Open Thread 32 (free speech for comments)

Here's a new Open Thread.

Remember, off-topic comments should go in an Open Thread. 

If you don't see a recent comment, or comments, posted, it's because you've failed to follow the above rule. Keep to the subject of a blog post if you leave a comment on it. And if you want to use this blog as a "chat room," do that in an open thread.

As noted before, it's good to have comments in a regular blog post related to its subject, and it's also good to have a place where almost anything goes in regard to sharing ideas, feelings, experiences, and such. That place is an Open Thread.

Leave a comment on this post about anything you want to talk about. Remember that I'm moderating comments, so it could take a while for your comment to be published. Almost every comment submitted to an Open Thread will be approved. Personal attacks on someone are an exception. Argue with ideas, not insults.

Though I haven't been doing too well on this, I'll try to remember to always have an Open Thread showing in the Recent Posts section in the right sidebar. If one isn't showing, I've added an Open Threads category in, naturally, the Categories section. You can always find an Open Thread that way.

So if you're a believer in some form of religion, mysticism, or spirituality, this is where you can put your "praise God," "praise Guru," or "praise _______" comments.

Comments

[🐅 📚 🐄]

Taming the Tiger Within
—Thich Nhat Hanh

The Cow in the Parking Lot: A Zen Approach to Overcoming Anger
—Leonard Scheff

[Georgy Porgy]

Yep well you pretty lucky my retaliation was banned cos you woulda been besides yourself - I don’t like being attacked for no reason.

Anyway it takes something to apologize, but I wonder how genuine it is until the next outburst. You don’t have to apologize to me, even though it is good you still recognize right from wrong.

I’ll be quite honest with you, the difference between me and you is that I don’t really give a good gdam what you think about me. If you want pretend you are all tough that is fine, I don’t respect that. I prefer genuineness and consistency.

It’s very simple stop trying to get a rise out of me and stop taking your issues out on me or a guru you don’t know from an apple.

Seriously I do wonder if you actually are your own worst enemy and if you can’t even recognize the ppl who might have your best interests at heart.

But the bottomline is this if you don’t want to engage with headstrong personalities like me or GSD, or our comments trigger you, then don’t even listen. Simply don’t interact with us, just ignore and do your own thing.

what I’m definitely not going to do is be brow-battered into submission because I disagree with you.

[Georgy Porgy]

As for looters and violent protests, not everyone responds in the genteel manner that some might want by turning the other cheek.

The actions of the police were horrific and caused huge anger in me. I can quite easily see why their has been violent protests. Hell I wanted to do to that cop what he did to that poor guy - he’s gonna almost certainly be manhandled by the bro’s in prison - ain’t that karma - life is fair? Eye for an eye?

Did you see the video of that tennis player , James, another fkn dunce officer busts him to the ground outside the Hyatt. The guy is like one of the top tennis players in the world - I would take that entire fkn police force to the cleaners.

Many of those police, not all, but many are a certain kind of individual which are attracted to law enforcement, and they abuse their powers, they are typical the v last people who should ever be police. There needs to be better psycho screening of these cops and stronger legal powers before they can even touch someone.

These police officers are given way too much respect and power. They should be locked up and the key thrown away if they even search, let alone man-handle or kill someone.

[Spencer Tepper]

"A 2005 study in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine comparing secular and spiritual forms of meditation found spiritual meditation to be more calming. In secular meditation, you focus on something such as your breath or a nonspiritual word. In spiritual meditation, you focus on a spiritual word or text. Participants were divided into groups, with some being taught how to meditate using words of self-affirmation (“I am love”) and others taught how to meditate with words that described a higher power (“God is love”). They then meditated for 20 minutes a day for four weeks.

"Researchers found that the group that practiced spiritual meditation showed greater decreases in anxiety and stress and more positive mood. They also tolerated pain almost twice as long when asked to put their hand in an ice water bath."

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-science-of-prayer-11589720400?mod=e2fb&fbclid=IwAR3rviVp3SNaT0plx5J1C8z2shSQavBpfIP-CvhP37qIFlaHYmJAggE3qWw

[Sonia]

@Spence
"Researchers found that the group that practiced spiritual meditation showed greater decreases in anxiety and stress and more positive mood. They also tolerated pain almost twice as long when asked to put their hand in an ice water bath."

Maybe the idea that someone else is consciously looking out for you creates a stronger feeling of calm. 🤷‍♀️

@Georgy
No, I’m genuine. I’m certainly not trying to brow beat you into submission. Submission is so 🥴 yuck. Control is not my thing. That’s one good trait of mine—I’m not a control freak at all and I expect other people to figure things out and figure life out for themselves. That’s one area (maybe the only) where I’m super chill. I don’t want to live anyone’s life for them or tell them what to do or how to behave. I don’t even “control” my pets. But they’re REALLY good. They’re just really loving. Pets respond to love much stronger than commands.

I’ve identified my biggest weakness is perceiving a slight criticism as a major threat and then overacting. I recognize that. Anyway, as they say, “awareness is therapy”.

I think if a certain aspect of our energies weren’t so similar on a certain level then there probably wouldn’t be that sort of reaction. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna insult you by telling you you’re a little like me—I’m just saying a small aspect of your energy is similar to mine (headstrong).

[Sonia]

Just an example of how I’m not a control freak and I certainly don’t want anyone “under my submission” (just typing that is creepy), my husband and I have never fought over money. And we’ve been together for 20 years through rich and poor, poor and rich. (Not really rich just comfortable.)

I never try to tell my friends or family what they should believe or anything they should like related to material stuff whatsoever. And I couldn’t care less if one of them decides to be a doctor or a truck driver. Whatever makes you happy.

OK, I can see now that it might appear like I’m getting defensive about not being a control freak. So, I’ll stop. 🤐

[Sonia]

@Spence

I don’t have a subscription to the WSJ so can’t view the article. I’m curious to read it.

[Deep Blue Something]

‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’

You'll say we've got nothing in common
No common ground to start from
And we're falling apart
You say the world has come between us
Our lives have come between us
Still I know you just don't care
And I said, "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film
And as I recall, I think we both kinda liked it"
And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got"
I see you, the only one who knew me
But now your eyes see through me
I guess I was wrong
So what now? It's plain to see we're over
And I hate when things are over
When so much is left undone
And I said, "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film
And as I recall, I think we both kinda liked it"
And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got"
You say that we've got nothing in common
No common ground to start from
And we're falling apart
You say the world has come between us
Our lives have come between us
Still I know you just don't care
And I said, "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film
And as I recall, I think we both kinda liked it"
And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got"
Ooh, and I said, "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film
And as I recall, I think we both kinda liked it"
And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got"
And I said, "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film
And as I recall, I think we both kinda liked it"
And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got"

[Sonia]

@Georgy

“There are other courses you might wanna take instead, i.e. the man-hater, strict-papa or bro-asshole course. But I’m no expert.”

OK, first of all I’m not a man hater. My dad wasn’t strict (not with me) and my younger brother and I have only had a couple of arguments in my entire life. My older brother is missing one quarter of his brain (I mentioned this in another post). It’s not his fault but it causes him to act like a meth addict. He’s gotten better but still. I really care about him and he’s the only person I can get really mad at while feeling sorry for at the same time.

All of my friends are men except for one. It’s been that way most of my life. Some of them are gay but that’s beside the point.

How you deal with emotions is programmed into you at an early age. When one gets older and realizes that they’re not handling their emotions very well then they should try and work on that. Which is what I’m doing now instead of relying solely on medicines (or self medicating—which only makes it worse).

You told me that you are the same age as me, a fellow American and not even initiated. And you’re a Sagittarius too. I have no idea what you do for work or what your life is like but I’m starting to get the impression that you surround yourself with a close group of friends who agree with pretty much everything you say.

You really have an issue with authority. And don’t start freaking out over that statement. I’m not saying that in a mean way. I’m just saying, there are only a few people you take advice from (that’s what you told me) which indicates you’re used to being the one who’s usually in control.

I’m not a controlling person and I don’t like being controlled. I don’t think you like being controlled either. I give people a lot of freedom and expect the same. So please stop assuming the worst of me.

I can’t tell where on the emotional range you feel comfortable because you hate sweet people, you can’t stand whiny people, you get really pissed at aggressive people and you think people critical of your beliefs are morons.

That just leaves me the narrow band of “neutral” to interact with you.

I’m not a robot.

[Sonia]

G-
I’m not sure if you can handle “nice” either but I’ll give it a try.

[Sonia]

Something shifted this week. It was like a huge weight had been lifted. Was there some sort of major cosmic energy shift on Wednesday? Anyone into astrology?

[S]

It’s my niece’s 13th birthday today, so I’ll take a break from commenting so much (I’m just very loyal—one blog only 🙃).

However, I’m gonna throw this out there—I see a lot of similarities between Jesse and Georgy even though their beliefs about RS are totally opposite.

What I can’t wrap my head around is how either of them are Gen X Americans. I guess they’re anomalies.

In absolutely no way am I trying to offend. That shouldn’t be offensive. It’s just an observation.

[Sonia]

Georgy, did you watch GSD’s 001 video where he talks about men and women and how he was concerned women might be getting to be domineering? I don’t believe that’s the case in general. I think it’s just that our generation doesn’t draw the line between the sexes the same way his generation and culture did/does.

The younger generations today (younger than us) don’t have the same issues with gender equality. They’re problem is they just can’t seem to decide which gender they are half the time. A lot of them get offended that they have to mark male or female. They want to be “Mx.”

Maybe I live in a bubble, but no one I know personally treats women differently to men. They just treat people differently based on personality.

My husband often verbally repeats a lot of South African programming about gender differences (and not in a demeaning way—in an “old world” kind of way 😂) but he doesn’t really believe it. He actually treats everyone the same. He’s American now.

My only issue with him has been to try to get him to stop saying those things (and what others might perceive as racist, which he’s not) out loud in polite company. 😆

[Sonia]

I mean if i know these kind of things i will be curious to the highest amount and will try to search how to go there.

Posted by: Rupinder Singh | June 08, 2020 at 06:06 AM

I’ve never stopped searching. My whole life I’ve been searching for answers even as an initiate I was intensely trying to make sense of the world around me.

Actually, you’re question about the scriptures and Kabir and Bulleh Shah got me reading more about the different regions. I came across something—it’s hard to put into words—but it made me realize that I spread all of my attention out into the world around me trying to understand other people. That may sound benevolent to a certain degree but it’s not. I’ve spread my energy/mind so thin that I’m not helpful to other people or myself.

That’s all I can say. It’s very difficult to put into words. It was an “aha!” moment. It was a moment of self-realization more than anything else. I’ll probably take a break and focus on the meaning of this different perspective and where I should be instead of everything around me.

I have a lot to figure out. :)

Thanks 🙏

[Sonia]

Regardless of whether you like GSD or not, this is impressive. What other group in the world is helping people to this degree who are struggling because of COVID-19?

https://youtu.be/1SI-Ml1iTd8

[Jesse]

Here is a totally non-religious, totally rational, completely scientific ritual you all can do to prove how not racist you are before you get tossed like sacks of potatoes into a gulag by the same people you're trying to appease-

https://twitter.com/mtracey/status/1270041593064706048

[Jesse]

Read this before you believe in the religious ideas of racial injustice being promoted on t.v. that is nothing more than highly publicized anecdotes intentionally presented to stir up emotion instead of arrive at truth.

Read the arguments, read the links to the studies, read the rest of the website. Read it all. Leave all cults.

https://thealternativehypothesis.org/index.php/2017/01/07/race-and-crime-the-causes-of-black-crime-rates/

[📚 Book Club 📚]

Anxiety, Depression, and many mood and personality disorders are typically lumped into the category of Mental Illness in our modern society. Very sadly with the first line of treatment being a automatic DSMV diagnosis and medication.

This is very sad because we’re not looking at the whole person anymore. We’re just bottling up our emotions and drugging ourselves, essentially making us weaker and sicker on every level of our being.

Here’s another way of looking at the different energies that make up our current selves:

Spirit — Spirituality
Causal — Mental
Astral — Emotional
Body — Physical

We’ve failed to make the distinctions between emotional and physical, emotional and mental, emotional and spiritual. How did this happen? It’s put us in a world where medicine has become our first go to for what are actualmy emotional problems that can be addressed far more effectively through an understanding that emotions are not the mind nor are they the physical. But they do affect the mind, body and spirit.

Anyway, I’m an avid reader. I read a lot and often when I’m not able to pick up a book because of an activity that requires physical attention like cleaning or driving I’ll listen to books on audible.

Here are 4 really amazing books on emotions that offer clearer insight into the nature of emotions, how to manage, accept, work through and channel them effectively:

1. ‘It’s Not Always Depression; Working the Change Triangle to Listen to the Body, Discover Core Emotions, and Connection to your Authentic Self’
—by Hilary Jacobs Hendel, LCSV

2. ‘Emotional Freedom’
—by Judith Orloff, M.D.

3. ‘The Emotional Life of Your Brain’
—by Richard J. Davidson

4. ‘Beyond Reason; Using Emotions as You Negotiate’
—by Roger Fisher and Daniel Shapiro

[Karim W. Rahmaan]

Regardless of whether you like GSD or not, this is impressive. What other group in the world is helping people to this degree who are struggling because of COVID-19?

https://youtu.be/1SI-Ml1iTd8

Posted by: Sonia | June 08, 2020 at 11:49 AM

Pardon.

I can't help to add my experience at a Satsang in Irvine, CA. When I inquired about Brian the writer of Life is Fair, to an older satsangi who was also initiated by the late Hazur Maharaj Ji Charan Singh.

https://scienceofthesoul.org/books-EN-184-0.html (Life is Fair, found at the Official RSSB - Online Book Store)

I had asked if the Secretary was aware of the claims of Church of the Churchless online. I also asked how could a satsangi who was on the Path for so long and who also contributed a great book, could now de disenchanted and an ex-er?

They person said they once knew Brian, and that Brain was perhaps more dedicated to the Path than any other satsangi he knew of.

So I wanted to add that what the guy said about Brain may also be true about all the ex-ers here.

Peace.

[Evolution]

4. ‘Beyond Reason; Using Emotions as You Negotiate’
—by Roger Fisher and Daniel Shapiro

Posted by: 📚 Book Club 📚 | June 09, 2020 at 12:21 AM

[A gift for Georgy]

‘Beyond Reason; Using Emotions as You Negotiate’
—by Roger Fisher and Daniel Shapiro

[Georgy Porgy]

Yep papa G luvs gifts, but that’s exactly the wrong way to negotiate.

Forget mental health issues and your 3rd chakra. Go have some fun ffs.

[Georgy Porgy]

But actually you raise potentially a v good book if that’s your thing. I don’t tend to buy American academic writing, but one of those Harvard nerds wrote getting to yes which is a bit of a masterpiece in its field.

I read about half of it and then just got bored. My reading years are over. I read everything in my 30s, it’s most all bullshit. Now I just like the articles in playboy. I’m a redneck at heart really without the racism or the american.

[Georgy Porgy]

Now Book no 1 on the other hand should be an instant no-no. I mean have you ever heard such shite in all your life. “Working the yoni triangle and your authentic self. “

I mean come off it. Seriously that sort of crud should be banned outright. Sorry I can’t even keep an open mind when I read pretentious meaningless titles like that. It infuriates me just listening to that title / the rest of the book is just going to be mindless dribble about getting in contact with your inner you or something inane like that. Do these books actually help anyone?

[Sonia]

One day I'm going to piece together key bits from all your comments and feed it to Interpol so they can track you down. I'm sure you're wanted out there for some sort of international crime or disruption.

Maybe you'll enjoy watching Queen of the South. It's my favorite drama and they just released a new season on Netflix.

[Sonia]

Oh G, you’ll like this...

https://youtu.be/lTpPcKQYaOI

This chic is your dream girl. Beautiful Latino with a soft heat, street smarts and ambition.

Enjoy

[S]

Latina (unless you’re into o’s)

[S]

Do these books actually help anyone?

Posted by: Georgy Porgy | June 09, 2020 at 03:48 PM

Well, ‘Beyond Reason’ was the only one I thought might appeal to you. They have been involved in world peace talks and peace settlements between countries like India and Pakistan and Israel, Iran. The Camp David Accords... it’s mostly about politics and business. But since you aspire to be the dictator of a small third world country I can understand why it wouldn’t appeal to you.

The others are def too in touch for you.

Do you wear some kinda military looking uniform with lots of gold and war medals and white gloves and a peaked cap with lots of gold??

Jesus God, why do I even try.

[Sonia]

And these books are the opposite of new age hippie pseudo spiritual nonsense.

These are about (in your case, recognizing that you actually have emotions—intense emotions at that) reasoning your way through your emotions and trying to truly look at things objectively.

I’ve updated the “realms”:

Spiritual — spirit
Causal — reason
Astral — emotion
Physical — body

I’ll start subdividing the realms when I get around to it. I might even do away with some of the residing deities and asuras unless GSD has some use for them.

🙄🙄🙄

[Georgy Porgy]

Wowzer!

[S]

I read about half of it and then just got bored. My reading years are over. I read everything in my 30s, it’s most all bullshit. Now I just like the articles in playboy. I’m a redneck at heart really without the racism or the american.

Posted by: Georgy Porgy | June 09, 2020 at 03:34 PM

You’re such a cliche.

They say after 30 something people have less of a desire to try something new. That didn’t happen to me till my 40’s but I’m definitely risk averse now. I used to be addicted to change which made for an exciting albeit somewhat “unstable” life. Now I’m in the content/apathy zone (it’s a fine line). That’s called wisdom I guess... getting set in our ways. It happens to everyone eventually.

But I recommend you try cracking a book every now and then. You could read Moody Bitches by Julie Holland.

[Georgy Porgy]

Look it’s just my opinion. If they help you, go for it.

As for military, I’m about as far removed as you could get. Can’t stand it or anything it stands for. Mostly takes a certain type just like law enforcement. Wee fellas with something to prove. I’ve got no problem with genuine self-defense though.

Not sure you got much right so far. I’m also not initiated or American which i suspect you already know.

Let us just agree to disagree. Why can we not have differences?

[Georgy Porgy]

In fact the only genuine thing I agree with is what you said about rssb above. I actually forwarded that video to someone I know, which is a first. I believe that is not only from the heart, but what you do believe. And it’s true. For such an ‘evil cult and guru’, they sure seem to do some v good things don’t they.

[S]

I was joking about the military uniform. Obviously. It was a reference to crazy dictators. Lol

Of course we can have differences. I don’t know why you think I have a problem with that. I have a very, very short list of ‘totally unacceptable’ (like 3 or 4 things). Otherwise I don’t care what people do or say or believe. I still don’t understand why you’re not initiated, though. I guess because it would mean you’d have to read actual books (at least 3).

[S]

Unexpected from the Midwest.

https://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/gurinder-singh-khalsa-of-indiana-to-receive-rosa-parks-trailblazer-award/article_9489f2ce-106b-11e9-8042-5b78e7a69bbc.html

Which reminds me, GSD’s appearance in the non-English Q & A’s is rather fierce. With the blue curtain behind him and his serious look I’m wondering if he’s got a sword with him too.

[Georgy Porgy]

Bizarrely I’m the opposite, becoming less risk-adverse with age. And I like change, always have, provided it’s for the better. For example, I don’t think it’s a good change for the NCAA to appoint the KKKs grand wizard as it’s next ceo. Another example are these buzzwords like ‘change agents’, this is corporate speak for imbecile mediocrities trying to pretend they avant-guarde. Thing is you got a problem when someone pushing for change is an idiot, because it’s not well thought through and the end result might be a whole lot of disruption that only adds up to more unnecessary complexity and makes things worse.

As for The Dictator, great movie, Oscar material.

[Jen from Austin Texas]

Which reminds me, GSD’s appearance in the non-English Q & A’s is rather fierce. With the blue curtain behind him and his serious look I’m wondering if he’s got a sword with him too.

Posted by: S | June 10, 2020 at 04:23 PM

Sword of love is you understood Punjabi. It was a very sweet exchange.

[S]

Sword of love is you understood Punjabi. It was a very sweet exchange.

Posted by: Jen from Austin Texas | June 11, 2020 at 09:52 AM

I don’t understand Punjabi although I am learning to speak Hindi. Rosetta Stone is pretty cool. Keeps the part of my brain active that will hopefully keep me from getting dementia. Spanish is easy. Italian not to different. The problem with French is I have such a difficult time with the French accent. There are certain languages that just have to go into the read only bucket. Mandarin and Icelandic are out for sure.

Anyway, why don’t they add subtitles?

[S]

Bizarrely I’m the opposite, becoming less risk-adverse with age. And I like change, always have, provided it’s for the better. For example, I don’t think it’s a good change for the NCAA to appoint the KKKs grand wizard as it’s next ceo. Another example are these buzzwords like ‘change agents’, this is corporate speak for imbecile mediocrities trying to pretend they avant-guarde. Thing is you got a problem when someone pushing for change is an idiot, because it’s not well thought through and the end result might be a whole lot of disruption that only adds up to more unnecessary complexity and makes things worse.

As for The Dictator, great movie, Oscar material.

Posted by: Georgy Porgy | June 11, 2020 at 12:51 AM

Everything you never wanted to know about the Klan, but probably should know. https://www.nber.org/papers/w13417.pdf

Well, I say I’m risk averse, but I was addicted to change like it was a drug. So my idea of risk averse probably doesn’t come close to anyone else’s definition. I mean if someone offered me an all expense paid vacation to literally anywhere stipulating I’d have to leave tomorrow... I’d most likely take it. Regret it half way through and then come back with interesting stories if I survived.

I just mean, I don’t actively seek change like I used to. And that’s a big change in itself.

[Georgy Porgy]

The klan serious idiots. But guess everywhere got them. This Floyd episode is interesting as it’s a massive lightning conductor of progressive thought predominantly from the younger generation

But we forget the growing modern trend of right politics and populist governments look at USA and U.K. / ppl seem to be becoming more xenophobic.

Could be a cultural war soon. Who knows.

[Sonia]

Xenophobia is huge in Joburg where my friends and in-laws live. A lot of people are somewhat racist deep down. Not everyone but a lot are...

Xenophobia has led to some of the greatest atrocities in history.

—The Jewish Holocaust

—The murder of black families by the Ku Klux Klan

—The Indian caste system which actively has hurts those in lower castes

—Exhibits of humans from Africa, the Philippines, and tribal pygmies were put on display in the 19th century in human zoos

—During World War II, Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadians were segregated from the population and lost basic rights and liberties.

—The Rwandan attempted "ethnic cleansing" which resulted in the genocide of hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and the rape of Tutsi women.

—Hate crimes against Indians in Australia in 2009

—The war in what was Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995 involved fighting between several ethnic groups that resulted in a massive amount of deaths.

—The groups involved were the Croats, Serbs, Bosniaks and Slovenes.

—Riots in France could be caused by xenophobia

—The treatment of the Native Americans by colonists is considered the result of xenophobia.

—The hate crimes committed against the Chinese in the late 1800's in the U.S.

—During and after World War I there was some anti-German sentiment that can be contributed to xenophobia.

It blows my mind. Not one single person had the DNA of a “pure race”. We are all the result of various races intermarrying and yet through either our ignorance or our arrogance (often it’s both) we believe we actually belong to one tribe vs. another. Sad.

[Sonia]

And the Indian caste system is the one that truly blows my mind. In India they view lighter skin as more desirable. It’s like 50 shades of brown. It’s crazy. American spends so much money on fake tans and Indians are trying to lighten their skin. My mom has dark skin and was born with almost black hair. She’s darker than most light skinned Indians. And on my dad’s side my great-grandmother was Native American. My grandfather looked full native. The only thing missing was his feathered headdress. He looked totally Native American but no one talked about it. Yet my dad looked more like his mom.

Just for instance, in my immediate family growing up we all had different skin tones (and this was a very noticeable difference 😅). My mom was dark skinned with black hair like her father’s family, my older brother was dark but not as much as my mom. I was in the middle. My dad was just a little fairer than me but he had black brown hair and my younger brother was very light skinned with the lightest blonde hair and light blue eyes. None of us were the same color but we didn’t go around making a thing about it. People are soooo strange. I think most families have these sorts of differences but they don’t decide that they’re all a different race. We have this truly bizarre way of separating and distinguishing ourselves from others. And what for??? It’s so STUPID I get annoyed just thinking about it.

[Jen]

"We have this truly bizarre way of separating and distinguishing ourselves from others. And what for??? It’s so STUPID I get annoyed just thinking about it."

I often think about why is it so difficult for people to simply accept that this world is imperfect. So much anger and also sadness because of the many conflicting different races living on this planet. Everyone matters, in their own way. All these protest marches. I wonder if they help or make things worse.

People talk about love but imo its easier to simply accept that life is difficult in so many ways. Probably because of the tribal instinct in humans, even though we will never change whats happening in the world especially in Kali Yuga. This world can be very harsh for some. If each person can try to be calm, balanced, caring, kind, and simply go about doing the best they can it would make a vast difference. No expectations.

What I find so interesting is that each person is unique. I remind myself to keep on connecting with and being conscious of the inner self, soul, consciousness, higher self, whatever we want to call it. Its the real being that we are.

[S]

What I find so interesting is that each person is unique. I remind myself to keep on connecting with and being conscious of the inner self, soul, consciousness, higher self, whatever we want to call it. Its the real being that we are.

Posted by: Jen | June 12, 2020 at 05:52 PM

So true. We are unique. You just simply cannot compare two people.

We’re like snowflakes. ❄️

I’m watching Udta Punjab. So depressing. If it’s not race, culture or religion then it’s drugs and money. Xenophobia and greed.

This world is suffering. Everyone is trying to find a way to escape—usually the wrong way. Only what’s inside really matters.

Why doesn’t the iPhone have an emoji for Buddha?

[Sonia]

Read this on a somecard and it cracked me up:

People [vague identity (and likely false) accusation to gain sympathy], but you [passive aggressive motivational comment] and [condemn other person]

[Sonia]

“It’s Hungry Hungry Hippos at best.”

—Dr. Adrian Mallory

[Vedic BS]

Some Indian schools/colleges offer a B.A. in Astrology.

Just got my Vedic chart for the first time. According to Vedic astrology I’m totally rational, self-controlled, even tempered and quite boring.

Now, I no longer believe in astrology.

[Jesse]

"These books are amazing because they've been used to negotiate peace between 4 countries, all of whom persistently threaten to eliminate their neighbors, have developed nuclear bombs to do so, and have been in perpetual war since their inception."

Hey, S, I gotta get those books. If there's one thing I love, it's effectiveness. Next can you find the books that all failed business leaders in the past 50 years have read so I can get those too?

[Jesse]

"We are unique. You just simply cannot compare two people."

Yes, OMG you are SO correct. Culture simply doesn't exist. You can't say that there is anything different between Botswana and Norway, or Egypt and Chile, because we're all actually just individual atomized units.

Once everyone understands that they're not part of anything greater than themselves we'll realize world peace, and it'll be glorious. Why, I may just move to Brazil tomorrow. Right into the favelas.

[S]

Jesse,

I should thank you for keeping me amused. At least your rants are imaginative, clever and entertaining.
Hakuna matata

[S]

Here’s another great self-help book.

I would recommend this one above all others. I’ve found it to be particularly useful in my own life:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/we-dont-eat-our-classmates-ryan-t-higgins/1127174076

[Sonia]

During the quarantine we exhausted Netflix and Amazon Prime so are now watching a lot of Bollywood (which only I enjoy). Just finished watching Kabir Singh. I’m a fan of Shahid Kapoor. Anyway, had to recheck the release date because I could believe that in 2019 they still had/still have a certain cultural attitudes. I enjoyed the film even though it was forEVER long. Punjabi’s are frickin aggro. Very like able, and entertaining, but wow. They might actually need their own country.

[Sonia]

@Jen from

It’s 003 and 005 that don’t have subtitles or cc. Do I have to learn Hindi and Punjabi? 😐

[Jen from Austin Texas]

@Jen from

It’s 003 and 005 that don’t have subtitles or cc. Do I have to learn Hindi and Punjabi? 😐

Posted by: Sonia | June 14, 2020 at 01:08 AM

So you would learn a language to understand these 2 q and a videos? I’m impressed, next level dedication 😉
They are working of rereleasing all the videos with cc. Hang on tight and in the meantime do more meditation.

[Sonia]

They are working of rereleasing all the videos with cc. Hang on tight and in the meantime do more meditation.

Posted by: Jen from Austin Texas | June 14, 2020 at 09:39 AM

Thx 🙂

Lazy day outside with all my nieces today. Weather is so nice right now.

[a Huckabee]

https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-border-dispute-20-indian-soldiers-martyred-in-a-violent-face-off-with-chinese-troops-306357

[S]

I think this may be my first official psychotic break.

FUCK EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!
AND EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!

🙌

[S]

All your high hopes just came crashing down.

[S]

LIFE is so much more than spirituality. When I was 27 my boyfriend forced me to have an abortion. I’ve been through a ton of shit in my life but it all pales in comparison to that one event. One event that would shape the rest of your life. I felt guilty for a long time. But it wasn’t my choice at all. Seriously, nothing can be as terrible as that. NOTHING.

If Georgy has one condescending smart ass thing to say about this I swear I will find him wherever he is and make him pay.

[S]

It had haunted me my entire life. Everything else I can forget and forgive. But not that.

I was going to name her Eden. She’d be 19 now.

[S]

You can’t replace people. You just simply cannot replace a single soul.

What’s gone is gone forever.

[Jen from Austin Texas]

Sonia I’m very very sorry to hear that you were forced against your wishes. It must be a very difficult thing to go through and live with. I feel your pain. Please look forward and try to move on and learn from that experience. Life teaches us so many lessons. Thoughts and best wishes with you.

[Sonia]

No one is replaceable. You will always be haunted by the loss of a loved one.

[7]

@S

Eden might be one of your nieces ! - <3

7

[Jesse]

The beautiful world of science and the spiritual equality of man! Coming to a segregated suburban enclave near you soon!

https://twitter.com/RealSaleemJuma/status/1273281672784474113

[Jesse]

It's really important that we support BLM.

https://twitter.com/joshlecash/status/1273450148027228160

[777]

@Dungenes
"" After all, a true guru must be a 24x7 counselor for all the relentless demons
in your life. ""

60x60x24x7x54x83 Simran -
See my comments and decide Simran changes in/is Shabd

777

PS
@Sonia : Do it 4Eden

[S]

@S

Eden might be one of your nieces ! - <3

7

Posted by: 7 | June 17, 2020 at 04:20 AM

💘

[S]

Last Wednesday I took a walk with my dog (I don’t “walk my dog” 😂) and he sniffed out a baby Robin bird. And yes, I know better than to try and rescue every “lost” baby bird because often times their parents are nearby and actually looking out for them.

But this one was wandering the streets after midnight like a drunken school boy. I was afraid he was going to really hurt himself because he was determined to walk on the road even though I kept trying to get him back on the grassy area and under a tree. He also seemed quite distressed and exhausted.

Long story short I took him home. I named him Andi and have to feed him on average every 20 minutes from sunrise to sun set. (They really have a pronounced circadian rhythm.) He’s been an absolute joy. But next time it would make more sense for me to rescue a baby owl. I’m not a morning person. This is some serious dedication. 🙃

We took him outside today for his first real attempts at flying. Got it all on video too.

Nature is so healing. 🙏

[S]

You’re more bacteria than you are “human”.

https://youtu.be/awtmTJW9ic8

You’re welcome. 🙃

[Sonia]

This comment probably goes here:

“temerity”

I had to look that one up.

I’m opposed to any sort of betrayal in a relationship. Betrayal = death in my book. 🦂 However, unfortunately it doesn’t change the heart.

But as the Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?

I had that drilled into my head from a young age. So “falling in-love” is a good time to check for red flags. Which is exactly why I’ve always only dated/married people that meet a certain list of criteria. And surprisingly, that doesn’t work out so well either. I’m vehemently opposed to arranged marriages but by the same token, the heart is desperate and treacherous when it comes to love. Either way, you’re going to get hurt. You just have to decide how much you’re willing to take, how strong you are and is it really worth it.

—Jaded

[Georgy Porgy]

This is the problem with women and their Gdam lists.

As soon as you are ticking items off a list you are fkd. They so busy trying to tick off their lists they forget to simply pounce on who they ought to. Is he kind, loyal, does he treat you well and make you laugh. What else is there - Gdam idiots deluxe.

[Sonia]

Is he kind, loyal, does he treat you well and make you laugh. What else is there - Gdam idiots deluxe.

Posted by: Georgy Porgy | June 26, 2020 at 01:03 PM

Actually, you’ve made a very good point. Those are really the only things that matter. Oh, and it would be nice if he doesn’t think women are goddam idiots deluxe.

Find all of that and you’ve got your perfect man.

[🌺🌺 777 🌺🌺]

Past and present are outside our control

To jgnore (to a safe degree) the past and future
makes the present somewhat safe

However , in many ways the now can be exponentially ENHANCED
by some degree of "God Realisation"

We see that a little bit in a few religions but giantly even by
the scientific & tangible personal proof of the sweetness
of Shabd

🌺🌺 Blessed & Gorgeous are those who can realise this
when ( or hours/weeks before ) the physical experience ends

This is so much easier and productive than battling the (sometimes horrific) remembernces of paste & 'future'

777

Posted by: 🌺🌺 777 🌺🌺 | June 26, 2020 at 07:47 AM

[S]

Tragedy + Time = Comedy

🙃

[S]

I really hate those red candles.

[S]

So, now I’m gonna binge watch season 2 of The Order since I have nothing scheduled for tomorrow.

Just thought I’d let everyone know. 😝

Is there seriously not a popcorn emoji??

[Sonia]

And I was right, the heart IS desperate and treacherous. Stoicism IS the answer.

[Sonia Taylor]

But I have a theory, the people we love the most are those who make us feel good about ourselves. It’s not just a theory. It’s true.

[🌺]

Those are lucky

Not for George
RS
777

I knew a lady - lost a beautyful daughter
each day was worse

[S]

https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/spiritual-narcissism-creeps-in-quietly

[S]

And this is the guy who was believed to be the next RSSB guru:

http://businessworld.in/article/Religare-Case-Delhi-Court-Dismisses-Shivinder-Mohan-Singh-s-Bail-Plea/18-06-2020-288453

[S]

Those are lucky

Not for George
RS
777

I knew a lady - lost a beautyful daughter
each day was worse

Posted by: 🌺 | June 26, 2020 at 09:52 PM

I knew a man who lost his wife to suicide. Each day was worse.

[S]

n other news....
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/28/asia/india-largest-coronavirus-hospital-delhi-scli-intl/index.html

Posted by: Other Jen | June 28, 2020 at 09:30 AM

Nice pivot, Jen. I think this comment belongs here so I’ll respond here to make sure it gets posted. ;)

We humans are 90% bacteria. Unfortunately we are living in an age where most people are very deficient in good bacteria—the stuff that strengthens our immune systems.

Some people get COVID-19 and don’t get sick at all. Some get it and die. And of course there’s a lot of in between.

This pandemic has a lot to do with how we eat and what we eat. I would advise anyone and everyone to build up their immune systems—especially their digestive health.

It has long been accepted in the medical community that autoimmune diseases like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS, etc. are “incurable”. However there are numerous unexplained cases where people have autoimmune disorders and then one day they don’t. Doctors usually attribute this sort of thing to initial incorrect diagnosis. But who knows. Maybe you really are what you eat.

And holy shit, for the record I’m not saying probiotics will prevent you from getting any kind of disease or that it can cure you from an illness or disease. But I do believe everyone should be concerned about their intestinal health. It is directly linked to your immune system.

https://www.newsweek.com/gut-bacteria-immune-system-probiotics-1333541

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-gut-bacteria-essential-healthy-immune.html

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/advancements-in-research/fundamentals/in-depth/the-gut-where-bacteria-and-immune-system-meet

Kavita time! 🍸

(I do a lot of research and am used to reading a lot... not sure if anyone opens these links but I try to include the most interesting ones. 🤷‍♀️👩🏻‍💻)

[Sonia]

Are we going to get a new Open Thread? Or does that just open things up for too many truly bizarre comments? 🙂

Just curious.

[Nerd Alert! 🤓]

Science Nerd Alert!

OMG this is so exciting! Grab a cup of coffee, tape your eyelids open, be patient and bam! Enlightenment.

Seriously though, Rupert Sheldrake does a good job sharing insight into analogue computing, quantum computing, mechanistic materialism, the rebirth of nature, Science and Spiritual practices and what connects them.

The analogue computing video (first one listed below) was new to me. I had never heard of it. I always thought computing had to be digital. Now I feel stupid. 🤓

https://youtu.be/vTerUb7SSyQ

https://youtu.be/90fD3FWL53s

https://youtu.be/fiUE9jCTnOQ

https://youtu.be/hO4p3xeTtUA

—Sonia

[Georgy Porgy]

Nah, sheldrake is too new-agey for my taste Nerd Alert.

I like my science to be hard-baked with plenty evidence for it, otherwise it’s just wooly wu-wu chakra pop-sci BS and/or conjecture. No problem with speculation and conjecture, but that’s not science.

I’ve also never understood why certain people like sheldrake, chopra and others constantly try to make these tenuous connections and links. Or even why mystic / wisdom traditions / philosophies try do this. For me science is a completely different field of enquiry to spirituality.

I don’t see any overlap at all. Science can only tell you about the objective material world without meaning, whereas spirituality is all about our subjective immaterial conscioness and meaning.

It’s one of the bits about rssb I don’t really buy into, but I can see why people from India two centuries ago (and even non-scientifically minded ppl today) might want sort of cosmological explanation. I don’t need that though and I wouldn’t expect to find it through sant mat.

That said, maybe these two modes of enquiry come most closely into contact when trying to explain whether mind (consciousness) arises from matter (brain) or vice versa.

Our common sense and science says the former, but certain mystic traditions believe the opposite. I’m not saying they are wrong, but there’s no scientific evidence for that theory. It is something that I keep an open mind about tho since so little is known about consciousness from a scientific viewpoint.

[Georgy Porgy]

But if you want to watch something funny watch how the old fart Dawkins gets v irritated v quickly at BS:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PKe4fshETQ4

Dawkins is a proper atheist, regardless of whether you love or hate him, he’s arguments are incredibly well made.

The other great atheist was Christopher Hitchens:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MQox1hQrABQ

These two make phenomenal and formidable arguments. No one comes close to my mind, but they are past-masters of rhetoric. Still if you interested, there’s a stack of their debates on YouTube with all kinds of religious and spiritiual ppl.

[Sonia]

So, my Robin learned to fly. 😔

It’s only natural and he’s having fun. Still in the neighborhood but totally independent now. This is the last video of Andi the Robbin with our dog. Just wanted to share something totally different.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RZJuAYlzd5IUTdUPMnGxen268ZkSJtT0/view?usp=drivesdk

[Nerd Alert]

Georgy,

Chopra was pretty antagonistic.

“Chloroform in print.” 🤣 I’m going to keep that one.

Well, The Hard Problem only became a problem about 400 years ago when Science took a completely new mechanistic view of the universe. 400 years ago is like yesterday. Assuming you’re a fan of Descartes? I’m with Galileo.

If you didn’t get a chance to watch the links above then please (I said please 🙂) at least watch this one from beginning to end. https://youtu.be/90fD3FWL53s

(Oh, and then Lucy.)

This is good too but I’m sure you’re time is limited.
https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/einstein/legacy/quantum-theory

—Sonia

[Georgy Porgy]

Modern science only really became a thing a few hundred years ago. Before that it was pseudo science mostly with a few limited exceptions. Philosophy and mathematics are indeed far older.

For example, medical science only really emerged a couple hundred years ago (French pathology) and most major advances and medications within the last century (antibiotics imaging dna). Before that, if you got sick you were in the shit.

As for psychology and psychiatry and neurology, all new sciences where some question if psychology is really a science anyway. Some of the strictly behavior stuff from skinner may be, but a lot of this stuff is not used. psycholoanalsis seems to be more like philosophy and guess work to me. Be it Freud or some new-age gestalt therapy - mostly BS imo.

As for explaining consciousness, not sure we much closer today than 400 years, tho the studies of the brain neurology is significantly more advanced.

Still we know zilch about the pip I reckon.

[Sonia]

Yeah, but Sant Mat teachings are a lot of guesswork—explanations given by Masters based on the commonly accepted and/or limited knowledge of their time. Doesn’t mean they were dishonest. It just seems to be the natural tendency of transfer of mystical knowledge. aside from a few basic principles in mysticism, most of what masters, gurus and teachers share is guesswork at best. It’s all the “specific explanations” that create problems.

They should just say this is the practice (practice description), this what happens (based on their own experience) and this is what you need to do to reach your spiritual goal.

Everything else one needs to figure out on their own, through their own experiences.

All these “specific answers” do more harm than good. A teacher should be able to relate their own experiences. Not all of them but the ones that apply to all practitioners imo.

[Georgy Porgy]

I dont think the books are worthwhile. Don’t they say burn the books? Or was that Yoda?

I’d rather get it straight from the masters mouth. I think the books are half the problem. They are written by satsangis not the guru. I find the Q&A sessions v interesting. Straight from the horse’s mouth not via the misunderstanding of satsangis.

Not interested in what the satsangis have to say or their experiences. Listen to the master, do the meditation practice, keep your experiences personal, end of.

I don’t care to split hairs over what GIHF means - it’s not even a term he uses.

[S]

I just found free online ebook copies of books written about different Sants. There on a site by a pretty cool dude that belongs to another Sant Mat group but I have no idea which one.

Anyway, I started reading one about Kabir. I had no idea that Kabir was basically like some sort of mythical creature. Yeah, that doesn’t help.

I mean, I recognize that there are positive and negative forces in the Cosmos, but I’m not into medieval ideology.

From Alchemy to Hard Science. Why does our thinking have to be so extreme.

Maybe the Q & A’s are helpful for someone like you...

[Jen]

"Everything else one needs to figure out on their own, through their own experiences."

Yes. Why this constant talking, thinking, judging, on a quest to find the perfect Master. Trying to understand life and death. Having out of body experiences and all sorts of weird dreams and fantasies. Why do we need to believe in anything which we will not know or understand until after we die. Even then death will probably be something like a little drop merging in the ocean of consciousness. I suppose each little drop has something to give.

But all this Master/guru nonsense, looking for help or a guide. We all have our own personal power. Its actually quite simple. Awareness. Keep the mind in check because it will never stop chattering. Try living from moment to moment, being Zen like, really helps to stop the constant chatter... but then this blog won't exist... sigh...

[Jesse]

The cult known as science is dumber, more destructive, more manipulative and overall inferior and less useful to human society and happiness than religion. Science, the cult, will lead to the deaths of the majority of humanity and the only ones left alive will be those who maintained strong faiths.

While fanatical Radha Soami followers and whoever else may be dishonest about things beyond our ability to know such as how many levels there are in heaven, at least don't lie about what is happening right before their eyes on this earth.

https://twitter.com/Timcast/status/1278062907297800193

https://twitter.com/MarkACollett/status/1277550067029860352

https://environmentalprogress.org/big-news/2020/6/29/on-behalf-of-environmentalists-i-apologize-for-the-climate-scare

P.S.

Look at this violent mob SPEAKING TRUTH TO THE POWER OF ONE SKINNY MAN AND HIS LITTLE DOG! Man, they're so BRAVE! Like David and the Goliath. Reminds me of how tiny little McDonalds, Verizon, Paypal, the NFL, and ever other mega corporation stood up to all the middle big shots who don't want their kids kicked out of college for telling offensive jokes. McDonald's really speaks truth to power, man. Tiny little McDonalds vs poor people who want their kids to live a normal life. So stunning.

STUNNING AND BRAVE-------> https://twitter.com/Mrtdogg/status/1278046439260725253

[Sonia]

The problem with Q&As is he may be talking to one person about one thing but it could be interpreted by everyone else incorrectly. And don’t even get me started on his comment about suicide (even though it was a perfect example of what I mean).

I agree about the GIHF thing. That is the most ridiculous concept.

All the Satsangs are based on Satsangis interpretations of things written by other Satsangis and unicorn saints like Kabir.

No disrespect. Really. I’m very chill in person it’s just my writing can come across pretty direct. Not sure why, but it’s always been that way.

[Sonia]

@Jesse

I don’t currently have a twitter account (periodically I do but only when there’s a public issue I want to tune into more closely) so couldn’t open the links. I use social media very sparingly and sporadically.

Anyway, thanks for the link to the article by Michael Shellenberger. I’d really like to read ‘Apocalypse Never’ just to see where he’s getting his info. I’m sure some of his points are valid. However, even if we don’t destroy our environment to the point where the earth is uninhabitable (which I seriously doubt we can do anyway) it still seems we’ve polluted the air, contaminated the waters and modified our food sources to such a terrific degree that the health of all living things, especially humans, will be negatively impacted for generations upon generations to come.

So, we may not end life on earth but we’re slowly killing ourselves.

[Sonia]

Hey Jen,

Have you (or anyone else here) ever taken Lion’s Mane? I’m considering getting it for immune and nerve support. My best friend worked for Fungi Perfecti in Oregon years ago and tried to convince me it would help with some of my health issues. Just curious if medicinal mushrooms are more popular in Australia.

Anyway, normally I just buy a supplement and try it without reading reviews. But nootropics make me a little nervous. It doesn’t take much for my brain to light up and I don’t need it to go all neon.

Also, it’s almost impossible to get info regarding which allopathic meds it might interact with.