princekelso-blog

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🙌🏻🙌🏻

[princekelso-blog]

I don’t want anything. I exist only to serve others. — Neem Karoli Baba

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The uniqueness of each form arises from the fact that it exists in relation to every other form

Alan Watts

(via my-dream-path)

[princekelso-blog]

Ahh, because I'm white that disqualifies me from having an opinion. Your point is clear; just because I disagree doesn't mean I missed it.

People taking an interest in Indian culture shouldn't be a bad thing to you. It means it's being appreciated & celebrated by a divided people that could really use some Hindu values about unity and togetherness.

Perhaps it stems from an unconscious desperation to reunite with those values that we lost at some point.

You should appreciate the potential change your culture could bring, not propagate further division by shaming people's interest.

yeah no I’m not replying to them their blog is utter nonsense

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Wait, have you read the Gita/Upanishads/Vedas? Because this entire attitude completely defies Hindu philosophy.

"When they want the 3rd eye but not the perspective." Are you joking? It is explicitly stated that every living Being has the third eye, but it becomes obscured by material entanglement.

It's not exclusive to Indian people and I can hear Neem Karoli Baba turning in his grave at that ridiculous statement. Yogananda dedicated his life to teaching Yoga in the West FOR A REASON. He wanted it to unite our material culture.

Yeah I suggest actually reading the scripture because this bitter post indicates a strong attachment to your identity, which is the one thing that prevents attainment of Samadhi.

...And that's not to say I'm anywhere near that, but it's appalling to me that a religion centered around nondual awareness and universal oneness is now subject to gatekeeping:

when they want the thick hair but not the thick eyebrows

when they want the ‘forehead jewel’ but not the ‘dothead’ 

when they want the tan skin but not the darkest of night 

when they want the third eye but not the perspective

when they want the bangles but not the troubles

when they want the flavor but not the smell

when they want to practice but not understand

when they want the trend but not the history

when they want the benefits but not the disadvantages

when they want the light but not the heat

when they want the culture but not you 

#hinduism #third eye #cultural appropriation #racial appropriation #gatekeeper #buddhism #jainism #bindi #chakras #unity #love #nonduality #advaita #vedanta

[princekelso-blog]

After this Bindi appropriation nonsense, and being a reader of the Bhagavad-Gita, I feel compelled to share the philosophy behind this Hindu symbol to explain why "appropriation" is an incompatible term. 

The Bindi represents the Ajna Chakra, the "the sacred symbol of the cosmos in its unmanifested state". The Buddha is depicted with a similar ornament called the Urna, which symbolizes the Third Eye, vision into the Divine World. 

In both philosophies, this symbol is not exclusive to just Indian/Chinese culture. It represents the spiritual potential within ALL beings. To say that one's skin color/cultural background determines whether they can display it ironically defies Hindu philosophy. The physical body is an illusion, and those who focus on these trivial differences are simply lost & entangled in the material. 

In other words, the term "cultural appropriation" is directly contrary to the teachings of Hinduism, ESPECIALLY for the Bindi. Why? Because it represents vision into the Ultimate Truth, and in the words of Meyer Baba: "Truth is not the monopoly of a particular race or religion. 

So please stop looking for any reason to victimize yourself and be happy that these symbols of Unity & Peace are reaching more people, we desperately need it.

#hinduism #unity #third eye #love #divine #buddha #buddhism #bindi #urna #chakras #krishna #cultural appropriation #racial appropriation #mamamoo

[princekelso-blog]

Psssst...please educate yourself on these cultures/religions before making false statements.

Buddha isn't wearing a Bindi. It's called an Urna, which symbolizes vision into the divine world; the Third Eye.

The Bindi in Hinduism is "the sacred symbol of the cosmos in its unmanifested state."

The essence of these symbols is that every human being alive has a connection to the divine, the "3rd eye." To suggest that these symbols are subject to appropriation is directly contrary to the teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism itself because the physical body is an illusion.

regarding what people have been saying about cultural appropriation

I don’t really see why people would find the use of the red bindi offensive. It WOULD be offensive if they were using it to appropriate Indian people or “look Indian”. However, they were using it in reference to a LYRIC in the song, that makes a pun on the word Buddha. Who is typically shown wearing a bindi, in statues, images, etc. They’re not trying to imitate buddhists, or anyone of a specific race. 

The translation above is from lilysubs’ translation video.

About half of my extended family are buddhists and so are many of my friends (I’m an Asian IN Asia). Though I could see some of the older generation disapproving of using the bindi for “frivolous” uses in entertainment, most of my friends - and from what I see most Asians/ Buddhists who have chimed in on this issue - seem alright with it.

Blackface is NOT okay because it has a legacy of being used to dehumanise African-Americans and (to some extent) other races of darker skin tones. Other forms of cultural appropriation such as inaccurate portrayals of geishas in music videos are NOT okay, because they often have troubling undertones such as fetishisation and negative portrayals of aspects of other cultures.

Wearing a religious symbol in reference to a religious figure of a major religion in YOUR OWN culture? Not so much.

tldr: if you’re okay with seeing monty python’s life of brian (not to mention that was a parody with the intention to mock, while this is a 2 second reference which I didn’t even catch when I first saw the video), you probably wouldn’t find this offensive.

#buddhism #urna #bindi #hinduism #third eye #racial appropriation #cultural appropriation

[princekelso-blog]

Rational assessment. Though I'd argue that cultural appropriation isn't usually a bad thing in general. The greatest painters in history, for example, revolutionized the field by combining elements of different cultures. I don't understand why it's considered a bad thing.

Cultural Appropriation

This term makes some people very uncomfortable, normally white people. White people aren’t the only people who can appropriate cultural though. Black people can appropriate Indian culture, Latinas can appropriate Chinese culture, hell, some minorities appropriated cultural appropriation. Yes, I shall dare say it: Minorities have really watered down the meaning of cultural appropriation. And this is my piece on it. White people have a long, LONG history on appropriating other cultures, yes. But lately it seems as though anything can come off as cultural appropriation, even things that aren’t even a part of a cultural. Take this for example, just a few days ago a story of Kim Kardashian West popped up in E! News, I know. Shocker. But why this story matters is that it was about her being accused of black face, or appropriating black culture. Which yes, Kim does appropriate black culture a fair amount along with her sisters. But this time, I have to say, Kim is innocent. See, what had happened was Kim had mishap in her latest photo shoot where the makeup was done a few shades darker than her natural skin tone. To add on to that, the lighting made her look even darker till she was a soft brown color. Yes, Kim looked several shades darker. No, I do NOT think that qualifies as black face. For crying out loud, Kim couldn’t look black if she tried. She looked more like a beautiful Indian goddess if anything. Not black. And when had being brown deem someone as black? There are Indians who are brown, Native Americans who are brown, and they’re brown Asians too. So brown skin isn’t a cultural, yes it is a big part of black culture because it’s our fucking race. But just because someone made their skin a few shades darker does not mean it is blackface. You’re just screaming wolf by doing so and when real blackface happens, ain’t nobody gonna give a damn shit. DISCLAIMER: by no means am I a fan of Kim K, quite frankly I find her a nuisance in society and quite annoying.

[princekelso-blog]

Because your life slowly starts to revolve around being high at all times. Because you've lost the ability to cope with the pain and difficulties that naturally come with human existence.

Shit isn't a game, you're playing with fire.

ok so it’s not me being high when i say this but

if you’re high, nothing bad can happen to you

if you’re high, you won’t remember if it does

because reality exists in your mind and when your mind is high, reality is warped

so if you get abused or yelled at or whatever,, you’re not going to remember how bad it is

so why not be high all the time???

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When people ask me how I can be an addict and still call myself spiritual.

#alan watts #addiction #opiates #nonduality #nondualism #love #zen #buddhism #kratom

[princekelso-blog]

You seem awesome. People come and go just like everything else in this system of Ons/Offs. I'm experiencing something similar; lifelong friends and we're hitting forked roads. Our attachment to the good memories is the only thing that makes it difficult.

But that pain reflects a deep part of us which holds the utmost gratitude in knowing that many more great times lie ahead, for us and for those we love.

22 [M4F] Toronto - Seeking a real connection. Listen to "If Money Was No Object? - Alan Watts" on YouTube. I hear that an get inspired and motivated. Platonically, romantically, or otherwise... let's get connected. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khOaAHK7efc

There’s the little clip.

More about me:

I’ve been laying in bed now for the last few hours burning out from the 100th joint I’ve said will be my last. Yes, I am 420 friendly, but I guess I’m tryna say this is a habit I want to kick.

So, me, briefly: I work as a barista at your famous mermaid coffee chain and I study political science. I’m finishing up a last semester or so, then I would like to (maybe) pursue a Masters here or abroad.

Personally, I’ve been going through some rougher times. I’ve kept in close contact with a handful of people since high school, and slowly they are slipping away. I don’t mind though, because I’m realizing I never really connected with them. However, the emptiness and loneliness can be dreadful. The friends I do have don’t live downtown as I do. And even then, it seems whether its these friends, or coworkers that are “friends” outside work, I don’t really get the attention and respect I feel I deserve. I’m very giving, caring, very warm, attentive. But I feel that lets people walk all over me and it’s time I put my happiness first too. So…

I want to meet someone who “get’s it”. Who’s real. Genuine. Down to earth. Caring. Understanding. A listener, but also a conversationalist. Yeah I know, everyone’s “real”. But, and I don’t want to say this in any douchey way, but someone who’s interested in life and humanity and what the world as to offer, and finding a connection with someone with whom you can share that with.

I’m not a huge partier (every so often). I’d like to have bigger ambitions. Read more, travel more, learn more. I’d like to explore more of this city I’ve called home for 4 years now. I’d like to go out taking pictures (photography as a hobby). I’d love to do board game nights. Maybe build a close knit circle.

I apologize if I’m blabbing on. But if you’ve read this far, you probably feel connected somewhat to what I’m writing. Because I do this too. I really read what people write. I care to find someone I think I can connect to. Someone on the same “wavelength”.

I grew up reading a LOT. I loveeee Harry Potter. Not obvious about it or anything, but that was my childhood obsession and love. I don’t read as much now. :(

I love, love, LOVE travelling. None of my “friends” seem to be interested in travelling or saving the money to do it. I get that it’s not cheap… but hey, you make it a priority if its seriously important, right? I save a little of each paycheque and I get it all done that way. I would like to meet and develop with someone to a point we’d feel maybe travelling together! That would be fun! Even here within Canada, but I’d like to travel more of the world.

I would love to go to events, museums. I love philosophy, history, art, politics. But I’m still learning. I love discussing things! I would love to meet someone who also has passions and ambitions, and maybe we could thrive off each other. We don’t have to like the same things (I guess that helps?) because we could learn from each other!

I’m trying to learn German right now. I play guitar (favourite band/artist is Nirvana, and City and Colour), sometimes write songs and sings. Used to study film at Ryerson and make videos. I mentioned I liked to read, I’m really into fantasy/sci-fi and would like to write something of my own too one day. Poetry. Photography. Some of my other interests. Honestly, I think I could live in a Chapters book store!

There’s a lot about me I can’t simply write down. Like I said, if you got this far, you probably “get it”… whatever “it” is, that I’m trying to convey here.

I guess… shoot me a message and we’ll see where this takes off. I’m straight, so guys, friends only. But even ladies, I’m down to just be good friends if that’s all you want. Anything “more” I guess would happen naturally anyways. And FWB’s I’m open too as well, I just wouldn’t want it to be simply about the physical stuff, but someone I can talk to as well, if that makes sense. Hope any of this did!

Hope to hear from you!

I apologize if this post was super long and if it didn’t make much sense… like I said, burning out. Everything I wrote was sincere though. :)

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“Always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.”

Mufti Ismail Menk (via naturaekos)

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Why the fuck does everything have to be about race? Maybe it's because they enjoy each other's company and have a relationship that surpasses racial boundaries. How dare they not cater to your racist and idealized view of what gay men should be like?

What a disgusting post.

Honestly I’m so tired of seeing brown gays with white men. Why aren’t there more adorable queer brown couples?

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Do explain how one "gives up their privilege." What does such a process entail? How is one man able to free himself an apparently inherent social trait?

@mwooo I think that’s the most reprehensible part - that men are straight up making a living out of the insecurities of millions of women so they can make a quick buck

and honestly why stop at white cis men? literally all men are garbage and the only way they can stop being garbage is if they give up their privilege and actually attempt to be competent allies to ALL women (which we all know is never going to happen)