fiveelementtao

Dude, stop mindf***ing yourself. It may be this.. it may be that... Take my advice or not... I'm telling you, your yang is weak and that is why women are not attracted to you. You can fix it. But you will have to face the problem within yourself. FInd a good Tao teacher and he/she can help you fix it. Taoist martial arts are the best way I know how to develop a strong balanced yang and to understand the yin. You do not understand the yin and your yang is weak. That's my advice... accept it or not, believe it or not. IMO the only answer for lies in taking direct action to fix the problem within yourself. All the talk and thinking in the world will be pointless... Time to take action...

I will also say that I agree with alot of what is being said about the dissapearance of the male. I partly agree, but I also think that the Male has been greatly misunderstood throughout history. One reason why the world has been so patriarchal is because the Male (yang) has been weak and in order to compensate, men became tyrants. That does not mean that feminine is superior, in asian cultures the villain is always a female witch to symbolize the destruction the power of the unbalanced feminine can do. Most cultures became male dominant because of fear of the sheer power of the feminine. But most men, do not understand what a truly powerful man is. Most women intuit their power but don't understand it. This is the real gift of Tao practice. This is the true gift of taoist internal martial arts. In order to be a truly effective internal martial artist, one needs to understand the interplay of yin and yang and Chi. There is no room for intellectualization...

I completely agree Non... You are overthinking it and hiding behind intellectual rationales. Work through your feelings and stop muddying the waters with too much thinking to escape the feelings. Minimizing this issue to just sex and gender roles is missing the point... Yin and yang are absolutes that are balanced and flow with each other. Humans have both yin and yang in them regardless of sex. But the majority of humans are heterosexual and generally follow their yin yang counterparts. You were the guy complaining that no woman would ever want you right? Was that you?... If it is, I just now saw that it is because your yang is weak. You need to do something to build it up. Martial arts is excellent way. Now, if you're not that guy, I apologize.... I mistook you for someone else that's complaining about not ever being able to get a girl....

I know what your problem with women is Non... Your yang is very weak. You are seeking to be guided by women. You have the functions of yin and yang backwards. The Masculine leads, the feminine supports, surrounds and protects. The "spark" as you put it is masculine and points the way... The Feminine goes to manifest it. Without the guidance of the masculine, the power of the feminine is chaotic. Without the power of the feminine, the "spark" of the masculine is inneffective. True POWER is feminine, True Strength is masculine. This is why Chinese internal martial arts are so powerful in comparison to other martial arts. Because taoist martial arts understand that POWER is feminine. Other arts only seek Strength. Strength without power is brittle. Power without strength destroys...

Well said, there's hope for you... If you were my Tao student we caould have long talks about the interplay of yin and yang and how to make these these roadblocks you are feeling into ways to go beyond the battle of yin and yang. What you are percieiving as a battle for your independence, (you are afraid that the Tyranny of the feminine will consume and annihilate you right?) Meditate on it... If you can understand how to direct the dance of yin and yang... those hot babes that are seemingly demanding you to go out and become the next donald trump will come to you and beg you to give them your yang essence. I guarantee you those hot babes are despreately seeking a strong man with powerful yang to satisfy them... I'm not talking sex and I'm not talking brute force. But, if women do not see true male power, they seek to satisfy their need with the only thing available... So, the women you see are just as frustrated as you... If you learn the true essence of a man, you will NEVER need to chase women. Case in point, My wife is the breadwinner (and very hot) and absolutely adores me because I know how to give her what she needs (and it ain't money and I'm not just talking sex).... But I practiced Tao for almost twenty years and was celibate for 6 years. I had alot of time to use my libido in my Tao practice to help me see under the surface of "the conspiracy". So, my suggestion is to find a good Tao teacher and practice an energy exercise or an internal martial art. Otherwise, if you are like I was at 25, you will either become a doormat for every hot woman or you will resent the power you feel they have over you and seek to dominate them. Both are paths to great unhappiness. There is a middle path and it a great one for both sexes...

Careful... you won't attract a mate this way... Don't complain, go with the flow of your hormones... follow your instincts... go build that fort, and get that "hot babe"... You'll be much happier... after a good ejaculation, you'll be stupider and won't have the inclination to think so much, but you'll be much happier...

(Putting on my rubber gloves so I don't get the poop all over me...) My friend... You are mistaking industriousness for creativity. There is a difference. Meditate on that. Based on your post, I am assuming you are a male and possibly young and driven by your gonads. If I am correct, you are viewing the world through hormone tainted eyes. I once felt that way, but I am middle aged and happily married now and can see through the testosterone haze that once blinded me. even though, your conclusion is no longer true.. many women build cities and buildings and many other things nowadays.. but, just for argument's sake, let's assume that you are right and only men build things... Where do you think that drive to build comes from? according to you it is because "nearly all creative pursuits have been done so by males either directly or indirectly to either attain the favour of women or as an outlet to distract/circumvent love lost etc/as a cathartic outlet to their pent up libido." I don't agree with that, as I said, I think your gonads are working overtime to get you a mate, you are frustrated, and your frustration is creating enemies where they don't exist because you feel the drive to build something so you can attract a mate... but, I digress... As I was saying, even if you are right and men build everything for women to enjoy, it is STILL the feminine that is driving the men to create. So, the female is STILL responsible for all creativity in your world. But, as I said, ladies, I don't agree so, don't kill me... I think our friend Agape is sincere and desperrately trying to make sense of his own DNA inspired procreative drives...

Yoga and Tai Chi are two completely different arts. It makes no sense to compare them.

Hi Scotty, That is rather long answer. In order to best answer that I would also have to talk what I was taught about the Chakras and their real significance and function. (The Chakras are not what most people think they are) There was a previous thread where I laid out in at least a couple of pages what I was taught about kundalini and the chakras. It was thread where Santiago and myself were bantering back and forth on this exact subject. I went looking for the thread and couldn't find it. In a nutshell, Kundalini is the personality of the individual created in human form. It is not the soul, God or the spirit. It is limited human perception. Without kundalini, no one could function as a human. So, when people are having a kundalini experience, they think they are experiencing God or enlightenment. This is an illusion of kundalini. It is their own ego. their own human personality. When people having a kundalini experience feel like they are worshiping the Infinite Spirit, they are really worshiping their own personality. It is illusion. In order to achieve enlightenment in yogic thought one must transcend the kundalini. The Personality (kundalini) matures as it moves up the spinal column moving through each chakra. This is a very long process and is not just something that can happen instantly. Yoga is very different from Tao in that Yoga is primarily about personal, psychological transformation. So, any real kundalini experiences even enlightenment-like experiences must be of a permanent nature. regardless of any feelings or vision experiences etc... It is meaningless if it not accompanied by permanent psychological change. This takes years of consistent yogic practice with a guru who can help navigate the psychological transformation. So, even if people have very powerful energy experiences that "feel" like kundalini awakening, unless it is accompanied by permanent psychological maturation, then it is only a small portion of kundalini briefly moving through the different chakras and has no real significance. Many people mistake these experiences as the real thing and then get trapped in their ego thinking they have achieved enlightenement or full kundalini awakening. It is a false enlightnement. Taoists do not use the chakra system because taoism is not primarily concerned with psychological transformation. (it is a part of it, but not the main focus.) Kundalini is about working through the self. Taoism is different... So, when people mix taoist and hindu energy practices, they are basically confusing the process because they are designed to do two completely different things. Energy is fun... But these sciences are not about energy experiences. If one gets caught up in the experience, the goal is never reached... Anyway, I have already said too much. I don't want to naviagate this minefield again. Bottom line for me is that I left kundalini based systems because it takes too long and I don't want to wrestle with the ego illusions of kundalini. Tao is a much better fit for me... Anyway, that is my experience and what I was taught by tantric yoga. Others will no doubt have different experiences, opinions etc...

I'm willing to bet that you and I do not share a common definition of Kundalini. If I shared your definition, I might agree with you...

I never said that people can't have spontaneous kundalini awakenings. I'm not convinced that all of them are actual kundalini, but even if they are... Those people usually have no control of the energy and most would happily end their kundalini experiences. The Indian systems are designed to slowly awaken kundalini in a controlled way to avoid the pain, discomfort, craziness of uncontrolled awakenings... But in general, kundalini is VERY stubborn and cannot be awakened easily... A powerful chi or enlightenment experience does not necessarily mean kundalini. To have a good conversation about kundalini, we would have to first have a common definition of what Kundalini is and what it does. IME, most people I try to talk to about kundalini, get very upset because the definition of K as I was taught is very different than what most people think it is, where it comes from or what it does... So, I guess I should just give up on this one and keep my mouth shut....

Hi Scotty, I am well aware that I am in the minority on this subject, especially on taoist forum... but, I'm OK with that. What would life be without variety? What do you disagree with? That someone should learn about kundalini from a yogi or that Taoist and Yogic disciplines are different? I used to feel differently. Until I studied tantric esoteric yoga, all of my previously held beliefs of "one size fits all" energy and the belief that "it's all the same, just different cultures" was completely shattered... But I will say that some the difference lies in each culture's understanding of the afterlife. Indian energetic practices are designed for a belief system based on reincarnation. Taoists, (especially early taoists) were concerned with becoming celestial immortals. The energy systems of each culture are designed to accomplish very different goals in the human body. I suppose a fire or Earth to heaven taoist practice has similarites to indian systems. Shang Ch'ing practices are very different than Indian practices. I have talked ad nauseum on some older threads about the differences in the function of Kundalini, Indian versus Chinese spirituality etc... I am talking from personal as well as research experience. But, I have concluded that if someone is determined to believe that Kundalini is just another version of Chi, there is nothing I or anybody else can say to dissuade them regardless of evidence or experience. Since this is taoist forum, I won't waste space trying to explain the differences to a mostly hostile audience in this regard.

If you read the post carefully, those later comments about narcissism were directed to those who specifically are saying that they shouldn't have to pay money to learn... I apologize if it sounded as though those comments were directed at you. But having said that... if my description applies to you then.. Yes, IMO... if you believe that you shouldn't have to pay to learn, I believe you are also operating from narcisism. That's not a personal attack. It applies to anyone IMO who holds that belief... I once held that belief myself. And I was operating from selfishness... JZ, again, this is a discussion forum. If you don't want harsh responses, then don't go around accusing fellow TB members of being scam artists. Take responsibility for the tone of your posts.

Qi and Prana are (generally) the same thing. Kundalini is NOT simply "the circulating Qi, or the rising Prana". Kundalini is a different energy. People often make the mistake that they have awakened their kundalini because they have physical sensations of rising Chi. I could go on for a very long time, because the misidentification of Kundalini is one of my main pet peaves. But if you really want to know what kundalini is... get a teacher in the yogic traditions and learn. Do not seek to understand kundalini from a taoist teacher or from a forum... Taoist teachings and yogic teachings are VERY different. I have trained in both. IME people who want to merge the two sciences together are doing so out of ignorance and a misplaced naive desire to find the "one energy fits all" category. But, I can assure you, you most likely have not even begun to awaken your kundalini. It takes years of daily practice in a yogic based system under the guidance of a qualified teacher to even begin awaken it... Kundalini work is very different from just qigong... Anyone who says otherwise IMO is misinformed....

JZ, You're on a discussion forum... Just as you are free to make an unsubstantiated judgement with no personal experience based solely at looking on a website one time, you can't then demand that no one can share their perceptions of your post... I withholding any comment on KAP because I have not trained in their system and the overwhelming reviews I have seen are very positive. I have certainly discovered for myself that no teacher or system is perfect. But being a teacher myself, I see no need to trash someone for being human or any system for not being perfect. My main issues with energetic systems are whether they are dangerous. I haven't heard anything about the system itself that leads me to believe it is dangerous. In terms of this free teaching debate, I have weighed in very heavily on other threads about this subject. But, I will say that any valuable teaching will always demand an exchange of energy. For those who use the idea of monasteries as being "free" teaching, I would strongly urge that you train in a monastery first before you speak about how free they are. While it is possible that you may not have to pay with money, you will be paying with far more expense. How do you think monasteries survive? You will still have to work very hard to earn your keep...possibly full time. They need cooks and gardeners etc... Not only that, but you will pay with your freedom. You will not be able to come and go as you wish. You will also be directly responsible to a teacher who will probably have you on a very strict regimen and you will be directly responsible to their personal instruction... If you do not earn your keep and follow rules, you will be expelled. When all is said and done, I feel very confident that you will wish that the only thing you had to do was pay someone a few hundred dollars. People are also not making the distinction between spiritual teachings ( Such as compassion, kindness, love, mindfullness etc..) as opposed to energetic techniques. I agree that a priest or a teacher need not charge for teachings about morality and basic meditation etc... But to expect someone to devote countless hours to you to teach you energetic techniques that took them years and thousands of hours to master is the height of narcissism. And the first thing anyone will need to learn before gaining any benefit from a spiritual teaching is to face and overcome their own narcissism. I have said before but it bears repeating... If any teacher does not require some sacrifice from the student in some way, that teacher either has nothing of value to teach, does not know how to teach, has some personal agenda or is a downright fraud. Sacrifice is necessary for the student to value the teaching. If they do not value the teaching, they will not learn. If they do not learn, the teacher has failed. As a teacher, my priority is to make sure the student learns.

Very cool posture... What does that particular posture accomplish? What centers does it strengthen? Thanks...

I work alot with the Earth element in my practice and teaching... A friend sent me this link and I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd share it with y'all... http://school-for-warriors-blog.com/prosperity/ Ready...and discuss!

Yes, my thoughts are..... I want a copy of that CD!

Hmmm... Good question.... I left my last martial arts teacher because he was a show off... For me, I only use my abilites with fellow practitioners or students. I never show my abilities to someone who is not trained in IMA's. So, I would venture a guess that if it feels like you are showing off, you may be... I knew someone who was pretty advanced internal martial artist who said, "I have taken a vow that I will never use my abilities on anyone unless I am: in immediate physical danger or demonstrating on one of my students in class and never while angry." That sounds pretty wise to me...

I didn't miss it...Your exact question was.. "So whats the skill of his school? Is it laser like chi is that what he and his students have and work with?" If so how long does it take to obtain?"

Much longer if you need to ask. A watched pot never boils. Practice something for it's own sake, not because of superpowers... If you have a timetable for getting powers, you will be constantly judging yourself and that will cause tension which will close you down to the energy, resulting in more self-judgement and creating a self-perpetuating cycle of tension. If you have no expectations and just enjoy the practice, then one day, you will realize that you have something unusual. But you won't focus on it, because you are simply enjoying the journey... So, follow th practice that feeds your soul...

This struck me as strange... If you don't feel rage, then why mention it? Why not just say "I feel sad and start to think too much " I would not have even thought of that but you needed to tell us you don't feel rage... I think there is something to look at here... The block may be from not feeling your anger (maybe at yourself)... I don't know but it may be worth investigating...

IMO the MCO is overemphasized. It is a great thing, but it is only one method...The orbit is supposed to run by itself. That is the natural state of the human body. Do not become attached to physical sensations. Physical sensations of Chi is NOT chi. Chi has no measurable properties. That is why it cannot be detected with scientific instruments. What can be detected is the reaction to Chi. What you feel is not Chi. It is the body's reaction to Chi. But feeling the reaction to Chi does not necessarily mean anything. It could also mean a blockage. It is possible to be filled with flowing Chi energy and not feel anything. If it is pleasant, enjoy it, but don't become attached.

Non, Women (or lack therof) is not your problem, it is only the symptom. Based on what I've read, even if you do get a girl, it will not fix you and you will probably sabotage any relationship you get based on your victim mindset. No seduction trick or quickie advice is going to fix your problem. You need counseling to face the cause of your low self esteem, bro...

Listen... semen retention is highly overrated. I've done it... If you find a GOOD energy system and practice regularly and have a normal sex life, You will be fine. Just be moderate, find a partner with whom who can have a loving relationship with and you will be fine. Guys on here want to be immortals or have superpowers or something and instead of training with a qualified teacher, they find a book on taoism and read about needing to practice retention and think if they don't bust a nut they will become John Chang or Wang Liping.... Retention is only ONE method. IT IS NOT NECESSARY... Be natural, be human, seek out a good teacher and a good system... forget about the latest internet taoism fad.... If you are practicing retention without a teacher YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME anyway... If you are on here asking these kinds of questions, it indicates you do not have a teacher. If you find a teacher, you can ask him and stop driving yourself crazy with everyone else's opinions... So, the question isn't about semen, it's about why don't people want to really learn...