Trunk

It's the way I've done prostrations at home. (I don't know how it compares to official ways of doing prostrations.) In terms of calisthenics, I find that it combines lots of things. And in terms of psychology / spirituality (conscious knowledge / real knowledge), I find that it includes the high and most low ... in a way that somehow has quite an effect. (However you might do them.. ) Prostrations are something I hadn't done while growing up, lol. Seem antithema to western culture. I'm at a loss to describe, but am grateful to participate.

Curious, where you are getting it raw? I've only ever seen it prepared. I'd be interested in trying it raw, fresh.

Yup. Those that are getting contrary rxns from their bodies... listen to your own body and use your own good judgement. I think I've described earlier in this thread results I've got. I'm not taking it currently. I don't think it's an "all the time" kind of supplement, far from it. It's a strong circulator. Even at best we go through cycles of supplement ~ circulate. It *really* helped me through some stagnation issues, including discharge of gall stones. Glad I've tried it, glad I have it on my shelf.

https://johndaoproductions.wordpress.com/

That's a gem.

"View New Content" is in the upper right corner of TDBs screen. "Mark Community Read" is in the lower left corner ". They work together to list unread content, and then mark all as having been read.

After clicking "view new content" it doesn't seem that the "mark community read" button clears the list... even if I wait 10-15 minutes. Does it seem that way to others? Maybe this is a glitch in moving over to theDaobums?

I just felt moved to pipe up for Flo ... in a humanity kind of way, little to do with rules at all. Maybe off-topic here, maybe misinterpreted intent of some, but I popped off anyway. Said my piece. Clearly there are legit rule issues to sort out and oddly I feel little along that line, and am practically not engaged either, figure that that'll get sorted out with current staff.

I feel moved to speak only re: the hiding of the extinguishing sexuality thread, and member's contrary reaction. Speaking as a human and a member. One: Brave. I haven't seen anyone post that personal of a thread here for more than a decade. To post something open, exposing very personal, honest, asking for help ... Brave. When that happens it is a PRIVILEGE to participate in someone's process of wound and potential healing. When that happens we are LUCKY to be able to participate in that level of personal conversation. It (potentially) elevates us (depending on how we act). and is, of course, very sensitive, personal, sacred ground. When someone does that with me I see my role as one to help (if possible, perhaps merely by listening), period, at the discretion of that person. To put up a fuss when that thread was hidden, seems very cruel, astonishingly inconsiderate, incredibly selfish to me... I have to say, particularly from those who have taken compassion and non-attachment as some of their highest values. To attack Flo specifically about the topic of the generation and hiding of that thread seems just naturally reprehensible to me... a disservice to personal process. Very few of us have been so brave, honest, open on this forum. Respect! p.s. Not every situation can be explicitly predicted in rules. That's why the admin has broad discretion to do whatever they see fit in unforeseen situations (which, you'd know if you've been on staff, come up every few months or so).

The idea that every/anyone can completely sublimate their sexuality ... through mindfulness, mystical progression etc... just doesn't hold up to observation. For instance, in the last several decades there have been any number of *extremely* developed mystics who haven't eliminated their sexuality, but played it out ... sometimes notoriously (Muktananda, Chogyam Trungpa, Rama), sometimes more discretely and respectfully (Kalu Rinpoche). People vary. Sexuality has a reputation as a very stubborn area to change. Long term incremental progress towards integration and a satisfying life is reasonable, healthy. Counting on an extreme absolutist outcome, quickly isn't realistic nor healthy.

1. Healing Tao cautions. (TTBs thread accessible to members only) 2. Essential reading external link: (available to anyone on the www) Essays/posts by 5 different Healing Tao instructors cautioning about the "Healing Love" and "Iron Shirt 1: Packing Breathing" practices within that system.

I'll stay w/ Trunk.

Impossible to remove it entirely. Only solution is gradually, long term, in various ways, working towards more balance.

I suggest that you read Tsongkhapa's version of the Six Yogas. It's a classic, though the Tibetan system is horrendously complex. The key phrases to that whole text are "enter, abide, and dissolve" and "emptiness and bliss conjoined". Understand that it'll help you immensely, whatever practice you take up, Tibetan or other. Look at how secret mantra supports the "enter, abide, dissolve" process. I also suggest that you read Cleary's version of The secret of the golden flower. It rides along the same basic principle, but is way simplified. It'll help you understand the 6 yogas more.

I continue to find, after I-don't-know-how-many years, that Mark Griffin's explanation of the "so ham" mantra (available in various talks from his site)... anyway, the "so ham" mantra continues to be super simple, consistently effective and progressively deepening. It is the mantra I associate with the breath. Useful in any practice where the breath is included. lol

Ah!, Deci Belle! I initially hadn't recognized you w/out your avatar image... Happy Sunday!

A 'higher' level of consciousness are a solvent to lower levels: When you meditate on emptiness things start dissolving. Thought, personality, etc.: dissolves. As you go deeper and deeper, the progressively increasing power of the fields of awareness start to dissolve too much. You need to activate a level of the body that resonates with Universal: those are the vajra body teachings. Bindus are key to integrating concentration with Openness. The key Tibetan phrase is "enter, abide, dissolve". You refine personal energy into Luminous Emptiness. At certain places (bindus). And it does something (activates the vajra body).

Gotta say, if I had to do again ... I'd go to bagua a lot sooner. What it does re: bodywork and spiritually, really really helpful. The coiling articulation of the spine, super important, helpful. Very hard to find anything comparable in other systems. Easy to find in bagua; it's built-in. The twisting helps with all kinds of articulation and circulation that ... solves/avoids a lot of difficulties.

this? http://thetaobums.com/topic/20714-what-are-you-watching-on-youtube/?p=604150

I like the Taoist I Ching by Cleary. It has inner alchemy built-in. Also, don't expect to understand the i ching in one swoop. It's the sort of book that you'll get bits of knowledge & guidance out of, over a long period of time. For throwing a reading: 3 pennies.

PaKuaChangJournal.com The printed journal ran 38 issues, from 1990-97. I just ordered all on cd for $35. Here's a note from the editor, Dan Miller, written in 2002. I figure this will give me some broader introductory exposure to the art. (Though I am cautious that in my newbieness I've insufficient filters for sifting correct from incorrect... but, that's the learning curve. Any tips on this resource from others longer on this road, appreciated.)

Just my own history with these three... (I studied taiji for very short times from several teachers, and longer from a purchased video.) I found taiji to be a very accessible engaging entry into rooting and flow, but found that I wasn't getting whatever pieces to unravel myself + gain integration past a modest place. The unraveling tools were not enough, in my case. I studied with a xingyi teacher. Directly, in-person, if xingyi is appropriate for you: amazing, amazing. I have difficulty imagining that anyone learns xingyi effectively from a video or book. Maybe that's my bias from having studied that art from a teacher. Bagua I am learning from video. I find it accessible enough that I am getting progress that imo is beneficial, and is continuing. And the various twisting methods are a kind, detailed way of... bodywork. There are quality inexpensive bagua videos posted in other threads (a bagua resources pinned thread). To repeat what everyone has already said: If you find a really good teacher in-person, any of those arts can be ... well, a rare opportunity. What each individual needs at any phase in their life... art, school, teacher, method... hard to say. As many paths as there are people, right?

wow, thank you everyone for contributing. There is a phrase / principle, "separating the waist from the hips" that is relevant to several posts. That's my 2 cents. rock on