2009.07.09 13:00 - Mantra and meadow

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    The Guardian for this meeting was Storm Nordwind. The comments are by Storm Nordwind.

    Storm Nordwind: Hello Eliza. Greetings! :)
    Eliza Madrigal: Greetings Storm :) All well?
    Storm Nordwind: Yes thank you. And you?
    Eliza Madrigal: Very, thanks :)
    Eliza Madrigal: Hi Gaya :)
    Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Storm and Eliza :)
    Storm Nordwind: Greetings wistful rabbit! :)
    Gaya Ethaniel: Long time no see Storm :)
    Gaya Ethaniel: How are you both?
    Storm Nordwind: It seems so
    Eliza Madrigal: Lovely little mask hat, Gaya
    Gaya Ethaniel: Thank you :)
    Storm Nordwind: Well I am fine thank you. very busy, but fine.
    Gaya Ethaniel pats the cushion next to her ... Eliza? :)
    Eliza Madrigal is well, thanks
    Gaya Ethaniel: :) I'm good too.
    Eliza Madrigal smiles :
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Eliza Madrigal: Hm

    Perhaps Gaya wants some structure to the meeting!

    Gaya Ethaniel: What's topic?
    Storm Nordwind: What topic would you like? We have only just arrived.
    Gaya Ethaniel: ah :)
    Gaya Ethaniel: Chi?
    Eliza Madrigal looks for Pila
    Eliza Madrigal: heh
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Eliza Madrigal: Sure though :)
    Storm Nordwind: Chi is good (as a topic too)
    Gaya Ethaniel: I don't know much about it.
    Storm Nordwind chuckles
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Storm Nordwind: What do you understand by Chi?
    Gaya Ethaniel: Life energy? Something to do with breath as well?
    Storm Nordwind: That's a good working definition for me, sure
    Gaya Ethaniel: Is it? :)
    Eliza Madrigal nods... my understanding too..releasing of breath throughout body and life...
    Eliza Madrigal: I wonder if it is the same thing that is meant by 'winds' in buddhism...similar?
    Storm Nordwind: Yes it may well be, Eliza
    Gaya Ethaniel listens.
    Storm Nordwind: I find the problem with Chi (or winds) is that there's often too much theory and not enough practice!
    Storm Nordwind: Chi, for me, is something to experience
    Storm Nordwind: And perhaps put to use
    Storm Nordwind: And it can even form the focus of powerful meditation
    Eliza Madrigal nods. I'm only learning about these things just now
    Gaya Ethaniel: ooo do share Storm.
    Storm Nordwind: I'll ask Eliza to share her learning with us first Gaya :)
    Gaya Ethaniel: Yes do do Eliza :)
    Eliza Madrigal: Hm... Oh goodness
    Storm Nordwind chuckles
    Eliza Madrigal: :)
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Eliza Madrigal: I was quite reluctant to go near anything with complex maps and such...
    Storm Nordwind nods
    Eliza Madrigal: but it seems I get an idea about something, and then it shows up.
    Eliza Madrigal: to learn about, etc
    Eliza Madrigal: so THAT makes me more interested... so I read, in fact Storm, the book you mentioned a while ago about the Heart Sutra...
    Gaya Ethaniel listens.
    Storm Nordwind has a memory like a ... er ... er ... holey thing
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Eliza Madrigal: Ah... Essense of Wisdom...
    Storm Nordwind: Great
    Eliza Madrigal: Anyway, I've become now more interested in tibetan buddhism in particular, and this idea of winds/subtle winds...
    Eliza Madrigal: but I know *nothing* :)
    Eliza Madrigal: :)
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Storm Nordwind: That's probably the best starting point!
    Storm Nordwind: And I know that sounds like a flippant comment but it's true
    Eliza Madrigal: I now what you are saying... and in fact it ties in with Stim's workshop... sunyata..this idea of groundlessness/no place to land
    Storm Nordwind: It is best to take an empty cup to be filled, not a partly full one
    Eliza Madrigal: I hear you

    I explain how I first consciously encountered Chi.

    Storm Nordwind: I experienced Chi decades before experiencing emptiness
    Eliza Madrigal listens
    Storm Nordwind: or before I even read the Heart Sutra
    Gaya Ethaniel listens too.
    Storm Nordwind: 35 or more years ago, I learnt a technique of meditation
    Storm Nordwind: And ostensibly it focused on the breath
    Storm Nordwind: and also on a mantra to be chanted internally in sync with the breath
    Storm Nordwind: And there were huge claims made for this particular sort of meditation
    Storm Nordwind: And people pointed to scriptures of all religions, even Christianity, saying it was at the heart of all things
    Eliza Madrigal: Hm
    Storm Nordwind: But at first it seemed odd to me, that one's own breath and this sound of the mantra could be universal or powerful
    Storm Nordwind: But after some practice, an amazing thing happened
    Storm Nordwind: I started to feel a tide of energy sweep through me, almost like it was moving my breath
    Eliza Madrigal: MM How nice
    Gaya Ethaniel: What kind of mantra Storm?
    Storm Nordwind: And I switched the focus of my meditation to this flow, instead of being on the breath or the mantra
    Eliza Madrigal: ahhh
    Gaya Ethaniel: Would you mind giving us a bit of details?
    Storm Nordwind: The mantra was a sound, two syllables, that I promised not to pass on
    Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Mick :)
    Eliza Madrigal waves to Mick
    Mickorod Renard: hi all
    Storm Nordwind: And in the end I was able to experience this flow outside meditation sessions

    Indeed it seems possible to experience this all the time, even when I am writing this! :)

    Gaya Ethaniel: Did you have to stick to a specific number of inhalation/exhalation?
    Storm Nordwind: And focus on it whatever else I was doing
    Gaya Ethaniel: Per mantra sound
    Storm Nordwind: Oh, it was one for one
    Gaya Ethaniel: ahhh
    Storm Nordwind: But I left that behind
    Storm Nordwind: And when I read later, much later ...

    Eliza shares her experiences of mantra - and friends and teachers - while indeed more friends arrive and punctuate the discussion.

    Eliza Madrigal: I find mantra very powerful, and yet I've been so stubborn for years, in a way, doing things the way I 'prefer' rather than the way they are taught
    Storm Nordwind: it appeared that was i was experiencing might be Chi, or perhaps prana
    Gaya Ethaniel: What's the difference?
    Eliza Madrigal: yes, I belive Pila correlates prana and chi often
    Storm Nordwind: But do they work for you Eliza?
    Eliza Madrigal: yes :)
    Storm Nordwind: I see them as the same Gaya
    Storm Nordwind: Then perhaps no need to worry Eliza!
    Gaya Ethaniel: ok
    Storm Nordwind: When I had that solid link and experience, I could then use it for healing too
    Eliza Madrigal: Well lately I may be getting to a place where a teacher I might consult for specifics and have in physical presence might be nice
    Storm Nordwind: It was almost like a transmissible fluid
    Gaya Ethaniel: How interesting!
    Storm Nordwind: That's often very useful Eliza
    Storm Nordwind: I have made the most progress, I believe, when a real life teacher has been near
    Eliza Madrigal: At the same time, I feel I'm flooded with teachers here... Spiritual Friends :)
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Storm Nordwind: In the end, they are calling to the teacher within you
    Eliza Madrigal: MM :)..sitting with that a moment :)
    Gaya Ethaniel: How do you use mantra Eliza?
    Mickorod Renard: Hi ra
    arabella Ella: hiya
    Mickorod Renard: Ara
    Gaya Ethaniel: Hello arabella :)
    Storm Nordwind: Ra is a good name too! :)
    Eliza Madrigal: Hi Ara :)
    Mickorod Renard: grin
    arabella Ella: yea ra ra ra la la la
    Storm Nordwind was thinking of Egyptian links
    Eliza Madrigal: I began mantra through yoga really.. and yogic breathing excercizes, Gaya... and my UU sangha has a man who is wonderful with chanting...
    Mickorod Renard: Ara'a been to see lady Ga Ga
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Mickorod Renard: see it rymes
    Gaya Ethaniel: What's UU?
    Eliza Madrigal: So instead of singing in the morning in the normal way, I started singing Om Mana Padme Hum, then other things as they've come :)
    Eliza Madrigal: Oh, sorry. Universalist Unitarian Church... I attend a small, informal buddhist group there sometimes
    Eliza Madrigal: brb
    Gaya Ethaniel: ah ok
    Storm Nordwind: Hello Fefonz
    Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Fefonz :)
    Mickorod Renard: Hi Fef
    Fefonz Quan: Heya!
    Gaya Ethaniel: Is everyone being silent or I'm lagging?
    Fefonz Quan: 1 2 3 silent
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    arabella Ella: :)
    arabella Ella: we are silently meditating ... possibly
    Gaya Ethaniel: We are talking about chi, prana, breath ... mantra ... etc :)
    Storm Nordwind: Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Mickorod Renard: I am asleep
    Gaya Ethaniel: Just checking - I've been having problems with my new machine, using SL.
    Storm Nordwind: perhaps you could breathe some chi into it ;)

    Moon arrives and immediately gives us a meadow to enjoy. We relax and somehow forget all our previous discussion!

    Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Moon :)
    Moon Fargis: greetings everyone
    Fefonz Quan: Hey Moon :)
    Mickorod Renard: Hi moon
    Storm Nordwind: Hello Moon!
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    arabella Ella: hiya Moon
    Eliza Madrigal: wow! Hi Moon, Fef ...we're blooming :)
    Moon Fargis: pab blooms :)
    arabella Ella: yes what happened?
    Moon Fargis: *giggles*
    arabella Ella: Storm is this you or is it Moon?
    Gaya Ethaniel: Moon, you are clouds ... on my screen :(
    arabella Ella: who is the culprit?
    Eliza Madrigal: hehe
    Moon Fargis: i am :)
    Fefonz Quan: interestingly i see the blossom behind Arabella and Mick but infront of the fountain...
    Moon Fargis: ah i am cludy?
    arabella Ella: me blossoming Fefonz?
    Moon Fargis: yes sl cant deal with transparencys wich come from attachments
    Mickorod Renard: someone is monk(ey)ing around
    Moon Fargis humms cutely.
    Fefonz Quan: no, the plant are behind you ara
    arabella Ella: so innocent
    arabella Ella loves innocence
    arabella Ella: he he
    Fefonz Quan: Moon, so you try to say that pool is not REAL 3-D! i am shocked
    Moon Fargis: ofcourse the pool is not real! it makes a Bing soudn every 15 minutes.. does real pools do that ?:) nooo :)
    Fefonz Quan: oh, guess my cucu clock is not reall too, hmmm
    Moon Fargis: :))
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Storm Nordwind: What is 'real' anyway?
    arabella Ella: i am real
    arabella Ella: i think i am real
    Moon Fargis: (someone say "let there be forrest" ?)
    Storm Nordwind chuckles
    arabella Ella: Let there be NO forrest!
    Moon Fargis: Meep Meep
    arabella Ella: (let's see!)
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    arabella Ella: Let there be NO pool!
    arabella Ella: (ouch no good)
    Moon Fargis: :)
    arabella Ella: cool
    Fefonz Quan: pool?
    arabella Ella: pool now gone
    arabella Ella: so your wish is my command!

    meadow2.jpg

     

    Time to water the plants. A Storm is brewing.


    Storm Nordwind: let there be rain!
    Eliza Madrigal: YAY!! My *favorite* thing
    Fefonz Quan: wonder who pooled that off :)
    arabella Ella: rain sounds in orbit
    Gaya Ethaniel: :)
    Eliza Madrigal: The flowers are happy now
    Fefonz Quan: cool, thunders too!
    arabella Ella: yes rain gives us all so much more energy especially if it is brit style pitter patter rain
    Fefonz Quan: just like the east coast at summer, hehe
    arabella Ella: british summer rain
    arabella Ella: :)
    Eliza Madrigal turns up volume
    Fefonz Quan: is it just me or this rain is purple?
    Storm Nordwind: Well you were talking about 'winds' Eliza!
    Eliza Madrigal: Yes indeed :)
    arabella Ella: i cannot see the rain i can only hear it
    arabella Ella: hey the plants sure grow fast here
    arabella Ella: soon we will all be lost
    Gaya Ethaniel: The rain doesn't exist! heheheh I can't see or hear because of lag.
    Gaya Ethaniel: rebooting brb
    Fefonz Quan: Eliza, your hair fits quite well with the lilachs
    Moon Fargis: hehe yes!:)
    Moon Fargis: (laveder)
    Eliza Madrigal: Thank you Fef : ) heh
    Moon Fargis: wb gaya
    Eliza Madrigal: Clouds and mist...this is beautiful
    Gaya Ethaniel: ty :) [rezzing slowly ... on the ocean atm]
    arabella Ella: Moon are you always like this ... also in RL ... incorrigible?
    Storm Nordwind: Some things never change
    Moon Fargis: depends what has to be corrected:)
    Mickorod Renard: love the rain
    Eliza Madrigal basking
    Mickorod Renard: feel at home now
    arabella Ella: well ... i can think of lots of stuff that can be corrected ... both in RL and in SL ... would put you in good business i guess
    Moon Fargis: i am no business man :)
    Moon Fargis: i love to live
    Eliza Madrigal: Gaya, where are you now?
    Gaya Ethaniel: mm ... on green field ...
    Gaya Ethaniel: Actually I don't see what I'm typing ...
    Eliza Madrigal: we see your typing

    People start to leave, for different reasons.

    Gaya Ethaniel: Apologies I may move to the cafe for now - less things to rezz. Nice to see you again :) Have a good day/evening.
    Eliza Madrigal: See you soon Gaya
    Storm Nordwind: Bye for now!
    Storm Nordwind waves
    Mickorod Renard: bye Gaya
    Moon Fargis: bye gaya ^^/
    Fefonz Quan: bye Gaya
    arabella Ella: bye gaya
    Moon Fargis: ahyes just wanted to take a look and say hell, bedtime also calls me now
    arabella Ella: oh no
    Storm Nordwind chuckles
    arabella Ella: just when we were beginning to appreciate your company Moon :)
    Eliza Madrigal: So nice to see you Moon. :) Night
    Moon Fargis: aww
    Moon Fargis: il be back :)
    arabella Ella: ok :)
    Storm Nordwind: Well do call in again soon!
    arabella Ella: nite for now
    Fefonz Quan: Night moon, good to see you here!
    Moon Fargis: ^^/
    Mickorod Renard: nite moon
    Storm Nordwind: I was thinking about chi ... and then wondered ... if we talked about consciousness (=chit), we would have chit-chat
    Storm Nordwind: But then I thought, only Fefonz would make such a pun
    Eliza Madrigal: hehe..very cute Storm
    Fefonz Quan: apparently not :)
    Eliza Madrigal: :)
    Storm Nordwind: Which must prove there is no separation between us Fefonz ;)
    Fefonz Quan: :)
    Storm Nordwind: Are people going on to Stim's workshop now?
    Fefonz Quan: yep
    Eliza Madrigal: I'm about to head over... think everyone yes?
    Mickorod Renard: I was goin to yes
    Eliza Madrigal: Thanks for the heads up
    Mickorod Renard: not done homework
    Storm Nordwind: Then this is a good time to stop this session
    Storm Nordwind: Thank you for coming!
    Mickorod Renard: thanks Storm
    Eliza Madrigal: Thanks for the Stormy weather
    arabella Ella: lovely outfit Eliza
    Eliza Madrigal: Thanks, ara :)
    arabella Ella: see u there soon
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