2011.01.15 13:00 - Apocalyptic fears and the future Dalai Lama

The Guardian for this meeting was Aphrodite Macbain. The comments are by Aphrodite Macbain.

Aphrodite Macbain: Hi Arch
Aphrodite Macbain: Hi Koya
Aphrodite Macbain: How are you today?
Archmage Atlantis: Too deep a question for today
Aphrodite Macbain: every thing OK ?
Archmage Atlantis: The sun outside is nice.
Aphrodite Macbain: makes a big diference to my mood when the sun's out
Archmage Atlantis: Yes, me also...though it is cold for here in sw florida
Aphrodite Macbain: my RL cat is watching your SL cat
Aphrodite Macbain: very intently
Aphrodite Macbain: the weather is strange everywhere
Aphrodite Macbain: I've been feeling quite glum recently and have been trying to meditate
Aphrodite Macbain: to understand why I feel this way
Archmage Atlantis: Yes, the apocalypse...don't truly think that, it just sits in my mind that way
Darren Islar: hi A + A :)
Aphrodite Macbain: apocalypse?
Aphrodite Macbain: Hello Leaping. Great to see you
Aphrodite Macbain: How are you feeling?
Darren Islar: tired, but besides that I'm okay
Archmage Atlantis: something like this quote:
Archmage Atlantis: "An Apocalypse (Greek:  apokálypsis; "lifting of the veil" or "revelation") is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted.
Darren Islar: hmmmm, interesting, because that is a different interpretation than people would normally give to it
Aphrodite Macbain: I don't believe in an apocalypse - just climate change
Archmage Atlantis: I know Darrem
Aphrodite Macbain: It comes from the Apocalyptic gospels - Revelations
Aphrodite Macbain: 4 horsemen of the apocalypse
Aphrodite Macbain: etc
Darren Islar: yes, but I think you might be right arch, sounds more plausible
Archmage Atlantis: Much fear has been piled on to the original meanings
Darren Islar: yes
Aphrodite Macbain: what do you fear Arch?
Archmage Atlantis: That I will not be there for those whom I love
Aphrodite Macbain: Ah. why wouldn't you be there?
Aphrodite Macbain: My fear is the world will be uninhabitable for my great grandnieces and nephews
Darren Islar looks at Aphro
Darren Islar: yeah.......
Aphrodite Macbain: I am trying to get motivated to join an environmental group and do something about it
Aphrodite Macbain: rather than watching helplessly
Aphrodite Macbain: so easy to put off things...
Darren Islar smiles

Aphrodite Macbain: I should act rather than just talk
Archmage Atlantis: I am male in my aspect, a true man should protect, even to the point of giving his life........but I do not feel I can protect even the small ones who have come into my life.......as they are "only" animals
Aphrodite Macbain: why do you feel so helpless arch?
Aphrodite Macbain: do you mind if I ask?
Archmage Atlantis: If I tell you I will sound insane........but I will tell you
 

HHDL

Darren Islar: reminds me of something His Holiness the Dalai Lama said
Darren Islar: "If you think you are too small to make a difference you have never spent the night with a mosquito." - The Dalai Lama
Aphrodite Macbain: Please do Arch. (Nice quote Leaping)
Archmage Atlantis: Yes, but which Dalai Lam?
Darren Islar: the 14th
Aphrodite Macbain: the current one
Aphrodite Macbain: tho he's about to retire
Archmage Atlantis: Is one false, and one true?.....how does one know that
Darren Islar: ?
Archmage Atlantis: There are 2
Aphrodite Macbain: there is a new Dalai Lama that the Chinese have installed, but no one believes he is the true one
Darren Islar: is there?
Aphrodite Macbain: then there is the Panchen Lama
Darren Islar: I know about the Panchen Lama
Darren Islar: yes
Darren Islar: but that is not the same person
--BELL--
Archmage Atlantis: Really, or perhaps the Dali Lama needed to be in more places than one human body had access to
Darren Islar: they used to be
Aphrodite Macbain: Let's try and observe the pauses
Darren Islar: tried Aph :)
Zen Arado: sorry
Aphrodite Macbain: Thanks
Darren Islar: np
Archmage Atlantis: [silence-pause} - observing now
Darren Islar: now, it is the Dalai Lama who confirms who is the Panchen Lama and the other way around
Darren Islar: not sure what is going to happen if this Dalai Lama dies
Zen Arado: Hi all
Darren Islar: hi Zen
Aphrodite Macbain: Hiya Zen
Aphrodite Macbain: Arch, please continue with what you were saying earlier.PAUSE...
Aphrodite Macbain: Normally the Tibetan monks go through a process of searching using complex rituals. They would search all through Tibet
Aphrodite Macbain: once they identify the child, they train him intensely.
Aphrodite Macbain: Not sure how they can do this now with the Chinese occupation
Archmage Atlantis: I know the ritual of discovery
Aphrodite Macbain: please tell us Arch
Archmage Atlantis: You just did Aph, I was only confirming
Aphrodite Macbain: Oh - was I correct?
Archmage Atlantis: yes you were
Archmage Atlantis: To the extent of my understanding
Zen Arado: the child has to pass tests I think
Darren Islar: yes
Archmage Atlantis: And both passes
Darren Islar: the last test for the Panchen Lama is done by the Dalai Lama and vise versa
Aphrodite Macbain: There is so much division within the Tibentan Buddhist community
Aphrodite Macbain: I'm not sure what the solution will be now
Zen Arado: they put things down in front of him and see if he picks them up - something like that
Darren Islar: it is about some personal items that belonged to the one before
Zen Arado: yes
Aphrodite Macbain: yes - each has a significance
Darren Islar: and the Chinese Panchen Lama is not recognized by the Dalai Lama
Zen Arado: I think the present Dalai Lama will not be for this method of passing on the leadership
Darren Islar: ?
Zen Arado: he thinks it is out of date too
Zen Arado: Darren Islar: well, it is about recognizing an incarnation
Archmage Atlantis: Would a loving Dalai Lama leave those who have nurtured his being......would a loving Dalai Lama not leave to help others?
Aphrodite Macbain: That's how he was chosen. What does he suggest Zen?
Darren Islar: which isn't the same as getting reborn again
Darren Islar: a reincarnation has knowledge about his own incarnation
Zen Arado: don't know - but seem to remember him saying this somewhere
Zen Arado: Hi Zon
Zon Kwan: hi all
Aphrodite Macbain: He's not dying, just passing the reins of power on to some one stronger
Darren Islar: it won't work in the current situation
Darren Islar: hi zon
Archmage Atlantis: oh ye of little faith
Zen Arado: HH is very modern in outlook I think
Zen Arado: into science and technology
Zen Arado: maybe he is on SL
Darren Islar: no, of breaking open the system
Darren Islar: the system is not whole anymore
Darren Islar: he is both
Darren Islar: interest in science is a real Gelugpa thing
Darren Islar: biggest school in Tibet
Zen Arado: he was always into science
Zen Arado: might have become an engineer
Darren Islar: but that is part of buddhism, doesn't mean that things are outdated
Zen Arado: Hi Ewan
Darren Islar: hi Ewan
Zon Kwan: ewan
Aphrodite Macbain: Hello Ewan
Darren Islar: I think there are other reasons to it
Aphrodite Macbain: He's interested in so much-especially education
Ewan Bonham: Hi Folks!
Archmage Atlantis: Very bugs b, Ewan
Zen Arado: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010...ccession-fears
Aphrodite Macbain: Thanks Zen!
Archmage Atlantis: That the word "fear" is there, that tells much without looking
Darren Islar: need to go
Darren Islar: gf calls :)
Aphrodite Macbain: Hi to gf
Darren Islar: see you all :))
Aphrodite Macbain: Bye! leaping panther
Zen Arado: bye Darrren :)
--BELL--

Projecting charisma

Aphrodite Macbain: Hi Zon
Archmage Atlantis: hello Zon
Aphrodite Macbain: The Dalai Lama has had an powerful effect on me. He's been to Vancouver 3 or 4 times and I've heard him speak a few times. An enormous, loving presence
Zen Arado: yes - I saw him about 4 years ago
Aphrodite Macbain: yes?
Zen Arado: in Belfast
Zen Arado: but wonder if we project that presence ourselves
Zen Arado: thought just came to me
Archmage Atlantis: In the 70's thai monks immolated themselves; do any of u have that memory?
Aphrodite Macbain: Yes- against the Americans in Vietnam
Archmage Atlantis: Against injustice, as they saw it
Aphrodite Macbain: I don't think I project anything like what he projects
Zen Arado: but how do we know Aph?
Zen Arado: Hi Steve
Aphrodite Macbain: How do we know that those monk were burning and turning to ashes?
Aphrodite Macbain: do you think it was a fake publicity stunt?
stevenaia Michinaga: hello
Zen Arado: no - that we project charisma onto famous people like the Dalai Lama
Aphrodite Macbain: Hi steve
Zen Arado: something in us wants so much to be moved
Zon Kwan: dont we project all
Zen Arado: I think
 

Archmage Atlantis: I agree with the leader, there was no holocaust.....I did not observe it
 

Aphrodite Macbain: I don't know if we project it or not. I just know that what what he says and does makes sense to me and I admire him for it

Zen Arado: well there are facts too but......
Aphrodite Macbain: his "charisma" stems from what he says, writes and does
Zen Arado: yes I agree with that too
Ewan Bonham: For me , the key is how the experience touches my heart..:)
Zen Arado: I'm thinking more about the presence, charisma...
Aphrodite Macbain: and what he says & writes and does makes sense to me
Zen Arado: yes - the emotional response
Zon Kwan: he might not be charismatic to every person
Aphrodite Macbain: he's a sweet smiling man in his seventies wearing a baseball cap
Zon Kwan: one has to be responsive
Zen Arado: I felt moved by him when I saw him
Aphrodite Macbain: yes that's true Zon - open to his warmth. Desmond Tutu has the same effect on me
Zen Arado: maybe I am just suspicious of emotional responses
Archmage Atlantis: Agree. Aph....how did he obtain that cap?
Aphrodite Macbain: He wears one when he speaks cos the lights get in his eyes
Aphrodite Macbain: Really Zen. Don't you trust your emotions?
Zen Arado: should I? :)
Zen Arado: they have misled me many times
Aphrodite Macbain: They are one of the ways of reading reality
Aphrodite Macbain: but they need to be tempered by rational thought
Aphrodite Macbain: shark brain + cerebral cortex
Zen Arado: well - that's what I was trying to do just then
Zon Kwan: there r emotions and emotions
Zen Arado: yes :)
Zen Arado: not getting carried away
Zen Arado: and not being cold either
Aphrodite Macbain: Emotions are great motivators for action
Archmage Atlantis: must go, ty much
Zen Arado: bye Arch
--BELL--
Aphrodite Macbain: If I just thought about things and didn't feel them, I may not take any action
Aphrodite Macbain: Bye! arch
Zon Kwan: intuition is a feeling, as well as bodily desire, but they' re different in nature

Aphrodite Macbain: I must go, I'm afraid. I really enjoyed our discussions

Note from Aphro: As I edit these words I am more convinced that we do need to question more deeply our emotional responses to stars and celebrities like the Dalai Lama. Do we construct a reality and call it "charisma" ? Does charisma emanate from the viewer or the viewed?  Thanks Zen!

Zen Arado: bye Aphro
stevenaia Michinaga: bye Aphrodite
Aphrodite Macbain: Bye
Aphrodite Macbain: Bye! Zen, Zon, ewan
Aphrodite Macbain: steve (you've been quiet!)
Ewan Bonham: I think intuition is inspired by tuning into spirit...and that is the difference between that a raw emotion..
Ewan Bonham: It also has loving overtones if so inspired...
Zon Kwan: bye arch, aphro
stevenaia Michinaga: :) No idea what the conversation was about, hard coming in on the end of these things
stevenaia Michinaga: cept about emotions and intuition
stevenaia Michinaga: :)
Ewan Bonham: I will have to leave as well for a while..
stevenaia Michinaga: bye Ewan
Zen Arado: bye Ewan
Ewan Bonham: Thank you and see you all!
Zon Kwan: bye ewan
stevenaia Michinaga: I'm off as well, see you Arch, Xen
stevenaia Michinaga: Zen
Zen Arado: looks like we're all going
Zon Kwan: me too to sleep go must
Zen Arado: bye