anshino23

Sounds like Zifagong and Yang Qi.

New podcast with Max Christensen (Mogen Roshi) online now for listening. Thought people would enjoy https://www.spreaker.com/user/kxfmradio/mugen-roshi

Can I access please? Thanks.

Hi Galen. So, I am hearing different things here, please correct me if I'm wrong At one level you're asking when you'll reach high stages of development such as stilling the Jing and developing the "Qigong" body on top of also developing the microcosmic orbit (a high stage of internal development); but then at the same time you're saying you are practicing this system to fix a chronic health problem with your back? I am not sure if you see the cognitive dissonance here yourself, but it is apparent to me. If you have access to the academy try watching the Bali video on 'healing' and you'll see what I mean. Going into these arts for fixing back pain seems backwards to me. You can fix back pain through much easier modalities? And fixing backpain does not necessarily imply reaching high stages of internal development or vice-versa, as it would very much depend on its cause. There are countless programs that are focued on fixing back pain, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises and much more. Most likely much more efficient at bringing comfort and ease than the hard internal training that neigong requires. As for your question on duration - this has also been discussed elsewhere. For the majority of practictioners, regardless of background, to create the foundation will take somewhere between 3 and 5 years. This is with practice at least 1 x 2 hours daily, and preferably 2 x 2 hour sessions based on my understanding. Who is your teacher? Your teacher really should have addressed these questions with you directly. Perhaps the teacher was deliberately withholding the answer as a way of suggesting to you that patience and long-term view in these arts is key. I wouldn't focus short-term within these arts. The time will pass anyway, so can just as well train. But if your goal with these arts are "back pain removal" then there are countless other paths, trainings and programs that are much better suited for this goal IMHO.

I asked ChatGPT based on its knowledge on Zen and Ch'an to explain how someone might be recognized as a lineage holder within Zen. It came up with a pretty great answer: Mind-to-mind transmission, or "ishi no denrai," is a core concept in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing a direct and non-verbal communication of insight from teacher to student. This idea represents the transmission of the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) in an experiential manner rather than through words or scriptures. Yes, within the Zen tradition, there are instances where a master recognizes a student as having achieved a profound realization, often referred to as an "enlightenment experience." This recognition sometimes includes bestowing a Dharma name, or "master-name," and acknowledging the student as a lineage holder. Mind-to-mind transmission can be a key aspect of this process. Here's how this works in context: You seem to have some thoughts @Vajra Fist on this matter, but decide to delete them - not sure why?

He briefly talks about being initiated into an inner-door tradition in Japan. I assume that’s why he’s changed his name to Mogen Roshi. He has some absolutely crazy stories. Very fun, but I can see how he might not be everyone’s cup of tea @liminal_luke Curious; did you go to one of his Kunlun seminars or when did you meet him? Can you tell us a bit more about your experience?

Nevermind, found out

brainstorm

Thanks for your reply. Having spoken with what I consider high level practictioners and met a few, they seem to be of a similar view to Bodri in that only very very very few people have reached authentic dhyana/jhana. Do you think the jhanas are easily attainable, and if so, why / how? Please also see these posts by freeform: Would be interesting to hear your view

Since you know of and have previously recommended Bodri's work, I'd be very curious to hear your take on his latest: Thanks in advance

Greetings. I'm curious to hear old-timer daobums take on Bill Bodri and his new view on things. If you're familiar with the late master Nan Huai Chin, then you've probably heard of Bodri, who was one of his students. In his earlier works, Bodri focused on the "consciousness-only" approach, emphasizing emptiness meditation and anapana as the keys to success. But in his latest books, Bodri claims that much of what he previously espoused was actually wrong, and that the true key to enlightenment is access to the illusory body, or deva body. He believes that achieving this attainment makes you enlightened and known as a Buddhist Srotapanna Arhat, Hindu jnani, Taoist Immortal, Homo Deus, or 'twice born'. According to Bodri, this attainment is the first rung of the true spiritual ladder that is kept hidden from most people, as they would be dejected about their spiritual efforts and stop cultivating altogether. Bodri also claims that nearly 100% of spiritual practitioners, even monks and nuns, don't know how to cultivate correctly. He argues that one of the main purposes of spiritual practice is to purify and strengthen your subtle body composed of Qi, so that you can achieve the independent deva body attainment while still alive, or lay the foundation for the Sakadagamin stage and then Causal body Anagamin achievement after death. So, what do you all think about Bodri's new perspective? Do you agree or disagree with his ideas? Here are some excerpts from his new book that may be interesting for this discussion: This kind of approach seems very different than the more streamlined Daoist lineages such as those taught by Longmenpai and other famous daoist schools where there's a clear line of development -- and, in a way, is much more "new age" in that Bodri basically says to "steal"/"borrow" techniques from all different kinds of lineages and combine them all in the hope of having the most success, and to do this consistently along with everything else. In any case, I would be curious to hear people's thoughts...

@Maddie: I disagree. Both orgasm, ejaculation and 'mental stimulation' without actual ejaculation deplete jing. Freeform has written at-length about this, and I find his depicition quite apt. Please see his full response here: Now if we look at all wisdom traditions whether it be Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Jewish Mysticism and even Theosophy they all unequivocally agree that sexual desire is something to be risen above. For instance, in the Anguttara Nikaya, the Buddha taught that "The enjoyment of sexual pleasure is a hindrance to the path, it obscures the awareness of noble truths." In Chapter 14 of the Lotus Sutra, it says: "Desire is like a flame, a poisonous snake, a trap, a net, a fetter, a flood, a fierce wind, an enemy, a foe. Therefore, all the sons and daughters of the Buddha must cut off desire, discard it, and wipe it out." Similarly, in Chapter 27 of the Avatamsaka Sutra, it says: "Desires are like the river that flows on and on, without end, but the wise cut off their desires and cross over, leaving all afflictions and defilements far behind." Even if we see to Vajrayana, Milarepa, the most revered Tibetan Siddha, wrote extensively about his own struggles with desire and his journey to transcend it. In one of his songs, he wrote: "Desire is like a beggar's bowl And I am like a pauper. But when I give up desire I am like a king." If we move to Theosophy, Blavatasky in her book "The Voice of the Silence," wrote: "Kill out desire; but if thou killest it take heed lest from the dead it should again arise." Of course, because sexual desire is such a strong force, there are many unseen forces that guide humans to create whole systems of spirituality that try to convince people that practices of sexuality and base desires are the epitome of spiritual practice. Here's just one example...

I was very grateful for this video, thanks goes to Damo Mitchell (video above). I think this would benefit a lot of people here and clear up lots of doubts and mistaken notions. I really enjoyed it, I hope you guys do too

Testosterone replacement therapy.

Quite enjoyed this one… Hope you do too.

Fully understood. Thank you for the reply. Could you elaborate a bit more on your experience working with your Daoist neidan teacher and the methods taught in Vajrayana? Did both or only one of them employ visualization as a method for bringing about transformation?

Who taught you neidan?

Found this excellent. Also learned some stuff about Damo I didn't know.

Just adding this disclaimer: In this lengthy episode, Damo is discussing what it means to be a male in the martial and cultivation arts. He talks about his own insecurities and what he had to overcome to become strong and confident in himself. Many young males are feeling lost these days and this is looked at in this podcast. Please note that this episode is really aimed at younger males and may not be relevant to other groups of people.

Can you please help elucidate what issues you saw in what Asa (the very dedicated Vajrayana practictioner who even did a 3 year mountain retreat) presented in his view of Vajrayana? I personally didn't see Asa's take as discrediting Vajrayana as much as saying that while many of its aspects hold power; there's something that's lost and that's incredibly sad - and additionally, that what is missing may only be available to the highest masters - which is related on how one can build specific types of energy which then makes many of the methods actually work as intended. Perhaps I misunderstood and you understand what Asa said very differently? If so, can you please share what you found said that was incorrect about Vajrayana? Is someone who has learned directly from Kalu Rinpoche and gone on a 3 year mountain retreat part of the 'common run'? Just curious. Where can one find the 'correct' people within Vajrayana that embody the authenticity that you distinctly mention? So if we read and practice according to the scriptures and commentaries - then we'll be secure of delusion and find the correct way? Can you share how can we protect ourselves from delusion in such a case? Just as a matter of fact - as part of a Reddit community I once browsed called stream-entry (literally), there are hundreds if not thousands of people there that think they have attained jhanas left and right as well as fruitions and stream-entry. And they've done that based on reading sutras and commentaries and picking and choosing to their liking their own interpretations. Such as siddhis are not real and everything is just describing a mental process, Qi is just bioelectricity or piloerection. You end up with the kind of soulless (pun-intended) meditation-"master" types, the likes of Sam Harris in my view.... (As a side-note, he has a whole app called Waking Up, but I doubt any authentic teacher worth his salt (my interpretation) would actually consider him awakened since he shows none of the signs of an awakened master).

Here’s a video or master Nan Huai Chin literally chain-smoking cigarettes while discussing health principles of the Yellow Emperor Classic. Master Nan was by many recognised as a master of the highest degree — yet here he is chain smoking cigarettes in his 90s! Imagine what his students must think! I honestly find it hilarious and quite sad that people tend to fixate on the outermost dense materialistic aspects of a person rather than hearing what they have to say. Like freeform describes, I’ve also seen the opposite. I’ve seen the hippie-teachers with their plastic persona, appearance and empty lofty talk and promises. Here are some teachers that say things like they see them — unfiltered just describing their own experiences with countless students — and just being their authentic selves. Not hiding behind a false spiritual veneer but just living their art and practicing wholeheartedly. It seems nowadays we’re so fixated on appearances and “glamour” that we lose our grip on the essential. Our practice, and perhaps more importantly — our transformation. Let’s work on kindness and suspending disbelief — because, who knows? We might just learn something new today. That would be lovely wouldn’t it? Or has our practice made our minds and egos so fragile based on beliefs that we cannot even open ourselves to other ideas, experiences and discuss them and learn from one another? May we all strive well, and may the Dharma bring us to the other shore. 🙏 —————— “No, you didn't, and I've gone to great lengths on your recommendation to change my bad habits.""Oh, That was to develop your will, you see, and to give your instincts a refresher course. And we can say that habit itself--any unconscious, compulsive ritual--is negative. But specific activities-smoking, drinking, taking drugs, eating sweets, or asking silly questions are bad and good; every action has its price, and its pleasures. Recognizing both sides, you become realistic and responsible for your actions. And only then can you make the warrior's free choice--to do or not to do.There is a saying when you sit, sit. When you stand, stand. Whatever you do don’t wobble. Once you make your choice do it with all your spirit. Don’t be like the evangelist that thought about praying while making love to his wife and making love to his wife while praying.” ~ A Peaceful Warrior

Thank you for sharing I don't know if you had a chance to listen to this interview here below with Asa Hershoff with Damo Mitchell. Asa was a student of Vajrayana Buddhism basically his entire life and also underwent the full training of a Tibetan Lama and took a 3 year 3 month meditation retreat as guided by the masters of the lineage. Now what is most fascinating about his experiences and description - is that despite learning the very traditional methods of visualization and so forth - he recounts that basically it has lost most of its true power - because their methods of energy generation have either been lost (or simply just become so secret that they're basically inaccessible to Westerners trying to learn within a Tibetan tradition) and without the power - the visualization will not truly come "alive". I personally found his description of Vajrayana, if his experience is in any way reflective of reality, to show Vajrayana in a very sorry state of affairs... In any case, in terms of your understanding, can you share a bit more about what your experience is with visualization and how it is not related to imagination (or "fantasy")? And can you perhaps share a bit more about your experience with Mahamudra or Dzogchen? Thank you - appreciate your sharing

Many of the things he said was similar to what my Buddhist friend told me back in the day. Especially the emphasis on jhana that leads to wisdom. Not sure why it's so controversial. There’s no jhāna for one without wisdom; No wisdom for one without jhāna. But for one with both jhāna and wisdom, Nibbana truly is near. — The Buddha, Dhammapada 372

Can you share a bit about what you found wrong?

How about love? I always understood metta as loving-kindness, and always with the emphasis on opening the heart. What is meant by love in your view - or that of your tradition? Perhaps it's the Buddhist in me... but love feels incredibly exalted to me. It seems the buddhist sutras agree with that... Thus have I heard: On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi at Jetavana at Anathapindika's monastery. Then he addressed the monks saying, "Monks." — "Venerable Sir," said the monks, by way of reply. The Blessed One then spoke as follows: "Monks, eleven advantages are to be expected from the release (deliverance) of heart by familiarizing oneself with thoughts of loving-kindness (metta), by the cultivation of loving-kindness, by constantly increasing these thoughts, by regarding loving-kindness as a vehicle (of expression), and also as something to be treasured, by living in conformity with these thoughts, by putting these ideas into practice, and by establishing them. What are the eleven? 1. "He sleeps in comfort. 2. He awakes in comfort. 3. He sees no evil dreams. 4. He is dear to human beings. 5. He is dear to non-human beings. 6. Devas (gods) protect him. 7. Fire, poison, and sword cannot touch him. 8. His mind can concentrate quickly. 9. His countenance is serene. 10. He dies without being confused in mind. 11. If he fails to attain arahantship (the highest sanctity) here and now, he will be reborn in the brahma-world. "These eleven advantages, monks, are to be expected from the release of heart by familiarizing oneself with thoughts of loving-kindness, by cultivation of loving-kindness, by constantly increasing these thoughts, by regarding loving-kindness as a vehicle (of expression), and also as something to be treasured, by living in conformity with these thoughts, by putting these ideas into practice and by establishing them." So said the Blessed One. Those monks rejoiced at the words of the Blessed One."