You might start with these people.

http://www.sravastiabbey.com/index.html
The Abbey is on 240 acres near Newport, Washington. It is about one hour north of Spokane, Washington and one hour north of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Quote: "Ever heard of failing forward? A good student is one that knows why, not just how. "
.........

no not until just now.. but have experienced being still and moving back while going forward

what-who was there to "have" ?

Ever heard of failing forward? A good student is one that knows why, not just how.
..................................................................................................................................

How.....would be delusion,
ans 'why'.....just plain insecurity

did I say?

I don't mean to sound rude. I am sorry that it came out that way, and I believe Stephen answered her in the proper manner. I respect all forms of Buddhism very much, but I truly believe there is a time and a place for cryptic thinking / speaking, and it really didn't sound like it was this time. How would you feel if you were truly searching for an answer to something, and not familiar with any forms of Buddhism, and a bunch of people started talking cryptic? I don't think it would help you much, and that really isn't the way to spread Buddha's message to someone who might be suffering.

Please keep the conversations going, and again I am sorry if my message sounded harsh.

May all beings find an end to suffering...

It seems to be the truth that there are those among us who are constitutional incapable of offering compassion. Their little minds are rapped to tight. Why they hang out on this web site is beyond me. MU

rustic forum police?

"cute"?

was the commenting about stephen-posting necessary?

that 'interpretion' is of the post isn't incorrect

Quote: "What do you think is necessary?"
.........

that 'interpretion' is of the post isn't incorrect

is of the post isn't incorrect

........

rewording the mixed-up wording:

that 'interpretion' of the post is incorrect

Quote: "Do you seriously believe you can police my "interpretation"? "
.........

what did you read that you interpreted as attempting policing your interpreation?

Quote: "Quote: ":)"
.........
Sanitised by credit."
.........

is that what you want to believe?

you often assumeis happening, which not,  then attempt saying is happening based on that assumption

Quote: "who wants a body massage? "
.........

lol

starmooning
computering
treeing
singingsing
lingling
tringtring
bodying

(massaging)

;)

Quote: "It was not my intention to start a forum war. I was simply asking for a kick in the right direction. "
.........

what war?

Quote: "OK, maybe 'war' wasn't the correct term...

A spat, perhaps?

In either event, a disagreement seems to have ensued.

Or, perhaps not.

"
.........

Quote: "OK, maybe 'war' wasn't the correct term...

A spat, perhaps?

In either event, a disagreement seems to have ensued.

Or, perhaps not.

"

Quote: "OK, maybe 'war' wasn't the correct term...

A spat, perhaps?

In either event, a disagreement seems to have ensued.

Or, perhaps not.

"
.........

lehish wasn't frustrated or angry nor thinking rustic was

there wasn't any thing to gone

but didn't turn up the heat this morning
so going for turning up the the heat

:)))))

Thubten Chodron is a wonderful speaker. I am very insteeped in the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism. She has a lot of good clear answers. The cryptic messages "usually" come from elightened masters to break their pupils out of ordinary thinking and to direct the subconcious mind toward enlightenment. In my opinion it is not in the best interest of a newcomer looking for some basic steps and answers to have crypic messages thrown at him. That is confusion, not enlightenment.

Khandro Jigme

Thank you for that Rustic, that was a great post!!

Perhaps in ignorance I have mistook you.

Quote: "Quote: "Thanks. Interesting. Now, spirit guides - how does your deceased grandfather's spirit guide you? Were you unaware of his 'presence' before the Wiccan priestess told you things about yourself?"
.........
Actually, I'm not entirely certain. I had asked the priestess why he was acting as my spirit guide when he has a daughter who is dying and needs him more than I do. The answer I got back was that I was the most disturbed.

I'm not certain if he attempted to make his 'presence' known to me. I drive his car and I think maybe he may have had some input into how I maintain it.

The weird thing is, she described his physical appearance in striking detail - even the hat he always wore. She knew about his physical ailments - some, of which, were unique. She even described him as having a smell of pipe tobacco around him. He smoked cigars that did smell a lot like pipe tobacco. I never, at any time, revealed any of this information to her beforehand.

Shortly after my conversation with the priestess, my mother had a dream about me hurting my hip - badly enough that I needed to go a hospital. The dream was so vivid to her, she emailed me and asked if it were true. It isn't, however, my grandfather fell and broke his hip shortly before he died. Was he communicating to me through her? I don't know. It does, however, seem pretty coincidental.

According to the priestess, spirit guides cannot influence anything in the physical realm, but they can influence the mind - if the mind allows it to happen.

I'm not certain what to think about all of this, but I'm open to the possibility that it may be real. What do I do with it? Move on, I suppose, and take it as a sign that something needs to change.
"
.........

Ghost, demons and spiritual guides.

These are things which one will run into from time to time during meditation and reading the Dharma. I have no opinion on their realm of reality. I choose to ignore them. They are of little importance. They are to be expected and are not very special. They can only affect you if you allow them to. They are a distraction, do not be distracted. MU

"Don't you know there aint no devil, that's just god when he is drunk...."

Tom Waits