Best Of
Re: About Thangka
The thing about Thangkas is that each is a visual metaphor representing the qualities we hope to develop as we progress to enlightenment. For instance, the qualities of Chenrezig represent compassion and each details in the image is a symbolic representation. of compassion If you understant the metaphors in the Thangka, focusing on it helps your mind focus on the inner changes you are seeking to develop within.
Its value does like in the "art" of it, but in how you respond to it. Buddhism is more about mind-training than about "awe" or emotion. You train your mind to be aware, and you learn from your own developing awareness. And, as psychology says, "Learning is shown by a permanent change in some kind of behavior."
Re: Taking Oneself Too Seriously = Suffering
There will always be an element if I. We are, after all, Independent beings.
That said, We can move from "I" - "You" or "I - "They" to "We and "Us" united to blend our differences, cognizant of our own separate uniqueness but creating a greater oneness. In another way, we learn and grow to love ourselves with the kind of live that embraces others with the same love. We expand this love to love of all life. Oh, we still carry all the other emotions, states of life, but our core is the Selfless Self Love.
Thus does the "I" become the "WE", the selfish becomes the selfless.
Peace to all
Lionduck
Re: An online approach
Just now. It was interesting, but I'm out of practice, the last time I meditated like this I was in a group on a sunny day about 14 years and30 kg ago. It'll take some time 'til I get the hang of it. 
Didn't chat with anyone though, it was a video call focused on the meditation and I'm usually intimidated.
RobinH
Re: An online approach
Confusion intensifies. I thought Ganesha is primarily a Hindu deity. But that aside, cool name, although I immediately thought it's a server on its own and this looks like a nice way to collect a bunch of servers to pick from, but I don't see anything closely related to Buddhism. I am cautious with places, especially on the fediverse that build their profile around marginalized identities, because nothing gives me so much anxiety than stepping on a minefield around people who are looking for reasons to take offense and ban you. The type of social media for me is more like this, probably (maybe something with more active members). Even if that doesn't make me very nice.
RobinH
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
I moved the baby hedgehog off the drive, fearing it might get run over/squashed ...
A while back I saw a turtle wandering across my driveway, making its way to the pond ..It had escaped from one of my neighbours......it was on the run
Shoshin1
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
Hedgehog! I love 'em. There are some in my city and it's very comforting knowing that there are still some animals around.
marcitko
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
I had to replace two driver belts in my car on Tuesday last week. Later in the week, I heard a grinding sound while driving out of my driveway. At first, I thought I had run over a twig that got stuck under the car. The noise eventually stopped, so I did not think much of it.
On Saturday, when I started the car, two warning lights came on. I drove off thinking they would go out, but they did not. I drove to the market to help set up our stall. After leaving the market around lunchtime to head to the ferry, the car started up fine, but the two warning lights were still on. I drove to the passenger ferry to attend a rally in the city. Later in the afternoon, I started the car to drive home, and a couple more warning lights came on. I drove home thinking I should take it back to the mechanic.
While driving along my dirt driveway, I came to our group of letterboxes and noticed what looked like a torn driver belt sitting on top of one. I thought that was strange. Why would someone put a torn belt on the letterbox?
I picked it up and drove to my place. As I was reversing into my parking spot, I noticed the steering wheel was hard to turn. I managed to park the car and opened the bonnet to take a look inside, not that I really knew what I was looking for. But I did notice that something was missing. When I tried to start the car again, all the warning lights came on and the car would not start.
That is when I finally put two and two together. One of the driver belts must have started to split, gradually come loose, and eventually fallen off as I was leaving the driveway that morning. A neighbour must have spotted it and put it on the letterbox.
It is the long weekend, so the mechanic will not be open until Tuesday. I have been thinking about getting another car for quite a while, and now I think it is time to take action.
Umm a nifty Suzuki Swift tickles my fancy. Like the one in this photo... 
Shoshin1
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
On the driveway this afternoon I came across this little fellow.
Shoshin1