Search found 74 matches

by Mal
Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:04 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet & Fitness
Topic: Jogging
Replies: 37
Views: 10054

Re: Jogging

Does the Buddha recommend jogging? Why not walk? I jogged/ran for twenty years and stopped when my knees became quite painful most days. One colleague who didn't stop had a knee replacement, another a hip replacement. So I have great doubts about it being a wonderful exercise! These days my exercise...
by Mal
Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:24 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Congratulations to Americans
Replies: 36
Views: 8290

Re: Congratulations to Americans

Let's hope he gets his nasty addiction to illegal drone strikes under control. The BBC said only European "democrats" were against these, in general, US democrats & floaters support them. Does Obama really support them, or is he addicted to "getting the vote by any means"? N...
by Mal
Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:18 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: no attachement = no expectations
Replies: 33
Views: 7109

Re: no attachement = no expectations

I have no attachment to the US elections, doesn't mean I don't have an expectation or opinion about them as I find it quite interesting. same with UK elections. neither have a direct impact on my life, but that doesn't mean I am attached or lack expectations either way round. How can you say the UK...
by Mal
Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:59 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Meaning of contemplation in Vipassana-Thinking
Replies: 3
Views: 2261

Re: Meaning of contemplation in Vipassana-Thinking

I'm not sure what being lost in thought means. For instance if you are following a line of Socratic reasoning is that being lost in thought? For instance you think, "Socrates is a man", and you are aware of this thought. Then you think "All men are mortal", and you're aware of th...
by Mal
Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:36 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Children who remember their past lives as monks
Replies: 26
Views: 9617

Re: Children who remember their past lives as monks

... molecular genetics — there is no stage in the mechanical processes underlying inheritance that seems to directly suggest the "attraction of a powerful consciousness". Not in the steps involved in the production of the gamete, nor in initial brain development. What about later brain de...
by Mal
Sat Oct 27, 2012 2:30 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Should I buy gold?
Replies: 7
Views: 2384

Re: Should I buy gold?

... If we become a fascist society, where the government assumes the right to seize citizen's assets--leave. Move to where you stashed the gold and live there. Can you be certain of getting out? Many Jews tried to leave Nazi Germany but couldn't get a visa. Did the Buddha stash gold in the forest? ...
by Mal
Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:53 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?
Replies: 113
Views: 28806

Re: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?

Seeking the evidence might destroy the search.
by Mal
Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:06 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?
Replies: 113
Views: 28806

Re: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?

As no evidence is forthcoming I can only assume that there isn't any, at least none that any decent scientist would put their name to. There is some evidence - e.g., toddlers supposedly remembering old retainers from their (supposed) previous incarnation. But this isn't very good evidence. Why don'...
by Mal
Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:14 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Children who remember their past lives as monks
Replies: 26
Views: 9617

Re: Children who remember their past lives as monks

santa100 wrote:Joseph Haydn himself wrote that "posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years".
He was just trying to keep Beethoven's ego in check :)
by Mal
Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:12 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Children who remember their past lives as monks
Replies: 26
Views: 9617

Re: Children who remember their past lives as monks

Mozart may be less of an example of rebirth than of pure genius — one can explain his success as a result of fortunate genetic endowment instead of some metaphysical event. That would be a more parsimonious account of it. No, one will have to look to different examples in order to establish that re...
by Mal
Thu Oct 18, 2012 1:31 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Children who remember their past lives as monks
Replies: 26
Views: 9617

Re: Children who remember their past lives as monks

santa100 wrote: The Mozart example makes a pretty strong case for rebirth... He composed magnificent grand concertos!...
Have you read a biography of Mozart? He didn't compose magnificent grand concertos as young child.
by Mal
Thu Oct 18, 2012 1:19 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?
Replies: 113
Views: 28806

Re: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?

I'm scratching my head trying to understand what it is you're trying to tell me, Mal. I'm trying to suggest that for many "big" questions there are no right answers, at least, not answers that you will find in this lifetime. There might be something permanent, there might not be. There mi...
by Mal
Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:21 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Children who remember their past lives as monks
Replies: 26
Views: 9617

Re: Children who remember their past lives as monks

This little boy in north-east Thailand called "Nong Mark" seems to continue to behave like a monk, as he would have done in his previous life: shaving his head, wearing a yellow robe and playing with a bowl. He can give the traditional blessing in Pali quite fluently, and then chants &quo...
by Mal
Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:00 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?
Replies: 113
Views: 28806

Re: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?

Then there are other well-documented cases in the West which involve young children, consider for example the boy who remembered details of his past life as a fighter pilot shot down in WWII: http://www.reversespins.com/proofofreincarnation.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return fal...
by Mal
Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:45 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?
Replies: 113
Views: 28806

Re: Neurosurgeon's visit to heaven - proof of afterlife?

I used to be very troubled by these discussions. I've come to realise that whether there is an afterlife or not, whether consciousness is brain-made or not, whether rebirth occurs or not, I am still going to die. Regardless of my beliefs or otherwise, death will take me. Obviously. But where will d...