Sloppy Zhang

I think I've seen some of the photos before. I heard that Kan was in a coffee shop and started to disappear and a coffee cup that was in his hand fell to the ground. Heard that one a while ago. Also, from what I recall from the Kunlun website, Kan had been paralyzed? Or lost some kind of movement from his legs? But by doing the hold the ball posture, was able to walk again. Apparently was injured from rugby. Would be nice if there was a way to verify some of that. Unless someone feels like that they get any info from a hospital in Japan or is able to dig up a list of players from the all Japan rugby team from whenever he was on it. (Kan's page) But yeah, cool stuff, cool stuff.

There are some colleges that have lots of great foreign language programs. Find ones in your area that have programs that cater to what it is you want to do. Depending on the institution, you may or may not have to take non-foreign language courses (and even non-related classes in general) in order to get your degree. I suggest starting out on your own. I highly recommend the textbook "Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese" volumes I and II. They have an accompanying workbook and CD. It's very comprehensive. Most colleges use it as their textbook in the first two years of Japanese learning. This will get you a good start, it will build up listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

Well that's really complicated, and very hard to articulate You want people to look at something and be able to honestly evaluate whether something works or makes sense. And you want people to be open to criticisms and new ideas. So you adopt a method someone else has if it's better than yours. If some kid is really smart and catches on quick, you adapt your own teaching methods. The problem is that, at some point, you've got to do SOMETHING. If people endlessly sit around and debate and keep "innovating" and no one ever makes it do the step where you actually DO something, then you've got nothing! The good news is that, as the saying goes, "there's more than one way to skin a cat." So even if multiple ideas come out of this process, they can all do the same thing. The problem is that people tend to fight over all these different ideas and methods. On top of that, each person is different, so even if there are lots of different things happening at any given point in time, there's no real guarantee that each person is in the right place at the right time, unless they are honestly evaluating themselves and are honestly evaluated. So you've gotta have some system that is flexible enough to change, but steady enough to make progress. And the people within the system have to be honest with themselves and others about when a change actually needs to get made, and when it is pointless to bicker because you aren't doing something. And that requires a LOT on the individual level. I wouldn't say "lack of hope", so much as "excessive experience" sure, it'd be nice if we could all get along and do this right. It'd be really convenient. I'd really like that. Am I holding my breath? No. Have I given up completely? No. But.... I'm still breathing.

No it does not. Because most of the people in the position to do anything about it don't care. Teachers are underpaid and overworked. In the case of young students (elementary school), they have to play the dual role of teacher and babysitter. Even as kids get older, they have to deal with kids' lives- drugs, peer pressure, and things like that impact the classroom. They have to be teacher AND disciplinarian. You COULD say that at a university level, many of those responsibilities are alleviated- students are legal adults, professors aren't under any obligation to be parents in the legal sense (that I'm aware of, anyway). And on top of that, they aren't in any role of "world building." Louis Althusser spoke of what he called "ideological state apparatus." Schools are a prime example. Not only do they teach facts, but they also teach worldviews. If there are two apples, you can't take away six. Sure, you might be able to do that with abstract numbers.... but in "reality", if there aren't 6 apples, you can't take 6 away. So while they are teaching "math", they are also teaching the difference between "real" and "imaginary". They are teaching what is "possible" and "impossible." As far as most teachers on the "front lines" are concerned, a student who already knows negative numbers is a "problem". It's a duck out of line. That kid might make another kid start asking questions. It might confuse other students who haven't been exposed to the material, or students who have a hard time grasping the material that's in front of them already. So shut them up. In the most constructive way, you "shut them up" by putting them in an advanced track, full of other kids who are further along with the rest of the kids. Yeah, it sucks. I personally don't like it. Sure, in an ideal world things would be different. But we don't live in an ideal world. Someone who sits in front of a camera for a few hours is paid millions of dollars and gets passes from the law. Someone who is passing on the knowledge of society to the next generation is relegated to day care duty and gets paid with scraps. So... yeah. Well..... kind of sort of. Let's say you lived in the old time days of astronomy. You wanted to predict where a planet was going to be in two weeks. The heliocentric model first came out. Its numbers aren't good. The geocentric model is tried and true. It accurately predicts where a planet is going to be. Your goal is to figure out where a planet is going to be. So what are you going to do? Use the heliocentric model because you think it is "right"? You're probably going to use the geocentric model. You know, given recent discoveries, that it's most likely not correct.... but you need the numbers! I've taken a history of astronomy course, and many astronomers did this- they would switch between different models and use different ones for different situations. Is one any more "right" than the other? Depends on what you want "right" to be. Correct numbers? Correct representation of the universe? In an ideal world, we'd want both. But we don't live in an ideal world. And sadly, as much as it hurts me to say, a lot of people just don't care. Fixing it would take too much work. So they don't even try.

So in western traditions and groups like the golden dawn, there are methods and rituals like the lesser banishing ritual of the pentagram which simultaneously clear and purify a space, and create a barrier of sorts in which to carry out your magical operation/meditation in such a way that you know that other stuff isn't going to get in. I'm wondering if anyone knows Buddhist or Taoist methods of doing the same thing, or something similar? Creating a "safe zone" for meditation or some other type of work, or creating a barrier which prevents outside disturbances from messing you up or passing through the barrier you've created.

It is incredibly tedious to put a disclaimer in front of everything you say/teach saying "this might not be correct and is subject to change as soon as new information is discovered.... furthermore, this is a model, and is not an accurate representation of how things ACTUALLY work, rather, we just use these formulas to make accurate calculations." When the heliocentric model of the solar system first came out (sun at the center), it was LESS accurate than the geocentric model (earth at the center). It took a while before we created a model that BOTH 1) made accurate predictions about where planets would be at certain times that 2) corresponded with what was actually there. Same goes with many an argument I've gotten into with people. They get so hung up on the words I'm saying, and they respond, "how can you think that? How can you even believe that is possible? Do you know the implications of what you are saying?" and I respond, "no, I DON'T necessarily believe that. Instead, I am putting it forward as ONE possible explanation for something, and it works in X, Y, and Z cases, but does not work in A, B, and C cases. Obviously each situation is unique and everyone can potentially be an exception." The thing is, especially in academia, a LOT of stuff goes without saying. Like.... a LOT. The problem is (even in academia) as time goes on, we forget to look down at the little asterisks because we know what's written there. Then we forget to include the asterisks, but that's okay, because we know what it means. And then we forget the meaning. At a high level of math/science, people DO recognize that much of what we "know" isn't really what's actually happening. It's a model that works in explaining what's there, and provides us a means to understand and work with the world around us in a productive manner. Sometimes our model corresponds to what is actually happening. Sometimes it does not. Now, at an educational level, in high school/middle school/elementary school, most people 1) don't care 2) use a certain teaching method. For example, in first grade you are taught, "you can't subtract a big number from a small number. 2 - 6 is impossible. If you only have two apples, you can't take 6 away." Sometimes a kid who knows a lot says, "well you can have -4." Some teacher might say, "that's a bit too far ahead." Another teacher might say, "NO, that's impossible!" And then later on, you teach a new set of rules. [sarcasm]Because kids just can't handle a system that doesn't have a solid foundation, you have to teach it to them in little tiny pieces that won't be too hard for their tiny little minds to understand.[/sarcasm] So, you set up some rules. Then you break them. Make new ones. Then you break those. Eventually you get a set of rules that can last a really, really, REALLY long time. But in the back of your mind, you (are supposed to) know that eventually they'll be broken too.

I try to be careful about saying stuff like, "you are manifesting your problems." I feel like it can, at least, be partially true, but not completely true. And sometimes a partial truth can be just as harmful as an outright untruth. The universe is a crazy, sometimes complicated, sometimes simple place. And sometimes reducing a cause to something like, "oh you manifested your own problems" might be cutting some important parts out of the picture. Sometimes the only way it's "your fault" is because you were just there at the time something happened. So unless one is in a position to correctly perceive the things that are going on exactly as they are going on.... yeah, best to avoid cumbersome verbiage. That said, I'm interested if you can share more about "soul retrieval", how you do it, what it entails, and how it can help this, or any other, situation.

Wow, that is very awesome! Thanks so much for that, rex. Exactly the kind of stuff I'm looking for Not to say prayer and calling on white light and stuff isn't good. It's just that, if you aren't at a point in your practice where you can use stuff like that to a good effect, well, you can't use it to good effect. In the meantime, other stuff is nice to have. Thanks again, rex!

Well, I don't have too much specific to add to this thread, but I don't want to leave you hanging. Basically... there could be a lot of reasons for why this is happening, you should consult an expert to be sure. I'm not an expert, this is just info from the top of my head that I'm pulling from memory. Some stuff might not be totally right. Do the research yourself, and consult with the proper professionals. Generally, there are different types of hair loss. And a lot of different reasons for why you might be experiencing it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldness I suggest looking into what causes hair loss. Might help to give you some idea of what's causing it, and what signs to be looking out for, both in the way the hair falls out, and in your lifestyle. If the hair is falling out in a "pattern" like the ones in these pictures: http://www.ishrs.org/hair-loss/hair-loss-male.htm then it might be linked to male pattern baldness. Which could occur because of a number of factors- your genetic predisposition, the conditions of your body (hormone levels, stress, major chemical changes, etc etc). One thing you should look at is the hair that falls out. If it is thicker at one end, then gets thinner towards the bottom, it may mean that your hair follicles are going through a miniaturization process. Eventually the follicles close and tighten up so much that hair can't grow. It doesn't mean you've lost the ability, it just means that the scalp is too tight for stuff to circulate through the follicles to give them what they need. Most people think that male pattern baldness isn't really reversible. I dunno. There are sites like this one: http://www.hairloss-reversible.com/ which teach exercises to help stimulate blood flow to the scalp (which in theory fights and may reverse the tightening/miniaturization that I mentioned above). I don't know how effective they are. Users seem to be split down the middle. I don't know of any studies done testing regrowth methods like this. Then again, there are always hair regrowth products that you might want to check into if you think it's a male pattern baldness type thing (and again, it might not be genetic, genetics are a very complicated thing). There's also diffuse patterns of hair loss, which are only in a few cases considered to be part of "pattern baldness". Most typically, diffuse hair loss (as in, losing hair all over the head, no real pattern) can be caused by lots of the same factors above. Typically, this is reversible, and reverses on its own once the problems have been identified and corrected. There are also events like telogen effluvium, which occurs when a lot of hairs in a certain stage suddenly fall out. This happens a couple months after an event which was a major shock to your body. Stuff like a major illness, significant loss of blood, etc etc. Basically, lots of extra hairs fall out, in addition to the hair that normally falls out, which gives the appearance of hair loss, but after a couple more months pass, it gets back to its usual growth cycle. Other things like thyroid problems can lead to hair loss. Then there are things like female pattern baldness, which is slightly different than in men. There are also a lot of specific vitamins that go into supporting hair growth, and if you aren't getting the right amounts of those, it could impact your hair loss/growth. Then, some people just shed hair a lot at a certain time of year, and then it grows back. Maybe you weren't so self conscious of it in the past, so didn't know it, but now you are, and now you're freaking out. And I have no idea of how any energy practices could be tying into it. But if you are causing extreme body changes, or have even experimented with them in the past (even several months prior) it might not be catching up with you until now. But yeah, given all that, you should see a professional, because it might very well be anything.

Anyone know anything about any practices from onmyodo? Seems really hard to find any information (in English on the internet, anyway ) about this practice, other than legends and folklore. That, and the kuji-in keep popping up (where DON'T they pop up? ) I know that Japan had a rather interesting mixture of both indigenous traditions and traditions from outside the country, but most reliable stuff I seem to find from onmyodo is really just more easily accessible Buddhist practices which are analogous in some instances with tales of onmyodo practices. Anything interesting would be much appreciated

The first time I heard it was in Japanese. I thought I'd distinguish it from just "any" type of barrier. Like there are barriers people make in western magic, in psionics, in New Age psychic stuff. But I'm trying to be clear that I'm looking for something that's connected to some kind of spiritual tradition. Preferably taoist, but buddhist and other stuff would be interesting as well. And since I kinda like Japanese culture, something else originating from some other Japanese traditions (like onmyodo, shinto, etc etc) would be interesting as well It's usually pretty hard to find stuff like this on english speaking sites, but the taobums has a knack for turning up some very interesting things, so I figured I'd float the question and see what came up!

Yeah, stuff like that pops up a lot on searches like this

No, but I do speak a bit of Japanese, studied in Japan during high school, and know a bit about the culture.

Nah, I've done that before in other avenues, and wind up kicking myself later, because I realize that what I was going through wasn't actually that bad, could have been used to my advantage, and then I spend lots and lots of time trying to get BACK to a place I spontaneously arrived at. So, trying to do this right the first time around

It's not like I "don't like this" per se, it's not like I'd want to get rid of it. I mean, this sensitivity is exactly what I've been training for, and now, rather than visualizing or having a strong intent to feel something, I'm actually feeling it AS it happens, which is great. But now that I'm at the step where I'm ACTUALLY feeling, as opposed to having to visualize or just pretend without really feeling it, I need to know what to do next- what do I do with these feelings, how do I interact with them, in a way that won't drive me insane, will allow me to progress even further, but at the same time allow me to feel and work with these feelings/energies in a constructive way should I choose to. So, running with hagar's example, if my third eye has started opening (or some other goings on which is expanding my awareness), that's GREAT (IMHO), I wouldn't want to shut it down, even if it is really annoying and gets in the way. I just remember that this is what I've been working towards, this is what I chose. I just think back to all the hours of practice and all the time spent thinking, "wow, I can't wait to get to that point!" and now I'm at that point, and sure, it's uncomfortable, but I'm happy as hell that I'm here

The entire reason why I've started feeling this stuff so often is because my practice is nearly constant. If I was completely numb, I wouldn't be having these issues. But I AM feeling this stuff, because my practices have let me feel this stuff. The thing with breathing/relaxing, is that when I do that, it feels like it lets the sensations penetrate deeper and deeper. Like, if something coming from another person comes my way, it doesn't "wash over me", it comes right at me. And if I just relax, it's like that feeling starts to sink in me further and further and further. It's quite violating and uncomfortable. I'm just wondering, is this something that is natural? Is this just something I'm going to have to deal with? Is it some egoic knee jerk reaction to a loss of boundaries? Is it me going nuts and making all this stuff up? Feeling and relaxing isn't the problem. Feeling and relaxing is what GOT me to this point in the first place!

Thanks for the comments so far! But I guess I should also say that "feeling" isn't strictly just to emotions, but also to people being generally around. So like, if I'm stretching my fingers or something, and then someone upstairs slams the door, I'll feel it in my fingers, and then that feeling will linger for a while. Maybe sometimes it's just my heightened awareness of that area. But sometimes, even if I go off and do something crazy, later on in the day my awareness will be dragged to *something* that is in my hand. Something foreign? Something on my own? I dunno. Sometimes a highly emotional/adrenaline/etc situation will clear everything away.... but then something else invariably happens, and I feel like I've got something foreign in me again! And it's not like I want to get addicted to risk taking behavior to get over some problems I've got

Thanks everybody! There's a lot of good stuff in here, and if I responded to all of it, it'd be a really long post but there's a lot of good advice and words you've given me, so thank you everyone! And of course, if anyone else has anything to add, please do!

Interesting thoughts and selection, but I'm mostly trying to deal with this stuff like, in real life, as it happens, rather than trying to work for 20 minutes as I close off my senses, regulate my breathing, and all that jazz. Not really into psychotherapy, and in general, fire practices have helped.... but that's only AFTER I feel like I've gotten everything "out". If there's something that's managed to work it's way "in", I can't feel like I can do any practice, because it feels like it's being sullied or constricted by that other person's, or my own thought of that person's, energy/feeling. Thanks for the suggestions!

I don't want to just "live through" the feeling. I want to resolve the feeling and move on with my life. If I broke my leg, I wouldn't just find a way to "live through it", I wouldn't just swallow the pain and be like, "I can't let it affect me." I'd find a way to heal it, get better, and move on. So how do I resolve the feelings?

Tried that. Focus on the breath works. For a while. Then you're like, "ahh, there we are...." and then... the feeling is still there! Well sometimes it's there. And then sometimes it isn't. Sometimes relaxing, and trying to breathe, lets the feeling penetrate even deeper. Maybe it's an egoic thing. Maybe it's a fear. I dunno. But it's highly uncomfortable. It feels quite violating.

So how to get these people and these feelings "out"?

And I suppose what's more useful depends on the person Hope you get something nice.

Still a good book

I've only learned Frantzis' stuff from written sources. The stuff in writing focuses a lot on feeling and relaxation. So having a relaxed body goes a long way into being able to feel stuff. Also, having a calm, still mind goes a long way too, because then you can focus on what's actually HAPPENING rather than what you "think" is happening, what "should" be happening, and what you are afraid "might" be happening. Unless you're doing some mind-to-mind or energy transfer transmissions/lessons, there isn't anyone who can make your mind get stilled, or your body relaxed. YOU are going to have to do that. And once you get to that point, you'll realize a whole lot of things are going on in your body all the time without you noticing As to the broader topic of the thread: haven't really tried.