Kara_mia

Not casting discredit on the above, stopping karma and its track is impossible unless you practice genuine neidan and have achieved some very high results. In other words, stopping karma and its track means escaping from Samara circle of birth and re-birth and becoming an immortal.

I have a cat. He is very soft and loving. Here he is - cat Harry.

In my humble opinion, you have been talking about psychological "nigredo" as was described by Jung. The real nigredo or sol niger is a stage in western alchemy and I suppose, it can not be experienced unless you are a potent member of a genuine Alchemy Lodge. And I've heard they are extinct and non-existent in our days. Sol niger The body must be dissolved in the subtlest middle air: The body is also dissolved by its own heat and humidity; where the soul, the middle nature holds the principality in the colour of blackness all in the glass: which blackness of Nature the ancient Philosophers called the crows head, or the black sun.

Funny thread, but the thesis is wrong. In Russia, criminals are not the keepers of folk tradition, this is misconception. However, the following is true - in Russia criminals have their own "folk" tradition, in sense of "folk" meaning themes of the urban underclass and criminal underworld. And this "urban underclass" tradition is quite potent and popular in some segments of population.

Thank you for those pictures. Nature is unlimited source of beauty indeed. The more to see, the more to admire.

Well, in fact everything deplete Qi, remember "five thieves"? Those are our five senses, e.g. sight, touch, taste, smell and feel, which are called as the "five thieves" because they all expend or deplete internal energy from the body. Hence, more important is the degree of such depletion. I mean that some music depletes it a lot, and in addition leaves us in chaotic, unbalanced, scattered state. And some music has a wonderful healing effect on our hearts. It makes us healed, soothes and calms down.

I guess, vaping is similar to regular (traditional smoking) in that it has negative effect on health. But may be lesser than traditional cigarettes.

I haven't got first hand experience, never smoked dope myself, but what I have heard is that smoking cannabis depletes kidneys, i.e. depletes Qi.

Actually, puer is unique i that it could be drank not only in winter time, but all over the year. It indeed helps to warm up and feel replenished.

Agree, not elements but movements. Also some of them have double or paired principle, for example water - living and dead water. Dead water - chaos, and living water - the Dao itself. However, before researching Wu Xing, a Ho Tu should be researched, because Wu Xing comes from Ho tu: The Heavenly One gave birth to the Water, The Earthly Two gave birth to the Fire, etc.

In fact, according to Taoist treatises, the unborn body is acquired when a uniform and single soul ling gets into the palace of Qian (which is the head). Then there it divides into Hun and Po. The balance and interaction between Kan and Li transforms Hun and Po.

Oh, yes, homemade chicken stock is the best.

Useful thread, thanks a lot. Some health tips from TCM for you: 1. Quit smoking, have less wine or coffee. 2. Keep away from allergens and crowded public places. 3. Choose a light diet, and eat less greasy, fried and spicy food. 4. Adjust the body to accommodate to weather. 5. Sleep well, and keep exercising. 6. Keep placid mind.

Ginger infuse could be a good alternative.

I agree with Gerard - excellent rules, very useful. As for the question that was raised in a topic, specifically, are hot soups the best meal to have to build Qi, I should say that hot soups are very good in this. Especially, if they are master soups like Chinese soups, that are cooked for many hours in order to accumulate ample amount of Qi. Those hot soups are great for building postnatal Qi and supplying kidneys.

Thanks a lot, will check interview section.

It's a very good practice indeed. Unforunately, not so many people realize that walking is a practice and could benefit a lot. In addition, walking is suitable for almost everyone, I can't think of any deviation to appear from walking. I agree with Pavel that walking in nature is the best. Sometimes, I take a walk before going to bed and then sleep like a child. For me, a leasurely strall after a long day is a treat.

Excellent idea, beautiful banner!

Thanks you, nice words! Balance is somewhere in between extremities.

Wise words! I agree that in Asia, in particular in China eating culture is much more sophisticated than in West. Also I believe that decision what to eat and when to eat should be based on inner feelings and sensations. Such sensitivity if applied in life would make it so much better and fuller.

I've read somewhere that third eye opens itself if a person is doing genuine alchemy practice. No work on opening a third eye is required - it will open when enough energy to be accumulated through practice and it is also a sign that practice goes well. Best regards, Kara

What a beauty... Nature is a miracle around us.

Beautiful creature indeed. Thank you for the picture.

I practiced only three of six healing sounds - a sound for heart, a sound for spleen/stomach and a sound for kidneys. Those are the easiest ones. I\ve been told that the other three are quite challenging in that if practice them wrong, a deviation may occur. From my experience with the former 3 sounds - they are quite powerful and can benefit health if practiced correctly and regularly.

In my humble opinion, there is no right answer to your question from us. You should consider whether its ok to lie based on your intuition and your conscience. This is the same principle in any ambiguous situations. Because if you lie it might be wrong, and if you don't lie in a specific situation, it also might be wrong. However, very few can say that they have good intuition. And I am personally not among those who are the lucky ones