Aetherous

Or spiritual teachers.

It's hard to help anyone when you can't even help yourself.

To be in a state of mind of intending to curse others attracts negativity to oneself. It's an icky state of mind comparatively (all ethical considerations aside). It's best to maintain a policy of only benefiting oneself and others, in thought speech and deed, for the sake of your own peacefulness. Or for the sake of others, if you're so compassionately inclined. Taking your tentacles off of others (not cursing them for instance) also causes their tentacles to be taken off of you...the result being more peace and solitude. I like the idea that liminal luke had, of sending love. Buddhists have instructions on that kind of thing, whether metta or loving-kindness practice, or tonglen practice. Martial arts were brought up...if there is physical self defense, then there is also spiritual. But it should be clear that spiritual self-defense does not involve plummeting yourself down into the murky depths (of intending to harm others). That's literally the opposite of what you should do...since that action opens you up for being attacked, and also hurts you in the process, even if the other remains untouched by the curse. Only saying this in an attempt to help. The self-destructive path can seem like the right choice at times, and it's good to be steered toward a better way.

Try slow cooking your oats overnight, and see how that is on your stomach. ...but on second thought, with the other things you're eating with the paleo diet (that are not easy for digestion), you should be able to handle it.

https://archive.org/details/onheightsofhimal00vandiala

I've heard that comedians often have a very rough inner life.

I'm glad someone posted about this...can't imagine a person who feels nothing regarding his death.

I think this version from a Hindu Tantric school makes the most sense (my understanding of it may not be totally correct, apologies)... pinky = root chakra...earth ring = 2nd chakra/sexual forces/kundalini...water middle = 3rd and heart chakra...fire index = throat chakra/sense of self...air thumb = head (third eye and crown)...ether It's structurally, energetically, and elementally in order. I've also seen that in Ayurveda they correspond the classical elements to those fingers. Also, in my opinion, in TCM wood relates to wind and metal to ether.

I think that what's considered healthy isn't always healthy...but if you do some unhealthy things, you might end up being healthier because it's what you're supposed to do anyway. At least sometimes. I'm talking about spontaneity (good) versus rigidity (not so good).

Motivations for why we practice make all of the difference. In Buddhism, they remember why they practice before doing anything (to benefit others) as well as dedicate all of the merit of the work to others. Such a motivation for practicing and studying something is definitely moving into the light. On the other hand, and I'm guilty of this myself, we have idle curiosity and spiritual materialism...growing an ego that has to do with spirituality as a way of gaining power over others. This can be a strong motivation in the beginning, and may even continue for a long time as it has for me...it causing you to study and practice ways that transform you into something better is a good thing. The ends justify the means, and eventually you end up having the right motivation, I would think. But newagers are basically people who are still stuck in spiritual materialism mode. They are facilitators of some secret ancient shamanic healing method that they can do for you for some fee, or something. The philosophies they live by are basically all partial truths, and are damaging to maintain...for instance relying on feeling vibes to make decisions. If you look at their lives, and their health...they could all be better off. So yeah basically, the right motivation isn't there...and I'm not only referencing Buddhism with that. Newage motivation is too self centered and ineffective. But yeah it's nice that they're trying.

Very interesting so far. I agree with someone who said that watching these things often can make one less sane. "Down the rabbit hole" is also a saying for getting in over your head with synchronicities and delusions...it can be hard to tell those apart at a certain point. Connecting the dots when they aren't truly there. On the other hand, sometimes the dots do intentionally connect in subtle ways...whether by human beings, the subconscious, or others. And it can be interesting.

Please stay, friend.

I love free weights (barbell squats, deadlifts, etc)...but I ended up going too heavy at a certain point, and tried to push through pains when I should have taken a day off and stretched. So my knee got messed up and I haven't been able to lift for maybe 9 months now. I'm finally at the point where I can try again since my knee is better, so perhaps I'll find a gym soon at the place I just moved to. Lifting gives great results in terms of how you look and feel, so I think it's totally in line with the Tao. Whatever works. The problem is just going beyond moderate levels and not being flexible in certain ways. Injuries only happen if you're lazy and think it can't happen to you/that you've always been fine. It's important to have flexible: hamstrings (so that the lower back isn't strained when squatting), hip adductors (so the knees can spread apart without tugging on the pelvis during the squat), quads (so the kneecaps can function correctly), and hip flexors (so the pelvis won't be abnormally rotated and screw up the whole body's posture). Some people like the bulky bodybuilder look. I naturally have too much of a bulky look, so I aim toward moderate intensity...which can give results similar to how any other athlete looks, lean, rather than bulky (fat faced). When you push yourself beyond what you should be doing is when the bulk comes...as well as when you eat too much/too bad. Anyway...there is something about a barbell working bilaterally (rather than a dumbbell for instance working one arm at a time), as well as about whole body resistance against gravity while standing on the ground (closed kinetic chain). Those two factors combined give really good results, even if it's simply an empty bar you're using. It builds the nervous system.

Bump 4 votes.

Doing that, as you can tell, is definitely not The Way.

Thanks for your answers, alchemist. I will make a separate thread asking everyone here if they're interested in attending a Wuliupai seminar in the USA, just to see if there is enough interest. I understand about how some schools don't advertise as a rule, and that there are a lot of false methods out there.

It's best that you assume none of this means anything. Then things go back to normal, and normal is advanced. Assuming that these things mean something opens the door for delusions...one realizes this when sitting in a psych ward (hmm, perhaps I was wrong about that stuff). Let go of experiences...they pass, which means they're not to be trusted! What stays is the fact that you have to deal with the realities of life, such as paying the bills, etc. So focus on your duties in life, too.

Yeah, it's probably not a huge deal...but marriages do split up sometimes over outside emotional relationships (the type of relationships where you say "nothing could ever come of it" but where you are in a deep and fond communication). All judgment aside, that's a reality to think about. Just because nothing could come of it, I do not think that makes it 100% right...if you care about attempting to be 100% right. I'm sure your husband prefers these types of crush-feelings aimed at him alone (as unrealistic as that seems, these days), rather than being thought of as being part of something which is "vanilla" and "boring".

I have a couple of questions for you... 1) Are English speaking representatives from your school ever thinking about traveling to teach a little bit in the USA or Canada? I would love to learn the beginning practices (which I've read about on the website), and I'm sure many others here feel the same way. 2) Are the requirements for students of your school very strict? For instance, I've heard that students are expected to travel to China each year...and for many people that ends up being too expensive and time consuming to continue. Does the school accept people who are in college? Thanks.

Something to consider... There is the Buddhist teaching of the two obstructions to enlightenment. The first obstruction is simply negative emotions, and the second obstruction is conceptual thought (particularly dualistic thought, regarding the notion of oneself). The reason the latter is an obstruction is because it's the root cause of the first obstruction. Anything that lessens negative emotions (suffering) is a practice of reducing suffering and making room for the enlightened nature, is it not? This is also why the paramitas work...because they get rid of the two obstructions. At least this is according to my understanding.

Bringing disharmony into balance helps to bring forth the true nature, as well as calm the mind to some extent.

I used to practice Kunlun, as well, with mixed results. I will second GrandmasterP's advice 100%, and also just want to say to you that you'll be fine. Just don't practice the Kunlun path, since the results aren't good for you. You're correct in your feelings, that a legitimate practice should bring more life, youth, heart, passion, energy, etc. It's just a fact that there are methods which aren't good for everyone out there...there are methods that don't bring greater life...so you just move on and find one that will work better. Breathing a little bit is good...just a few minutes first thing in the morning in fresh air. Feel as if you're breathing your youth back in with each inhale of fresh air, and allow it to fill your being. Get exercise in the day...hiking is great for instance. Or any sports you might like. Being active is good, even if in the moment it seems a bit uncomfortable. Being under the sun for like half an hour a day is great...that can recharge the batteries over time. Get ready for bed at sunset, and get rest for a full 8 hours, so your sleep cycles will become normal. Methods like these will help you regain your life forces...and of course not practicing the method that messes you up, will help you become normal again. The body can heal itself back up over time. PM me if you ever want to talk any more or would like further ideas.

It depends on your diagnosis and a lot of knowledge of Chinese medicine theory...best to see the professionals. That which has the power to greatly heal also has the power to greatly harm when not used properly.

Yes, I think so. Although I'm not sure it could ever replace a spiritual practice.

Sorry to hear.