oak

Is there a dog in every cat ? ...Is there a cat in every dog... ?

It's amazing what solar panels can achieve...

in case anyone is still following this thread... First of all congratulations qicat for starting it. What I have to say is the following: Unless you go through some sort of preliminary death of the ego and you find yourself in a really dark place, without being able to get out of there by yourself, how can you ever be convinced that something "higher" guides and takes care of yourself? To me that is the only true initiation there is. A lot of people may not agree with me but they're free to have their own opinion. Some random episode: when I started my DDJ studies, one night when I picked up the book I was attacked by what it seemed to be an invisible enraged dog. Yes, it was a very frightening experience that only showed me that I was doing the right thing and should keep at it.

As much as i would like tai chi and contemplating nature to be my primary practices they're not! With few time to myself at this point in my life i need to be adaptive and practice what I can with the life that is given to me. So... after many internal struggles with myself because it is not , in any way, quite the contrary, a daoist internal practice I've finally let my instinct lead the way and started having as a primary practice 100 push-ups a day. I do them 3 at a time which makes me breath deeply for about half hour giving me the energy I need to keep up with my stressful life. A cold shower follows. Also pray everyday, Also try to be as mindful as I can of sensations in every short break that I have. Also, during the long trips on the passengers seat of my boss's car I keep practicing mentally my tai chi and my hatha-yoga, and... do I notice improvments in my practice? yes I do. Also find a few moments for walking meditation almost everyday.

People living an adventure as they walk happily and freely through the Appalachian Trail. When you are enslaved in front of a computer for 12 hours a day how can you not like this?

Not yet but will in the future. Also, being the hands such a vital part of our bodies it gives me confidence in knowing That shifu Chris learned the technique from the legendary iron palm master James Mcneil who doesn't seem to be developing problems with his hands as he's entering old age. If you're really interested get in contact with shifu Chris. He's a very available person

Check Shifu Chris Lomas https://www.ironpalmproductions.com/course-category/iron-palm-and-iron-body/

Hi Michael,, long time no see... Had a curious and changing experience today which somehow _ but not only_ reminded me of your posts. I guess I've always had a fascination for people that are/were able to master physical pain,like the late Jack Swartz. Physical pain being the most feared thing in life, if someone could master that, than everything else would seem much more easy to deal with. Lately I've been having accute toothaches and today like usually tried to manage that through several relaxation and detachment technniques. Those not working and with my stomach complaining for an overdose of aspirin, tried exactly that: to focus on the pain, not rejecting it, not wanting to change it, experiencing it in its detail like it was a pleasurable sensation. Only allowed myself to breath a little more deeply because it wasn't an easy process. Well, little by little, what it took like 15 minutes the pain solved as well as the infection... Life changing experience! I guess now I have a lot of exploring to do now that I have experienced this Thank you for your sugestions Michael!

Does anyone know of a good, reliable source of information regarding the effects of music in the human mind/body?

It sure sounds great...

Lots of useful information that I will surely check when I have the time. Thanks thelerner.

By the way MH you are my top nº1 Dj in da house! Sebastian Bach would strangle you but what did he know about music anyway

This is a great thread. It took me a long while to find it again as it has been dormant for awhile. So much to learn from each other here. Thank you thelerner and everyone else. Here goes something worthwhile trying

Old Bones Out there walking round, looking out for food, a rootstock, a birdcall, a seed that you can crack plucking, digging, snaring, snagging, barely getting by, no food out there on dusty slopes of scree— carry some—look for some, go for a hungry dream. Deer bone, Dall sheep, bones hunger home. Out there somewhere a shrine for the old ones, the dust of the old bones, old songs and tales. What we ate—who ate what— how we all prevailed. --Gary Snyder

Well, zen sayings, like oaks, have many layers if one takes the time to examine them like you do

Had to share this, it may be helpful to someone. It's about how Steven Benitez healed himself from a severe knee injury. Starts at about 8:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh4bmEUzwCY

It would be a good investment of your time. Plenty of food for thought, and of course, you should be the one to chew it. Best of luck

Unlike with the DDJ, with which I enjoy the book as a whole, chuang tzu''s compilation doesn't speak to me the same way. However, there are chapters such as this one that just make me Wow ! The beauty and deepness... Thank you Marblehead

Already knew the video just wonderful Thank you so much for the pdf kar3n. It seems just like what I was looking for.

"Fear is a bad guest when not welcomed." -- Maremmano

Garlic is a great immune system booster, among other things, and I try to take at least two cloves every day. My stomach doesn't get along well with garlic supplements. The only drawback may be (for cultivators) increased sexual desire. A few years ago I watch a great BBC documentary about an experiment done with people suffering from erectile dysfunction. The results were great, all of them recovered. Tried to find the documentary on the web but couldn't. Leave you with a link with some information in case you're interested http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/truthaboutfood/healthy/erectiledysfunction.shtml