Aetherous

McKenzie back exercises (extension).

That's true, although their thinking hasn't been totally correct. Anyone who has studied logic knows that it's impossible to prove God doesn't exist. To make the leap of faith from agnostic to atheist, is in my opinion, incredibly arrogant and hypocritical. But to take a step back and just say, "I don't know" would be very admirable. As for those of us who do know:

Well, maybe your idea is already in effect! We are individuals who can share useful information together in this thread, to start off with. Because of T.A.O., I found that site.

The American Civil Liberties Union looks promising. Might be exactly what I was asking for.

Something to keep in mind is that Wikipedia is not an accurate source for health information. This also happens in reverse breathing; perhaps even more so. Not necessarily true. Is there a single peer reviewed study that shows this in comparison to other types of breathing? Be careful about spreading disinformation...enough people do it already. Spread truth!

I'm more interested in doing rather than aligning. For instance, rather than calling myself a Taoist Anarchist, I'd rather read good sources of information...like having access to an unbiased news source which focuses primarmily on the freedom of citizens. For instance, it would expose all bills that are soon to be passed which infringe upon our rights...also give information on what we can do about it...etc. That would be a much better example of an "organization". Something readily applicable. One problem with "anarchy" is its tendency for self-destruction. Even calling yourself that places you in a negative light. I feel like someone who truly believes in anarchist ideals wouldn't submit themselves so easily to failure...better to blend in, or even better yet, to be a very good citizen (and as a side effect, to be seen as such)! No one has a problem with Americans being self-informed...voting for what they believe is correct...running for their own offices...owning land...reading and distributing liberating information...etc. So...I hope to either get some sources (like, "scotty! that already exists, here check this out:") or at least inspire something that will be effective and successful.

Eeks! Think I'll stick with pop rocks.

Elite Squad is awesome. I first discovered it through one of your posts a while back, and loved both versions.

I don't mean to imply anything/be offensive in asking this, but what's with all of the talk of violence and paramilitary lately, sifusufi? Has this stuff been part of your life? I'm a fan of Combat Applications Group, after having read some books lately written by former operators.

There is a Kunlun apprentice in Chicago. Check the site for more info.

It'd be awesome to have living grocery stores...that are free. With more than enough food for everyone...all over the country, and world. THE FUTURE.

Also, the kunlun path truly resolved a lot of the concerning signs and symptoms I used to have (my BP used to be REALLY messed up, I had other strange symptoms including aniscoria). I recommend Eastern Internal Arts Institute's "Qigong for Self Healing" DVD...really well made, can be done at your own pace, and isn't nearly as boring and useless as other qigong practices. It takes time to heal these deep things. I also recommend a lower dantien practice, as long as it makes you feel healthy. The one that I prefer was equally if not moreso healing than the kunlun/yigong method.

Blood pressure fluctuates, that's normal. If you keep taking it over some weeks, you will get a good idea of what's average for you. If you are consistently getting readings within the normal ranges, then the doctors won't be too concerned. You shouldn't be, either...you're still living! Your diastolic seems a little low if it's going down to 52. Are you sure you're taking it correctly? I would trust a cardiologist taking it more than myself. If your ECG was fine then contrary to what you think, you don't have palpitations. Stop focusing on whatever weird feelings you have. Cultivate good feelings, like the inner smile. Anyway, all of your issues sound like things that a TCM doc would be better at resolving. You seem to have some sort of a yang issue (totally not a real diagnosis there) with your hair loss and heart concerns.

HI!

Some people's great spirituality manifests as atheism...some people's lack of spirituality manifests as religion. Rather than caring about various words that people "believe" in, why not be concerned with how the individual is doing in their life? Are your friends enjoying themselves? Do their lives have meaning, in their own eyes? What do they care about? What world issues matter to them? Are they considerate of other people? What do they love? What would attract them to what you consider to be spiritual? What benefits would they receive? You never know what might bring someone towards spirituality and religion. For instance, for me, it was reading the biographies of the members of the band Tool back in like 2000.

That link used to be an interview with Michael Hane, an "Atlas Profilax" practitioner...which is what my post to you was about.

daojones, I had that procedure done and don't recommend it at all. Atlas Profilax. It's a massage tool which very forcefully stretches the subocciptial muscles in the back of your neck. Stretching them beyond their healthy capability (attempting something similar to a grade 5 joint mobilization) to the point where they tear, and as a result screw up MANY things in the body. There's a chance you can die from it, due to the vertebral arteries being cut off and having a VBA stroke, and also possibly bruising or tearing the spinal cord itself. This is very possible. The "jade pillow" is one of the most vulnerable areas of the human body. People well versed in qigong and Chinese medicine stress the importance of covering the area during the winter, because even exposure to cold wind can bring illness and injury through that area. So avoid all upper cervical manipulations, for the sake of your life and wellbeing. The only similar thing I can recommend is Tom Ockler's muscle energy methods for the cervical spine, which are super gentle and effective. The mobilizing force is your own eye movement, nothing more...if being treated by Tom Ockler, you are in expert hands.

Becalm balls Very helpful tool, not just for pain relief but also for deep relaxation. This by itself might take care of the problem. Gokhale method The Gokhale method is very effective posture work. Her simple method of repositioning the shoulders so that the chest is more open is supremely effective in clearing neck pains...good to do all day long. And the other ideas in the book are really great too. Eventually the pain will vanish. McKenzie method The McKenzie method is something pretty easy to learn and do. The basic back and neck methods will help heal the causes of the pain. You might temporarily experience greater pain, as it "centralizes", but eventually it goes away. In combination with the other methods, there's a better effect. "Stretchlying" from the Gokhale method can relieve the centralized pain. Foundation The strengthening methods in this book target the precise muscle groups which allow the spine to heal itself. It works really well. Your posture will be amazing almost immediately. It is also kind of a challenging workout at first. ... I previously had an "atlas profilax" procedure done...it was a VERY forceful massage to the back of the neck with some tool, which the practitioner didn't allow me to look at (weird!). In some places I think the method is illegal now, since it's not real Chiropractic. I do NOT recommend it. Didn't have neck pain previously, but after that I had neck pain which lasted for over 2 years. It caused some of my subocciptial muscle to come out of the fascia...really bad damage. Well I use all of the above methods (not in a strict way just whatever interests me and whatever feels right), and today have no more neck pain at all. That damaged muscle is now almost fully healed. Rather than just being happy with being pain-free, I seek to perfect the function of my spine and posture! It's a big key to amazing health. Good luck.

I'm surprised someone would ask that. There are a multitude of reasons.

Go on the date with your only goal being: to have fun. Not Taoist; Scottyist.

So step one for you, in order to be a cool enlightened person, is to not talk about anything on internet forums or be seen as a geek. Steps 2,3 and 4...get contacts, get hair implants, and diet/exercise so you are lean. Just kidding, sort of...but it's interesting to look at our ideas of what an Ideal person is. I believe that these ideas exist for a valid evolutionary purpose, but don't work absolutely in regards to an enlightened person. It also shows what we value, what we desire, and what we expect in becoming an Ideal. Maybe we should just work towards those things, because they are more valuable in this world than the ideal itself, in this case.

At least personally...I believe in magic because I've prayed (directly to my idea of God) and been clearly helped, at times when I really needed it. Or really wanted it. Or just asked for it. And also I can exert some control over things in an unexplainable way. For instance, a really easy one is that if I need to wake up at an earlier time than I'm used to, I just tell my body that I must do it. Then I set my alarm, and probably 95% of the time wake up a few minutes before the alarm goes off. The other day a similar thing happened, where I needed to be somewhere within a half an hour, yet also needed to do tons of things in order to get ready. I mustered up the will to do everything in that time period, and somehow did it...I would glance at the clock during it, and every minute seemed like 5 minutes. I ended up being right on time...and given all the stuff I had to do within that half an hour, it was actually miraculous. So: pray for it...will it...do it. Then you can have your own inexplicable experiences. That is my view.

Possible plan of action for the Taoist Anarchy Organization: 1) Get land.