or did it return always looking and acting the same? It seems really vain to go through all the drama of changing, but always remaining unchanged.

Which I guess raises the fundamental question: Can people change, really? All this talk about forums lately, which Hilary has pointed out, are made up of people. So if there's discussion about changing the forum, it would be good to know if people can change. Watching the cycles over time, it seems when one yang personality leaves, another yang personality enters, and likewise for yin personalities. The balance is more complex than yin and yang, and that balance is constantly adjusting and readjusting itself to reach it's own level. Philosopher for philosopher, preacher for preacher, scholar for scholar, one goes out and one comes in. I figured that this time around I'd come back not knowing and not being, but the question remains: can people really change?

[sparhawk]

As images go, it's a good one. But if I had an image I'd only have to destroy it again, and again, and.... But then I guess we're back to the phoenix, aren't we? Do you (or anyone) know if the Phoenix's image ever changed, or did it return always looking and acting the same? It seems really vain to go through all the drama of changing, but always remaining unchanged.

Not really...

"It is known to be a mythical multi-colored bird of Arabia, with a long history of artistic and literary symbolism, the Phoenix is one of a kind. At the end of its five-hundred-year existence, it perches on its nest of spices and sings until sunlight ignites the masses. After the body is consumed in flames, a worm emerges and develops into the next Phoenix"
So, burned to ashes and back as a "worm" that develops into a phoenix. That's a different phoenix to me... :D


IMO, people doesn't change. They can bend, straw like, and it depends on how dry they are in life to either snap or bounce back.

[fkegan]

Frank, actively hang around for seven or eight years, post around 8 or 9 thousand times, observe carefully, and then come and lecture me about specs and logs. Glass darkly indeed.

Hi Meng,
I find your posts such delightful puzzles [what did he say? what did he mean? What button got pushed?]. I was just pointing out the ironies I felt in your post--they have great juxtapositions even though you rarely clothe them in enough words to be explicit. Maybe another seven years will be the charm? Hope springs eternal.

I'll meet your 8 years here with 40 years seeking community about this Earth, online, and in the ethereal realms, but as the saying goes its all about the here-and-now. Also, I always thought that "seeing through a glass darkly" applied to the limitations of mortal human perception--I certainly didn't mean to insinuate your glasses needing cleaning, and my apologies if that is what you drew from my remark.:o:bows:

In terms of Change...is it possible?, does it happen?, is it worth the hassle? I would suggest everything remains in the Tao all the time and thus always unique yet all ways if not the same at least equal...

There is the notion that all change can be seen in terms of 3 layers concentric around our Center of perception and although each change is unique to its timing, they fit into the overall patterns of these 6 (2 each for every circle or layer) sensitive spots which may be either focus or not--the result is a set of 64 binary patterns or hexagrams which can be used for Clarity about things....

The value or hassle of change is a matter of personal taste (I prefer BBQ-- the ultimate change of carcass to Divine delight shared by all). There was a fellow named Siddhartha who spent a lifetime answering that question as Lao Tzu was writing instructional poetry.

Perhaps you could go back to calling me Dr. Frank to differentiate my Taoist tweaking of your long greybeard of Confucian Sangha-tude from other Franks who deserve better treatment than that...


Socks with sandals are important if you travel through winter climes. I once left Toronto to visit friends in Buffalo, lovely winter's day in Toronto grass still green all around. Bit of talk at the bus station that there were 4 feet of snow in Buffalo, seemed more like 4 inches of snow at the Border, but in Downtown Buffalo it was a howling blizzard of 4 feet of snow. Waiting at the bus stop en route to my friends, I was sure glad I had gone formal and worn socks with my Birkenstocks for my international journey.

Frank (Dr.Kegan to distinguish myself to Meng):D

[meng]

*long, satisfying fart*

[meng]

Not really...

"It is known to be a mythical multi-colored bird of Arabia, with a long history of artistic and literary symbolism, the Phoenix is one of a kind. At the end of its five-hundred-year existence, it perches on its nest of spices and sings until sunlight ignites the masses. After the body is consumed in flames, a worm emerges and develops into the next Phoenix"
So, burned to ashes and back as a "worm" that develops into a phoenix. That's a different phoenix to me... :D


IMO, people doesn't change. They can bend, straw like, and it depends on how dry they are in life to either snap or bounce back.

Thanks for the background, Luis. So, perhaps wormYi and phoenix are related?

Yes, that's similar to my own view, which is that who we are doesn't ever change, but how we are may.

[listener]

Rofl

[fkegan]

Thanks for the background, Luis. So, perhaps wormYi and phoenix are related?

Yes, that's similar to my own view, which is that who we are doesn't ever change, but how we are may.

Hi Meng,
Isn't that the fundamental argument over natal horoscopes or about the artistry of actors who just deliver the same script lines in every performance?

Folks can change, but even when they do are they different or just the next expression of the same person?

Frank

[topal]

This thread is funny.:D

(I'm fighting a bout of the blues at the moment so this is welcome indeed).

As to whether people can change...Yes, but I think it's pretty rare. Folks generally adapt rather than change. Any real change of the fundamental kind usually only comes from series of shocks or a few big shocks. Or a "road to Damascus" moment.

I like to think I've changed for the better over the years - but maybe I've just found new ingenious ways to buffer myself from truth. After all, that's what we do best.

Getting back on topic I like this forum because you can have such high-falutin' threads full of knowledge and erudition and at the same time there's always space for "a long satisfying fart." :rofl:

I'd say that's from the sublime to the ridiculous: a combination that always works for me. ;)

Topal

[listener]

This thread is funny.:D

(I'm fighting a bout of the blues at the moment so this is welcome indeed).

As to whether people can change...Yes, but I think it's pretty rare. Folks generally adapt rather than change. Any real change of the fundamental kind usually only comes from series of shocks or a few big shocks. Or a "road to Damascus" moment.

I like to think I've changed for the better over the years - but maybe I've just found new ingenious ways to buffer myself from truth. After all, that's what we do best.

Getting back on topic I like this forum because you can have such high-falutin' threads full of knowledge and erudition and at the same time there's always space for "a long satisfying fart." :rofl:

I'd say that's from the sublime to the ridiculous: a combination that always works for me. ;)

Topal

sorry to hear you have the blues, Topal.

"new ingenious ways to buffer myself from the truth"......hmmm, what seems more likely to me is that we "change" when we find new ways to escape the lies that hold us down. The truth is freeing because it is never bad news.

I've been laughing all day at Bruce's long, satisfying ****:rofl:

[topal]

sorry to hear you have the blues, Topal.

:)

"new ingenious ways to buffer myself from the truth"......hmmm, what seems more likely to me is that we "change" when we find new ways to escape the lies that hold us down. The truth is freeing because it is never bad news.

Yeah, that too. But Facing the lies is a phrase I prefer.
The truth is freeing IF we are able to really discern what it is....That seems to be the tricky part.

I've been laughing all day at Bruce's long, satisfying ****

I'd say that's an example of an instinctive truth manifesting. (Come to Clarity and free your inner self :D )

Topal

[trojan]

This thread is funny.:D

(I'm fighting a bout of the blues at the moment so this is welcome indeed).


Topal

Its most unusual for a hare to be despondent at this time of year ! Isn't this the time of year they go bananas dashing around 'boxing' and mating. C'mon Topal connect with your inner hare :D

Get out in a field and run about a bit.

Hope you soon feel better.

[meng]

I am deeply honored, it is the first time I've ever been quoted.

[maremaria]

Topal,
Here... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk)comes the sun

and I love hearing how Nina Simone says it's all right (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSSIlx9hiu8&feature=related)

:)

[sparhawk]

(I'm fighting a bout of the blues at the moment so this is welcome indeed).



Ah, but did you know that Bruce here can put music to those blues?? He's our very own BB King... :D Hey, Bruce, don't you have a camera to record some sort of guitar jamming and put it on YouTube?? I'd love to see that.

[dobro]

Which I guess raises the fundamental question: Can people change, really?

Really change? Well, yeah, but it depends on which person you're talking about, and it depends on which PART of a person you're talking about.

Let's talk about the conditioned self first, the ego/persona self. It changes from the get go, right? We all learn as kids, we're all conditioned, and that's huge change. But it's on the surface, it's the interact-with-the environment self that's changing and learning and growing here. As you get older, it gets more difficult to change it though, cuz we tend to get set in our ways. So, a guy retires, and then he dies in a year or two cuz his whole life has been conditioned to go to work every day, so he can't adapt/adjust to the big change of retirement, so he's hooped. Or a woman's husband dies, and then she dies soon after. Same thing - inability to change, inability to develop a new ego/persona. Having said that, some people seem to retain a kind of elasticity or flexibility in their ego/persona right up to the end. (At some conference, Rabbi Schacter showed the Dalai Lama how to do a high five - the Dalai Lama's got a flexible ability to learn, even though he's older than you or me. And that's pretty old...)

Okay, let's talk about the essence, the real self, the one we're born with that (arguably) is the outcome of previous life karma and present life tasks/purposes, the capital 'S' self that Jung talked about when he taught us about how to individuate. That one can change too, but it's a lot harder, takes a lot more work, a lot more luck, a lot more help. It changes from life to life, if you live well. But it changes, yeah. But in the case of most people, not so fast that you'd actually notice it lol.

Does that change anything for you? lol

[meng]

Luis, I haven't been that brave, but we'll see. Topal Blues has a nice ring to it.

Dobro, your response seems quite Buddhist, more or less the way I view it also. We really can't call many aspects of our personality our core, because if we were to be reborn, it would be under a different set of personality influences, astrologically. This is from where my whole "Myth Man" image arose, in that it is "me" but not my core. The reason I like the Myth Man idea over the ego idea is because the word ego has such negative connotations, whereas Myth Man is something more akin to our superstructure, or that which has been built upon our core or foundation. Not something negative at all, but something we understand as being essential in order to function in this limited world, which is ordered according to discrimination of our parts.

[getojack]

What fundamental core? Our thoughts change from one instant to the next... (good thing my keyboard has a backspace key... lol)... and even our DNA changes over a long enough time.

[meng]

The one thoughts arise from and return to.

[fkegan]

Thanks for the background, Luis. So, perhaps wormYi and phoenix are related?

Yes, that's similar to my own view, which is that who we are doesn't ever change, but how we are may.

Hi Meng,

What is constant and what changes and what is constantly changing yet remains the same through it all? Seems like an entire set of Buddhist training themes.

Reminds me of the old joke--"how many shrinks does it take to change a light bulb? One can do it, but needs to be assured the bulb wants to change."

Most folks make their own decision on this question, best for themselves than as a judgment upon others, and those who feel they can and are changing resent nay sayers--while those who are just going through changes enjoy the whirl and don't care what is actually happening on the ground.

So, when you declare real change is impossible in terms of who we are what does that do for you--give you stability and grounding or merely justify carrying on whether things feel like they are working out ever or not? :)

Dr. Frank

[meng]

Well said, Frank.

[topal]

Its most unusual for a hare to be despondent at this time of year ! Isn't this the time of year they go bananas dashing around 'boxing' and mating. C'mon Topal connect with your inner hare :D
Get out in a field and run about a bit.
Hope you soon feel better.

Topal,
Here... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk)comes the sun

and I love hearing how Nina Simone says it's all right (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSSIlx9hiu8&feature=related)

:)


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/sizkar/pic8.jpg

Topal :bows:

[sparhawk]

Nah, that looks like Roger Rabit. I thought you look more like this:

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/images/upload/Roger-Rabbit-2-web.jpg

[topal]

Nah, that looks like Roger Rabit. I thought you look more like this:

Only when I have my face on...

:flirt:

Topalette

[topal]

Ah, but did you know that Bruce here can put music to those blues?? He's our very own BB King... :D Hey, Bruce, don't you have a camera to record some sort of guitar jamming and put it on YouTube?? I'd love to see that.

Oh yes, I'm very familiar with Bruce's musical talent.Actually while I'm in my state of creative inebriation courtesy of a fine bottle of bordeaux.... :p

Think Tom Waits or or Nina Simone on crack - whatever - something raw:

Got ma self a hound dowg hunger
Tryin' to walk the line,
lettin' go the gold in life for a nickel 'n' dime

A 56 town and a wandrin' hare
She stripped me down ....and left me bare
Beat me good, put a Hex on me,
Had a micky-finn and found the Yi....

Now I 'ain't so mad... cuz March is done
Spu-riiiiiiiiig is a comin'
Gonna have me some fun,

Got ma self a hound dowg hunger
Which is kinda strange
Cuz I'm a hare not a doggie
With a bad case of mange

But ya'll listen well now
A got clean and good habits
Wanna be true to my nature
And find some good wabbits.


take it away Bruce....

Topal

[meng]

Yeh, very Tom Waitesque - wasted and wounded. Had beers with him at a gig, old Oxford Hotel in Denver. Salt of the earth kinda guy, as one might expect.

I think, though, Tom wouldn't leave any opening for an optimistic out, such as finding and being liberated by the Yi. Mm, but then he did sing often about liberation at the bottom of a whiskey bottle.

I'm not a blues player per se, but I do play some blues. Blues: all you need is 3 chords, 4 notes, and a boat load of hard times.

[listener]

ummm, I think that tune is more suitable for Dobro's banjo. I would like to hear bruce jam along, though, with maybe a rendition of The thrill is Gone, by BB KIng. then we got some blues going on

hey, there is PROOF of change! meng didnt take Frank's bait. ( see post 45 and 46)this is a new non-reactiveness, no?

[dobro]

I think Chris Lofting died and got reborn as Frank.

[meng]

hey, there is PROOF of change! meng didnt take Frank's bait. ( see post 45 and 46)this is a new non-reactiveness, no?

I simply call 'em as I see 'em, nothing deeper or more complicated than that. And though I may learn to trust or not trust someone, I don't do grudges. :)

This isn't directed to you, Listener, but to the forum. The game of "Oh, you reacted, you have buttons, and therefore psychological issues" is just so lame and inhibiting. What is the alternative, to ignore someone? What issues can that then identify? And on and on it goes with these so-called "issues" - which typically are more projections of ones own self than anything.

Someone recently described to me the feeling of participating on this board as: standing alone and naked in the wind. I completely relate to that feeling, and if there are any buttons I try to push, it's dissipating all that unnecessary tension and self consciousness. And if an individual on the forum persists in trying to provoke and antagonize others by intellectually bullying, or other such subversive attempts.... to voice objection or challenge to such is what, reactionary? That makes the aggressor innocent and the defender guilty. Better they should be a victim? Don't even get me started on that one....

Sometimes to be more comfortable, you need to use your elbows to make more room for yourself. If you're not deliberately provoking anyone, there's no harm/no foul. It's up to others to deal with it. If a scuffle breaks out, so what? Too much sensitivity and self consciousness only hurts a forum, and only when this sort of thing is reduced is there actually hope of becoming a community.

[meng]

I think Chris Lofting died and got reborn as Frank.

Dude, that's funny. I'm sure more than one here has asked, where is Chris when we need him?!

[dobro]

Dude, that's funny. I'm sure more than one here has asked, where is Chris when we need him?!

Careful what you wish for...

But you know, it *might* be entertaining watching King Kong vs. Godzilla right here on Sangha Lite.

[listener]

Just FWIW, My comment was not anything like "Oooo, Bruce has buttons, and look, one didnt work" .
It is a rare person who does not react, and when one is being badgered, reaction is probably even called for, in my book. I thought your patience was exceptional, and I was making a joke because the last "reaction" was a fart. it came out wrong. just a joke. sorry bout that. internet forums require that one develop an internet "skin".and that isnt just true of clarity, it is true MOSTLY because of how the written word can be taken ..

there's a lot more to me than frye boots:mischief:

[topal]

Yeh, very Tom Waitesque - wasted and wounded. Had beers with him at a gig, old Oxford Hotel in Denver. Salt of the earth kinda guy, as one might expect.

I think, though, Tom wouldn't leave any opening for an optimistic out, such as finding and being liberated by the Yi. Mm, but then he did sing often about liberation at the bottom of a whiskey bottle.

I'm not a blues player per se, but I do play some blues. Blues: all you need is 3 chords, 4 notes, and a boat load of hard times.


There's a Jim Jarmusch movie which is a few years old now I think, called Coffee and Cigarettes - one of his better ones - where you have Tom Waits and Iggy Pop thrown together. They do their ten minute piece with some largely ad-libbing conversation around a basic story-line. Very funny.

Topal

[topal]

I think Chris Lofting died and got reborn as Frank.

Just the thought that was going through my mind a few days ago...

Topal

[meng]

Listener, it's cool. As I tried to point out, my comments were not directed to or about you or I specifically.

[trojan]

Luis Topal is a man - but Topal is such a feminine name i think many think he is a woman I did for a long time


Caution detail police -actually gender is more than a detail,lol

[topal]

Luis Topal is a man - but Topal is such a feminine name i think many think he is a woman I did for a long time
Caution detail police -actually gender is more than a detail,lol

Geeze hasn't anybody heard of Topal who plays the role of Tevye in the 1971 musical "Fiddler on the Roof"???

(Actually, I had a Russian blue cat called Topal when I was a kid so there's your reason).

Topal - and staying that way

[sparhawk]

Luis Topal is a man - but Topal is such a feminine name i think many think he is a woman I did for a long time

:eek::eek::eek:

Argh!! How do I wipe those fantasies from my brain??? :rofl:

[trojan]

Thats why i had to tell him Topal. Not because i don't like your name (which i do) but because i knew Luis fantasies (generally of a depraved nature) could have a detrimental impact on your aura. For example he has astrally projected boots and whip on to me - still not to worry you should be safe now.

[sparhawk]

Thats why i had to tell him Topal. Not because i don't like your name (which i do) but because i knew Luis fantasies (generally of a depraved nature) could have a detrimental impact on your aura. For example he has astrally projected boots and whip on to me - still not to worry you should be safe now.

Yeah, I'm sure it would destroy Topal's aura (not to mention mine... :eek:) OTOH, I'd like to think is doing marvels to yours... :rofl:

[sparhawk]

See, how could this be bad for anybody's aura?? :rofl:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/VAMPYRRR/BOOTSBLACKLEATHERWHIP.jpg

[sparhawk]

Speaking of guitar jamming, has anybody seen this kid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix4TNJvVk8M&feature=related)?? He's 8! Wow!

[dobro]

See, how could this be bad for anybody's aura?? :rofl:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/VAMPYRRR/BOOTSBLACKLEATHERWHIP.jpg

Gee, how'd you get a snapshot of Trojan? Nice bracelets...

[sparhawk]

Gee, how'd you get a snapshot of Trojan? Nice bracelets...

It's all in my head... I see things... :D I had a case of acute mental myopia with Topal but I've adjusted my glasses. :rofl:

[topal]

It's all in my head... I see things... :D I had a case of acute mental myopia with Topal but I've adjusted my glasses. :rofl:

:rofl::rofl: All part of my fiendish plan...

Topal

[dobro]

Trojan, I understand the height of the boots - they sorta keep the legs warm considering the outfit you've chosen, but don't those pointy heels play hell with flooring?

[sparhawk]

If somebody comes to you wearing that, the welfare of the floor is your first thought?? :rofl:

[trojan]

Trojan, I understand the height of the boots - they sorta keep the legs warm considering the outfit you've chosen, but don't those pointy heels play hell with flooring?

Dobro who needs flooring when you have a carpet of men underfoot...who like to be trodden on :rofl:

Oh no I'm actually playing into the role....:eek: see thats how Luis fantasies are dangerous. Poor Lightangel is bouncing around in pom poms. Topal had a lucky escape from life as a bunny girl.

[fkegan]

Geeze hasn't anybody heard of Topal who plays the role of Tevye in the 1971 musical "Fiddler on the Roof"???

(Actually, I had a Russian blue cat called Topal when I was a kid so there's your reason).

Topal - and staying that way

Hi Topal et al.

Yes, I know the actor from his roles--great actor, his portrayal of the escaped fixer from the Soviet Army who is betrayed by the British and sent back to the East not to freedom in the West--is especially great. He ends the movie dropping his sad expression and returning to his happiness, enjoying the open air ride in the Soviet truck to what objectively should be execution...

Trojan--
I knew Luis fantasies (generally of a depraved nature) could have a detrimental impact on your aura. For example he has astrally projected boots and whip on to me - still not to worry you should be safe now.

Fantasies depraved? From a moniker of a safe [condom]? As Luis demonstrated in his photo, his boots and whips just burnish an aura which can never be detrimental.
I trust you would be happier or at least more Released is you just accepted Luis' gift and enjoyed the whips and black leather--think of it as English massage...

Frank