Vajra Fist

Any news of an initiation in the UK this year?

Im so sorry for the news of your father. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you. If I were in the same situation, I would play the Amitabha mantra to him, in order to give him the most fortunate rebirth. In Pure Land buddhism, chanting the mantra for someone on their death bed is the greatest gift you can give them. But follow what feels right. You have my sincere best wishes.

There's bits on the Flying Phoenix thread about Sifu Terry filming his DVD at Stonehenge, as I recall.

Massive congratulations Olga

Just speaking bagua, I'd say Liu Jing Ru in China, He Jinghan in Taiwan, or Serge Augier in France.

Each mantra is associated with a Buddha or Boddhisattva. Chose one, stick to it. Aim to recite it a million times. My personal recommendation is om mani padme hum, associated with Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin, Chenrezig). It is one of the most widely maintained mantras in Asia, yet is one of the most powerful. Because Guan Yin is the 'one who hears thr cries of the world', if your heart and intention is pure you will experience immediate benefits. It can open your heart, lift your spirit, deepen your meditation. Because of the great compassion of the deity associated with the mantra, you cannot experience any ill effects from it, as long as you have a modicum of respect (not chanting while using a toilet, for instance - but even then). I would describe it as a panacea. I practice Pure Land, so my focus is on reciting the name of Amitabha, but I still maintain the mani mantra when I can because of its power and beauty. Best of luck

What was the reading you got back from it?

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Another V Origin thread. It's like wack-a-mole

As far as I know, Wind above the Clouds is only one repetition per breath control sequence.

Sadly it doesn't seem like you can get that legal lsd analogue in the UK. I am mightily interested in microdosing.

As a buddhist, I would say that all the merit we accumulate from meditation and qigong is transformed into material rewards in the next life. As long as you have karma, even if it's only as light as a grain of sand, you will be trapped in samsara. If you're not reborn as a diva, you can end up rich and not giving a damn about anyone in the next life, creating more karma. Then in the life after that you're in an even worse state than you are now. So it cycles on and on. I think now that you have the good fortune to find a means of liberation, you should make every effort to succeed in this life. Or else make a vow to dedicate all your accumulated merits to be reborn in the Pure Land for further cultivation. Of course though, no one knows what happens after death. We either trust the words of realised cultivators from the past, or we wait for our own experience.

Has anyone tried the new Five Elements form from Chunyi Lin? I have the original level one and it came across as a qi building and strengthening practice rather than purifying and cleansing. This new DVD seems to fall in the latter camp. Tempted to invest but at $130 it's not an impulse purchase. Anyone have any experience with it?

Kevin, I had my diagnosis this afternoon at a local TCM practitioner. She said I have signs of spleen qi deficiency and cold-damp. Is it possible to treat the condition solely through diet? Can I switch to eating foods like quinoa/amaranth/cabbage/mushrooms/sweet potato/natto plus lots of green tea, and exercise? Or would I need to take herbal medicine to see real change? Thanks

Regarding seated 8 brocades, Simon Blow teaches his wudang seated set for free on youtube

I'm sure tao stillness will come back with a few recommendations but off the top of my head the 1000 buddha qigong from here is a seated form: http://www.linggui.org/order-book-dvd/ Plus the Blossoms in the Spring qigong from plumpub: https://www.plumpub.com/sales/dvd/dvdcoll_chikung1.htm You can get a rough overview of the form here: https://youtu.be/jzQAPTB_iBA The red dragon seated forms are nice from WBBM, as well as the Golden Mantis seated form.

Yes I was also going to recommend 'Daoist dietics' by Livia Kohn

Sorry to resurrect this thread. Does anyone know where to get the sheet music/tab for this?

I would say that regardless of your system, whether nei dan or vajrayana, I would advice reciting the name of Amitabha. Chances of success in most systems is normally one in a hundred, or worse. Even if you have only the finest grain of karma left at the end of your life you will be caught in samsara. In your next life you may be reincarnated into a wealthy life, and commit evils. In your third incarnation you will be worse off than you are now. However by reciting the buddha's name with the wish to be reborn in the Pure Land for further cultivation, will place you in a state of nonretrogression. That's why in Chinese Zen they combine the buddha name recitation with dhyana. The recitation acts as a safety net if cultivation cannot be completed in this lifetime. The same would go for other systems of cultivation.

What's behind the shift Jeff?

I recently started reading 'Live Long, Live Well' by Peter Deadman. Beautiful book, all about the Chinese yangsheng (nourishment of life) tradition.

Very cool, thank you so much. Would you advise to stay away from all tonics if one has excessive appetite/weight issues? Is it possible to self diagnose via TCM?

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Interesting stuff. Do you have any links?

Thanks for sharing your experience Kevin. Fascinating stuff. In your opinion, do reishi and jiaogulan fall into the kitchen herbs category, or should they be prescription only?