thelerner

An aspiring monk wanted to find a Guru. He went to a monastery and his preceptor told him: "You can stay here but we have one important rule - all students observe the vow of silence. You will be allowed to speak to me once every 12 years". After practicing silence and meditation for 12 long years, finally the student could say his one thing, and : "The bed is too hard." After another 12 years of hard silent meditation, he had the opportunity to speak again. He said: "The food is not good." Twelve more years of hard work passed. His words after 36 years of practice: "I quit." His Guru quickly answered: "Good, all you have been doing anyway is complaining."

I'm generally cautious and sceptical around those who preach and teach about virtue. Too often the word is like a long tonqued lash used to beat other people with. Maybe I see it as the answer to an old fashion riddle. Those who have it hold it as a hidden treasure. Those who don't display it as a garment and club. Stig says ' personally believe that Virtue is the rightful cornerstone of the world and that our only hope for true and lasting world peace and fortuity is a concerted effort toward virtuous livelihood.' I have trouble with the word hope too. For years I wrestled with a koan that said,"Above the doorway to enlightenment there is a sign that says 'Abandon All Hope, Ye who enter here'". So I've come to see hope as something of a two edged sword. Abandon hope, roll up your sleeves, do the work, let the universe decide. I suppose the Golden rule comes closest in Western terms to describing virtue; Do onto others as you would have them do to you. A good recipie for staying on the straight and narrow. But its been pointed out we'd like a stranger to stop and give us $100, but I don't think it would be wise to pass them out at random. Maimonides version of the rule goes like this: Do not do to others that which you would not want them to do to you. Hmnn, that solves the $100 paradox, but feels colder, civilized, but not as warming. Its late, hope I can fall asleep. whoops Michael

Hi Boaz, The man you might want read is Trunk; who posts here. He's been tackling your question for years. He has a blog AlchemicalTaoism.com (and a personnal discussion section here), that has insights into your questions. Michael

The disappearing in front of the mirror (in dim light) trick is cool. I read about it in Glenn Morris's book and was able to do it. It helps to unfocus the eyes and relax the mind. Like so many things, if you 'think' about what you're doing you come back into focus. Michael

Some times you know things by there opposite. So one question might be, 'What takes you off the path?' How far should a man go to be virtuous? How does virtue navigate us when we are faced with decisions between two wrongs? Michael

Yup.

I wonder if you're over simplyfying it and particularly over emphasizing the power of a Taoist master. Temples were destroyed, many masters and monks were sent to gulag style re-education camps or just killed. You may think of masters as powerful wizards, but in truth many taoist hermits are quiet shy people who've given there lives over to practicing alchemy and despite knowledge and decades of practice are just people like you and me. I'm reminded of Franz Bardon, writier of many magical books, a renknowed Mage who died in a communist prison. Shit happens, when an army comes for you the only defense is not to be there. Michael

I wrote this on the KAP 107 Facebook site, may as well add it here in case people are interested in what one person got out of the first level of KAP. I've enjoyed Kap and have gotten a lot out of it. To me Glenn Morris was the Bruce Lee of meditation teachers, cutting out the inessential; finding and refining the techniques with the most juice and presenting them in a neat package free of cultural clutter. Santaigo is a worthy successor. I've been exposed to many of the concepts presented here before, but books, CD's and short seminars are no substitue for weekly meeting (albeit audio ones) and a teachers feedback. Santiago was always ready to answer questions and explain things clearly when we weren't sure. I liked the shamanic side of things. Its helped me develope a totem concept I've been exploring. From the Chi gung walk I've picked up the imagery of a bear, my legs are its front 2, its head is at tan tien level, its walk sways my hips and I feel a sense of its power, kidney/winter/water as it moves. I also have a purple bat imagery at my throat, its wings extend to my ears. There's a feeling of Heee it sends out as radar and a feeling of safety because its on watch and I can relax. In my Damos cave, off the meditation chapel there's a room with a mirror to an alternate dimension where my doppleganger leads a perfect life. I can see what he's doing and ask him questions. The 5 point breathing is new and seems pretty powerful, I look forward to exploring it more. My secret smile has developed in the months of class, the imagery is stronger, the laugh/humor involves my whole body and comes out stronger. Starting the chi gung sequence with deep horse stance shaking wakes up the body and allows you feel the inner organs and consciously relax them. The water sequence of hip rotation is a nice form of spontaneous chi gung where you let the body move on its own. Its improved my flexibility and is great link between the physical body, chakra and philosophy of water. I haven't developed tumo to the state I wanted but when I slow down my breathing, particularly in the 7-7-7 pattern there is increasing heat at my solar plex. Visualizations don't increase it, but its nice to know there's something cooking . I've had problems with sleepnessness and find I can't do the practices at night because they tend to load me up w/ energy, particularly the MCO style practices, but thats ok. For me night is better used for emptiness meditation or listening to a dharma lecture. Michael

What?!? First no sex, now no coffee? What kind of world would you have us living in? My ideal is throwing coffee into a hot bath, having sex in it and lying around it in caffenated bliss. Ahhh

Sleeplesness hits me when I up the energy type meditations, MCO, chakra.. I find not doing them in the late evening helps. Different chi gung systems have advice to put attention and energy at your feet or lower tantien, that never helped me much. Instead not doing any energy work a few hours before bed, nothing stimulutating, no tv or news. I'll sit quietly in emptiness or listen to a Dharma talk (infinitesmile or Zencast) at night. Keep my mind defocused. One trick I'll use is wonder 'What will my next thought be?' this inquiry tends to shine a spotlight on the thoughts and tends to quiet them. Michael

There were some transformations last year that effected beings on the planet. There are transformation going on this year and I suspect next year there will also be transformations. Every year brings changes. Picking a year for transformations is a good way to sell books (particularly smart to pick cultures that can't complain about gross inaccuracies). But if you want to keep your eyes on the prize look for the transformation happening now within and without, maybe nudge them a little. Yours Michael

When I was young I'd say goo goo, as I played people around me would do strange things, I'd watch without judgement and keep playing. As I grew I divided the world into devils and angels. The devils were those who disagreed with me, kept me from my wants or worse ignored me. The angels were those who agreed with me. Growing older the devils and angels fall away. I watch the world around me doing strange things and remember to take time to play. Michael

You can be impressed with the teacher or master, but don't judge the art by them. Judge it by the students. Unless the guy has a cadre of students running w/ him buck naked, so what?? If John Chang lights things on fire w/ his mind, so what. Are there dozens of his students lighting things on fire. Not so much, certainly not in public. The top people in any art are amazing, but doesn't mean we're any less for not doing it. I know musical people who'd consider you a sad norm for not opening your body and soul to produce music. Thats attainable, at least w/ years of work. Running naked and swimming under ice probably is not for most of us and I understand why people would say, its not something to spend a whole lot of time on, cause they have clothes and matches only cost 30 cents a pack. That said I do think tummo is worthwhile and I've been practicing it, but thems that don't aren't lacking, they just don't share my and your interests. Michael

Q. for Cat, Does the book Emerald Covenant mention Winn by name? Is it about the same group that Smile talks about? Thanks Michael Winn is certainly a spirtual adventurer, but high adventuring can have its price.

Whoaa he's right. That was easy Just kidding, you make some very good points "Take your time and maybe take a path for now which does not involve a powerful energy experience. These energy paths are not a super happy pill. They are serious business. I have seen alot of people with emotional issues seek to use energy paths as a way to run away from their personal issues and it only made them nuts. and eventually when reality kicked back in (because it will) they were much worse off than before... With powerful energy paths it is extremely important that one already have the tools to handle their emotions. Because powerful energy exercises can increase emotional states. If you are running from emotions they will be brought to the surface much faster....So, take your time... investigate why you feel the need to find ultimate reality so quickly. Get comfortable with yourself first, then choose a pathway based on a place of stability.... And in your case, I strongly suggest a path where you can have access to a teacher in your area who can guide you." Michael The KAP program is very good. I'm just finishing up KAP1 myself. Like 5 Elements says its a relatively high energy esoteric style program. Starting slow with a live teacher is often the best.

I too have learned many things from Star Trek: Kill the aliens Sleep with their woman Play loose with the Prime Directive kidding, kidding or am I. I agree with you on stories. In many ways the best learning is only done through metaphor. Michael

I have respect for both. Personally I find kunlun to be a good side practice. Its nice and fast, no studying. It feels like it burns off excess tension in my body and gives a sense of peace. But that fast no studying is also its weakness. Yogani's system is one of learning and bettering yourself. There is much progression and self learning. Thats indespensibly important. He teaches a well rounded system and is available online for questions, his many students are too. His path in some ways is well worn (some ways its not). In Kunlun there's little instruction other then seminar and book. There is good feedback on the Kunlun site and a mixed bag here . So..unless you feel a very strong kunlun attraction, I'd say first go Yogani. Give it a long honest period and you're sure to see results (though highest enlightenment may be a few lifetimes away ). I'd also say later when its convenient you should go to a Max seminar. It should be experienced, its high energy, nice people and totally different, that you can choose to do or not. You'll get more from it, by experiencing Yogani's system. Kunlun has plenty of lift to it, but Yogani is a very strong platform. Michael

Michael Winn who hits the cave scene regularly in China has written articles on the Taoist caves he's gone into, and he's done it breatharian style for short terms. He writes about getting deeply in touch with the mountain materials, resonating with it as if it were giant crystals. His articles are in the HTUSA site article section. Michael

If she's interested in what religious Taoism believes in, have her read a book or get one from the library. If she's interested in what you believe in, its much simpler. Just tell her. Michael

Many congrats. I have 3 and they make life worthwhile. As far as your Dad's comment; sometimes we don't worship the same deity as our folks. Same name used, but its not the same conception. Hmn maybe if his view was perfectly correct we wouldn't be here now. Maybe the truth is a little more loving and open. Michael

Its not a guy thing, it doesn't come natural to us, but often you win by walking away. My sensei told me many times, what get you badly hurt, especially after you've 'won' a fight, is the last comment, the last word, the little dig or moralizing after the fight to the opponent. Avoid it at all costs. Walk away, no comment, no look, move on. Whether you've won or lost, move on. Michael

When will the Chicago branch open ? Many congratulations Michael

Good idea. Fasting is good, least wise if you do it with a positive attitude. Our systems need rest so they can fully cleanse and regenerate. A break from food, news, internet, its all good. Be addicted to nothing. Michael

Dragonfire's Devil. We fear him, pity him, most of all ignore him. In our fantasy's do we banish him? With open hearts do we reach out, offer to understand and help him? Thats a dangerous course, because he's real. Maybe angry, probably drugged out. The gut fears, the open heart murmurs reach out. We move quickly away from him. A high energy, open hearted person could work miracles here. Dragonfire's devils are everywhere, maybe a new years resolution is to help a devil. Maybe a small one. Michael