Aetherous

I've been wanting to make a thread about the movie, Revolver...but this thread will suffice to simply say, "watch it and let me know what you think". It deals with similar themes about the "ego", and of course is a little entertaining as well...the symbolism also is interesting if you know a bit about the specific themes they use. Also, to address the OP, yeah it's awesome to have those moments of unadulterated reflection about who we really are/aren't.

Really loving it so far...thanks Tibetan Ice!

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Oh well. No hard feelings from me, Aaron.

Even the most insensitive person experiences *something* around someone who is developed...whether they can consciously appreciate that or not. Something they should realize is that not being able to consciously recognize something that's there, is a personal fault and a disability...such a person can be considered "unconscious" regarding most of their life experience. The entire realm of belief is a complete lie, regardless of whether the beliefs are true or false...so whether a person believes or doesn't believe in an aspect of reality, really doesn't matter. Whether you believe the earth is flat or round is meaningless...it is neither in reality, which functions independently of concepts.

Aaron, It's not that much higher than normal, which is (obviously) 100%. If they advertised, "Increase your testosterone by 1.46%!" it would sound extremely dull, actually. And if you read the full text of the study, you would see that after ejaculation until day 2, testosterone levels are well below normal = bad for men, if they are continually draining themselves that quickly! I used to. For those who could benefit from increasing testosterone (most of us, including you I intuit), maybe waiting every 7 or 8 days could help in the long term. Would it get their testosterone levels dangerously high? I don't think so...that's something you will have to prove scientifically if you want to argue that point. You understand that "abstain" does not mean forever, right? I masturbate every few days, and always aim to go beyond a week...when I'm not doing it, I'm abstaining (preferably not thinking about it at all). I can still make babies! Some very good evidence are the two main studies I shared here. Also, doctors sometimes do things based off of their experience and large amounts of anecdotal evidence. They're generally smart people. If "normal masturbation" is every few days to a week, then that's totally awesome. That is what TCM doctors have recommended as well, based on what I've seen. But if it's within 2 days, it can be harmful...I suspect for more reasons than just testosterone dropping below baseline. Our bodies are so complex, and scientists generally require profitable reasons to study something...so we're still in the dark about all that hasn't yet been investigated. We have to go on our personal experience for our best results. Little to no evidence that compulsive masturbation has negative effects in the long term? Have you not been paying attention? Try my experiment, of jerking off three times a day, versus abstaining for week long periods at a time. Really...do it before speaking. See how you feel! That's not me programming you to experience something negative...I'm telling you to find out for real. Maybe use your hypnosis to deprogram yourself and just discover the truth of the matter. The two that I linked? Where did you get that information? Or did you just pull it out of your ass like the rest of your "argument'? I see the harm that you do, by trying to convince people they can drain themselves of their energy with no negative effect. Now that is harmful...especially when dealing with practices that are so transformational, as most of us do here. I do not wish to tell other people how to behave, regarding whether they masturbate or not. I could care less...unless it affects them negatively. Whoever has metaphysical perception, who has experience for themselves, and has science to back up their claims...they have the right to tell others what is healthy and what isn't. They have the right and ability to help...unlike those without metaphysical perception, without experience, and without scientific evidence (you). And that "source of energy" is measured by at least one indicator: testosterone. Stop weaseling your way out of that, please...it's annoying to deal with. Speaking of annoying, at this point we're just going around in circles, so unless you have something substantial to share here (like a peer reviewed study), please don't address me again. This is not an enjoyable way for me to spend my time...and is becoming unproductive as well.

I just obliterated your argument...but keep going if you wish.

Low testosterone, and excessively high testosterone levels, are bad. You get low testosterone through jacking off...diminishing health and well being. You get normal testosterone through abstinence, which is healthy. You don't get excessively high testosterone through abstinence, as far as anyone knows. There are no studies on that or even any anecdotal evidence, so you can't use it as an argument. So no more arguing that less testosterone is good, Aaron. It's not a legitimate point. Not based on any scientific fact. Go ask any one of your million doctors if low testosterone is good for men. Seriously...do it. Learn something. Now about the abstracts I posted...they did not say what you thought they said. If you know anyone with a medical background, you should ask them for help in explaining it to you. I will attempt, if you will listen... Here is what you claimed about the abstract.... It doesn't say that whatsoever. It says that ejaculation, both before and after periods of abstinence, caused those levels to spike. If you think those signs are unhealthy, then you're actually saying masturbation is unhealthy. Take a second and think about that. At least personally, I don't think they're necessarily unhealthy...since it's just temporary. Exercise raises heart rate, and that's not bad. The abstract said that abstinence made no difference in terms of those levels during ejaculation; it is the same for those indicators, regardless...so it did not make the point that abstinence is unhealthy. That was your misinterpretation. In fact, since low testosterone is undesirable, and the abstract found that only after abstinence did testosterone levels increase...it was showing that excessive masturbation is health diminishing, and periods of abstinence can improve health. From the abstract: Trust me, it's not. Or don't trust me...ask a doctor to explain it to you. Because it's not. Exactly. The facts don't change, Aaron. I have posted facts here, after you claimed that there's no scientific basis for abstinence. I showed that there is. I am the only one in this argument who has posted any facts...keep that in mind. You haven't referenced a single peer reviewed study. And yet you try to misinterpret the facts that have been presented, to try and continue proving your misinformed, unscientific and nonfactual point of view. Actually, high testosterone is good. Excessively high testosterone is bad. And low testosterone is bad. Many of us today could be considered low testosterone, and in need of higher levels. Ask some real doctors about the current health of most men...don't just put words in their mouths based on your uninformed opinion. We don't know if abstinence causes excessively high testosterone. There are no studies showing that. We do know that masturbation causes low testosterone. There is at least 1 study showing that. Facts. Actually, there is no need to regulate testosterone levels, as if they are naturally high. In most of us, as far as I know, they are not...the opposite is true. Most men already "regulate" too much, and end up with ED, depression, anxiety, low energy, etc. Go ask a doctor, instead of making up your own false interpretations of scientific literature. Since I work in the health care field, I have actually had these conversations with docs and PAs I've worked with. Consensus is that too much jackin it is bad for you. They have seen the effects first hand in dealing with younger male patients...to the point where the PA completely swore off masturbation, and suggested I do the same! They are finding that younger and younger men are developing problems that only old men used to have. I don't know if masturbation rates have increased...maybe...with more media and advertisement, we've gotten more brainwashing and sexual images. I can see how it could happen, where men in the past might have felt natural by only masturbating once to a few times a week, whereas these days they do it once to a few times a day. Who knows.

"They come in saying they feel excessively fatigued, weaker, depressed, and that they have lost their sex drive -- all common symptoms of a drop in testosterone." From http://men.webmd.com...els-are-too-low Please, bring some real science to the table, otherwise your misunderstandings are meaningless. Edit: of course, excessively high levels of testosterone have some negative effects. But no one is going to reach those levels from abstinence...

Aaron, Reread the studies. You misinterpreted the abstracts completely, and apparently don't understand the health effects of testosterone (which are positive). Seriously...take a step back, empty your mind, reread and try to understand rather than just think you're right and I'm wrong. It can take time for a person who isn't involved in science to read and comprehend these types of articles.

Not a single person here is saying that it's sinful. Scientifically proven, though...it causes a temporary decrease in testosterone (makes men unhealthy and weak), whereas abstinence causes an increase in testosterone (makes men healthy).

Check again...two studies. Of course that's the basis for my facts. I have at least brought something real to the table! In comparison, you haven't brought any real science into the discussion at all, Aaron. You should read those full articles...they are very interesting. Why only two studies...as far as I can tell, this subject is not something that is typically researched and published. Most studies have to do with premature ejaculation...hard to find ones about health and well being. When you counter my argument, please don't give any studies that have to do with prostate health. We all know about that. I'm interested to see if you can come up with a single peer reviewed study that show how masturbation improves health and energy levels. ... EDIT: I see you edited your post while I was responding...so the above might not make as much sense, but I'll just leave it as is.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12659241 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11760788 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12506329 (this may be the same one as the first, just published under a different title) It's published in peer reviewed studies that testosterone drops below baseline until the 2nd day after ejaculation on average. That means on the day of and the day after, you are literally weakened...scientifically, factually proven. After abstinence (especially on the 7th day), testosterone is increased. Meaning you are literally healthier. Proven scientifically and published. Do some real research, don't just spout off bullshit about what "millions of doctors" believe. You don't know. Now you do. They believe that if you masturbate too much you'll be weakened. That if you abstain for a while, you will become healthier. Doctors believe what peer reviewed studies show. Yes, there are studies that show how frequent masturbators have a decreased risk of prostate cancer. That is one positive effect...but decreasing your risk of prostate cancer is a very specific thing. We're talking overall health and energy levels. Consider, if ejaculation drains you of health and energy while preventing prostate cancer...then it's not such a good thing! There are other ways that can probably prevent prostate cancer just as well (Taoist huiyin lift). Anyway, I guess I will just have to learn to accept that you're going to spread disinformation on this forum, Aaron. You think you're doing the right thing, trying to free people from their beliefs that masturbation is bad. I see that it will be too hard to stop you, or continually try to match your arguments...a good lesson for me in letting go and allowing things to be as they are. This forum will never be a perfect place of sharing real knowledge.

There is some scientific evidence. Look it up before speaking, please. Testosterone drops until the 2nd day after ejaculation. It spikes on day 7. That is just one indicator...of course masturbation has many other physiological effects besides testosterone changes...maybe there are other studies out there showing that. Anecdotal evidence is evidence. Myself and many others who come to this forum have found that it has a slight weakening effect. This is because we pay attention to our bodies and minds. Because we found out through practicing methods which require us to not ejaculate all the time. Consider this: not a single person has come here and claimed that draining themselves has given them greater energy and health. Hmmmmmmmm...let the thinking begin! Try this...ejaculate 3 times a day and see how you feel...then wait a week and see how you feel. There is an actual difference between the two. If you can't feel a difference, you need to develop some sensitivity...or honesty. I have no desire to perpetuate harmful mythology and religion, Aaron...and that is not what I'm doing. Wake up. Oh yeah, conversation over.

The advice of TCM practitioners has been totally right. Every few days or so, depending on your age, is much better than masturbation every day. Don't use up your essence...don't "drive your car" with no "oil" in it! There is a very factual basis on which all of these Chinese and Taoist theories are based! I know through personal experience...we should all find out the same way. For someone whose energy channels are actually open, they can tell...and for those who practice such methods, it's more important for you to preserve your essence than for a normal person. This is Taoist wisdom and knowledge, not just personal opinion. Practice something real. Find out.

Besides qi that you develop or move in various practices, there is also qi of nature. Look at the stars...that is a type of qi. Look at the moon, that is qi. See the light streaming through the windows in the morning, that's qi. Smell the aroma of tea leaves, more qi. Notice what feels good to you. For instance, I noticed one evening that having light curtains blowing in a gentle breeze created a really good qi flow in the room. So it's not just thermal static magnetoelectric types of energy that are qi...those types are like a coarse level of it...like lower dantien level. Whereas the qi all around us, that which is carried by the wind, is a more refined and usable level. It's good to clear the channels...but when they are open, you become more aware of the natural qi. Some spiritual people say that everything is vibration...and every thought or feeling we have radiates out. Someone who feels anxious, for instance, has a certain kind of energy...versus someone who feels very warm and loving. So besides qigong, there is also the virtue aspect, where you can create the type of qi that's good for your environment. Or where you can be aware of the qi in nature, and connect with it...that will cultivate good things within. Some say that there are levels that you can work with, which have an effect on each other. Like there is the level of heart feeling, the level of what we think, the level of internal flow of qi, the level of our course breath, the level of our body. Each level could be thought of as a different type of qi to work with. Cultivate good heartfelt feelings, and it will create good thoughts, which creates good qi flow, which causes the breath to flow smoothly, which makes the body healthy. Think good thoughts, you'll have good feelings. Practice breathing, and it will empty your thoughts, to create good feelings and cause good qi flow. Etc. How to cool your energy...well, what do you practice? For you personally, because of TBI, I would think that practices which raise the body temp should be kept at a minimum. The brain can overheat pretty easily, and IMO it will actually cause brain damage if you raise your core temp slightly too much. Anyway, you know what's working for you...only a suggestion, if you notice things are getting uncomfortable. Otherwise, connecting with nature is really good for balancing and cooling your energy, I think.

Some write with the assumption that you've been paying attention. If you stick around this forum, try to learn all that you can...eventually you will start talking in code language, too. lol

Congrats on creating a book! I look forward to your work.

After a while you will be able to tell. The unique qualities of your mind hold the energy body closed in a certain way. When the breath is regulated and made to be calm, the mind is released and calmed as well. The two are connected...a person could also think about positive things, or feel a good feeling, and it will help calm their breathing. When the mind is released, the entire energy body relaxes open. This is the good feeling that you got. Glad you liked it . If you keep it up, let us know what your friend thinks about your chakras next time.

After having a primarily spiritual/energy healing approach to all of this for years, I've come to realize how awesome and important martial art is. Helps to be grounded, in the moment, heal physically, open energy channels, help with issues of self confidence in all areas of life. MA is immensely helpful.

I haven't done anything close to that, but I would keep it simple and focus on Tilopa's six nails...then when getting off the cushion, realize that meditation isn't over. Have heartfulness of the world around you, and keep your mind empty after that. Just an idea. Anyway, that's cool man! Should be a transformational time for you.

Has anyone checked this out? Anything to share? Thanks. http://www.masterwu.net/MasterWuTaijiMotherForm.html

This page brings up his teacher and the lineage of this practice: http://www.masterwu.net/MasterWuHiddenImmortalLineage.html Upon closer reading, apparently the DVD is only 8 movements, the mother form...then the entire 75 step form is demonstrated but not taught. Dang.