adept

I read the book years ago and this story actually made me feel sick to the stomach. These are supposed to be 'high level cultivators', whatever that means. How people do such things is beyond me. We don't even know if that story is true. It could have been included in the book for 'entertainment' purposes. Sick, twisted and racist.

Yes, I agree, but racism ?

Well, I am trying to clear out so replacing one book for another doesn't make much sense. However, if there's anything that catches your eye and you have something I might be interested in, maybe we could swap.

Still not immortal, though very impressive. Sadly, all things that come into being also must perish.

You can't divide the body/mind/spirit into separate segments. They're all part of an integrated whole.

Looks like he's high on Ecstasy

Whatever the intentions were of this, it is racist. Banning teaching of a supposedly high level practice to people because of their skin colour ? However you dress it up it's racist. If this is what these high power practices do for you then thanks, but no thanks.

I disagree. To 'blank' the mind, one would become like a stone or an animal carcass. Or as it's also known, dead tree zen. To 'blank' the mind would leave it in a fixed state. In this way, qi would stagnate and cause health problems. Similar to meditators that focus on one point, such as the dantian or third eye. If qi is allowed to gather in one place it causes numerous problems, both physical and mental. However, to empty the mind, leaves it in a flexible mode, where it is left to work, without any thought distractions. The thoughts recede into the background but are still there. There is a big difference between 'blanking' and emptying. 'Blanking' suggests using force to block out the 10,000 things. Whereas, in emptying, the mind is left to settle on it's own accord without any interference, allowing myriad possibilities. Quintessential wu-wei. Blunting the sharpness.

'real' chi ? There is only chi. Not real or unreal. Chi = mind.

You can learn more from mountains, forests, streams, the stars, plants and the wildlife about the Dao than you can learn on any internet forum.

This has nothing to do with power or the theme/topic of this thread. This is urban youths running amok without any consideration for others. They don't want/need a qigong teacher. Their world is a million miles away from any cultivation practice.

Thank you for your answer ChiDragon. I think you have described Daoism as it should be, not how it's portrayed on this, and other forums. This is how I try to live. DCXM, I like that. Many blessings to you.

Kunlun book sold.

Definitely. This is one reason I remain here.

That lots of people are obsessed with John Chang, power, showing off supposed 'abilities', pretending to be superior and more knowledgable than others. Not enough people interested in the great unfathomable, mystery of mysteries, the Dao. Having said that, I have acquired some great bits of information from some wonderful folks which have been extremely useful. So it ain't all bad.

I know someone with extraordinary qi power. He has no wish or desire to be measured/studied or put in the limelight whatsoever. He wants to remain humble, sincere and genuine. If people wish to know of his skills, they will find ways to seek him out. 'When the student is ready, the teacher appears.'

But some mysteries will remain mysteries.

No idea whatsoever. . I'm not joking either. There's more confusion on here than ever. If this forum is a typical example of what 'Daoists' are, then we're screwed. John Chang this, and Mo Pai that. Qigong, neigong, neidan. Philisophical, religious, atheist, creationist, anarchist, communist. Learned, unlearned. Lettered, unlettered. Buddhist, schmuddist, vedantic, pedantic. Ch'an, zen, thai, tibetan. Christian, mystic, orthodox, gnostic. Meditation, zhan zhuang, tai chi, contemplation. Self, no-self, I AM, enneagram. Big bang, yin, yang, wu-wei, ziran. Confused ? You bet.

What does a Daoist live like ? In fact what is a 'Daoist' anyway ? There are too many variables.

Some things just aren't measurable by mainstream science and I, for one would like to keep it that way. Questions will remain unanswerable. It is this constant questioning of the unknown which keeps us flexible and pliable. If we knew all the answers to life's great mysteries, the universe would be a very stale and stagnant place.

Health, longevity, clarity of mind.

I have that book for sale if anyone's interested. PM for details.

He's probably been 'bumped off' by the PRC

Seems like a nice kind of person.

This thread is a perfect example of what happens to people who chase power.