So far this wiki/forum has been doing fairly well, but from time to time we get threads that get way too much attention, though being basically about not much. Also, from time to time - and it will grow as our member base grows - we get posts that seek attention in a personal manner, trying to present one's own story and one's very own angle - usually not an original one, and often flatly uninformed - only to argue about this or that point while losing all sight of what this whole thing is about in the first place, namely goal-oriented practice and non-speculative, non-dogmatic exchange of dharmic tips and tricks. So let me quote from Dan's intro:

"...pragmatism over dogmatism, diligent practice over blind faith, openness regarding what the techniques may lead to, a lack of taboos surrounding talking about attainments, and the spirit of mutual, supportive adventurers on the path..."

So, how do you see us moving in that direction and gently restoring such movement whenever we find the discussion straying into biographic irrelevance, obsession over personal feelings and opinions, entertaining speculation over ill-understood concepts, guessing instead of finding out, and wishcraft instead of vigorous practice? How do we cultivate not just courteous, not even just conscious, but enlightened communication?

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Imaging a world where the dharma was just like anything else you wanted to learn, like playing piano or mathematics. You studied with people who were not afraid to tell you what they were capable of, you practiced techniques that everyone expected to work, you talked honestly with your fellow dharma adventurers about what was going and helped each other to progress, you attained to the expected results, and when you did so, you were not ridiculed or made to shut up about it, but instead were viewed as one more successful practitioner of the art who was there to support those coming up and also still learning from others. This is my vision of the dharma, and I know it could be like that because I have experienced it, just on limited scales with small groups of people. That's the kind of world I hope to promote, and this is one small step in that direction. I hope this site will facilitate the discussion of how to make that world a reality. -Daniel

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