Comments on Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religionTypePad2018-11-23T01:50:25ZBrian Hineshttps://hinessight.blogs.com/church_of_the_churchless/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://hinessight.blogs.com/church_of_the_churchless/2018/11/dont-let-scarcity-scare-you-into-religion/comments/atom.xml/777 commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c8cee200c2018-11-25T15:35:12Z2018-11-26T00:38:27Z777@Dungeness That was really nice I wish you a lot of SUN<p>@Dungeness</p>
<p>That was really nice<br />
I wish you a lot of SUN<br />
</p>777 commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c8cdd200c2018-11-25T15:32:37Z2018-11-26T00:38:27Z777@ALL Those, denying vehemently ( and mean it) that God, The Creator and His Light reside in themselves condemn themselves...<p>@ALL</p>
<p>Those, denying vehemently ( and mean it) that God, The Creator <br />
and His Light reside in themselves<br />
condemn themselves to<br />
a Lightless life<br />
ainsi soit t'il.</p>
<p>777</p>Appreciative Reader commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c8906200c2018-11-25T13:50:35Z2018-11-26T00:38:27ZAppreciative ReaderDungeness: "It's just another sunny day on the blog.... you gotta love it." Absolutely! :--) I always say, Brian's posts...<p>Dungeness:<br />
"It's just another sunny day on the blog.... you gotta love it."</p>
<p><br />
Absolutely! :--)</p>
<p>I always say, Brian's posts are what bring us here, but once here, it is this eclectic blend of comments of all kinds -- the exact flavor of nuttiness, just the right amount of crunchiness, neither too hard nor too crumbly -- that one enjoys just as much as the posts proper!</p>
<p></p>
<p><br />
@Joe:<br />
I'm not saying this applies to your particular individual experience, obviously I have no way of knowing about that specific instance, but I remember reading at that bullshido site a couple years back some accounts of how practitioners of this qi/chi stuff sometimes spectacularly "throw" matches -- not necessarily with any dishonest motive, but simply because that is the accepted form (when the master, or the opponent, lifts their hands just so, then you yourself defend yourself just so, as if you're dodging bolts of qi/chi), so that the end result is sometimes the illusion of some kind of inner "force" working its magic, when actually it is nothing but conditioning. And these comments I'd read in the forum discussions there (I suppose they are still there, with perhaps more added since then) were by actual practitioners, people who've actually done a spot of throwing (or so they recollected in retrospect).</p>
<p>Again, obviously this does not -- can not -- speak to your specific instance, it's just a general comment (without in any way denigrating the actual demonstrated effectivity of these disciplines as far as both fitness and self defense) about carrying the proverbial pinch of salt when looking at things magical in Tai Chi gyms and other traditional martial arts dojos.<br />
</p>Dungeness commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c24d41200b2018-11-25T10:11:31Z2018-11-26T00:38:27ZDungenessThis thread seems to have gone nutty and nuttier. Say what... ? Divine energy, a MMA vs Tai Chi bout,...<p><br />
This thread seems to have gone nutty and nuttier.</p>
<p><br />
Say what... ? </p>
<p>Divine energy, a MMA vs Tai Chi bout, commercialism, Bullshido,<br />
breatharians, a pistol whipping by the mind, Alzheimers, risks of<br />
washboard stomachs. A spirited (or dispirited) exchange with all <br />
the card carrying faithful weighing in - believers, pretenders, the<br />
wannabe's, hard/soft atheists, hard core anti-theists. Scattered<br />
sightings of Israelis, Gaza, Germans, Warsaw ghetto, cronies,<br />
Himalayan masters, and even Leonard Cohen to add a beautiful<br />
coda.<br />
<br />
It's just another sunny day on the blog.... you gotta love it.</p>Jen commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3a2a360200d2018-11-25T07:51:11Z2018-11-26T00:38:27ZJenThis thread seems to have gone nutty and nuttier. Brian, I would like to say Thank You for having this...<p>This thread seems to have gone nutty and nuttier.</p>
<p>Brian, I would like to say Thank You for having this blog and also thanks for your patience. I appreciate reading all the different points of view. It makes interesting reading and for satsangis and ex-satsangis its somewhere to express their differing opinions and it doesn't seem to get too nasty and mostly its polite and kind ;)</p>
<p>Cheers<br />
Jen<br />
</p>Vinny commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3a2a2e4200d2018-11-25T07:27:40Z2018-11-26T00:38:27ZVinnyFor 10000 fake breatharians , even if there is one sun gazer/breatharian/Himalayan mystic who has gradually developed his body for...<p>For 10000 fake breatharians , even if there is one sun gazer/breatharian/Himalayan mystic who has gradually developed his body for these energies and is living without food it is enough to bust the lie of atheists.</p>Spence Tepper commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c800d200c2018-11-25T06:59:58Z2018-11-26T00:38:28ZSpence Tepper Hi JB Everybody knows the game is fixed... And the ship is leaking... "Everybody knows that the dice are loaded...<p>Hi JB<br />
Everybody knows the game is fixed... <br />
And the ship is leaking...</p>
<p>"Everybody knows that the dice are loaded<br />
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed<br />
Everybody knows the war is over<br />
Everybody knows the good guys lost<br />
Everybody knows the fight was fixed<br />
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich<br />
That's how it goes<br />
Everybody knows<br />
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking<br />
Everybody knows that the captain lied<br />
Everybody got this broken feeling<br />
Like their father or their dog just died<br />
Everybody talking to their pockets<br />
Everybody wants a box of chocolates<br />
And a long-stem rose<br />
Everybody knows<br />
Everybody knows that you love me baby<br />
Everybody knows that you really do<br />
Everybody knows that you've been faithful<br />
Ah, give or take a night or two<br />
Everybody knows you've been discreet<br />
But there were so many people you just had to meet<br />
Without your clothes<br />
And everybody knows<br />
Everybody knows, everybody knows<br />
That's how it goes<br />
Everybody knows<br />
Everybody knows, everybody knows<br />
That's how it goes<br />
Everybody knows<br />
And everybody knows that it's now or never<br />
Everybody knows that it's me or you<br />
And everybody knows that you live forever<br />
Ah, when you've done a line or two<br />
Everybody knows the deal is rotten<br />
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton<br />
For your ribbons and bows<br />
And everybody knows<br />
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming<br />
Everybody knows that it's moving fast<br />
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman<br />
Are just a shining artifact of the past<br />
Everybody knows the scene is dead<br />
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed<br />
That will disclose<br />
What everybody knows<br />
And everybody knows that you're in trouble<br />
Everybody knows what you've been through<br />
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary<br />
To the beach of Malibu<br />
Everybody knows it's coming apart<br />
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart<br />
Before it blows<br />
And everybody knows<br />
Everybody knows, everybody knows<br />
That's how it goes<br />
Everybody knows<br />
Everybody knows, everybody knows<br />
That's how it goes<br />
Everybody knows<br />
Everybody knows, everybody knows<br />
That's how it goes<br />
Everybody knows<br />
Everybody knows"</p>
<p>- Leonard Cohen<br />
</p>Arjuna commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c24957200b2018-11-25T06:40:29Z2018-11-26T00:38:28ZArjuna @ Joe - well said I was thinking what you wrote above. The irony is Brain may be the lucky...<p>@ Joe - well said I was thinking what you wrote above.</p>
<p>The irony is Brain may be the lucky one. In so much as being a tool of the master but I know not how. Just a gut feeling or intuition. </p>
<p>He will say this is the play of the imagination but he is obsessed with Gurinder but yet the mind which has pistol whip control of him - says there is nothing supernatural,</p>
<p>All the best </p>777 commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c72dc200c2018-11-24T23:53:00Z2018-11-25T02:41:33Z777I agree with this absurdism After killing the Indians, ... then do this is the same as Germans celebrating the...<p>I agree with this absurdism</p>
<p>After killing the Indians, ... then do this<br />
is the same<br />
as <br />
Germans celebrating the Warsaw Ghetto<br />
and everybody is free<br />
or<br />
Israelies the same after the Gaza Ghetto<br />
is ausgelost</p>
<p>777<br />
</p>Joe commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3a2941a200d2018-11-24T23:49:15Z2018-11-25T02:41:33ZJoeBrian, you are so off base it is not even funny. I'm not talking about your average every day California...<p>Brian, you are so off base it is not even funny. I'm not talking about your average every day California martial artist or new age hipster.</p>
<p>This is the real thing. I studied with this man and saw what he did and experienced it for myself. No delusion, hypnosis, faith or magic involved. </p>
<p>As I said, I could give dozens and dozens of examples.</p>
<p>You appear to be lost in the woods a lot of the time, mistaking your rejection of the excesses of American commercialism and religious dogma for knowledge of what you don't understand or have not experienced.</p>
<p>So stop deceiving people and face up to the truth about your non-experience. Or is all this just a game your playing?</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><br />
</p>777 commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c23db1200b2018-11-24T23:48:30Z2018-11-25T02:41:33Z777Brian said : "an objective fact, rather than a subjective belief or unproven hypothesis," What is your sincere advise 4...<p><br />
Brian said :<br />
"an objective fact, rather than a subjective belief or unproven hypothesis,"</p>
<p>What is your sincere advise 4 a seeker</p>
<p>Being self-irritating objective for decennia<br />
or<br />
Being subjectively gigantically in Love the same time</p>
<p>Truth seekers FIRST</p>
<p>Brian<br />
Did you ever feel Love from and for Charan?<br />
At any moment more than for your daughter ?</p>
<p>777</p>Arjuna commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3a28f3c200d2018-11-24T21:38:59Z2018-11-24T21:50:28ZArjuna @ Vinny - don’t ever call me a cronie !!! I was asking you a question about name a church...<p>@ Vinny - don’t ever call me a cronie !!! </p>
<p>I was asking you a question about name a church with divine energy - that is all!</p>JB commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c238b6200b2018-11-24T21:16:16Z2018-11-24T21:50:28ZJBBrian: "Our consumer-driven economy is fed by more, not by enough." This is understandable when this is viewed as an...<p>Brian: "Our consumer-driven economy is fed by more, not by enough."</p>
<p>This is understandable when this is viewed as an attempt to mitigate the human condition. Consumerism and rampant acquisition represents, among other things, our desire to enlargen ourselves. </p>
<p>No amount is enough when it comes to augmenting oneself in an effort to be immunized against the eventualities of existence. This is true not just of what money can purchase, but also with money itself. It is the same dynamic that leads to the amassing of grotesque quantities of personal wealth, often (and usually) at the expense of others. Parenthetically, the rich get richer as the poor get poorer (and the middle gets squeezed out of existence) and this is exactly what we would expect to see in a zero-sum global economy. </p>
<p>Ironically, greediest among humanity are likely the most fearful, as greed is engendered by fear. Their "never enough" mentality of amassment is a symptom of the desire to be rid of limitation, and as such, represents unfettered denialism.</p>
<p>I think that scarcity is reality. But the realist also knows that no amassment of money, possessions, status, or even knowledge will insulate them against the inevitable realities of life. Therefore, they don't chase after that ever retreating mirage.</p>Spence Tepper commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c232fd200b2018-11-24T19:07:44Z2018-11-24T21:50:28ZSpence Tepper Or not.... https://www.alzheimers.net/10-07-15-midlife-weight-connected-to-alzheimers/ Here being overweight in midlife increases the risk of earlier onset of alzheimers. https://www.nature.com/articles/mp2015129<p>Or not....<br />
<a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/10-07-15-midlife-weight-connected-to-alzheimers/" rel="nofollow">https://www.alzheimers.net/10-07-15-midlife-weight-connected-to-alzheimers/</a></p>
<p>Here being overweight in midlife increases the risk of earlier onset of alzheimers.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/mp2015129" rel="nofollow">https://www.nature.com/articles/mp2015129</a></p>Spence Tepper commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c6737200c2018-11-24T18:55:36Z2018-11-24T21:50:28ZSpence Tepper Hi Vinny The story of the man who went a year on no food is true... https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/survive-without-eating-382-days/ He was extremely...<p>Hi Vinny<br />
The story of the man who went a year on no food is true... <br />
<a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/survive-without-eating-382-days/" rel="nofollow">https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/survive-without-eating-382-days/</a></p>
<p>He was extremely obese, and under significant physician supervision. The man initiated enthusiastically the idea of prolonging what was a short fast.</p>
<p>Small vitamin, potassium and other adjustments were made based on his frequent blood tests. </p>
<p>Fasting can be extremely healthful, but it is also extremely dangerous. </p>
<p>The brain itself depends upon fat, and underweight adults have a higher risk for altzheimers. </p>
<p>A washboard stomach might be the sign of a weakened intellect....;)</p>Spence Tepper commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c665d200c2018-11-24T18:27:00Z2018-11-24T18:39:13ZSpence Tepper Hi Brian You write "... self-delusion comes in many forms. People want to believe in something, so their brain manufactures...<p>Hi Brian<br />
You write<br />
"... self-delusion comes in many forms. People want to believe in something, so their brain manufactures evidence for that belief."</p>
<p>This can be true of any belief, including a belief in no - God, or a belief that theism is harmful (both forms of Anti-Theism).</p>
<p>The problem of self - delusion isn't always solved by culture - bound human definitions of science (eugenics for example). Or agreement by experts (groupthink).</p>
<p>And there are definite warning signs. Whenever you find conclusive statements such as "This proves... That X exists!.. That X doesn't exist" be careful.</p>
<p>An individual must make up their own mind from their own experience and understanding. </p>
<p>There are things science can't explain. </p>
<p>And there are things that upon deeper investigation science can explain. </p>
<p><br />
One day, I believe, science will bring to our western culture understanding of energies and worlds we have no knowledge of today. I believe Science may yet find a connection between individual awareness and such fields of energy and alternate, finer worlds.</p>
<p>Science already does so all the time. These are called "discoveries". </p>
<p>But until then we can do individual work to sharpen our ability to distinguish the creations of our mind, or imagination, with our perceptions and thoughts, and broaden our awareness by setting aside, as much as possible, all the things that sway objective understanding, including strong emotions and mere opinions. Then, we will certainly see things differently. </p>
<p>And that is one important purpose of meditation practice.<br />
</p>Appreciative Reader commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c5a4b200c2018-11-24T13:18:55Z2018-11-24T18:39:14ZAppreciative ReaderJoe, I'm afraid the world of martial arts abounds in bullshit, quite as much as the world of religion and...<p>Joe, I'm afraid the world of martial arts abounds in bullshit, quite as much as the world of religion and spirituality.</p>
<p>Here's a website I'd come across a year or two back -- rather poetically called bullshido -- that's apparently dedicated to debunking extravagant claims by martial artists, including weird claims with Tai Chi and the like.</p>
<p>Check it out, you might enjoy it. You too, Brian -- if you haven't seen this site already.</p>
<p>I'd only browsed through some forum discussions there a year or two or two-and-a-half, and always meant to come back later on for a more detailed browse-through, only I somehow never did. Anyway, seems apposite to link to it at this point in the discussions here.</p>
<p>Here's the link: www.bullshido.net</p>
<p> </p>Blogger Brian commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c21439200b2018-11-24T01:52:03Z2018-11-24T01:53:54ZBlogger Brianhttps://profile.typepad.com/brihinesJoe, self-delusion comes in many forms. People want to believe in something, so their brain manufactures evidence for that belief....<p>Joe, self-delusion comes in many forms. People want to believe in something, so their brain manufactures evidence for that belief. Don't be fooled by this sort of crap. Reality is fine just as it is. There's no need to make up fantasies. Don't you think that Qi was real, there would be solid evidence for it, not just anecdotal stories? I've heard plenty of such stories in my 14 years of Tai Chi practice. I believe none of them.</p>Joe commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c4761200c2018-11-24T01:03:17Z2018-11-24T03:37:04ZJoeBrian, how do explain certain phenomenon then. First instance, a Chinese man I worked with often demonstrated chi by having...<p>Brian, how do explain certain phenomenon then. First instance, a Chinese man I worked with often demonstrated chi by having someone lie on the bench and then he would wave his hands down the persons mid-line a few times. Stand with your palms facing the feet of the person and you could feel the wind pouring of the person's feet.</p>
<p>That is just one example.</p>
<p>I could listen many more.</p>Vinny commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c20c14200b2018-11-23T22:31:11Z2018-11-24T03:37:04ZVinnyA Year Without Food by Ray Maor , After reading this book crooked atheists will learn something in life<p>A Year Without Food by Ray Maor , After reading this book crooked atheists will learn something in life</p>Blogger Brian commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c3df9200c2018-11-23T21:00:02Z2018-11-23T21:01:52ZBlogger Brianhttps://profile.typepad.com/brihinesJoe, yes, that's what I'm saying. And I'm saying that as someone who has practiced Tai Chi assiduously for 14...<p>Joe, yes, that's what I'm saying. And I'm saying that as someone who has practiced Tai Chi assiduously for 14 years -- taking classes three times a week, which includes frequent Qi Gong sorts of exercises. Of course, Tai Chi itself is a form of Qi Gong, really, just more in motion.</p>
<p>My instructor believes in chi, meridian channels, and all that. I respect his beliefs, but I don't agree with them. I feel some sorts of energy while I practice Tai Chi, of course, just as I feel energy in my body all through the day. The body ingests energy; it excretes energy; it is sustained by energy. However, I'm not aware of solid evidence that any of this is immaterial or divine energy.</p>
<p>Often in class we talk about the supposed ability of Tai Chi or Kung Fu masters to be able to use their marital arts skills through "divine energy," either alone or combined with physical movements. Well, recently I wrote about how one Tai Chi/Kung Fu master fared against a MMA fighter, and talked more generally about Tai Chi as a martial art, which it is. See:</p>
<p><a href="https://hinessight.blogs.com/hinessight/2018/11/tai-chi-actually-is-good-for-self-defense-just-not-against-mma-fighters.html" rel="nofollow">https://hinessight.blogs.com/hinessight/2018/11/tai-chi-actually-is-good-for-self-defense-just-not-against-mma-fighters.html</a></p>Joe commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c20860200b2018-11-23T20:27:10Z2018-11-24T03:37:04ZJoeBrian, are you saying that chi or prana does not exist?<p>Brian, are you saying that chi or prana does not exist?</p>Blogger Brian commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad37c3c5c200c2018-11-23T20:22:19Z2018-11-23T20:24:09ZBlogger Brianhttps://profile.typepad.com/brihinesAlso to Vinny: please share any solid evidence that divine energy even exists.<p>Also to Vinny: please share any solid evidence that divine energy even exists.</p>Vinny commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c207e9200b2018-11-23T20:12:11Z2018-11-24T03:37:04ZVinnySufi poetry for cronies of atheists Rind jo mujhko samjhtey hein unhey hosh nahin Mehkada saaz hoon mein mehkada bardosh...<p>Sufi poetry for cronies of atheists<br />
Rind jo mujhko samjhtey hein unhey hosh nahin<br />
Mehkada saaz hoon mein mehkada bardosh nahin<br />
Cronies of atheists were flying on seventh heaven. Now the same cronies are saying, tell us the name of Church which runs on divine energy. Matthew 10:16 Be shrewd as snakes, innocent as doves. I'm more shrewd than all the atheists and theirs cronies combined together. I know these atheists and their cronies don't have the intellect required to penetrate the secrets of divine energy even in next 1000 years</p>Arjuna commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c201db200b2018-11-23T17:52:41Z2018-11-24T03:37:04ZArjuna @ Vinny - please name a church that uses divine energy for electricity.?<p>@ Vinny - please name a church that uses divine energy for electricity.?</p>Spence Tepper commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3a24049200d2018-11-23T07:13:36Z2018-11-23T07:13:36ZSpence TepperGrowing spiritual wealth through the pleasures of meditation devalues worldly acquisitions and undercuts the stress we place ourselves under struggling...<p>Growing spiritual wealth through the pleasures of meditation devalues worldly acquisitions and undercuts the stress we place ourselves under struggling to achieve and acquire.</p>
<p>Spiritual practice becomes more valuable, a bitcoin we mine without end within ourselves. And so worry evaporates. <br />
</p>Vinny commented on 'Don't let illusory scarcity scare you into religion'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2022ad3c1eaba200b2018-11-23T06:39:20Z2018-11-23T06:39:20ZVinnyThose were the concepts of Divine Energy/ Atomic energy pervading the universe ascribed to God. But unlimited Atomic energy =...<p>Those were the concepts of Divine Energy/ Atomic energy pervading the universe ascribed to God. But unlimited Atomic energy = Divine Energy. Fear of God >> Existence of God. Because it instills the sensitivity required to perceive Divine Energy and understand the Physics of Divine Energy. Cunning crooked atheists , Are you not searching for few Churches who use divine energy, even for electricity usage </p>