Eric Yudelove

Dear Cat: I love and adore my beautiful Sparkle. She is my inspiration to do all the dirty deeds I'm famous for. She even calls me Dragon Master. Does it get more dubious than that? Eric Yudelove

All the rumors are true and you haven't even heard the really bad stuff. I was even left back at the Taoist Immortality University, they called me to come forth and get some enlightenment and I came 5th. Lucky for me my wife loves me, but she's even more dubious then me. You shouldn't know from it. I'm considering changing my name to Jessie James Yudelove. Thanks be it to Divine Providence that I have a good heart. Eric Yudelove

While my wife Sparkle was doing some writing, preparing for her next book, I came up with a very short scenerio that really told a complete story that requires some active use of the imagination. Upon reflection I saw how it might be the shortest short story. FLOWERS What if you were transported to a planet where flowers were the dominent species and you just ate a flower. Eric Yudelove

To all you civil servant Taoists: I may be dubious but I love it. Eric Yudelove

This thread is for discussing Eric Yudeloves teachings and only that. Only the practices. Any discussion about him as a person should be done in the other thread about him: http://www.thetaobum...-eric-yudelove/ I realized recently that many of you might not be familiar with some of the techniques described in classic literature about how to begin Taoist Meditation. I am primariy focusing on Richard Wilhelm's translation of "The Secret of The Golden Flower", NOT Cleary's translation. I began working with this book in the early '70s and adapted it's approach in my books. Although my description of beginning the practice including warming the lower Tan Tien and the Microcosmic Orbit appear quite similar to those of Mantak Chia and others, in certain ways, which might appear subtle at first, are actually significantly different from these teachers. I don't know if this subject has been discussed before, but I think we should see some good discussion here. I tried to present this material based on my own understanding of the ancient texts, nothing is my own creation or belief, excepting the manner I organized it so that it would be intelligible to understand from a book. I've already posted a long description of the beginning technique on the TaoBums site in the Eric Yudelove's teachings string. There were a series of questions relating to my stating that the practice begins by learning to stare at the tip of the nose. Both "Secret of the Golden Flower" and Charles Luk's "Taoist Yoga" begin here. In a nutshell, the tip of the nose acts like a guideline. The focus of concentration moves to the bridge of the nose then to the point between the two eyes. If done correctly light will manifest and flow backwards into the brain to illuminate the "Central Castle". From there it is focused down to the lower Tan Tien where work is done and then the light is circulated in the Microcosmic Orbit. The difference here may not appear evident, I'm just giving a barebones description, but it is. In "the Secret of the Golden Flower" system, illumination of the brain is the starting point, not the ultimate object, of Taoist Alchemy. When the light is produced and the lower Tan Tien is activated, the light grows stronger or congeals and is then used to open and circulate in the Microcosmic Orbit. Without the light, there really might be nothing to circulate in the Microcosmic Orbit except your thoughts and relatively weak Chi; which might be a reason why so many practitioners have so much trouble with it. This approach is quite coherent and simplifies the practice considerably. It is described in detail in my "100 Days" but this book is now no longer published in the US, although I believe there is an Indian edition in English called "Taoist Yoga and Chi Kung", which was my original title for this book, which my publisher chose to change, against my wishes. Anyway, I'm not trying to sell anything, I don't get any money from it. I'm just telling where the material is available. This technique may be no revelation to anybody, but I don't know that. What I do know is how well using the tip of the nose works. You always know where to begin and proper concentration there will almost always instantly put you into a meditative state. Check it out. If you've never done this, it does take some getting used to. Stick with it if you can. Please post your own experiences along these lines here. Let's not digress from this issue and nothing personal here or I have been assured, that it will be removed. I came here to discuss practice, after my introductory post, this is what I wrote about in my 1st posting. I'm sure there are some fine minds here who have important things to share. We're not looking to find out who knows more than everyone else, who is most arrogant, who is most angry or any other projections of your ego, go take that out on your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, children, friends or wall, not here. Here we discuss Beginning Taoist Practices. Blessings, Health and Long Life, MESY

Hello Fellow Taoists: I stop in occasionally to see what is happening on this site and once in a while post a message. One of the reasons I don't come here that often is that it appears to me that most practitioners on this site are involved with the philosophical side of Taoism(Tao Te Ching,Cleary,etc) with some Chi Kung exercises thrown in and the rich world of Taoist practices are ignored. I do Taoist practices with my wife, everyday, we don't sit around talking about our inability to talk about the real Tao, we leave that to take care of itself. I could understand what I'm seeing on Tao Bums if this were, say 1985, but so much has been revealed about what the Taoists did with their time other than discussing the finer points of Taoism since then. Other than a handful of books on Taoist philosophy and "The Secret of the Golden Flower" by Wilhelm in 1941, until approximately 1980, the actual practices of the Taoists were basically unknown in the East and the West. In 1965 the estimated population of Taoists in China was 2,000,000. In 1975 it was 50,000. In the intervening years came The Cultural Revolution, and like a dragon eating its own tail, China wiped out it's Taoist heritage. They now are sorry for this and have just acknowledged the Taoists and China's cultural loss and recently had a Taoist "Convention" in Beijing. As a result of the Cultural Revolution, those Taoists who could, fled China. They settled in countries and island nations in the Far East. To support themselves, they taught the long time secret Taoist practices. By 1980, authentic teachers migrated from the Far East to other parts of the world. Most of what they teach can be found in the "Taoist Canon". This is a 6000 page collection of Taoist practices dating back possibly thousands of years. There is no index and except for a few minor translations of specific topics, it's all in Chinese and would be highly inscrutable even if it were in English. The higher practices of inner alchemy were always an oral tradition, it being impossible to pass this knowledge on through the written word. A Master's energy was always necessary for this. I've studied a lot of Taoist books over the years, don't get me wrong, but for 20 years I studied Taoist practices with a Tao Master. I wrote 3 books on the subject including 2 fourteen week courses on Taoist practices and finally was named a Master by my teacher more than 10 years ago. I now spend a good deal of my time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the shadow of Mt. Washington. I'm not trying beep my own horn here. It's just that I'm curious if there is simply little interest in Taoist practices here or some suspicion about the subject, or that it is merely just a misconception on my part. I'm not looking to sell anybody anything or teach anybody anything. The only person I teach these days is my wife, and she's really something! May the Chi be With You, Master Eric Yudelove

One day, Bohun Wuren went to see the philosopher Liezi. But as soon as he saw all the shoes laid outside of Liezi's house he turned and walked away. A servant saw Bohun Wuren do this and called to his master Liezi that a guest had appeared but was leaving instead of entering. Liezi rushed outside and when he saw that it was Bohun Wuren, he called out: "Master Bohun, you've come all this way, why don't you come inside and teach me?" Bohun Wuren stopped and turned to Liezi and told him: "I cannot do this.I told you before to keep the light within yourself and not to let others see it. You are gathering followers instead of keeping them away. One who knows does not speak but one who speaks does not know. You had to go and reveal your brightness and attract all these people. You show petty intelligence instead of great wisdom." Then he turned and walked away. Eric Yudelove

I was one of Mantak Chia's original American students. I started studying with him in 1981 and studied with him for over 20 years. I also studied with a number of other teachers but not to the same extent. In 1999, Chia named me a master and I really haven't studied with anyone except a number of books for the past 8 years. The names of my books are "The Tao & the Tree of Life", 100 Days to Better Health Good Sex and Long Life-A Guide to Taoist Yoga and Chi Kung" and "Taoist Yoga and Sexual Energy". These books have been translated into 20 languages worldwide. Eric Yudelove

Hello Again: I was recently on Amazon.com & checked in to see what my books were selling for these days. I was pretty amazed to see that prices for "100 Days" were going through the roof. I attribute that to 2 things 1) the book is no longer in print in the US and therefore the availability of books is diminishing and 2)a new interest in the system I laid out in my books. So I know there are a lot of girls and boys out there who aren't able to get a copy. Anyway, I really think this system will seriously enhance your practice. So I need some one knowledgeable in such things to perform an magickal alchemical display for me. Turn "100 Days" from paper and print into a website. Contact me. Eric Yudelove

Dear Hundun: Thank you for your concern. When I 1st saw your message, I thought to myself - Doesn't he believe in magick? All right were returned to me by Llewellyn on June 29 for both "100 Days" and "The Tao and the Tree of Life". "Taoist Yoga and Sexual Energy" is still being published, so those rights were not returned. My books are still being published in Bulgaria, Russia, Portugal, Italy, Romania, Hungary, France, Spain, Poland, India and China, so I do not have these foreign rights. But that will not affect my original idea. Now I can just expand on it. Eric Yudelove

Try my book "100 Days to Better Health, Good Sex & Long Life- A Guide to Chi Kung & Taoist Yoga". The entire book is dedicated to answering your question. Eric Yudelove

The crystal ball has long been associated with Taoism, Taoist Yoga and Fung Shui and continues to do so. For instance: The Yoga Journal - Jan. 1985 - states: "The "Eight Heavenly Gates" sect of Taoism keeps only a crystal ball and a mirror on its altar." On Sunday, March 29, 2009, The China Post reported: "Crystal ball to blame for rare fire at Taoist temple NANTOU, Taiwan -- A Taoist temple in Luku Township in the central county of Nantou recently witnessed a rare fire triggered by a crystal ball placed at the gate of the temple, but the fire was extinguished soon without causing any major disaster. Lin Hsien-wen, owner of the Taoist temple, said that he had placed the crystal ball beside the gate of the temple for almost two months, and didn't expect it to trigger a fire on the rugs. Lin has since relocated the crystal ball to the inside of the temple." Crystal balls have long been used in Fung Shui primarily for cleansing and energizing purposes. As far as Taoist Yoga is concerned, Charles Luk states in his "Taoist Yoga": "The whole body is negative(yin) except for the 2 eyes which are positive(yang). It is due to this small amount of positive yang in the eyes that man is not overwhelmed by the negative yin. This positive yang should be used at the beginning of alchemical training to root out all latent ailments that have accumulated in the body. You can use a hypnotist's crystal ball for your practice in the morning and evening. First sit in meditative posture until your mind is settled and then place a crystal ball in front of you in such a position that it is neither to close nor too far neither too high or too low but in line with the spot between the eyes. After gazing at the ball for some time tears will flow; they are saline and smelly and are the residue of (inner) combustion similar to tears caused by feelings and emotions such as sadness, etc. After employing this "Shifting Fire'to remove latent ailments, you should immediately use "Slow Fire to sooth the pupils which otherwise may be injured by the heat. (NOTE- Shifting Fire also called Quick Fire is very rapid Abdominal Breathing used to quickly increase internal heat. Slow Fire also called Calming Fire is slow abdominal breathing. Quick Fire helps to get the tears to flow). This Slow Fire is called Calming Fire whose charactheristic is to cause immobilization.You should use it by closing the eyes completely and concentrating on the spot between them in order to drive the breath back to the lower tan t'ien (under the navel)... While doing this your tongue should plug the heavenly pool in the palate." This practice is similar to "Getting the Tear Out" in my "100 Days" book. The crystal balls being discussed here are quartz crystal balls not glass. These balls should be clear or almost clear. Generally the larger the ball the better, but this is not always the rule. I've been collecting Quartz crystal balls for many years and I find that it is now virtually impossible to find really clear balls, most are a mass of internal fractures which render them somewhat useless. However, upon recently checking I found that flawless crystal balls are being exported from China(where else?) made from fused pieces of quartz. I find them to have the same qualities as naturally occuring quartz that are carved and polished into ball shapes. These crystal balls are available online and are pretty inexpensive. The largest sold is a perfect 8 inch diameter that costs about $90 + shipping(If you could find a ball like this made from naturally occurring quartz, it's price would be literally astronomical. The largest known flawless crystal ball is in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, it is 12.9 inches in diameter, I was stunned the 1st time I saw it, it seemed to suck me right inside it.) Smaller balls are alot cheaper. I would recommend at least 4 inches. Check around on Ebay.com, prices vary alot. Glass crystal balls can work well for skrying but they lack the energy of quartz crstal, which seems to come "alive" when properly used. Crystal balls are tools par excellance for concentration and meditation, aside from any magickal purposes. I urge you to try using a quartz crystal ball. It is part of the Taoist tradition. MESY

amazing thread!! thank you!! i knew there was a reason i was drawn to crystal balls. Here's something amazing, a 300mm - 12 inch - quartz crystal ball on my hexagonal dining room table in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This is an extraordinarily healing stone with great positive energy. MESY

Dear Yuanqi: I guess I had difficulty understanding your original post or exactly what your point was or even whether you were Western or Chinese. I think I may have been reacting to something from the past that had nothing to do with you. My Regrets, Eric

I was very pleased to recently find out from my publisher that "100 Days to Better Health, Good Sex and Long Life" was published in mainland China. Somehow this feels like a real seal of approval to me. Considering the somewhat anti-government material in the early part of the book-which I'm sure must have been deleted-I was really amazed that it was published there at all. I don't usually pat myself on the back, but this time I think I deserve it and I just wanted to share this with all my Taoist brothers and sisters out there. I include a picture of the cover. Eric Yudelove

Dear Yuanqi: I don't think you read my post carefully or it confused you. I wouldn't take Aristotle's views on the Elements, from 2400 years ago, as the know all and be all of the Western Kabbalistic & Magickal Tradition, which he pre-dates by about 1500 years. Anyway, he wasn't Chinese either, as if that is some requirement to see the "truth". He was Alexander the Great's teacher(a Westerner) and probably thought too much also. Wood is not listed as hot & wet, but as warm & moist. Metal is cool & dry. This is a big difference. Fire is hot. Water is cold. Earth is neutral. Air has 2 poles: warm & moist & cool and dry. These "elements" are used in a practical-not abstract manner- in both the Western and the Eastern traditions. In the Kan & Li alchemical formulas cool Metal & warm Wood are used to regulate the temperature in the Cauldron. They are referred to as the White Tiger-Metal and the Green Dragon-Wood. Often they are seen as being ridden by two immortals with beams shooting out of their mouths and into the Cauldron. I don't think they teach this in Chinese Medical School or medical textbooks. How would you corrolate the 5 Chinese and 4 Western elements? I found when my "100 Days" was first published, it got flack from people who never read it because I wasn't Chinese. Well the Chinese almost wiped out the Taoists in the latter part of the 20th Century and came close to losing the whole tradition. The practice of Internal Alchemy was specifically banned by the Communist government as being non-productive to the state. It is a good thing that Westerners were there to pick up the pieces and help to put them back together again. Anyway, now they're publishing my book in China. Racial arrogance is not the ticket to the Way. Master Eric Steven Yudelove

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No to your question. But I am thrilled that this thread has been helpful in uncovering your true nature. Eric Yudelove

Very Nice! The crystal ball on the right in my photo with my 1st post here is rutilated quartz. I have used this ball alot and have had some amazing results with it. The rutile helps you to find points deep inside the ball to focus on rather than keep your consciousness on the surface. This can initially be more difficult with a clear crystal ball. Have fun and if you have any questions ask. MESY

I was totally straight. I was already a big fan of Jimmy Page from his work with the Yardbirds & if truth be known I liked the Yardbirds even better than Zeppelin, their lead singer, Keith Relf, was a gifted blues harmonica player-great riffs- and that has always been my instrument. I've been playing them since ever since I heard John Lennon play one on "I'm a Loser", back around 1964. I was in my 2nd year of law school when I saw Zeppelin & Flower Power had passed me by.

Dear Ryan: In response to your excellent question, I forward the following text, taken from my first book "The Tao and The Tree of Life," pages 32-33. "THE ELEMENTS The Taoists see Later Heaven as the place where the five universal energy forces were formed out of the interaction of the Three Pure Ones. These Five Elements are: fire, water, wood, metal and earth. Everything in the universe is composed of these five elements in either a pure state or interacting with one or more of the other elements. The term "element" is difficult to define. It refers to energy in the universe. This energy has two poles -- Yin and Yang, and five phases, or activities, generally referred to as elements. The Kabbalists saw the first three elements, fire, water and air as emanations from the Three Mothers. The Hebrew Kabbalists were most concerned with these three elements. The element of air is actually the equivalent of two of the Taoist elements: wood and metal. Air is seen as having two poles, rather than being separated into two distinct elements. Franz Bardon, the German Hermeticist, said in his book "Initiation into Hermetics" that air has two poles. It mediates between fire and water. The Hebrew book on the Kabbalah, "Sepher Yetzirah" confirms, numerous times, that air acts in a mediator or balancing role. Bardon further says that, in its job as mediator, air assumes the quality of dryness from fire and humidity (moistness) from water to establish the dual pole. The two poles of Air are moist and dry. By this same manner of reasoning, Bardon fails to say that the two poles also take on the qualities of warmth (not hot) and coolness (not cold). Warm and cool are the two balancing poles of hot and cold. The two poles of the air element should be (1) moist and warm and (2) cool and dry to act as mediator between fire and water. I searched for a long time for this information. Without it I could not complete the correspondences between the five Taoist and four Western elements. The Taoist element Wood has the quality of being warm and damp. Bardon's description of one pole of the Air element as humid would appear to match. Metal has the quality of being cool and dry. The other pole of the Air element in Bardon's system has the quality of dryness. Close enough. Thus for the Western element Air, combining the Taoist elements of Wood and Metal, the two systems, Chinese and Western, could be perfectly corrolated." To the best of my knowledge nothing else has been written concerning this matter. I hope this answers your question. I don't think directions plays a key role in defining these universal forces. MESY

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"Taoist Yoga and Sexual Energy" is the sequel to "100 Days". It has much less of a direct connection to Luk's book. But if you Like "100 Days" I'm sure you will love it. Eric Yudelove

Dear Uti: It reminds me of Ezekial 1:26- And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above. The cavern of Original Spirit in the center of the brain is also known as the Hall of the Ancestors. Everyones experience there can be different. This was definitely a significant vision. MESY