Aetherous

It's not attainment or wisdom to become so lost in your own mental masturbation that you actually lose all sense of compassion. Spouting off concepts, and intellectually understanding them, is nothing. Forsaking your own innate sense of right and wrong for belief in those concepts is the opposite of progress.

Mainly just because you'll stop worrying about it. Other benefits are negligible. So finish what you've started, man. 100 days of retention isn't going to kill you. Just keep busy so that you don't start thinking about sex at all. Edit: I'm not saying people should do this...I don't think it's necessary. But it's good if you're going to obsess about it, to just get it over with.

Totally!

http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/musicvideo/3906-...-you-in-the-red

Congratulations!!

What you describe sounds like an outward form of kechari mudra.

Interesting points, electric chi magnet. I think Star Wars is the closest thing we have to the media portraying Taoism somewhat accurately.

If you want practical understanding, just keep putting your energy into approximately where the dan tien should be. Simple.

It would be better to take a break and focus on your breathing at that point...when you breathe fully and gently, and feel that peaceful/opening up sensation within...simply pay attention to that feeling. Forcing and pushing energy around is dangerous, especially when it's unrefined sexual energy. Breathing gently transmutes everything. Also, in qigong or neigong we should always guide the energy, not move it. The consequences of incorrect practice may not be immediately noticeable, but perhaps later on they will. Looking for little sensations, such as a bit of electric feelings or tingling, is okay but know that those things are simply side effects and they aren't what you want to look for and cultivate. Transmuting means turning lust into love. So another thing that can help is to cultivate love and compassion in your life, outside of play time.

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Thanks Seth Ananda for the inspiration.

Yes I got it about an hour ago.

If you eat moderately (never stuffing yourself), and exercise at least 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes at a time...then tubbiness is either: a qi-belly, disease related, stress related, or genetic. Therefore, you shouldn't be considered a "lard ass" or anything, because at least you're doing your part. If you don't do those things, then you have an unhealthy lifestyle. Edit: another thing to consider is that someone may have lumbar lordosis, which can make their lower back curve too much and cause the abdomen to portrude. Another thing is that forceful belly breathing can cause the internal organs to portrude, showing a larger sized abdomen.

This is true. Not for all people, though...some may be totally fine with who you are, and would love to hang out with you, and have fun. Some people are strong enough, and pure enough, to handle another person's energy being different...and they can lend a helping hand. It all comes down to the golden rule: do to others what you'd like them to do to you. Animals aren't capable of that way of thinking. Luckily, some people are...so it's more common that it can be reversed for us. Nah, man...it's not impossible. And you don't require thousands of conversations...the important thing is to keep engaging the world everyday...don't lock yourself up. If you start to withdraw, then make a point to get out in the world. Even go somewhere by yourself and be where people are...like go read a book in a coffee shop, for instance. Do you have family nearby? If so, it's easy to get your 10 touches with them. If your family is not used to physical contact, then you will be helping them at the same time. Otherwise, all it takes is one small friendship to get the ball rolling. If it's hard to make a friendship (I know, it can be), then just join a club. Play some sports. Even just get a job where you have to deal with coworkers. Then enjoy the time you are spending with them, and joke around. I know it's really hard to go from being awkward, to trying to have a good time...there is a lot on your mind, like "am I doing this right?" or "Did I just mess up and say something awkward again?" That's fine. Soon enough those thoughts will be forgotten, and you'll just enjoy being with the other person.

Well, I'd be your friend. You seem like a good person with a lot of potential. If you want to chat, send me a message on AIM: muju808 I know this sounds cliche and rude, but please see a psychiatrist about the suicidal thoughts. They are qualified to help in areas like that. Don't be afraid of taking prescribed medications from them...it doesn't hinder your progress spiritually. Actually it can help you progress, if you truly need those medications. Or they might just want you to just talk it out...that is good. I used to do that when I was a teenager, because I had family problems (I was rebellious). It did help.

Those things will only make it worse... To make it better, you have to be a proactive person. Make it your mission to bust through your fears. For instance, if you have the feeling "I'm afraid of going outside", then make it a point on that day to be outside all day. Go into the scary places, and show your fear who is boss. If you don't, then fear will overpower your spirit, and very little progress will be made spiritually. There isn't a magic practice that will make you conquer your fears... ...wait I take that back - belly breathing is pretty magical. But you still have to face it. You need to spend more time around people. Here's an idea...if you have close friends, make them do a "secret handshake" with you each time you meet up...I remember hearing that in order to be emotionally fulfilled a person needs to touch someone else at least 10 times daily. Laugh with your friends and have fun. The more you have a good time with people, the more positive body language you'll have, so that others will want to be with you. And even if girls aren't attracted to you, at least talk to them and have fun with them. Just be mischievous and playful, like a happy kid, and forget about all of this negative talk. Then you'll gradually heal emotionally...and when that happens, don't be surprised when girls start asking you out.

Create a life for yourself. Probably the most important thing would be to work out every day. Good luck man, I know you can do it.

Working with energy won't make your personal problems better. It actually amplifies them. You set the very high goal of transmuting your sexual energy, but ignore the rest. Transmuting isn't the solution to your problems. It's best to focus on the mundane issues in your life. This actually improves your energy, believe it or not. I mean...think about someone who is worrying about their problems going in to meditate, versus someone who has everything taken care of already. Whose meditation will be beneficial, and who will be sitting there not being able to relax and focus, with a thousand things on their mind? Of course the person who is on top of things will have an easier time. If you get your life in order everything else will improve. It's a constant task, but it should be the first step in alchemy. If you find some secret practice and figure out how to transmute, or even fool yourself into thinking that's what's happening...you'll still be stuck with the crappy situation you're in. It doesn't magically solve anyone's problems. (Something more magical is belly breathing) Cultivate a positive attitude. Never frown...smile with your heart. It's a choice each moment to either remain the same, or change for what you desire to be. Know what you want to become. Get exercise each day. Eat well. Have fun with people you like...if you're not having fun, make it fun! Do belly breathing very often, to help process your stuff. A lot could be said, but yeah: focus on the basics. (I emphasize this, because it's where I also have the most problems. )

Where?

Don't be so rigorous with your exercise. In winter time you're supposed to "take it easy" to conserve your kidney qi. Just pay attention to your body...if you're tired, rest.

I'll hold the money for you, rw.

The question should be asked...if you feel it flowing through the orbits, then is it open? I voted yes to all three, because I've felt the macro flow in practice. But if that is the case, then simply opening the orbits isn't enough, and isn't anything spectacular. There is a ton of work to do, and I honestly feel like I've accomplished nothing in the scheme of things.

What can you do? You just keep going. In such a situation very little is intentional. It's mostly instinctual. If you are about to die, then there is no choice. You just know it and put up with it. So I guess I don't understand the question...

My cousins were home schooled, and actually have turned out to be great people. I assumed they wouldn't be able to adjust to the world, but they are actually much more "adjusted" than myself. They are free spirited and fun...so to me, I've been shown that it works. Bad social experiences in elementary/middle and high school can have a big impact, whereas if you didn't have those experiences until you were older, you could better cope with it. I remember many experiences where people were simply MEAN...and kids don't know how to deal with that, so sometimes they think it's their own problem and develop social anxiety...instead of just realizing that the other kids are shit heads. So maybe home schooling wouldn't be so bad for a while, until you find a great school.