General Banter - NewBuddhist http://newbuddhist.com/categories/general-banter/feed.rss Sun, 19 May 2013 21:49:07 -0400 General Banter - NewBuddhist en-CA Fracking for natural gas is safe? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18776/fracking-for-natural-gas-is-safe Sat, 18 May 2013 06:49:50 -0400 General Banter hermitwin 18776@/discussions What are your opinions? ]]> Hallucinogenics - A 'smash-and-grab on the Transcendental'? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18775/hallucinogenics-a-smash-and-grab-on-the-transcendental Sat, 18 May 2013 05:31:48 -0400 General Banter John_Spencer 18775@/discussions and experienced the reality of LSD.

I would be interested to hear the opinions of my fellow sangha-members as to whether the two experiences might (even if only conceptually) correlate for them (you don't have to have taken hallucinogenics to comment, obviously).

This isn't intended to be a discussion about 'drugs' and whether we should take them.

I am hoping for a sober discussion about the nature of consciousness.

This is the first thread that I I have ever started so I have really tried to phrase my open question carefully.

Please be gentle with me...]]> Is your job wholesome? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18765/is-your-job-wholesome Fri, 17 May 2013 04:25:03 -0400 General Banter footiam 18765@/discussions What does your avatar symbolise? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18721/what-does-your-avatar-symbolise Sun, 12 May 2013 09:40:08 -0400 General Banter kashi 18721@/discussions
]]> Summer album! http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18778/summer-album Sun, 19 May 2013 09:09:04 -0400 General Banter JoyfulGirl 18778@/discussions
Mine are:

Ani DiFranco - So Much Shouting/So Much Laughter and Living in Clip]]> Sayings http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18539/sayings Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:39:14 -0400 General Banter Che 18539@/discussions ]]> Does Anyone Here Play Chess? :) http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/17482/does-anyone-here-play-chess Fri, 28 Dec 2012 20:59:34 -0500 General Banter LeonBasin 17482@/discussions http://www.sparkchess.com/) you can play it by downloading it to your Chrome browser as an "App" or you can go to the website provided above. If anyone cares to play, my name is LeonBasin on there. ]]> SillyPutty's Thread o' Silliness http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18689/sillyputtys-thread-o-silliness Wed, 08 May 2013 13:59:55 -0400 General Banter SillyPutty 18689@/discussions
image

Post your quirky things that make you laugh as well. :D]]> pick-me-up http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18768/pick-me-up Fri, 17 May 2013 10:09:12 -0400 General Banter genkaku 18768@/discussions
IF THIS DOESN'T CHEER YOU UP, I'D SUGGEST YOU COMMIT SUICIDE.]]> Tylenol Eases Existential Anxiety http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18773/tylenol-eases-existential-anxiety Fri, 17 May 2013 20:26:21 -0400 General Banter person 18773@/discussions
A common pain-reliever can also be used to cope with existential dread - anxiety arising from thinking about death - according to a new study.

Acetaminophen or Tylenol is an over-the-counter pain medicine used to relieve minor aches or fever. The new study has shown that Tylenol can also help reduce pain experienced after thinking about death or uncertainty of life.


http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/1440/20130418/tylenol-eases-existential-anxiety.htm
For a long time I used leftover codine and tramadol from the doctor for pain relief. Recently I ran out and started using acetaminophen, I noticed that my mood improved as well and things generally seemed brighter, I just wrote this off as being relief of whatever pain I was having. Then today I heard about this story and saw it in a new light.

Just in case someone thinks of using acetaminophen to treat their existential dread and doesn't read the full article acetaminophen in large doses can be fatal.]]> Do you like to live alone in nature? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18159/do-you-like-to-live-alone-in-nature Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:42:43 -0400 General Banter footiam 18159@/discussions
Andhakavinda Sutta: Let the Wilderness Serve!
translated from the Pali by
Andrew Olendzki
© 2005–2013

At one time the Buddha was residing in Magadha, near [a place called] Andhakavinda. At that time the Buddha was seated under the open sky, in the deep darkness of the night, and the rain-god was making it rain, drop by drop. Then the Brahma Sahampati, as the night was passing away, lighting up Andhakavinda with his surpassing brilliance, approached the Buddha and stood to one side. As he stood to one side, the Brahma Sahampati offered up these verses in the presence of the Buddha:
Let the wilderness serve for your seat and bed! From fear; and in the fearless, released. In places where frightening serpents abide, Lightning clashes and the rain-god thunders, In the blinding darkness of the deepest night, There he sits — the monk who's vanquished his dread. Let the wilderness serve for your seat and bed! Go about set free from the ties that bind. But if, perchance, you don't find there your bliss, then Live in a group — but watch over yourself: Mindful, proceeding for alms from house to house, Mindful, with guarded faculties — and wise.
]]> How to stay peaceful in an "egoic" environment? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18739/how-to-stay-peaceful-in-an-egoic-environment Mon, 13 May 2013 21:09:48 -0400 General Banter Mateeah 18739@/discussions A little questionnaire http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18658/a-little-questionnaire Sun, 05 May 2013 09:53:56 -0400 General Banter kashi 18658@/discussions
Ill start.

fav color: black
fav song: "oceans" by pearl jam
fav sutta/sutra: the fire sermon Ādittapariyāya Sutta
fav word: Buddha :)
word that makes you cringe: group (hate how it sounds for some reason)
one thing you wish you had: a partner who's also buddhist
one thing you wish you did not have: ignorance
what makes you the happiest: moments of letting go of "self"
be brave, something embarrassing about you: Im in touch with my feminine side..spend a lot of time on my hair LOL (its pretty long)
say something positive about yourself: Im a kind person

Thats it i don't want to make this book lengthy. Hope you will share too.

_/\_ *Bow*]]> Buddha in the House http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18745/buddha-in-the-house Tue, 14 May 2013 08:34:22 -0400 General Banter lobster 18745@/discussions Do you have Buddha statues as ornaments/reminders?
image
]]> Could nationalism ever be a force for good? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18535/could-nationalism-ever-be-a-force-for-good Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:53:10 -0400 General Banter Zayl 18535@/discussions
Just some musings, don't pay terrible attention to it.]]> What are you Listening to right now!!! http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/6884/what-are-you-listening-to-right-now Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:30:46 -0400 General Banter Aeonuniversalis 6884@/discussions
Redemption City by Corrosion of Conformity]]> Screen name info...share http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18655/screen-name-info-share Sat, 04 May 2013 22:20:54 -0400 General Banter kashi 18655@/discussions Share the meaning behind your screen name.

I'll start....

My native american name is sly fox. in japanese thats kashikoi kitsune. so kashi for short.
]]> The best thing that happened to you today. http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18480/the-best-thing-that-happened-to-you-today Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:50:25 -0400 General Banter sova 18480@/discussions
Please share a highlight from your day. I'll go first, today I met a really friendly lady on the street with one leg. She smiled and told me that it is nice and sunny out.]]> concentration http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18727/concentration Sun, 12 May 2013 20:14:12 -0400 General Banter genkaku 18727@/discussions CONCENTRATION .... sorry, the embed code escapes my expertise.]]> This is Water http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18716/this-is-water Sat, 11 May 2013 22:08:03 -0400 General Banter Nevermind 18716@/discussions
image]]> Am I the only one http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18706/am-i-the-only-one Thu, 09 May 2013 22:30:18 -0400 General Banter music 18706@/discussions
To be honest, nothing excites me anymore - not even a 'dream' vacation like this.

Has anyone felt this way? Is it a sign of depression - or perhaps enlightenment?]]> But What is the cause for our monkey mind? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18700/but-what-is-the-cause-for-our-monkey-mind Thu, 09 May 2013 12:37:17 -0400 General Banter kashi 18700@/discussions ignorance? ]]> Happy Mothers Day http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18714/happy-mothers-day Sat, 11 May 2013 12:55:56 -0400 General Banter BonsaiDoug 18714@/discussions
To all the NB's member's Moms... may your special day be filled with love!

For those of us who's Moms have passed on, I offer this poem, "A Rose for Your Pocket" by Thich Nhat Hanh:

"That year, although I was still very young
My mother left me.
And I realized
That I was an orphan.
Everyone around me was crying.
I suffered in silence . . .

Allowing the tears to flow,
I felt my pain soften.
Evening enveloped Mother’s tomb,
The pagoda bell rang sweetly.

I realized that to lose your mother
Is to lose the whole universe."]]> On Monday at 0645 hrs, I will be retired. http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18707/on-monday-at-0645-hrs-i-will-be-retired Thu, 09 May 2013 23:27:42 -0400 General Banter JohnG 18707@/discussions
I'm finding this phase of life a wierd experiance. I look around and remmeber what was, the one thing that awes me is a simple tree. When I started, it was just a sapling about three feet high; as I look at it now, 20 or so feet, I think of the growth it had taken.

Memories fill my mind, some of the incidents (good and bad) but how the world felt around me then and now. I remember one Sunday afternoon, it was around Januarty/February and most of the jurisdiction was former farm. The ground was frozen, some snow drifted across the fields, and being winter at two in the afternoon, it was twilight. It was the most serine feeling I ever had.

But, its time to move on. Adventure, and life awaits. :om: ]]> Child Abuse Leaves Distinct Gene Activity Patterns!! (Why I am against hitting or striking a child!) http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18712/child-abuse-leaves-distinct-gene-activity-patterns-why-i-am-against-hitting-or-striking-a-child Sat, 11 May 2013 02:26:03 -0400 General Banter LeonBasin 18712@/discussions
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/259998.php?utm_source=feedly]]> what factor (s) of the 8fold path are easier for you to practice? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18683/what-factor-s-of-the-8fold-path-are-easier-for-you-to-practice Tue, 07 May 2013 23:32:54 -0400 General Banter kashi 18683@/discussions Would you like to be rich? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18002/would-you-like-to-be-rich Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:05:46 -0500 General Banter footiam 18002@/discussions SN 3.6
PTS: S i 73
CDB i 168
Appaka Sutta: Few
translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
© 1998–2013
At Savatthi. As he was sitting to one side, King Pasenadi Kosala said to the Blessed One: "Just now, lord, while I was alone in seclusion, this train of thought arose in my awareness: 'Few are those people in the world who, when acquiring lavish wealth, don't become intoxicated & heedless, don't become greedy for sensual pleasures, and don't mistreat other beings. Many more are those who, when acquiring lavish wealth, become intoxicated & heedless, become greedy for sensual pleasures, and mistreat other beings.'"

"That's the way it is, great king! That's the way it is! Few are those people in the world who, when acquiring lavish wealth, don't become intoxicated & heedless, don't become greedy for sensual pleasures, and don't mistreat other beings. Many more are those who, when acquiring lavish wealth, become intoxicated & heedless, become greedy for sensual pleasures, and mistreat other beings."

That is what the Blessed One said. Having said that, the One Well-Gone, the Teacher, said further:
Impassioned with sensual possessions, greedy, dazed by sensual pleasures, they don't awaken to the fact that they've gone too far — like deer into a trap laid out. Afterwards it's bitter for them: evil for them the result.
]]> Simple Pleasures http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18693/simple-pleasures Wed, 08 May 2013 15:34:48 -0400 General Banter Jimyo 18693@/discussions
1. Popping bubble wrap.
2. Trampling through snow.
3. Watching kid's films.
4. Kicking piles of leaves
5. Licking the cake mix bowl.
6. Building a snowman.
7. Going on a swing.
8. Pulling silly faces.
9. Having a water/snowball fight.
10. Going on rides at theme parks.

It got me thinking. What are your top simple pleasures in life that really make you smile?

Personally, I don't need to pull a face for mine to be silly and I'd pay NOT to go on a roller coaster but cake mix bowl? Yes please!]]> How Big Food keeps us eating through a combination of science and marketing http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18695/how-big-food-keeps-us-eating-through-a-combination-of-science-and-marketing Wed, 08 May 2013 18:25:35 -0400 General Banter person 18695@/discussions
There is an article and a video report. The video report covers most of what's in the article.
"I was totally surprised," he said. "I spent time with the top scientists at the largest companies in this country and it's amazing how much math and science and regression analysis and energy they put into finding the very perfect amount of salt, sugar and fat in their products that will send us over the moon, and will send their products flying off the shelves and have us buy more, eat more and …make more money for them."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2013/03/05/f-vp-crowe-food-addiction.html
]]> Blowing off steam http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18687/blowing-off-steam Wed, 08 May 2013 09:49:54 -0400 General Banter kashi 18687@/discussions Im going to just be a normal unenlightend being and have a small bitch fit because i simply feel like letting my ego have its way for a moment....

What? you thought I was about to blow up or something? LOL I actually have nothing to bitch about!!
:om: ]]> How much time a day do you spend on here? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18692/how-much-time-a-day-do-you-spend-on-here Wed, 08 May 2013 15:20:08 -0400 General Banter kashi 18692@/discussions
Three to four off and on.

You?]]> Amazing street performers http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18684/amazing-street-performers Tue, 07 May 2013 23:37:05 -0400 General Banter Jeffrey 18684@/discussions image]]> EvE Online http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18556/eve-online Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:25:53 -0400 General Banter Zayl 18556@/discussions
So come on in, join the fun.
image
]]> What are your personal Hobbies in life? (Besides meditation and study etc) http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18628/what-are-your-personal-hobbies-in-life-besides-meditation-and-study-etc Thu, 02 May 2013 06:41:54 -0400 General Banter zenmyste 18628@/discussions
Or if you dont have the time, what do you try to make time for????

What would you like to do more of??

Thanks!]]> Buddhist/Muslim Conflict in Burma http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18639/buddhistmuslim-conflict-in-burma Fri, 03 May 2013 07:34:34 -0400 General Banter federica 18639@/discussions this article. Perhaps you might like to comment.

It's deeply thought-provoking and insightful.

Perhaps it also gives us an insight into the different ways Buddhism is practised and perceived, in the West.....]]> Senate Approves Internet Sales Tax Proposal!! http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18675/senate-approves-internet-sales-tax-proposal Mon, 06 May 2013 19:54:12 -0400 General Banter LeonBasin 18675@/discussions
http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/06/pf/taxes/internet-sales-tax-vote/index.html]]> Would Buddha be a voluntaryist? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18674/would-buddha-be-a-voluntaryist Mon, 06 May 2013 16:24:40 -0400 General Banter Theswingisyellow 18674@/discussions http://voluntaryist.com/fundamentals/introduction.html]]> Hunger Strike at Guantanamo http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18607/hunger-strike-at-guantanamo Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:30:32 -0400 General Banter poptart 18607@/discussions hunger strike that has been going on at Guantanamo detention centre since February. I only heard about it on the radio this morning. I'd be interested to know how widely reported this has been in the US.

The issue of detaining prisoners indefinitely raises several ethical issues. And is it right to force feed prisoners who refuse to eat? How should we, as Buddhists, feel about these questions?]]> Northeast/eastern Pa. and Green Tara? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18667/northeasteastern-pa-and-green-tara Mon, 06 May 2013 00:12:15 -0400 General Banter JohnG 18667@/discussions What does "Namaste" mean? well.... http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18661/what-does-namaste-mean-well Sun, 05 May 2013 12:41:21 -0400 General Banter kashi 18661@/discussions
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste]]> Question about incense http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18654/question-about-incense Sat, 04 May 2013 18:05:39 -0400 General Banter kashi 18654@/discussions
is there a traditional type of incense that is used in zen? or does the scent not matter as long as japanese incense is used?

personaly i use sandalwood by a company called nipon kodo the "morning star" type and smells amazing.]]> Would like to say http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18659/would-like-to-say Sun, 05 May 2013 10:48:27 -0400 General Banter Wisdom23 18659@/discussions Does your family know you're Buddhist? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18646/does-your-family-know-youre-buddhist Fri, 03 May 2013 21:58:01 -0400 General Banter DaftChris 18646@/discussions
My family does not know I apply Buddhist practice to my life. They know of my interest in world religions, but they still think that I'm a Christian. I tried telling my mom of mediation and mantras and her reaction was "Christ can provide you so much more".

I no longer discuss religion with her or the family. There is no point and why bring up something that can cause an issue? ]]> Living Stem Cells Discovered in 17-Day-Old Human Corpses!! http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18657/living-stem-cells-discovered-in-17-day-old-human-corpses Sun, 05 May 2013 02:49:08 -0400 General Banter LeonBasin 18657@/discussions

Charles Choi, LiveScience ContributorDate: 12 June 2012 Time: 11:00 AM ET
Stem cells can remain alive in human corpses for at least 17 days after death, researchers say.

Stem cells give rise to all other cells in the body, a property that makes them extraordinarily valuable in potential therapies. These potent cells are often rare, only present in small numbers in tissue samples from patients and difficult to distinguish from other cell types in many cases. As such, scientists are investigating novel ways to procure stem cells and improve the viability of the ones they can get.


http://www.livescience.com/20897-living-stem-cells-discovered-human-corpse.html]]> Thoughts on bill roaches comments about 'paedophiles victims' are caused because of PAST LIVES?? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18191/thoughts-on-bill-roaches-comments-about-paedophiles-victims-are-caused-because-of-past-lives Wed, 20 Mar 2013 05:20:53 -0400 General Banter zenmyste 18191@/discussions
What are your thoughts on this please?]]> Terrible. iPod stolen in Italy. http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18631/terrible-ipod-stolen-in-italy Thu, 02 May 2013 12:09:57 -0400 General Banter MontrealMonk 18631@/discussions
After having been there for 7 days, i was walking in downtown Bari (south) taking a video of this building on my new iPod 5, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, i felt this hand brush against mine. Next thing i knew, my iPod was gone, and some young fool started running away. At first i thought it was a joke, but once i saw him start running, i knew this was no joke, lol

I was with my pregnant fiance, so i really had to think fast. I decided i wanted my iPod back, as i already had 7 days of pics and vids from the trip. (close to 1250 in all) - well, i started bolting after him. I am a very fast runner but this guy was LIGHTENING fast. I chased him for 4 entire streets, yelling as i was chasing him, in HOPES of there being cops at one of the intersections. But just my luck, no police to be found anywhere, and all the people who stood watch did absolutely nothing in trying to help, or stop this guy.

After 4 streets, i looked back and my pregnant fiance was nowhere to be seen, so i decided to stop chasing, and take the loss. I got screwed, plain and simple. It was what it was. Another victim. Well, who knows if this guy needed to feed his family, or needed to feed his drug addiction. Whatever it was, it sucked for me, lol - then i thought: what if i did catch him, what would have happened? I would have tackled him? We would have fought? Just a really nasty situation. It was probably all meant to be. He knew exactly when to snatch it, and he knew there would have been no cops down the street he took off on. I'm sure he does this multiple times a day, or week.

It took me 24 hrs to get over the whole situation, but since i couldn't really care for material things, i said forget it.
I went to Apple (in Italy), in hopes of buying a new one, but the iPod 5 was 329 euros - i said NO THANKS, lol. When i got back to Montreal i found a brand new in the box one for 270$ Canadian, cash through Kijiji.

Life is funny like that.
PS: a few people on the plane ride back to Canada also got robbed while in Italy.

Europe is in really bad shape. Sucks...i wonder how long it will take for all this garbage to arrive in Canada. I know the USA is pretty hard up as well, but wow. It's a sad state of affairs.

Thanks for listening :)
]]> Chicken and egg koan http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18606/chicken-and-egg-koan Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:54:42 -0400 General Banter Jeffrey 18606@/discussions
What came first the chicken or egg?

I'll give my response after you guys, well if nobody answers then maybe not! If this is your koan what do you think? Maybe at least take 3 breaths letting things be (at least) before answering. Humor welcome but I am not kidding I have a nugget from this. Insignificant mini nugget samadhi. Hmmmm I think McDs chicken nugget mandala has hit me! Why do I think only of dipping sauces?]]> Study Suggests Yoga Boosts The Immune System On A Genetic Level!! http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18649/study-suggests-yoga-boosts-the-immune-system-on-a-genetic-level Sat, 04 May 2013 01:31:05 -0400 General Banter LeonBasin 18649@/discussions
Study Suggests Yoga Boosts The Immune System On A Genetic Level - See more at: http://disinfo.com/2013/05/study-suggests-yoga-boosts-the-immune-system-on-a-genetic-level/#sthash.2sjvSNKf.dpuf]]> Please help, dating sites to meet buddhists... http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18640/please-help-dating-sites-to-meet-buddhists Fri, 03 May 2013 10:05:47 -0400 General Banter kashi 18640@/discussions
Nothing has worked for me and I would be here for a long time if I were to go into details.

I am tired of being alone in terms of a romantic relationship. Ive tried dharma dating and buddhistdating.com but theres no one within my miles radius Im willing to travel, due to gas prices.

Match.com seems to be the king of these online dating sites. I get about 200 views every month or so, but most people live in the DC area (im in VA) but thats a distance issue and from my experience these are people who are government types who are very "worldly" and very much the opposite of "who" I am and what I want.
very VERY rarely will I find someone who is interested in buddhism or a new age spiritual \ hippie kind of girl and these few times ive found one they were already interested in someone else.

Im not sure what to ask here....
Has anyone here being a buddhist ever used match.com and been successful?
has anyone here ever used a mantra and had luck (such as aham prema? "i am divine love")??

I really wish new buddhist had a section for online dating because I honestly believe that would help.
Ive been feeling pretty depressed lately.

Any advice or help would be much appreciated

Namaste
_/\_]]> Failure? http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/18619/failure Wed, 01 May 2013 04:22:08 -0400 General Banter lobster 18619@/discussions If I do, or don't become a Buddha what difference will it make? It seems there are sufficient enlightened beings, teachers, books, all kinds of access to information and teachings. Maybe I should take up knitting?

A lot of the people here, seem to think liberation is a side effect, or not that important, why is that? Are we just practising to gain a little peace and equanimity? Is Buddhism just a way of coping with life? Should it be something more? What is the purpose of Buddhism? Are we failures or is it just me?

]]>