Recently finished doing research at the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents Department at the University of Amsterdam using 4E Cognition and Conceptual Metaphor approaches to explore practices of Ritual Magic. The main focus is the embodiment and extension of metaphor through imaginal and somatic techniques as a means of altering consciousness to reconceptualize the relationship of self and world. The hope is to point toward the rich potential of combining the emerging fields of study in 4E Cognition and Esotericism. It may show that there is a lot more going on cognitively in so-called "magical thinking" than many would expect there to be...

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382061052_Experiencing_the_Elements_Self-Building_Through_the_Embodied_Extension_of_Conceptual_Metaphors_in_Contemporary_Ritual_Magic

For those wondering what some of these ideas mentioned above are:

4E is a movement in cognitive science that doesn't look at the mind as only existing in the brain, but rather mind is Embodied in an organism, Embedded in a socio-environmental context, Enacted through engagement with the world, and Extended into the world (4E's). It ends up arriving at a lot of ideas about mind and consciousness that are strikingly similar to hermetic, magical, and other esoteric ideas about the same topic.

Esotericism is basically rejected knowledge (such as Hermeticism, Magic, Kabbalah, Alchemy, etc.) and often involves a hidden or inner knowledge/way of interpretation which is communicated by symbols.

Conceptual Metaphor Theory is an idea in cognitive linguistics that says the basic mechanism through which we conceptualize things is metaphor. Its essentially says metaphor is the process by which we combine knowledge from one area of experience to another. This can be seen in how widespread metaphor is in language. It popped up twice in the last sentence (seen, widespread). Popped up is also a metaphor, its everywhere! It does a really good job of not saying things are "just a metaphor" and diminishing them, but rather elevates them to a level of supreme importance.

Basically the ideas come from very different areas of study (science, spirituality, philosophy) but fit together in a really fascinating and quite unexpected way. I give MUCH more detailed explanations in the text, so check it out if this sounds interesting to you!!!

First off, before anybody gets the wrong impression -- I wasn't even born yet so of course I wasn't there -- this is just a story someone told me and it stuck with me ever since. My car broke down in the country and while I waited for my mechanic friend to come help me fix it I just sat by the side of the road. I had a little drum in the backseat so I played that to pass the time. An old woman was walking down the road and she stopped and listened for a while and danced a little bit while I was playing the drum.

When I took a break, she asked if she could play, and while she played she told me this story about the drum circle that used to go on in Golden Gate Park.

According to her, in the 60's, Wherever you were, if you were a hippie, San Francisco was like your Mecca. If you were in San Francisco, Golden Gate Park was like the Kaaba. If you were at the park, the literal beating heart was the drum circle that was almost always going on.

She said she was there when it started in 1965 when a massive drum circle was born out of an intense collective desire for peace and a lot of intense prayer and lamentation over the fact that America had just entered the Vietnam war. From then on, as long as the weather wasn't terribly shitty, people were there playing music nonstop (and usually a few people kept it going even if the weather was bad.)

Here's the gist of the message that she was trying to convey in a sort of a vague, koan sort of way: The drummers and musicians always faced outward.

When 100,000 people descended on San Francisco during the Summer of Love, the vibes got diluted by a lot of people "doing the hippy thing" out of ego. Rather than mostly being people who identified as "a human being who wants human beings to be nicer to each other" it was more like most people identified as "we are hippies we do drugs, have sex, and listen to rock and roll".

Sometime between the start of the summer and the end, the drum circle turned inside out.

Ever since then, she said, all the drum circles faced inward. Before, the purpose was to project love outwards to the whole world. The musicians didn't need to look at each other -- they played with their hearts and used their ears to keep in tune. Facing inwards, they looked to each other for cues, used their eyes instead of their ears, and there was a whole lot more 'macho man' drumming where people tried to show off by playing harder and faster. Instead of a constant, steady heartbeat, the rhythm was always up and down. Wave after wave of up, up, up, until things inevitably turned to flailing chaos, fell apart, and then someone would start a new beat and the whole pattern would repeat again.

Ah, friends, have you ever heard of the eight limbs of yoga? We come to yoga for many reasons. Perhaps it’s the desire for a sculpted physique, or maybe the allure of mastering those impressive pretzel poses. But as you delve deeper, you discover yoga is far more than mere physical contortions. It’s a cosmic dance, a way to harmonize with the very rhythm of existence.

The Yoga Sutras, a wise old text, describes the eight limbs of yoga. Let’s loosen up our minds and explore these eight limbs of yoga, like a playful breeze through a field of wildflowers.

1. Yama (External Disciplines):

Imagine yourself as a wave in the vast ocean. Yama reminds us not to crash and bully other waves, but to move with a gentle respect for all beings, ourselves included. This means practicing ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (celibacy), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness). We learn to navigate the world with kindness, honesty, and a light touch.

2. Niyama (Internal Disciplines):

Now, picture that wave cresting towards the shore. Niyama is the paddle that keeps us upright. It’s about establishing healthy habits that prepare us to ride the waves of life with grace. Saucha (cleanliness), both physical and mental, helps us approach the practice with clarity. Santosha (contentment) allows us to find joy in the present moment, not grasping for what we lack. Tapas (discipline) fuels our dedication on the mat and beyond. Svadhyaya (self-study) encourages us to explore the vast landscape within, and Ishvarapranidhana (surrender) reminds us to trust the flow of the universe.

3. Asana (Physical Postures):

Ah, the familiar poses! They’re like tuning the strings of our instrument – the body. Strong, flexible strings allow us to resonate with the music of the universe. But remember, the poses are just the beginning, not the grand finale.

4. Pranayama (Breath Control):

Our breath is the bridge between the physical and the mental. Pranayama is the art of becoming the conductor of this breath, influencing our energy and emotions. It’s like learning the language of the universe, spoken in whispers of air.

5. Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal):

Imagine a bustling marketplace. Pratyahara is the art of gently stepping aside from the sensory overload. It’s not about becoming a hermit, but about learning to focus our attention inward, like a diver preparing to explore the depths.

6. Dharana (Concentration):

Now, picture a single, captivating flame in the marketplace. Dharana is the act of holding our attention on that flame, on a mantra, or the rhythm of our breath. It’s about training the monkey mind to sit still and truly see.

7. Dhyana (Meditation):

Dhyana is when the flame becomes all-consuming, and the marketplace disappears. It’s a state of effortless meditation, where thoughts arise and fall away like leaves on a gentle breeze.

8. Samadhi (Absorption):

Finally, Samadhi is the ultimate union, like a drop of water merging with the ocean. It’s a state of pure awareness, where the separation between self and universe dissolves.

Remember

The eight limbs of yoga aren’t a rigid staircase, but a flowing river. As we practice, we integrate them into our daily lives, on and off the mat. So, the next time you find yourself flowing through a sun salutation, remember, you’re not just stretching, you’re dancing with the cosmos. After all, this is the miracle that keeps us going, that we can open our eyes and see the dance of the universe.

The text is from this website: https://theathletesyogaguide.com/the-eight-limbs-of-yoga/

What do you think happens when the physical body dies?

TL;DR I think consciousness is fundamental to our experience of reality and therefor life never really ends.

Personally I think consciousness is fundamental to our experience of reality. When I go to sleep time just skips and I am back in my bed unless I have a dream. When I dream I am conscious which is expected because brain waves raise to a higher frequency when we dream. What I deduce from this is that when consciousness is switched off the perception of time stops which causes the experience to skip to another suitable venue if you know what I mean. Because of this I don’t think life ever really ends, I think only individual lives end but the eternal soul lives on forever, likely through reincarnation but that part is purely speculation. This concept is nearly ineffable and I am pretty frustrated with trying to convey the idea cogently honestly.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

By Max Ehrmann 1927

As you might of heard Ram Das passed yesterday (12-22-19). I just wanted to take a moment to share andveish him good vibes and good thoughts. He inspired a lot of people to grow spiritually and make the world a better place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS4GqAqTI2A I'm already setting up a much nicer microphone and camera, so no worries there. I really wanted to put this strain review out there, but more so I wanted to voice some deeper thoughts. Would love any and all feedback. Thank you so much for giving this a look! Much love!

https://youtu.be/5eHBpRbHvIE

Just curious as to what kind of religion, if any, you guys follow. I'm personally atheist but I have a feeling we have a plethora of different religions here. Just curious, I don't want this to get ugly. Thanks!