Aetherous

This book is pretty freakin' awesome at first glance. An Ayurvedic textbook.

Thanks C T. Peace to you as well.

If only one person was paying, yes. However, multiple students? That's quite a bit of money to be made!

It doesn't matter what you choose to do. Self doubt is the real problem, not the action you take in this instance. If you're going to put yourself out there, do it unwaveringly...have a purpose. For instance, helping people...or motivating yourself. If you're not going to put yourself out there, you'll be saved from a lot of trouble.

Maybe we do see them and just don't notice.

It will be released soon; apparently the editor is working on it.

Everyone disagrees about the truth of this, so I will just present this as another possibility... Pinky = Water Ring = Wood Middle = Fire Index = Metal Thumb = Earth This is how Zhongxian Wu presents it in Chinese Shamanic Cosmic Orbit Qigong. It obviously doesn't correspond with the meridians, and is supposed to relate to a much deeper level of the 5 elements. There are different reasons for using correspondences within different systems, and I don't know the reasons for this version, but it's one of the only times that I've seen the 5 elements matching the 5 fingers exactly, and it comes from a fairly trustworthy source.

There is a Taoist form of "laziness", which doesn't have the negative connotations...where you don't have to try for Tao cultivation. In fact, effort is the opposite of (this form of) cultivation. Wu wei. Ziran. Shangde, or "superior virtue". I'm sure there are some other awesome Chinese words for it. Basically 'letting go'. It's challenging to understand this without experiencing it...and you can experience it through practicing the ways of the Tao. It's unlike laziness, because it doesn't point to neglecting one's duties. It just means: doing what you feel is good. Doing what's natural to who you are. Being yourself. I think it also points to skillful action, without anything unnecessary, such as worrying. Just do it!

Just came up with something that might be useful... When you are getting a vibe about someone, take a second and consider them to be like a character in a movie. They are just playing a part....not everyone can play the same role. Diverse types of characters are what make movies interesting to watch. So they are reframed as an "interesting character" rather than as "that stupid asshole bastard" or whatever else they are. Or to put it in another way of thinking...each person is like a different type of spice in a really tasty dish. If you were to just take peppercorns and try to eat them, it would be disgusting...but when you realize that it's just one tiny aspect of the whole, then it's easier to take in. Maybe even enjoyable. So that person, with their supposedly imperfect vibe, is allowed to be who they are...which can be powerfully healing for them! To be allowed to exist imperfectly, with no exceptions...to be accepted by another...maybe even appreciated for your unique qualities! Yum.

Wei wu wei. Boom.

Well, if it came down to it, I think Sean could make the forum completely private. Then they couldn't really do anything...because there is nothing to see. And Ron Paul is the only trustworthy presidential candidate.

Yes Taoists use this type of meditation a lot, although in different forms. Typically they say they are activating the pineal gland...all of these different areas of the brain are part of the upper dantien. At this level, your spirit is used as fuel for realizing the Tao...and it is related to "emptiness" experiences. In my view, feelings that occur through the rest of the body are due to the pituitary also, which regulates the rest of the endocrine system. Some also say that DMT is created through the resonance of the pituitary and pineal glands. There are different effects based on which way the vortex is rotating. It's the first step on the immortal/light body path. It is more advanced than the fake merkaba methods of Drunvalo.

Having looked at both, it seems that the workbook is just a condensed version. I really like it (the full version). Basically, in my own words, it is a practice of "heartfulness", or mindfulness while cultivating the qualities of the heart. Love that term. There are two main practices... The first practice, "joyful attention", is focusing on novelty in the world in the present moment. For instance, observing the qualities of an orange...the smell, the texture, the color, the feel, the taste. You do things like this all day...the beginning of the book which is TONS of extra info explains in mathematical detail why we should do this. I advise starting with the back of the book if you want the basics. The second main practice is cultivating "saintly attention" or what I'd rather call "heartful attention"...an example of this is saying 'bless you' mentally to everyone you meet, and sending them love. Or cultivating gratitude, compassion, acceptance, love, forgiveness and higher meaning/purpose. Good things to contemplate. At least personally, putting this into practice is a huge step away from my common tendency on this forum, of judging things based on my preferences and prejudices. It's a big choice to make, to not be your usual self and become heartful. There are other supplementary aspects in the book, but that is the basic idea. Edit: by the way, for those who read this who aren't totally motivated in changing themselves like this, in each moment...don't get the book! Don't waste the money, because it's incredibly challenging to read. Realllllly boring, and takes a lot of your own effort.

Well maybe no one will believe...but it's more productive than talking about nothing and telling everyone how wrong they are.

If you go that route, no one will even consider you. Think about if no one here knew anything about the Tao...how would you start teaching them? Totally clueless people who haven't been taught incorrectly yet. You'd teach them in a productive way, rather than destructive. You wouldn't waste time talking about false ways, you'd talk about the true way. So do that! No one likes to be told their way is wrong. A lot of people here cherish their practices and ideas, and won't give them up simply because some random Chinese person tells them it's wrong. Most of us here have the view already that YOU are the one who is wrong. So prove us wrong, by teaching the true TAO.

Feel free to teach. But if your main teaching is about how everyone in the West has it all wrong, you probably won't find anyone who is willing to listen. ... Sinfest, you are the most brilliant person here.

Listen to the professional...meats are good, especially beef...and fish also.

Translated ones. I disagree. When you already have the right way, from a teacher, then the cryptic stuff becomes easier to understand. Especially if you read multiple books on the subject to compare.

Yes, I prefer to combine both. But I often find that what I've learned from teachers far surpasses any book knowledge. A lot of what was written was very cryptic...so it's nice to have the real thing, to compare with the books.

Some good suggestions. I also recommend Foundation. If that doesn't work after like a month, or if it makes things worse after a week or two, then you might want to see a physical therapist who specializes in muscle energy, who is willing to take some time to assess you. Could be something that's not self-treatable.

I am checking out this book. The exercises could prove to be very helpful in all of this...but beware, the book is DENSE.

Yeah I wish I knew what I was asking for. For instance, the shamanism/bat thing you shared in chat the other night was really interesting and rare AFAIK. I wouldn't have known to ask about that, due to how rare it is. So...I'm open to learning whatever!