thelerner

I don't blame big oil. Matter of fact some big oil companies are sponsoring much alternative energy. Not that there heroic, but selling energy is selling energy. Solar and wind prices have been dropping dramatically. Battery storage is still problematic, but we're finally seeing some movement, albeit expensive on that front. Still, no big breakthroughs, just incremental improvements. For 40 years I've followed alternative energy, and yearly seen hyped products that never make it. In the age of the internet I (naively?) don't think its evil forces, as much as the numbers not adding up or initial costs too high. Oh well, planting my garden today. $3 plants turning into living factories that produce many pounds of vegetables.

Unintended consequences are a bitch. the ones gendao talks about were pretty predictable though. its a bad cycle that spirals down.

I find that sad. If you have something precious and dangerous, why wouldn't you demand the receiver be of the highest personal ethics? Build it into the teachings so that when inevitably tempted, students on the path don't go astray? Otherwise you'd get crap like two advanced level guys fighting each other to the death on the high end and endless petty bickering on the low. Without ethics, power becomes self indulgent and self destructive.

Thing is, he has. And he's happy and secure with it. While I disagree with him in some areas, Drew is an amazing practitioner with deep of knowledge and experience. Someone well worth listening too.

This is a review (on Looper.com) speculating about an Unenlightened one. I thought it was very funny. Art Imitates Life Interestingly, the fact that this movie exists at all is a testament to the fact that no one learns from their mistakes. The folks building the Jurassic World theme park didn’t figure out that this is a bad idea. The people visiting Jurassic World should know that they are totally going to get eaten by these crazy dinosaurs. The people making Jurassic World haven’t figured out that making a movie with the word “Jurassic” in the title isn’t enough to make a good film. Lastly, the people who pay money to see it should know that they are totally going to be made bored by these crazy dinosaurs.

Right , your opposed to all other masters because.. there isn't enough evidence, like adventure books where villages are slaughtered and high level wizards do battle. Only your master (who won't teach you, cause your white) is the one. You talk about where cons come from, this is usually how they start- My system is the best-est and real-ist, all others are frauds, then it moves into developing fear .. without it we're doomed... just forward this to the other two dozen mo pai threads that go down in flames. Let me short circuit this now, since its been repeated in a dozen threads. You: He's scientifically proven. Me: Can he telekinetically pick a piece of paper off the floor? You: I don't know, maybe, that wasn't part of the science test. Me. Point of science is it measures. How much can he lift, in grams or ounces or compared to a sheet of paper? If there are scientists conducting tests, how much wattage can he produce? Its $5 for a voltage meter. You; Its not that kind of science. Me: Uh huh. Then I'll find the usual dozen '...'. Because I've questioned your 'god', and the Fundamentalist can't take it and has .. In truth I have great respect for Chang, especially as a healer. I'm sorry your interpretation of being involved in Mo Pai requires insulting other masters and arts. I think its an obsession that accomplished people look down on and don't participate in. Especially on the level you two do it.

Guys, I think any mention of a high level master is going to draw criticism (somewhat repetitive ones) from Zoom and Ken Brace because they believe any master who is not Mo Pai is probably a fraud. Its a creed that not only has to be repeated in any thread about masters, but several times in each thread. If they studied an art that didn't specifically ban there race and nationality I wonder if they'd be so vigilant against other styles and masters?

I've also heard Jenny Lambs method is similar and safer. The problems I've heard about Max from some members isn't that it doesn't work, but that it can be too much and open you up to bad things. And there may be no one available to help you. Its probably a rarity, but its enough that people should proceed carefully if at all, especially if they're energy sensitive. With any of these energy practices, if things get strange, slow it down or stop.

It goes a bit beyond faith. You can read his book, and various articles of people who've studied under him. Read reviews of people who've attended his seminars. What they're like and what they've gotten out of it. You can educate yourself and make a decision. I find that better then relying on psychics. If money an issue (understandable) don't go, wait and save up, move to another practice or find someone else in his art who teaches. Forget hype and powers, cause you won't get them from a seminar, you can't spend a week with a olympic athlete and think you'll be able to do worthy routines or match there skill or strength afterwards. The question is- does he know his stuff and can he teach it. Will he inspire you? A long term steady teacher is best, but these high level guys can provide powerful motivation, inspiration and give clarity on specific issues and practices. Moonnite, have you read his book? That's step number one. If it doesn't click with you then the search ends there. Its not a shot in dark, by faith, its a question of reading the reviews and talking to people who've done a seminar. You'll probably get out of it what they did,

I'm no expert, I went to one of his seminars many years ago <I don't know if his teachings have changed over the years>. A few of the senior bums had been to earlier seminars and reported favorably. Later on it was fascinating to read about people's experiences with it on a dedicated forum, which unfortunately was taken down after a few years. If lineage is important I wouldn't go the Max Christensen route. His system is simple, influenced by Jenny Lambs. If your looking for historic roots, good luck. Its a system of simple spontaneous qi gong. Most of it is hit the position, stay there, let movements come spontaneously, sit and come down afterwards. His book teaches it. Going to a seminar deepens and helps 'empower' it. For some it takes them pretty deep. People reported some amazing effects from it. Its a very 'be your own guru' kind of practice. Other then seminars, which were reasonably priced (imo I paid $300 for 3 days) he didn't really sell or preach anything, though his stories I took with several grains of salt. Max is definitely a fascinating character. In my limited expertise, the man's got juice. The seminar I went to took place in a dojo, and Max did some casual push hands kind of stuff. His pose, his power, the little I experienced of it seemed real to me. His transmission didn't particularly effect me, though it did others, it was the little martial cross hands I did with him, impressed me greatly, and that was just for fun. Red Phoenix is a secondary exercise, one that works with the upper dantien (center brain) area. Very simple, but working in that area is potentially hazardous so its only taught by those who've gone to seminars. Its not particularly dramatic, but for people who are sensitive such exercises should be done with caution. I never got into it, and am cautious of working purely with that area, being an old time aikidoist where its all about the lower dantien. Golden Dragon body is some sort of ultra rare super high state of body/spirit transformation that 99.99% don't have to worry about. I never got the bliss many others reported, but it fills a hole in training. I have systems for sitting, standing; I know a few qi gong routines, but Kunlun is a different animal. Mainly you sit in a position that brings a certain tension which brings about spontaneous movements. Its not a main practice of mine, but when I'm up late, I'll do it in the washroom. Hit the position and my body moves without conscious control and releases tension, physical, mental, spiritual(?).

I'm reading a book by a Japanese woman and her goal is to honestly love every item that you have. This tends to mean getting rid of 1/2 to 3/4 of all possessions. She gets very anthropomorphic about her things. Putting items away neatly and thanking them sincerely each day. That might be the best approach. Whether you have much or little. Each possession special and loved, yet also held lightly enough to bless and say goodbye to once its purpose is fulfilled.

Has anyone else noticed there's no such town or city called Ouija in CA ? typo? <from Op "Go to Ouija, CA, Bike around there..">

There's a third way, lots of impressed people. I've seen enough written about him from various sources that its more then likely he's damn good. Personally I've never bought into the walk through walls, levitate and whatever stuff. But the Tao, enlightenment, transcendence, being whole, remembering where the car is parked. A person who has attained these things doesn't need to entertain with circus acts. And thats closer to what I'm aiming at. I assume it's insulting to say, show me some magic or I'm going to clinically test you to a visiting master. You talk to the people around them, see how they are, how grounded. Watch the guy meditate, get a feeling for there wah. I've had success talking to some high level people just by being respectful and buying them a cup of coffee. Frankly its foolish to think they'll give us a magic formula that'll do much or that going to a seminar will take us to some high level. That is a matter (Imo) of decades of diligent training and a certain amount of grace.

Demonstrations of power can be a double edged sword. (I assume) A good conman/magician performs better, faster and more spectacularly then a master. On the other side, demonstrating 'powers' brings too much attention from the wrong sort of people. I'm not even talking government spooks as much as kids who hold powers above enlightenment. Not that there necessarily contradictory. I've pointed out one master on youtube having to do a few tries to light up a diode. A good magician can wave his hand and light up a building, a light bulb would be considered amateur level in stage magic. So as always caveat emptor. Best to have recommendations from someone with experience that you trust.

my Green smoothie 1/2 banana - good to freeze browning ones in quarters. 1/2 avocado thick handful of green, any salad type, I like young fresh spinach mixes well, frozen is convenient doesn't liquefy milk or milk like substance sweetener to taste, I like agave, mixes well, fruity flavor a few drops vanilla - optional but adds nice dimension some ice- to chill it down, not necessary if using frozen fruit possible add ins: nut or nut butters, oatmeal- add early so it grinds up, egg- salmonella be damned. my cheap $15 Hamilton personal blender does a good job. Though it probably needs more time then a more powerful blender would. 6/17 after years of faithful service replaced $15 Hamilton w/ $79 Ninja. Ninja much louder then its namesake. But it comes with travel cup size blender and whips things up faster with less air in them then the old Hamilton.

Well.. if you believe in this stuff. Do you think its 100% accurate? Logically, have the psychic make say 10 or 20 predictions that are extremely unlikely, as is your death if you don't go to California, and see for yourself how accurate they are. Again, they have to be short term, highly unlikely, say under 1 or 2% chance of happening, which means they have specific, not saying somebody, somewhere, some time, wearing a red shirt will fall into the water. Old predictions don't count and get the new ones in writing. I predict you'll find the psychic wrong in most of the predictions. But its best to find out for yourself if you're on the fence. Personally when I was the receiver of 'Chain Mail', letters that'd say send this letter to 20 friends and something great will happen to you, if not you'll suffer grave consequences. I'd throw them out and call or email the person to say 'don't send me anymore crap'. We don't have to buy in to other peoples superstitions.

In Taoism very high becomes quite low. Silly trappings (powers, possessions, tittles, reputation) are left and one becomes a seemingly foolish wanderer.

Its possible.. I tend to have the mental flexibility to keep a foot in both worlds- the rationalistic and mystic. Rationalistic appeals to my modern sensibility, but the mystic possibilities, the stories hold more wisdom, life lessons and wonder.

For some reason I find the boredom doing zhan Zhuang can be as difficult as the muscle tension. Listening to a meditation helps tremendously. I enjoy listening to Rawn Clark's Archaeous series (http://abardoncompanion.com/Archaeous-Links.html) makes it much easier and adds a elemental dimension, even listening to a yoga nidra type guided meditation (http://www.yoganidranetwork.org/downloads ) makes the time go by nicely.

You mostly have to be a parent, responsible, draw lines, have expectations, even punish. There is room to be a friend too. This summer I have a 'date' with my daughter to do a photo safari at the zoo, and get a chocolate fondue. With one son its going out to see 3D Hero movies at the Imax and a road trip to see his perspective college. With the youngest who acts, its to see a few plays this year. So far this year we've seen Carousel (which he'd been in) and Mr. Burns. So making sure you do occasional special events together, be it a movie, or taking a walk with cameras, or a special dessert.. its good to make memories. Though some of our best times are on the couch making fun of reality TV. We love Finding Sasquatch and a few other shows. We talk and make wise cracks through them. When they were young the nanny reality shows would start good conversations.

Or in the city and start small. Find an apartment building with land around it, either in a small town or failing city where I could get the building and land around it on the cheap. Start w/ one building, perhaps using a co-op model and start filling it up with like minded people. Maybe use the land around for hyper productive gardening and/or a coffee shop. People would still probably need day jobs. Try to expand organically, or be able to stay the same size and be stable. I've lived in such places. Burning Man events come close, with camps and towns popping up; no money allowed, radical self sufficiency required yet also the strong principle of inclusion and sharing. There is a conscious striving to create ones paradise. But its also artificial, only lasting a week, and powered by the money to pay for all the stuff before hand. Long term, not an easy trick to pull off. Many try, few succeed, so my idea is starting small.

So.. you think there's no difference between the safety in OTC drugs in a pharmacy and illegal drugs bought off the street? That they're both Russian roulette? I don't think our authorities will allow aother silk road, ie selling drugs anonymously on the internet, because selling illegal drugs is against the law. Such drugs are illegal and police agencies will move to arrest people selling them. They'll arrest king pins, dealers on the corner and users. Because there's big money to be made the opportunity for corruption is likewise huge. You think the CIA is currently selling drugs in Oakland? Which pharmaceutical company is currently illegally selling oxycontin in appalachia? If you know please give evidence, thats it going on now, since it 'didn't get shut down'. I don't think its a matter of free trade, he was breaking the law, using new tech to sell drugs, got away with it for a while, was caught. Nothing to do with banksters, big pharma or politicians. Maybe the law will change some time, it'll become like ebay, or craigslist, but illegal mind altering drugs are not like used bikes. Some are addictive and over doses kill. I'd rather see (some of) them legal (or decriminalized) and controlled, made in factories with safeguards and monitored then anonymously manufactured and sold.

the 'deaths .. and ordered' was referring to hits the man put out on people (blackmailers and ex-employees). Its not the same as over dosing on some anonymous persons drugs. And that kind of overdose is not the same thing as medical accidental deaths. Buying anonymous drugs from anonymous people is imo a hell of a lot riskier then buying an over the counter drug from big pharma. If you have a thing against banksters, fine, don't use banks, checks or credit cards. Have a problem with big pharma don't buy or use drugs or see doctors who prescribe them. Thing is.. despite the horror stories, most of the time they work fine, literally 10's (or 100's) of millions of times a year, loans and drugs work the way they're suppose to. To trust an anonymous drug dealer more then a banker or doctor is foolish in my opinion. Thats my experience, if yours is different, go for it, I hear some drug dealers give out loans. back on OP. The man would have more sympathy from me if hadn't put out hits on others. He played the game of drug kingpin and seemingly got lost in a soulless role.

well good luck with all of that. I'm still working on clean your room. I'll push the kids to do and excel in areas that interest them. But its hard, often not worth the battle to try to mold them against there wishes. I've known some terrific martial artists who dreampt of having their kids become young prodigies and it never happened. Maybe the blame is on American culture and its lack familial duty and all the distractions but the kids wanted no part of there parents art and it ended up pushing them away. Before you have kids its easy to make ambitious plans, years later, you kind of throw them away and go with the flow.

I think the average convicted killer gets 21 years. The silk road guy seemed to have put 'hits' out on 6 people; black mailers, ex-employers he thought had embezzled. There's pretty damning phone evidence of it. Plus there were several people who over dosed after taking drugs bought through his system. Those deaths real and ordered but not carried out murders, along with hubris displayed as the cops moved in, seem to be the cause of mass sentence. It'd be interesting to know what the sentence would be without the death considerations. Maybe much less, or not, particularly if he was considered a king pin type drug lord. Who knows, maybe its better to get an exaggerated sentence that can be appealed, then a 30 year, by the book verdict that can't.