liminal_luke
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Everything posted by liminal_luke
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I think sexual practice is like anything else -- there's good and bad, depending, as always, on a person's goals and personal context. Not everything taught under the huge umbrella of sexual/spiritual practice takes away from connection and intimacy. Quite the contrary. It's not Taoist Tantra, assuming that such an animal actually exists, but I've long been intrigued by the practice of eye gazing, particularly as a way of building intimacy in relationships. No sexual arousal required, no forced breathing, no weird energetic manipulations. Seems harmless enough yet potentially very deep.
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Hi Velly, You might check out the programs offered by the Body Electric School and the work of the school's founder, Joseph Kramer.
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Cinnabun? Like so much in life, deadly but pleasurable.
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I don't know much (OK, anything) about demons and entities, but being good at stuff -- say one's job or an artistic pursuit -- can have a downside depending on how a person orients themselves vis a vis the ability. The use of power, any power, demands maturity. Who we are isn't what we do, a fact that is easy to forget when we're getting lots of kudos for various accomplishments.
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You'll know you've arrived when Bums start accusing other obviously accomplished folk of being freeform.
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Those interested in a positive take on Bruce Frantzis's methods might look up Jane Alexander (SF Jane) who claimed to have cured herself of serious mental illness using his dissolving technique. I think she wrote about it in her book, Possessing Me. Jane used to be a Bum here but I'm not sure if it's possible to find her postings now.
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Seven Steps to Deep Meditation
liminal_luke replied to forestofclarity's topic in General Discussion
@Shadow_self has recommended stillness as a method of cultivation. It's hard to do while sitting so thank goodness for sleep paralysis. -
Seven Steps to Deep Meditation
liminal_luke replied to forestofclarity's topic in General Discussion
I prefer "tossing and turning" otherwise known as spontaneous qigong. -
Seven Steps to Deep Meditation
liminal_luke replied to forestofclarity's topic in General Discussion
I'm glad you're here, @freeform. There's nobody else around these parts who knows the things you know and is willing to share. Sometimes, like today, I like to share off the cuff thoughts, certainly nothing of great import. -
Seven Steps to Deep Meditation
liminal_luke replied to forestofclarity's topic in General Discussion
I have mixed feelings about Freeform's position that the term "meditation" ought to be reserved for a very rarefied experience, something quite apart from what 99.9% of those who consider themselves meditators ever approach. Yes, it's good to know that exalted reality-bending states of consciousness are indeed possible, but the war to have "meditation" mean what Freeform means by the term has long been lost. Attendees at mindfulness workshops and deep breathers everywhere consider themselves to be meditating. Many of them likely bristle at the notion the notion that, in fact, they're not. That's emotional reactivity for ya. The good news is that most of us can take a few more belly breaths and stop worrying about how the word is defined by spiritual outliers like Freeform. At least I hope so. (I'd write more on the subject but I've got to wash my yoga pants and hit the local crystal shop -- ya know, spiritual stuff like that.) -
If God has yet to free himself (or herself, if you prefer) from desires and aversions, what chance have I got?
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Breath Retention and "Shock" Effect
liminal_luke replied to NiyamÄgraha's topic in Hindu Discussion
Taoist practice is a wide field supporting more than one species of wild flower, to say nothing of the many brambles and shrubs, a few awesome oaks. Among the flora, breath retention does indeed have a place. -
Excessive? Maybe it's just me but I've only rarely found this to be the case.
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Commiting to a system: Damo Mitchell vs Adam Mizner
liminal_luke replied to tsuki's topic in Systems and Teachers of
I wouldn't automatically give a non-Chinese teacher of neigong or whatnot a demerit mark but that's just me. People have all sorts of opinions but if you start a system you'll know pretty quick if it's for you by the results you get -- or not. -
Hi Kurotenno, Sorry to hear you've been having a difficult time. Have you discussed your experiences with a medical doctor? That's where I would start.
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If people reincarnate on death - why and how have so many traditions ancestor worship
liminal_luke replied to Takingcharge's topic in General Discussion
It's never too late to have a happy childhood. -- Tom Robbins -
Sick friend wants to start stillness movement practice - how risky is the self study?
liminal_luke replied to Takingcharge's topic in General Discussion
I don't have experience with stillness movement myself but it comes well recommended from people I respect. If Michael Lomax says it's a good idea and your friend is excited about it, I think the greater danger is not doing it. -
Perhaps he was waiting for the Great Autumn?
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Encephalon, Your humility is rare and refreshing. Some of the best people are missed quietly and without fanfare so being memorialized in this thread -- or not -- doesn't mean much. One of my bucket list goals is not to take social media seriously. As projects go, this one is harder than knocking off a hundred consecutive pushups or mastering calculus. Worth the effort though.
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Either way, seems to me this is the kind of thing that would be better sectioned off in a PPJ.
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The folks who run Movnat, a "natural movement" training program, have a great motto: Strong to be helpful. True strength, when coupled with humility and put towards compassionate ends, is beautiful to behold. I'd like to be powerful enough to help an elderly neighbor move boxes of books down a flight of stairs, powerful enough to speak up when I witness injustice, powerful enough to support the people I love -- physically, emotionally, financially -- whatever it takes. Nothing wrong with this. The pursuit of power gets a bad wrap when it's sought as a compensatory mechanism for low self-esteem. Many psychologically injured people seek to have power over others as a way of shoring up an otherwise fragile sense of self. They cheat customers, brawl in the streets, seek magical powers through esoteric Taoist practices, and craft snide posts on online forums. (Just kidding: they never craft snide posts on online forums. Nothing to see here folks.)
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A masturbation habit for optimal health
liminal_luke replied to BluePickle's topic in Daoist Discussion
An old yiddish proverb: we plan, God laughs. My variation: we plan, our bodies laugh. Historically, I've often attempted top-down control of physiological processes, not always with great success. My cerebral cortex imagines himself the head honcho in charge only to be taken out by supposedly lower aspects of my being -- hormones, stomach, sore feet. Whatcha gonna do? When regulatory mechanisms go out of whack and we become addicted (to porn or food or a closet full of shoes) it's natural and good to try to set limits. And yet the end of addiction is not marked by white-knuckled adherence to any given program or schedule; the end of addiction is marked by a sense of ease. -
In the larger sense life itself is a process of cultivation and everyone is a cultivator. Different people may be on different tracks, but life will have it's way with all of us in the end -- we cannot escape. My mom doesn't like to meditate but she knits and she paints and, to my way of thinking, this is her path. If guitar and swimming call to you, I say do that. You need not put so much effort into doing the tao if that's not where your enthusiasm lies. The tao will do you.
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Silent Thunder makes a good point: the I Ching likely doesn't care whether we respect it or not. I do think, however, that something inside us cares, and maybe the result we get has a lot to do with the attitude we bring.
