Martial Development

We can treat neigong as a matter of science, or a matter of politics. That will guide us in deciding whether one correct answer is satisfactory, or whether we need a variety of answers, from which we may choose one that most pleases us. What was never explained is MPG's strategy for attracting experts to his exclusive forum. Because if the answers are not correct, then who cares whether they are "on-topic"? I know why students would want to join--it's a cheap and easy alternative--but what does it offer the teachers? It might be interesting to set up a sort of Yahoo Answers service instead of a forum? Then we might see the cream rise to the top, so to speak.

Wonder no more. If people are required to make a sacrifice in order to inherit the deepest and subtlest practices, that isn't such a bad thing, is it? Or would you prefer that, when inquiring about neidan, you are offered a gift bag of moisturizer and second-rate Starbucks tea?

Actually, I know of an existing forum that is free and open, and it already has lots of knowledgeable members. Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/2btgkjn .

This is what happens when theory meets practice: one of them has to GTFO. NSFW but relevant and funny. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/5751467/

Actually, I heard about a group in Seattle doing this, 5-7 years ago. I'd love to tell you more about them...but their activities were a secret.

Is this your experience, or your speculative theory?

You know, someone on a martial arts forum recently asked what a dantian is. A dozen replies explained that it is a synonym for center of gravity, and that past generations of Chinese people didn't or couldn't state this simple fact, because they are superstitious, secretive, and poetically inclined. I posted an image of the nei jing tu, which is hardly a secret these days. It's on the Internet, along with English translations of its literal text, and some interpretations of the subtext. The text reads, "...The fundamental reason (for the obscurity of this chart) is that the Way of the Elixir is subtle, and there are obtuse people who do not have the ability to grasp it...In truth, I did not dare to keep this for myself alone. Therefore, I had it engraved on a printing block to be widely disseminated." Naturally, this chart was ignored by the rest of the forum, and the circle jerking about gravitational alignment continued. The customer is always right. So everybody wants to be a customer, nobody wants to be a student. Few people are willing to be reformed, but everyone fancies themselves a reformer. Learning neigong is not like earning a degree from the University of Phoenix! IMO, it is closer to becoming a Navy SEAL. SEALs accept reform too, I am told, but they certainly don't cater to the demands of those who washed out early. Tradition is technology. I don't really care who accepts and who rejects the traditional teaching methods. But when people rationalize their distaste for these methods, and then externalize the villains who thwart their desire to possess the technology......that drives me up the wall! One has to wonder how these past generations of Asian masters, with all their alleged hatred for innovation and creativity, ever managed to learn anything at all?! One of my Taiji instructors, who has been teaching for fifty years, says quite openly that that most other "masters" are frauds. They don't know what they are doing, or what they aren't doing. When they write books to share their negligible expertise, they put their own ideas in the front of the book, and relegate the Taiji Classics to an appendix, or omit them completely. I invite you to consider whether that is a mere coincidence. One of my Wing Chun instructors, who has taught for over forty years, liked to say that "If you can really figure all this stuff out just by reading a few books and watching a few videos, then I'll sweep the floor to welcome you." I'm sure he hasn't used that broom yet.

Setting up a forum is easy. Creating an online community is difficult. Finding a large group of people who actually know something about neigong, and who are also interested in sharing their experiences online, in English, is nearly impossible. Good luck!

What a relief! I was going to investigate that method personally, but now there is no need, as a much smarter person has done it for me. As first I didn't trust Darren Brown, because he makes a lot of money off his claims. But then I found out that his work is endorsed by 4 out of 5 stage magicians--what more could you want?

And those people without food on the table and a bed to sleep in? They will not fade quietly into the night. If they remain unable to find or create a job, we will have to feed them. The only question is whether we (as a society) will decide to feed them outside, or inside a prison cell.

http://www.dojoscore.com/schools/browse/n:US/s:Alaska Even if you can't find a nearby school in the DojoScore database, you can register yourself as an independent martial artist there, and hopefully connect with some practice partners.

If your eyes are open, then you see things. If not, then no. Your bellybutton is not a dantian, your forehead is not a third eye and your butthole is not a chakra.

Begging your pardon sir, but straw dogs have a deliberate beginning and a deliberate end--and if nobody gave a shit, then they would have neither!!

Maybe we should read Daodejing in relation to the dominant philosophies of its time, before deciding it is about "not giving a shit" in modern terms? (The concept of "timeless, placeless truth" is itself culturally bound, as explained in the book "A Return To Reason"--thanks to Drew for mentioning it.) P.S. Pondering or following the advice of a thousand-year-old text, and not giving a shit, would appear to be mutually exclusive. And it looks as if you are already embarked.

Points for consideration: The signs are clear and unmistakable; if you aren't sure, then the work isn't done. Knowing the signs won't get you there any faster. Only knowing the correct methods will do that. Therefore, to publish the signs is to empower the charlatans, who happily peddle half-truths and decontextualized facts to the detriment of the community at large. Or so I have been told. Keeping quiet about the signs is not just about keeping secrets from outsiders; it is a way to safeguard the continued integrity of the practice. You can't pretend to know (which is the standard form of "knowing") if you were never told in the first place. With that said, I do enjoy hearing everyone's stories.

Interview with "Intuitive Warrior" Michael Jaco

Practice with lots of people, those who are better and those who are worse. Do not restrict yourself to the members of your own school, as they probably all have the same blind spot(s). DojoScore can help you find local martial arts practice partners.

So you started this thread asking for advice about Bagua, and two days later, you're already qualified to give it? Can You Learn Martial Arts From a Book or DVD?

Martial arts are too complicated to learn by yourself. Doing them slowly or "in a meditative fashion" is not a solution. Now, if you think that doing it wrong is better than not doing it at all--and don't kid yourself, if you refuse a teacher, then this is exactly the choice in front of you--then go ahead. It won't "mess up your chi," but when you finally do get serious about learning someday, you'll spend two months unlearning rubbish for every one you previously spent accumulating it. There are plenty of simple qigong sets that are unrelated to martial arts. Or you could learn just one standing posture and one sitting posture, which is already enough to keep you busy for 2-4 hours daily. If you need movement too, join a rec league sports team.

I smell a business opportunity. Four dollar alchemy! You've tried the rest, now turn blue like the best!

You might be interested in part 2 of this interview.

Yes, ladies, post your pics. I'm not on TV myself, but I can put you on a videotape.