dwai

I'd missed this comment so a delayed response. The whole point of meditation is to experientially validate the "subjective" experience. It is not possible to do double-blind studies and "measure" data using external equipment when it comes to consciousness. What could you possibly "observe" and where would you expect to observe these things? What would qualify as "proof"? Would the fact that observing a particle in a subatomic collider changes it's state or position consitute as proof? Or would we have to go out to the farthest edges of the Universe and search for an "entity" sitting somewhere, deciding and judging everything in creation? No, it is not possible to phenomenologically know this transcendent consciousness, at least not in the way you (or modern science either) would consider valid evidence. This transcendent consciousness can only be experienced a-rationally.

Aint no such thing

Its a jungle really...somewherein the tropics...maybe back home, in india its a simple white cup with modest grooves and bumps on its upper portion. Its filled with oolong tea, amber dragon perhaps. Makes me want o drink it, savor the taste of the tea. Conforting, makes me feel comforted. Its an ancient key, gold perhaps. Makes me feel that there are some interesting secrets it might be hiding...i put it in my pocket, filled with excitement about wat it might unlock, if i could find a door that it unlocks. its a medium sized lake...there are lotus flowers in one corner, to the right, near the shore. I see water buffalos languidly bathing in it. There are white storks too, one is spreading its wing, one foot out of the water. I think, culd there be crocodiles in the water, but then i feel perhaps not. I sit down on a grassy knoll and bask in warm sunlight.... its an old country house...terracota roof, dilapidated. There was a happy family that lived there once...now only dust, the jungle has claimed it back. I feel wistful...a pang of sorrow in my heart. I walk in, see broken furniture...almost gone. I walk away.... its not really a wall...not a man made one. Its a sheer side of an ancient mountain...worn down by the ages...not even a weed seems to grow in its cracks. Its tall and imposing but i feel an elation, mixed with apprehension...will i be able to climb it. I try... btw forgot to thank you for such a great and relaxing exercise. I got home at 3 am this morning from work, unable to sleep. It helped me spend my time well, imho.

The "truth" and "falsehood" in the rg veda is really a derived interpretation. They actually are meant to represent substantial and insubstantial or existent and nonexistent (sat and asat respectively). You will find that understanding the rg verses in terms of substantial and insubstantial will open many mysterious doors Eg take the nasadiya sukta .. It will make complete sense if the substantial/insubstantial concept is used: http://www.medhajournal.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=345&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=212

Is your question coming from the vantage point of Japanese Bushido? ie Giri? imho, there is no place for a concept like Giri in a Daoist's vocabulary...Giri is based on theories of filial piety and responsibility towards one's "Master". For a Daoist, there is "No Master" there's only Dao. In fact in Daoism, one is not even his/her own Master...he/she is free from all bondage. There is no ego because he/she is surrendered to Dao...as the Dao does, so does he/she. The only thing the Daoist cares to know is whether something is in harmony with Dao or is in opposition. That which is in opposition with Dao is discarded without a second thought, that which is in harmony is embraced in totality of action, thought and spirit.

I assume you got the titles written by Eknath Easwaran? They are both very well written and are a good introduction to Vedanta. I would suggest reading the Upanishads first, understanding their context and then reading the Bhagavad Gita, will make understanding the Bhagavad Gita easier.

Taiji chuan

My 2 cents worth -- I haven't been taught to do anything like that with condensing breathing. We condense into the marrow and that is by itself "closing" because it's like charging the batteries. Albeit after all chi work we do pump residual chi into the Lower Dan Tian. We never physically touch the skin because touching tends to dissipate the Qi. We're taught to keep an 'as close to the skin as possible without physically touching' distance from the surface for maximum retention of the Chi.

Who Am I?

My teacher tells us that there are 3 levels of practice, Physical, Mental and Spiritual. When we work with the physical levels we are adjusting alignments, postures, getting the sequence of the forms right. This works on external aspects of health, such as posture, balance (and issues related to that). When we go to mental level practice, we have become aware of the qi flow in the body and use the mind to guide the qi (dissolve blockages, circulate the qi both with small and large circulations, moving the qi to areas deficient, draining from areas with excess). At the spiritual level, we are no longer guiding the Qi but flowing with the Qi (so where it moves, we move, we go from form to formless to form again). Just doing a 24-form or a n-form Taiji Quan practice will get you some benefits, but to get deeper benefits you need to learn from someone who teaches the real deal. It takes years of practice and dedication (and love for the art). Bio-mechanics is the tip of the iceberg. It lets you balance properly and relax in the right places. Once this is done, the Qi will flow smoothly and that's where the main practice begins, imho. It doesn't take too long to get the bio-mechanics right...it takes a long time to get the mental aspect right. We encounter subconscious "demons" that we need to work with...and resolve. Energetic blockages that manifest as physical discomfort, destructive repetitive behaviours, etc. The Theory is important and it is meant to be learnt as we go along so we can corroborate that what we are practicing actually works. As practice deepens, intuition will start opening up...and things start becoming clear on their own (about every aspect of life). The key is to not force anything...to be the Watercourse way...let nature take its course...we follow along. It is absurd that people claim that Taiji Quan is not Qi Gong. In fact Taiji Quan IS Nei Gong. It has everything in its fold that allows for internal alchemy naturally. We just have to find the right teacher to show us how. As far as the martial aspect goes...it is natural but a limited aspect of Taiji Quan -- consider it to be the middle-school level stuff. As the student grows and goes to high-school, they learn healing. As the go to University they start practicing internal alchemy... Look at this book to get a glimpse of how "advanced taiji quan practice" looks/feels like -- http://books.google.com/books?id=9CDSu89LQXMC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Try this first -- http://organicjar.com/2011/2933/ We (Indians) use it all the time, especially for diets and before and after fasts (also as staple during illness). It is very nourishing, calming and detoxing. Make it with Brown rice and it's even healthier.

I've had that happen to me a few times. I avoid meditating/practicing in hotels, hospitals etc like the plague.

Well then first go to India and let go of your western notion of how life ought to be. When you have done so, you will find it easier to find a real teacher. In fact a teacher will find you even, if you are sincere in your quest. Also perhaps wanting to pack in too many things at once might not give you durable learning...its kind of like walking into a buffet and eating too many things at once. Its likely going to give you an upset stomach... I'd suggest contacting pattabhi jois' yoga school in mysore. His grandson teaches there now...albeit the classes might not come cheap...but they will be worth the difficulty. http://kpjayi.org/

Indeed...would it be too wrong to say that the fullness that stays full is emptiness too?

Your response was to a vitriolic statement of affairs wrt emptiness i have no interest in engaging in more emptiness madness here

We don't need to...it is infinitely potent

Potentially emptying out his fullness to create emptiness with potential of fullness?

that's because it's emptiness that is full of potentiality (also discovered how one zero can be zero'er than another)

Oh boy...here we go again!

Read the discussion on this forum -- http://www.medhajournal.com/forum/5-share-this/910-meditation-and-form-worship.html The difference between Dharana and Dhyana is provided there in. Specifically from here -- http://www.medhajournal.com/forum/5-share-this/910-meditation-and-form-worship.html?limit=6&start=24

Start at the end and work our way to the beginning In any case there's really no end and beginning in a circle right?

imho, enlightenment is the dawning of direct intuitive understanding, in spite of the rational faculties. It is the realization that you know something (whatever that thing might be) without having to prop up a mental dialog to support that realization. I think that's why "Eastern Masters" don't try to explain Enlightenment...because it is pointless to explain it. It has to experienced and then you know. It's like being in the dark and then suddenly there is light. But there is no light switch, no electricity, no bulb, etc (if you get the drift of where I'm going with this). It is mystical because it is mysterious (in that no amount of rational inquiry or investigation will lead you closer to understanding than the understanding by itself can). And like someone else pointed out, it can happen in small jumps or one giant leap. Depends on your constitution (ie psycho-spiritual characteristics).

KS is a nondual system and its primary premise is that the absolute reality is consciousness, being, bliss. This absolute consciousness is in a state of ecstacy and all creation manifests from the spontaneous vibrations (spanda) that are emanated from this dynamic absolute consciousness. KS calls this Shiva. And the tantra of KS is based on the seeking of immersion into Shiva. A good starting point?

Thats a gret place to start...i wasnt looking for school details etc...i am more interested in personal perspectives and undstanding...

At the end of the day it is our respective limited eperiences that guide us, supported by teachers in person or proxy ( literature). I ave not practiced KS but have studied it to a certain degree and find many open questions from advaita vedanta being answered there in and viceversa. May i request that you share your experiences and understanding of this tradition here?