Best Of
Re: Modern teachers and money
I think some people use spirituality as a means of making money in an exploitative way. And I think Western culture and capitalism have made it even worse. But in the West, where there's less of a gift giving economic and mendicant culture, it does cost money to have a center, print books, etc., so I think reasonable charges are ok and unavoidable. That said, I would personally avoid $6,000 retreats.
Jason
Re: The straightjacket of scientific thought
I understood! I think.. !
I didn't suggest that you rejected science, but more like what you said, making it your only tool makes everything "dry and limited".
Just like the other way round...
This tendency of taking something and praising to the point of rejecting and establishing an absolute surrounding whatever methodology this might entail can be quite limiting and end up becoming a huge obstacle, as thinking beyond this frame can become very difficult as time goes by. Your mind becomes rigid, you do not wish to challenge these ideas...which is a "skillful aspect" that science should promote. Anyway, not limited to science, I think we should all challenge our views and be humble about what we can, and we cannot get.
Once I was chatting with someone about this topic. We talked about shamanism, mystical experiences, plants. All of them he disregarded as "false experiences".
It was a drunken chat to be honest (but what a great night we had!!!), but I will always remember how this young mexican guy was yelling quite loudly while hitting the table with his fist:
"One day, science will be able to reveal to us how and why we are here....!"
Kotishka
Re: Discord
@Bunks said:
@Jason said:
I use discord but I'm only on one server, the one for Patreon members of The Magnificast Podcast (mainly about leftist politics and Christianity). I used to be on another one, but I just didn't feel like I belonged and left. Any good ones you recommend?Was that you who just joined the BSV group Jason? I am Luke M on there
Yep 
I thought it might be you.
Re: Modern teachers and money
but was more suspicious of the levitation course where folks only seemed to learn how to hop a bit up and down from a meditation posture.
It would seem the only thing which actually levitates is the money being lifted from the bank account...Now that's real levitation practice and some so-called teachers are really good at that....
Shoshin1
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
Today I managed to sit crossed legged for 15 minutes without any pain or discomfort that goes beyond the usual lower back pain and restless mind which lies inside the boundaries of "acceptable".
sOOOO...I wanted to simply share that just when the timer pronounced the end of the session..the following idea came to my mind. It said: "Cranberry juice".
Kotishka
How to die?
Dear Friends of Solent Green,
Are you leaving your shell to science?
Being boiled in the bag …
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jul/02/boil-in-the-bag-environmentally-friendly-funerals-arrive-in-uk-resomation-acquamation
Mmm … I always fancied a sky burial but not legal in the UK …
There is also a really cool speed composting, also not yet available …
Bury or burn? Just don't care?
Just hope our Home Secretary or king, does not reintroduce crucifixion … I might qualify being a little anti-state … 
lobster
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
I have heard that there is a group of rays called the Mantra Rays. I'm told that if you place a micraphone in the water, you can listen to them. But, they ar very hard to locate diver going in search of them asked a school of Monk Fish and was told, "Third Sangha to the left.".
Peace to all
Lionduck
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
@Shoshin1 said:
This is a special kind of practice which is called 'dozing off', and I experience this quite a bit during the day...in fact I'm becoming quite good at it
It was an experience distinct from sleep though, as I was still aware…
Jeroen