dwai

In the style I practice, we have been taught to always meditate on the lower dantien at the end of the practice, sinking the chi back into it and condensing/compressing it until it becomes a point. My teacher likens it to mass collapsing into a blackhole.

No difference. Hinduism (especially Yoga and Advaita Vedanta and Tantra) and Buddhism teach essentially the same thing, different semantics.

I read the book. It might be true that Jesus studied in India with Yogis but the so-called evidence in the book, by quoting scriptural sources is either wishful thinking or simply made up.

I see three threads of thought flowing through this topic. 1) I don't want to see someone soliciting their "school" of Taoism through this forum 2) I don't want to see anyone writing about Taoism that doesn't fit into my frame of reference or what I know as Taoism 3) I don't see anything wrong with anyone posting anything related to Taoism I personally find option 3 the best one and least condescending and most open...demonstrative of Beginner's mind. "Unless we empty our cup, it can't hold more tea"...

I will only comment about the Kaula/Aghora/Natha sampradaya of Tantra in India. They are Vaama-margis (or Left-hand side of Tantric practice) and they will do many things that are prohibited in order to "Shock" the system into loosening the grip of social programmings and acquired biases and habits (samskaras). There is a Right-hand side of Tantra that is strictly vegetarian and does not indulge in meat, excitement of the senses via lower energetic means (such as promiscuity, drinking alcohol, spices, etc). Don't know about Taoist Lineage because I don't study under a "Formal" lineage (as Mak_Sin_Ti is referring to). But from an Indian/Yogic/Ayurvedic perspective the reason for not eating meat is very simple -- Meat is Tamasic in Nature (Tamas is the Energetic State of Inertia) and is not especially good for Spiritual Practices which are Sattvic (Sattva is the purest and simplest Energetic state). Intermediary to the two is Rajas, the Kinetic state of Energy. Here's a little primer on it I had written in the past, hopefully will be useful to bridge the semantic gap between Yoga and Taoism, titled "Gunas and Prana". http://medhajournal.com/content/view/194/ To answer another question about Onions and Garlic. Since they grow under the earth's surface, they are considered both Tamasic as well as generators of Rajas. Both of which are not considered ideal for Meditation practice, and thus considered off-limits by many Yogins. Here's a nice one on eating in accordance with Ayurvedic principles (the Indian Traditional Medical system) -- http://ayurveda-foryou.com/treat/eat_right.html

Reincarnation is a natural extension/result of Karma. In order to effectively perpetuate the Wheel of Karma, sentient beings have to re-incarnate.

This is a very interesting topic and I have been thinking about it a lot recently. I think the "vampire-ing" happens in many inter-personal relationships (even in case of spouses, siblings, etc). The vampire (knowingly or unknowingly) creates circumstances wherein they draw strong emotional reactions and outbursts from their "victims". This discharge is energy that is used to feed their needs. It sounds sinister but it happens all the time I think. My teacher says best way to deal with this is to vibrate your energy at such a high frequency that they cannot even resonate with you, let alone steal your energy. Easier said than done though, especially if the relationship is more than that of acquaintances or friends.

Learn Pranayama. Results are faster. Complement with Chi Kung/Tai Chi Chuan and Yoga. If you know Hindi this is a resource -- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4073502420928488341 Wikipedia Pranayama Find a good teacher -- someone who doesn't teach bombastic stuff like "hot yoga" or "cold yoga" with good roots in traditional Yoga practice (preferably who has trained extensively with an Indian Yogi) sans any of the New-agey BS. You can practice basic pranayama like kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma, bhastrika, ujjayi and nadi shodan without guidance, provided you use moderation (meaning 100 cycles of pranayama on day one == disaster). Start slow, be patient and build up on your practice. Smoking is a nasty nasty thing and all power to you for quitting

Steve, Thanks for your feedback. For the record, the bit (above) is my inference, not something my Teacher told me. I came to this conclusion having studied similar things happening in India (albeit not in the form of Martial Arts)

Hi Stigweard, Please go through this article I'd written (mainly as an introductory one for taiji novices from an Indic perspective). I humbly present this (despite the level of knowledge of the group here) because it does cover a little bit about my school and teacher. Best, Dwai Tai Chi -- A Path to Samadhi

Ataha Tarpanam kurushyanti Om Kurushya

SV, My condolences on your loss. This is a very difficult time in India, let's hope that they will get to the bottom of this thing. This little Upanishadic prayer asks that everyone everywhere be at peace and happy. Sarve bhavantu Sukhinaha Sarve santu Niramaya Sarve Bhadrani Pashayantu Ma kaschit dukha bhag bhavet

Meditation tends to bring up unresolved emotions, issues that we suppress deep inside. These are very disconcerting and will take a lot of iteratively grown wisdom to work through. These are our inner demons and have to be dealt with using great compassion (towards ourselves). As a preliminary practice, Mantra meditation is fine, but your friend really should be doing the practice (after the preliminary stages) under the guidance of a Teacher.

Thought I'd share with you some thoughts on Karma -- The Maya and Karma Conundrum Why is it so implausible to conceive of Re-incarnation? Isn't it equally implausible to consider "Only one chance"? You are confusing material physics and Consciousness. If you start from the premise that Consicousness is the property of a material object (the Body), then you have this problem. But the question is, Is Consciousness a property of Matter? Or is Matter a property of Consciousness? If you practice tai chi, you'll know that your energy follows your intent. So is that your consciousness leading your energy to act on matter or vice-versa. Best, Dwai

Hi Hyok, The school I am a student of, clearly states that there are 4 levels of Tai Chi practice. 1) Martial Arts 2) Healing 3) Personal Transformation 4) Merging with the Tao They are also considered to be the bottom up in the order of evolution/level of Tai Chi practice, with Martial Arts being the lowest and Merging with the Tao being the highest. Best, Dwai

Hi Steve and Fiveelementtao, I understand what the two of you are saying. But the school of Tai Chi I learn has been passed down in the old tradition of Master to Disciple as it was in the Taoist monasteries. What I have been led to believe is that the 13 basic forms were derived from watching Taoist masters being moved by their Qi while in deep meditation. ie, the 13 postures were created as a back-door entrance towards experiencing the Tao directly. This is not unusual, since in the Indic traditions, Yoga (as we know it today) was also developed on similar lines. The first Taoists and Vedic sages did not do Tai Chi, they simply merged with the Tao and were moved (spontaneously). The various forms etc came by only afterwards. According to my Teacher, all the 13 energetic movements are encompassed in the Beginning stance of Taiji. That being said, since we are not all Taoist adepts, we have to work our way towards that highest goal. Besides, that doesn't discount the efficacy of Tai Chi as a martial practice. What I'm trying to articulate is that the Martial aspect or the Healing aspect or the Personal transformation aspect are only limitations of the infinite practice of Merging with the Tao. Regards, Dwai

Tai Chi Chuan being a Taoist Martial Art, would have to have it's highest objective as that of merging with the Tao. If some old master saw blood, odds are they were either speaking allegorically or were not that great a bunch of masters. I think the martial aspect came into existence because the Art and Internal practices would be best preserved that way (I think the Taoist sages had enough foresight to foresee the plight of China, probably for centuries to come).

Hi Goldisheavy, I understand what you are saying. What I am trying to say here is that this Subtle mind-stuff doesn't become non-subtle simply. There has to be a technique that converts it from subtle-stuff to non-subtle stuff. And this will work whether or not the other believes in it. Just because we can't yet measure it doesn't mean it is probabilistic. Here's a nice definition of a Wave. So the transference of energy has to happen. Where does that Energy come from? What is that energy? That is the million dollar question

Qi and Jing are not in the realm of Classical Newtonian Mechanics. Their effects are Newtonian and visible but they by themselves aren't Newtonian. I don't know what they are though. What I'm saying is from what I have experienced. Application of Jing can happen only when Qi is converted to Jing. There is not an infinite supply of Jing or Qi inside the body. It has to be developed and built upon. Jing != Force FaJing == Force Jing == externally manifested Qi One explanation I've heard is that Jing is a waveform. It sure feels that way on application as well...

Let me repeat the question differently... Fajin is the application...of what? Not saying it's a necessity...that's the way it is (or so I've learnt). Qi cannot be felt by another but the practitioner...to test the efficacy of your training you need 2-person practice. There your partner can tell you whether your techniques and projection can be felt...with or without physical contact.

So what do you fajin then? how is the jing formed? This is what I understand of the process (perhaps not as much as the rest of you) -- Qi is to be cultivated and built on. The Lower Dantien is the reservoir for Qi. Qi can be built via any of the taoist processes or Yoga or Pranyama. Generating Qi in the body is different from Storing Qi because all the Qi built up can be discharged unless the practitioner knows what he/she is doing. Qi can felt physically, but an awareness needs to be developed. But this Qi is not simply an awareness. The sensitivity to feel Qi helps the practitioner in doing the "right" things to store and build up on this reservoir. Qi can be felt internally but cannot be projected outward -- so Jing. A book that covers this topic very nicely is Master Waysun Liao's Tai Chi classics. So what is felt outward is Jing. Jing is generated by Condensing the Qi into the bone marrows. This tends to happen naturally after a period of regular Qi exercises (varies from person to person). First signs of this happening are sensations of contraction and pressure (for eg: in your hands -- fingers, palms), as if the pressure outside is higher than inside your body (so a contracting feeling towards your bones). One could also use a technique called Condensation Breathing to accelerate this condensation process and this is very useful for martial applications.

From a Hatha Yoga perspective these are two different Asanas (Poses). The first is called Vajrasana (or Diamond/Thunderbolt Pose) and the second is called Padmasana (Lotus Pose). They have two different functions. Traditionally Padmasana has been the preferred posture for meditation. There is another posture that is considered even better for meditation but isn't recommended for those who haven't been practicing self-control. It is called Siddhasana (Adept's pose). Read more about Padmasana here -- Padmasana

There is a whole field of Scientific study/philosophy on this. It is called the Biocultural Science. Neurobiology and Yoga This is the closest understanding of Eastern Philosophy and Mind-body Sciences that Modern science has come to

Odds are that a practitioner of Yoga (and not your everyday Western "What is the latest fad--Yogi trying to tighten up one's buns") will include Mantra japa to his/her daily practice. Mantra is a tool to help silence the mind. How far can you go when you attain stillness? That depends on what you do after you attain the stillness. True -- not all teachers or all paths are equal. Some take longer...some are shorter. Some don't have any negative side-effects, some have. I guess at this point the point of this discussion has become completely pointless (pun intended).

These powers that you seek are simply side-effects of sincere spiritual practice. They are very cool but are distractions and don't serve any purpose but inflate the ego and delusional in nature. Read Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahamsa Yogananda that will not only give you insight into these powers but also guide you about the real goal of spiritual practices.