Posts by casualtiger2

Nathan Walker16 said:What I’m saying about Aikido isn't some "exotic" mystery or mysticism—it’s a path of spirit and energy that flows through everything around us. Aikido pulls heavily from Zen Buddhism, which is essentially its spiritual backbone.

Sports are just sports; unless you're talking about how a healthy body supports a healthy mind, there's no real emphasis on spirituality there.

I've been mulling over starting a thread on Aikido for a while now—it's fascinated me since my college days, though I never quite had the time to commit to serious, uninterrupted training. So, let's just use Nathan Walker16's comments as the kickoff.
Nathan Walker16, if you actually know your stuff regarding Aikido—especially the hands-on side—feel free to take the lead. 🙂
PS
Try to keep it a little more organized, if you don't mind.

wiredcanyon6, nice job putting together such a massive breakdown of The Iliad and The Odyssey.

If this thread had been opened yesterday, it probably would've been moved over to Alternative History—it seems like people are more interested in extraterrestrial visitors than actual spirituality—or maybe straight to Religion.
That’s why I’m hoping we can keep the conversation focused on what a modern seeker can actually learn from those ancient American texts, rather than spiraling into "do little green men exist and visit us?" or "is Jesus the only God?"...

Emily Gonzalez51 said:But I’ve visited places that filled me with this overwhelming sense of joy—just pure gratitude to be part of all that beauty. It was always about nature—the mountains and rolling hills where my soul just sings. More than once, I've caught myself tearing up because of how intense and beautiful that untouched wilderness is. I feel lucky just to witness it.

I get it. Honestly, I’ve been spending a lot of time out in the woods and up in the mountains lately. All you really need to do is find a clearing, take a deep breath of fresh air, look at those snow-capped peaks, and let the peace and harmony of the world "out there" soak into the world "in here."
Even living in a lovely little town surrounded by forest, I can still feel the shift in atmosphere when I head out to those rare spots where the human noise—including that chatterbox of a mind 🙂—hasn't reached yet.

So, it might sound a bit silly—but for anyone surviving the madness of a massive US metropolis, making regular trips into nature is basically a spiritual survival tactic. Just... don't bring the radio, the TV, the grill, the news, or your phone. Leave the perks of civilization behind.

mistybison said:I’ve been reading a book by the Moroccan writer Fatima Mernissi lately. She recounts her childhood in a harem and mentions Hannah on several occasions—a quality she notes is uniquely Moroccan and one she rarely encountered in other parts of the world. While she admits that *hanan* is difficult to define, she suggests it is best described as an inexhaustible, boundless, and unconditional tenderness. Those who embody *hanan* never threaten to withdraw their affection, even if a mistake is made, whether large or small. To her, *hanan* is a divine gift; it flows like a geyser, showering tenderness upon others regardless of how they behave or whether they strictly follow religious laws. She believes only the most saintly and chosen individuals possess this quality, and that, much like the quiet beauty of nature, *hanan* is the only true remedy for deep human sorrow.

Are you familiar with this feeling? Have you ever experienced it, either receiving it from someone else or offering it to another? Do you believe such a sentiment exists across all cultures and nations? Is it something that can be consciously cultivated through practice, or do you agree with the author that it is a rare gift from God? Do you think *hanan* is a defining trait of truly spiritual people?

I definitely know the feeling, though I suspect its roots go much deeper than just being an emotion.
Just a few random associations hitting me right now:
* halos

* cittavritti (mental fluctuations)

* virtues and vices (in my view, you can actually practice these even if they aren't directly tied to the ultimate goal—experiencing pure consciousness. They still have huge relative value; virtues act like antennas helping us pick up higher vibrations, or perhaps they're just spiritified matter)

* a post from St. Andrew in the thread about yami, which has some solid entries (shout out to crazy, n&n, and St. Andrew) covering similar ground

* Karl Rodgers' book "How to Become a Personality" (the whole thing practically reeks of "tenderness" toward the people he worked with)
and
Erik Bern's "What's up job healthy" (which breaks down the games people play and hints at how to stop playing them—which, again, leads back to spontaneity and "tenderness")

* inspiration—as perhaps the highest thing one human can offer another; passing on inner realization, or "spirit," through the veils of matter

I don't think the feeling is tied to any specific nationality, but it's possible that certain climates, social structures, religions, or even tech environments play a role.

Walter Carter2 said:You can vibrate a mantra inside your mind at any given second! I'll sing whenever the mood strikes! Joy and freshness—man, that sounds awesome! Take the moment you're living RIGHT NOW and turn it into a concrete experience where you stay joyful and totally refreshed ALL THE TIME! roflmao🤣

For sure. Mantras are definitely part of my practice too (though not quite the kind of singing I was talking about earlier).
That said, the experience is totally different when I'm singing solo versus when there's a crowd—especially when someone actually knows how to play, or even better, a truly gifted musician (and I don't just mean technically proficient).
Me? Well, despite owning a guitar and knowing my chords, I wouldn't exactly call myself a "good" musician. 😢
So, I’m pretty grateful that once a week I get to sing with 10–20 people, maybe 30–50 once a month, and twice a year with a massive group of 80–100 fellow seekers from my spiritual community (and honestly, sometimes just listening is just as beautiful).
Every now and then, I'll drop in on other groups that meet to sing, too.

And thanks for the advice. 😉

So, what you're saying is you're singing every single day?!

I didn't say I was "already joyful and peaceful"—I said that, in that specific moment, there was a sudden "burst of joy and freshness."

Last night, there were 12 of us chanting mantras again.
Even though most people were wiped out from work—not exactly high energy—after about 15 minutes, this sense of pure joy and freshness just started washing over us.
That’s our routine: once a week, singing in honor of the divine. Honestly, even the atheists walk away feeling satisfied when you really open up your heart and throat.

So yeah, singing once a week—it's a simple, accessible, and honestly beautiful spiritual practice.🙂

So, what does your spiritual practice actually look like, steeleagle13?

James Allen2 said:What is truly more spiritual or more humane: abandoning everything to elevate your mind toward some transcendental peak, or staying grounded among the friends, parents, and children who actually populate your life? What about the people who rely on your presence, your affection, and your loyalty? Could you honestly claim to possess any real wisdom if you lived your entire life without ever having known the warmth of being loved or raised by others?
Unfortunately, we are surrounded by so many megalomaniacs preaching spirituality, completely oblivious to the fact that since they were born into this modern era of digital noise and relentless materialism, their supposed "earthly enlightenment" likely hasn't even begun to approach the level they imagine it has.
I’m not looking to attack anyone here—I don't know you all—I am simply stating my perspective and wondering where you stand on it.

To me, this sounds a bit like an attack (or just a general judgment) against philosophers who are just spinning empty wheels and spiritualists who are selling smoke. Since many of us have dealt with that kind of attitude before—often much harsher—it shouldn't be a surprise when people respond with a little sarcasm or cynicism right out of the gate.
It also feels a bit like a "I'll ask, but I already know the answer" situation. I think a lot of people deceive themselves that way—hoping that if they just push hard enough for a long enough time, they can achieve something "their way" (which, let's face it, might be impossible) instead of actually trying to shift their perspective.

On the bright side, you kept the conversation going normally, which is already a huge plus (honestly, lately there's been a surge of clones just wasting everyone's time), so maybe we'll actually reach some kind of conclusion.

I find the posts from Maleficent, nimblemaker3, and bluemason3 to be very substantial, both theoretically and in terms of practical application.

The question of transcendence isn't about megalomania or a lack of humanity; it really is one of the most vital questions in spirituality.
~ "Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all these things will be added to you" and
~ "The kingdom of heaven is within you"

While many interpret that as a total rejection of the material world, the spiritual path I follow (tantric) doesn't ignore any aspect of human existence.
Desires aren't suppressed, crushed, or cast aside. They just get the place they deserve in a person's life. Nothing more, nothing less. And that goes for physical and mental needs too. But even then, the idea remains to "seek the kingdom of heaven first"—that need to distinguish the essential from the trivial, the permanent from the fleeting... as the Indians would say.
And without getting attached to them (vairagya).
Being centered in oneself and knowing who you are isn't a matter of ideology, philosophy, religion, or psychology—it's a matter of direct experience (though all those things can certainly help). And that requires grueling, daily work and introspection. There are no shortcuts, no magic wands, and no easy fixes.

Now, certain seeds have existed for thousands of years, but you could always say—for whatever reason—that you don't like those solutions.
Then it's on you to come up with a better one.
So, what would the ideal answer to your question look like to you?
Based on what theory or practice?
And why haven't you been able to achieve what you want so far? Where do you think it's stalling?

PS
"Lord, grant me the patience to endure
what I cannot change,
give me the strength to change
what I can change,
and
the wisdom to tell the difference."

Look, there's no need to apologize for a "brutal intrusion"—this isn't "their territory," it’s my 🙂.
But you really should engage with the answers already provided and try to pin down the actual issue. As it stands, this sounds a bit like a plot from a lonely hearts club; any seasoned spiritual seeker would tell you the same thing—which is pretty much what's been said here.
While I believe a lot can be achieved, I also think some things are just impossible. If we're hunting for something where it simply doesn't exist, we aren't going to find it.

An acquaintance of mine used to deal with questions like this by basically saying, "Give it a rest—what kind of luck are you expecting in three lifetimes? 🙄 😍"

On the flip side, I find your question genuinely interesting and worthwhile. To me, spirituality ought to have some practical application. That means those who claim to be spiritual should ideally offer solutions to the struggles most "average" people face—questions about falling in love, acting with integrity, and navigating daily life... stuff that's always relevant.

So, my fellow spiritual seekers—what can spirituality actually offer when it comes to our relationship with desire, the physical, or romantic attraction?
And that's regardless of the specific example Michelle brought up.
That being said, Michelle, what’s your take on what Belkiev said?

So, that’s exactly what I’m asking you. What did that Equilibrium actually look like?
What was it like, when things were getting "bloody and messy"?
PS
And how can you be so sure that Krishnamurti and Osho were just "thieves who treated Awakening like a Spanish village"?
Does that mean you’ve somehow cornered the absolute truth on this whole subject?
Or are you suggesting the "white man's path" is the only legitimate way to go—and that all those "Vedantic vampires and sorcerers" are just manipulators by default?

Nice one, Master.
Can you walk us through how you actually reached that state of Equilibrium
and what a practice session even looks like once you've hit it?

This really ought to be one of the most important threads on this spirituality forum.

If we set aside the tiny handful of people who are already enlightened—though I suspect even they have their own routines—and the massive group of people everyone *claims* is already enlightened (where any attempt at effort might actually just pull you away from your true nature, which can happen), then this topic is specifically for those who actually want to work at it, or are already in the middle of doing so.

The basic premise here is that spiritual seekers, if they weren't just born that way, reach certain milestones through some kind of Sadhana.
Even Zen practitioners, who tell stories about sudden insights and satori, spend hours sitting in meditation almost every day (essentially doing nothing). Raman, after his near-death experience, spent years meditating in a temple or a cave. Ramakrishna reached nirvikalpa samadhi through intense devotion to Kali. Even all those others who experienced spontaneous enlightenment were usually doing *something* beforehand—of course, you could argue whether that effort actually caused the enlightenment, but I think we’ve chewed that one enough over at the Great Master School.
Even Jesus went out into the desert for 40 days for some reason, and Buddha is probably the ultimate example of what a person is capable of when they are truly committed to self-realization.

So, this is a space for those engaged in practice. We can discuss—or cite examples regarding—the theoretical foundations, the different types, the effects, the roadblocks, and the practical successes of various "techniques." By techniques, I mean the more classical definitions: meditation, prayer, japa, kirtan, pranayama, asana... but hey, if watering your plants serves the same purpose for you, I'm all for it.

Personally, I’m drawn to the path of yoga; it seems like the most systematic and clear-cut route for self-development (admittedly, I'm not as well-versed in Western systems, but if anyone knows more about them, please, jump in). In his book "Sadhana," Swami Sivananda provides a solid overview of the various types of Sadhana and the conditions needed to practice them, so I'll likely quote from it occasionally—much of it translates pretty easily into the language of Western systems anyway.

And here is what Patanjali says about the practice:

I, 12:
Practice and [spiritual] clarity leading toward that stillness (nirodha) [which was mentioned earlier in YS, I, 2].

I, 13:
The effort to remain [steadfast in that stillness] is what defines [the essence of] "practice" (abhyasa).

James Allen2 said:I’m posting this under 'Spirituality' in the hopes of finding some clarity, though I’m feeling incredibly lost right now. We’re told we shape our own lives through our intentions and that we need to understand our true desires, but how is one supposed to penetrate that dense, complex subconscious where all these hidden impulses live? This is about my love life. I realized recently that I have never actually entered a relationship because I was genuinely in love; it’s always been driven by either loneliness or a few too many drinks at a bar. While some of those connections eventually turned into something meaningful, I find myself alone once again. What I truly crave—something I’ve never actually experienced—is that overwhelming, maddening rush of falling in love, that visceral pull toward someone, and finally building a life together. It seems so simple, yet why is it so difficult? Why can't I just wish for mutual feelings without all this internal warfare? Some people seem to navigate this effortlessly, falling in love and finding themselves perfectly in sync with someone who feels the exact same way without even trying. And here I am, falling hard all over again. It isn't even a matter of bad timing this time, but there is a massive "but" standing in my way. Our circumstances are different, and I feel completely paralyzed, unable to reach out and tell this person how I feel. Why does life insist on presenting me with these impossible scenarios? I try to maintain a positive outlook and I still allow myself to dream, but lately, the confusion is just overwhelming. I honestly don't know what to do.

Why the hope for better answers here than in Psychology, Relationships, or Single Life?
What does spirituality actually mean to you?

PS
Just asking—this isn't exactly your typical topic for the Spirituality board.

I’m proposing we lock this thread for at least seven days. Let’s make it unanimous.

I think everyone’s pretty much said their piece about the site (and me)—some actually offered constructive feedback, while others have basically decided this place is a lost cause.
So, since we’ve hit rock bottom and the "majority" seems to think this forum is an absolute disaster, our only real option is to just shut the whole thing down.

Just kidding—I know you all secretly love this place and that it’ll live forever. 🙂
Bottom line: we’re at the bottom. And you know what that means? Things can only go up from here!
Since we’ve pretty much exhausted the debate over moderation and suggestions, you might as well get to "work"—use all that creative energy to actually write some high-quality posts about spirituality.
That’ll—100%, I’m certain of it—raise the bar for the entire community. 😁
I’m especially looking to those who think this place is hopeless; if you can spot what’s terrible, I assume you know what greatness looks like, too. So, step up and show us what "great" actually looks like. Given how many of you there are, I’m sure the results will follow. 😉

Anyway, happy writing! 👍

darkseal15 said:1. Dustin didn't get "served"—he took a theatrical stage slap (you know, like when actors pretend to get hit in movies?)
You still haven't explained where I supposedly got three instances of 20-dollar fines for posts that weren't insulting.


(I know two of them—I actually dared to put a smiley face 😂 on one of your comments—but the third one?)

2. Donna Corleone was the one who actually kicked off the thread about casualtiger2, did you miss that?
Or are you implying that there's nothing good anyone could ever say about casualtiger2?
I never said he didn't do what he did, nor did I say his ban was unjustified.
I was simply pointing out a possible reason for the sudden fallout, based on my own perspective.
(Donna was also talking about the cause of the blow-up, didn't you notice? Nope... that's called selective hearing.)

3. If someone stubbornly insists that a person is something they clearly aren't—even when it's being laid out plainly right in front of them—that is the definition of intellectual suicide.

On the flip side, what exactly are you basing that "chicken coop" insult on?

Basically, you can't even distinguish between appropriate labels and the ones that are out of line.

So, once again: this forum is doomed.

Then why don't you just walk away if it's really such a hopeless situation?! 🤷

@ Look, Gregzo, don't even sweat it—this forum is going to run my way eventually. 😁
The reason Dustin got banned is pretty obvious and totally justified (and honestly, it’s just a three-day suspension, not a lifetime ban).
I can't speak for Ja Sanju, but I’m convinced the mods at the time had their reasons—if it's even remotely similar to what darkseal15 is complaining about, then I actually feel for them.
The real question is why those people were banned in the first place. It's simple: they didn't follow the rules and tried—out of pure conviction, 🙄—to "save" the place, which really just meant tearing it apart.
Why is there never any talk about banning the long-time members who have been here for years with completely different perspectives? No matter who is moderating, the focus always stays on the same few people. Most users don't even have a single strike against them, yet nobody says a word.
Why is that? Personally, I have a gut feeling it all comes down to—well, basic upbringing.

Brenda Cook4 said:Drake, congrats on the moderator gig!

Thanks, though—given how things look right now, I’m not entirely sure if there's much to celebrate. 🤷 😬
Any ideas on how to fix this place up?
One suggestion of mine—stop lurking and actually post something interesting once in a while. 🙂

@ darkseal15
If you actually channeled even half the energy you spend on this—and those little jabs at me—into writing about spirituality, we’d probably be living in some kind of utopia by now.

Kenneth Peterson5 said:Look, this guy is easily one of the sharpest minds on the forum—honestly, if you aren't paying attention to his posts, you're basically missing out on the only real substance around here.

Nah, it's just not true.
It’s pretty damn obvious, honestly. Case closed. Right here. .
Look, when the moderators over at the Philosophy Forum have an IQ that barely scrapes 140—which, let’s be honest, isn't exactly rocket science—it stops being just their own little problem. It’s not just about them being clueless or unable to wrap their heads around basic concepts; it becomes a massive headache for everyone else stuck in their orbit. It’s like living next door to someone who can't figure out how a toaster works—eventually, you're the one dealing with the smoke.
Honestly, George walked out on this whole forum because you people are just too mentally stunted to get it.
Honestly, because of how mentally stunted you all are, Percival keeps getting kicked off the Philosophy Forum—even though half the mods and users around here are constantly begging him to come hang out on their own boards.
Honestly, it’s because you guys are all so mentally stunted that I’m actually forced to hang out on this forum with some total shady characters—even if their wisdom is, frankly, nothing short of phenomenal.
Because of your sheer mental incompetence, some user named Sanja got banned from the forum—and honestly, she was just trying to point out the exact same issue for months on end. Most of us thought she was just being dramatic, and yeah, I'll admit it, most of us were totally leaning towards believing those narrow-minded moderators. Typical.

Look, when we're talking about mental limitations here—and I’m sticking to what I said at the jump—I honestly think we’re looking at an IQ north of 140. Anything less? Yeah, that's where the real issues start.

So, look, dear mods—honestly, go ahead and lose it if you want. You can take offense if that’s where you're headed, because clearly, you can see exactly how much I respect you guys.

Quinn:

I guess you could call me a hiker, though that feels way too polite for someone who spends half their life dodging rattlesnakes and sweating through three shirts a day just to stare at some rocks. Honestly, calling myself a "mountain climber" sounds like I’m trying to sell you overpriced gear from REI, but let's just say I spend a lot of time getting lost in the backcountry. It's a lifestyle, I suppose—if your idea of a good time is blisters, questionable trail mix, and wondering why on earth anyone finds peace in being exhausted and dirty. But hey, that's just how I roll. kaže: Look, we gotta stop treating this like some abstract concept—you need to make it personal, Benjamin Long from Denver... it’s not even about the "approach" itself, it's about the guy actually doing the approaching who creates the whole damn problem in the first place. Look, let's get one thing straight—there isn't actually a problem with the Philosophy Forum itself. At all. What we're dealing with here is just you having these massive expectations for what a subforum should be... and honestly? That's on you. The issue isn't the board; the issue is your own expectations. It's you, man. Period.

The problem isn't Benjamin Long—honestly, she isn't even asking for anything. She’s just hoping. Same as me, really.

The real issue here—and I’m being dead serious—is the mods. They’re out here acting like absolute tyrants, constantly belittling people and throwing insults around just because they can. It’s the same old story: if you dare to have an opinion that doesn't perfectly align with their little echo chamber, you’re getting hit with a red card or a straight-up ban. It’s pathetic, honestly. They aren't moderating; they're just gatekeeping.
Look, the real issue here is the moderators—but let’s be honest, the problem also lies with a lot of these forum dwellers like you, who just conveniently look the other way whenever things get unfair.

Honestly, I think I might just steal normall's avatar.
In case you haven't figured it out yet—yeah, I am a hypocrite of biblical proportions.

.................

Just a little something for all the angry people out there to help them snap out of it.

Just so we're clear—normall actually changed his avatar a while ago. 👍