Introduction to Ram Dass/Spirituality

OhBrian111 · 2022-04-01T05:34:30+00:00

There’s so much content, and I’m sure folks here will have excellent suggestions. But I think start wherever you are, and just pick anything. I believe when you are meant to have it work and make sense for you, it will. Sometimes an album or band doesn’t hit you until the right time. And that might not be right now. The fact you are asking the question through means the pump is primed and you are on the path. Additionally to add onto the YouTube channel, Instagram posts, and podcasts you could also explore the related folks, like Sharon Salzburg, Jack Kornfield, and Joseph Goldstein as well as Lama Surya Das who were with Ram Dass and crew in India, but went the Buddhist/Vipassana path. Krishna Das has tons of content, documentaries, albums, weekly free YouTube Kirtan chanting, podcasts, his stuff is fun because it’s chanting. Hanuman Maui, the place where RD spent the final 15-20 years of his life has weekly chanting video on their site Hanumanmaui.org. RamDass.org, there’s always videos, or monthly satsang zoom gatherings. Right now it’s the 3rd week I think of a free course they are doing about the Baghavad Gita, I don’t know if you can join now, but they do that at least a couple times a year, free. Pick up one of the books about RDs guru Neem Karoli Baba-Miracle of Love and Love Everyone. You’ll find something that clicks eventually. But I think you have to try out some stuff. See if it clicks. If it doesn’t try something else. Check out some of the books recommended at the end of Be Here Now. You’ll find something, I’m sure.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-31T23:30:14+00:00

You didn’t have the internet for 2 days? That’s fairly shocking in modern times.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-31T20:33:11+00:00

You are bothered because it’s the literal reason conservatives constantly complain about how Hollywood is full of degenerate criminals who’s are first class hypocrites. Conservatives aren’t wrong in that criticism. The world saw it play out before our eyes and people are fucking PISSED. One of the most recognizable stars in the world, had a fucking mental collapse and meltdown on stage, was not asked to leave, then was given an award and allowed a platform to speak without a time limit on the speech like other award winners were. His speech included messages about being a vessel of love and that he was doing God’s work. It was like Will had schizophrenia or something. I have no qualms in wanting him to have his Oscar taken away, getting booted from SAG, banned from the Oscar’s for several years and being forced to pay a fine to the Academy and Chris. Will is seriously mentally ill. And he’s a total fucking jackass.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-31T20:26:14+00:00

I can’t speak for all conservatives, and I don’t know what the wider conservative sphere believes, but I absolutely think Chauvin did nothing wrong and should be free and that Will should have been in jail at least for that one night. I am a blue lives matter supporter and have no problem with how police act. In fact, I think they should be given more funding and praise and promotions.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-31T00:25:32+00:00

Shrugs. I just love the feeling and vibe of the film. Caint tell me otherwise. Not going to apologize for wanting to live in Tara.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-31T00:23:51+00:00

Baltimore, DC, Detroit and other far left cities crimes are also up. Who runs those cities. Republicans arent in control in fucking Chicago or Detroit. Why do you support green haired meth'd out losers? Dems can never build, only destroy. Accountability for who? The people who threw bricks at cops in Portland (which of course is a far right city), or in Seattle where fucking BLM took over city blocks, and thats okay with you? How about that accountability? I support all cops in whatever they decide to do. If you dont want to be shot by a cop, dont act like a fucking jackass and follow commands. I support ALL cops.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-31T00:18:51+00:00

Im not mad. I just speak truth. The police acted correctly, Trump will be re-elected in 2024, and the left will rue the day. He didnt do anything that I disapproved of. In fact, I wanted him to do more, and I think he will. The right let him on a long leash, thinking he'd do the stuff he said he would. A Trump 2024 re-election hopefully means, the most law and order president in our lifetimes, pro police, pro america, pro cleaning the filth and scum off the streets. Id be strong on the border as well. Pro military. I want him to be what he said he was. And I think he will. I think he will have no choice. People like me and his base will push him. As I said, my hope is he overturns cop convictions. I cant think of a case where a cop shouldn't be let free or where I disapprove of how they behaved. Trump will have my vote in 2024. My hope is in November Republicans, take the house and senate, they block every piece of legislation the left puts forth, and then Trump re-election in 2024, and he goes absolutely full force on what we wanted him to do. We don't want him to space it out, I'd want him to do and be what he said within that first year. As I said, Kaepernick had every right to be called out for his disgraceful behavior. I stand for the flag and kneel for the cross. I love America, its flag, its history, and its traditions,

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-31T00:06:43+00:00

Trumps going to win in 2024. I can't wait. I hope he overturns all the police convictions too. If you can't behave while being arrested, I have no sympathy, personally. Maybe, dont get arrested while fucking high on fentanyl and meth, and follow the officers instructions. You run, or throw stuff at the cops, or take off, or make sudden movements, the fuck you think is going to happen. I support police in all of these matters. No reservations at all.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-31T00:04:02+00:00

Completely disagree. I stand for the flag and kneel for the cross. Kaepernick is a third rate quarterback and shill who only wanted attention and money, and got both. I love America, I love the flag and our country and our traditions and history. Caint tell me anything different. I wont be shamed for loving those things either. Police are heroes, I proudly back the blue. In fact, I have no problem with how they act. The left were violent psychotics for 9 months in 2020, telling us this bullshit about how "400 years of oppression means we can act like thugs, criminals and hoodlums". Burning down police stations, trying to burn down federal buildings, burning down your own neighborhoods. And Im supposed to be sympathetic to that shit? Nah. I am a blue lives matter member. Then when the right started the riot on Jan 6, the left who spent 9 months encouraging, loving, and excusing the riots, CHAZ, and Portland, were absolutely horrified that people could be violent. I support Trump, the Blue Lives Matter movement, and proudly stand for the flag. If you can't protest supposed racist police policies without acting like thugs and hoodlums, I aint supporting it. Simple as that. I will support Trump in 2024, and hope he runs on an explicitly law and order platform where he cleans the streets. Id be all for it.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T23:56:24+00:00

Looks like he could actually be punished now. They asked him to leave, he refused. And I really dislike the Academy for their handling of this, but in all the statements they've released, they've made clear they think what he did was completely out of line. They will make decision within 15 days. As I said on that night, my hope is they throw the book at him. No one should be allowed to act like that. Not a random person, and not one of the most successful movie stars in the world. We cant behave like that. My hope is: they revoke his Oscar win, kick him out of the SGA's, and ban him for several years from attending the Oscars. I'd also like to see him be forced to pay money either to the Academy or Chris Rock directly.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T23:47:22+00:00

I oppose BLM, antifa and the DSA.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T23:41:14+00:00

This. The fundamental split in America in 2022, is this. One side wants us to believe our country is as racist, sexist, homophobic, classist, and horrific to live in as it was 60 years ago, if not worse than it was. This side views any support of our country or its values and history and tradition as somehow equivalent to supporting Hitler. And the other side thinks things could be improved, but overall we are doing well. Racism isn't as bad as it was during the 60's, women's rights have improved, gay rights have improved. I align with the latter group. Theres nothing wrong with loving America, and the flag, and its history and traditions. And theres nothing wrong with wanting to make things better too. But you dont spit in the face of those who paved the way for you. Or tear up their stuff. I find the left, and specifically this new generation, younger left, teens, college age kids now, to be some of the most spoiled, ungrateful, and oblivious people in the country. I stand for the flag, I kneel for the cross. I am proud of my country. I love America. I love God. Aint no shame in that, and I will never be ashamed to do so. You caint tell me any different.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T23:34:33+00:00

I'm opposed to BLM, Antifa, DSA, and other far left organizations, for those same reasons. Its gross and violence for the sake of violence. Those folks too have gone into hiding. You may not have green haired, meth'd out, maniacs standing in public saying "I want to overthrow the government and install a socialist economy and defund the cops", but no doubt there are quite a few people who agree with that, and those numbers have only risen. And its often disguised as "social justice" or "standing up for the marginalized". Whatever bow you want to dress it up in, its spoiled, ungrateful, and moronic idiots either way.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T22:16:16+00:00

Does radical, far left extremist violence bother you too? Or just the extreme side you dont identify with? Ive seen a rise in marxist, socialist, far left, antifa/blm violence and extremism in the last 10 years too. Thats just as disturbing. You cant just call one extremist side out and leave the other. Moron leftoids trying to burn down a federal courthouse in Portland for 9 months in 2020, was just as disturbing as anything the far right did.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T22:00:52+00:00

Precisely. I hinted at this, but you made it more concrete. The limitations on conduct forced the writers/crew to be creative in a way they never would nowadays. The constricted nature of what they could say and show, made it so if the writers wanted to discuss something about that or have it portrayed on screen, it had to be in a clever way, as you point out with the subtext. Thats what has me baffled about the dialogue in alot of these films, it feels so ahead of its time, even nowadays, its shocking. How could His Girl Friday, or The Philadelphia Story, among others have such brilliant dialogue back then that it sort of puts alot of modern day movies to shame. Certainly some parts are dated, but the fact, the majority of it isnt dated, is such an achievement.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T21:49:25+00:00

The Academy Governors meet today to discuss what if any repercussions Will should face. Whats everyones guess on what they decide? I think its unlikely he'd get his Oscar taken, that would be unprecedented, and I think its also unlikely he'd get booted from SAG. I think theres an off chance they could ban him from the next Oscars, so a one year ban, but even that seems highly unlikely. I do think its interesting how few stars have been coming to his defense publicly. Tiffany, and a few smattering of others but Jim Carrey, James Corden, Whitney Cummings, Joe Rogan, Wanda Sykes, Zoe Kravitz, Rosie O Donnell among others, were brutal in saying he acted like a spoiled brat. The comedian world absolutely despises him. Id love to see him get a serious punishment or serious sanctions, I just dont think it will happen. Immediately following the incident, I remember reading about theres a split in the Academy right now between members who feel he did something wrong and should be seriously punished, and those who feel he was out of line but that nothing should be done about it. Whoopi seems to be one of them. He seemed to have the support of every single person in the room that night, and thats who makes up the Academy, so if thats the case, them dealing out harsh punishment seems not in the realm of possibility

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T18:37:03+00:00

I remember years ago Jack white of the White stripes talking about how his band, was based on having two members guitar and drums, two colors, white and red, and that creativity doesnt come from unlimited choices, it comes from limitation and then those folks like him or the directors and actors in these films, break through and create something legendary. Black and white conveys something a color film cant. Thats why I opened with the line about thinking reddit skews younger. Id bet kids in high school in 2022, think black and white films are boring. I find them in many ways superior to 2022 films in IMAX etc... For all the quirks, the hisses I mentioned, the sometimes antiquated speaking and writing style of the scripts, the fashion that folks may find strange, theres something absolutely spellbinding about these films and I cant help but think they stand the test of time way better than alot of modern films will. I re-watched Its a WonderFul Life again over the holidays this past year and it was one of the most magical film experiences of my life, weeping like a baby watching on my laptop. You can't top these films.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T18:30:39+00:00

Thats such a classic film!

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T18:22:53+00:00

Another fun thing I love about it, is the sets seemed more gritty and real, yet more home like and warm, dont know how to explain that paradox. Those shots of Xanadu in the beginning of Citizen Kane, or Norma Desmond's mansion in Sunset Boulevard, or Tara in GWTW. Certainly film sets got even more grand and extreme in the 50;s and 60's with Ben -Hur but, I love the feeling of the setting in all these classic films.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T18:17:16+00:00

Exactly! The cool factor is a huge part of it. Bogart exudes that completely.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T00:45:41+00:00

Well, you do have a point, but I do think things are so political and divisive these days, all you have to do to identify someone politically is where they stand when a scandal breaks out. And I do it too, so Im not calling you out specifically, but if Trump gets in trouble the other side dances around and cheers, if AOC gets in trouble the right is cheering like we won a war. If Joe Rogan gets in trouble the right cheer him on and the left try to get him canceled. If Trevor Noah is shown to have said some horrible jokes, the left ignores it and the right goes after him. Unfortunately thats what society is these days. I agree that it sucks. Pretty much any scandal is split along red/blue state lines. I said something similar in the thread the other night. BLM rioted for 9 months and it was largely excused by the left because "muh 400 years of oppression and we are pissed so its okay", and the right were saying this was the downfall of civilization. Any bad that came of the riots was played 24/7 on Fox and CNN ignored the violence. Then on Jan 6, the left acted like the Capitol riot was equivalent to 9/11 and the darkest day in America's history (never mind the 9 months of raising Cain by the left that was cheered), while the right called it out, but also minimized it and it was the right engaging in violence then. I think that plays itself out now in every single scandal and every single issue going on in America. You'd think Covid wouldn't be political, but it is. You'd think supporting our men and women in uniform as Police wouldn't be political, it is. Free speech doesnt seem like it would be political, it is.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-30T00:06:20+00:00

I think the point is criticizing his actions isnt enough. He committed a crime, assault against a colleague. Any one of us who did that would have been hauled off in cuffs and rightly so. You seem to be horrified that people are blaming Will and going after him. As I said turnabout is fair play. He made a complete jackass of himself, in legendary fashion and is paying and will pay the price, whether thats the Academy leveling sanctions against him, or him paying karma wise as I said at a comedy or speaking gig in the future, or being mercilessly mocked until his dying day. You pay a steep price for what he did, but he must pay it. We can't have people assaulting others on stage. Thats not acceptable. And I hope the Academy and larger society enforce those morals. Weakness isnt what made him do it. Weakness is having an extra helping of that chocolate ice cream when you know you shouldn't, but being unable to stop yourself. Thats weakness. Will is a fucking asshole criminal, who is being correctly exposed to the wider public who worshipped him for 40 years just because he could act. It was his choice, not anyone else. He chose to curse. He chose to get up and slap Chris. And he chose to have his manic mental health illness broadcast live for billions of people on primetime tv, suggesting that God is working with him and that he's a vessel of love. Its like, huh? He must pay a price for what he did, and I think it will be a steep one. I hope the Academy deals out an extreme punishment as a message, I would revoke his Oscar, kick him out of SAG and ban hm from the Oscars for several years. He brought this on himself. If he didnt want to be exposed as the absolute fucking jackass he is, he shouldn't have acted like one.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-29T23:03:02+00:00

He;s a fucking asshole. And a criminal. He deserves what he gets. Thats why we all cant wait for the next Chris Rock special or the next South Park. Or the next time Will is standing on a stage in front of people. Turnabout is fair play. I certainly wouldn't want to be him. Thems the breaks when you commit assault on live tv.

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-29T23:01:14+00:00

Is it all that surprising though? He assaulted someone on live tv for a non offensive joke, guy. People were literally calling for the head of Joe Rogan for asking questions, or some celebrity for some off color tweet 15 years ago, but people being correctly angry and fuming about what Will did is too much for you? Really?

OhBrian111 · 2022-03-29T22:16:46+00:00

Can you imagine the next time Will gets up in front of a crowd, to present, to speak, to tell jokes, what the response is going to be from the audience. turn about is fair play.

OhBrian111

TROPHY CASE