fiveelementtao

Western & Vedic Elements do correspond with Taoist.. Wood = Ether Metal = Air Fire = Fire Water = Water Earth = Earth Westerners have lost their understanding of Elements since the forced conversion of Christianity onto pre christian animist europeans. Modern Western magicians don't seem to understand how to interpret Air and Ether and get them confused. Eat Indian "Vedic' magicians still understand the elements and call Ether = Akasha. The Teutonic tribes called Ether "Aethem." I have been reintegrating these systems for awhile and have a video explaining the similarity between early pre-christian Elements and Taoist Elements. Either these Elements are Universal scientific principles or they are not. I believe that they are based on experience with them. Therefore, I believe if we look at them scientifically, we will find their counterparts in outher legitimate energy practices... Here is my video from my site... (sorry don't have time to embed)... http://www.thunderwizard.com/page40/page12/page19/in%20depth.html http://www.thunderwizard.com/page40/page12/page19/page20/creationmyth.html

Thanks Craig for the great feedback. I respect your opinion and am grateful for your positive review. I am excited to hear your experience of the practices over time. Sloppy is right. Createspace is a part of Amazon. When someone lists their own DVDs, Amazon gives you your own "estore" which they call createspace. Then, Amazon lists the DVDs on their public site, but it takes longer to for it to show up amazon. I didn't want to wait, so I posted the createspace links. Thanks again for your feedback. Mike

You may need to refresh the page. The password has been deleted. It may take some time to be reflected on Amazon. Let me know if there are continued problems. Let me know if other people are getting through OK... Thanks, Mike (edit: My wife was was able to get through with no problem on her phone, so hopefully the link is working now...)

Thanks for the heads-up! The password has been removed. Let me know if anyone has a problem with the links. Mike

There has been an increasing trend over the last 5-10 years that seems to be hitting epidemic proportions and I have seen this trend increasing exponentially on this forum over the last couple of years. It's what I am calling Internet generation syndrome... This trend seems to apply to teenagers and young adults who have never lived without access to cell phones and internet. I am seeing a very different mindset from this upcoming group of people that marks a huge shift in thinking from when I was a kid. As a teacher, I have been getting more and more inquiries from students who want me to explain everything to them ahead of time over the phone or in email before they come to a class. I just got a phone call today from a local student who wanted me to "meet him and give him a couple pointers on breathing." When I told him that I would be happy to set up a time for a private lesson, he said he was having money troubles and asked if I could just hang out with him and maybe we could work something out... I then suggested if money was an issue that he come to my group qigong class. He wanted to know how many classes it would take before he would learn enough to do it on his own and if he didn't like the class, would I offer him a refund.... I felt as though he believed he was talking to a customer service rep... I gave him some options and told him to think about it and get back to me... I was polite, but needless to say, I am not very interested in training that kid... I don't think he would learn anything until he changes his perspective... I'm also not angry with him because I have seen enough to know that he is not alone. It is a very common mindset of his generation. Years ago when I was starting out as a teacher, I rarely got these kinds of inquiries. Now I get two or more a week. A few weeks back I got an inquiry from a local person ( 10 minutes drive) who wanted to know if I would do skype training with her because she didn't want to make the drive to my studio.....So, something is changing and I don't think it is for the better. The internet generation syndrome exhibits a mindset that assumes that everything can be made instantly available, cheap and refundable. Just like products on the internet or on ebay... Internet generationers ( I think because they have grown up on TV internet, texting and video games) also believe that they can intellectually understand everything beforehand and they demand to be told everything there is to know before they will put forth any effort into learning. Internet generationers seem to believe that it is THEY who are doing teachers a favor by studying with them. There is a tendency among some of them to seek for a personal friendship relationships with teachers. These ones are particularly sensitive about paying any money. They believe that their friendship is more valuable than any money and therefore, they should not have to pay the teacher for his/her time.... This indicates to me that parents have abandoned their kids to TV, internet and video games and so there is a huge hole in these kids' guts and so they project their desires for parental love onto spiritual teachers... No wonder there are so many false gurus out there promising enlightenment in a weekend seminar... On other threads, other fellow TTBs have proclaimed that they don't have the time or money to travel and meet teachers. Many have only learned through books, forums and videos.They often complain about not being able to find a reliable system, yet they have never taken the time to physically seek out any teachers. They often complain about the amount of money spent on "materials.' Some are college students who claim they don't have time or money to go seek out teachers... You think it was different when I was a kid? we had to go to college, have part time jobs and we still found ways to save money, pile into cars, sleep on the roadside or in the back of cars or take buses on weekends or semester breaks. You don't have time because you are in college? I understand. Sometimes we have to make choices. Sometimes, you may need to choose college and forget about training. sometimes you take a semester off and work and train... Maybe you need to choose between college, a relationship or training... Sometimes you have to make choices and sometimes you don't get everything you want... Complaining about it accomplishes nothing except to reinforce a childish sense of entitlement. Complaining doesn't help you get the knowledge you want. Only action will get that for you...That's called life... Sacrifice is essential to spiritual learning... When I was younger, it was assumed that in order to learn anything of value, one had to scrimp, save and sacrifice to learn anything. It was assumed and understood. I am amazed when I hear the internet generationers complain about how much money they have spent buying books and DVDs as though they should get a medal or something. I have no idea how much money I have spent over the last 20 years traveling around and paying teachers to train me. Perhaps because I did not grow up in the internet age that I didn't assume that everything was readily available and so I wasn't angry if things didn't work out. I assumed that failure was part of the process. In fact, I took it as a sign that I was making progress and that encouraged me to keep looking until I found what I was looking for... Guess what 20 years later, I have finally found my niche. If i expected to find it within only a few years, I would have given up and lost out big time... So, I am going to make a dire prediction here and I would be very happy if I am wrong.... But here goes... I believe our current way of life is going to change drastically very soon. I believe that the internet will go down, Petroleum will become difficult or impossible to get, people won't be able to drive cars or get their food from giant grocery stores and our economic system will completely break down and return to a locally based system of bartering. Those who are not able to adapt and provide for themselves will have a very difficult time surviving... For those who have never lived without having everything instantly available, who don't know how to sacrifice and adapt, those who complain about feeling they deserve everything according to their requirements... They will not survive... Spiritual seekers... If you truly want to learn spiritual disciplines, you have to grow up.... You have to be self-sufficient... One of my first teachers told me... "The Universe is not interested in excuses. It is only interested in results." He was right... There are a growing number of old timers on this forum who are silently leaving this forum in droves because they are tired of the trend that I have outlined here. As it is now, there are only a handful of us (that I know of) who post on this part of the discussion forum who have actual experience in real lineages with live teachers. I think that is sad. If we all leave, you will only be left with threads about aliens, nagas and semen retention techniques from books... If you really want to learn this stuff, especially the high level stuff, you will need to learn about the kind of learning that can only be given through personal, physical and verbal transmission. No book or video can adequately give this... Unfortunately, that may mean that you may have to make some sacrifices, get up from behind the computer screen, meet some teachers and train old school style... Or you can continue to sit behind a computer and complain... and you will get exactly what you have now... Anyway... just wanted to share some thoughts.... I hope this forum doesn't continue to disintegrate. I think it is a very valuable resource...

Yup... Looking back, I am a little mystified how a really exciting (and I think inspiring) discussion on destiny has devolved into this petty bickering and backstabbing and schoolyard clique-shness... certainly wasn't my intention when I shared my experience with it... I refused to indulge someone's demand to "prove" myself according to the parameters of their demands and then somehow I allowed myself to reflect the impression others had that I was offended... I have not as yet to my knowledge attacked anyone's character, yet seemingly whenever someone disagrees with me, inevitably the focus shifts from the discussion to my integrity or character or spirituality... So, makes me wonder... I think that as I have said before that the combination of keyboards and lack of physical presence traps the attention in the left brain and discord is the only result unless we are determined to agree with each other or attack each other and real discussion and sharing of personal feelings and experience goes out the window. I guess if I hadn't experienced anything but forums, I might not know the difference. Or when someone asked me my feelings, I might respond as Way did and say, "My personal experience is really not a factor in that at all, that I can see." Since Tao is an experiential path, I just don't see how any real learning can take place in a scenario where personal experience and emotions (other than anger) have no place? It seems that this scenario just does not foster any kind of real interaction other than the left brain intellectual kind and perhaps I just need to step out of denial on this. I think it's time for me to go. I am not getting much out of any subjects being shared on this part of the discussion forum... For example, there are currently two separate threads on how to increase penis size I'm still trying to figure out what the hell that has to do with Tao in any way.... It appears my perspective is not warmly received by many... Which means I am giving out unsolicited advice... I know I don't like it when people do that to me... so, as I think about it, if I am not here for my own edification and what I find inspiring seems to only push peoples' authority buttons... What's the point? Anyone interested in starting a new forum focused on practices instead of just books? Anywho, my friends... I'm going to take a month hiatus from here and decide if there is any point in coming back... Blessings to all...

Jean Luc ponty! That was damn good music!!!!

Well, I guess Way is not interested in a two way discussion about the role of destiny. Instead he would rather engage in passive aggressive swipes at me in the third person with others. I answered his questions, but he refuses to answer mine which I think would have opened up a new and interesting discussion... I find it a bit hypocritical and controlling to demand questions from an OP but be unwilling to answer any in return... And it illustrates my original point of this thread quite well... I am beginning to wonder if others who have left this forum might be on the right track... If the point of this forum has become to find a place for those who do not wish to take risks beyond sitting in front of a computer and indulging in intellectualisms, then I wonder what benefit there is for those of us who only use this arena as a supplementary practice... As one person who has left described this place as having become " a place where a bunch of "pat-each-other-on-back-juveniles have taken over"... I must say that I am beginning to agree...

So. Way, my friend... I'm over all that. I've heard your personal defense a few times now. I just don't completely buy it. I apologize if I seem angry...I can be direct. especially when I feel somebody is not being completely forthright with their feelings. So, Contrary to what you may think, I am not angry with you. I am trying to move the discussion to a more cooperative direction. I think your objection to the subject is important and can be helpful to others by exploring your personal reaction to the idea of destiny instead of focusing on who is right and who is wrong...So, I'm now asking you a new question. Which you are refusing to answer. Why (based on your experience and/or feelings) do you disagree with or dislike the idea of destiny being central to spiritual practice? How does it effect you. On a personal note: To stay on topic of the thread, one of the things I have noticed in the internet generationers with little, knowledge or experience is the idea that if they can create clever intellectual arguments, this can somehow make something true even in spite of the experience of others. You yourself said that your knowledge of taoism is limited, yet you feel that you need to correct my "incorrect" generalizations. Just for arguments sake and you are right and my generalization is totally off in light of the book knowledge...What if all the books are wrong? One thing I respect about Shaktimama is that she openly disagrees with some traditional teachings about Kundalini which I have called her on, but she is fearless when she says that she doesn't like some traditional teachings because her experience differs from that. Even though I may disagree with her conclusions, I cannot argue against her experience, and if I haven't said so, Shaktimama, I respect you for your bravery and sticking to your guns. That is why I recommend her to students seeking kundalini teachings... So, Way,...You can sign off on this discussion if you want...I'm responding to you in particular because your responses do reflect alot of what I think adds to the discord and confusion and safe, intellectual passive aggressiveness on this site. So, I am also trying to help newbies... There are alot of people here who only know how to confront and be contrary and not discuss from their personal feelings. especially when they don't like or are threatened by something someone "in authority" has said. I have shared quite a bit of my personal experience which is what adds to my opinions. I won't try to argue against your feelings unless you hide behind them just to challenge me. Because when it comes to our feelings we are all equal and no amount of book knowledge can invalidate feelings or experience. That, I think is much more interesting than the intellectual slant of trying to see who is more "correct" based on scholarly sources. So, if you really want to have a discussion with me, you will be better served by sharing feelings and experience. Good luck to you...

Why not? What's the point of having this discussion if we don't share our personal feelings and experiences? It's clear to me that you wanted to challenge the idea of destiny because you yourself don't like the idea for some reason. I don't know what that reason is, but by shutting down emotionally, you went into your head which is ALWAYS passive aggressive. and instead of sharing your feelings, which would have opened up an entirely NEW dimension to whole purpose of destiny and working with spirit guides, we are reduced to intellectual sparring over who has the most book knowledge. Who cares about that? what good is any of that knowledge if it cannot be put into practice and elevate our minds and emotions?

Really? sounds pretty challenging to me... Way... again making this about me... You did not answer my question which is what is your personal feeling and experience about the subject.

I never said Way wasn't sincere... I was merely pointing out that Way was doing what most do on forums which is to argue over intellectual concepts by putting the poster on the defensive rather than discuss the concept from a personal standpoint... It is an attempt to divert and avoid the underlying emotional issues by putting the OP on the defensive. I am not judging Way. But it is the modus operandi of most forum discussions... I still feel that Way's main issue is a personal dislike of the concept. So, even if I gave Way all of the intellectual evidence they ask for, it still does not address the personal, emotional resistance Way may have about the idea. I believe a more constructive way to discuss the issue is to share our personal feelings on the subject rather than passive aggressive questions of "how do you know that?" Or "I'm protecting newbies." etc... Cut the crap! Way doesn't like the idea of destiny on an emotional level that Way has not shared. By putting the focus on me in a passive aggressive way, this is a typical forum behavior to avoid the issue raised. Just because we are all equals does not mean that I am obliged to engage every intellectual diversion tactic that comes along... This is childish schoolyard tactics. If someone wants to engage in a discussion with me, they will be much more successful by sharing personal feelings and experience rather than polarizing intellectualisms... Way is not unique here, it is the operation of left brain thinking that is a direct result of communication via keyboards... I will continue to point it out when I see it... If people don't like my posts, they can ignore me... I have a huge and growing lists of ignoreds myself. It saves alot of time and computer headaches

I agree Ya Mu, I think the resistance to the concept of destiny for many is coming from a mistaken idea that destiny is being confused with the fatalistic Christianized version of "god's Will" or "Bearing one's Cross." If this is one's unconscious projection onto this idea then, I completely understand one's resistance to being controlled by a deity that wants us to suffer for "god's will." My experience with my guides has destroyed this perverted idea. Instead my experience with them has filled me with joy at the thought of being part of a greater spiritual community. I am coming from the assumption that destiny means that each one of us has chosen to come into this life to fulfill a higher purpose. Part of the learning process is to fight to become aware of this higher purpose. Just as a sidenote, If we want to talk about the history of ascended masters in Taoism... The first organized "taoist" sect was the "Heavenly Masters" sect. This was the first sect that all other Taoist sects sprang from. The second and possibly even more influential sect was the "Shang Ch'ing" sect. This second sect was founded entirely on revelations from the Lady Wei who was a member of the Heavenly Masters sect and who became an immortal herself. after ascending, She then appeared to her descendents and shared methods of internal alchemy to her descendents who then founded the Mao Shan sect. That sect went on to influence either directly or indirectly all other taoist formalized sects. This is undisputed history. For anyone truly interested in how deep working with ascended masters is in the formation of Taoism, I recommend looking into the history of those sects. In the Shang Ch'ing scriptures, the ENTIRE tradition is focused on working with ascended beings and deities and it is firmly established that the whole point of working with them is to realize one's destiny... For some, it is to become an ascended master, for others it is to become an ascended master... perhaps in later lifetimes. People on this forum want to talk about becoming an immortal, well that is the destiny of everyone. Some will just realize it sooner than others... If one wants to speed up the process, then ask your guides to help align you with your destiny and you are that much closer to realizing your ultimate fate, which is to be an ascended master yourself... BY the way, it is not necessary to join a sect to work with your own guides. If it is what is best for you, you will be drawn to a teacher whose highest purpose is to facilitate this connection... But, it is not necessary for all people. Just ask your guides for their help and be open to be flexible and things will change...

Hi Way is virtue, You are being a typical TTBer right now. Instead of discussing the concept, you want to attack my authority and scholarly expertise... So, let's attack this another way which will foster more cooperative discussion instead of knitpicking intellectual arguments... Why don't you share why my statements bother you? In other words instead of saying, "I have trouble with this post on a personal reason for this reason..." You have instead said that you doubt my authority to make this statement and so instead of discussing the merits of the subject matter, you want to put me on the defensive and engage in intellectual knitpicking. I don't go there any more... Then YaMu, whose reputation in a traditional taoist sect is well known voices his agreement based on his extensive experience in his tradition and then you want to say he is mistaken because he only teaches taoist medical qigong. As though that is somehow not part of traditional taoism. Where do you think his tradition came from? Medical qigong is among the most profound aspects of ancient Taoist energy traditions. You won't find this stuff in books, martial arts, DVDs or big qigong seminars. This comes from working in transmitted lineage traditions. If you know anything about transmitted lineages, you know that initiation includes being introduced to the ascended masters of that tradition. Way,... So, just because you don't like the concept doesn't mean it isn't part of traditional taoist lineage training... I might be inclined to turn the tables on you and ask how do you know that working with higher guides is not part of traditional taoist internal alchemy? But instead, I would rather focus on what will actually create dialogue instead of needless, typical TTBs intellectual knitpicking argument and discuss why you personally are bothered by the concept I have introduced... I have shared from my personal experience. Why don't you share yours...

I understand what you are saying, but in terms of Taoism, Yoga and any other traditional teaching... There IS destiny. We all chose to come here to accomplish specific tasks and learn as well as help others. To deny destiny is to deny one's gifts. I know that many nowadays see destiny as some kind of trap or obligation like doing homework or chores. But this is a complete misunderstanding of the concept. Living one's destiny is the greatest joy one can have in this life... If we are on a Taoist forum, we must at least consider destiny and karma. It is a major teaching in traditional Taoism. Most traditional Taoist sects strongly emphasize working with one's spirit guides to accomplish their destiny. In fact, this is the whole point of meditation: to connect with one's spirit guides in order to accomplish one's purpose here on Earth. People on this forum talk about becoming immortals... If they truly want this, this cannot happen without following one's destiny... I myself take great joy in communing with my guides and allowing them to guide me to my destiny. It is truly fulfilling. It is challenging sometimes, but it is always fulfilling... I think that many have forgotten that they already have teachers assigned to them. For those who may be having trouble with meditation, then I suggest simply using that time to ask your guides to help you on your journey. That's it and then WATCH what happens in your life... You can do your own thing if you want, but if you want real adventure, challenges and JOY! Then ask your guides to come to you, work closely with you and bring you your destiny.... Then buckle up and hang on!!!

@WayIsVirtue... Good post. I have posted similar things myself. I have trained with teachers who had some pretty impressive siddhis, but they were not enlightened at all... In fact some were very emotionally immature. Their power actually isolated them and made their emotional issues worse. They used their powers as a drug. Many on this board who are seeking powers/enlightenment out of a need to escape feelings don't realize that if they found what they think they are looking for, they will be even more unhappy than they are now... There is this idea lately that spiritual powers = enlightenment. IME, enlightnement is the old lady down the street who give out cookies to strangers, the person who gives to others unconditionally. ( not out of a need to be "good" or be noticed or to get approval from others) It is compassion and unconditional love by choice... That is something that anyone can give. It has nothing to do with energy. Love, like enlightenment is not a feeling or a state of being but a choice... No energy system can give that. Nothing outside of you can fix you... It is within you and it may take some work to uncover. Without work, you only have what you have now. If you want to change, make the choice, do the work and seek... I think another aspect to this is that what many on this board call enlightenment is not enlightenment at all but escape from pain. I have seen time and again from going to different seminars of teachers who either claim to teach instant enlightenment or allow their followers to ascribe them with teaching instant enlightenment, that many of the people in those seminars are very emotionally damaged. In a nutshell, the new age, instant enlightenment crowd seems to suffer from serious co-dependence and could benefit from more from either 12 step groups or from psychological counseling than from energy disciplines... This is of course nothing new. It has been part of the spiritual scene for millenia. The new twist today, however, is the idea that spiritual disciplines are like products. So, now we have people who honestly feel that teachers and paths must come to them and prove themselves to the students. The whole idea of seeking and striving as part of the process has been entirely forgotten. So, now we have the combination of co-dependent, escapism combined with internet customer mentality. Whereas before, the student needed to prove themselves worthy of the teacher, the student now believes that it is the teacher who must prove themselves to the student. While this is also true, the student will never know if the path or the teacher is worthy until they themselves walk that path first. They can only know the worth of a teacher or system by experience and action. This knowledge can never come by intellect... Intellect and experience are two completely different universes... The idiom "seek and ye shall find." is a necessary ingredient to any spiritual pathway. One reason why disciplines have secrets is because if one does not seek, even if the answer is right in front of them, they will not see it... The truth is that it is all right in front of us, within us, but if we do not seek, we do not open our minds and we do not find... (edit) The gospel of Thomas actually says it this way, "Do not stop seeking until you find. When you find you will become disturbed. When you are disturbed, you will marvel and reign over all." This takes effort and requires some willingness on the part of the seeker to undergo considerable discomfort if necessary... Another HUGE aspect to all of this is destiny and karma. In traditional teachings, it is emphasized that you will only achieve what is in your destiny to achieve. This has been forgotten because many only learn from books today. But it is essential to know that If you do not have the karma for siddhis, you will not achieve them, regardless of the path you choose. and if you DO have the karma for siddhis, you will achieve them regardless of the path you choose. Any siddhis are given because you have been chosen to use them by the Universe to help in your way. One cannot choose their siddhis. The highest attainment that anyone can achieve is to operate from their own highest destiny. This will also bring the greatest joy. The idea that one can shop around for the best practice forgets that the best practice is whatever one helps you to live your highest destiny based on your karma... I stopped asking for things like money, etc... when I realized this and now I simply pray and meditate this phrase... "May I walk in my highest destiny today." And I may not know what that is from moment to moment. But from that emptiness, the Universe brings new things and I would not be where I am without this understanding.... The only real thing any teacher can share with a student is the emptiness to be ready for their destiny in any moment. This is really the only thing a true teacher transmits to a student. Any energy or shaktipat or any other feeling is nothing in comparison to the ability to accept your destiny without preconception....

Viking shamans meditated in full lotus!

Internal Martial Arts with a Teutonic Shamanic Twist!

New Classes!

Playing devils' advocate? Or do you have some suggestions as to how one might adapt to whatever this change is you are referring to? Every generation has it's challenges. This is one of the current generation's challenges... If you are suggesting that I have an emotional attachment to the past, I have no sentimental attachment to the "way things were". I am very excited about the present and I look forward to adapting to whatever changes are occurring... I used to want things to be different just as many on this forum would like to find the easy path to enlightnement. I completely understand their desire. I tried it too, for years... My experience, however, has taught me that some laws cannot be wished away. As much as I wanted high level taoist practices to magically appear and be handed to me, I had to make some decisions and sacrifices and I still do... That hasn't changed. As far as my emotional attachment is concerned, I do care very deeply about spiritual progress in this world. Anyone who knows me or is familiar with my work knows that I have shared huge amounts of teaching materials for free to anyone who asks and I will continue to do more in the future. My deep desire is to help. But sometimes, the kindest thing to do is speak some unfiltered truth and challenge denial. My methods are that of a spirit warrior and I do clash with people at times when my BS meter goes off. At least you know where I stand and I will speak the truth as I see it even if that means you may not like me as a result. But that is my way and I accept that. Some will respond positively to it. Other warriors have their way and know how to speak in ways that are less direct and challenging and others will respond to them... That is their way.. We each have our part to play in the grand scheme of things. I am playing mine as I understand it... There are some on this forum who may take some action based on what I have said. If I have to ruffle some feathers and bruise some egos along the way, I'm OK with that. So, this isn't about what I want to be true... If someone can find a way to do it the easy way from a computer or a book, please fill me in. I would love to get in on that... My experience has taught me very differently... As someone who has trained with masters in person, Stig, I know you understand the difference.... @walker... great post... I will meditate on what you have posted... Thank you... So, having said that, I am going to take a few days off from this forum... See you in a few days...

Yes! Dancing, playing music, acting, painting, drawing, any artistic activity, Composing music, Sports, (surfing-my personal favorite), martial arts, Any activity that requires a partner. These are all excellent methods for exercising the right brain and I whole heartedly agree that real time person-to-person (not online) communication is also very good at stimulating the right brain...

I feel for you, my brother... No judgement here. I can tell you from experience that there are alot of really loving women/men who don't care how much money you make. Just be honest and be yourself and you won't have to worry. If someone is turned off by lack of money, then you will know quickly and you can move on to the next. I am very happily married to an awesome woman and it ain't because I have money. She loves me because I listen to her and work hard to be a cooperative, loving partner... For many people, that is all that is necessary for a loving relationship... It sounds like there is some pretty deep emotional wounds that would probably be helped by counseling. If that is not an option because of finances, there are alot of 12 step and self-help groups out there that can help. I would strongly suggest finding some type of group that you can share your feelings with...It's hard to heal when your all alone... I don't know what your path is, but I do believe that it would be very healing for you to reach out in whatever way you can to find real live people to connect with... Perhaps there are people on this forum in your city or area that can direct you to different places or groups... I am sending you love and good energy, my brother. I applaud your bravery in sharing here. I hope you find what you need... Blessings, Mike

Good Question. I did not direct these comments at Sloppy by name. So, it is good you ask because this subject has been brewing in me for a while now. I am not intending to single sloppy out. as it so happens there are many, many on this forum who think similarly to him. My intentions are to share what I consider to be very important information to people honestly seeking spiritual paths... They can choose to listen or not. So, if that is a lecture, so be it. Some lectures are helpful. You can determine if mine are helpful or not... People can choose to ignore me too if they want. I won't take it personally.. But to spend energy arguing accomplishes nothing and I know Sloppy well enough that he will probably want to engage in intellectual debate about this issue. If I am wrong, I apologize. It wouldn;t be the first time and won't be the last. It's Ok with me if he and others don't like what I am saying. Sometimes speaking one's truth will offend others. On a personal note, engaging in intellectual hair splitting on this forum is not good for me on an emotional level. So, there are times when I need to use that function in order to avoid slipping into forum left brain intellectual hell... So, IDK.. you can determine for yourself what my motives are and take that into consideration as you read my posts...

Another aspect in all this which I think is very important is the left brain/right brain aspect to Tao training. Internet, texting, video games and books are all left brain activities. The more people isolate with their electronic gadgets, the less they are exercising their right brains. Right brain is crucial to Tao training. One reason why I do not get angry with internet generationers now is because I realize that most of their life has been spent using these devices and so many don't even know what right brain activities are like from an experiential standpoint. I have come to the conclusion that many internet generationers may actually be developmentally disabled from lack of right brain activities in their teenage years. I think this contributes to increased drug use among youth... Anyway, I can't prove that, it is only a theory... I have a young student (18) who has been training with me for over a year now. I have been laying the energetic foundation with him for this past year and I told him I thought he was ready to learn how to practice with his right brain. I shared some techniques to engage his whole brain and I wish I could share with you the look on his face when he felt the energy. Now he is ready to start his real training. He is an exceptionally gifted student and it still took me over a year of two classes per week before he was ready for the real training to begin. This is not something that can be taught in books or videos. So, my point here is IME, there is simply no way for someone to know whether or not they know anything about energy until they have been introduced to right brain practices. Books, internet, video are by definition left brain activities and as such, there is simply no way to learn these crucial right brain techniques (which cannot be put into words, images or texts) solely from these left brain sources and be able determine what you are learning from a right brain perspective. In fact if this is your only source of information, there is no way for you to objectively assess your learning abilities at all... This can only be achieved through personal, physical interaction with other students and teachers.

Thanks for that quote. It rings true from my experience... Interesting, If my limited understanding of Chinese is correct, I assume that what you spell "heng" is pronounced like the English "hung." If this is true, then, it correlates with the Sanskrit seed sound "Ham" which is correctly pronounced "hung" also. Ham means "AM" or "Being" which means Existence. Ham is also the seed sound for the ether element which is similar to the "Hun" souls energy in the liver which is similar to the aethem Element in Teutonic mythology. So, everything you just said tells me that High level energy leading to spiritual existence can only be achieved through discipline, connection and sacrifice... To other readers out there... This connection I just made which was sparked by a fellow practitioner is a result of years of practice in a transmitted lineage. Had I not spent years receiving this transmission from my teachers, I would not have had the karmic energy to make that instant connection. This profound teaching that VCraig has given me is a final result of years of learning energy concepts... This is the kind of power and understanding that can only come from lineage connection, which can only be found by studying over time in person with teachers... Now I will be able to translate this knowledge from Vcraig into practical reality. It is no longer an intellectual idea... This is real learning... @Sloppy, I put you on manage ignored users so I don't know what you have written, not because I am angry with you, but because I knew that you would probably get defensive and want to argue with me and try to convince that you are right and I am wrong. (based on Vcraig's response it seems I was generally right.) But, here are the facts... My opinion and your opinion mean NOTHING in this Universe. The only thing that matters is what WORKS. I know you know this already. So, stop wasting energy trying to convince me you are right and go PROVE it by studying with teachers. If I am wrong, you will not need to prove it to me because you will KNOW it through trial and error and experience. If I am right, then you will have found what you say you are looking for, REAL energy knowledge... Either way, wasting energy on this forum gets you nowhere. So, Make whatever sacrifices you have to and go TRAIN with someone. Then come back in 10 years and tell me I was wrong if need be... Until then as VCraig pointed out, IMO, you don't even know what you don't know... I am going to keep you on manage ignored users for awhile to avoid needless drama for myself... Good luck...