Dainin

Red Robin...yummm

Expect nothing!

I have some interest in this topic as well. From what I've seen in my research so far, it seems to be more common in Chinese sanghas to combine Ch'an with Pure Land, so that the practitioner takes both an "inner and outer" approach. In Japanese schools, the two seem to be more separated. In fact some of the Japanese Pure Land Schools such as Jodo Shinshu seem to be quite fundamentalist (i.e. your own efforts don't count, it is only the "Grace of Buddha" that can help you). An example of a Chinese styled sangha in the US where they practice both is the CloudWater Zendo in Cleveland (http://www.cloudwater.org). They call their Pure Land approach the Five Elements School, and have some good information on their site, and also an "Ask A Monk" feature where you could ask questions. I've tried chanting Namo Amituofo on my own (my sangha is Soto Zen and doesn't include this) and although pleasant, I haven't really noticed any effects. As in many things, it probably helps to have the guidance of an experienced teacher to learn these practices properly. Good luck.

Hi Jeffrito, If you lay down on your side with the blocked nostril on top, it will usually begin to drain within a few minutes (you could even rest your head on a table in the same manner). A couple of simple massages that I have also found helpful for this are: Rub vigorously across the bridge of the nose (right below the eyebrow) with the side of the index finger Rub up and down the side of the nose (where it meets the face) with the middle and/or index fingertips Rub vigorously across the bottom of the nose (below the septum) with the side of the index finger Massage the lower outer corner (where the nostrils meet the face) with tips of the index finger. I learned these somewhere a long time ago, maybe in one of Daniel Reid's books, and they usually help me with congestion.

Welcome, George. I've read some of your book reviews on Amazon.com, and thought that they were very insightful. Look forward to reading your comments in this forum.

I once watched part of a video of SAW giving a talk. It was in Spanish, so I could not understand the words, but his mannerisms and style of oration reminded me of Adolph Hitler.

Hi Jetsun, As far as I know, the only remaining group of "real" Gnostics in still existance are an ethnic group called the Mandaeans, a few thousand of whom live near the border of Iraq and Iran. Like other religious minorities in the Middle East, they are enduring a lot of persecution by the Muslim majority, so I'm not sure how much of their faith that they share with outsiders. There are a few books about them in print.

The Search for Count Dante

The Sufi Conference: A Celebration of Sufi Love & Wisdom 2001-2008 Audio recordings of all the talks and video of the last conference. Representation from many different Sufi groups.

Hi Bill, In Primordial Qigong, microcosmic orbit can be circulated right after the first turn to both sides, where you make that "oval" up, down and back up to the heart center. Also, the part where you "scoop" down and then come back up to crown and trace down the conception vessel could also be visualized as macrosmic orbit. You might also want to check out Winn's Qigong Fundamentals 2: Open Chi Flow in the Orbit DVD. It has six simple exercises that have really enhanced the feeling of the orbit for me, and don't really involve much visualization.

Bringer of truth or madman? Maybe a combination of both. I've heard people state that he is an operative that mixes facts with the wacky lizard stuff to discredit the true pieces...

Capybara!

If no one responds to your question, you could always try contacting the author himself: http://www.drmichaelfrost.com/Contact.Alternative.Strategies.In.Healing.html

It looks like the book now has a title and a cover, but is still not yet available: Kunlun System Book

Before he was tulku, he was Body of Light...

This reminds me of a story from a few years ago: Fatal Trek: The mysterious desert death of a Brooklyn yoga devotee Not to mention that clown who killed a few people in a sweatlodge more recently.

The return of ... tulku?

Hello Juicy, There are two members of this forum that I believe are from your area: Baguakid and Tzu Jan Li. They are long-time players and could probably give you some guidance as to finding a teacher in Orlando. You could use the search box in the upper right to locate their postings, and then send them a private message.

Resources to learn the qigong methods used by the allegedly 250-year-old Master, Li Ching-Yun: Daoist Seated Qigong and Practices

Part of what's being used up is your original or pre-natal qi. This can't be replaced by taking pills or eating certain foods. Therefore, moderation in frequency is still a wise move.

Apech, thanks for explaining the rationale behind the sub-forums and why this message was not moved there.

I'd like to ask the moderators why this thread isn't being placed in the Buddhist sub-forum, other than the OP asking it not to be? If positive postings about this subject are relegated to the sub-forum, why aren't critical ones as well? Personally, I don't like the subforums, and preferred the earlier format of having everything in one place. Also, there is a poster who is always posting Judeo-Christian stuff in the General Discussion. Why isn't there a sub-forum for that material also? Thanks for your response.

Toad versus Centipede:

Hello DrT, My understanding of this is that the original form of Yang Tai Chi was created by Yang Lu Chan, after studying at the Chen Village. There are various legends about him peeking through the fence at the closed door sessions, etc. It was said that he then travelled about, fighting all challengers, and was undefeated. As far as I know, the original form created by him has been lost. His sons Yang Ban Hou and Yang Jian Hou created forms, which are still being taught by different people. These are said to be "more martial" in nature than what is generally being taught now, and might be more similar to what Yang Lu Chan taught, but who knows for certain? The majority of the Yang Tai Chi now being taught descends from Yang Chen Fu, who created more of a standardized system than his predecessors, and also added the health frame, which made it more accessible to non-martial artists. You can find out more about the history of the Yang Family here: History: Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association I don't know about Earl Montaigue, but you might want to see who his teachers were, and how they were connected to the members of the Yang Family, or their senior students.