fiveelementtao

Thank you, Mak, for clearing that up. That makes sense

This is not entirely true. This is actually a very auspicious time for internal and meditative work in some schools. I respect all schools and if this is inauspicious for your lineage, I respect that. But other lineages use different methods for different purposes. YIN in and of itself is not "negative" in the sense it is "bad". It is important to have a balance of Yin and Yang and know how to use each energy. Too much yin can be harmful but so can too much Yang. In my lineage, Night time is the best time to do our practices. the worst time is from 1-4 p.m. Again, Mak, I respectfully suggest that you preface your teaching with, "in my lineage, we are taught.." that way you can be accurate in your teaching without presuming to speak for all sects of Taoism...

I'm trying understand your point. The point I was trying to make is, is this about money? or is it about the morality of charging a donation to receive a lineage transmission? These are two different issues. If it's immoral to charge for a lineage, then it doesn't matter how much or how little. From what I've read, it sounds like you don't think it is morally OK to charge for lineage transmission. But It also sounds like you want to receive this but can't afford it....So, if this is something you wouldn't want anyway, why care if he charges or how much? But if this is something that you want, why then are you angry?... because it is cost prohibitive? You see my confusion? If you could easily afford the $312.00 would you be angry still? If the donation for lineage was $10.00 would you still be angry? This is my point. Is this about money or morality?

Having a problem with a specific thing like "paying to be a Daoist" is a valid point of discussion, but paying a teacher for his/her time is very valid. If you don't want the service that someone is offering, don't take it. You are free to take it or not. In terms of being a daoist, if you are comfortable calling yourself a daoist, then you don't need to be initiated by someone else... So really this argument isn't about money, it's about whether you need someone else to declare you a Daoist...

De Paradise, I don't think the issue is in regards to spontaneous kundalini. I believe it is in regards to exercises that are designed for raising kundalini. Kundalini is not Prana (Chi), they are related but Kundalini is different than Chi. If somebody has not or is not doing kundalini specific exercises, it should not be an issue. For me, the warning about mixing kundalini was VERY warranted in my case. I was heavily into Kundalini Yoga and mantra and found I had some pretty serious energy collisions when I chose to seriously get back into Mao Shan and then later Kunlun. I have learned that there are differences in different energy techniques and yes, they are all forms of energy, BUT each energy has a specific vibration and purpose. It is important as we get deeper and deeper into these more powerful techniques that we be careful not to simply throw different techniques together. I have found that Max is a very understated guy and if he found it necessary to put in his book a warning about mixing certain energies together, he did it for a very good reason. It has certainly rung true in my case. It has taken alot of work to get my energy back into a comfortable flow... So, I will echo the warning, follow Max's advice about mixing the energy practices... My .02

...

A Sith Lord?! (GASP). You are head of the Jedi council. What will become of the Republic?

Great Craig! I think he mentioned a new student Craig, but I thought it was someone else. He mentioned that you had studied with a student of Lum Sifu. Is that right? Who did you study with?

He is my teacher

Good Question. Your method sounds good. Usually, I have plenty of energy going after Kunlun. I guess I was thinking to do Tai Chi in the morning and Kunlun at night... But, hey whatever works!!!

My teacher learned from one of Andrew Lum's indoor students. So, Sifu Lum is my great-grandteacher.

Yes, that's me... YJUUVGlR_v4&eurl

Greetings Master Yoda, as always, your sage advice is very welcome. btw, who is that human in your avatar picture? No, I'm not taking it personally. I just want Steve to know that it's not cool to twist my posts to serve his purposes. I have actually been corresponding with him via email for a while 'cause I felt bad for the guy. I was under the impression that we were friends. It's a little startling to find my "friend" publicly insinuating that I worship demons and will go to hell when I die. I'm just letting him know it's not cool. So, When are you available for lightsaber and telekenisis classes? I checked the Jedi Academy's schedule and I did not see your name there? Are you taking a sabbatical on degoba?

Hey Steve! I don't appreciate you using my posts and insinuating that I commune with Demons. I have been your friend and have not judged you. I have never publicly stated that I use demon power. I was taught a form of exorcism and cleansing which is the exact opposite! While others were ridiculing you and attacking you I was reaching out to you as a friend. Is this the way you treat your friends?! You have some major issues pal. You're lucky I have taken that vow or I'd be looking to test your sorcerer martial skills. You're acting like a real jerk!

Doctors do know what cancer is. They know that it is caused by the immune system. according to wholistic doctors, cancer is caused by the immune system trying to flush out systemic poisons. but western doctors don't know how to treat it. I agree with you that the cure is prevention through keeping the body and mind clean. http://www.health.theholographicmind.com/

Well, then I am going to change my definition of enlightenment. If enlightenment is something that can be "lost" or needs to be "maintained" then it is simply another stage in the evolutionary process. In my definition, enlightenment is the ability to learn and grow along with all my states both positive and negative, happy or sad. The enlightenment that I see being thrown around in forums and books is simply denial. Anything that promises to instantly relieve you of pain or emotional struggles is unhealthy and spiritually stifling and IMO it ain't enlightenment. Bliss or "no mind" or any other state of mind is temporary and can be used just like any other drug. If used as a tool to help, then great. If used to deny pain, it is a trap. I've been around the block a few times in terms of energy work and meditation, and in my experience, nothing will "save" you. They are all tools. But nothing to me is more enlightened than being Kind and loving. And you don't need to be a buddhist or a taoist to do that.

I second that!

Exactly! Enlightenment is not a destination, it is the process and I don't think it ends... Even after escaping rebirth, there will still be learning and growing to occur in the next dimension. and whatever we avoid here we will take with us and have to work on in the ethers! So, just relax, be real and enjoy.

There is a huge difference between the goals of buddhism, taoism and yoga. Depends on what you mean by enlightenment. That term is thrown around so cavalierly. Buddhists are seeking emotional and spiritual detachment and freedom from pain as described by gautama buddha which results in freedom from rebirth. This is a clear objective and much easier to delude oneself about attaining. because after having an emotional experience one can declare themselves enlightened and there is no way to prove it, because how do you prove that you will not reborn again? So, in buddhism it is easier to declare oneself enlightened based on a feeling of detachment or bliss or what have you, but in taoism if you claim to have reached some state of perfection, you have to be able to back it up with your energy. Taoists are not seeking a theoretical detachment, they are seeking physical immortality and spiritual transformation as a result of their energetic work which corresponds with definable, measurable energetic changes. Taoists are also seeking freedom from rebirth but in a different way. Taoists are much more pragmatic and practical and they have more of a "show me" attitude. IMO the idea of enlightenment that is thrown around is a bunch of new age hooey. New age hacks like eckhart tolle and other new age celebrities have given western seekers some idea that if they adopt an eastern religion and "empty their minds" or "free themselves from ego" or some other nebulous definition of spirituality that they will instantly be free from their emotional issues and be "enlightened". IMO spiritual transformation is a process and if you are still in a human body, then you haven't reached it.... So, if you are looking for a system that will give you "enlightenment", I suggest something other than taoism. We're not seeking a magic pill (Well some of us aren't). We're seeking a fun process that will measure our energetic progress toward self-transformation. This is not to say that I think Buddhism is not a worthwhile path. I just get cranky when I hear the term enlightenment thrown around like it's something that can be achieved in a weekend seminar or something.

Well, in terms of energy cultivation, I learned some exercises, meditations, etc.. in my tradition that I have found are not energetically compatible with some other traditions' energetic disciplines. Basically- mixing traditions gave me chi sickness. Also what about theoretical differences? for example, some taoists disagree about yin and yang. I met with a master who believed that Yin was the right side and Yang was the left. I was taught the opposite. I can see how this kind of mixing of cultivation techniques and differing theories could create snags when we share techniques. How would we deal with "my Kung Fu better" type of disagreements? How would we handle these kinds of differing views?

Hey Stig! What a really COOL idea I have found that some energy systems do not blend well with others and in fact some energies can be harmful if blended together. I have also come to believe that different energy systems have different purposes in the grand scheme of the Universe. How would you suggest that these differences be dealt with? Would this be like a University where people come to learn different things?

You can begin using them immediately. they are supplemental practices to Kunlun. They were originally taught by a Taoist Master for cultivating power for internal martial arts training. They are powerful.

In my experience, Tai Chi is good. it will help ground the energy in the dan tien and help it permeate the joints and organs.

Yeah, I get ya, I think the answer is "yes he can. But will he?" I didn't think you were challenging him. I know what you mean about empty force guys. There's a guy here in my town that trains with one of these empty force Tai chi masters that can only move you if you are "open to it." Which in my mind is worthless if you are seeking to learn a martial art. Kunlun energy is not the same as martial chi type energy. It's purpose is totally different. But, From what little I've seen, I don't think Max would blast someone with martial energy on the first day. I think he wants to teach the more non-martial spiritual stuff. I think it would probably take quite a long time of training with him before he would blast someone with the Mao Martial energy. (Just my guess)