27 replies to this topic

[MycoDani]

No just kidding but I thought this would get some attention. We are moving the forum/communities around to hopefully make things better and easier for you all to navigate. We are also allowing some Politiking and some Religious/Spiritual/Faith convo now. It's 2016 it's time we change some policy and see how it goes. I know we can do this and have interesting thought provoking conversation.

So back to the forums we will be consolidating some and we are making the Welcome forum a one stop shop. General will be added to the Welcome community as well so people have a place to start. Some do not know how to get started and this should help. Basically when you arrive here all you need to start out here at Topia will be in one place so look out for that. We are also adding to R&R the topics I spoke of above. I will be back with a more detailed explanation. But for now I wanted to give everyone a heads up on the furniture moving.

Hopefully this will make everyone's life easier and the site more accessible to everyone. As you can see changes are coming for 2016. Any questions or comments please feel free to leave them and we'll be happy to answer. :)

Thank you all for your continued support and love.

Cosmic love-Dani

[Heirloom]

 Wow politics and theology, hope it remains sane.  Would not want to moderate those talks.
I hope this does not divide us.
I understand some want to talk politics and religion. Hopefully we stay united despite
our differences as we have more in common and essentially want the same things.

 peace

[Alder Logs]

 

...we have more in common and essentially want the same things.

 

...and in this, we may iron out any differences, these being mostly superficial.  No one was born with a particular political or religious position.  These came when we developed a self-image via outside influences, from geography to parentage, from an inheritance of systematized patterns of thought, and their resultant social ferment.  Respect for others' acquired positions can be had through understanding what brought us, each to our own. 

 

Our differences lay in our images of ourselves.

 

Our unity is in the truth of ourselves. 

 

Once again I am reminded of this I Ching hexagram:

 

======================================================

 

 

 

Hexagram 43 of the Wilhelm / Baynes, I CHING,

or BOOK OF CHANGES*

Kuai / Break-through (Resoluteness)

 

 

 

TUI -- The JOYOUS, LAKE is above
CH'IEN -- The CREATIVE, HEAVEN is below

 

This hexagram signifies on the one hand a break-through after a long accumulation of tension, as a swollen river breaks through its dikes, or in the manner of a cloudburst. On the other hand, applied to human conditions, it refers to the time when inferior people gradually begin to disappear. Their influence is on the wain; as a result of resolute action, a change in conditions occurs, a break-through. The hexagram is related to the third month [April-May].

 

THE JUDGMENT

Break-through.
One must resolutely make the matter known
At the court of the king.
It must be announced truthfully. Danger.
It is necessary to notify one's own city.
It does not further to resort to arms.
It furthers one to undertake something.

 

Even if only one inferior man is occupying a ruling position in a city, he is able to oppress superior men. Even a single passion still lurking in the heart has power to obscure reason. Passion and reason cannot exist side by side -- therefore fight without quarter is necessary if the good is to prevail.

 

In a resolute struggle of the good against evil, there are, however, definite rules that must not be disregarded, if it is to succeed. First, resolution must be based on a union of strength and friendliness. Second, a compromise with evil is not possible; evil must under all circumstances be openly discredited. Nor must our own passions and shortcomings be glossed over. Third, the struggle must not be carried on by force. If evil is branded, it thinks of weapons, and if we do it the favor of fighting against it blow for blow, we lose in the end because thus we ourselves get entangled in hatred and passion. Therefore it is important to begin at home, to be on guard in our own persons against the faults we have branded. In this way, finding no opponent, the sharp edges of the weapons of evil become dulled. For the same reasons we should not combat our own faults directly. As long as we wrestle with them, they continue victorious. Finally, the best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good.

 

THE IMAGE

The lake has risen up through heaven:
The image of BREAK-THROUGH.
Thus the superior man
Dispenses riches downward
And refrains from resting on his virtue.

 

When the water of a lake has risen up to heaven, there is reason to fear a cloudburst. Taking this as a warning, the superior man forestalls a violent collapse. If a man were to pile up riches for himself alone, without considering others, he would certainly experience a collapse. For all gathering is followed by dispersion. Therefore the superior man begins to distribute while he is accumulating. In the same way, in developing character he takes care not to become hardened in obstinacy but to remain receptive to impressions by help of strict and continuous self-examination.

 

 

======================================================

[Skywatcher]

I have offered to moderate the upcoming forum on Spirituality. I have confidence that we can have some good and enlightening conversation , as long as we remain respectful of the differences (which are not really so different).

 

All can learn from someone elses perspective, and should never allow arrogance to override respect. I am looking forward to this. I see more opportunity for agreement and mutual understanding than any risk of division.

Edited by Skywatcher, 04 January 2016 - 10:37 PM.

[Cue]

No just kidding but I thought this would get some attention.

 

It got my attention, because I was hoping that you were going to say that you were moving down here to Florida.

[Juthro]

No just kidding but I thought this would get some attention.

 
It got my attention, because I was hoping that you were going to say that you were moving down here to Florida.

They would, but they haven't reached retirement age yet....

;P

[Cybilopsin]

I'm grateful that there is support for the tolerance of political discussion on here, because to me, if the mission of this site is to support human-mushroom interaction and intermingling, politics is an indispensable part of achieving that mission.

[Cue]

I don't if its possible, but it might be a good idea if you could make posting on the spiritual thread a revocable privilege, since some people are unable to discuss it without arguing.

[coorsmikey]

I don't if its possible, but it might be a good idea if you could make posting on the spiritual thread a revocable privilege, since some people are unable to discuss it without arguing.

I can see an argument on the religion or political threads, cmon Pasta on the spiritual thread? It will take good moderation to set the standards and expectations in the beginning. Most of all it will take the maturity and respect of valued members like you to help make a smooth transition into the steps we want to make. You of all people know that privileges are revocable. Your support and contributions into the idea could make or break it. This is what I have heard you rant about for years. I would really hope that you would be behind this change and hope that we would have your backing on it. I hope you can set aside the differences that you have had with a few here and come back with some more support of the community.

[Alder Logs]

Anyone who does not think there is a relevant intersection of things political, religious, and such ideas as we might discuss in Here We Grow or Storming the Gates will be burned at the stake. 

[CatsAndBats]

I don't think that I've ever really liked anyone who was 'offended' by beliefs (or anything really). It's a sign of weakness and anti-intellectualism.

IMO or whatever ;)


I do have faith in this community to pull it off. Cue or Tv could moderate it (I'm sure they both LOVE me nominating/volunteering them)!

I'm not kidding.

I don't if its possible, but it might be a good idea if you could make posting on the spiritual thread a revocable privilege, since some people are unable to discuss it without arguing.

I have no problem with this.

 

 

 

thanks to whomever mod fixed my thread  

 

;)

Edited by catattack, 06 January 2016 - 11:14 AM.

[Juthro]

I don't if its possible, but it might be a good idea if you could make posting on the spiritual thread a revocable privilege, since some people are unable to discuss it without arguing.

I can see Pasta's point here. Though I don't know how easy that would be to do technically (Zen ?). I have seen some people that just cant seem to stop themselves from escalating, kind of like a moth to a flame.

I have to say, traditionally I have not been a big fan of participating in these kinds of threads (religious, and political), as they can be a powder keg when emotion gets involved. But I understand, and support the desire of some very esteemed members here to discuss these topics like adults. I trust them to be the voice of reason if things start to come off the rails.

In the end, this experiment has my full support, and I will do what I can to help make it work.

[Cue]

 

I don't if its possible, but it might be a good idea if you could make posting on the spiritual thread a revocable privilege, since some people are unable to discuss it without arguing.

I can see Pasta's point here. Though I don't know how easy that would be to do technically (Zen ?). I have seen some people that just cant seem to stop themselves from escalating, kind of like a moth to a flame.

I have to say, traditionally I have not been a big fan of participating in these kinds of threads (religious, and political), as they can be a powder keg when emotion gets involved. But I understand, and support the desire of some very esteemed members here to discuss these topics like adults. I trust them to be the voice of reason if things start to come off the rails.

In the end, this experiment has my full support, and I will do what I can to help make it work.

 

 

I support the idea of the spiritual and religious forums. In fact I was surprised that we weren't allowed to talk about them in this OMC of psychonauts.

 

 

I have seen some people that just cant seem to stop themselves from escalating, kind of like a moth to a flame.

And I would hate to see these people be banned from the entire community.

Edited by Pastafarian, 06 January 2016 - 06:12 PM.

[MycoDani]

I wouldn't worry so much. It's simple if your out of line well warn you if you still don't get the message well infraction and eventually you won't be able to post in that forum. But cmon seriously we are all adults the laws that are passed the policy enacted all affects us! So I hope we can be mature and agree to disagree when appropriate.

Me personally I love reading what people think about things whether I agree or not. Because I feel it expands my knowledge and gives me insight into why people think the way we do. Yes, mainly we are a psychedelic community. But some things that happen irl affect us as growers of all the things we love. This isn't going to be like a fuck whoever person because I want to be an assshat.

What I am hoping for is good debate and people learning from each other. I don't think that's too much to ask of this community. We can't skirt around everything and avoid shit in life like it doesn't affect us. I really hope we can show sites how it's done in an adult fashion. Listen I know people might lose some posting time but we have a serious moderating team who want to give this a shot. I believe in them and the people here to do the right thing.

There will be categories and sub categories and will everyone agree? Of course not would I want you to. No! Lol we wouldn't be a community of we all agreed on everything. So baby steps and have some faith that we can do this.;)

So I personally wouldn't worry about who will lose their privs. That is silly we should focus on how we're going to do this in a mature, responsible, and respectable fashion. I believe those who want to participate in these types of discussions can do so. So I'm keeping the glass half full on this and know the staff we'll be there. A lot of people do want to discuss issues that are important to them. Also Storming is a separate beast and will always be pure as the driven snow I will not allow it to be changed from the gem it is. So believe in us people we can try this. What do we have to lose except maybe learning something new from someone. You might surprise yourself.;)

Mahalo!

[CatsAndBats]

Hi Dani. I miss your presence in the magic growing forums, do you hide out with @wharfrat in the weed forum?!

[MycoDani]

Hey Cat I'll pop in there more I promise you! I've been so busy with behind the scenes stuff I haven't been on the boards as much as I like. But for you I'll get in and send some vibes more often. I know how you all love my vibes. :P

Xo-Dani

[Akari]

We are also allowing some Politiking and some Religious/Spiritual/Faith convo now. It's 2016 it's time we change some policy and see how it goes. I know we can do this and have interesting thought provoking conversation.
Cosmic love-Dani

Time for me start posting again. I was ran out of here for being too Guru. Love you Dani. How have you and Bri been?

Edited by Akari, 12 January 2016 - 02:18 PM.

[MycoDani]

Hi Akari I'm glad you're back!

We are doing well! Thanks for asking.:)

Enjoy the new community and looking forward to reading your thoughts!

[SillyCone]

This is a good move, /methinks.

 

I do have faith that we can pull it off.

 

With the changes in consciousness in the world today, it's time we spread a message of love, liberty and personnal growth to others outside our community.

This forum is one of the best starting point for this in the whole world wide web, I know it in my heart.

 

And I'm sure Hippie3 would be proud of what his community has become.

 

I love you my brothers and sisters <3

[Fresh Brewed]

I've gotta say, I complimented H3 on his decision to forbid politics. I worry that it's going to be a problem. One of the best decisions I ever made was to stop discussing politics at work...