Buddhism for the western prison's topics - tribe.net

ever had an episode of "unexplained energy"?

SilverthornS — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 10:36:34 GMT

i have this thing i can't explain, some sort of energy i can generate from my arms from the fingers of my hands, running up to the shoulders crossing straight to the other shoulder then to the other tips of my fingers of the other hand. it does not radiate or extend or influence anything other than certain parts of my body especially my hands and arms. at first, about 7 years ago i tried raising my hands by just thinking about it. i was inspired by a game we used to play back in the elementary days where we would have our hands moving in a certain direction for a time and then when we stop, the arms would just raise by itself.

7 years ago i was able to do it by myself but i was always afraid of it 'coz people from our place always said that people being possessed by demons exhibit this same characteristic just before being possessed. it did not keep me from trying every once in a while though. years ago i could have my arms raised at shoulder level without tensing a muscle but that was just it, it will not happen if my arms are not completely relaxed. if i help the movement in any way except by thinking my arms would drop back down to the sides or i'd feel my arms getting heavier and i would be using my muscles to support it then. i'd feel a certain energy flowing through my arms, wrapping itself on my hands and forearms and that was it.

lately, from years of research, i became bold enough to just let it happen on its own without consciously trying to influence its flow. i was amazed at what this "energy" can do. before i could only raise it up to shoulder level from the sides and from the front and always at the same time but now as i let it flow by itself it directed my arms in many ways. now it can raise my arms to shoulder level and pull it back to its maximum point. this can happen for either left or right arm or both. it can also raise my arm higher sometimes overhead (straight) with the finger touching. it can also raise just one arm. all i do is think of raising my arms and when i feel this energy on my forearms i let it "take me away".

also, if i "tune in" to this energy and on which points it has more concentration, i'd get the feeling that it wants me to bend on certain points in my joints and if i do it, it moves my arms in different other ways. up to now i can feel it coursing through my spine, sometimes pushing me forward or pulling me backward. i can do this sitting or standing up. i sometimes feel great concentration of energy in my chest when it raises my arms.

the positions of my arms when it "pauses" are the positions where you can raise your arms for a long time without straining.

what is this energy? answers will be greatly appreciated.

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 6 replies

NEW ENGLAND BUDDHISTS

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 14:55:51 GMT

Trying to start up a new New England Buddhist tribe, please come, post, and get some energy moving to the Northeast

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 0 replies

Was Siddhartha a Shaivite?

kalkin — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 06:21:17 GMT

I have a book that claims that Siddhartha Gotama was a Shaivite before becoming the Buddha. It even gives a specific name of his guru, Makkhali Gosala. now, I find a lot of other things in this book questionable, so I was wondering if there is anything in the Buddhist tradition to support this? I know in the Buddhist tradition the say he was an ascetic monk in India which would make the possibility of him being Shaivite very high. But is there anything specific about this or his guru?

Thank you.

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 3 replies

Nirvana

Mook — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 06:45:30 GMT

So if you believe that we are living one long continuous life in the cycle of samara, and that humans out of all forms (gods, titans, hungry ghosts, and deviants of hell) are the only state in which you can achieve nirvana; is it possible that you can have revelations, if you will, as to when you can achieve nirvana? Lets say there are things that match and coincide that you find everyday, that all point to one date. Could that day be the day when you achieve inner peace, therefore reaching nirvana? And if so, why would it be revealed or shown to you? Perhaps to ready your body and mind for enlightenment?

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 3 replies

Tibetan Yogas of Dream & Sleep - Maui - Jan 25-28, 2007

BonHawaiisOtherSte — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:01:06 GMT

Free Public Talk
Thursday, January 25, 2007 6:00 PM
Location: Jan 25 Kahului Borders Maui

3-Day Workshop
Jan 26-28 Ko`lea`lea Retreat Center
1120 Kaupakalua Road, Haiku, Maui, Hawaii
Haiku, Maui, Hawaii 96708 view map

More Info: www.DreamYogaMaui.com

"We spend a third of our life sleeping. No matter what we do, however virtuous or non-virtuous our activities, whether we are murderers or saints, monks or ibertines, every day ends the same. We shut our eyes and dissolve into darkness,. We do so fearlessly, even as everything we know as "me" disappears. After a brief period, images arise and our sense of self arises with them. We exist again in the apparently limitless world of dream. Every night we participate in these most profound mysteries, moving from one dimension of experience to another, losing our sense of self and finding it again, and yet we take it all for granted. We wake in the morning and continue in "real" life, but in a sense we are still asleep and dreaming. The teachings tell us tha twe can continue in this deluded, dreamy state, day and night, or wake up to the truth."

If we cannot carry our practice into sleep, if we lose ourselves every night, what chance do we have to be aware when death comes? Look to your experience in dreams to know how you will fare in death. Look to your experience in sleep to discover whether or not you are truly awake.

In order to fully travel the path to enlightenment, all of life must be recognized and engaged as spiritual opportunity. Tibetan yoga has, from ancient times to the present, used the dream and sleep states both as aides to the path and as complete paths in themselves. During this teaching, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will explain the dream yoga and give instruction and transmission for its practice.

Dream yoga is not only a practice to be done in the dream state. Its understanding and methods work with all moments of life, waking and sleeping. Preliminary practices are engaged to bring greater awareness to each moment and to turn the practitioner's mind from engagement in dualistic preoccupations to integration with the boundless view of the non-dual path. Concentration practice steadies the mind, and yogic practices done during waking periods in the night carry awareness into the sleep state. Eventually the practitioner develops the capacity for lucid dreaming--knowing during the dream that one is in a dream. Once lucidity is stabilized, the dream state is used for tantric practice, for healing, for the development of insight, and finally for the direct penetration into the truth that underlies both the dreams of night and the dream of our waking life.

The focus of dream yoga is integrating with the clear light state of our natural mind. By following precise instructions, the practitioner develops awareness of the onset or presence of dreams; having recognized the dream experience as a dream, the advanced practitioner is able to experience its nature with clear non-conceptual awareness. For less advanced practitioners, becoming lucid in the dream allows one to work with the various manifestations--one can overcome fears, perform actions normally beyond one's capacity, and gradually increase dreams of clarity. In this system, ordinary dreams are understood to be caused by habitual propensities ssociated with previous actions and experiences conjoined with the energy of the mind. Eventually these emotional dreams can be transformed, liberated, or brought to the path by the accomplished practitioner.

Tenzin Rinpoche will talk about the practice of dream yoga both from the point of view expressed in the text as well as from his own unique experiences.

people.tribe.net/TenzinWangyalRinpoche
www.DreamYogaMaui.com
www.ligmincha.org

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 0 replies

videotape yourself (with your isite) telling your inspiring story. Earn $50 and share your positivity!

Dose of Inspiration — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 00:15:25 GMT

Have you had something in your life that has profoundly affected you? An act of kindness, grandparent's wisdom, music, art, escaping dependancy on a drug, the truth told my a child, finding the love of your life... We want to hear your stories!

We're looking for people to videotape themselves telling their stories. 5 minutes and under.

We will compensate you $50 for each submission that is accepted to be part of our DVD compilation!

Please visit our website where you can get all the details on how to submit.

go to: doseofinspiration.com

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 0 replies

Dharma seminar with Tibetan Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche in SF

OmniscientBlue — Wed, 17 May 2006 23:33:11 GMT

Cultivate your True Being while living in the Hotel Karma

A Dharma talk given by
Tibetan Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche, the Ninth

Wednesday, May 24th
7-8:30PM
at Danzhaus in San Francisco

* This will be Rinpoche's last talk in the Bay Area before departing for her summer teaching tour in the Midwest *

If the Eagles had sung about the Hotel Karma, what would they have said? Domo Geshe Rinpoche teaches that we arrive in this world, this Hotel Karma, with a full suitcase of personal lessons to be learned. Experiencing what we do in life and progressing on our path, we unpack the suitcase and resolve the issues. What will be in your suitcase when it's time to check out?

Contrary to popular belief, it isn't necessary to live out all of your Karma in order to evolve spiritually or become Enlightened. Even though sentient beings are filled with unmanifested Karma, we don't have to experience EVERYTHING in order to grow or before we stop incarnating. So how do we move forward? Find out the ancient Tibetan teachings of how to resolve negative karma and enhance your greatest inner treasure, your seed of spiritual progress.

* All seekers and practitioners are welcome *

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Domo Geshe Rinpoche teaches the joyful path. Through humor, wit and penetrating insight, she reveals to students their own capacity for clarity, understanding and compassion. Rinpoche is a reincarnate Lama of the Geluk tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Her lineage includes Je Pabongka Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, junior tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She has accomplished extensive training and retreats in the traditional manner. The current Western incarnation of Domo Geshe Rinpoche has arrived through rare and powerful tantric methods in order to transmit the authentic Dharma within Western culture. She currently teaches and leads retreats in many places around the world.

Rinpoche is also available for one-on-one appointments. If you are interested in seeing her, please speak with Jugney (the one in robes) before or after the teaching.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Location: DANZHAUS (aka The Gingerbread Warehouse)
1275 Connecticut St. @ Cesar Chavez St. in San Francisco

* * * Some seating is available, but we recommend bringing your own cushion * * *

Danzhaus is a large, open professional dance studio with ample free parking in a centralized SF neighborhood between the 101 & 280 freeway Cesar Chavez exits. The #19 Muni line will drop you right on the corner if you don't drive. For more info and directions: danzhaus.tripod.com

Suggested Donation: sliding scale $10-$15

White Conch Monastery & Dharma Center
707-571-0321
CAinfo@white-conch.org
white-conch.org

To view this listing, click here:
http://sanfrancisco.tribe.net/listing/Dharma-seminar-with-Tibetan-Lama-Domo-Geshe-Rinpoche-in-SF/san-francisco-ca/a2c103c0-b04d-476a-bf8e-e15aff58c17d

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 0 replies

Yoga with Masters and a Hummingbird

Armand — Mon, 15 May 2006 07:41:11 GMT

On the morning of Saturday, September 24, 2005, I had the following dream, which I am still trying to glean details from. Some times you will have a dream, a dream that you know is very special to you. This dream, was one of those dreams, for me.
I faded into the recognition that I was having a dream, I knew that I had been in the dream for some time before my recognition. Try as I might I could not remember anything prior to this point, but there was this pleasant teasing in my mind that I just might be able to coax it from the dark recesses somehow. I was in the presence of two black robed, male individuals, both radiated ageless, youthful, supple, and beautiful, with an unbelievable grace. They were garbed in a black caftan type robe, yoked at the shoulders, very lose fitting, as I have sometimes seen the Masters of the Brother Hood of the Light ware. I knew, as I was observing the scene, that we had been in deep thought, and discussion. I was being instructed by these Masters, I knew that we had been friends in another life and time. We were all so at ease with one another, I just knew that the two Masters were like lovers they worked as one. Their energy combined as one, they radiated their power. The energy seemed to me to envelop the three of us. I was on a mat, facing my instructors who were facing me so that the one behind was somewhat to the left of the other. We sat before a small reflecting pond, across from one another. This way we were in full sight of each other. I was being instructed partially by word, however I can not recall what was being said. I do believe that it was instructions on the next movement we were about to execute. I know that what we were doing was not just a yoga movement, but something much deeper, even magical.
Next, I was aware of the three of us going through a yoga movement. The movement was from a seated position reaching up over our heads. We held the position while we contemplated our chakras. I could see our selves begin to become a shiny fluid like bags separated at the chakra. They rather looked like big amoebae in a line. With a great deal of effort, we all stretched upward one more time, then with a stretching tilt to the right. Then like an explosion a blinding light went off, it was accompanied by the sound you would expect, but all on the inside of my brain. I was outside of my body looking down at my self. I was marveling and as I watched all of us light up, and as we stretched to the right the bags separated. The bags began to glow, while a golden rope went bag to bag and jumped the voids to connect each other. We tried to maintain the stretch, however all to soon it was over, it left an incredible joy with me.
It was a lot to digest, and as I was unwinding a great light began to appear before my eyes, as it took form it was a platinum humming bird, hovering before me. It gently moved towards me and with its long tong it flicked it out to sip at a tear in the corner of my eye. A this very point I woke up.
I would appreciate any feed back on the symbology within this dream. I am fairy confidant that the golden rope was my Kundalini Raising.

Blessings on you, my brothers and sisters Respectfully yours,
Armand

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 0 replies

New Tribe - SF Bay Area Buddhism and Meditation

snowleopard — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 21:19:53 GMT

Hey Folks,

I have started a tribe called "SF Bay Area Buddhism and Meditation". When wanting to post about NoCal-specific Buddhist events, I noticed that there was a gap beteen the "SF Yoga" tribe, on the one hand, and all the (location non-specific) Buddhism and meditation tribes on the other.

The blurb I wrote for the tribe description says, "A tribe for discussion of the deep Buddhist and meditation scene in the San Francisco Bay Area. Feel free to post about your teacher or center, to announce upcoming events, to ask questions, to ask for rides and sitting partners, etc. Posting about Bay Area-specific topics of interest to Buddhist oriented people (i.e. things happening with Transpersonal Psychology, Hinduism and Taoism, yoga and martial arts, Eckhart Tolle and Rumi, that sort of thing) welcome also, but a main focus on Buddhism and on Buddhist practice is the intention. ¡Vive le Buddhisme et le trésor triple!"

I invite anyone who lives or spends time in Northern California and with an interest in the Buddha way to join this new tribe. It's public, so you can just sign yerself right up - http://tribes.tribe.net/sfbaybuddhism.

Adam

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 0 replies

calling for a Free Tibet action

Peter — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 02:19:39 GMT

Dear friends,

It's time to rise up and help to end the occupation of Tibet.

Help to save the vanishing Tibetan people and culture.

Today's global communications made possible for us to be heard from many people around the world. We can reach others who can help to free Tibet - Chinese government officials, local government officials responsible for Chinese relations, the United Nations and other international organizations, activists around the world - with just sending an email.

Be aware of any China-related events in your area and take action. Show the people in your community that China is not a free and democratic country, as the Chinese government is trying to show us, but a Nazi dictatorship conducting a genocide in Tibet.

Go to the local Chinese embassy or consulate and tell the Chinese officials to end the occupation in Tibet. Use any possible event, with non-violent action, to show that China is not welcome anywhere until Tibet is free.

Boycott "made in China" products. Don't buy anything that has been made in China. Chinese economy depends heavily on foreign markets. You can help your local economy by buying products made in your country. As you do so, others will follow you and soon enough it will become a massive movement.

Become a Free Tibet activist. Educate yourself, your friends, and the people in your community about the true situation in Tibet. Read news from Tibet, available in the internet, and inform local media. Organize movie screenings, put out posters and flyers, raise awareness by any non-violent means about the struggle of the Tibetan people.

For those of you who can travel the world: the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 are the perfect occasion for action. The whole world will be watching China and we can show them what is really going on in Tibet and China.

Be creative and use any non-violent means to raise awareness and pressure the Chinese government to free Tibet.

links:
www.savetibet.org
www.studentsforafreetibet.org
www.tibet.net
www.boycottmadeinchina.org
www.2008-freetibet.org

F R E E T I B E T !

F R E E T I B E T !

F R E E T I B E T !

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 0 replies

Doing Time/Doing Vipassana

dangerangel — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 06:45:51 GMT

Is at the Red Vic this weekend... go see it if you haven't! And if you don't live in SF you can get a copy from http://www.dhamma.org/dtdv.htm

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 0 replies

Ram Dass

BobMaster — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 17:27:44 GMT

Hi,

I am passing this on:

PLEASE PLEASE HELP....HE HAS GIVEN US ALL SO MUCH...

Subject: Ram Dass

Please read it over, and if you are so moved, respond to Dr. Wayne
Dyer's request.

BE HERE for him, NOW drwaynedyer.com/articles/

One of the truly great men of our time needs our help. I write these
words to encourage your generosity and support. Back in the 1960's a
Harvard professor named Richard Alpert left behind the hectic world
of academia and business and traveled to India- there he was to meet
his spiritual teacher who gave him a new purpose to fulfill along with a
new name. He is of course Ram Dass.

His guru told him love everyone, feed people and see God everywhere.
Ram Dass became a person who lived out this mandate - he did what so
many of us could only dream. He connected to his spirit and devoted his
life to serving others.

In 1969 he wrote and published the signature book on spirituality
and applied higher awareness, Be Here Now. In keeping with his
commitment to love everyone and feed people, he donated all of the royalties
and profits to a foundation that did, and does just that. With millions
of dollars at stake, Ram Dass simply chose to live his life as a man of
service to God. After years spent in India in pursuit of a higher more
enlightened consciousness for himself and for our troubled world, he
returned to the United States to lecture throughout the country. He
spoke to packed venues wherever he went, and as always he donated
the proceeds to such causes as would keep him in harmony with his
mandate to serve. He co-founded the Seva Foundation ( www.seva.org )
where all of the monies were earmarked to fulfill his mission. Ram Dass and his
writing and lecture fees were the primary sources for this inspirational work.

To me Ram Dass was and is the finest speaker I have ever heard, period!
He was my role model on stage; always gentle and kind, always
speaking without notes from his heart, sharing his inspiring stories and
always with great humor. I tell you this from my own heart; I could listen
to his lectures for hours and always felt saddened when they would end.
He was the voice for Applied Spirituality - his life was the model. When he was
threatened by having his own private sexual preference exposed, in a time when a
closet was the only place that was even mildly safe, Ram Dass called a press
conference and proudly announced his preference to the world. He is a hero to
everyone who ever lived in fear of any kind of spiteful exposure. He paved the way
for tolerance and love when no one else would dare to do so. Most of us could only
dream of defying the conventional life and living out our inner callings to promote a
cause that was bigger than our own lives - to leave the security of a
guaranteed career - to leave a country where comfort was ensured; all to live in a
foreign land with few conveniences, traveling and meditating for a more peaceful
world. It is what St. Francis did in the 13th century and what Ram Dass did in our
lifetime.

When Ram Dass' own father, who had largely criticized his son's passion as well as
his unconventional lifestyle, was close to death, Ram Dass devoted himself to 100%
service in those final years. He fed his father, he bathed his father, he placed him on
and off the toilet until the day he died. Why? Because he felt this was his mandate. He
wanted to experience true service on a 24/7 basis and know firsthand the joy that
comes from giving one's own life away in the service of others.
Always, for over 30 years, Ram Dass was in the service of others.

In 1997 Ram Dass was struck by a semi-paralyzing stroke and was forced to live in a
wheelchair. Still he wrote of his adventure in a powerful book titled, Still Here. He
continued to travel, though he could no longer walk, and continued to speak to
audiences, though he spoke from a slowed down body but still he did it to serve
others.

Now it is our turn... Ram Dass' body can no longer endure the rigors of travel. He has
come to Maui, where I live and write. I speak with him frequently and I am often
humbled by the tears in his beautiful 73-year-old eyes as he apologizes for not having
prepared for his own elderly health care - for what he now perceives as burdensome to
others. He still intends to write and teach; however without the travel - we can now
come to Maui's healing - Maui is where Ram Dass wishes to stay for now! He is
currently living in a home on Maui, which he doesn't own and is currently in jeopardy
of losing.
I am asking all of you to help purchase this home and to set up a financial foundation
to take care of this man who has raised so much money to ensure the futures of so
many others. No one is more deserving of our love and financial support. In the end
these donations will help ensure that Ram Dass and his work will reach another
generation or remind a current generation that it is in giving that we receive.

If there has ever been a great spirit who lived in our lifetime, literally devoting his life
to the highest principles of spirit, it has been Ram Dass. I love this man; he has been
my inspiration and the inspiration for millions of us. It is now time to show him how
we feel by doing what he has taught all of us to do - Just , BE HERE for him, NOW.

Please send your donations to: Ram Dass c/o Hay House P.O. Box 5100 Carlsbad, CA 92018

In love and light,
(signed) Wayne Dyer

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 0 replies

Any Body HOme??

Fred — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 01:16:49 GMT

Wow ... looks like the last post was made back in July. Is this tribe still active?

"Buddhism for the western prison" ... is that a metaphor or is this a tribe comprised of people who are actually incarcerated?

I hope it's the latter. There is much to discuss. It would be interesting to see it from as many angles as possible.

posted in Buddhism for the western prison - 1 reply

shhh

Thu, 04 Mar 2004 08:10:14 GMT

you can hear crickets it's so quiet in here.

Let's get things rolling. What's this Western prison we're in?

Buddhism for the western prison's topics - tribe.net

ever had an episode of "unexplained energy"?

NEW ENGLAND BUDDHISTS

Was Siddhartha a Shaivite?

Nirvana

Tibetan Yogas of Dream & Sleep - Maui - Jan 25-28, 2007

videotape yourself (with your isite) telling your inspiring story. Earn $50 and share your positivity!

Dharma seminar with Tibetan Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche in SF

Yoga with Masters and a Hummingbird

New Tribe - SF Bay Area Buddhism and Meditation

calling for a Free Tibet action

Doing Time/Doing Vipassana

Ram Dass

Any Body HOme??

shhh

Is it Zen yet?