thelerner

When deep in the midst of philosophical angst, its good to take a break every now and then. See a humorous movie. I recommend Jackie Chans "Who am I", humorous and action packed. Sometimes you have lay back and let the truth find you, instead of hunting for it. Michael

What 'little' Siddhis do we have? Or is a little Siddhis an oxymoron? Breathing through my right nostril or left at will. Pretty small. Watching and disassociating the mind throughout the day. When I'm doing lots of meditation its easier to watch my mind think and see the thoughts as foreign. Likewise gag reflex and startle reactions go way down. Slow breathing, ie. 50 second breath cycles. What other miniature Siddhis are out there? Michael

Jeez, now there's multiple kunlun threads on why there are too many kunlun threads. I do some K. but a good board needs balance. As Freeform says it tends to happen automatically, though it takes time. Sometimes just creating an interesting topic and keeping it alive is the best way to counter too much of one thing. There are enough kunlun threads around here that most discussion can probably be made using them instead of creating separate topics. For the most people do, that why you see some with such high hits. And there's always the classic advice, just don't hit the link. The official Kunlun forum board (kunlunforum.com) is up and running so much of the discussion here will probably migrate. Now for the mind control part- Kunlun is simple and easy, there are reasons people are attracted to it. Michael

When I'm feeling out of sorts I'll read some Eckhardt Tolle or listen to the (free) Zen inspired talks of Michael McAllister podcasts(infinitesmile.org), both sooth my mind, as does a nice long walk in nature. We're stuck here in the world. There's no escape (cept one?) but there is skillful means for dealing with it, Tolle and McAllister have clues. There's also friends, beer, hope and the pursuit of dslfkjxi- not pursuing anything. Michael

Its 8:55 Chicago time. going to live chat. See if I can snag anyone there. Michael

Gemini's huh, well happy birthday to the four of you. Yoda-Your blogs, opinions- all your writings have added immeasurably to the site and created its sense of fellowship. Chris-Thanks for introducing so many of us to Kunlun, for your answers to our questions about it, and showing a example of calm mastery and mellowness when insults and nastiness abounded.

Its best if you club the animal yourself. Just kidding, most of the people I've talked to just have a rug under them. I purchased a $12 lamb skin from Ikea. I don't know if it improves my Kunlun, but I like the way it feels on my toes. I got the book a few weeks before a seminar. I practiced for a two weeks without getting any leg motion. It was just the day before the seminar my legs started the spontaneous motion. IMHO Kunlun1 is about hitting the position, forgetting about it, and cooling down. Very simple. The transmission is nice, particularly if you're going to seriously pursue it, but not a prerequisate for practice. Yours Michael

It always passes, but new stuff comes along. Thanks for your explanations Drew. Rain mentions being Inbetween. All of us here are inbetween the Tic Toc world and the Spiritual. I have a few toes over the line and have always been very interested in the view points and experiences of people here who straddle the line more completely. Yours Michael

Its a side topic but Drew points out how chi sensitivity cuts both ways. Emotional and energetic manipulations. I've been to demonstrations where the practitioner works on one person and a third of the audience goes into near convulsions. (Not me, I've got the energy sensitiviyt of a rock) I remember Glenn Morris writing he didn't go to large sporting events because he would be so easily swept up in emotion, likewise he'd broadcast his emotions powerfully at times effecting those around him. Its certainly a mixed blessing. I can see where it without constant grounding the chi sensitive would lose themselves. Drew you talk about exchanging energy with (unknowing?)people all the time. It doesn't sound as if you're asking them, it happens and you perceive it as positive orgasmic energy. Still I can't help but see parallels between what the dirty old man is doing and what you do to others. I'm sure your intent and energy is much more positive, but no one wants to be someone else's puppet on a string, least not until asked. Or do they? Michael

Thanks for the reply. I read Cultivating Stillness many years ago as well as a couple of Cleary's various translated works. I labeled Kostas book in the same fantastical category as Castenada's and left them alone. Seeing some people here with connections to the man and his tradition have made me less sceptical and more interested. A few years ago I swore off reading so many books and watching videos on cultivation. Not a bad idea, but without extra motivation my 'time on the mat' has dwindled, mostly to doing what I want when I want without much discipline. I'll have to get back on the horse and ride longer if I'm going to get anywhere. Its important to continually get the message from so many here that 90 to 2 hours is required, and maybe thats even minimal. Michael

There's a site HULU.COM that allows you watch old series, free, with one or two 15 second commercials. I caught up on an old one season show I liked. The Crow, a take off from the movie. It also has old movies for free viewing. Michael

Welcome. Its great to have people with first hand experience here. Here's a question, How much time do they(Chang?) expect you to practice daily? Three hours plus? and how much of that time is emptiness style meditation? Thanks Michael

Yes, I do. As a kid I rebelled against it. But with just a blanket it takes about 25 seconds. I'm far from it, but a certain amount of zen neatness outside, reflects a clear mind inside. I'm a believer in Initial Conditions, how a project starts has a great deal to do with the end result. Starting the day by putting one small easy thing in order. yada yada, looking around my desk is a mess, with layers of papers like an archaelogical site. Michael

Well, thats why God invented beer. Its my opinion the world is always falling apart. Every decade brings factors that will bring about The End. Thats the way its been for millennium. Its human nature, we have to grin and bear it. Life goes on. Though you say we teeter on the brink, there has been a revolutionary prosperity for 100's of millions around the globe in the past generation. That you're even seeing this on the computer points to an incredibly long list of almost magical blessings that have befallen you. You're right about one thing, if you want to feel good play with kids. The book Pronoia also helps lift ones attitudes. Off to play ball with the kids. Michael

I do Haiku-ish It can rhyme- if I wish-ish Don't like it? Go fish

A master (?) of many skills(?) I'm a wee bit skeptical. He's studied Kunlun1 for 8 or 9 months and now teaches and gives transmissions(!?) Fast work indeed. His site has pictures of famous teachers but he's not in most of them. It will be interesting to see if any old kunluners know him and what they have to say. Michael

There is no satisfying intellectual answer for this. There are a wide range of practices, most involving prayer and quietude that don't exactly solve the problem as much as explain the question. The short answer is yeah , now find a method (religious, mystical, modern), stay with it; beyond boredom and intellect -surprises await. Michael

I'm a recovering bookaholic. $1 books and videos can be found at library book stores and thrift shops. Instead of looking for a specific book, get into the habbit of checking these places out when you pass them. Odds are you'll find some cheap related materials. Yours Michael

Hi Guy, A source for very deep (and free) mp3 guided meditations is Abardoncompanion.com by Rawn Clark. His system is loosely based on Franz Bardons Hermetics, but I see many similarities to Taoist concepts within it. His CSM, Center of Stillness Meditation is an excellent example of sealing the senses and getting into deep quiet. The Archaeous series is an indepth lesson on experiencing Hermetics element theory and how it peels back layers of being. I find the Archaeous series works beautifully to support standing meditation. Definitely worth a listen to IMHO. There's a discussion on Carlos going on in the Book Club section Yours Michael

Thanks Cam, Seems like Max is moving towards Gold Flower. I'll have to make a special effort to catch his next round of U.S. sessions. Anyone I don't remember any particular teachings on spirit/dream travels. I'll write down (what I remember) of the Phoenix seminar soon. Michael

I was going to make a separate post, but since this is here now: Which bum has been to the most Kunlun seminars? (I've been to one) How far apart were they, what did Max teach, and can you detect changes in what and the way Max taught? Thanks Michael

Thats true w/ Iron Shirt. But I think what Trunk is talking about is quite an order gentler. I did some Kaishan Golden Bell, which got pretty extreme and needed an experienced and certified teacher. Gentle and medium hitting are great for waking up the nerves, tendons meridians etc. I don't do Kaishan any more but there are light chest thumping routines from it that invigorate the body. Michael Winn also has routines on bumping along the arms and legs. I've seen variations in a wide variety of cultures Japanese, Russian. Maybe any vibration is good, waking up parts of us that have gone asleep. Michael

Welcome World Traveler rolls out invisible carpet. You can consider me schizophrenic and count this as two welcomes Michael

Just picked up 'Tying Rocks to Clouds-Meetings & Conversations w/ Wise and Spiritual People' by William Elliott. A depressed guy traveling the world finding his purpose in asking the same questions to wise and spiritual people. Like Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa (it was written in '95) Stephen Levine, Jack Kornfield, Swami Satchchidananda, Ram Dass, about 22 people in all. He asks them about there core beliefs and practices, life, death. Michael

Creating a yin mind Some Chi Gung outside, now that its nice Long walks listening to Michael McAllistairs Zen Inspired talks from Infinite Smile podcast Michael