Hi hartreefoch,
Many thanks for your thoughts. I suppose I am veering more in the direction of cultivating a letting go of material desire in the sense that for the moment I feel that for me, deprogramming (ie stepping outside of the programme) is possibly more fundamental then reprogramming (which would imply that I am still caught in the programme) - although perhaps this is too abstract and idealistic a notion - when can I really know that I am not still in the trance/dream? But I suppose cultivating a lucid dreaming state would at least come a close second to being fully awake...
I can imagine that AFL would really help to enhance awareness of the cyclical cause/effect dynamic that we live in and how to work best within that on its own terms. I suppose I am instead drawn to the "emptiness" or "suchness" aspect of Chinese/Japanese thought which is drawing focus instead to the sense of essence behind the material, an essence which nonetheless also permeates the material. As I said already, perhaps this is too abstract/idealistic, but I'm going with it for now. I've been particularly interested in this area from a healing perspective and have come across some interesting writing linking quantum physics with Eastern thought (such as Fritjof Capra's Tao of Physics). What brought me to this forum in the first place was of course Chunyi Lin's book. I think I will move forward with that for now. I have begun looking into some translations of the Tao Te Ching and I Ching and have also just managed to locate a Tai Chi Chuan school in my local area.
I think that forums like these are really great - as they bring so many insights and perspectives together in one place. For the record, I have found your criticisms/contributions so far (at least those I've read) to be very insightful - particularly into the "realities" of human nature and its various tendencies. Rather than being in any way negative, I think it shows that you are aware and considerate of the wide and diverse fabric of the "material", and are able to keep that in mind when applying some of the (sometimes quite abstract) concepts put forward at this forum.
You've also got a great sense of humour! (irony does betray a sensitive soul at the end of the day, though it is often lost on many!)
Thanks again.
best wishes
Ingrid