The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

OK friends, for those of you who DON"T know, YES! I'm in a recovery program for methamphetamines along with other substances that I need not list.This was my choice. This is something I chose to do on my own and not some court ordered program. This however is not the topic of tonight.



Tonight I've decided to lay some BOB philosophy on y'all. Well....mine mixed with other enlightened individuals who've explained some things better than I could. This is basically a path that I have always followed in my heart, but not(alas) until recently, in my life. It is a way ( I believe) that, if follwed shows us how to shed our worldly attatchments and delusions, thus freeing us from our suffering in life. Using Buddha's 8 fold path is the easiest way to write it down, so let's get started!



Correct View



Correct view is the beginning and the end of the path. It simply means to see and understand things as they really are. As such, correct view is the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It means to see things through, to grasp the impermanent and imperfect nature of worldly objects and ideas, and to understand the law of karma and karmic conditioning. Correct view is not necessarily an intellectual capacity, just as wisdom is not just a matter of intelligence. Instead, correct view is attained, sustained, and enhanced through all capacities of mind. It begins with the intuitive insight that all beings are subject to suffering and it ends with complete understanding of the true nature of all things. Since our view of the world forms our thoughts and our actions, CORRECT view yeilds CORRECT thoughts and CORRECT actions!



OK, I think thats enough for this blog. Chew on this for awhile & leave comments & kudos. If the response is that you want more I'll post the next 7 steps in 2 more blogs. TTFN kiddies! PLEASE COMMENT



~THE MESSIAH~

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Sinora
10:34 Jun 28 2008

Erm...would you be very upset if I said I thought Buddah could be a bit of a windbag sometimes ?



On a serious note...if it works for you..use it.

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Trista
10:33 Aug 24 2008

good concept it has a feel of give and take opposite yet its all in understanding each other.....

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vampyricfaerie07
04:57 Sep 23 2008

I like your insight. You're a very enlightened individual.

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OK, so only 1 comment. I'm on a roll here! Nonetheless, whether 'tis read or not I still must write or my muse may leave me,so, here goes,



step 2



CORRECT INTENTION



While correct view refers to the cognitive aspect of wisdom, correct intention refers to the volitional aspect, i.e. the kind of mental energy that controls our actions. Correct intention can be described best as commitment to ethical and mental self improvement. There are three distinguished types of correct intentions: 1. The intention of renunciation,which means resistance to the pull of desire, 2. The intention of good will, meaning resistance to the feeling of anger, and aversion, and 3. The intention of harmlessness,meaning not to think or act cruelly, violently, or aggressively, and to develope compassion.



STEP 3



CORRECT SPEECH



Correct speech is the first principle of ethical conduct on the path to inner peace. Ethical conduct is viewed as a guideline to moral discipline, which supports the other principles of the path. This aspect is not self-sufficiant, however, essential, because mental purification can only be achieved through the cultivation of ethical conduct. The importance of speech in the context of this paths ethics us obvious: words can break or save lives, make enemies or friends, start war or create peace.



The best way to explain correct speech is thus: 1. to abstain from false speech, especially not to tell deliberate lies and not to speek deceitfully, 2. to abstain from slanderous speech and not to speek maliciously against others, 3. to abstain from harsh words that offend or hurt others, and 4. to abstain from idle chatter that lacks purpose or depth. Positively phrased, this means to tell the truth, to speak friendly, warm, and gently and to talk only when necessary.



STEP 4.



CORRECT ACTION



The second ethical principle, correct action, involves the body as natural means of expression, as it refers to deeds that involve bodily actions. Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind. Again the principle is explained in terms of abstinence: correct action means 1. to abstain from harming sentient beings especially to abstain from taking life( including suicide) and doing harm intentionally or delinquently, 2. to abstain from taking what is not given, which includes stealing, robbery, fraud, deceitfulness, and dishonesty, and 3. to abstain from sexual misconduct. Positively formulated, correct action means to act kindly and compassionately, to be honest, to respect the belongings of others, and to keep sexual relationships harmless to others.



STEP 5.



CORRECT LIVELIHOOD



Correct livelihood means that one should earn ones living in a rightious way and wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. Buddha taught that there are four specific activities that harm other beings and that we should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings ( including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. Working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of correct speech and correct action should be avoided.



Now I know there are a few of us meat eaters out there going " Huh, but what if I'm a BUTCHER !?!?" In answer to that we just go back to correct intention. Consider your true motive. I highly doubt there is a moral battle going on inside you if you work in the meat department of your local supermarket, as opposed to ...oh let's say... the wholesale slaughter of baby seals just to get their fur. See the difference?







OK . That's it for this lesson, my disciples. Once again I encourage comments although my asking for them does little good, TTFN kiddies! Next I'll discuss, correct effort, correct mindfulness, and correct concentration.

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Trista
10:38 Aug 24 2008

insightful and very well written quite easy to grasp actually

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The path to inner peace pt.3 of 3

OK, OK so I originally said it would be in 4 parts....I got inspired.OK?!?!



Due to the OVERWHELMING amount of comments....ahem...all one of them,



I figured I better not drag this out...so lets get to it!



STEP 6



CORRECT EFFORT



Correct effort can be seen as a prerequisite for the other principles of the path. Without effort, which in itself is an act of will, nothing can be achieved, whereas misguided effort distracts the mind from it's task, and confusion will be the consequence. Mental energy is the force behind correct effort; it can occur in either wholesome or unwholesome states. The same type of energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression,and violence can on the other side fuel self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness. Correct effort is detailed in four types of endeavors that rank in ascending order of perfection: 1to prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states, 2. to abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen, 3. to arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen, and 4. to maintain and perfect wholesome states already arisen.



STEP 7



CORRECT MINDFULNESS



Correct mindfulness is the controlled and perfected faculty of cognition. It is the mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. Usually the cognitive process begins with an impression induced by perception, or by a thought, but then it does not stay with the mere impression.Instead, we almost always conceptualise sense impressions and thoughts immediately. We interpret them and set them in relation to other thoughts and experiences which naturally go beyond the facticity of the original impression. The mind then posits concepts, joins concepts to constructs, and weaves those constructs into complex interpretative schemes. All this happens only half consciously, and as a result we often see things obscured. Right mindfulness is anchored in clear perception and it penetrates impressions without getting carried away. Right mindfulness enables us to be aware of the process of conceptualisation in a way that we actively observe and control the way our thoughts go. Buddha accounted for this as the four foundations of mindfulness: 1. contemplation of the body, 2. contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral), 3. contemplation of the state of mind, and 4. contemplation of the phenomena.



STEP 8



CORRECT CONCENTRATION



The eighth principle of the path, right concentration, refers to the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness, although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration. Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object. Right concentration for the purpose of the eightfold path means wholesome concentration, i.e. concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions. The Buddhist method of choice to develop right concentration is through the practice of meditation. The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies concentration step by step. Through this practice it becomes natural to apply elevated levels concentration also in everyday situations.







Now.... I understand I might have seemed a bit wordy, but I actually took some time aand did my homwork on this one. So.....don't blame me....blame Buddha.



That being said I hope all three of you who read this blog enjoyed it , and ( dare I hope?) learned something, if not thought provoking, at least entertaining.



TTFN KIDDIES!

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vampyricfaerie07
04:59 Sep 23 2008

I loved what you had to say. Very wonderful, all of it. I look forward to reading more from you. I thought it was very insightful, very uplifting for me personally.

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walknthrougheturnity
20:07 Nov 05 2008

I like how u use ur word !!! powerful yet meaningful!! makes me think twice!!! thank u!!!

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I told you! I'm a total COMMENT whore! Don't MAKE me come find you!!!

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KamarillaKaine
04:46 Jun 17 2008

boo !!





;)

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jaggedxtears
20:56 Jun 17 2008

tag your it!!! muwahhhhhh

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VampireQueen01
01:36 Jun 19 2008

BLEH!!!!! i got you..!

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Trista
10:39 Aug 24 2008

comment comment comment.... ^^

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What do you think when you look at me? Does anything come to mind ? Really! I'd like to know!...I NEED to know! I WANT your interpretation of me, because I still haven't come up with mine . "Tough guy?", "Funny guy?", "Loving father?" ....well?...no clue?...Don't feel bad, One should already have an idea of who they are before asking someone else to define them.It's just that, I'm at a loss ! Any label I try to give myself, just doesn't seem to be adequet. I sit and ponder this question way too often without ever coming up with a satisfying answer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not fishing for compliments here or trying to get some sort of ego boost. I just haven't a clue as to how others percieve me. It wouldn't bother me if others read this and responded by describing me as a complete narcasistic ASSHOLE!! Any feedback I would relish. You see....when others say that "It doesn't matter what other people think of you" , my knee jerk response is to say they're absolute morons, or completely full of SHIT!!! Of course it matters what other people think of you! It's other peoples personal experience of us that act as a sort of mirror reflecting our personality rather than just our physical appearance. I can convince myself I'm the toughest sexiest & most popular guy in the world, as long as I don't run into sombody tougher,hit on somebody I repulse, or meet sombody who criticizes me. My opinion of myself is important, yes! It does affect others opinions of me. Our self-image is reflected in our behavior, which is witnessed by those around us, but don't fool yourself, that's just one small thing people take into account when scrutinizing us. I honestly couldn't tell you how each person reaches their opinion of others. I don't believe any one person could. What I do know, is that it is complete stupidity & arrogance to ignore otheres input on how they view us. Ego needs to take a back seat. This is why I put this question out there. I can only judge myself from my perspective. the more feed back I get, the better the reflection i have to get a good sense of who I am.

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jaggedxtears
20:57 Jun 17 2008

Can any of us truly know who or what we are? Can any mortal truly judge another when they cannot even judge themselves? Maybe when we are at the firey gates of hell/ or the pearly white gates of heaven shall we know...and even then will we???

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blackfirebitch
22:29 Aug 03 2008

your the one

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LadyIsis
05:20 Dec 31 2008

yes other P/people serve as a mirror for U/us to get a better sense of who W/we are.

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Once again it grips my throat like a vice. I can feel my eyes start to burn as the tears begin to form. I cannot fight this invisible foe. It comes from within. How can it be here now when it has been gone for so long? It lies in wait, invisible, like a shadow in the night. Impossible to see or hear it when it creeps up. It always knows the perfect time to strike me. When my guard is down, when I finally begin to think I am safe. How do you defeat the past, when it has already won.

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VampireQueen01
21:24 Jun 14 2008

i dont think anyone can ever defeat the past..not truely at least..u may get over it but u can never truely forget it

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I wrote this after I woke up from a powerful dream. One of those dreams that sort of haunt you for days. The only thing I feel free to share about the actual dream, is that it involved a faceless woman. The rest, other than what is written hereafter is personal. Please note that the girl spoken of at the end does not represent a specific person. the dream remains a mystery to me. feedback would be appreciated.

I really can't describe the feelings that have been surfacing as of late. Fear, doubt, tenderness, caution...L...no, I know that last one takes time to develope. All of these emotions seem to have been unleashed inside me like some inner dam had burst, taking me by surprise, and sweeping me away.

I had just recently discovered, contrary to what I've always believed, that I have value in this world. That others actually admire me for my sense of humor and spiritual insight. That my company is desired instead of being tolerated. For most of my life,(especially the last 11 years) I had seen my self as a burden. I believed that, besides being fat & ugly, people viewed me as a pathetic, immature bum.

It turns out, that I was the only one with that opinion. Once I viewed myself from the perspective of others, I was finally able to become my own best friend.

I know this blog is beginning to sound like some add for a motivational program, but you've got to understand just how stuck I was in a life that had no meaning or worth. I couldn't stand my own company. I couldn't even look in the mirror without telling myself how much of a piece of shit I was. As a child I was constantly reminded that I was a bastard by my stepfather, who, very subtly dismantled my self esteem. He'd always make sure I knew that I couldn't do anything without screwing it up. His criticism was all I had to measure my self worth until I was old enough to leave home. without the one most emotionally destructive force in my life, my subconcious self new it needed a replacement. So I joined the Marines. I was an awkward kid, Which made me the perfect target for practical jokes, and ridicule.Throughout my time in the Corps I was the perfect scape goat. The one thing I did get though, was an even better self esteem killer than my step-father. After the Marines, I found their PERFECT replacement. A temperamental, Judgemental, prejudiced, and beautiful woman, that I soon married so that she might continue the destructon of my self respect. For the last 13 years, she fulfilled that position better than I, subconciousely, had hoped. It wasn't until about 18 months ago, that I had finally made some friends that actually gave a damn about me, and opened my eyes to what I had been doing to myself. After this paradigm shift, I new that this marrige couldn't go on. The constant yelling & put downs, were also hurting my precious 9 tear old daughter. Devorce wasn't what I had originally wanted, but my wife could only see the wrongs that I had done & wouldn't even try to see how she could have done anything that might have hurt me or put me down. Let alone be willing to stop. So, just a seperation wouldn't help.

Which brings us back to where I was at the beginning of this blog.

I was free! Not only was I free, I now was secure enough to face life on my own and new I'd always be with the person I repected the most. Me! I was excited to begin my life after 38 years, I had finally learned that ones life can be full without having to be in a relationship. You don't NEED another person to be happy or feel complete. Even the thought of being emotionally vulnerable to anyone else but my little girl repelled me. "It'll be a long time before I'll let that happen", I thought. I'm wiser. I'm in control. I'm secure enough and shrewd enough to make sure whoever she happens to be, she'll have to measure up to my expectations. She'll have to work to earn MY heart. I'M IN CONTROL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well....lets just say, the powers that be, hear everything we say. They know when we're getting too cocky, and they have a funny way of having our words bite us in the ass.

That one thing I was SO sure of, that gigantic epiphany I was so proud of having, has just been deflated and dragged through the mud. I am vulnerable. my heart aches to share itself with another. incomplete, it has been forgotten. Hidden behind indestructable walls, built to make damn sure no one could have that kind of power over me again.

How did this girl so effortlessly dance right through my defences. All that confidence I had aquired doesn't seem to apply here. All that control of my life is now questionable. the strength I had drains from me whenever she looks at me. Once again I'm that insecure child, needing to be loved. She knows my weakneses, because she herself has had them.I've faced death in the eye a few times in my life. I've been in situations that would make anyone have nightmares for the rest of their lives,but I've never beenas frightened as I am now. My heart is once again exposed. Weak from neglect it lies before her showing it's old wounds that desperatley need healing. I've always dreaded it being stolen from me. I don't know if she can heal it. I don't know If she'd want to if she could. I don't even know if she has any interest in it. All I do know is......I'll gladly give it to her if she wanted it.

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darkchyld
20:28 Jun 12 2008

My dear friend. This post is deep and intense. I am glad to read things like this. It helps me get to know the real you... .Keep it up... :)

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LordOfWolves
23:54 Jan 25 2009

i guess now you figured out who that girl was, brother.

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GGh...what to write. This whole level system, although a great idea, is a bit tideous ( if not humiliating). I can live with it though. It's not my first time being the "fresh blood" and it certainly won't be the last. There seems to be alot of enthusiastic people on this site.......I think I've been bit ,like, 20 times. Not that I don't like the attention, it's just that....Don't you want to know what it is your biting into first? I guess I must taste pretty good! WOOT! GO ME!

Why is it though I can't even bite back? I can't even stalk....or say BOO!.....ah hell.

welcome to my journal. I'll try to keep all you who've actually decided to read it, entertained.

I'm a big ham, so please leave comments or whatever it is we do here. I love to write so I' sure I can at least post enough material to keep you interested. Alright! That's it for now. I'll come back later wityh something juicy fo you all to chew on.





~The Infernal Master~

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Oceanne
15:19 Jun 05 2008

It gets better as you go.Soon you will be able to bite,stalk and message to hearts content.Enjoy and welcome!

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xcrimsonlustx
04:14 Jun 06 2008

Very well done and good on you Sir!





"Waiting for juicy to chew".

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darkchyld
02:09 Jun 07 2008

very good start

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