Aetherous

There's still much to learn, much to compare with your own practice, and much that makes you see how your practice is incomplete. Really, read the books (especially Eva Wong's) if you're interested in Taoist alchemy, and you can see for yourself.

Rainbow Vein, If you actually read the books you'll see what I mean. Ask your teacher about the things you don't understand, and you'll see that he doesn't actually know, despite his attainments. Why? Because many parts were actually written in code, to keep the deeper secrets for those within the lineage.

Rainbow Vein, I don't think so. Check out the books, especially "Tao of Health..." one, and see for yourself. They were written in a way to keep outsiders from understanding everything.

Hello island, A couple of challenging (to understand) but great books on Taoist alchemy... Taoist Yoga by Charles Luk The Tao of Health, Longevity and Immortality translated by Eva Wong. I think all aspiring alchemists should have them on their shelves. They are both amazing to page through, even years later (I've owned Taoist Yoga for 11 years, and it's still impenetrable! ). You can always learn something new from them. Hopefully someday, someone will come out with a better book on the subject. One that retains the authenticity of the above, but also clarifies everything. Taoist writings are often too poetic and cryptic...maybe sometimes misleading on purpose, or just plain wrong. P.S. - You probably know that books should just be complementary to actual practices from a teacher, otherwise (unless you have a huge stroke of insight) you won't accomplish much.

(you guys are making me want to take a road trip!)

Another idea... In chapter 3 of the book Healing with Form, Energy and Light, the upward moving prana practices are really good to do. Really good.

I'm so very sorry!!!

In the past I've thought this, and maybe it was true, but later on I looked back at her posts and found what she said to be true...or at least very insightful.

I think it's just a matter of a lot of practice. Really...a lot. Like almost the whole day, unless you're doing other things. In my own experience, if I practice a lot of breathing in a day, I have this reserve of energy that feels like a sense of peace, which nothing can really penetrate for a while. When I say nothing can penetrate it, I really mean nothing...everything just washes over you. If I don't practice enough, then I'm feeling every little thing and my mind is scattered. In those times it can be challenging to breathe, and will take quite a while to center myself, compared to times when my mind is more still. So I think it just takes a while.

Not much trouble. I knew what I was doing.

RV, that beat is awesome. Songs, I don't know what you mean. Now Blasto has the ball? I'm not playing some game with him. The whole thing ended yesterday for me.

When your mind is focused on the physical sensation of the breath moving in the abdomen, the emotions can't disturb you. When the diaphragm is in free motion, the emotions can't get stuck in you. If you practice well, then you are more centered and grounded, so that even if you're not practicing, people and their energies don't affect you as much for some time. It helps to have your palms down on your knees. Expand your abdomen in the front, sides and back, and keep the movement of the breath below the diaphragm...never in the chest. But you can practice awareness of the breath all day in order to remain centered. It's all a matter of what you choose to focus on...your cultivation, or all of these erratic emotions. This is just my view.

Practice breathing.

Astral,

This is delusion. Just sign the paper and continue cultivating in secret.

Thanks for your comments, innocent bystanders. Just so you know, I never actually gave Blasto permission to post my private message publicly...I consider this type of thing to be a complete waste of our time on the main discussion forum. Which is why there won't be a second installment. I stand behind every word I've said, and I know that my actions were for the greater good. If you don't like it, then fuck off. Thanks!

Don't worry, "Blasto", I'm sending you a detailed PM shortly.

You probably need a mirror instead.

So if all of the masters need masters, then why do we seek to enter their paradise, when we can just have our own?

Didn't they need masters, too?

I don't mind being suspended for saying "+1" after Mel's insult...in saying that, I was really being insulting as well. I didn't mean it to escalate, but more of an attempt to help a fellow bum see their reflection for a second.

Welcome, David!!!!

+1

Cell phone radiation: the Taoist immortal's kryptonite! Just kidding...I don't actually know.