Vajra Fist

Actually I don't think we're quite there, but almost. At the moment we're in a sort of golden age, where previously hidden teachings are spread widely, and householders have access to the methods of the monastics. But I can see it heading that way. I just saw a headline - 'Can't meditate? Try mindful cooking'. You even have colouring books touted as offering the same benefits as meditation on the cushion. I think when things are spread widely, there's always a chance that the teachings will become watered down as it becomes more mainstream. Meditation becomes a tool for worldly goals - get promoted at work, visualise prosperity. Even the goal of 'happiness', however laudable, isn't the purpose of the practice. This is why its important we still have authentic teachers from established lineages, so that the original message from the suttas is preserved. The age of dharma ending is to me the point at which that link with the past is lost - people stop knowing the purpose behind the Buddha's methods, and they become watered down to the point of ineffectiveness.

I'm on TRT, but I have no idea what sexual alchemy is I'm afraid. In terms of general libido, there's a very slight improvement. But not as significant as everyone else suggests. Same with energy levels. The only significant difference is a feeling of wholeness. Whereas before I often felt like I would collapse under the slightest ill-will, I now have a lot more emotional integrity. I don't practice daoist alchemy, and honestly I'm not sure if that would be suitable for someone on TRT. But you should probably speak to a teacher about that.

I started off with pure land as my sole practice, and I still see it as very important. Here's my understanding of why. Buddhists believe in rebirth. They say that to be born as a human being is like a one in a million chance. There is a story to illustrate that from the baladanpita sutta, of a blind turtle living at the bottom of the sea and surfacing for air every 100 years. Meanwhile, there is wooden cattle-yoke waiting for it amongst the waves. The likelihood that the turtle pops its head through the hole in the cattle-yoke when surfacing is said to be greater than the likelihood of being reincarnated as a human. So there is a very low probability of being born human. But there must be an infinitely smaller chance of being born with all your physical and mental faculties, in a healthy body and mind. To be born in a country where you're free from the suffering of grinding poverty. My teacher found some statistics, and the chances were so low as to be mind blowing. Then the third layer - being born at a time when the dharma is being spread freely, rather than being jealously guarded in monasteries. And also encountering the dharma and a teacher with whom you have a connection - the possibility is just so minuscule. The point therefore is to say that the opportunity to practice should be grasped with both hands. Practice like your hair is on fire and don't let up. But it still might not be enough. The theravadans have an excellent map for awakening, called the five path model. At the initial stage, it is called stream entry. One who has taken their first steps on the road to awakening. Once you pass this threshold, you will not be reborn in heaven or hell realms, but rather as a human. You will encounter the dharma in each of your subsequent lives and attain full arhatship and liberation from rebirth within seven lifetimes. Some people reach the state of an anigami, or 'non-returner', which is one stage before an arhat. When you reach that level of realisation, in your next life, you will be reborn in the 'pure abodes'. These are like heaven realms, created by buddhas. But they're more like celestial monasteries, or practice environments, than heavens within the three realms. That is to say, there is still the suffering of karma, but it is experienced in such a way that there is no chance of dropping down again into samsara. The pure land tradition is based on several mahayana sutras. In them, it is recorded that Amitabha has vowed to grant rebirth in his own pure abode - sukavati - to those who believe in him and recite his name. Sukavati is a special kind of pure abode, which has levels and degrees. It is said that no two inhabitants of the pure land experience it in the same way. Once you're reborn there, you won't descend to samsara, but will continue to practice until full enlightenment. This may take aeons, but it is assured. In that way, the pure land tradition gained much favour among peasant classes in Asia over the past 1000 years. Those busy householders, or those too burdened by worldly responsibility to enter the monastic life. Interestingly, it is also used as an adjunct for practice in Chan buddhism, which is like Chinese Zen. At the lower levels, it is treated as a safety net in practice. If you cannot achieve (the Chan equivalent of) stream entry in this life, and therefore guarantee enlightenment in your future lives, you will at least be reborn in Amitabha's pure land at death. That way, you will at least not fall further into samsara and become lost in future lives, only encountering the dharma again in a million lifetimes. At a higher level, devotion practice is said to be incredibly useful in crossing the threshold into stream entry. While your own power and drive can carry you most of the way, there comes a point where the ego cannot come with you anymore. A stepping out into the abyss. There's an impasse, where the approach that has carried you so far, cannot take you any further. At this point it helps to have the concept of 'other power'. This is a huge part of Japanese pure land traditions, and describes the effect of surrendering your own ego power and being carried instead by the power of Amitabha's vow. This is a fantastic bridge between the methods leaning up to stream entry and the letting go that must follow. So apologies for the long post. That's my understanding of the importance of pure land not only as a tradition by itself, but also as a supporting practice for meditators.

As a writer, I find chatgpt genuinely horrifying. I can quite clearly see me being out of a job in five to 10 years. When I was younger, when people talked about 'robots taking our jobs' I always assumed it was in relation to manual labour. Now I think that'll be the last type of work left to us, because of the cost and complexity of manufacturing a humanoid machine.

Unrelated, but the fifth precept is also contentious. For instance, in Japanese Buddhism its interpreted as a rule against intoxication, rather than against substances that intoxify. For instance, a small amount of wine is okay, as long as you don't get drunk. Also, the precepts are not so much rules and regulations. But warnings against things that could introduce additional impediments to your practice.

Very nice! Its been a while since I read Beginners Mind. It was the first book I read on meditation about 20 years ago. Still love this description in the chapter on breathing:

With great power comes great responsibility

Yeah it's an interesting one, personally something I've been considering a lot lately. I'm on testosterone replacement therapy at the moment. I lost a bollock a few years back from cancer and I've had androgen deficiency since. I've had reassurances from reputable internal arts teachers that it won't pose a problem, even at the later stages of neigong. But I think the question would always bother me if I took that path. The purpose of working with the body's subtle energies is to bring things into balance. The hormonal system is a major part of that. But injecting synthetic hormones doesn't produce the exact same effect in the body as natural production, should your nuts be working properly. For one, your testosterone levels are high across the entire day, rather than rising and falling in cycles like a normal person's do. I'm not sure how a sophisticated system like neidan would work with that major external influence. But then, how would it work if your body was damaged, and couldn't produce naturally sufficient levels of hormone? Surely that would be as much of an aberration. Also, what about stimulants like caffeine, or depressants like ibuprofen, or a diet insufficient in protein or other micronutrients. Internal arts are hugely complex. It's like trying to put together a sophisticated machine in the dark - you can't see all the parts or how they go together exactly. You need a teacher to guide you. Personally, I've drifted away from Chinese systems and more toward Indic practices. Meditation seems like something that any body can do, and insight doesn't depend on having a perfectly attuned body. Also hatha yoga - it's much less subtle, and there's less of a risk of making a mess internally. But is equally supportive of meditation. Sorry I diverged a bit, not talking specifically about transgender. I have no views on that, just sharing my thoughts on hormone treatment specifically and internal work.

Not familiar with this particular system. But I like Liping a lot. She teaches swimming dragon, and I've spoken a lot with her over it via email. She's kind and honest. I haven't bought any of her workshops - they are pretty expensive. But I do own her (much older) swimming dragon dvds. There is little to no talking or explanation, just the movement shown from different angles. No idea whether that style extends to the workshops too. Might be worth dropping her an email if you have specific questions on the format. She's pretty responsive.

Basically most types of buddhism that emphasise meditation are useful. The methods are open, powerful and proven. Eventually you'll need a teacher to give you advice when things start getting weird, but thankfully most people authorised to teach within a legitimate tradition have a sufficient level of attainment to guide you. In terms of internal practice, most systems you'll find publicly available are mostly for health. The exception is probably when qigong becomes internal alchemy. But teachers are hard to find, often expensive, and the later stages of training normally require a period of in-person apprenticeship.

I just want to underline this comment. It's just so spot on, from a psychological perspective. I would also suggest counselling for anyone who has been involved in this. I have friends who have come from cults who have gone through this process and have found it exceptionally helpful.

Honestly if getting fit, and feeling loose and comfortable in your own skin is your goal, then hatha yoga is probably your best bet. If you're looking for a spiritual path, then qigong is a probably a bit of a minefield.

I would consider it a siddhi if I could be unruffled when the kid was kicking a football against the kitchen cupboards, or else when my boss drops an assignment on me just before the end of my shift. I think the most unusual thing I ever experienced from my meditation was when I pulled my head out of my arse for the first time. I could see very clearly how badly damaged we all are, and full of neuroses. More than anything else, I just wanted to help people with my words and actions. If I could hope for anything supernormal from my practice, it would be to have as my default state that ability to truly see others without any type of filter, and understand how best I can help them.

It's a Thai tantric practice.

Honestly, I'm sure there are symbolic reasons why he is depicted as having blue skin. Perhaps there was some historical cross-pollination between traditions. Knowing that though, wouldn't be an aide to practice. For instance, there are many, many academics who study the ethnographic origins of South Asian religious traditions, who would be able to answer your question more effectively than a handful of people here scouring Google for the answer. But funnily enough, many people studying buddhism at an academic level might not identify as buddhists, or even might be offended if you suggested they were. In other words, buddhism is not an academic practice. In terms of practice, they are different deities, employed in different ways by different traditions. Praying to one does not in any way equate to having a foot in another tradition, and vice versa.

Zen person here - I'd like to say that in Japanese traditions jhana is not the object. I was taught that practicing with eyes closed as in vishuddimaga traditions, is 'makyo' (literally 'devil's cave). In other words its very easy to get distracted by illusory phenomena with eyes closed. Instead eyes are open during meditation practice. In that sense, jhana doesn't arise, but samadhi does.

I accept that visualisation or any form of contrivance might be an impediment to jhana. But what if jhana isn't the goal? For instance Goenka, and to a certain extent Mahasi, teach meditation in such a way that jhana doesn't arise. And yet, there have been, reportedly, many people who have entered the stream through those methods.

So many sweeping statements here! Mindfulness - while doing the dishes, cooking a meal - represents the extension of an object of shamatha in your daily life. It is a practice commonly used in zen monasteries. Chop wood, carry water. Do not become attached to transcendent states. Embody them. Other traditions, like in Pa Auk, instruct monastics to maintain awareness of the breath while off the cushion. That is also an extension of practice, and also a form of mindfulness. I think you're probably referring to the perception that mindfulness of your daily activities can replace sitting practice, which is most probably a misperception. But, like visualisation, it has its place.

I just think sometimes it's just a question of who do you believe more: a tradition that has endured for hundreds or thousands of years, and produced many sages, or the casual dismissal of Adam Mizner or Damo Mitchell. I think there are very few, if any, people in the world who should be able to claim the final word on anything relating to these arts.

I have a great deal of respect for Adam Mizner and I enjoyed the interview. I found myself agreeing with him on most things he said. But I have mixed feelings about him as a person.

I believe her retreats in Spain are taught in a network of semi-underground caves. Very authentic and also perhaps not for everyone. She also teaches extended retreats around the world. From what I gather, the Pa Auk tradition generally suggests extended retreats of several weeks as a minimum for jhana entry. Before diving into a retreat, I'd suggest perhaps working with her directly for a period. She teaches one-on-one online, on a dana basis. She'll get a feel for your character and where you're at, and suggest specific practices for you. She also teaches on a group basis online every month when she's not in retreat, which might be preferable if you just wanted to dip your feet. I'm not a student of hers, but I've spoken to her a few times, mostly over email, and I've always been impressed. She's a very kind person.

For anyone interested in him or his system, he did a fairly wide ranging interview with Guru Viking. Personally I made it about ten minutes into it. Something about how he intuited Advaita Vedanta as a teenager or how his IQ was sky high, just made me feel like I was listening to Donald Trump. Anyway, he has an impressive resume. So worth a listen for some.

For the past month, I've been working with Thanissaro Bhikku's samatha instructions. It started as a sort of experiment, but I think it might stick. https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/breathmed.html I must say, it is an exquisite practice. I'm getting a lot of mileage from it. For those who don't know Ajahn Geoff, he's a student of the Ajahn Lee Thai Forest Lineage. He is responsible for many of the English translations of the Pali suttas we have today, which he hosts on his site: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ His guided meditations are super useful in getting an overview of how the practice works: https://www.dhammatalks.org/mp3_guidedMed_index.html There are also longer 1hr and 90min versions of this on Insight Timer if you have time to sit for longer. His book is free and excellent. With Each & Every Breath: A Guide to Meditation https://www.dhammatalks.org/Archive/Writings/Ebooks/WithEachAndEveryBreath_210603.pdf For me it's really been a game changer. Leaving this here in case it's a help to anyone else

I consider myself a beginner as well - at least I'm at the bottom end of the Dunning-Kruger chart these days It's great to hear your experiences too, especially as someone who has studied directly under a famous teacher. Hope to travel to Wisconsin too one day