The genius of Da Vinci and the Tao (audio)

Wisdom Quarterly; Dr. Fritjof Capra, Mitch Jeserich (Letters and Politics, Dec. 30, 2013)

Fritjof Capra's new book Learning from Leonardo: Decoding the Notebooks of a Genius presents an in-depth discussion of the main branches of Da Vinci's scientific work. What was it?

Da Vinci pioneered fluid dynamics [the Tao being the way, the flow, the path of least resistance], geology, botany, anatomy, mechanics, aerodynamics, [ecology, eco-designing, war and weapons engineering, vegetarianism, pacifism, art most famously painting the "Mona Lisa" but, notably, not the social sciences or any political or economic phenomena].

Most of his astonishing discoveries and achievements in these fields are virtually unknown to the general public. Dr. Capra's thesis is that, at the most fundamental level, Da Vinci always sought to understand the nature of life. This has often escaped earlier commentators, because until recently the nature of life was defined by biologists only in terms of cells and molecules, to which Da Vinci had no access.

 

Popes were more like Roman emperors

THE POPE of Da Vinci's day, in tune with the corrupt Holy Roman Catholic Church he led, was absorbed with mistresses, children, and imperial wars. He was not concerned with Da Vinci's heretical ideas, like his view of the "soul." Da Vinci thought it akin to cognitive psychology's view of cognition [or the Buddha's detailed analysis of citta, the process of consciousness, as an interdependent process]. Galileo, a century later, would face a much different pope and inquisitive Church that allowed no deviation from its dogma.

 

Mona Lisa and Leo (gregoryherpe.fr)

 

The enigmatic Leo Lisa (lewets)

But today, a new systemic understanding of life is emerging at the forefront of science -- an understanding in terms of metabolic processes and their patterns of organization. And those are precisely the phenomena which Da Vinci explored throughout his life. The book has been published in three editions in three languages.

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• 50:20: Gary Ruskin, "Spooky Business: Corporate Espionage Against Nonprofits"

Fritjof Capra, Ph.D., physicist and systems theorist, is a founding director of the Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, California. Dr. Capra is the author of several international bestsellers, including The Tao of Physics (1975), The Web of Life (1996), The Hidden Connections (2002), and The Science of Leonardo (2007). He coauthored Green Politics (1984), Belonging to the Universe (1991), and EcoManagement (1993), and coedited Steering Business Toward Sustainability (1995). His most recent book, Learning from Leonardo, was published in Italy and Brazil in 2012 and will be published in the United States in 2013. He is currently working on a multidisciplinary textbook, The Systems View of Life, coauthored by Pier Luigi Luisi and to be published by Cambridge University Press. See bibliography for book details.

The Discourse on Right View (sutra)

Dhr. Seven and Amber Larson, Wisdom Quarterly, "Discourse on Right View" (Samma-ditthi Sutta, MN 9), based on translation by Ñanamoli Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi

Young Buddhist novices, Lamayuru monastery, Ladakh, India (Dietmar Temps/flickr)

  

Birth

Novice, Burma (UrsulasWeeklyWanders.com)

24. Saying, "Good, friend," the monastics delighted and rejoiced in Sariputra's words. [The Buddha declared Ven. Sariputra his chief male disciple "foremost in wisdom," just as he declared Ven. Khema his chief female disciple foremost in wisdom.] Then they asked him a further question: "But, friend, might there be another way in which a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma?" -- "There might be, friends.

 

25. "When, friends, a noble disciple understands birth, the origin of birth, the cessation of birth, and the way leading to the cessation of birth, in that way a person is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma.

 

Buddha in Phutthamonton (Gift of Light/flickr)

26. "And what is birth, what is the origin of birth, what is the cessation of birth, what is the way leading to the cessation of birth? The birth of beings into the various orders of beings, their coming to birth, precipitation [in a womb], generation, manifestation of the aggregates, obtaining the bases for contact -- this is called birth. With the arising of being, there is the arising of birth. With the cessation of being, there is the cessation of birth. The way leading to the cessation of birth is this Noble Eightfold Path -- that is:

1. right view
2. right intention
3. right speech
4. right action
5. right livelihood
6. right effort
7. right mindfulness
8. right concentration

27. "When a noble disciple has thus understood birth, the origin of birth, the cessation of birth, and the way leading to the cessation of birth... that person here and now makes an end of suffering (reaches nirvana). In that way, too, a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma." 

Becoming

Wheel of Sense Worlds (greencollarrap.com)

28. Saying, "Good, friend," the monastics delighted and rejoiced in Sariputra's words. Then they asked him a further question: "But, friend, might there be another way in which a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma?" -- "There might be, friends.

 

29. "When, friends, a noble disciple understands becoming (bhava), the origin of becoming, the cessation of becoming, and the way leading to the cessation of becoming, in that way a person is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma.

 

30. "And what is becoming, what is the origin of becoming, what is the cessation of becoming, what is the way leading to the cessation of becoming? There are these three kinds of becoming: 

• sense-sphere becoming
• fine-material becoming
• immaterial becoming. 

With the arising of clinging, there is the arising of becoming. With the cessation of clinging, there is the cessation of becoming. The way leading to the cessation of becoming is this Noble Eightfold Path -- that is, right view... right concentration.

 

31. "When a noble disciple has thus understood becoming, the origin of becoming, the cessation of becoming, and the way leading to the cessation of becoming... that person here and now makes an end of suffering. In that way, too, a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma." 

Clinging

31 Planes reduced to Six States (lokas)

32. Saying, "Good, friend," the monastics delighted and rejoiced in Sariputra's words. Then they asked him a further question: "But, friend, might there be another way in which a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma?" -- "There might be, friends.

 

33. "When, friends, a noble disciple understands clinging, the origin of clinging, the cessation of clinging, and the way leading to the cessation of clinging, in that way that person is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma.

 

34. "And what is clinging, what is the origin of clinging, what is the cessation of clinging, what is the way leading to the cessation of clinging? There are these four kinds of clinging: 

1. clinging to sensual pleasures
2. clinging to views [opinions]
3. clinging to rituals and observances
4. clinging to a doctrine of self (atman).

With the arising of craving, there is the arising of clinging. With the cessation of craving, there is the cessation of clinging. The way leading to the cessation of clinging is this Noble Eightfold Path -- that is, right view... right concentration.

 

35. "When a noble disciple has thus understood clinging, the origin of clinging, the cessation of clinging, and the way leading to the cessation of clinging... that person here and now makes an end of suffering. In that way, too, a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma." 

Craving

Cosmology (creative-harmonics.org)

36. Saying, "Good, friend," the monastics delighted and rejoiced in Sariputra's words. Then they asked him a further question: "But, friend, might there be another way in which a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma?" -- "There might be, friends.

 

37. "When, friends, a noble disciple understands craving, the origin of craving, the cessation of craving, and the way leading to the cessation of craving, in that way that person is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma.

 

38. "And what is craving, what is the origin of craving, what is the cessation of craving, what is the way leading to the cessation of craving? There are these six classes of craving:

1. craving for sights (forms)
2. craving for sounds
3. craving for fragrances
4. craving for flavors
5. craving for tangibles
6. craving for mind-objects. 

"With the arising of sensation (vedana, basic feeling not emotion), there is the arising of craving. With the cessation of sensation, there is the cessation of craving. The way leading to the cessation of craving is this Noble Eightfold Path -- that is, right view... right concentration.

 

39. "When a noble disciple has thus understood craving, the origin of craving, the cessation of craving, and the way leading to the cessation of craving... that person here and now makes an end of suffering. In that way, too, a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma." 

Sensation

Novice, Thiksey Monastery (Dietmar Temps)

40. Saying, "Good, friend," the monastics delighted and rejoiced in Sariputra's words. Then they asked him a further question: "But, friend, might there be another way in which a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma?" — "There might be, friends.

 

41. "When, friends, a noble disciple understands sensation, the origin of sensation, the cessation of sensation, and the way leading to the cessation of sensation, in that way that person is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma.

 

42. "And what is sensation, what is the origin of sensation, what is the cessation of sensation, what is the way leading to the cessation ofsensation ? There are these six classes of sensation: 

1. sensation born of eye-contact
2. sensation born of ear-contact
3. sensation born of nose-contact
4. sensation born of tongue-contact
5. sensation born of body-contact
6. sensation born of mind-contact. 

With the arising of contact, there is the arising of sensation. With the cessation of contact, there is the cessation ofsensation . The way leading to the cessation of sensation is this Noble Eightfold Path -- that is, right view... right concentration.

 

43. "When a noble disciple has thus understood sensation, the origin of sensation, the cessation of sensation, and the way leading to the cessation of sensation... that person here and now makes an end of suffering. In that way, too, a noble disciple is one of right view... and has arrived at this true Dharma." More

Amazing India (video)

Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly (BRAHMANISM CO-OPTED BUDDHISM)

The spectacular and iconic Muslim art of the Taj Mahal, Agra, India (sjpaderborn)

(Shakti Gyana) This is the second episode of a five-part documentary on the history of Hinduism explained in Western perspective. 

Om, the primordial sound of the universe

This explanation of Brahmanism/Hinduism should not be taken as absolute fact but rather as an interpretation. What ancient Brahmanism evolved into was directly influenced by the historical Buddha's Dharma (Buddhism). This became modern Hinduism.

 

It is closely related to Mahayana-Buddhism, a popular reform movement from the more austere Buddhist schools, most of which became defunct. The strawman Mahayana and Brahmin philosophers set up to decry they called Hinayana, the "Lesser Vehicle." It refers to Sarvastivada and other sects. Theravada is not one of the "Hinayana" schools of thought, but as the only other extant and viable Buddhist school, laypeople often equate them.

There are sheaths or bodies within this body

The Buddha's teachings run contrary to the Vedas, the views of the ancient Brahmins, and modern Hinduism. Those teachings survive in Theravada Buddhism. What makes Mahayana so popular?

 

Many of the peculiar Mahayana "innovations" are actually reformulations of the very things the Buddha rejected. The Buddha did not arrive on the scene to affirm the Vedas but to correct strong misconceptions. Those misconceptions reassert themselves again and again.

Only by the realization of certain counterintuitive truisms, like the eternal existence of a self or unchanging soul (atta, atman) can one finally breakthrough to liberating insight, find enlightenment, and glimpse nirvana. Endless lip service given to discerning "emptiness" (shunyata) in place of anatta, finding a "higher self" or "true self" rather than no-self (anatta), essentially personalizing the impersonal, identifying with timeless verities, or mistaking consciousness as self... all of these very high minded notions miss the mark.

So long as mind is bound by even subtle traces of greed (sensual lust), aversion (fear, hate), and delusion (ignorance, wrong view), it is not released. Temporarily suppressing these defilements through samadhi (purifying-concentration) and jhana (dhyana, meditative absorptions) will not in itself lead to Buddhist enlightenment. Only when it is used as a foundation for the practice of insight by turning persistent attention (mindfulness) to four posts or foundations: body, feelings, mind, and mind objects, all of which are defined in details in the Maha Satipatthana Sutra.

 

Welcome to India

(BBC.co.uk/programmes) This observational series continues to explore what life is really like in some of the densest neighborhoods on the planet: the backstreets of India's mega-cities. A popular tactic for people here, so adept at operating in a crowded world, is turning the stuff others would call waste into an opportunity. Johora started out as a rag-picker, but through building a bottle recycling business on a railway embankment, she has big ambitions for her family of seven kids. When the local gangsters increase their protection payment demands, she boldly takes out a big loan and attempts to push her illegal business to another level. (Episode 2 of 3).

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Resolving pre-birth "soul contracts"

Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly; Danielle MacKinnon, The Wisdom Show with Jean Swann

Renaissance (French, "rebirth") masterpiece, the (Re)Birth of Venus by Boticelli

 

Revealing "Soul" Secrets and Living Brilliantly!

Deva  intuitive Danielle MacKinnon

What if we could discover the hidden contracts holding us back and release those that no longer serve us? Ever feel blocked, unable to find love, make money, or form lasting relationships? Why are certain people in our lives? Could the decisions we made in past lives be challenging us today?

 

Intuitive coach and soul contract consultant -- soul here referring to the ever-changing stream of selves we are and have been as we wander on in samsara -- Danielle MacKinnon shows how "soul contracts" and "seed thoughts" appear as annoying energies blocking us from our desires. They were actually put in place by us to help us master "soul lessons" and move forward on our path toward a happy, fulfilled life.

 

We might learn that our repeated bad decisions are there to help us uncover a hidden source of pain we were not conscious of having. We might find out that a tumultuous relationship is assisting our personal and spiritual growth. We might even recognize which soul contract is blocking our career or love path. More importantly, we may be able to uncover and learn how to break free of them through a live group clearing.

These are the prospects and possibilities MacKinnon extends. Just such a live, hour-long clearing took place by phone and Web simulcast yesterday [(206) 402-0100, Conference ID: 985639#, Passcode and PIN Code: 985639#]. What did some people discover? Karmic patterns or "soul contracts" have been secretly holding them back in life -- and there's something that can be done about it! More

Soul No Soul?

The Buddha at Thimphu, Bhutan, high in the Himalayas (Michael Foley)

 

Wait. Doesn't Buddhism teach that there is no "soul," no "self," no "ego"? Not exactly. There is one truth but two levels of it. In a conventional sense, of course there is a "soul," a self, an "I." It is called the atman (Sanskrit), atta (Pali), or alma (Spanish). But to think that this conventional designation signifies more is mistaking a process for a solid entity. The "entity" is neither solid nor stable. It is an impermanent composite. It is composed of ever changing streams of form, feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness. Due to ignorance, there is identification with one or more of these, or the idea arises that the "self" owns these heaps of ephemera, or stands outside of them. In an ultimate sense, which is much more subtle and harder to grasp, this is not the case. There is what looks and behaves and is spoken of as a "soul" or essential self (astral body, ghost, spirit, consciousness incarnate, an "eternal being" passing from life to life, a gandhabba), but ultimately it is an illusion. It gives the illusion of being permanent, pleasant, and personal when it in fact bears three opposite marks of existence. Realizing this by insight rather than reasoning leads to stream entry, the first stage of enlightenment and liberation from all suffering.

• Gandhabba is used in a completely different sense from the mythical celestial musicians of the devas in Buddhist cosmology, referring to a being (or, strictly speaking, part of the causal continuum of psycho-physical consciousness) in a liminal state between death and rebirth, one's visible "spirit" in a sense.

The Cure to Cancer Summit

Thecuretocancersummit.com

Jean Swann, founder and host of The Wisdom Show, is a holistic health expert with a background in print and broadcast journalism. She will be hosting another groundbreaking event starting Wednesday Sept. 18-28, 2013 -- the first ever Cure to Cancer Summit, which promises to be an incredible journey to wholeness and health. It will feature world experts and pioneers in the areas of cancer treatment and research, as well as vital living. The most up-to-date breakthroughs in integrative and alternative approaches and the best ways to stay proactive to avoid degenerative disease and enjoy a high quality lifestyle will be explored. It's all FREE! But there are only a few days left to register. See all of the incredible speakers and get a free ticket to listen from the comfort of home. More

Entangled in Darkness, Seeking the Light

Dhr. Seven and CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; Deborah King

Deborah King is a friend of Wisdom Quarterly and was once a regular feature with her online Hay House radio show and frequent appearances around the country.

She has just come out with a new book Entangled in Darkness, Seeking the Light and was recently interviewed by GAIAM TV's Lisa Garr, hostess of Pacifica Radio's Los Angeles affiliate, KPFK FM, on TheAwareShow.com).

• Truth Heals: What You Hide Can Hurt You
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Entangled in Darkness: How to Find the Light

Lisa Garr (theawareshow.com)

Deborah King

Master healer and urban shaman, [and sexual abuse survivor], Deborah King (DeborahKingCenter.com),  was a successful attorney in her 20s when a diagnosis of cancer sent her on a search for truth.

It radically changed her life. Unwilling to undergo invasive (and harmful) surgery, she turned to alternative medicine. She had an amazing remission at the hands of a healer. Leaving the corporate arena for the mysterious world of healers, sages, and shamans, King mastered ancient and modern healing systems, ultimately developing a powerful healing technique of her own.

 

Her latest book, Entangled in Darkness: Seeking the Light, explores the purpose of the age-old battle between light and dark that is waged within us. 

INTERVIEW (9-12-13) The Aware Show’s special guest this week is spiritual teacher, health-and-wellness expert, and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Deborah King. Take an excursion into the inner sanctum of the "soul," our deepest sense of self, to help us understand why we are here.
 
What is the purpose of the age-old battle between light and dark? It is being waged within us all. She will help deepen our insight into how and why we might be entangled in darkness and provide us with practical tools to infuse our lives with light. King talks about techniques to clear negative energies, dark entities, cordings, and intentional and unintentional attacks. More