Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Buddhist Dating: open to desire? (InsightLA)

InsightLA Senior Teacher Justine Dawson; Ananda (DBM), Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Instructor Justine Dawson

Desire is one of the most potent forces in human experience. More than just a sexual urge, the energy of desire (thirst, craving, lust, grasping, attachment, neediness, clinging) sparks inspiration, nourishes vitality, and fuels creativity.

It’s life’s call into aliveness and connection [and disappointment and this endless merry-go-round called samsara].

Dating with Depth with Justine Dawson

When we try to disconnect from desire, it’s not uncommon to feel listless, uncertain, or lost. The experience of desire can also stir confusion, touch shame, and activate clinginess.

As soon as craving arises, there's dukkha.

There’s a reason we fear desire. So how do we engage with desire skillfully? What does it look like to turn towards desire, become curious about its nature, and integrate its intelligence and aliveness?

When we include desire in our practice, and apply mindfulness, we discover it can be the foundation of healthy boundaries and intuitive knowing. We access its energy. We deepen our intimacy. And we may even find it to contain the seeds of our awakening – acting as an agent that shakes up our narrow sense of self, our ideas of who we “should be,” revealing something authentic and whole.

In this highly interactive and practical class, explore how to skillfully come into relationship with desire in all its manifestations.

Through conversation, meditation, inquiry practices, and optional paired exercises, develop the capacity to:

Become aware of what you desire, tuning into the subtle whispers and sensations of your body and engaging them as a guide
Be with the experience of longing, without collapse or reactivity
Develop understanding of (and practices for) the fear and shame that keep you from working consciously with desire
Express desire skillfully, discovering its connection to healthy boundaries
Discern between the intelligence of desire and the suffering of greed and clinging
Cultivate the energy of desire to bring more vitality into your life and mindfulness practice

Our minds are hacked! (Dr. Lustig)

This class is welcoming to and inclusive for all adults (18+), single or in relationship, of all genders and sexual orientations.

Due to the connected nature of conversation in this class, all students are asked to introduce themselves with video on.

SCHEDULE:

Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 pm PT
September 8
September 15
September 22
September 29

COST: Optional suggested donation... More

Dating with Depth

Slow down, man! Let's take this course at InsightLA together to do this right, okay?

Tired of endless Fumble swiping? Would it be better to connect with others in a deep and fulfilling way? Join InsightLA Senior Teacher Justine Dawson for a 3-week exploration of sexy and mindful DATING. Through conversation, meditations, experiential inquiry, and optional homework exercises, explore how to:

Take on dating as a practice for growth and self-awareness
Create a dating profile that reflects your true self and desires
Set up dates that are fun, meaningful, and feel good
Develop intimacy skills with every interaction... More

5 largest nuclear tests caught on camera

Underworld, March, 29, 2022; Pfc. Sandoval, Sheldon S., Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

(Underworld) Creating the best new educational videos about the lesser-known stories from around the world, Underwood posts Top 5s, Top 10s, Caught on Camera, and much more. Subscribe. Atomic Tests Channel ► Music licensed from SoundStripe/Envato Elements.

For any and all copyright matters, please email directly at UnderworldCopyright@gmail.com. Unless otherwise created by Underworld, licenses have been obtained for images/footage in the video from the following sources: pastebin.com.

Jon Stewart awards Nazi troop in Ukraine War

J. Dore, Alex 'n Alex, Kurt Metzger (TJDS); Pfc. Sandoval, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

German Green Party politician and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

Foraging Wild Foods in Los Angeles (9/10)

Christopher Nyerges, School of Self-Reliance, Meetup; Ananda (Dharma BM), Wisdom Quarterly

Pre-registration required (at link below). Participants will walk along a streamside area, seeing both native and introduced (invasive) plants.

Learn to distinguish the edible plants, medicinal plants, and various other useful plants (use for cordage, survival, making soap, etc.), and even some poisonous plants to avoid.

Learn how to identify and collect wild foods, medicines, soaps, fire making materials, and other incredibly useful parts of plants.

Learn to think like foragers of the past, who had to have an intimate knowledge of the seasons and foresight into the future.

Join in for an insightful walk into a wild area of Los Angeles, with a focus on interpreting the useful plants of the area.

Though this is the dry season now, we will see many trees and native shrubs that have numerous uses. For many native and non-native species provide food and medicine.

Dress comfortably and bring water. The trail will be more or less flat. Location will be sent after registration: $65 (seniors and students $45). More details here:

SoCal heat wave, blackouts, fires, rain...

KTLA 5, L.A., Sept. 4 and Aug. 30, 2022; CBS News, 9/7/22; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

L.A. and San Bernardino Counties under severe thunderstorm warnings during a heat wave

(KTLA 5) Sept. 4, 2022. Hail and fast-moving winds resulted in the National Weather Service issuing severe thunderstorm warnings for Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties on Sunday. This comes as a heat wave continues to scorch Southern California, brush fires rage out of control, smog overhangs the area, rolling blackouts are threatened, and electric car purchases are being mandated.

September heat wave: Excessive heat warnings issued for Los Angeles area

(KTLA 5) A dangerous, record-breaking heat wave is expected to develop over Southern California over the next several days, prompting Excessive Heat Warnings for millions of Los Angeles residents and others in the area. Details: ktla.com/news/local-news... Chris Wolfe reports for the KTLA 5 News at 10:00 pm. Connect with KTLA online | website: ktla.com, twitter.com/ktla, facebook.com/ktla5, instagram.com/ktla5news.

Extreme heat strains California power grid as wildfires threaten state

(CBS News) Sept. 7, 2022. California's electric power grid is being pushed to its limits by a major heat wave that won't let up for at least a few more days. Firefighters are dealing with the high temperatures and dry (prolonged drought) conditions that are fueling wildfires across the state. CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports from Los Angeles. Remember to go out and buy a mandatory electric vehicle with its carbon producing electric charging and planet destroying mineral utilizing planned obsolescence. The government is fully behind Elon Musk but not the citizens of the country.

California's extreme heat exacerbates wildfires, electricity shortage

(CBS News) Sept. 7, 2022. Extreme heat is wreaking havoc on California. Triple-digit temperatures over the course of the past week have made it difficult for crews to fight several wildfires that popped up across the state. The heat is also jeopardizing California's power grid. CBS News Correspondent Carter Evans reports from California. Then Akshaya Jha, assistant professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, discusses how California is handling the heat [and the lack of infrastructure to mandate electric cars and water conservation efforts without desalination plants being planned to run the state the way prosperous Catalina Island is run].

Africa, Hillary, Wall Street killing old in US

Jimmy Dore, Kurt Metzger (jimmydore.com); Pfc. Sandoval, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's legacy: Libyan Civil War restarting again after 2-year ceasefire

How Wall Street is killing grandmas for its obscene profits

Arizona: Phoenix sells its water to Saudi Arabia

Full Moon Soundbath+Ayurvedic Healing (9/11)

Dr. Ashwin Kumar (eventbrite.com); Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma BM) (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Soundbath and Ayurveda Tea Social with discussion at Seventh/Place in DTLA: Eventbrite Soundbath and Pranic Lifeforce Healing

This amazing experience features a Soundbath and Pranic Lifeforce Healing. Sound Healings are acoustic attunements, where laying down to relax the body, the body's natural healing systems are activated and the subconscious mind is cleared.

Prana Lifeforce Healing comes from Ayurveda. It uses our prana or "lifeforce" to heal bodily and mental imbalances. Ayurvedic practitioners (prana-acharyas) guide our chi or lifeforce by holding palms a few inches over affected areas. This is an option with the soundbath everyone will experience.

There are ancients and immortals among us.

Bring a pillow or blanket to be as relaxed as possible in mind and body. Allow vibrations from instruments wash through and over and under the body to release and let go of anything that is no longer serving this life.

Instruments used include tuned crystal bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, a gong, and others. Leave feeling refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated along with such benefits as:

relief of anxiety and stress
release of blocked emotions
reduced blood pressure
decreased depression
heightened clarity
deeper meditation
increased immune cell activity
relief of physical pain
release of emotional traumas

Venmo: @ashwinayurveda.com (presale $27, at door $32, children 10-17 $15, 9 and under FREE) Doctor of Ayurveda Ashwin Kumar is the founder of the College of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedic Sciences located in Glendale, California (ashwinayurveda.com or Instagram @ashwinayurveda or Meetup). Namaste 🙏

Covid masking did my son harm (TJDS)

Jimmy Dore, Kurt Metzger (TJDS); Pfc. Sandoval, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

CNN medical doctor: “Masking has harmed our son’s language development [having provided little protection from COVID-19 pandemic]”

Monday, September 5, 2022

Sex, anger, dysregulation, can't think? Heal it

Anna (Crappy Childhood Fairy, 9/5, 2022); Crystal Q., Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Trouble feeling connected in relationships? Trauma could be the cause

(Crappy Childhood Fairy) August 16, 2022. Labor Day Sale: 29% OFF dating and relationships course Sept. 3-5. Have CPTSD? FREE TOOLS: bit.ly/2vwqSRY

Angry, dysregulated, can't think? Here's HOW to feel better ASAP

(Crappy Childhood Fairy) September 5, 2022. FREE TOOLS: bit.ly/2vwqSRY COACHING: New Programs Open Now: bit.ly/3bqKBHm * Best Online Course for Beginners: HEALING CHILDHOOD PTSD bit.ly/39NxUBo Change Trauma-Driven Dating Patterns DATING & RELATIONSHIPS COURSE bit.ly/39sfsgZ

Access ALL courses BECOME A MEMBER bit.ly/2rukHvh Free Online Course, Calming Techniques THE DAILY PRACTICE bit.ly/3608opl Heal the Core Symptom of Childhood Trauma DYSREGULATION BOOTCAMP bit.ly/3t5vPtN Heal Your Capacity to Connect with Others CONNECTION BOOTCAMP bit.ly/3vCryih COACHING/WEBSITE/COURSES Find links to Crappy Childhood Fairy Programs here: bit.ly/35C0vcu

Contact Anna (the Crappy Childhood Fairy) and Her Team: hello@crappychildhoodfairy.com PARTNER PROGRAMS (commissions on referrals and recommendation services) NEED ONLINE THERAPY? BetterHelp can connect one with a licensed, online therapist. betterhelp.com/CCF NEED HEALING FOR OVEREATING? Here's the program I follow: tuneclick.brightlineeating.com...

Irish Zen: "For No One" (The Beatles)

Paul McCartney (The Beatles); Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson, our Kelly Ani, Wisdom Quarterly

What is Zen but riddles and paradoxical koans or puzzling historical "cases"?

Attachment sucks. Let go. Go Zen.

LYRICS: Your day breaks, your mind aches/ You find that all her words of kindness linger on/ When she no longer needs you/ She wakes up, she makes up/ She takes her time and doesn't feel she has to hurry/ She no longer needs you/ And in her eyes, you see nothing/ No sign of love behind the tears/ Cried for no one/ A love that should have lasted years/ You want her, you need her/ And yet you don't believe her when she says her love is dead/ You think she needs you

Then I woke up (M O'Halloran)

And in her eyes you see nothing/ No sign of love behind the tears/ Cried for no one/ A love that should have lasted years/ You stay home, she goes out/ She says that long ago she knew someone/ But now he's gone, she doesn't need him/ Your day breaks, your mind aches/ There will be times when all the things she said will fill your head/ You won't forget her/ And in her eyes you see nothing/ No sign of love behind the tears/ Cried for no one/ A love that should have lasted years.

Only riddles and koans. No answers anywhere! (When Zen sucks: When not practiced)

Purify your heart, mind will follow.

It's odd to miss someone, even if she's in a better place now, satori, out of this samsara, this endless round of rebirth and suffering. Once upon a time, not so long ago, there was an Irish-American lass, Maura "Soshin" O'Hollaran. Born in Boston, raised in Ireland, she became a formal Zen Buddhist nun -- and stuck it out. She succeeded, if by "success" one means kensho and satori, which is to say, she woke up, became a Western "saint." We're only sleeping.

The Irish Zen saint: Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind

Lennon, jealous of McCartney, finally learned to write popular songs :)

Labor Day Weekend, Venice Beach, L.A.

(WQ) Los Angeles, California has two famous beaches, Santa Monica and Venice. The sprawling megalopolis and its main interstate freeway terminate there. Drive west and you'll hit the water soon enough, a sparkling bay full of millions swamping around the Hyperion Water Treatment Plant, where our sewage goes before being dumped into the same bay. Upscale Santa Monica has a pier and many trendy shops and restaurants.

Come for the water, stay for the bikinis. Cali attracts beauty and money

Venice is the seedier side of the tracks with lots of street performers and pot shops, lots of homeless urchins and beach bum hippie addicts. And there are usually tons of tourists most of the year, particularly in the summer. But not this summer. Is it too hot, too scummy, are there too many homeless now, too much lawlessness, too much police abuse? Who knows. Here's a report from the asphalt boardwalk that is Venice, named such for its mostly dry and polluted canals with no gondolas. Most of the world will one day see it, because it seems everyone comes to LA to see Disneyland (which is actually in Orange County) and our fine beaches, which improve going north to Zuma and up PCH (the world-famous Pacific Coast Highway) and going south to Hermosa and Laguna in The OC.

Sunday, September 4, 2022

Alan Watts on "YOGA" (Buddhist Radio)

Alan Watts, Sunday, Sept. 4, 8:00 am (kpfk); Seth Auberon, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Pacifica Free Speech Radio Archives: ALAN WATTS on KPFK.org 90.7 FM

(Jofy/YouTube) What is Intellectual Yoga (jnana yoga) on the various paths to union, like Christian devotion (bhakti), karma ("action"), royal or integral (raja or kundalini), chanting (mantra), etc.

Go to "Alan Watts on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 8:00 AM" in archives.kpfk.org

ABOUT: "Buddhist Radio" is our name for programmer Roy of Hollywood Tuckman's show Something's Happening when, on Thursdays at midnight and Sundays at 8:00 am, it becomes Buddhist-centric, featuring British-Californian Alan Watts and other luminaries like Los Angeleno Shinzen Young, Pema Chodron, Tami Simon (Sounds True) interviews, and other great overnight listening. Tune in to Pacifica Free Speech Radio, Los Angeles (KPFK.org 90.7 FM).

Surprising age when Americans are happiest

MSN.com; Ashley Wells (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

We're extended family living together.

When are we happiest in life? We all have our ideas. What does social science in a survey say?

Perhaps it is during the full bloom of our youth or when we are raising our children, or at the full moon or when we suddenly get rich, famous, influential, powerful, or fall in love. Maybe it's when we finally give it all up, stop being self-interested, internally renounce, and set off to awaken and become enlightened and liberated.

Or maybe happiness comes at last in our golden years. Recently, AARP teamed up with National Geographic Partners and asked more than 2,500 adults to put themselves in one of two camps, very happy or not too happy.

It then divided the respondents into age groups to determine the time of life when people are most likely to be happy. The following is what they discovered about each age group. It’s not the usual blah, blah, blah. More

Chris Hedges On Contact: Slaughterhouse

Don't eat us. If you do, they'll KILL us to sell our bodies as bloody flesh. Thank you, Humans.

Chris Hedges has a weekly radio interview show called On Contact. It features dissident voices missing from the mainstream media as well as the “black sheep” of the establishment.

Jimmy Dore interviews cancelled/censored/disappeared Chris Hedges

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Hedges "disappeared" from YouTube

with all RT content as reported by Amy Goodman's Democracy Now!

Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry

(Gail A. Eisnitz) Slaughterhouse is the first book of its kind to explore the impact that unprecedented changes in the U.S. meatpacking industry over the last 25 years -- particularly

industry consolidation,
increased line speeds, and
deregulation

-- have had on workers, animals, and American flesh consumers. It is also the first time ever that workers have spoken publicly about what's really taking place behind the closed doors of America's slaughterhouses.

In this new paperback edition, author Gail A. Eisnitz brings the story up-to-date since the book's original publication. She describes the ongoing efforts by the Humane Farming Association to improve conditions in the meatpacking industry, media exposes that have prompted reforms resulting in multimillion dollar appropriations by Congress to try to enforce federal inspection laws, and a favorable decision by the Supreme Court to block construction of what was slated to be one of the largest hog factory farms in the country.

Nonetheless, Eisnitz makes it clear that abuses continue and much work still needs to be done. Slaughterhouse: The Shocking

ABOUT: Christopher Hedges is an American journalist, Presbyterian minister, and visiting Princeton University lecturer. His books include his most recent America: The Farewell Tour (2018), Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt (2015), Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle (2009); Death of the Liberal Class (2010); Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt (2012), written with cartoonist Joe Sacco, at one time a New York Times best-seller.

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Dalai Lama will never return to Tibet (video)

Hindustan Times; Dalai Lama (dalailama.com); Ashley Wells, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Dalai Lama on why he never wants to leave India; slams 'narrow minded' Chinese leaders

(Hindustan Times) November 10, 2021. Tibet's spiritual leader, the current (14th) Dalai Lama, has hailed India as a country of peace and religious harmony, announcing that he has no plans to leave to some other nation -- or even back to Tibet/China -- and that he would like to stay until the time he is no longer alive.

The exiled spiritual and former political leader of Tibet said as much as he was was addressing an online press conference, where he took potshots at Chinese Communist Party leaders for being "narrow minded" and said that he has no plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On the issues of Tibet and Xinjiang, the Dalai Lama accused the current Chinese government of not understanding the local cultures and traditions of its empire and instead forcing its will on the people living in those two places. Watch this report for more.

#DalaiLama #China #Tibet #India #XiJinping #CCP. Music SONG: "Something is Going On" by ARTIST Godmode from the ALBUM Something is Going On.

What we were told about Covid were lies

Afterlife w/ Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious (video)

Inside Edition 10/12/18; Afterlife Adventures '22; Seth Auberon, Pat Mac (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Deaths of Sid and Nancy leave many unanswered questions, 40 years later

(Inside Edition) First, Sid Vicious sings Sinatra's "My Way." In the 1970s, New York City was crumbling, bankrupt, and riddled with crime, and it was where the punk rockers felt most at home [though the hardcore punks were soon arising in sunny Los Angeles]. They were defined by their disheveled wardrobe and anarchist attitudes. Two well-known punks, one-time Sex Pistols' bassist Sid Vicious and his unpopular girlfriend Nancy Spungen, lived in the Chelsea Hotel. When Nancy was found dead of a stab wound in their room, Sid Vicious was charged with her murder, but the case would never get the resolution many had hoped for. #InsideEdition

Sex Pistols Spirit Box Session. Disturbing EVPs from Sid Vicious come through

(Afterlife Adventures) Summer, 2022. I (Amanda) am trying to get answers from my Spirit Guides about what happened to Sid Vicious (John Ritchie) and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.

I'm back with another Spirit Box Session. The Afterlife Adventures Team: Lead Investigator: Amanda. Investigator/Camera Operator: Mathew. #afterlifeadventures #sexpistols #sidvicious #missing #spiritbox #truecrime #missingchild #unsolved #paranormal #ghost #ghosthunting #tarotreading

Afterlife Adventures Channel. Buy Amanda a coffee then I can do the Spirit Box Sessions 24/7 (buymeacoffee.com/afterlifea7), twitter.com/AfterLifeAdven3

Dalai Lama teaching youth, Summer '22

Teaching for Tibetan Youth 2022: Day 1
Avalokiteśvara the gender shifting deity worshipped by Tibetans as Kwan Yin (Wikipedia)

(Dalai Lama) First piece of advice given on April 11, 2022. Day 1 of the 14th Dalai Lama's two-day Tibetan Buddhist teaching on Tsongkhapa's "In Praise of Dependent Origination" and "Foundation of All Excellent Qualities" for Tibetan youth took place on June 1, 2022, at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India. Tibet's spiritual leader also confers the 1,000-Armed Avalokiteshvara Empowerment.

Presence meditation with Eckhart Tolle

Staying present when something goes wrong: A meditation with Eckhart Tolle

(Eckhart Tolle) September 3, 2022. In this 20-minute meditation, Eckhart Tolle discusses the importance of letting go of judgment, engaging life as a field of presence, and remaining in the moment, which is where our power is. Be here NOW.

Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell, the Journey

Bill Moyers, PBS; Pat Macpherson, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth | Episode 1: "The Hero’s Adventure"

(kinolorber) August 23, 2022. American mythologist Joseph Campbell encourages the audience to discover what excites them and to make that the basis for their personal journeys. Watch Episode 2. #documentary #tv #tvshow #television #mythology #josephcampbell

Law of Vibration with Bob Proctor (video)

The Secret: The Law of VIBRATION | Bob Proctor | Law of Attraction Coaching

(Law of Attraction Coaching) 👈 Click the link to sign up for a 30-Day Law of Attraction Coaching Course. Bob Proctor explains the less well-known Law of Vibration and how it is directly tied to the widely misunderstood Law of Attraction.

The farm isn't going well. I just want to be rich, Bob. How do I do it?

Whatever vibration we are in is what we are attracting into our lives. Want different results in life? Then we have to change our vibration. How do we do that? Let the Proctor give a brief overview. Somone loved this video so much that s/he had to share it. Attraction and vibration are real and "laws" (natural orders or impersonal mechanisms) in life. We can learn and use these laws to our advantage or deny they exist and float through life with little to no control.

What do we really want? Do we know? Have we let all the big dreams we had as kids slip away? Why? What if there is a way to still achieve those dreams in life? Sounds too good to be true, right? "If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is." Is this saying always true? It is most of the time, but not all. This IS real. After being introduced to Bob Proctor’s works, one can no longer go through life and say we never had a chance at something better.

I can say this because I took the chance even though I had failed so many times at so many different courses and businesses. There is no “probably” with Proctor. He is the best I have ever seen or been around. He is real and cares about us. Watch this video a few times and really take in what he is sharing. Please note that this is Bob Proctor's video and I claim no right to it whatsoever. I am merely sharing it for other's enjoyment and benefit.

Website: lawofattractioncoaching.net
YouTube: youtube.com/c/LawofattractioncoachingNet

Thursday, September 1, 2022

"Hair" play runs high in L.A. (9/1-9/4)

Hair with the original Broadway cast on TV with the venerable American variety show host Ed Sullivan performing, "Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" live in 1968. There is also a full collection of songs from Hair as a made for TV or big screen version of the play. On Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, Sarah Azcarate and husband bring a new production of the classic. The originator will be in the audience, so everything comes full circle in Altadena, where the Underground Railroad had its terminus during days of overt American slavery.

(Family Guy) Hair is a sad musical about the unjust act of genocide known as the American War on Vietnam. In the final scene the wrong person gets sent off to kill Vietnamese: "Let My Son Die."