BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: autolycus
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 05:53 PM

songster, are you trying to start a n urban legend, or passing one on?

I know/met someone who............................

   Still think the thread title reads rather like Why is a mouse when it spins?

Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bee
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 02:47 PM

I've never understood why suffering is supposed to be so darn good for a person. Sure, one in a million might become saintlike, but some also become evildoers themselves, and the vast majority try to put it behind them and just endure nightmares and phobias the rest of their lives.

It's quite possible to become a person who does great good without having first been tortured half to death by demons or disease.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: GUEST,songster
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 06:48 AM

Little Hawk have you ever read any books by 'Tuesday Lobsang Rampa'
He was a buddhist monk and has had many lives and was challenged to prove it by the Dali Lama, which he did. His books are all about his many lives (sounds a bit far fetched, but very interesting reading) he apparently at present is a plumber from Cork.I kid you NOT!
songster

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 09:54 PM

Actually, I would prefer to have my airline pilot believe in reincarnation. He would be more likely to be very careful since he would understand that if his actions resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent people he'd probably be reincarnated as a garden slug.

Anyone who thinks of suicide as karmic hot-wiring exhibits a total lack of understanding of karma plus a high degree of garden variety insanity. Most believers in reincarnation also believe that enduring suffering is an essential part of climbing the karmic ladder. Checking out early only takes one back to the bottom rung.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 08:58 PM

Why would the pilot's belief in reincarnation be dangerous to your surviving your flight, Donuel?

Seems to me that someone who is that tired of life might be just as willing to confront the oblivion of complete non-existence as to prepare for another trip around the karmic wheel and have to go through things like infancy and childhood all over again. ;-)

Remember how frustrating it is to be a little kid and not be in charge of anything whatsoever, including your own hypothetical (but never realized) decisions? I sure do!

I would be quite reluctant to go through that again. I value my sovereignty very highly.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 08:40 PM

I would come back as a kudzu vine. Then nobody'd never be able to get rid of me again.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 05:22 PM

Songster, while I do not accept the concept of wholesale reincarnation I do however believe some people have old souls.

I also do not like certain other people to believe in reincarnation...such as the pilot of my flight.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 04:06 PM

Yup, songster. There have been quite a number of interesting cases like that. Of course people will argue till they're blue in the face to prove it couldn't possibly be true or to provide some alternative explanation of it, however unlikely, but all they are really doing is what EVERYONE does. They're standing up for their already formed opinion on the bloody subject!!! ;-)

Nothing more to it than that, I can assure you. Everybody knows they're already "right" about everything like that. Just ask 'em!

The memories I've had of other lives have been fragmentary...but convincing enough. The only thing that disturbs me about it is that I am probably going to have to come back here YET AGAIN after this life ends.

Sheesh. As if I hadn't had enough of it by now. I'd rather just stay "out there" in the ether indefinitely, I think.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: GUEST,songster
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:10 PM

I guess seeing as I started this thread I had better put myself in the picture,
I would like to come back as a 'Butcher's Dog'
no need to explain or give any reasons.
Little Hawk there are some folk who can recall past lives quite clearly. I have met a woman who claimed she could recall three former lives and slight memories of possibly a fourth or more. Her son (a friend of a friend) was so fed up hearing her go on about it
he researched one of the men she claimed she had been in a former life and without telling her, took her to where this man had lived.
She was able to name most of the people who lived in the street, what happend to them (how they died etc) and actually pointed to a tree and said as a boy carved his initials and date on a branch near the top of the tree. Her grandson climbed the tree and was able to make out the name and date.
I still think I'd prefer to be a Butcher's Dog!
songster

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 12:14 PM

I think the reason you don't remember all that stuff from the other incarnations, Bill, is because if you did it would play merry hell with your ability to concentrate properly on what you're dealing with right now! ;-)

Now take my case. I have remembered a few bits and pieces of some of the other incarnations, and has it tended to confuse the issues of the here and now from time to time? Yes, I think it has, although that's debatable (it might have helped me in gaining some insight into my present motivations). You see, I might be better off if I could not remember anything from those other times. But I'm not sure if that is so.

At any rate, I'd still rather be wind, waves, and sunlight next time and not be in a human body anymore at all. But perhaps I'll change my mind about that later. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 10:55 AM

I think probably a highly successful virus.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 10:53 AM

"..one life just ain't enough. ;-) Not near enough."

But...I can't remember anything from all those previous incarnations you say I've had. I want ONE long one.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Grab
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 10:44 AM

Springer spaniel, no question about it. You get bags of energy all day, you spend most of your time in rivers or bushes or muddy puddles, and your owner doesn't expect you to show much in the way of intelligence. All they expect from you is affection and love of a good time.

A labrador would be nice, but they're sometimes expected to be responsible and look after people. No-one expects a spaniel to be responsible.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:15 AM

I think its cos I never had a pogo stick when I was a kid. Or even had a go on one. But it looked fun.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:13 AM

I always thought being a kangaroo looks fun - all that jumping about. As long as you were somewhere safe where they treated you nice , like in a zoo. don't fancy being hunted for dogmeat.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: autolycus
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 02:27 AM

Talking about Kisses,

   "Never go to bed with a girl, otherwise it'll lead to kissing, and in the end, you'll have to talk to her" (Steve Martin)


   Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 12:19 AM

You learn things in every successive incarnation too, Bill, cos one life just ain't enough. ;-) Not near enough.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 10:27 PM

Nope...never old enough, Bert. I've learned something every year of my life....another 5000 and I oughta be durn near passable.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bee
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 10:05 PM

Bert, don't hold yer breath. It's my first real attempt at writing a anything that long, and I frequently get really stuck. But the encouragement is welcome.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bert
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 09:14 PM

a Bristlecone Pine... Aren't you old enough already Bill? *HEE HEE*

Bee, let us know when you get that story finished. We all want to read it.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 08:02 PM

Yup. At the right moment...and in the right way...a kiss IS everything. No doubt about it.

Life ain't nothin' much without the magic of romance. That's my opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: gnu
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 07:42 PM

Don't let that bug you.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 07:31 PM

Ummmmmm... Has Morgan Fairchild's bath water been taken yet???

If not, mark it out to me, thank you...

(Bad, Boberdz, bad...)

No, make that the P-Vine's bath water...

B;~)

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 06:58 PM

Sure...you bang your head long enough, you get a few bugs to eat!

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 05:24 PM

"Woodpeckers seem like kind of obsessive little creatures to me, always beating their heads against an unyielding wall...kind of like the Mudcatters who post obsessively on the political threads here." LH

Ah, Little Hawk, that only shows how little we understand- have you ever seen a skinny woodpecker? So, obviously, its head banging is productive. And perhaps, so are those Mudcatters.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 05:22 PM

The bee is such a busy soul
It has no time for birth control.
And that is why, in time like these
There are so many sons of bees.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: GUEST,Appaloosa Lady
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 05:14 PM

Absolutely Bill!

In fact, A Kiss, is *Everything*

*smile*

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 05:09 PM

Is a kiss an 'anything'?

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 05:08 PM

Darned right it's a good thing elephants can't jump! (for both them and us)

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: GUEST,Appaloosa Lady
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:51 PM

A Kiss...I'd come back as a kiss.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:50 PM

Wood & trees are my passion in my later life....perhaps I'll return as a Bristlecone Pine so I can hang about a few thousand years and see how it all goes. (and they don't worry much about looks!)

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: gnu
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:44 PM

sIx... I have heard that elephants are one of the few, if not the only, animals with legs that cannot jump. Which I think is a good thing.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: John Hardly
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:39 PM

I'd rather swing on a star and carry moonbeams home in a jar.

But if I can't do that, I'll come back as Big Mick's dog. Better get yourself a leg guard, Mick. I intend to do a lot of legs when I come back as a dog.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bee
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:38 PM

T'anks, LH.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:19 PM

Woodpeckers seem like kind of obsessive little creatures to me, always beating their heads against an unyielding wall...kind of like the Mudcatters who post obsessively on the political threads here. ;-)

But, anyway...

If you want to read a couple of really neat and enjoyable books on Taoist philosophy, Bee, go to any reasonably good bookstore and you will find in paperback the following two books:

"The Tao of Pooh"
"The Teh of Piglet"

They are both written by Benjamin Hoff, they're a joy to read, and you can get them in inexpensive paperback editions. Read "Pooh" first, then follow up with "Piglet".

And if you do, PM me later and tell me what you think about them.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:19 PM

I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
If I could

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: autolycus
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:15 PM

My therapy is closetst to Taoism - Shit happens.

I think the Tao (which can't be named) is just reality.


must chuck in W.S.Gilbert's limerick


   There was an old man of St.Bees

   Got stung in the arm by a wasp

   When asked does it hurt

   he replied No it doesn't

   I'm so glad ur wasn't a hornet.



   Ideal after the limericks have got to a plateau of rudeness whoile drun -ish


   Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bee
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 04:11 PM

Thanks, LH - maybe I should read some Taoist literature, since I've read very little, and I'm getting kind of stuck between biology and mysticism, hence the story's been stewing on my hard drive while my protagonist hibernates through a long winter. ;-)

Gnu, be careful when you come back then! A completely pacifistic and nature loving friend of mine got up one morning at five AM, after a straight fifteen days of being woken by the persistent hammering of a large woodpecker on the side of the house right next to his bed, vowing to take after the bird from hell with his 22.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 03:46 PM

gnu .... an alcholic woodpecker ... LOL .... imagine the headaches.

me ... I'd comeback as an elephant.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 03:46 PM

Bee - That's a wonderful idea for a story. I love it! Have you read any Taoist literature? Your idea would fit it rather well in Taoist philosophy, as would mine about being the wind, the flowing water, or the sunshine.

The thing I most value is absolute freedom...combined with harmony. I do not seek conflict. I do not wish to either "win" or "lose", I simply wish to be free and in a state of peacefullness.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: autolycus
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 03:36 PM

My mistake, comma after 'rather'.



Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: gnu
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 03:08 PM

Subject: RE: BS: The thread that asks a question.
From: Bryn Pugh - PM
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 06:46 AM

Which would you rather be, or a wasp ?

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: autolycus
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 02:36 PM

The thread question itself is wonderfully wackily-worded.

Unless you put a comma after 'bee'.


Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 02:36 PM

As an American, I am often mistaken for a WASP...

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: gnu
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 02:23 PM

I am coming back as an alcoholic woodpecker.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Becca72
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 02:22 PM

I definitely would want to come back as a housecat...provided my owner spoiled me as rotten as I spoil my own housecats. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 02:21 PM

A nightingale - then I could REALLY sing!

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Bee
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 02:14 PM

Bee's kinda obvious, ain't it.

I would like to come back as a whale, but I'm not sure which kind. Preferably one not significantly hunted by anyone.

Little Hawk, you might like this: I've been trying rather sporadically to write a story about a possibly murdered woman who has, through a strange circumstance reanimated as an entire meadow, with all it's grasses and insects and other little critters able to be activated as her senses, eyes, ears and so on. She very slowly assembles memories of her former self, but is continually distracted by her life as a meadow and the seasonal changes in her physical self, such as having all her 'senses' wander off or go to sleep as winter approaches.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 01:40 PM

I think it would be nice to come back as the wind. Or as flowing water. Or as sunshine. Always free. Always changing.

Subject: RE: BS: what would you rather bee or a wasp?
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 01:24 PM

tsk, tsk, Biggie.

I would choose to be a raven. They are community oriented, they enjoy life hugely, they are vocal and articulate, they love the wind and the wild places.