Openfoot

Openfoot

rambling through internal landscapes

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Resources :
"My interests drew me in different directions. On the one hand I was powerfully attracted by science, with its truths based on facts; on the other hand I was fascinated by everything to do with comparative religion. [...] In science I missed the factor of meaning; and in religion, that of empiricism": C. G. Jung
An Introduction To Jung's Psychology: Frieda Fordham: Although published in several editions this now appears to be out of print, although it's readily available second-hand via Amazon and other online booksellers.

A small book but it it punched well above its weight when Openfoot first read it in in his late teens. This was the catalyst for his setting out on his inner rambles in a semi-formal way with a commitment to recording and illustrating his dreams. This was perhaps his "Read Jung at Two: Discovering the Footprints!"

" An Introduction" serves the purpose of setting out Jung's work in an accessible and straightforward manner (unlike much of Jung's own writings) and even has the endorsement of the "Master" who provides a Foreword and says:
"She (Frieda) has delivered a fair and simple account of the main aspects of my psychological work. I am indebted to her for this admirable piece of work."
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The Daily Dreamer (http://youngandjung.blogspot.com/) A beautiful dream journal by Carla Young (@CarlaYoung10) who says "Dreams take you on a trip into your own personal and mysterious inner reality. Join me on the journey" Each post has an interpretation based primarily on Jung's theories. Carla also hosts dreams by guest dreamers and Openfoot is honoured to have been one such.

Jung Quotes (http://www.jungquotes.com/) A beautifully executed site full of Jung's insights and words of wisdom, accompanied by some beautiful illustrations, including many of Jung's own from The Red Book. A treasure trove to dip into time and time again

Myths-Dreams-Symbols web site (http://www.mythsdreamssymbols.com/) Provides an enormous treasure trove of dream related material and vast collection of information about Jung and others, including video material. Well worth a visit.
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Zen Flesh, ZenBones: Paul Reps: All you need in one little book! In fact its four even smaller books in one. Here you will find 101 Zen Stories illustrating the experiences of Zen masters and students down the centuries. The Gateless Gate, a collection of mind bending , mind snapping, mind liberating Zen koans. The Ten Bulls a concise description setting out and illustrating the "stages" on the path to awakening and Centering a collection of simple techniques for being mindful. One or two of the 112 centering techniques on offer is bound to strike a chord, to resonate with your psyche; giving you the opportunity discover that although the techniques may be simple to describe to practice them can be an altogether different thing! As an added bonus What is Zen? ( in one and a half small pages) is included at the end, together with an invitation to provide you own answer!
Tao Te Ching: Lao Tzu: So you think you know what "terse" means? This is terse! Deep thought compacted into a minimum of words that challenge the reader to discern there full meaning. Written nearly as long ago as the Buddha gave his teachings, and like them still as relevant and fresh as ever.

There are many, many translations available. None are expensive and some versions can be found free on the web.
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The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying: Sogyal Rinpoche: All you wanted to know about Tibetan Buddhism but were afraid to ask. Written in a clear and accessible style that suggests the author has done much to obviate the potential problems of cultural dissimilarity. For many readers the cultural shock is still likely to be significant. This should not be seen as a criticism or deterrent as the wisdom, humanity and compassion of the author shine through. The author gives clear and practical advice on meditation and does not fight shy of attempting to describe the various states of awareness and consciousness that may arise. There is no doubt that this book will both move and challenge those who read it. Some sections moved Openfoot to tears. It never does any harm to thoroughly re-examine your own cultural norms and perspectives and this book will certainly encourage you to do that.

See also
http://www.rigpa.org/ for online teachings, video and articles.
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Einstein and Buddha: The parallel sayings. Edited by T.J. McFarlane: If you have spiritual interests and have a strong scientific streak too this book is for you. I like to think of this as a modern Tao Te Ching, if only because this is pretty terse too and mostly set out in a series of short statements and quotes. These throw the observations of famous scientists and eastern spiritual luminaries into close proximity to provide fascinating parallels and comparisons, which strongly suggest that whether searching for knowledge by following the outward objective path or the subjective inner path; that if you push far enough and deep enough you end up in much the same place.


A sample pair of quotes:

"An independent reality in the ordinary physical sense can neither be ascribed to the phenomena nor to the agencies of observation"
Niels Bohr

"Being under illusion means perceiving objective appearances and mental appearances as having independent reality"
Bokar Rinpoche

The Introduction is provided by Wes Niscker a sample of his Dharma talks can be found at:
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/191/
Alan Wallace: Now here is a man who might justly claim have a 360 degree perspective on things. A buddhist monk and physics graduate, with a Doctorate in Religious Studies who founded, and is now President of, the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies; and author of more than thirty books into the bargain. His perspective on the interface between science and religion is extremely thought provoking and inspiring. Well they are to Openfoot anyway! His lecture "Towards the First Revolution in Mind Sciences" delivered at Google HQ is a masterpiece and can be viewed via the linked lecture title. It's a NOT TO BE MISSED presentation.

There are many short clips and interviews with Alan on YouTube

He maintains a personal website at
http://www.alanwallace.org from which a podcast series is available.

The Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies is at
http://www.sbinstitute.com/index.php Amongst other things it provides a good range of audio downloads of Alan speaking on a wide variety of relevant and stimulating topics.
Being Ordinary is a website created by two friends, Tom and Mike, and is dedicated to the expression and exploration of what it truly means to be a human being. They say:

"Ideas such as Enlightenment, Awakening or Self-Realisation, often serve to distract us from the ordinary and mundane from which we assume we must escape or transcend. Yet if seen clearly, simple and directly, the ordinary can lead us into total acceptance and end the search for something ‘extra’. These podcasts are the result of many discussions over many years  and although the essence of what is presented here does not require words, labels or theory, the sheer enjoyment and creativity of speaking about the wordless has led to these recorded discussions. We hope that whatever is expressed here directs you straight to the heart of the vast silence from which all expression arises."

They have done a great job and
I highly recommend a visit. And as an added bonus it is a pleasant change to hear these topics being spoken about in British accents!
Jill Bolte Taylor's Stroke of Insight: Jill's TED talk is one of the most remarkable personal testaments you are likely to have the privilege of witnessing. It is both truly remarkable and profoundly moving. One morning Jill, a brain scientist, awoke to find she was experiencing a stroke. Her talk recalls her experiences over the next four hours as her stroke progressed and she observed the dissolution of her own mind. Extraordinary stuff, powerfully told. From whatever perspective you approach her presentation it raises profound questions that we should not ignore. The parallels with experiences occurring in meditation and other spiritual practices are striking. Another NOT TO BE MISSED presentation.
"As scientific understanding has grown, so our world has become dehumanised. Man feels himself isolated in the cosmos, because he is no longer involved in nature, and has lost his emotional "unconscious identity" with natural phenomena…No voices now speak to man from stones, plants, and animals, nor does he speak to them believing they can hear. His contact with nature has gone, and with it has gone the profound emotional energy that this symbolic connection supplied. C. G. Jung - Man and His Symbols
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Organisations
The Scientific and Medical Network: exploring and expanding the frontiers of science, medicine and spirituality.

Founded in 1973 the SMN is an interdiscilinary networking forum and educational charity exploring science, medicine, philosophy and spirituality. It hosts confrences in the UK and continental Europe and has members in over 30 countires.

Membership of the SMN is open to all who agree with its missiion, aims and values.

The Network seeks to provide a forum for pursuing truth, wherever it leads, to widen the intellectual horizons of science and of society as a whole, to stimulate research at the frontiers of human knolwedge and experience and to make the results known through its educational programmes. The network is committed to no dogma or creed. It encourages intellectual deiscernment and is wary of the ill founded and sensational claims of " pseudo-science". In asking searching questions about the nature of life and the role of the human being the Network abides by its guidelines of open-minded, rigerous thinking and care for others at all times.

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The Alistair Hardy Society for the Study of Spiritual Experience

The object of the Trust , a registered charity, is to further the study of religious and spiritual experience started by Sir Alister Hardy FRS in 1969. The Trust seeks to address itself to objective research, communicating its findings to the public and offering a forum for discussion for those interested in spirtuality. In seeking to undertake its objectives the Trust welcomes accounts of spiritual/religious or transcendent experiences. It has a unique archive of religious experinces which are housed at the University of Wales, Lampeter.
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The International Association for the Study of Dreams

The Association is a non-profit international, multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to the pure and applied investigation of dreams and dreaming. Their purpose is to promote an awarness and appreciation of dreams in both professional and public arenas; to encourage research into the nature, function, and significance of dreaming, and to provide a forum for the eclectic and interdiscipinary exchange of ideas and information
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Resurgence Trust and Resurgence Magazine

The Resurgence Trust publishes the Resurgence Magazine to promote ecological sustainability, social justice and spiritual values. Its lengthy vision statement includes; "It is a vision where humanity is at ease with itself and is in harmony with the natural world; a vision where spiritual fulfilment and material wellbeing are in balance and science is in constant conversation with wisdom".

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