Miroku

This link could be of use. Although it is a Sokka Gakai source I think the translations of Nichirens writing could be of use to you. I don't have much experience with Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. I usually stayed away from it as it seemed weird to me and I disliked the chanting ofr wealth etc. I personally think Tara is way better.

Not a Bön practitioner, although I had the luck to receive some teachings through webinars with Chamthrul Rinpoche. I want to just stop by and say how happy this thread has made me. Especially that you practice Guru Yoga. Really, there is nothing better to do. I am very glad to read this thread. Good luck you guys. Also some personal exp. Ngöndro is always a good idea, it might seem a lot, but if possible, definetly worth it.

Might be relevant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnUx7hyk8rk

B12 in nature is produced by bacteria. Cows get it from eating dirt and feces, tigers get it from cows. It is probably also present in water as the bacteria is probably there too so also water, however now we have sterile water (thanks to which we also don't die of nasty diseases). So if you are in a nature yes its either shit and dirt or meat. However, we are no longer in nature are we?

Hey, what is the stance of TCM practitioners and qigong people on vegetarianism and veganism? Western science seems to say that meat is not really that much needed, so I am quite interested to see what TCM thinks, hat are the effects on the body and if it is stable for long term living. I am especially hoping for @Desmonddf's and @Wu Ming Jen's replies as I often find myself enjoying your posts. But please everybody feel free to pitch in.

Definetly, I have just wondered whether the effects can be similar or overlaping.

What about Zhan Zhuang and qigong movements? Shouldn't those help replenish?

There are some academic theories that Tibetan trulkhor is the source of Indian yoga and not the other way around as was assumed. Partially based on the fact that Tibetan texts are so much older than the Indian ones and other examples. It is very interesting how much influence there probably was during the centuries. Zen seems to be quite influenced either by daoism or by esoteric buddhist teachings and etc. However, as fun as it may be it is better to study them separately. The whole idea that all roads lead to one finish line can do often more harm than good.

Thanks for the reply Aetherous! Is there some herb (mixture) that can be taken from time to time by relatively healthy individual? My friend ex-tcm practitioner recommended some mixture that could help with yin and could be taken by people to strengthen them, but I forgot the name. Also qigong could theoretically help balance these right?

@Desmonddf Is there some other food except for meat that is a good tonic for liver, yin, qi and blood? Its a shame you seem to have only "bad" experience with vegan patients. As far as I know the diet is actually pretty sustainable longterm (at least from the western perspective) and its easy too.

I dunno, honestly I'd say that the main difference is in the view, methods and fruit. Some may say that both just use different words describing the same thing. That might be possible, however I am very sceptical towards that.

Death is coming? Well quite frankly it can't do me worse things than life has done. Soo I'll be here drinking tea and enjoying some butter biscuits and getting a head, while you run buddy. There is no running away from the death, buddy. But damn biscuits and bjs are not so out of reach if you are polite, handsome and/or have money.

Its a "I can't believe somebody is doing this seriously" wow. I think it is mostly parlor tricks compared to the real "magick" and that is mind transformation. But hey that is just me being too buddhist.

Garchen Rinpoche has said that 8 verses are the most essential lojong text, 37 bodhisattva practices are bit more extensive and Shantideva's Bodhisattvacharyaavatara is the most extensive. It is great you use it. It can profoundly change one's life.

Sure, whatever

It might sound like that but healthy individuals are quite rare and we all have our hangups. Practice can eradicate those. Many so called healthy individuals are still in the clutches of 8 worldly concerns and practitioners can go beyond them or at least lessen them. It is not the crowning achievement, however it is a sign that those who practice do it correctly and are actually either approaching the crowning achievement, or even already working with it. I wholeheartedly agree with you in what you have said in another thread about daoism that often western buddhists get rid of important stuff. I see it happen with so many zen groups in the US that are so far away that I doubt there is any enlightenment possible since they have denounced everything. That is a shame. However buddhism is still going strong and there are many great masters and even more good practitioners and practices still bear fruit.

Maybe not to you but calmer mind and more relaxed nature are some of the true signs of practice working together with love and compassion. And its not that hard nor that rare. It is not squeezing diamons from a coal using your buttcheaks or whatever people do these days. Nor is it making sth out of nothing. It is just re-discovering of what we already have.

When done right and correctly and for long enough, buddhist practices make one more grounded, present and mind is quite light. Ofc when tired or old, mind does its own thing, however the best meditators who are great masters are often of sharp mental faculties even when old and quite relaxed and happy whatever happens. HH. Dalailama is a great example, next is Garchen Rinpoche, Chetsang Rinpoche and many many others. I have met them and also met many "ordinary" meditators who were not nearly as realized yet they were complete oposite of what you have described.

Then I have to strongly disagree.

Where did you come up with that?

Sorry the link is here http://albert-bonfil-wwks.squarespace.com/blog/lung-meditators-retreat-disease

Qigong movements are important, they can clear the meridians and then qi flows better. Zhan zhuang can help gaining some qi and also release blockages in meridians. Breathe properly (calmly and into belly and back) and also properly eat. Listen to your body and eat just enough and move also a bit. And most importantly relax. You are gonna die anyway no matter what you do so do not stress too much.

I think starting with relaxation, then proceeding to relaxed meditation could help you a lot. Also maybe start doing zhan zhuang and some easy qigong movements. The pressure in the chest area are pointing towards sth Tibetans call lung disorder. It basically means you are overcharged and your energy is running wild. You have to relax, eat some heavy foods, like pork or beef and it is also good to have a black beer or very good old wine or old whiskey. But ofc just a little bit. It is also good to laugh, so watch a good comedy movie or read jokes or sth. This article could help you.

That might have been me. Sry guys it was a taco wednesday the day before ...