thelerner

I'd say something like 'You seem like quite a traditionalist. On the Tao Bums we're mostly philosophic taoists (if that). What do we lose by not going a more traditional route? What lessons did you get from Taoists priests that we aren't exposed to on the secular side?

Mod Message: Tempted fate and Fate one, Captain 0. Currently suspended for mass spamming of site. Future status under consideration.

Otis, great to see you here. Its been a while and you've been missed. Thanks for the link.

My recollection is that this is like forum operates like a cafeteria, no privilege for teachers comes down from Sean. He created this site, kept it alive, spent countless hours on it and its become if not a huge success, a pretty good one. Ultimately this site is Seans house, we merely play in it. We can make suggestions, but need to respect his rules.

I'm a fan of your PPF. I'm sorry you've erased some dynamic analysis of Mo Pai. I'd rather have someone post a single line to a thread that says, 'Newbies beware, caveat emptor..etc.,' then have people post multiple troll-like comments.

I'll create a thread on this in the Office section. Possible pitfalls of energy practice, practitioner beware, practically every statement should be preferenced w/ In My Opinion but isn't. We can check what we say to new members now and discuss new Warnings wording etc., Maybe if people get into the habit of posting to the initial Warning post, it'll come off as less confrontation.

{Not posting as mod} Interesting that this appears on a thread that includes how teachers leave due to trolls. You've taken a post from SoG's PPF and rewritten the same argument you posted there. I think thats a little trolly. Maybe you've got a point and he should post a warning every now and then, but its his thread, his system, his thinking. If you don't agree with it. You can post a warning, then leave it alone and let him do his thing and you do yours. Personally I think SoG is a man with experience and some deep knowledge. I like his posts. Its interesting to learn about and try new techniques sometimes.

Links are good. Here is the methodology from the article: THE BASIC QIGONG WALK by Dr Amir Farid Isahak The Anti-Cancer Qigong There are many variations of the Qigong Walk, each with certain benefits for different organ systems. They are all modifications of the basic walk ( also called ‘natural walk’ ), which is itself actually an extension of the basic Qigong stance. There are five parts of the walk that are different from our usual walk, and these changes ensure that the mind is always aware of all the actions ( movements and breathing ) during the walk, and qi flow is enhanced. 1) THE FOOTSTEP When we walk, most of us do so almost in a flat-footed manner, with the front part of the foot only minimally inclined upwards as we take each step. Some are actually flat-footed while others drag their feet. In the Qigong walk, we deliberately step on our heel, with the foot inclined about 30 degrees upwards as we take each step. Doing so is particularly good for qi flow in the kidney meridian channels, which is essential for general health. Note that the legs are always relaxed and slightly bent at the knees. If you straighten and stiffen your legs, and do the Qigong step, you will be walking Nazi-style. 2) THE ARM SWING In our usual walk, we swing the opposite arm forward as we take each step. This swing is automatic. Nobody walks normally without moving the arms. In the Qigong Walk, the arms are swung to the front of the body instead, with the hands coming near the lower main energy centre ( Dan Tien ) which is situated about three fingerbreadths below the navel ( and about the same distance internally ). On the backswing, the hands come beside the buttocks but not as far back as in the usual walk. There are differences in the hand position for those with health problems. For healthy people, the palms face the body, whereas they face the ground or upwards for different diseases. For some diseases, the fingers point downwards. 3) MODIFIED BREATHING When we walk, our breathing is so spontaneous that we hardly think about it. In the Qigong Walk, the breathing is made mindful by modifying the inhalation. We inhale twice ( two sniffs ) and then exhale as usual. It is possible to do so only with conscious-breathing. Breathing is through the nose, with the tongue always touching the upper palate. The breathing is coordinated with the footstep, and since the latter is coordinated with the arm-swing, all three components are therefore consciously coordinated. In the basic walk, the inhalation is simultaneous with the foot that takes the first step. Males start with the left foot, and females with the right. As explained previously, there are differences in the Yin and Yang ( female and male ) qi. 4) SIDEWAYS BODY SWING In our usual walk, we actually swing the body very slightly to balance it as we lift each leg alternately to step forward. This is necessary since the centre of gravity is shifted as we lift each leg. In the Qigong Walk, the swing is exaggerated, and becomes obvious if the walk is done slowly. 5) HEAD TURNING In the basic Qigong Walk, we turn the head about 60 degrees sideways every 2,4,6 or 8 steps ( usually 4 ). This is coordinated with the feet, with the head always turning towards the side of the foot that is in front. This will facilitate the incorporation of modifications when the variations of the Qigong Walk are learned later. During the Qigong Walk, look into the distant horizon and not at your feet. Initially, walk at whatever pace is comfortable for you. Different paces are recommended for different diseases. The proper starting stance is unique but will not be described here. It will certainly be taught if you learn from an instructor. This basic Qigong Walk is an excellent exercise for everyone to increase qi quickly. Twenty minutes of walking with inhalation on one foot, followed by another 20 minutes with inhalation on the other foot ( a short standing exercise with arm movements is done in between ) is the minimum exercise recommended. Another 20 minutes of stationary or other walking exercises will complete the required 1 hour of Qigong daily that is necessary to maintain optimum health. Those with serious illnesses and cancers have to do up to 4 hours a day to reverse their diseases. This is usually split into morning and evening sessions, with plenty of rest in between each exercise. If they are too weak, they start with whatever they can cope with and increase the duration gradually. Those who are bed-ridden or immobile can start with the stationary exercises first ( standing, sitting or even lying down ). It is not difficult to do the various Qigong Walks for longer durations because you do not get tired if you walk correctly, and you do not get bored if you walk among the fresh air, trees and interesting sceneries found in the parks and lake gardens. You will feel refreshed and charged-up with health-giving internal energy after each session. It is truly amazing that just modifying the components of our usual walk has made it possible to reverse serious and terminal diseases. In Malaysia alone, every Sunday morning, many terminal-cancer survivors and several hundred non-terminal-cancer survivors do the Qigong Walk in the various parks all over the country. And there are many more cancer patients diligently practising in the hope of defeating the disease. Every week scores of cancer patients are joining these groups after hearing about what Qigong can do for them. However, you should not wait until you get cancer to start practising Qigong. Prevention is better than cure, and you will gain health, vitality, rejuvenation and longevity in the process. Dr Amir Farid Isahak Is this similar to what you consider qi walking? If not how is it different? The picture from the site makes it look a bit dancelike. I know Glenn Morris had a version that was a bit apelike with arms moving w/ the same leg, unlike conventional walking. Also I'm assuming in most qi gong walking the forward foot comes down lightly w/ no weight on it, then the weight transfers. Thanks Michael

I was hoping this was the case. We are lucky to have a man of your experience here. I collect guided meditation and I really enjoy listening to Master Chen's voice. {see but do not see. know but do not know.}

What's UMB? B=Breath.. ? U = Unsullied M = R Martin

Thank you both. There's much truth to both viewpoints. You want to encourage learning and adventure as well as warn of the shucksterism and pit falls. I've enjoyed the blog and audio CD's from Master Chen at Wudangtao (http://wudangtao.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=52&Itemid=163), but as far as authenticity, I don't know.. I like'em, but I'm from another culture, 2,000 miles away. He could be a kid in a basement. Still I like'em and I've learned from them.

Give each other a break this time, let go of the negative cycle thats built up. I don't think either party wants to fight, just a bad dynamic. Get the conversation back to the OP. You both have much to contribute. Few people breath better then a flutist, and there's a breathwork is a large a subject as I can imagine.

no idea, but in the Zen tradition when you see strange things, be they demons or angels during meditations.. you ignore them, treat then as distractions and keep to the program. But that's Zen. If you want to investigate, why not, but don't let it become too distracting, imo.

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/moon-day-set-your-clock-blood-moon-eclipse-mars-n78411 Monday night's marvels are worth staying up late for: Not only will Mars be bigger and brighter than it's been for more than six years, but you'll also be able to see the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years. Total lunar eclipses occur when Earth is positioned precisely between the sun and the full moon. Because of the tilt of the moon's orbit, total eclipses don't happen all that often — about twice in the course of three years, on average. When they do, it can be a spectacular sight: The darkened moon takes on a reddish glow because of the sunlight refracted by Earth's atmosphere. The last total lunar eclipse took place in December 2011, but we're coming up on a series of four such events, known as a tetrad, which is dictated by a recurrence of the right orbital parameters. After Monday night's eclipse, the other three are due on Oct. 8, and then next year on April 4 and Sept. 28. "The most unique thing about the 2014-2015 tetrad is that all of them are visible for all or parts of the USA," eclipse expert Fred Espenak said in a NASA preview. Moon-Day isn't Doomsday Some doomsayers are selling the "Blood Moon" tetrad as an evil omen, but that's bogus. The only thing that's scary about this eclipse is what it might do to your sleep schedule: The moon won't start crossing into Earth's shadow until 12:53 a.m. ET Tuesday, and the total phase of the eclipse lasts from 3:06 to 4:24 a.m. ET. Espenak lays out the details on NASA's eclipse-centric Web site. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are visible to half the world at the same time. This time around, North America is prime territory, but portions of the eclipse can be seen from parts of South America, Europe and Asia just before sunrise, and parts of Asia and the Pacific just after sunset. You may have heard all those warnings about protecting your eyes during a solar eclipse — but a lunar eclipse is totally different, and totally safe. Look all you want. Want a closer look? Use binoculars. Want to take a picture? Espenak tells you how. Even if the skies are cloudy, you can get in on the show over the Web and via social media. To keep up with the stream, follow the hashtag #eclipse and keep an eye on NASA's Facebook page. Sky & Telescope This map shows the progress of the total lunar eclipse through Earth's shadow (penumbra and umbra) for Eastern Daylight Time on April 15. Due to the moon's off-center path through Earth's umbra, the northern half of its disk should look especially dark during totality. The penumbral phase occurs before and after the partial phase.Get in on Mars and more The moon isn't the only spacey attraction out there: It's also prime time for seeing Mars at its biggest and brightest. Mars reaches the closest point to Earth in its orbit on Monday, passing by at a distance of 57 million miles (92 million kilometers). On Monday night, it'll rise just before the moon and shine like a butterscotch-colored star virtually all night. Check out our viewing guide for the details. This is the closest Mars has been since late 2007, but after Monday night, Mars will recede from Earth for about a year, then make another approach for an even closer encounter in 2016. Slooh is planning a separate viewing party for Mars, starting 10 p.m. ET Monday. The International Space Station should be visible passing through evening skies over some parts of the United States — to get the viewing schedule for your location, consult NASA's "Spot the Station" website. Jupiter, Saturn and Venus are also out: For details on those night sights, head on over to EarthSky and Sky & Telescope. Monday night will be a hard act to follow, but there's more to come. In the weeks ahead, two meteor showers will be hitting their peak: the Lyrids and the Eta Aquarids. Getting up in the middle of the night for Moon-Day will be good experience for those coming attractions. Tip o' the Log to Sky & Telescope for the eclipse photo and graphics.

In the U.S Midwest I had allergies during the winter. Never happened before. They're predicting high pollen counts this Spring. I dislike using allergy medicines. I've started using a Neti daily. Any other suggestions?

Day 4 of using the Neti, my nasal openings seem much clearer. Usually at night I shift around, moving to my right side to clear my left sinus and vice versa. Last night I was in the sweet spot, both nostrils open and clear. SoG good idea on the apple cider vinegar. Its quite nice tonic in itself, its so inexpensive its unappreciated.

My qualification- this: I eat Ninja Hit Squads for breakfast. For lunch I destroy the armies of evil empires and stop alien invasions before dinner.

Not a bad idea, but it flies in the face of the anti-elitism ideal of the sites founder. Having Inner 'high ups' and lower 'Regulars' is probably going to cause friction. I think Baguakickass's idea of teachers taking advantage of PPD makes the most sense. Especially since it gives teachers full editing control of everything posted there.

Thought this was sweet. I don't look at my facebook account often, but today there were quite a bit of sad postings. This one was a nice counter.

Thought this need repeating.

Lloyd Dobler: I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that. What he want to do- 30 seconds in.

Lin Aiwei posts here. He seems pretty knowledgeable about China, chi gung and classical learning. Still I tend to think its better to aim to learn fundamentals then find a master. China can be a good place for that too. If you learn the fundamentals you'll gain connections and know what you're looking for.

Ironically, because the stock market has done so well under Obama, they've made back multiples of the hundred million plus they've spent backing candidates that ran him.

From my own internet research on flouride a long time ago, I found a little bit is actually good, better then none. But there was a limit, too much was bad. There was a range and drinking flouridated water didn't put you over it, but multiple factors might.

Hobbit holes, very wise. Natural heating and cooling, a garden over head and the landscapes stays serene. I took a seminar (at Burning Man) by a guy who did aquaponics. He created long inground pools for trout (thus they stayed at a good temperature) and floated containers w/ plants on top in the water, providing shade, and living symbiotically w/ the fish. He got much of the trout food free from several fishmongers who'd throw away parts people wouldn't buy. Smart guy. Fish, plants etc., Not an easy system since there were vital balances that needed to be kept, but once done, its was amazing.