Cameron

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So in the hostel in Harbin last night I spoke with a woman from States and I brought up how if my friends in Korea did something they did it 100%. Whereas, correct me if you think I am wrong, Americans tend to be more dabblers. Like if people in Korea get into hiking..they do it 100%. They hike every weekend. If they get into martial arts they do their art 100%. A spiritual practice 100%. Drinking 100% We Americans, I am part of the group also, tend to treat different things like we are shopping in a grocery store. I guess I can see the benefits also. We grew up with more then most(maybe that is changing lol)so we had more choices. So I wonder what your take is. Is having 10 things to choose from better then having only a couple or ultimately just sidetrack you more. Even here, look at all the spiritual practices and teachers their are to choose! Imagine the ancient Taoist or Buddhist seekers being fortunate to find even one Master and then being accepted as his students! We have many, all opening their doors to us and saying come do my life changing practice. Anyway, just some thoughts on modern existence and how sometimes I wonder if being spoiled materialistically and even spiritually doesn't have it's downfall. Or perhaps it has the potential to make you a more discerning person?

Yes, that would be my first suggestion actually. Forget about meditating. Your young and need to get more social and be around people. Unless you are strongly drawn to meditate then try it. Use the link I gave for reference. Otherwise, get outside in nature, meet some new friends. And watch animals they are the best teachers on how to be natural and not full of anxiety and worry.

Do they have any good hiking where you live? That really helped me a lot. Getting out into nature doing long hikes with friends. Sorry I don't know much about Bulgaria besides the awesome cheese!

Korean style dumplings are pretty awesome. Kimchi dumplings-just the thought makes my mouth water!

That's another way to practice actually but I never tried it myself. You can use your heart rate as your focus. I prefer using the breath and actually if you can just use nothing. Using nothing means just sit and allow whatever happens to happen. Basically you are not trying to control anything. Whatever your mind does or doesn't do is sort of irellevent. Please take the time and watch or listen to some of the free material on Adyashanti's website. He explains it all very well. Ok, take care and good luck!

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Anything about Maoshan. My School is an oral tradition so not sure if it would be helpful to my actual practice but interesting to read.

You put the vinegar sauce too? I love dumpling with vinegar sauce.

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Apparently there is a polar bear club at one of my favorite hangouts in Beijing. But I am not man enough for it will stick with my cold showers!

Yeah...so what's your favorite dumpling?

I was thinking for a minute with your name that your in Japan. Well, you guys have awesome cheese!!!

Where do you live?

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And if your in NY their are plenty of excellent martial artists. In pretty much all the tradiditions. Not sure what your talking about that people here don't focus on body art I think that their are quite a few people into MA and working out here.

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I love Hua Shan. Definetly my favorite mountain I have hiked so far. My hiking buddy says he likes Wutai Shan better. And at the top of Hua Shan a woman from Shanghai said that Emei Shan is the most beautiful Chinese mountain. But it will take alot for to me to feel another mountain is better. Really strong spiritual presence in that place. I can believe high level adepts once lived there. One of my goals for the Spring or Summer is to hike Tai Shan. A Chinese man told me the home of Confucius is close to there would like to see that.

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I know Mike. He is a good guy. Definetly worth checking him out if your into this type of training.

Anyone going to Winn's wedding on Hua Shan? I am still working but incedently my girlfriend just asked me if I want to marry her and thought this would be an awesome place to make our marriage vows if we are serious. I made another thread about Hua Shan in the summer. Might turn into Cameron's Hua Shan wedding too! A bunch of Taoists, Iranians and Chinese people would be a trip

Max himself had a really nice explanation of how the Kunlun moves through the system, gradually purifying everything. It's a shame the old Kunlun board was taken down some real gems there.

Cool. Yes speaking personally I feel after over 4 years of practice my practice has entered my blood and my bones. but it has only really just started-I feel- to move through and purify my organs. Woah that's a wild ride and where all sorts of deep tensions and ego drama comes up. I suspect it will take atleast another 4 years to really get a persective on the organ dissolving. I guess from the Taoist perspevtive it's like "5 shen, meet emptiness, emptiness meet 5 shen". Or perhaps that's a bad explananation. My attempt at being intellectual about it.

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