thelerner

IMO emptiness meditation -just sitting there- is as valid and important in Taoism as in any meditative tradition. Unfortunately it gets less notice because of all the energy techniques. At night sitting quietly may be just the ticket. Westerners tend to underestimate the power of just sitting. If you want a very Taoist evening meditation you may want to look at the the guided meditations here: http://wudangtao.us/ourstore/index.php?mai...dex&cPath=2 For $25 the morning and evening meditations are 30 minutes each and are done by a respected Taoist master. I like them. The evening meditation is geared to bring you down and get you ready for bed. Yours Michael

A popular 'massage' technique for the eyes is palming. You warm up the hands by rubbing the palms vigorously together then softly & firmly lay the palms on the eyes. No movement, just relax and let the heat soak in. Glenn Morris liked this technique, I've seen it used by other chi gung teachers during close downs. Michael

nice stuff, wish it were more easily mp3able. I really like Louis Yagera's blog- enough to subscribe to it. Most often when I listen to something while doing standing meditation its not music, its the one the Archaeous guided meditation on Rawn Clarks site. It consists of a nice 'stacked' style of the elements which go nicely w/ standing (unintentionally on his part) and makes 15 minutes fly by. Thanks for the heads up on the material. Michael

On solution would be to drink strong Irish Coffee while watching pornographic TV on the internet. It won't get rid of any bad habits but will allow you indulge in 6 of them quickly and efficiently.

Thanks great download, filled with information I'd been interested in about Bardon the man. Michael

If you put this up in the Article section it might have better longevity. Matter of fact look at the articles there and if like any P(rivate) M(ail) the author and see if they'd mind if you grabbed it. Michael P.S. Stigweard has a great site w/ some good articles.

A weird nonsensical habit I picked up as a kid and have to kept to this day is: I don't step on cracks. I started at a young age when I walked to school and now its ingrained. My walking pattern automatically adjusts to avoid the crack that make up the squaire side walks that line most blocks. Other then that I'm mostly sane. Michael P.S Mom still has pain free back.

I respectfully disagree, little creatures full of Buddha nature scamper, crawl and fly all around me. whoops there's one creeping across my computer screen now, about to head for Nirvana. just kidding Yours Michael

Actually the master who just stands there when a gun is fired nearby may show less survival skills then the animal or human who takes off. But.. I'm wasn't talking about extremes, like when they're being shot or gorged into a coma, I was thinking about every day regular awareness. Despite lack of manifestation whatsits and karmic whatever, I think you underestimate the state of being of the average wild creature. Beyond books, Buddhism and philosophical theory, if you spend time in quiet observation of the wild, you'll see its not a constant fight for survival, there are long periods of 'being' where there is peace and awareness that has much to teach us. The experience of this is as important (though not a substitute) for any sutra. Michael

I don't think our questioning (at least as done on this post) shows greater knowledge of the Tao then a Lion's yawn. I don't think the Master questions, IMO they're closer to the Lion then we are to them. I think wild animals are better at this spiritual stuff then most of us. For example, look at us arguing over this VERY IMPORTANT POINT. They've evolved past this bickering. In my observation animals (and young kids) are in a spiritual place more often then we are. After eating, checking for danger, they're just aware, often perfectl. If we could hit the state of consciousness that animals are in most of the time, I think we'd be better for it. Maybe the Lion is full of its nature, and we are educated away from of ours? Michael

Relax, things come and go, smile and try some Hot Chocolate wisdom. Michael

IMO Bardon's work is very solid, beginning w/ a long period of psychoanalytic analysis and self improvement and moving towards mental, physical and psychic improvements. Its a slow steady path that requires discipline. <More then I usually have> I recommend downloading and printing out Rawn Clarks notes on IIH (Initiation Into Hermetics) and other Hermetic writings, have plenty of paper, I did it double sided. William Mistele also has extensive notes on IIH and fascinating articles on Hermetics that are well worth printing out. If nothing else I recommend every one do the IIH Mirror practice. Knowing oneself is the first step toward grounding in reality. On the lazier side of things, Rawn Clarks various guided meditation and chant systems are available on his site for free. I really enjoy the IHVH Chant series, the CSM meditation, and the Archaeous series <which I find good to do while standing> Yours Michael P.S. Rumor has it you can find pdf's of IIH on the internet.

Sorry for what you're going through. As JoeBlast said either way its bitter medicine. But on the other side of bitter medicine is health and balance. Trust yourself, make a decision with your parents input, you'll come out stronger for it. Sincerely, Michael

Granted! You see nothing happen, because a great wish, like great charity is done for others anonymously (Somewhere, someone else has something wonderful happen). I wish for a few nice days in the 60's before winter comes.

Like the others have said, thank you for sharing. Death is too often a taboo subject. Michael

Me thinks you protest too much. and have other agendas on your mind. Most of the time its best to state ones truth and walk away. You seem kinda caught in a loop. Michael

I like it. Its got a Hermetic elemental flare to it, unabashedly interpretive. Here's his version. http://taoism.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Y...otus/index.html Michael

I answered no, yes, no. MY Taoism is no doubt a blasphemous conglomerate of ideas w/ much Zen mixed in half hazardly. Michael

The past week I've been working on the Tumo method Santiago teaches in KAP, so I've been taking cold showers as practice. It strikes me that we learn to swim so we can be safe in the water, but the cold of winter can be deadly, certainly uncomfortable. Getting tumo up to speed would be a nice trick, a minor league siddhi. Michael

Going back a few years, Sean Denty who studied under Verdesi, said there was minimum requirement of 3 (or was it 4) hours of meditation a day under the system. I'd expect above average, truly amazing results from any system done intensely 3 hours a day. Michael

I admire your books. Any plans for more? Michael

By biting my tongue. Reacting from the heart and not the head. Resisting the fear of loss.

Nice

One very practical aspect of Kap is Tumo, the ability to generate body heat. As fall turns to winter, I need to put some serious time into the practice. Michael

Two podcasts are Infinite smile (zen inspired wisdom of Michael McAllister, truly excellent IMHO) and Zencast (some nice weekly indepth classes captured here). Michael