Navel Gazing: Contemplating or Napping?

Dhr. Seven, CC Liu, Seth Auberon, Wisdom Quarterly

Three arguments in defense of navel gazing | John P. Weiss  (johnpweiss.com)

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(WQ) What is "navel gazing"? Falling asleep so deeply during meditation that one bends forward so as to seem to be staring at one's belly button?

It means self-absorbed abstraction, as if meditation only meant contemplation or woo-woo pondering.

Sati was translated as "mindfulness" and it stuck, but it was not always so. It is also translated as "wakefulness," "vigilance," "detached attentiveness," or "dispassionate awareness. See satipatthana. There will be no mindful meditation in the face of the mental hindrance of "sloth-and-torpor." Remaining attentive (without clinging to things, pushing them away, or being deluded by them) is the way to wake up. But I get sleepy!

Sunday Edition: "Navel Gazing" (I Hate to Break It to You/ punknews.org)

Solutions to falling asleep when meditating

Sayalay Susila (sayalaysusila.net); Dhr. Seven, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

  Q: How do I deal with sleepiness?  

Sayalay, how to I stay awake while meditating?

A: There are many ways to deal with both kinds of sleepiness, sloth (physical) and torpor (mental). Sometimes, we must find the external cause of sleepiness.

For example, don’t meditate right after eating. If you do, you'll be overwhelmed by both sloth and torpor. The same will occur if you meditate when you are already too tired.

If sleepiness comes, here's help: Open the eyes. Look at light. This will brighten the mind. [Looking at the internal light or nimitta also helps]. Reciting some of the Buddha's words and temporarily putting aside the object of meditation will also make the mind more alert.

Scanning the body up and down makes the mind more attentive. Physically pulling on the ears is also extremely effective to energize the brain; there are many acupressure points on the ears that connect right to the brain.

Do standing meditation instead of sitting. Worrying about falling down on the person in front of you will probably keep you awake.

I'll also share my own way of staying awake. It is more difficult but very effective: The very moment I notice sloth and torpor, I just look at them, and they are gone.

However, this method requires sharp (alert, vigilant) mindfulness. Most people are unable to be aware of subtle laziness right when it arises. By the time they notice it, the laziness has already gained momentum – body swaying and head nodding.

By this time, it is too late to apply this method. If your mindfulness is precise and you are clear on what is happening in the mind, the moment you know sloth and torpor, they disappear.

• I'm worried. Is the Mandela Effect real? (reasontalk.com)

American EVIL in detail: nuclear bombs (video)

Learn from the base, 8/14/21; Pfc. Sandoval, Ashley Wells, Sheldon S. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

How "Fat Man" and "Little Boy" work: US military nuclear inventions thrown on Japan

(Learn from the base) The US military planned to drop "Fat Man" on the city of Kokura but went with Plan B, targeting the large port city of Nagasaki. It was an immoral (evil) and illegal act -- as it is contrary to international treaties and conventions to target innocent civilians. Call in the lawyers. The world's biggest nuclear bomb was sent to destroy human beings and has terrorized the world ever since. Good work, Uncle Sam.

I'm not Fat Man. - You' will build him!

This 3D animation explains how. "Fat Man," a nice name for a monumentally dangerous nuclear weapon, was built to kill on an industrial scale. It did it for the profit of companies and fame of scientists like German-American Jew Robert Oppenheimer (head of the Manhattan Project) and German Jewish scientist Max Born, and Nazis brought into the US during Project Paperclip, and the US military-industrial complex. How does "Little Boy" work to kill?

• Instagram.com/learnfrombase...
• Background music from @Argsound: "Shadow"

USA declares peace on Afghanistan (video)

NBC News; ITV News; Pfc. Sandoval, Ashley Wells, Sheldon S. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Pentagon announces final U.S. troops have withdrawn from Afghanistan

(NBC News, Aug. 30, 2021) The U.S. Department of War* (at symbolic Pentagon HQ) held a briefing to announce that the last U.S. troops have withdrawn from Afghanistan as the August 31st deadline arrived in Afghanistan. PR Gen. Kenneth McKenzie noted that even though the military evacuation was complete, diplomatic efforts were still underway.

*Correction: In Newspeak, the new name is the euphemistic Orwellian Dept. of "Defense"

All U.S. troops have left Afghanistan, ending America's longest imperial war

(ITV News, Aug. 30, 2021) The last US troops have left the Vietnam-like quagmire and morass that was the illegal U.S. invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, ending America's longest racist, imperial-colonial war, which has cost $2 trillion+ and the lives of more innocent civilian-Afghans than will ever be counted, and more than 2,400 American militants good guys.

Cartoon: Native American "John Redcorn"

Xochitl, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly; Mike Judge (King of the Hill); Xcmon3yx777, 8/21/20

White Man's Burden: Evidence Dale knows about Nancy's affair with John Redcorn (Ranker)

The Best of John Redcorn

What is real US history?

King of the Hill by Mike Judge of Beavis & Butt-Head fame, had a Native American character. He was smooth and charming but, sadly, engaged sexual misconduct with Hank's clueless neighbor's wife.

Their son is being raised by the wrong dad, and the mother-cheater is pulling the wool of her husband's eyes, which happens in about 10% of childbirths in America. To think of all the readers who do not know they raised someone else's child. But here we laugh at it and call "John Redcorn" a ladies' man.

• Reservation Dogs Native American comedy (FX/Hulu)

Hypersexual stereotype?

Tall dark handsome objects of white male fear?

Hank is the "king of the hill," and his best friend is Dale Gribble (voiced by Johnny Hardwick), a Caucasian chain-smoking, balding, conspiracy-theorist neighbor.

As a result of his paranoia, Dale does not trust the government or the system but is blind to what's happening right in front of him. He kills for work at his own pest control business, Dale's Dead Bug, and is a licensed bounty hunter and president of the Arlen Gun Club. He is married to Nancy Hicks-Gribble (voiced by Ashley Gardner), a weather reporter and later an anchorwoman for Channel 84 News.

Joseph went from normal to creep (reddit.com)

Dale and Nancy's only child, Native American Joseph (voiced by Brittany Murphy and later by Breckin Meyer), is best friends with Hank's son, Bobby Hill. He becomes somewhat girl-crazy as he grows up.

Joseph is the result of Nancy's 14-year-long sexual affair with John Redcorn (voiced by Victor Aaron and later by Jonathan Joss), a Native American healer who has given Nancy "therapeutic" massages for her "headaches."

• Cartoon clips: Evidence Dale Gribble has to know about his wife and John Redcorn (ranker.com)

"Rutherford Falls" Native American comedy

The writers' room is diverse, and it shows with many authentic moments and jokes.

Rutherford Falls (official trailer)

(Peacock, 3/16/21) Rutherford Falls is streaming on Peacock starting April 22. A comedy about two lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Ed Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a crossroads -- quite literally -- when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call.

It's time to read Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and more

From co-creators and executive producers, Michael Schur (Parks and Recreation, The Good Place), Ed Helms, and Sierra Teller Ornelas (Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Superstore).

SYNOPSIS: A small town in the Northeast and the Native American reservation it borders are turned upside down when local legend and town namesake, Nathan Rutherford (Ed Helms), fights the moving of a historical statue. Rutherford Falls is created and executive produced by Michael Schur, Ed Helms, and Sierra Teller Ornelas, and stars Jana Schmieding, Michael Greyeyes, Jesse Leigh, and Dustin Milligan. Mike Falbo, David Miner, and Morgan Sackett also serve as executive producers. #Peacock #RutherfordFalls

Native American grandma loves casino and Rutherford Falls review

(Patrickisanavajo, May 1, 2021) How is one to react to Native American grandma who loves the casino and that new TV show Rutherford Falls from Peacock.

Is Taoism some kind of Buddhism?

Advantour; Dhr. Seven, Sheldon S., Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly

Ooh, Taoism is so complex, like astrology!

Taoism (pronounced \dow-is-em\) is one of the oldest native Chinese religions, where Buddhism and Confucianism are practiced alongside it.

Presumably it was formed at the beginning of the 6th century BCE by the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. There are incredible legends of Lao Tzu, who was perhaps not an earthling.

Celestials gather on earth to talk on the Tao.

It is believed that he had a magical gift; his birth is associated with incredible rumors, the most common of which is that he was born from a ray of light.

Historical documents indicate that Lao Tzu was born in Luoyang to a family of wealthy citizens. Almost all his life he worked as an archivist, and he died in the year 517 BCE.

"The Way" is the Tao and the Tao is "The Way."

Taoism is a religion based on the Tao doctrine -- the “Way” to achieve harmony. Tao is the beginning of everything, and its main rule is to follow fate (“the flow of life”) without resistance.

Sometimes one just drifts or goes with the flow. The main Taoism postulate is the principle of balance and  the relationship of the masculine “yang” and the feminine “yin.” More

What about the Buddha's Buddhism?

What's the Way to awaken, the practice for liberation? - I make it known in brief and in detail.

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On account of all this people have very confused ideas about how to practice Buddhism, which is also known as The Middle Way and is based on Dharma, a difficult term to translate into English because it means so many things at once.

It's not a matter of whether one can be a Chinese Buddhist practicing Taoism. It's more a question of whether one can do it without.

What is “Buddhism" if the Chinese interpretation of it is shot through in all directions with Taoist and Confucian cultural influences? Perhaps the best definition of Buddhism is “what the historical Buddha taught.”

China, however, like Brahmanical (Hindu) India, has moved far from that, changing who “the Buddha”  to take as a guide (sarana) is. The worship of Amitabha and Vairocana and Kwan Yin (Guanyin) is rampant.

First human representation of the Buddha

Just as no one in the West has time for God because they are being diverted to Jesus, and no one has time for the Teachings of Jesus because they are too busy worshipping Jesus or repeating his name so, too, in China. People would far rather repeat "Amitabha" and just go to heaven by magic.

Who needs all that mucking about on earth developing the Ennobling Eightfold Path, pursuing the Four Ennobling Truths, or becoming "noble" ("enlightened")? If there's an easier way, and the historical Buddha the Scythia Shakyamuni, people would far rather pursue that. Just ask Alan Watts.

Taoism is not Buddhism and should not be confused with it. And most "Buddhism" is not Buddhism (as defined above).

So good look finding and getting the chance to hear the Dharma to know what to practice for the realization of enlightenment in this very life, which is not the goal of Chinese (Mahayana) Buddhism, which puts off that goal of awakening for eternity, until everyone else is enlightened first and I (you) have been their savior...a lot like that newfangled Christian thinking: Who needs a Teaching when we can just worship a guy?

• Silk Road Tour: China, Kyrgyzstan (advantour.com)

California wildfires now burn bigger and higher

California wildfires aren’t just getting bigger. They’re moving higher — to once unthinkable heights where few fires have ever gone. Manmade drought vs. Nature (SF Chronicle/Twitter)

Pure "native diamond" and world's largest

Rob Lavinsky (Arkenstone, iRocks.com); Sheldon S., Seth Auberon, Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

The Ungraspable Value of the World’s Largest Diamond (The New Yorker)

The Arkenstone display gallery, iRocks.com, fine minerals from Robert Lavinsky

Etched trigons in diamond (Gump Stump)

This elemental diamond (native carbon) was uncovered in Udachnaya Mine, Yakutia, Siberia, Russia. It is miniature sized at 3.7 x 2.1 x 1.2 cm.

The diamond is embedded in a matrix of rock. It is superb, gem quality, and sharp, a Russian diamond crystal in matrix. The crystal is a single octahedron with intricately stepped faces. It is estimated to be just over 1.5 carats.

• TOUR The New Arkenstone Gallery of Gems
• Buddhism in Russia, particularly Siberia
• Buddhist Europe Kalmykia; Buryatia, Tuva

The Yakutia diamond mine where it was found

The diamond is gemmy, read-through, and faceable. It measures 5 mm on edge. Although it might seem small, it has visual impact because of the clarity and perch on matrix.

Perhaps half (50%) of it is embedded in the matrix, which means it's real. It is transparent, so one can look through the diamond to the matrix underneath.

Around the diamond is a thin white layer that indicates not glue but an alteration in the surrounding rock due to the chemical heat of formation of the crystal. It is a good indication of its natural origin.

• What about graphene (another allotrope of carbon)?
• The biggest diamond in the known Universe has been found | The New Yorker
• Fun with blood diamonds and the child labor that gets them

Death: Liberal actor-activist Ed Asner, 91

Entertainment Tonight, Aug. 29, 2021; E9; GMA; Ashley Wells, Sheldon S. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

(ET) Actor Ed Asner has died. He was 91. His Twitter account shared this message Sunday morning: "We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head -- Goodnight dad. We love you." Asner is the most-awarded male performer in Emmy history with seven wins. Asner’s most celebrated role was as Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its subsequent spinoff. The legendary actor won five Emmys for playing the iconic character.

"Forks Over Knives" plant-based (free movie)

Remembering Buddhist nun Ayya Kusuma

Buddhistinsights.org; Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly

In memory of Ayya Kusuma, the first modern Sri Lankan nun (with Ayya Vimalanyani)

(Buddhist Insights, Aug. 29, 2021) Dr. Venerable Ayya Kusuma, Ph.D., 92, passed away recently.

Ven. Kusuma was a fully-ordained Theravada Buddhist nun or bhikkhuni from Sri Lanka, who pioneered the re-establishment of the Theravada female Buddhist Monastic Order in Sri Lanka 1,000 years after the Bhikkhuni Sangha died out.

She took upon herself the task of carrying on the efforts of her mentor, the reputedly highly attained German Buddhist nun Ayya Khema. They established the Ayya Khema International Buddhist Mandir in Sri Lanka.

She lived at Prajapati Meditation Centre, Batawala, Padukka, Sri Lanka. A few months ago, Ayya Kusuma enthusiastically supported the Therigatha Festival, a celebration of ancient verses, poems, and inspired testimonies of Buddhist nuns, organized by Ayya Vimalanyani and Bhante Akaliko.

On that occasion, she gave a beautiful talk about how the Therigatha verses gave her inspiration to re-establish the Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha. She faced a lot of hardship and resistance, a true pioneer and an inspiration for other females in the Sangha.

Now there are thousands of women in Sri Lanka and around the world who have followed her footsteps and taken full nun's ordination. This may well be her last public talk in English.

My search: "Chasing the Present" (film)

What shall we offer the great tulku...frankincense, myrrh, or turmeric? (B. Rich/Hedgeye)

A materially successful young man, riddled with anxiety, embarks on a worldwide journey of self-inquiry.

From the streets of New York, to the stillness of the river Ganges, and deep into the jungles of Peru, he immerses himself in meditation and plant medicine while conversing with top experts like:

Chasing the Present documentary teaser

• Russell Brand
• Alex Grey
• Graham Hancock
• Buddhist teacher Joseph Goldstein
• Rupert Spira
• Sri Prem Baba
• Zelda Hall, and more

to find the root cause of the problem and learn how to finally find freedom from this crippling anxiety. He finds answers to why a person who seemingly has it all can continue to suffer from debilitating panic attacks.

We can recognize the beauty and power that lies within each of us, if we are willing to go there. Let the journey begin with Chasing the Present. More

Gaia is great TV, Maya agrees (video)

Gaia (gaia.com); Ashley Wells, Seth Auberon, Sheldon S., Dhr. Seven, Ananda, Wisdom Quarterly

Our friend Maya was into meditation and spirituality, mainly through the prism smoke. And her mom got them Gaia (gaia.com). So she knew something about everything we were talking about. Maybe she watched it on a big TV or her cell phone, maybe on the go or just chilling. Gaia has so many programs -- series, events, meditation and yoga instructions, explorations, investigations, and specials -- that we're going to ask for our own. After all, it's the best channel on TV for esoteric knowledge and forbidden truth. There are a few duds, like Beyond Belief, but there many gems, like the one about that American guy who goes on a spiritual journey of transformation to find out what life is really about (Chasing the Present) and why the government spends so much time and money controlling and deceiving us.

What will our pitch be? "The WoQ: Cooking with Sensei"? "WooWoo: An American Exploration"? "Mindful-Schmindful! At One with Ananda"?

Tocharians (tall red heads and blond mummies of China), Sumerians, Reptilians (Nagas)

Watch Dr. Steven Greer, Gregg Braden, Graham Hancock, and Dr. Joe Dispenza.

Even off, phone is spying on us: Ed Snowden

Edward Snowden: "You think your phone is off, but it's not!"

(Brain Station, 3/11/21) Part 1/2. "You are being spied on 24/7," warns Edward Snowden. It's the shocking truth. "You think no one is listening to you [right now], but they're already doing that." We are being recorded, and that record is pulled up when we become of interest to authorities.

Everything we say by cellphone or online is kept as a permanent record. We are under surveillance. Others' phones are listening to us. Alexis, Sir, home based monitors, the Internet of Things. It's insidious and spreading until, as in 1984, there is no privacy at all and thought crimes are punished.

Edward Snowden's book title, Permanent Record, makes sense now. Here's Part 2 of Edward Snowden.

• Brain Station Channel
• Facebook.com/brainstation
• Instagram.com/brainstation

Special thanks to MSNBC for this amazing interview with Edward Snowden. Footage and soundtrack used from Videoblocks, EpidemicSound.

• For concerns or business inquiries, please contact: contactbrainstation@gmail.com

Copyright disclaimer: We [Brain Station] own commercial licenses for all the content used in this video. #EdwardSnowden #BrainStation

"Reservation Dogs" Native American comedy

FX, Hulu; Patricksanavajo; Xochitl, Crystal Quintero, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

WARNING: Adult situations, candid content, strong language, and the sly subverting of expectations!

Reservation Dogs | The Unknown Warrior: Season 1, Episode 1 Highlight | FX

(FX Networks, Aug. 14, 2021) An inspirational talk from an unknown warrior. What more could anyone ask for?

Spirit Anatomy (Benton Brown)

Stream FX’s new original comedy from Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo exclusively on FX on Hulu.

Subscribe to FX now for more Reservation Dog clips. From Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, Reservation Dogs is a half-hour comedy that follows the exploits of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma who steal, rob, and save in order to get to the exotic, mysterious, and faraway land of California.

The show’s first-of-its-kind Indigenous creative team invites audiences into a surprisingly familiar and funny world.

• Reservation Dogs, Season 1 videos
• FX on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Native Americans React

(Patrickisanavajo, Aug. 21, 2021) Native Americans react to the new FX on Hulu TV show Reservation Dogs, sharing memes and Indigenous opinions about the show.

Elias Gold, Native Media Theory. Jo on the Rez (YouTube.com, Instagram, Twitter). Natives React (Twitter, Facebook). Patrick Willie (Instagram, Twitter). Jacob Billy Instagram). The blanket we use on the show is from eighthgeneration.com. "Support Inspired Native Companies, not Native Inspired."  💼 Business inquiries: patrickwillie217@gmail.com.