Monday, 31 October 2016

Bodhichitta is the precious attitude that you will work to perfect yourself and achieve buddhahood in order to help deliver all sentient beings from suffering

Bodhichitta is the precious attitude that you will work to perfect yourself and achieve buddhahood in order to help deliver all sentient beings from suffering

Do not see faults anywhere. Practice that which is nothing whatsoever. Do not foster longing for signs of progress and the like. Although it is taught that there is nothing whatsoever to meditate on, do not fall under the sway of inactivity and indifference. In all circumstances, practice with mindfulness.

Do not see faults anywhere. Practice that which is nothing whatsoever. Do not foster longing for signs of progress and the like. Although it is taught that there is nothing whatsoever to meditate on, do not fall under the sway of inactivity and indifference. In all circumstances, practice with mindfulness.

If we can look completely and directly at this very moment, not outside but inside, w ithout going into the past or the future, leaving behind all the patterns of information, education, and culture that we carry with us from the past, it’s said that we’ll be able to see the true nature of what we are in a very uncomplicated, unconceptual way. As long as we bring in concepts, we mix things up. We may think and feel that we’re seeing the whole truth, but we’re actually just making it up in our mind

If we can look completely and directly at this very moment, not outside but inside, w ithout going into the past or the future, leaving behind all the patterns of information, education, and culture that we carry with us from the past, it’s said that we’ll be able to see the true nature of what we are in a very uncomplicated, unconceptual way. As long as we bring in concepts, we mix things up. We may think and feel that we’re seeing the whole truth, but we’re actually just making it up in our mind

With wisdom lacking means, one is tied to nirvana. With means lacking wisdom, one is tied to samsara. Therefore the combination of both is needed.

With wisdom lacking means, one is tied to nirvana. With means lacking wisdom, one is tied to samsara. Therefore the combination of both is needed. 

Whatever we do, even if it is only the recitation of a single mala26 of the m antra om mani peme h u n g or a short meditation session, it must be done for the benefit of all beings.

Whatever we do, even if it is only the recitation of a single mala26 of the m antra om mani peme h u n g or a short meditation session, it must be done for the benefit of all beings. 

Ultimate bodhichitta corresponds to the wisdom aspect, while the compassion aspect is at the heart of relative bodhichitta.

 Ultimate bodhichitta corresponds to the wisdom aspect, while the compassion aspect is at the heart of relative bodhichitta. 

M I THE SAME ME?

O ur body changes. Everything changes. Our feeling of “I am,” “what I was when I was a child,” “that child was me,” “I will be that old person” is our self-identification. It’s the main element that links us to our identity and continues in the next life. W hether we see ourselves as a child, an adult, or an old person, we think, “This is me.” 

LIFESPAN OF PLANTS

Maximum ages for some seed plants
maximum age in years
plantestimatedverifiedlocale of verified specimen
Conifers
common juniper (Juniperus communis)2,000544Kola Peninsula, northeastern Russia
Norway spruce (Picea abies)1,200350–400Eichstätt, Bavaria
European larch (Larix decidua)700417Riffel Alp, Switz.
Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris)584
Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra)1,200750Riffel Alp, Switz.
white pine (Pinus strobus)400–450
bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata)4,900Wheeler Peak, Humboldt National Forest, Nevada
Sierra redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum)4,0002,200–2,300Northern California
Flowering plants
Monocots
dragon tree
(Dracaena draco)
200*Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands
Solomon’s-seal
(Polygonatum)
17**
Dicots
dwarf birch
(Betula nana)
80Eastern Greenland
European beech
(Fagus sylvatica)
900250Montigny, Normandy, France
English oak
(Quercus robur)
2,0001,500Hasbruch Forest, Lower Saxony
Bo tree
(Ficus religiosa)
2,000–3,000***Buddh Gaya, India; Anuradhapura, Ceylon
linden
(Tilia)
815Lithuania
English ivy
(Hedera helix)
440Ginac, near Montpellier, France
*Exaggerated estimates for this historic specimen reach 6,000 years.
**Scars on root-stock counted.
***According to Buddhist and Roman history.

FRAGILITY OF EXISTENCE

We can also apprehend how fragile our existence is by reminding ourselves that our body is composed of many parts and substances and is therefore very unstable. O ur life is decreasing every moment, and nothing increases it! Like an arrow shot by an archer, it continues on its way toward the target, without ever stopping. In the same way, every passing second brings us inexorably closer to death. The causes of death are numerous, whereas there are few to support life. Even the factors that generally sustain our life, like medicine and food, can also sometimes cause our death. Life is fragile because we can die at any moment. Youth, health, a desirable social position, wealth, numerous friends, and fame are no guarantee or protection against death. We must understand and accept that when death comes, nothing, no outer or inner force, can stop it. We should take this fact into consideration, and from now on, our actions should not only aim at the well-being of our body in this life but also have a much longer-term goal. There is no doubt that our life will come to an end and that we will die. Trying to ignore this would be madness. It is better to face reality than to hide behind the illusion that no change will affect us or that everything will sort itself out.

BODHICITTA

 According to Mahayana Buddhism, bodhichitta includes all the methods and techniques of the Buddhist path. Every teaching of the Buddha is related either to the cause of bodhichitta, or to the way to attain it, or to its results, or else to bodhichitta itself. There is no Buddhist teaching that is not linked to bodhichitta in one way or another. 

SAMSARA VS NIRVANA

From a Buddhist perspective, all phenomena can be categorized as being in samsara or nirvana. That is to say, all of us, all beings, are either in the state of samsara or nirvana—there is nothing outside of these. Samsara describes our present state of existence, in which we are not free from suffering. Nirvana is the state of enlightenment, when we see everything as it truly is. It is the state of buddhahood. W hen one has complete realization, one is in nirvana. If not, one is in samsara.

NYCADX

Think of all the people who know they've got a fatal illness. Quite often, instead of losing all courage, they discover a completely new meaning in their lives, however little time they have left to live. Giving meaning to life through wisdom and inner transformation is to achieve something outside time, just as valid in the present as it will be in the future, whatever that might be.

SUFFERING OF WISDOM

You have to work hard on yourself, and confront what Cioran calls the 'suffering of wisdom', or the 'rigors of asceticism'. But the more you persevere in this process of inner transformation, the more you find that wisdom, serenity, and joy break through to you and impregnate your whole being - and that, unlike the pleasures of the world, they're completely independent of any outer circumstances

Hypertrophy of the self is a cultural and individual factor. The feeling of personal identity is at least as much a product of society and our own individual story as it's innate

Hypertrophy of the self is a cultural and individual factor. The feeling of personal identity is at least as much a product of society and our own individual story as it's innate

NEUROBIOL

the neurobiologist's model of man seems to deny that consciousness has any power to make decisions. Anything resembling a decision is supposed to be determined by a complex set of interactions between neurons, and free will has little part to play in such a scheme of things - indeed it's no more than an illusion. 

SUFFERING

- Can you define what you call suffering? M. - A state of deep dissatisfaction, which may be combined with physical pain but is first and foremost a mental experience. As everyone knows, different people can perceive the same things in completely opposite ways, either as pleasant or as unpleasant. Suffering arises when the self, the 'm e' that we cherish and protect, is threatened, or doesn't get what it wants. The most intense physical sufferings can be experienced in very different ways according to our state of mind. Moreover, ordinary goals in life, like power, possessions, the pleasures of the senses and fame, can procure temporary satisfaction but are never permanently satisfying. One day or another, they're bound to turn into sources of unhappiness. They can never bring lasting fulfillment, or an inner peace untouched by outer circumstances.

SHOCKABLE RHYTHM BETTER

The initial shockable rhythm was the strongest predictor of survival, however, conversion to subsequent shockable rhythm significantly improved post–arrest survival and neurological outcomes

Although elementary particles get their masses by interacting with the Higgs field, the mass of the Higgs boson depends on those particles as well. The heaviest of these, the top quark, has the biggest impact on the Higgs mass. And based on the most recent measurements of both their masses, physicists can now use the properties of the Higgs field to deduce the state of the vacuum of space-time. The news isn’t great: our universe could be on the brink.

Massive coincidence

The Higgs boson makes the universe stable – just. If the mass-giving particle were much lighter, the cosmos would quickly collapse in on itself


"I am in competition with no one. I run my own race. I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone, in any way, shape or form. I just aim to improve, to be better than I was before." -- Author Unknown

"I am in competition with no one. I run my own race. I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone, in any way, shape or form. I just aim to improve, to be better than I was before."

-- Author Unknown

FORD Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.

d worldwide production of conventionally extracted oil could ‘peak’ and go into terminal decline before 2020 and that there is a ‘significant risk’ that global oil production could begin to decline in the next decade.

d worldwide production of conventionally extracted oil could ‘peak’ and go into terminal decline before 2020 and that there is a ‘significant risk’ that global oil production could begin to decline in the next decade.


Population dynamics invariably have large implications for the demand for food and water, expected to increase by 50 and 30 per cent respectively by 2030.


even at current growth rates, it will take the average Asian seventy-seven years to reach the income of the average American: the average Chinese needs forty-seven years and the Indian 123 years. 

MIT It seems more and more people want to be a hedge fund investor instead of a teacher, doctor or engineer

. It seems more and more people want to be a hedge fund investor instead of a teacher, doctor or engineer


The 2008 financial crisis reminded the world that there are at least two occasions when even in an economy operating under a free-market system a government must step in and act. One is when there is market abuse or a breach of the law


Like many other emerging countries DHN is a volume-maximizer, not profit-maximizer, in that it needs to maximize volume to drive jobs in an effort to ultimately maintain social (and political) stability

similarChinese company; undaunted, pointing to the Western executive, he said: ‘We can do everything he can … for 40 per cent less.’ He promptly sat down.

similarChinese company; undaunted, pointing to the Western executive, he said: ‘We can do everything he can … for 40 per cent less.’ He promptly sat down.

s. Left unchecked, the last half-century will also mark the start of the decline of the 500-year interlude in what previously had been 2,000 years of Asian economic pre-eminence. It is after all useful to remember that as far back as the first century BC, the Chinese developed the decimal system that underpins global finance and virtually all measurement today.

1950s Detroit, Michigan, was the automobile capital of the world, home to the big three – Ford MotorCompany, General Motors and Chrysler – and with a population of 2 million people ranked as the fifth-largest city in the VS 

QNTM GRVTY

Image result for QUANTUM GRAVITY

REGULATING THE SENSES

When, say, an electron in your kitchen vibrates, it sends out a signal traveling at the speed of light through all of time and space. When another electron receives that signal, it vibrates sympathetically and sends a return signal back to the original electron in your kitchen. Each electron gets this information from other particles everywhere—indeed, from literally everything that it reaches out to touch in all of time and space. As a result of this process, each electron “knows” its exact place and importance in the universe

When, say, an electron in your kitchen vibrates, it sends out a signal traveling at the speed of light through all of time and space. When another electron receives that signal, it vibrates sympathetically and sends a return signal back to the original electron in your kitchen. Each electron gets this information from other particles everywhere—indeed, from literally everything that it reaches out to touch in all of time and space. As a result of this process, each electron “knows” its exact place and importance in the universe

There’s no mystery until you grasp. If you don’t override immediateexperience with your personal longings and loathings, if you recall an earnest desire to get to the bottom of this matter regarding human delusion, though there’s no particular thing you need to look for, you’ll recognize Reality and Truth.


Image result for BUDDHISM

We know from physics, for example, that the book you’re holding and the hand that holds it are reconstructed (that is, reborn) moment after moment as a blur of rapidly moving molecules and atoms, each exchanging electrons and energy with other molecules and atoms at enormous speed. As a result, in no two instants is there the same book or hand. The whole picture reduces to energy and movement.

We know from physics, for example, that the book you’re holding and the hand that holds it are reconstructed (that is, reborn) moment after moment as a blur of rapidly moving molecules and atoms, each exchanging electrons and energy with other molecules and atoms at enormous speed. As a result, in no two instants is there the same book or hand. The whole picture reduces to energy and movement.

Yet we continue to think of people as being particular ways—good or bad, happy or sad, generous or stingy, friendly or threatening. Though everything about that person has changed, we don’t see it because the objects of our minds become like icicles—brittle and inflexible—and we pay attention to those frozen objects instead of to Reality


Our problems with matter stem from the fact that, unlike consciousness, which is directly experienced, matter is always secondary—that is, experienced indirectly, via mind. This is our actual, immediate, direct experience—it’s purely mental, not physical

ITS?

Image result for IS THAT SO?


To the extent that we can remove ourselves from this world of longing and loathing that we create for ourselves, we make it easier to see how we get caught up in our own spinning minds. We can then begin to realize that Zen practice has to do with simplifying our lives, with not being taken in by this or tossed about by that. We can start to see that it’s not in the world “out there” that we get caught, but in our own minds— within our own attitudes and assumptions and emotions.


Though it manifests in countless forms, Reality is only one way—it could not be otherwise. And all who see, see the same thing.

The Itch in Your Mind

The Itch in Your Mind

But to those who are awake, Reality is just the opposite. The only mysteries are in the details of our immediate concerns: we’re not sure why the computer won’t work or what made that thumping sound in the garage or what happened to that book we enjoyed so much—we always placed it on this particular shelf, in this particular spot. These small fragments of darkness are always close at hand.

What most distinguishes a buddha from an ordinary person has to do with this matter of just seeing. There is no difference between the perception of a buddha and the rest of us. The difference lies in how a buddha deals with concepts that naturally arise. A buddha doesn’t confuse thinking with seeing, and neither does a buddha let a thought or concept override perception.

Our usual understanding—that we’re born, persist for a time, and then die—creates a big problem for us human beings. We become frightened of our own mortality. The notion of our own death fills us with anxiety. We want to know, “What happens to me after I die? Where do I go? Or do I simply vanish?”

Our usual understanding—that we’re born, persist for a time, and then die—creates a big problem for us human beings. We become frightened of our own mortality. The notion of our own death fills us with anxiety. We want to know, “What happens to me after I die? Where do I go? Or do I simply vanish?”

There is a saying in Zen that birth and death are impermanent and swift. It’s considered a secret teaching, even though its expression is found everywhere. Indeed, it’s right out in the open, right in front of us all the time. We can see it wherever we cast our gaze. All we need to do is just look and we’ll see that there’s no permanence. Birth and death are found in each moment. Nothing persists at all.


We can’t actually say what Truth or Reality is. Whatever we dosay is dualistic by virtue of the fact that it’s been verbalized, put into conceptual form.

Just be with this momentand see what’s going on. Know your own mind.

Just be with this momentand see what’s going on. Know your own mind.

See confusion as confusion. Acknowledge suffering as suffering. Feel pain and sorrow and divisiveness. Experience anger or fear or shock for what they are

William Shakespeare, in a beautiful and oft-quoted line from The Tempest, wrote, “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” In this line he speaks to us much like the awakened would. Often in Buddhist literature we find similar references to the realization that life is like a dream, like a fantasy.

Those who do not understand the distinctions between the two truths (relative and Absolute) do not understand the profound truth embodied in the Buddha’s message. —Nagarjuna

Those who do not understand the distinctions between the two truths (relative and Absolute) do not understand the profound truth embodied in the Buddha’s message. —Nagarjuna

r. Instead, we must approach the world with bare, naked attention, seeing it without any mental bias—without concepts, beliefs, preconceptions, presumptions, or expectations.

 who is on the path to Awakening. 1. A follower of the Way does not kill. 2. A follower of the Way does not take what is not given. 3. A follower of the Way does not abuse the senses. 4. A follower of the Way does not speak deceptively. 5. A follower of the Way does not intoxicate oneself or others.

People say that practicing Zen is difficult, but there is a misunderstanding as to why. It is not difficult because it is hard to sit in the cross-legged position, or to attain enlightenment. It is difficult because it is hard to keep our mind pure and our practice pure in its fundamental sense. —Shunryu Suzuki

People say that practicing Zen is difficult, but there is a misunderstanding as to why. It is not difficult because it is hard to sit in the cross-legged position, or to attain enlightenment. It is difficult because it is hard to keep our mind pure and our practice pure in its fundamental sense. —Shunryu Suzuki

 How can we see the world as it comes to be in each moment rather than as what we think, hope, or fear it is?


In saying “purify your own minds,” the Buddha was pointing to something very different. That “something very different” is the subject of this book: waking up.

FROST In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. TILL BBTBR?

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

Confidence is contagious; so is lack of confidence. - Vince Lombardi

Confidence is contagious; so is lack of confidence. - Vince Lombardi

SLF

SLF

GV UP

SLF

SAD

SUICDL

People with a higher IQ are more likely to be vegetarian, psychological research finds.

People with a higher IQ are more likely to be vegetarian, psychological research finds.

Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation . - Oscar Wilde

Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation . - Oscar Wilde

Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability” Sir William Osler2 DX CHF 60%


emerson Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world."

Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world."

Sunday, 30 October 2016

THE SAHEL CONNECTS SAHARA WITH DEEP AFRICA

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COLLAPSED GOVT FAILED STATE


ALTE BRUE

10 causes of Apparent Life Threatening Emergencies (ALTE)

  • ALTE = “a description of a clinical presentation”
  • not clearly defined
    • very challenging for ER docs because the events range from minor to life threatening
    • up to 50% of cases have no definitive diagnosis
10 Causes of ALTE
  1. infection
  2. GERD
  3. congenital pulmonary or vascular malformations
  4. seizure disorders
  5. cardiac dysrhythmias
  6. metabolic issues (i.e. hypoglycemia)
  7. head injury / non-accidental trauma
  8. apnea NYD
  9. breath holding
  10. reactive airways
Etiology (more detailed):
  • Infection
    • sepsis
    • RSV / other resp. viruses – 9%
    • febrile convulsion – 12%
    • pertussis – 6%
    • UTI
  • GERD – 18%
    • with or without obstructive apnea
  • congenital malformations
    • tracheomalacia, vascular rings, pulmonary slings
  • seizure disorder – 25%
  • cardiac dysrhythmias
  • congenital cardiac malformations – 2%
  • metabolic
    • hypoglycemia
  • child abuse/ non-accidental trauma (NAT)
    • NAT don’t ever forget!!!!
  • apnea – 9%
  • asthma / head injury / feeding difficulties / breath holding
  • ALTE child may look totally normal at the time of ED presentation (50% of the time) but any non-hospital person who witnessed choking or cyanosis should be taken seriously
  • ED evaluation depends on hx and physical exam
  • investigations +/-:
    • CBC, glucose, lytes, urine/blood cultures
    • tox screen, ECG
    • +-CT, CXR,
  • children < 60 days should undergo thorough screening for infection with//without pediatrics assessment
    • EMRAP Claudius and Keens suggests kids <1 admitted="" be="" li="" month="">
  • outcome:
    • variable depending on etiology
    • one retrospective review of 196 pts. showed no deaths: mostly asthma, GERD, and seizures
    • most well appearing infants can be discharged with close follow-up
  • safe discharge criteria: according to Fu and Moon
    • brief, non-severe, and resolving episode
    • non progressive cause – GERD
    • no comorbidities
    • no previous ALTEs in 24 hrs