DaoChild

It sounds similar to an out of body experience. Very loud noises, clicks, or sharp popping sounds are frequently heard upon 'leaving' the body.

I feel sorry for the balloon company.

And? Of course, people who succeed and go on to excel in their field without prior education are the exception, not the norm. My uncle didn't go to Berkeley like my family's lineage. He decided to take over my grandpa's business, and make millions upon millions of dollars a year. All that, and no college - pretty sweet right? My mom has a dual masters in Engineering and Architecture - and now uses neither, instead doing real estate. ------ It's a cop out to say education is stupid or unimportant. It does color your perception of the world though, and many (foolish) people believe that the more they learn, the less there is they don't know. It's more tempting to leave your cup full once you've "acquired" all this knowledge. Education has often made me realize how much I DON'T know, and it definitely can be a hindrance to living a simple, uncomplicated life.

I think many , many of us have thought of it. As a child, when other children wanted to be policemen, doctors, or firemen, I wanted to be a hermit Strange, isn't it? I graduate in only 3 months though, and then it's off to create my own legend.

I don't know what people are getting all antsy-in-their-pantsy about. The only reason I don't condone drug use for "spiritual awakening" is because you lose all credibility. Why would / should anyone believe you?

Re seminal retention. Don't just assume that because you aren't having sex you aren't going to age.. you're going to age a lot either way. I've seen dudes in their 80s who look like average 80 year olds but have had loads of promiscuous sex all the time. They don't look a day older than any 'average' american at 80. I'm going to look like I'm 35 when I'm 50. Why? Genetics; both my parents appear almost 20 years younger than they actually are, and naturally I have a baby face that I inherited. I suspect that some will get deceived in the next 30 years if I end up preaching anything on Taoism: "Wow, he looks so youthful, he must be a wise man!" Ahhh.. the easily manipulated. Edit: concerning QiGong - keep in mind that if you do that Medical QiGong program you're going to have nothing to show in the US. It's not accepted, and unless you can prove that you have very consistent results fixing people you're going to be a (tao)bum. It won't be easy to put the bread on the table.

How boutsa cold? Drink some ginger tea: with a pinch of cayenne pepper, half a squeezed lemon, and about 1.5 inches of sliced ginger. Steep for 4 hours in a 1 quart mason jar. Drink 2-3 times a day.

Take it like you take life. Do you see many people becoming outstanding at many arts? Not often. In my opinion, pick 2-3 things and become great at them. Spirituality and religion aren't free from their fads and phonies either - keep that in mind.

I agree with the owl

I've been practicing meditation for about 8 years - in the former half is was very sporadic, but recently it has been a religious practice. I have been practicing stillness-type meditations, and internal cultivation (of the mind). But I am interested in pursuing some exercises in Neidan -- is the microcosmic orbit the right place to start? There seem to be plenty of references to it, and lots of information in books and on the internet. Thanks a bunch

He's not simply talking about leaving the 'tangle of social commitments'. Obviously he has a lot of bitterness and hatred towards society. That is a subjective judgment he is placing - meditation should help to rid the mind of subjectivity, instead 'reflecting like a mirror' what it sees. I'm not saying you can't be misanthropic -- but true understanding of the world is found in objectivity. If you feel like your time is running out, I hate to break it to you - it won't get better. As I recall, you said you are 23. What's the rush to liberation, enlightenment, whatever you want to call it? If you view it as a competition (Must get there before I have to repeat this bullshit all over!), I'm sorry to say it's going to take you even longer. I respect your decision - but I firmly believe that if you continue to practice internal cultivation (and acceptance of the world) you'll probably gain much more than going somewhere else.

Well, you aren't necessarily attached just because you obtained something. Obviously the more you desire something before you attain it, the more attached you'll be afterwards. But I think it's fine if you purchase things - be sensible, know what you need and don't need, but above all try not to get attached to them. The only promise upon birth is death - and that means death of everything physical. The only guarantee upon gaining something that can be 'attained' is that it will be taken away. So if you are prepared to buy that new Audi you've been wanting.. enjoy it but try not to be attached, so if you total it and don't have the money to fix it you won't be heartbroken. My opinion: Desire: I want something I don't have. Attachment: Please don't take away what I already have! I would be heartbroken if someone took away my car, my house, and my expensive clothes.

What is the purpose/benefit/result of opening the MCO?

Thank you Craig, I looked up as much information as I could on the inner smile, and I'm actually very very excited to start. It looks really enjoyable! I'll start with the inner smile and in a few months check back in to see where I am. Thanks again everyone.

Until I graduate (a few months), there's no way I'm going to find a teacher in South Carolina

The reason for many oral traditions (at least one reason) is that you get to ensure secrecy. When you write down teachings, obviously they are more easily disseminated. Additionally, it ensures that you learn only what you are supposed to - when you are supposed to. Finally, it makes sure that you don't just take down the lessons and try them out before you are skilled enough. There are probably many more. The importance of the oral tradition lies in the fact that there will always be a teacher to help guide the student.

It's a vague, paradoxical question - and I apologize for that. But what is beyond I? I'm stuck.

Surgery, nothing else will do it. Or you could gain 50 lbs of fat, and your breasts surely would get larger - man or woman.

I see, thank you for your responses. So is there no-thing beyond I - or everything beyond I? If "I" denotes beyond my physical body, what is beyond my invisible (true?) nature? Dao? One cosmic puddle whether there is no illusion of separateness?

~

You're believing a pyrokinesis video.. found on YOUTUBE? Hmm...

Someone recently mentioned how Bonsai originated several thousand years ago, as both a Buddhist and Taoist concept. I'm not so sure if that's true (It was what they 'told' me). Don't bonsai seem to be a little "anti- uncarved block" ? It's direct manipulation - you cut the roots to keep it dwarfed, you cut the buds off to keep its growth stunted, and although it's beautiful and amazing - it's completely counter intuitive and un-'natural'. Can anyone expound upon this a bit further? Thank you

I would agree with you, but thus far I have not personally found out how to tame it. Believe me, even if I sit and do a meditation, repeat mantras in my head, or simply ignore it - it may reduce a little, but it still comes on full force. I can control it enough to where I can function - but in the event of a bad attack there is nothing whatsoever I can do. It's a bit of a scapegoat to say "every problem has its roots in the mind". I think we would've fixed many more problems if that were the case. Mind caused? I'm not quite sure personally. Given the fact that I only get asthma in 1 environment, the house I I return to where my parents live. Every time I go home for thanksgiving or anything else, the mold in the basement and the combined fur of the pets makes me unable to breathe. I go outside for 1/2 a day or so, and it's mostly gone. I go back inside (even when no one is there), and it returns. No amount of mind over matter (at least that I've attained yet..) can help me get over an asthma attack at home, where after 30 minutes I've been breathing so hard that my neck muscles are sore the next morning. I

Good luck trying this. Clearly you've never had asthma. I can promise you my asthma is in no way anxiety related.

I'd be interesting to hear of a cure - I've had asthma all my life, and there are plenty of researchers looking for a cure. Obviously none has been found. In terms of treatment, do you mean for immediate relief or long-term asthma help? I suggest exercising (I do 5 days a week of lifting/cardio) to help increase the lung capacity in general, but I have yet to find any sort of relief for an attack. I'm o n no asthma medications ( I refuse to be, knowing how terrible they probably are for your body), and I only use my inhaler if I can't sleep. I guess the beauty of it is I only get asthma at home (pets, mold), or when I exercise very hard or run in the cold. I've tried every proposed fix including drinking coffee for caffeine and sitting in a steamy bathroom. Just slowing myself down works but it's agonizing either way.