My 8th anniversary here at RF

[MysticSang'ha]

We gotta go back for a moment. Here is my very first post at RF, and it was fruballed by YmirGF who welcomed me with open arms.

Greetings, everyone. My first post here...........I've been lurking for a few weeks already.


Doktormartini (great moniker, BTW), it's what you mentioned, but it isn't like a book that tells what is "supposed" to happen when you die, but a guidebook for the recently departed. Many beings are disoriented when death occurs, and Padmadambhava spelled out what awaits, how to respond to it, and how one can attain liberation within the bardos.


If a being does not attain liberation in the bardos, one is counseled on which womb to pick for a complementary re-birth. The goal here is to pick the best opportunities to renounce worldly attachments.



I hope that answers your question. I'd recommend reading the book.



There is also a book out (although I haven't read it nor do I remember who is the author) called, "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying." I'd only thumbed through it in the bookstore a couple of times, but I believe it to be an invaluable piece of literature for hospice organizations and family members who are tending to a loved one with a terminal illness. Has anyone read this book, or is familiar with it in any way?



Peace,
Mystic

Wow, I've come a long way. That sure looked like an intelligent post back then. Amazing how much people change in 8 years.

Oh check this out! This was my introduction thread!

Hi, everyone! I've already started some posting before coming here to officially introduce myself. I just can't get away from grabbing a little attention just for ME!



My name is Heather. I am married to the coolest man ever, Steve, and the two of us together have four children in southern Illinois (go Cardinals!). We are a blended family (Steve and I were married once before, and the kids were all from our previous marriages), so that figures in to some interesting challenges. One of our children is also a special-needs child, who requires much more care and attention than most other children. We, however, see him as a blessing, because caring for him requires US to evolve and grow as people. To give him his basic care, we MUST be more patient, attentive, and selfless than if we were to deal with the average child.


I am mostly a stay-at-home mother, but recently I have been going back to my roots as a dancer.............not the exotic kind, though. I do ballet and modern as well as musical productions. I obviously don't do it for the money. I do it as a gift I can give to others. It's a talent that I love to share.



I have studied Buddhism for a little more than a decade, and specifically Tibetan Buddhism for the last year. So, I'm a little fresh, still, when it comes to the differences between the Tibetan sect and, say, Zen. I was brought up as a Catholic, which is the religion that my mother's side of the family follows strongly. I became "born-again" in college, and was a charismatic evangelical Christian for four years before making the seemingly painful decision to leave the Christian community. For about a year, I was very bitter toward the teachings of the evangelical community. When I discovered the Dharma of Guatama Buddha, I found my bitterness dissolving, and I finally found a true sense of peace.




That bitterness is long gone. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sang'ha) continues to open the mysteries of reality to me like the lotus flower. I continue to read as much as I can of other religions because I desire to seek the Pure Light as it is expressed in other "languages", so to speak. That is the "mystic" in me. I also enjoy conversation and lively debate with others of any faith. That enjoyment alludes to the "sang'ha" part in my screen name, because the "sang'ha" is the community. I see a nice community here at this site, so I am delighted to finally introduce myself and to become a part of this group here after weeks of lurking.




Thank you all for your welcoming comments that I have already received!




Peace,
Mystic

This is fun to look back. I remember reading - in particular Sunstone's posts and Katzpur's posts - and being amazed that people were so respectful while discussing wildly different religious and political viewpoints. Not only that, but I saw RF as both respectful AND like a family. I thought to myself that this didn't look like a place for dry impersonal debate. But I also noticed that the hostility was kept to a minimum. I remember while I was lurking that I wanted to be a part of the RF community and to discuss topics that had been lying dormant for so long.

I'm so thankful to have been part of this community. Y'all have been amazing people. I'm so thankful to call many of you - both past and present - my friends.

Now I want some cake. Preferably a cake with a hot woman or hot man to pop out from and to give me a lap dance.

 

[Revoltingest]

Now I want some cake. Preferably a cake with a hot woman or hot man to pop out from and to give me a lap dance.

Ask, & ye shall receive....

 

[Badran]

We gotta go back for a moment. Here is my very first post at RF, and it was fruballed by YmirGF who welcomed me with open arms.

Oh check this out! This was my introduction thread!

Awww! You were so cute back then. I don't know what happened.

Now I want some cake. Preferably a cake with a hot woman or hot man to pop out from and to give me a lap dance.

Well, i'm here. But i don't have a cake to pop out of, i can't dance, and i'm as hot as a winter storm.

So, that's what you get.

Congrats to us for having you that long!

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Ask, & ye shall receive....

Hang on...the picture is a bit blurry.

*puts glasses on*

Holy ****! Get that thing away from me!!

Awww! You were so cute back then. I don't know what happened.

I got sexier. Much sexier. :flirt:

Well, i'm here. But i don't have a cake to pop out of, i can't dance, and i'm as hot as a winter storm.

So, that's what you get.

Oh yippee. Some anniversary present. Why don't you go play speedbump while you're at it?

Congrats to us for having you that long!

LOL no doubt! If you can survive getting tickled by a whip for that long, I salute all of you for your stamina! :clap

 

[LuisDantas]

Well, i'm here. But i don't have a cake to pop out of, i can't dance, and i'm as hot as a winter storm.

We can make a duet then. That is something. Maybe.

Congratulations, Sangha, and thanks. It is a pleasure to have been sharing so much with you.

 

[Alceste]

Now I want some cake. Preferably a cake with a hot woman or hot man to pop out from and to give me a lap dance.

* volunteers.

 

[Caladan]

I find your blend of insanity and independent thought to be a voice of reason on RF, thanks to whichever powers who were involved in encouraging you to click 'join'.
And BTW, I read The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying many moons ago, and I remember enjoying it thoroughly, although if you ask me what was written I only remember very specific parts.

 

[4consideration]

:balloons:

Wow. Eight years! Congrats.

RF wouldn't be the same without you.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Wow, 8 years. Congrats Heather!