Squatting Monkey

Check this guy out. Gudo Nishijima No nonsense meditation.

Me too. Have fun everyone !

This thread needs to be closed RIGHT NOW !

There have been 3 occasions when we as a family have used TCM acupuncture. Every time it has been a huge success. 1. My wife was suffering with pretty bad sciatica when pregnant with our second son. A little needling and the pain was eased considerably. 2. I have suffered with hay fever for nearly 20 years and the prescription drugs can only help me in reducing some of the uncomfortable symptoms. After a treatment of acupuncture (which was a fantastic experience), I never had any hay fever for the entire summer. 3. My wife has also had a low immune system after an operation years ago. Virtually every cold and virus that was doing the rounds, she got. Again after some needling, she has never had any problems since. So from our point of view, acupuncture works. I would recommend it to anyone who has given up on any other type of conventional treatment. SM

Personally, the method that I keep coming back to because of it's effectiveness is Pure Land Buddhist recitation. Or, nenbutsu as it is called in the Japanese tradition. Using a mala with 108 beads for counting, I find that I can do a few rounds of mindful recitations without any external thoughts entering. I am really pleased that I found out about Master Honen, his works and his tradition of Buddhism. SM

In my experience, if you can relax/sink into your posture and look side on into a mirror, you will see that your alignments are correct. Even if it doesn't always feel so. Get someone as a spotter if you can. It is essential to have help when learning to stand correctly so that no bad habits are formed. SM

Hatsumi is a shrewd business man who cashed in on the ninja boom of the 70's and 80's. There's no doubt that he is a skilled martial artist, but having studied in the Bujinkan for a few years myself, I realised that it is nothing but glossed over karate. The grading system is a complete joke with numerous 15th Dan grades I'd like to see a high grade Bujinkan guy against a 3rd Dan Okinawan Karate guy. And people getting grades for just showing up at lessons and courses. Complete shambles. I got totally disgruntled with the whole organization, and I'm not the only one. I don't think there were ever any 'ninja' at all.

Great thread. I've just had a nice cup of oolong formosa. Genmaicha is a favourite of mine also.

Without asking for anything in return.

I would like a copy also, if it's still available.

I've often thought about getting this but the price does put me off.

Zhan zhuang

So, later this week I'll be hitting my 40th birthday. Probably half of my life over and time to reflect. I'd be interested in opinions from some of the more 'senior' members as to ways in which they've come to terms with this milestone. Possibly adjustments in physical, mental and spiritual disciplines. Myself, I've never felt better in all of these. Still feel as active as I was in my twenties. Definitely more relaxed, mindful and focussed. This, I think, has all stemmed from lots of walking, cultivation in meditation, nei gong, zhan zhuang and my study of Buddhist teachings. So, does life begin at 40 ? Or is it a continuation of all the good work done in the previous years.

Then why is Buddhism often referred to as the middle way. It doesn't have to be rigid, or a religion.

I wasn't aware that Buddhism has a bad name.

I had a feeling that the story was just a work of fiction. Glad to see that has been cleared up. The world is full of these conmen.

I've no doubt that ling kong jin exists and can be cultivated. It is however given a bad name by characters such as Dr/Lama/Sifu/Master/whatever he calls himself these days, Peter Young. A friend of mine ( a big, burly shotokan guy ) went to a seminar with Richard Mooney in the 90's when he was still teaching this stuff. He was extremely skeptical of anything like this but went with an open mind anyway Completely blew him away and changed his way of thinking altogether regarding empty force. It wasn't like throwing people all over the place without touching them. More like a subtle energy which affects not only your body, but your mind also causing the attacks, and the attacker's intent to be redirected. Interesting stuff indeed.

Well said.

Might like to try this. It sounds interesting. I bet it isn't cheap though.

This surely can't be the same Kwan Sai Hung as in Chronicles of Dao. He would be like 100 years old by now.

Oops, I think I might be overdoing it.

Yes, and we all know YOUR views on Tibet and its Buddhism.

It is good that you have aspirations for enlightenment, you are on the right track. How would you know if you found such a person ? They don't have certificates or medals dripping from them. There are probably many enlightened people on earth, from all traditions. Finding/meeting them is another thing.

I like the odd pint of Guiness now and again

I read this sutra for the first time a couple of weeks back and it blew me away. I've read a few Buddhist sutras over the years but this is totally different. It speaks of itself throughout the text giving various ways in which to read, recite, copy, translate, revere, give praise to, meditate, visualize etc. Totally transformative, but a long read ( 3 hours from start to finish! ). You can break it up, which I did into three sittings. Apparently, the best results come from reciting aloud, especially in the presence of other living beings ( whether humans, pets, insects or other animals). I'll give this a try sometime. What a treasure. It makes me wonder how many of these as yet untranslated (or undiscovered) teachings are out there.