MatthewQi

lmao, thanks

Here is my 2 cents (in response to Yoda's post a few years ago on the subject). I still say the same 4 years now since I had the vasectomy except I notice no physical difference... Best, Matt post Jul 28 2005, 08:54 PM Post #4 Tao Bum! ***** Group: The Tao Bums Posts: 303 Joined: 7-November 04 Member No.: 18 QUOTE(Yoda @ Jul 27 2005, 06:35 PM) I know nobody would be interested in actually getting a vasectomy, but I wonder if there are studies that link vasectomies with longevity. I'd think that the sperm retention would count for something. -Yoda * Yoda, I got a Vasectomy this past January. Sperm production is said to continue as normal. From an energy perspective ones body would not need to expend energy to replace sperm ejaculated. Yes, in the 1800s the procedure was done to old men and was thought to extend their life. I don't have any studies to site, read it somewhere. I also took a look at the energy levels of the guys I knew who had vasectomies, cultivators and non cultivators and it appeared to me that the non-cultivators where very high energy healthy people who seemed to be able to have high tolerance to stress and where just compassionate men. Back to the energy... your body does not need to use energy to replace sperm ejaculated with a vasectomy. Remember though that this does not mean one will not lose vital energy from the body that goes out going "all the way". To me (I reiterate, for me), plain girls advice, some retention (3 finger w/ big draw) is most balanced. Check out page 193, chapter 12 of Taoist Secrects of Love as it talks about vasectomy and healing love. The only thing I notice is that my balls seem different, perhaps smaller and sorta firmer or something. Everything else is the same and I really think it is a good thing to do in the right situation, for example, versus a seperate operation for your female partner for birth control. I would definitely do it all over again. Matt

Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep by Tenzin Wangyai Ripoche Dream Yoga: The Practice of Lucid Dreaming as a Path to Enlightenment (Audio CD) by Tenzin Wangyai Ripoche Excellent!

Time and space are not really obstacles. As most here acknowledged, space is not a factor for the transmission. Neither is time. You can experience this type of thing at any time, sometimes, like with "moms", our subtle body is already there before the actual "time". This happens with me a lot. I am not so good at tuning in to future or past events, although sometimes but not as intensely as if it was "the" time. Space is easier to get over in my experience, sounds like others here say the same. Another option would be to send your dream self at 6:30 AM and then when you wake up you will probably still be buzzing Best, Matt

Whoa, slow down guys... there is the physical tinnusitis and then there are "inner sounds". Don't confuse the two and don't confuse the level which chinese medicine is operating at as well. "Inner sounds", continous or not, are part of the path. Best, Matt

Hi V, You can find a lot of stuff on the web and/or pick up Mantak Chia's / Michael Winn's Taoist Secrets of Love: Cultivating Male Sexual Energy. There have been refinements to what is taught in that book by Michael Winn, but it serves as a good educational source or practical if you should choose. As far as internet sites, search on Male Deer Exercises, Semen Retention, or 3 finger technique to name a few. From the references I mention, it is more about utilizing the sexual energy for spiritual purposes than it is about judgement or morality. Best, MatthewQi

I don't know Darin. I learned all this stuff ass backwords I am taking TaiChi now with a live teacher. I learned NeiGong (or inner alchemy) first (yes, from books and tapes). And fortunately was blessed by divine grace to awaken (but it ain't everything, it goes on and on, but I don't really care about that, but sometimes I do, lol). It is interesting to see my taichi teacher get confused when he feels the power. Same look that Winn had when I focused on his crown at a retreat when he brought up that he did that to a teacher he studied with. They are just like whoa, totally distracted by it, they noticed it, and I see that, but they have no idea where it is coming from. So anyway, my point is that with inner skill there is perhaps no reason for outer martial arts. The best fight is the one that never had to occur becuase of our own inner state or flowing in the Way. High level Ninja's (like Glenn Morris) talk about this. When flowing in the Way, one has no attachment, there is no reason for self defense, it is handled by a greater power and the outcome or even the situation you are in has no meaning of signifigance to you. We all transform, what part of ourselves is clinging to form? What is beyond that? What is really running the show? who/what are we? On the other hand, some people can use their mind power to influence events and situations. To me this is also inner skill and very real, however, it must be done without attachement and in being one with the Way. Who is pulling the strings? What is the razor's edge? Why are there clouds in the sky today and why did I think of sunshine and now it is getting sunny? One of the purpose of MAs (in modern times) from my perspective is to eventually go deeper within, but we all need a place to start and the MA's are great for a lot of people for that. Truly, what is to be defended? that is why there is more to it than that. Gotta dump the atttachments (easier said than done cause that means everything, your particular taste for things, your family, etc. = not easy, and definitely not the way most of us are trained to be) So why am I learning TaiChi?, lol. I like to experiement with different techniques. It is said to be a way of internal power so I am checking it out. So far, I am finding this is true and I am more able to surrender into the Way. However, this feeling is perhaps more chi vs. shen based, I don't know, but it is all good, that is for sure. What I mean is that a certain aspect of energy is able to be directed willfully and a certain aspect of our being is not, or better, is best to be surrendered to or ask and let it go. If one can master surrender, then energy practices are not necessary. But for the rest of us, we need to do it to get ourselves "there". Best to you! I have felt your sincerety and I know that you will find what you need, no doubt! That is part of the Way and a very important factor to finding what you are seeking. Bizzarely, so is letting go of everything that you so intensely seek and just being who you are. Sometimes we (all of us, myself included) have to call it quits and let things go the way they go Don't forget to love and accept who YOU are my friend! Best, MatthewQi

Hi, Interesting, I have experienced the rushing sound, the constant inner sounds, the head moving back (naturally, from the energy), and many more things not listed. Based on my experience and understanding from many sources, these are classic Kundalini signs/experiences. Nothing to be concerned with, just let go of your thinking rational mind and just being is good advice as stated above. I would surmise that the reason to keep your head from moving back is to insure proper alignment. I have minimized the importance of proper spine alignment in my practices and I can now say based on experience that it is something not to neglect. That is not to say that occasionally letting the head go back is detrimental. Actually, it might be an indication that your alingment in general is off and the energy is trying to adjust you. Ironically or not, this is one of the same movements I am learning in physical therapy in order to heal my severe neck pain, caused by improper posture. And it definitely is working. It is part of the techniques in the Mackenzie Method. Best, Matt

Funny WYG, I went to my first Tai Chi class ever today and I got home and was researching ZSF. Here is some stuff I found: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/chang1.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_chi_chuan Also, Thomas Cleary's books include stuff on / by ZSF. Primordial Qigong or Tai Chi for Enlightenment available from Michael Winn is a favorite practice for me and others and was supposedly created by ZSF. Let us know if you find anything interesting... Best, Matt

There is a type of yogic breath that stimulates the pineal by moving the soft palate, no need to snip the base of the tongue. It sounds a bit like darth vader breathing or snoring. Breathing in through the nose sucks the soft palate up and breathing out pushes it down but also notice the area above the soft palate lowers as well. When you make the sounds mentioned, you are doing this type of breathing. Actually you can stimulate the area with suction alone (independant of the breathing technique). Matt

Anyone up for chat? I will be in there, send a sound when you get in! Matt

If anyone is interested in discussing the Eva Wong book tonight, I will be in chat... Matt

Funny, this is the practice that I started with when I first began meditating, same exact page Cam posted, the pdf at the bottom. Just sent it to a friend the other day too. A friend of mine did at least one retreat there. He really got a lot out of it. The teacher he had was awesome and based on what he told me about his experience with him, the real deal. Had to get up real early in the AM though and lots of work, meditation, and structure. Best, Matt

Hi, Just wanted to see if anyone else started reading or was interested in discussing Taoist Yoga by Luk? (I don't mean as a replacement for the Wong book that the group has decided upon, I mean seperately) I started reading it when it was mentioned as the book the group was going to read and was interested in discussing it with any alchemists that are interested. I have read the preface, which in itself, is comprehensive enough on the practice to discuss in relation to ones own experiences. I see a lot of similarities in experience as well as the techniques used to what I learned. Matt

Hi, I got my copy in the mail yesterday. Excellent choice for a first book! Matt

Just Bookclub. Short, sweet, simple and understandable. I ordered the Eva Wong book, looks pretty interesting... Best and thanks for organizing this! Matt

Jimmerino, I can relate to needing some grounding after K awakening. I think a lot of people feel this and even if they don't when they get some healthy feedback, it is usually for grounding. I don't think you need to learn a whole system to get that though but if you are drawn to it, I think you will intuitively know what is right for you and if something is not (see caveat below). I recently read a book that talked about this subject. It advised against practicing a totally different system after awakening. It said it was fine to practice a system that you had done prior to awakening. Since you say you didn't do any practice before awakening, it is important to know that the Kundalini has it all handle. It is more the challenge to get out of it's way. Yet, any practice that you do that helps to open you up to ease the process you may find helpful. I did practice other stuff after awakening but didn't feel that a whole system was worth my time or beneficial. But the nice thing is that you can pick and choose what you need (vs. crossing systems pre-awakening haphazardly). So I think that is totally good stuff. You will intuitively know what is right for you. If you aren't able to get in touch with your intuition and flow, then you might want to focus on strictly grounding and calming stuff. I think the danger in doing a complete system or anything post awakening (the caveat) is in our little mind trying to regain control of that which is to be surrendered to. This leads back to a lot of fear that you are not confronting or able to let go of. If the practice helps you to let go into your being then that is a good thing If you find yourself getting obsessive about it then it may be conterproductive to the surrendering which is the challange of post awakeing. I have been doing yoga for the last 2 years and it is great for me and extremely grounding. It helps me in my surrender while also providing a great physical workout and an opportunity to meet interesting people of similar interest in spirituality (not a lot of taoist walking around meeting up to practice). A practice like primordial chi gung or earth rooting would be good for grounding from an energetic perspective. So could just spending time in nature, physicall exercise, reading, getting into some activity that you are drawn to, music, art, etc. Here is a simple practice that I found and did after awakening: http://kundalini-teacher.com/meditations/gr_anim.php There are also some really good lists and forums of K awakened people that I can share with you if you want. Especially if you need some good advice based on what other peoples experiences have been. I haven't seen a situation that someone hasn't directly had knowledge of yet in order to give some insight or support if needed. Best, Matt

TI, There is only what is and the spiritual experience is universal regardless of tradition. Some acknowledge different things as signifigant or "it" but they are generally along the same line of experience. Yes, in Taoism, Kundalini has been referred to as the Valley Spirit and by some as Tao itself (so have other things, depends on who you talk to ). I have found the Hindu tradition to have broken this down into a comprehensive explanation that makes sense to me. Remember though that part of any comprehensive system is the acknowledgement of that aspect that is not knowable and beyond knowing. There are so many different terms that may overlap in meaning that make it more challenging to say this = that. For example, some people are referring to Kundalini Yoga, which is a practice in itself, aimed at the same thing all other traditions are seeking. But Kundalini Yoga is not Kundalini. Some see Kundalini as the generative force alone. This is a using the term in a way that is not generally accepted as what is being pointed at, however, it is more common than not - ig, Kun Lun uses the term that way. Inner Alchemy is a practice that prepares ones body and energy channels to be able to as safely as possible handle Kundalini when it awakens. It also opens up inner space so that you can more fully integrate this into your consciousness (sometimes referred to as enlightenment when it is permanently ingrained / consious to the us as indivuals). This does not mean that the process is over though. Kan and Li is a practice used in taoist inner alchemy after other fundamentals have been practiced and experienced in the way the process goes. Chi or prana is generally characterised by being non intellegent and directable. Kundalini energy on the other hand IS intelligent and although may be sometimes be influenced by us, it is most readily accepted that it must be surrendered to as it is the true "doer" of all things. This is the divine Mother, yet, it also is not possible without the divine Father aspect that is referred to as the unknowable aspect. One can not exist without the other so really they are also one and the same. These are at a deep inner level of being yet always everywhere and everything. There are also variations in types of Chi moving on a scale from closer to manifestation / physical to the unmanifested "uncarved block". I would not recommend you try to practice anything out of the book you are buying without a teacher or that you find a book or system (if that is your goal) that is accessible and designed for the purpose of practice. Yes, it can be done without a human inperson teacher, but Kundalini is not something to pursue haphazardly as it is the most powerful thing there is. That is my take on your questions. Best, Matt

Jane!!! I didn't realize you were the person in the UTube video I saw a while back until I check out the link in your tag. Cool. You were talking about that amazing experience after meditating for a week. Same thing happened to me a few years ago. It IS totally amazing Since that time I have met a lot of people who had that experience and it is now embedded so to say in them. Lots of amazing things, don't know where I would even start. So glad you shared your story so others can be aware of the dangers of not following a comprehensive well tested system, and even then there are many risks and things that can go south real quick. You suffered a lot, so glad you are where you are now. Sometimes I think it is mostly ming (destiny). Your story reminded me of Gropi Krishna's, Eckart Tolle's, and even St. Francis's in many ways. Adding to what you said, practising from a book, especially guessing at cryptic coded meanings is not a good idea. My perspective and enjoyment now is in discussing the alchemical process and different techniques used and the similarities / different techniques that are used. So many ways to the same place, some extremely difficult, and ultimately even after practicing a system or with a teacher, it is ones own path to be found by oneself. Later, Matt

O Rabbit, Yea, that was interesting. I have seen 2 different channels to go through the head in my past. One is the around the top and another is not going through the crown at all but to the medula area through the crystal palace area to the 3rd eye and then down the front channel. Yes, I agree with you that you can pick up gems even if you don't get it all, absolutely. I pretty much know from experience the same stuff presented but didn't use the same techniques with the breath. Did use the wheel of the law. I do yoga regularly now and see that the breath is definitely a wonderful technique and have tried the mo using the breath before as well as have revisited that after reading about it. There are many other things that are involved / can be experienced in alchemy that can indicate "progress" and then there are those things that there are so incredible there is no question about anything anymore. I see a lot of things mentioned in the book but also to me it is incomplete and doesn't go to the next level that is not about doing but about surrendering as one finds their consciousness awakended to deeper levels of self. Matt

Wow, I have it on my bookshelf too! I would be up for a bookclub, good idea! Matt

That is what I used, it is very simple. You just fill the sock with the mung beans and tie it off. I used a long altheletic (white) tube sock. No need to stitch it up. I found the hitting to be pretty intense with regard to what it does energetically. Almost too much for me. Only do it very occasionally now. Neimad, I am not sure why you refer to Mantak as Manhole? That sounds insulting, is that your intent? Best, Matt

Winpro, Sound is said to be closer than light in the inner realms of the Great Mystery. Although there are a lot of traditions that mention or try to "explain" what this is, I think ones own experience is the true teacher with this sorta thing especially at this level. You might see if you notice it when you meditate / plug your ears and see if it is there. Some say it is Brahman itself. Some say it is Tao, some say it is the sound of one hand clapping in the forrest. I would just keep working with it if you are interested in it and also know that it is generally held of high spiritual signifigance. I have researched the inner sound for many years after having experienced it in meditation. That is why I say what I have said. I hear it all the time but sometimes it intesifies and I go into the bliss when it lowers. Also sometimes when life is hectic or loud around me, I am not aware of it. But when I am in a quite place I am. I have found a lot of references out there when searching, so if you are interested in the intellectual understanding of it you might give that a try. Like in your story, you will find what you need from the universe when you need it. Best, Matt