hyok

What's a mini-seizure? to me it seems like the lights are a concentrated flow of electro-magnetic energy. Seems like when we close our eyes, most all human beings basically see the same visuals of primary colors in a static field with variations controlled by our consciousness which, when taken for what it is, resembles a faint and fuzzy mandala... perhaps what occurs during long states of meditation is nothing more than consciousness willing the body to act as a conductor for the energy that surrounds us and develops in our bodies, and the more this progresses the more visual representations we have of it.

I apologize for confronting your superior knowledge on the subject of immortality. My main reason was to let Dragonfire know that he/she is not alone in their observations in reading comprehension.

You probably could've worded that better. Trash Filter, there've been numerous threads on immortality which most members on this forum seem to believe as being very possible. Why? Well, probably because it's discussed so frequently in Taoist texts. Btw, how old are you?

The jobs report last week stated that over 500,000 lost employment in the month of November. That's one month, and every economist and analyst is expecting 2009 to be even worse. Not to derail this thread, but it would be a prudent move on the part of the taobum membership to at least take a few small measures in creating a storage of some kind, be it food, savings or even gold, because it's going to get a lot worse than most people realize before it gets better. Unless of course all you need is moisture in the air for water and sunlight for energy.

now here is a REAL master...

LOL!!!!!!!!! that was hilarious!

At the moment, I am realizing that I need to focus on calming my thoughts and truly attaining some semblance of stillness of mind as well as defeating my furious need for desire and reward, as well as the desire to feed my ego and feel like Somebody in the world. These things seem to be the most basic, fundamental first steps towards whatever it is that enlightenment is and/or means which I don't feel i've come even remotely close to mastering, but with that said, thanks for the post alwayson. It's nice to know for future reference should the subject ever arise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViJH6KGYFr0 Anyone know either of these two tracks in the video? The last track is just freakin' awesome. Makes me want to have oily sex with nekkid Indian women and reach enlightenment at the same time!

I may not agree with everything Mak Tin Si posts, but i read everything he posts.

I've taken reiki tummo lvl 1 and 2. The focus seems to be on reiki healing methods and opening up the chakras as well as kundalini awakening (which i'm still on the fence about) and an overall goal of ascension. My experience generally was good. Had some very real energy openings occur, not sure if it was through shaktipat/attunement or the group setting and group healing, but things definitely changed afterwards. They really stressed smiling and the heart chakra, something i wasn't really prepared for but in hindsight i'm beginning to understand it more. I will say though, like many other workshops, there are selling points that don't materialize into what we may have expected. Some of the material was really, almost to a fault, simplified (to me) and I know that everyone experienced something different, but they experienced something. I'd say the intent of the program is definitely positive and good.

I used to read about people experiencing communication with ascended masters. In fact, the grandmaster of a workshop i'd attended claims to have been taught by ascended masters during deep mediatation. At the time I was kinda "iffy" about the whole thing, but these days it seems more and more real to me and makes a case for what exactly can be derived from communication with ascended masters. Does anyone have anymore info on this? Also, has anyone ever experienced anything regarding such?

Sounds like your spinal channels and energy centers are opening up. I've heard that its easier for rear energy centers to open up as opposed to frontal. If it gets stronger or begins to spread to other energy centers, that would pretty much confirm this is true.

This is similar to what I saw at another workshop. I couldn't help but think it was really contrived and wondered what their motivation was. Thanks for the VERY honest and insightful post, Talkinghead. It was a pleasure to read.

That was a very enlightening and engaging post, Starjumper. Thank you for sharing.

Sleep paralysis is very common. If I recall correctly, I think I read somewhere that nearly everyone experiences it at least once in their lives, usually in their youth. Regarding your beautifully well-written post, Stig, I think whatever you did, if it hasn't returned and you feel good about it -- that's it. I also think it's great that you were able to break out of it. I've experienced SP twice in my life: once when I was a teenager and was very fearful so decided just to go back to sleep hoping it would go away, and once after my third eye opening, and I felt no fear during the second one and was actually curious and excited, and was also able to break free from it. For some reason I know i'm never going to experience SP ever again because it's just not possible anymore. I know how to overcome it, and I think you do too.

No. It's mine! Just kidding. Sure you can use it. below is the code to add into your signature, or you can just right click on the image and save it on your computer for future use. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/miguelt/yinyang.gif By the way, Romance of the Three Kingdoms was/is an awesome game. I played it for a month straight on Super Nintendo back-in-the-day.

Welcome, Ron. You'll learn a lot here from a great array of different personalities and backgrounds.

It's difficult to discern whether it's true or not because I did experience some remarkable things at the workshop. I explained what had happened to a mentor that I confer with on occasion and he said that this experience may be more tied to being in a group setting (apparently group meditation can be very powerful), but be that is it may, I can't deny that these physiological events took place. ha! I like how you see.

Hi Darin, It's been some time since your experience, so I'm wondering what you think the significance of the swastika is? I'm sure you have a few personal theories you've developed, if you care to share. Thanks in advance.

So you think there is some truth to it and there are also people who make it up?

Welcome Bridget.

lol. I wasn't really referring to you, Darin (altho it seemed like it). You've obviously found yourself one exceptional woman! to extend a bit from my last comment, i'd also add that from my experience it's easier to find someone to study with than practice with. i've known a lot of women into metaphysical subjects, but more the study of it than any actual practice other than yoga for exercise/flexibility as well as ouija board/tarot card type of stuff. PS - this isn't stereotyping. this is just me sharing my experiences.

That was fantastic! I feel like most women intuitively know this to be true, but for some reason the women i'm drawn to always seem to be under siege and capable of deflection... but i definitely think most girls would rather be eased into it, as opposed to "OMFG girl, ascension! Immortality! White Blood! F yeah!" lol.

First, may I say that being on this forum has been quite an educational experience in the grandest sense. I've been on other "metaphysical" type forums and witnessed a population of people that i'd describe as zealously desirous of being different, and those who seem excessively poetic in their vague descriptions of their knowledge. This forum seems to have a nice balance of objectivity, humility and just plain old being human as well as a bit of awkwardness, which can be a real delight. I've noticed though that there is a triangular focus within the subject matters that are discussed here. Namely, as the topic states, the Tao, the search for enlightenment and martial arts. For me, it has been nothing but the search for enlightenment and most recently the Tao, whereas martial arts is pretty much not in my scope of interests (at the moment). I am wondering if anyone can explain the relevance of martial arts, and even Taiji, in terms of inner-cultivation and enlightenment as well as the Tao. For example, I have been in a good number of fights in my lifetime, and in most cases won the fights but I never have had any martial arts training. Of course, these fights occurred when I was mostly a teenager and in college, but since then I have had absolutely zero conflicts come my way in my post-graduate years (i'm 35 now). In my experience, the guy starting sheet on the street most likely does not know how to fight. So I'm wondering, is the interest in martial arts purely for the sake of appreciating physical self-defense skills? Or am i missing something more? I guess what i'm looking for, if there is one, is a unifying theory that includes martial arts as a piece of the puzzle. Thanks in advance for your input.

"Legend tells of a legendary warrior whose kung-fu skills were the stuff of legend!" LOL. saw it last night and laughed my taobum off.