mouse

rodgerj, Here are my 2 cents worth on the topic as I personally do some iron robe through my school's system. There are different mechanics to creating iron robe on the body/face/legs but to me doing so through the Taiji form/structure is the best method. The mechanics of such a method primarily works on "song" or active relaxation to allow the energy received through any strike to connect and be sent down to the ground. When done in line with all the principles, you can do so in any posture even lying down. Here is a video of the iron robe tests done in the school system. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> I hope I don't offend anyone who practices other methods, but I consider them to be lesser paths as they only take you so far. The lesser methods I speak of use tensing of muscles to absorb blows and through conditioning toughens the body to take blows. There are many disadvantages to that as it damages the body and by tensing your body when receiving blows, it raises your energetic centre and leads to bad rooting. We've had many cases where people from other systems come round to the school to test the iron robe and we have accepted/welcomed these martial artists to test their "dim mak" or whatever strikes they feel like. Most recently the melbourne school had a 4th Dan Karate black belt instructor to test the iron robe as he did not believe the clips. Andy (the sifu for that branch) accepted and after a loud "Kiai!"and a strike that bounced off the robe the person left. However, we're not sure why he didn't wish to try learning the system. Another example was a Muay Thai fighter asking to test on Sifu Adam and he accepted on condition that he trains under him if he does not hurt him and was told to strike however he wished. The Muay thai fighter went for a low sweep to the knee but he broke his ankle.... a pity as he could not train after. Enjoy your practice. mouse

SiliconValley, I am not familiar with the terms you used here. I am studying under the Terevada tradition and not versed in other traditions. You may wish to visit http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors...a/wheel351.html for clarification on the exact meaning of the terms I used in relation to the context (Terevada background). As for samadhi, the context I expressed can be referenced to the quote below. "Samadhi derives from the prefixed verbal root sam-a-dha, meaning to collect or to bring together, thus suggesting the concentration or unification of the mind. The word "samadhi" is almost interchangeable with the word "samatha," serenity, though the latter comes from a different root, sam, meaning to become calm. In the suttas samadhi is defined as mental one-pointedness, (cittass'ekaggata M.i,301) and this definition is followed through rigorously in the Abhidhamma. The Abhidhamma treats one-pointedness as a distinct mental factor present in every state of consciousness, exercising the function of unifying the mind on its object. From this strict psychological standpoint samadhi can be present in unwholesome states of consciousness as well as in wholesome an neutral states. In its unwholesome forms it is called "wrong concentration" (micchasamadhi), In its wholesome forms "right concentration" (sammasamadhi). In expositions on the practice of meditation, however, samadhi is limited to one-pointedness of mind (Vism.84-85; PP.84-85), and even here we can understand from the context that the word means only the wholesome one-pointedness involved in the deliberate transmutation of the mind to a heightened level of calm. Thus Buddhaghosa explains samadhi etymologically as "the centering of consciousness and consciousness concomitants evenly and rightly on a single object... the state in virtue of which consciousness and its concomitants remain evenly and rightly on a single object, undistracted and unscattered" (Vism.84-85; PP.85)" Hope this clarifies. Enjoy your practice. mouse

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Zen meditation is like awarness meditation (vipasanna). Yogis do concentration meditation (samadhi). entering high levels of concentration/jhanic states makes you withdraw inwards until your external senses are not observed. There is a lot more that can be discussed but this is the gist of why the results are different. Only vipassana leads to nibbana. The 8th jhanic state can lead to a momentary nibbanic experience but is not permanant. Awarness concentration can lead to a level of jhana called insight concentration but is different from the concentration achieved by concentration meditation. Depending on lineage, you will practice both or one. Samadhi leads to siddhi development and always has a touch of ego involved. However, jhana when used in vipasanna allow for deep piercing insight. Hope this clarifies. Enjoy your practice. mouse

xuesheng, Anthony De Mello was influenced much by Ajahn Chah from the Thai Forest Tradition. His book, "Awareness", was a good read. You may enjoy it. Enjoy your practice. mouse

cat, Soft and loving doesn't do much in terms of granting protection. My teacher knows many good clairvoyants and are able to perceive other planes of existance even better than him but still visit my teacher for help with exorcising spirits. In respect to Om mani pedme hung, it freezes entities. They just stay on the spot when the chant is used. I do not know the mechanics of it but this is what happens. Which might not be the best method when they are already attached to you. Danger free protection works better especially before sleep for protection in dreams. It is from the terevada tradition and if you can't find it let me know. I can point you in the right direction. The first two chants to be used prior to "danger free protection" is "homage to Buddha" then "refuge in the triple gem". I would not be able to point you in the direction to the void. It essentially is nothing yet in everything. My understanding of it from my teacher is the nature of space. The space in one room is the same as the space in the next room. The furniture might be different, the gaseous composition may be different but the nature of space is essentially the same. Likewise the mind (citta) and the void are similar. Over the eons of rebirth and attachment, we add more and more furniture or defilments to the citta. However, do note that pure mind has the quality of cognisance so it is similar to void/space but different. Can't comment further from here as my experience is limited and subject to delusion as well. Best is to not conceptualise things as they create more "furniture". Hope this helps. Enjoy your practice. mouse

idquest, One method used in Hermatics training as well as in some Terevadan traditions is to have a 2nd person confirm the incident without giving prior warning. Example: 'A' sees black dragon. Without saying out what he saw asks fellow disciple 'B' what did he see. 'B' replies, "a black dragon". Thus both have perceived the same object. Both schools are very aware of the possibility of delusion hence the need to confirm with other parties. However, most times, visions are taken at face value "as it is" and just noted but not investigated. Do note that in the formless realms, perceiving the same thing will look different to two different people. Someone with a tibetean background will perceive maybe wrathful and colourful devas whereas someone from a christian background will likely see angels etc even though it is the same entity. The reason for this is because of the dualistic mind. Beings of a dualistic nature cannot perceive 'void' or 'no form' due to the nature of their minds hence the mind views the formless being with 'something'. Another example is when I personally perceive void, I see black. Some people see dark purple. It is normal as those who are not fully enlightened are not able to perceive the true nature of 'void' and still require a reference. Enjoy your practice. mouse

You guys should go ask your sifu what Malcolm did to Erle once then get the inside word on what nonsense Erle is. Seriously. mouse

That is correct. 100% loading on the rear foot makes your other foot free to step. It is essential for no double weightedness. You never want to reach 100% loading in push but it trains you for the times where you get caught out and you are able to be comfortable in it and still issue. Enjoy your practice mouse

ShenZheng, There are indeed many methods of healing as I've mentioned before. From what I recall there are 6 levels of healing each one closer to karma the higher you go. 1) Massage 2) Herbs/Medicines 3) Accupuncture/meridian 4) Energy/chi work 5) Elements (Earth, Wind, Water, Fire + Space + Spirit) 6) Void/emptiness The higher you go with healing, the more direct the healing is and the the closer you are to the karmic source of the injury/imbalance. Depending at which level the illness is based in, for example level, 4, the lower levels (1,2 and 3) are not sufficient to fully solve the problem. They can delay or lessen the full impact of the karmic fruit but only take you so far. Healing at the void links you directly to the karma and repuccusions are immediate. There are methods of protection but I did not learn them. Regarding feelings of energy as being warmth in hands or feeling spiritual energy only, that would not be accurate. There are those who are able to see the energy and also have the wisdom through jhanic states to discern the true nature of the energy as it is. Not everyone only relies on 'feeling'. With regards to weekend courses. I would say most are delusion. However, there are energetic transmissions within some lineages that can 'download' the information into your astral body. Tis true. Once you got it, you got it. However, speaking about it can cause you to lose them as well just as quickly. My teacher has said often, "Silence grants power". He has healed a disciple's father from leukemia before if that gives some weight to the things I have written about here. Again, has anyone got any clarification to add about the source of Reiki's healing energy it would be great. Enjoy your practice mouse

Hundun, Interesting to hear of your experiences and development on your path as a healer. Thanks for sharing. On my end, I have had some experience with healing that mirrors some of the things you shared. The method I was taught was to connect to the triple gem that consists of the Buddha. Dhamma and Sangha after entering jhana and request for access to Buddha Light. I've found that the energy is pure and have used it with some success although for relatively minor ailments for family members. I've stopped the practice since as it was one of many methods available to alleviate suffering. I would like to ask of reiki practitioners here to share some of their thoughts on the actual energy channeled during their healing. What are they connecting to? The reason why I ask is due to a chance encounter with a source of healing on the internet. It was labelled as Reiki and the moment I played it, I could feel the energy. It was not pure and the best description I can use is "unclean" yet not to the point of "dirty". My teacher confirms it as well. The thing I would like to clarify is where does the source originate from for Reiki's energy? From that experience, I personally would not connect to it as I do not find it clean. Would anyone care to clarify? Enjoy your practice. mouse

Santiago, Very efficient combat. Brutal groundwork. Enjoy your practice. mouse

Actually, Kwan Gong and Guan Yin are different entities. However, Guan Yin is the Goddess of Mercy and depending on your tradition can be either man or woman. In sanskrit it is Avalokiteśvara. I've seen many statues of Avalokiteśvara in male form and many in female. From my background, it is predominantly in female form. General Kwan or Guan Gong (title) or Guan Yu (name) is a deity often tattooed on the bodies of triad members in oriental cultures as he is fiercely loyal and a symbol of brotherhood. Members of the police also tattoo his image on their bodies for protection as well as worship him for protection. Wonder who will actually get protected in this scenario. Hope that clarifies. mouse

Attachment to views are what causes so much suffering in the world at the moment. Your tribe, my tribe. Sunnis, Shiites, Muslims, Hindus, etc. Releasing the heart from such bounds is the path to liberation. Perhaps the word used was not appropriate. Instead of "simplifying" it could be better represented by "return". Return to the 3, 2 and the ONE. Whether or not life back then is considered real or artificial, they're all still trapped in samsara. There is a story shared by this monk (Bikkhu Buddha Dhatu) who has the divine eye and can see past lives and the karmic links in people. It was the hungry ghost festival and he noticed a small girl offering incense at her ancestral altar as taught by her parents. He laughed when he saw the karmic links and said that the girl was offering incense to herself as she was her grandmother reborn as her daughter's child. The irony of such attachment to lineages is apparant. mouse

Taomeow, You're correct in being able to trace back roots and record keeping. My family can trace back our roots all the way to Fujian, Jin Men where my great great grand father was a Qing naval court official. Once in Jin Men, we can trace it further through the Huang family archives but I'm not sure how far that actually goes. However to say that things without roots, history, are like hydroponic vegetables would not be correct. That would be attaching to views of who you think you should be. Views are dangerous things and would one of the 10,000 things in the 'world'. Why not simplify to the 3, then to the 2 and then back to the one? mouse

Simon1983, In my opinion lineages don't mean much. Many masters are not great teachers. It is often you see someone from a reputable lineage have no real skills and have a huge following due to the name. I can name a few but best not to. My teacher often says his lineage is from Buddha. Enjoy your practice. mouse

Wow...I do the exact same things with my dog! mouse

r.w. smith, Zhao Bing and Dong Yang are one and the same. Dong Yang is his ordination name under the Taoist lineage. I've trained in maybe 10 sessions before and he is very competent with his ability but doesn't teach anything which is why students get no where. You can see from his Taiji form, that he's got all principles right. Even in his sword form has principles down pat. However, he does not teach an ounce on it in classes which is why I ask clearclouds to share his views as he is a long term student. Enjoy your practice, mouse

I am in Australia as well. Clearclouds, I've been to a few of Master Dong Yang's classes before and although he is competent in his mastery of the martial arts he teaches, I have seen no students even close to what he is capable of. Although some have been training with him for over 8 years. In the classes, he shares nothing on technique and is apparant in the skill level of his students. Can you comment on this if you're still on the forum? How was the visit to China that he was planning? Would be interesting to hear your views on it. Enjoy your practice. mouse

Thanks guys for your input. Looks like Grandmothers are full of mysterious practices that only make sense after they're gone. We've got a saying in our culture that translates directly to English as follows: "To not listen to the advice of your elders, loss lies at your feet." It has a better ring to it in Mandarin though. There are a few others on the forum who have shared their alchemic knowledge in the past on the forum. Would be interesting to hear their views as well. Enjoy your practice. mouse

Nibbana points out not up. Enjoy your practice. mouse

Well said Lin. And not all religions point in one direction. Buddha's path transcends samsara. Others keep you wandering. Pure Dhamma is very grounded and all mind. A sign of a practitioner is in his/her conduct through the 8fold path. If you can't show good conduct in speech/action/mindfulness on an internet forum where you have all the time in the world to gather your thoughts before posting, self investigation is recommended. Enjoy your practice. mouse

salaam123, Shouldn't all your energetic problems you were seeking help from the internet give you some idea that your practices from Erle are wrong? You seek help but choose to continue your old ways. If they did you good, you'll have had 4 years (you mentioned 2004) to work up to great health. We have a student in the lineage who had a car accident where he had collision on his head with massive injuries to his brain. You can see him on some of the videos on yourtube doing push hands. When they were first approached by his parents to help, he couldn't talk, walk, move properly and was shaking uncontrollably all the time. He had to relearn EVERYTHING as his psychomotor skills were all gone. When I last saw him, he was chatting up a girl on the bus and got her number. haha. Always brings a smile to my face when I think of him. Anyway, I am just writing because you were seeking help for your problems and yet at the same time dispensing advice. Something is wrong here don't you think? I'm sure you mean well but don't let the blind lead the blind. Hope you don't mind me airing my thoughts in such public domain. Enjoy your practice. mouse

This is a great quote by Ajahn Chah relevant to this discussion. You guys may enjoy. Someone commented, "I can observe desire and aversion in my mind, but it's hard to observe delusion." "You're riding on a horse and asking where the horse is !" was Ajahn Chah's reply. Enjoy your practice. mouse

http://www.thetaobums.com/heel-or-k-1-poin...-chi-t6351.html You missed the discussion from a few days back.