Best Of
Re: Funny Stuff
Recently, in a large French city, a poster with the image of a skinny and tanned young woman appeared in a gym window. The text read: “This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale? ”
A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the model on the poster, responded publicly to the provocation with these words:
“To whom it is due,
Whales are always surrounded by friends: dolphins, sea lions and curious humans. They have an active sex life, get pregnant and give birth to adorable baby whales. They love eating shrimp, playing and swimming in the oceans, visiting amazing places such as Patagonia, the Bering Sea and Polynesian coral reefs.
Whales make amazing singers and they even recorded CDs. They're incredible creatures and almost free of predators, except for humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost the whole world.
Mermaids, on the other hand, don't exist. And if they existed, would they line up in front of psychoanalysts’ studies to solve their identity crisis: fish or human? Even the most experienced therapist would find themselves in trouble.
They don’t have a sex life, because they kill the men that approach them. But how could they? Where would 'that thing' be? Consequently, they don't have children. And who would want to approach a girl who smells of fish tank?
P.S. We live in a time where the media tries to convince us that only skinny people are beautiful. I, on the other hand, prefer to enjoy ice cream with my children, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and good chocolate with my girlfriends.
Over time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that, when there is no more space, it is distributed to the rest of our body. So we are not burdened, we are hugely educated and happy. "
Jeroen
Re: Zazen is not meditation?!
But zazen is meditation then! Why say it is not meditation practice? I mean, I find this an extra-confusing step. Perhaps you want to get rid of categories and concepts but human beings operate and construct these to engage with their reality.
[Dramatic pause]
Mid-way through writing that paragraph I realise how this conceptual proliferation -In Theravada, they call it papañca - is so human-like and perhaps to reach Nirvana one must learn to pause it.
Kotishka's head begins to emit steam
Thank you all.
PD: I will watch the videos later Shoshin 
Kotishka
How very disappointing...
Call me late to the party, but I recently discovered, reading the Wiki entry for him, that Lama Surya Sas was been accused of sexual impropriety, in 2019. He disputes 'some' of the allegations. Which must surely, logically mean that he agrees with others....?!
Sogyal Rinpoche was also at the centre of a scandal involving his abuse of students and followers.
Sogyal Rinpoche's impropriety did not - for me - detract to any significant degree from the masterpiece he wrote, "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" because it was an impersonal, educational insightful book. He never really spoke about himself, or referred to himself, except briefly and to explain his beginnings... I'm really far more disappointed with Lama Surya Das, because his 'Awakening' Trilogy is somewhat biographical, and replete with personal anecdotes. He mentions so many teachers and Gurus, who had a profound effect on his development, and relates different phases of his education - some of them of intense and deep practice - culminating in his being established as an elevated and respected Lama.
These men are not isolated cases, sadly. There are many accounts of Buddhist Monks from all traditions, being accused - and being found guilty - of extremely serious misdemeanours.
Some of these people were celibate as part of their tradition dictates. Others were perhaps free to marry and have families... So... why? Terrible abuse of power and position.
I'm just bitterly disappointed.
I recently began re-reading Surya Das' Awakening books. Then checked his current status on Wiki. I feel a little embittered now, and am finding it difficult to separate the words from the man...
federica
Re: Talking outside the echo chamber
There I was in another echo chamber WHEN:
- I realised that I was listening to an echo, in a bubble of my own creation.
- Only hearing and listening to my Self.
- "Is there anybody there?"
Just imagine if I listened to others echoing and could burst their bubbles and talk to them. I have a theory that this might be possible. 
I knew there was a plan
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2113246-how-can-facebook-and-its-users-burst-the-filter-bubble/
lobster
Re: Talking outside the echo chamber
I’ve noticed that selling advertising on FB seems to be an effort to categorise people’s echo chambers and give them those ads that are likely to bring a reaction. It is a mechanism, paid of course, outside the echo chamber.
Jeroen
Re: Artificial Intelligence: Roshi bot answers my "Dogen question" about the "immaterial"
Hmm not sure if roshi bot is so reliable… here is an updated link to the chatbot
https://nozeninthewest.com/roshibot/
Jeroen
The most irritating person on social media, particularly on Reddit
If you've ever browsed Reddit, especially the Zen thread, you may have come across Ewk... a very peculiar user.
He is quite a challenge for any Buddhist navigating the internet.
Re: Funny Stuff
A man goes to a doctor and says, “I think I’m dead.” The doctor, puzzled, asks, “Do dead people bleed?” The man says, “No, of course not.” The doctor pricks his finger, and blood flows out. The man looks at it, astonished, and shouts, “My God, I was wrong — dead people DO bleed!”
Jeroen