thelerner
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Everything posted by thelerner
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What are the best books on standing meditation?
thelerner replied to Cameron's topic in General Discussion
When it comes to standing, a few minutes with an expert can be better then hours with a book. Its nice to have someone with experience adjust your body. Zhan Zhang people may be rare, but a good Tai Chi player should be excellent, a yoga practitioner, Gung Fu people, some Aikidoists, Feldenkrist, etc. a fairly long list. M. -
wah wah, wah wah. No Tantric Mongooses for me . M.
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Que Seminare? M. in C.
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We talk about enlightenment. But it means different things to different people. To some its a rarified state only found in a handful, that makes them saints or more. To others its a process, a style of awareness, that we all slip into and out of- seeing a rainbow or fireworks or good sex. Is it function of psychology-such as the Nowness of Eckhardt Tolle? A function of higher inner energy, claimed by Professor Morris (Pathnotes..), a function of saintliness and grace? Is enlightenment a goal to be pursued? If so is the path through God awareness and ego lessening? Is it through energetic practices that strengthen the body and redefine the spirit. Or is it a bad goal. The tao is under our feet, in the air, the water we drink. There is nothing to find or do or study. Just acceptance and grace? Michael
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Mat Blacks post- "So, the Hua Hu Ching says "Avoid following impulses and pursuing ambitions which destroy the wholness of your mind and seperate you from the Integral Way. In order to eliminate negative influences, ignore them." In other words, don't identify with them. - ignore the 'fog' and it is no longer empowered and the sun can then shine. Mediatation is an invitation to the sun. Master Xuan Hua says "when one breaks through ignorance, the Drahma nature manifests" Another way of going about the same thing is to restore attention to virtue. -Reverence for all life -Natural sincerity -Gentleness, kindness -Supportiveness which is service without expectation of reward. The Hua Hu Ching says: "These are not an external dogma, they are your original nature" -" is so poignant. It reminds me of all the other great teachings written here that flow down the discussion page and never read again. I've decided I need a way to capture my favorites. I've created a Google Doc of Best of Taobums and I've started cutting and pasting. Starting with Mats quote. Michael
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You'd think that would be the case, but the longer I live it seems that sincerity and heart of the practitioner trumps the system. Michael
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Now that its finally getting warm and the sun is out, I'll go outside, preferably to a forest and do the first 3 pieces of Michael Winns fundamentals II chigung routine. Ocean breathing, sun-moon movement, crossing the ocean. Then stand in wuwei or go on to the short Pangu form. Michael
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Lets see my last breath, I'd think, damnit I'm wasting my time on the computer when I could be watching a movie downstairs with the kids watching Nancy Drew, then I'd reach for the mouse as the world grew black. How we die is important, our state of mnd at death may well be crucial (or not). But living each moment as though it were your last seems to be an impossibility. I could see it burning you out if you tried. I like the vispasana tradition of starting meditation by giving up everything considered You, body, past, future, thoughts, emotions etc. I am not my body I am that which in habits it, I am not my past, it old memories and patterns.. Michael
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Celebrate my sons birthday. Waking up early and doing some chi gung outside sounds good. Michael
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I think many of these 'cooks' are partially real. They may well have spent years or decades working on there Chi. They teach, they can warm up there extremities real good, even to the point of people feeling it a few feet away feeling heat. But that and a buck will only get them half a cup of starbucks. So they exaggerate. Its a slippery slope to fraudom, but it pays the bills. We're so hungry for show we persuade those with minor talents to don capes and cook fish, light shirts on fire etc. No wonder we drive the real ones to hermitage. Michael
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A live class is certainly best. But there are some good people with Chi gung videos out there. I like Michael Winns. He has a nice short form on his Fundamentals II video, his Primordial Chigung is also very good. Both are simple and have a nice feelings to them. He takes the time to explain the movements and energetics. I think there may be some video links to see a piece of them on the Healing Tao USA site. Take a look at the Reviews link, and the LINK link posted on top, for other choices. Michael
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Its part focus. We read the newspaper and its a concentration of the worst happenings in our city/state of millions, country of 100's of millions or our world of many billions. The millions of things going right, people helping others, feeding their kids, going to school and jobs. The ordinary good all around us matters much less then the sensationalistic horror 100's or 1000's of miles away. Thats not saying horrors should be ignored, but we should have balance in our views. Balance that makes us grateful for what we have. Instead of impotent screaming at the state of things and THEMS that caused it; we should find the little goodness's we can do, whether charity or simple kindness's to others and work from there. Michael on the other hand; There is a time to scream and rage at the injustices of the world. Get it out, don't let it fester. There is a time for silence and selfishness. We live in the world. We draw circles. Us, them, good, bad. ME, everything else, (thats the big one) Before we leave this world we need to work on that last one.
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Mal, we just need 30 minutes of your time a day. Michael
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Sad to see you go, but glad you shared so much with us. Hope you stop in again every now and then with words of insight. Adios my friend Michael
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Hah?! I was wondering why I just got the message 'Beware the red truck on the Ides of March'. emailed from my futureme!!!
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All we are is dust in the wind. Though its annoying when we get in each others eyes. Sorry for my criticism. Neimad I'm sure you're an excellent teacher. Your post reminded me of some sharp words my Sensei had for me when I was spouting off about a student. Michael
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Does mindfulness have a flavor? Do moods intrude upon it? Or if it has one then you're not truly mindful? There are times taking long walks where its beautiful and everything around me seems special. But during the daily grind, say doing laundry, it seems like I'm mindful, keeping my attention within my body, concentrating on what I'm doing and its lacking that sense of -this is wonderful-. Is the walk more mindful then the laundry? Is either true mindfullness. Is caring about such things mindless? Chop Wood, Carry Water and let the mind take care of itself.? Michael
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The Book Club That Can Be Named Is Not The True Book Club...
thelerner replied to doc benway's topic in Group Studies
I'm thinking Revenge of the Book Club or perhaps Son of the Book Club maybe 'The Book Club that used to be called Book Club but is now called something else' the possiblities are endless M. -
Updated First Book Club Selection - Eva Wong's Taoism!
thelerner replied to doc benway's topic in Group Studies
Lets make it personal. Where do we stand on Shamanistic transformation? Turning into an animal, I don't think so. Controlling an animal with ones thoughts and body language, yes. Transfering your consciousness into an animals body, maybe. Another level- gaining knowledge through spirits? I don't know if I believe in that. I think we're smarter and more intuitive then we realize. I often think those who Channel are really accessing inner knowledge that they won't consciously cop to. Could be wrong though. Michael -
The original source of the pot is not the clay but in the thought of its creation by the potter. The source and power of a word is not its sound or meaning it is the intent the speaker uses it for. Michael I look up and stare at the sky and stars in awe. Does anything gaze back at me?
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At night I embrace my shadow remember it is a part of me and become one with it. Michael When is a man is truest to his original nature?
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Its a cliche but, let your fingers do the walking. Take the yellow pages and look up Yoga, Tai Chi, martial arts etc. Find and go to the ones that seem most traditional. Look around and join the best option. It probably won't be your final destination, but its action/ You'll meet like minded people who may have connections with what you're truly looking for. It would be even better if someone came up with a top instructor in your neck of the woods, but if not, take action, find the best situation thats visible. Its likely to lead you to best situation thats nearby but hard to find. Michael
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Updated First Book Club Selection - Eva Wong's Taoism!
thelerner replied to doc benway's topic in Group Studies
My local library had a copy of the book. Even if it didn't they could get one within a few days. My book shelves overfloweth, so my 2008 resolution is using the library more. I just started reading the book. Her experience and enthusiasm really comes out. Jumping the gun.. From the first chapter on Taoism shamanic roots, I can't tell how literally she takes the old legends. The early shamans who could turn into bears. Does she take the stories literally? Its not clear to me, doesn't really matter. Though in religion its interesting to see how fundamentalist the writer is. She certainly takes the concepts of magic and talismans seriously. Michael -
Haven't had a live chat in a while.. Join me? Michael Very cool. Sean has redone Live Chat. Now you can pick out a facial avatar!! New sounds, easier to set up multiple rooms. You don't choose a new name anymore, you're stock w/ you usual one. M.
