Markus,

I'm curious...have you ever sat yourself down in a quiet room for 10 - 15+ minutes, eyes closed, and simply allowed your thinking free rein to do what it does?

As a matter of fact I have, Don.

Lets see... hmm.. I think it was back in February 1987..

You mean the effect is starting to wear off ??:D

i know a buddhist gal who chants once or twice a day to help center. she spends about 15 minutes at each session, sitting in a quiet place, upright in a comfortable chair. she then chants (phonetically) "nam m'yoho ren gay 'kyo" over and over. i have a link somewhere if anyone's interested in it. she says that chanting has removed her own need for antidepressant medication. i've read a couple of books on buddhism/meditation practices..pema chodron for one, which nostatic has already recommended.
ryan

Ryan,

Your broad spectrum references and insights keep on astounding me !!

I can see you are a man without a time consuming and vigorously socially demanding spouse.

Me ? Well, I still have a mile or two to go in order to reach tabs´'man of wealth and taste'. :D

Buddha, he said.. well you never know.

lol..quite the understatement. i haven't really had a 'steady' in well over a year..a record for me as an adult, as i always was either dating someone..or 'sport-****ing' in my 20's. :D the buddhist gal has been communicating with me for about 6 weeks..i don't do well trying to concentrate on getting to know more than one at a time now, so i've just been taking my time..we haven't even met in person, just talk on the phone. she really wants to meet, but my ptsd makes me move really slowly with respect to relationships now..it's hard for me to move much away from my 'comfort zone', although the doctor says that's what i simply must find a way to do. :(
ryan

'Comfort zone' is what I am really longing for right now. Have not enjoyed such zone for many years. And I will be extremely cautious approaching women in the near future.

Let me rephrase the last sentence: I will friggin´run for my life!! My current experience with women boils down to one simple rule: they eat me alive. I am too bloody weak for the weaker sex.

I need to start hoisting down protein shakes again..:D

lol..i hear ya. well, after losing a 6-figure aviation career, i've been rather 'humbled' (read: 'disgusted) to find out just how many women in the 35-40 age range now consider me a 'high-risk' of 'low-security'..lol. oh, and mention the acronym 'ptsd' and you can clear a room.. :D

i'm finding much better luck speaking with women a few years older than me, around 45 like the gal in fort worth, tx i mentioned. by that age, many have abandoned the notion of the 'rich prince', have been ****ed-over too many times and just really want to meet a decent man. i have no children..but 'presumably' this is considered 'advantageous' to women not looking to be an 'instant mom'. so i guess i've got one thing going for me..good grief. ;)
ryan

If a guy learns how to train a cat he can deal with any woman imo.

lol..ron.

more self bs.

there is nothing that makes me feel so alive as when I'm on the edge. Some Buddhist guy said I have Buddhist experiences after hearing my bs in one of those older guy life experiences talks relating to life/death at a social dinner. I said "What? Buddhism is the removal of life's static." Then he went into details.

You can philosophize all you want but we're still animals imo.

ron..made room.

Alright, I can agree with being no more than an animal.

But then, why am I not content with eating, sleeping and humping ?

an animal that thinks.

Eureka ! We have determined the X factor in the equation. Thinking.

Stop thinking and be happy ! :D

Livi, don't they sell absinthe where you live?
:D

If we are just animals then why do we give a $hit... why do we even discus things like this?
:confused:

Not "just animals" but animals that think. To reach beyond either one causes confusion to the mix imo. Realizing what you are somewhat "left with" enables a clearer pic of what your goals are imo. Organized religion of some sort steps in to give many something to believe in.

all above a prejudical rant by an arrogant NY'er. :D

I understand Ronnin, it just boggles my mind the things we humans spend our time on, the library's full of literature, art, music, philosophy, and...
Oh wait... IT'S BEER THIRTY! Gotta run.

I honestly believe the world has turned into something the species Homo Sapiens can not handle anymore. Our body and soul were designed for a far more primitive life stile. Less crowded, less noise, less pollution, less stress, less opportunities, less things to worry about, less competition. Basically less taxing input. Nobody expected more out of life than food, shelter and raving sex (with at least a handful of woman).

Today the 'wheel' spins faster and faster every generation. But essentially we are still cave men.

Typically, this too leads me back to the mountain top in Tibet.. :D

room for more on that mountain top? lol :D