Jodistrict

"Watch this powerful documentary, Meditation in Progress: The Dhamma Brothers, showcasing the impact of Vipassana meditation on inmates in an Alabama prison. See how meditation transforms their lives, providing a rare look into the challenges faced by the inmates."

This is the text of the “Soldier’s Declaration”, written in 1917 by Siegried Sassoon, who had distinguished himself for bravery in combat in World War I . “I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe that the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it. I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on behalf of soldiers. I believe that this war, upon which I entered as a war of defence and liberation, has now become a war of aggression and conquest. . . . I have seen and endured the sufferings of the troops, and I can no longer be a party to prolong these sufferings for ends which I believe to be evil and unjust.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siegfried_Sassoon

One thing to keep in mind is that at that time there was no such thing as a “world” war. They had no idea what they were getting into. It was a militaristic culture and it was assumed there would be a conventional war that would be resolved. Technology had created an integrated world that created unknown consequences.

This is a big difference in actual practice. For example, Vedanta (and Buddhism) are both body negative. In Buddhism there are meditations to contemplate how disgusting the body is. Tantra is body positive, everything about the body is divine.

He will be housed long-term in a Vulnerable Prisoner Unit (VPU) separated from the main prison population. He will be safe. Boredom will be a problem. The amount of money he can bring into prison is strictly limited. Here is an interesting discussion of Brand’s possible life with input provided by ex cons. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1xrz8bo/uk_ex_cons_what_is_russel_brands_prison_sentence/

There is a difference in that the Vedanta view is specifically for renunciates, that is people who renounce the world. Kashmir Shaivism is the path of tantra, as the view of the householder who lives in the world. The tantra path is to regard every experience in the world to reach liberation.

It has nothing to do with his politics, but these conspiracy theories are amazingly affective since there are so many low intelligent people in the world. This is consistent with UK actions, back in 2016, they barred the PUA Rooshv from entering the country. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/02/50000-sign-petition-to-ban-events-by-pick-up-artist-and-legal-advocate

In Kashmir Shaivism, the universe is a dream, but it is a deliberate, lucid dream generated by Shiva's own absolute freedom (Svatantrya) and joy (Ananda). You do not escape the dream; you achieve lucidity within it. Liberation (Jivanmukti) is realizing that you are the author of the dream, walking around inside your own creation.

Kashmir Shaivism solves this by stating that Unity is not static: Unity is dynamic. God has two inseparable aspects: Shiva (perfect stillness) and Shakti (the dynamic power to manifest, percieve and take form). The "physical" is simply choosing to take a concrete shape through Shakti's powers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/217884362608282/posts/396184704778246/

Kashmir Shaivism has a grounded philosophy and believes in a physical world. It is the view of the tantra path. The vedanta path (all is illusion) is the path of renunciation. Kashmir Shaivism is radically life-affirming. Because the physical world is made of Shiva's energy, nothing is inherently impure or separate from God. A practitioner does not need to flee society or renounce the senses.

Kashmir Shaivism is non-dual and believes physical reality is real.

Personally I am highly skeptical of anything new age. But this guy is becoming popular. I was wondering what you think of him.

The short answer is power dynamics. Brand uses his massive online platform to spread conspiracy theories directly to millions of his followers. The victims were terrifed of being doxed, harassed, or attacked by his fanboys. That fear is entirely rational. Brand used his media power to silence his victims. This is similar to how Alex Jones unleashed massive abusive from his followers onto the Sandy Hook victims.

Of course Brand will appeal. But success is unlikely. The judge gave detailed instructions to the jury. The jury acquitted on some of the charges and it is evident that they carefully considered every charge individually. Also the judge’s sentence was very meticulous and carefully considered. He even reduced the rape charge by one year. It wasn’t an excessive sentence. And as for the the incompetent Barrister argument, see below. Brand still is apparently unrepentant and has zero empathy for his victims and it has come back to bite him in the ass. Karma comes around. The Incompetence Argument is Blocked by Brand’s Instructions The sentencing judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, explicitly addressed the trial's aggressive, victim-blaming defense strategy during sentencing. In a direct statement to Brand, the judge noted: "That was all done because of you, on your instructions." Under UK law, if a defendant gives their barrister specific instructions—such as telling them to aggressively attack the victims' credibility or push a particular narrative—the defendant cannot later claim the barrister was incompetent for following those instructions. Brand directly authorized the "attack-dog" cross-examination strategy that ultimately backfired with the jury.