DaoChild

Yeah, my dad does the polar bear swim in the Hudson river, NY. Couple shots of rum, and you're good to go

Yeah, part of me is motivated by this. I'm finishing school here at Clemson (SC), so it's close to 100 degrees daily now. WAY too hot for my tastes. We'll see if it legit improves circulation long-term.

The above says it all Thank you!

Personally I've never know anyone with it. However, it's a very real phenomenon even in Christianity - every major Diocese has a professional exorcist.. Scary stuff!

haha!

Hm I see what you are saying, but do not agree. Yes, family can push our buttons more than anyone else. And I am NOT anyone to give lessons on how to react to emotions. But here is my take. Instead of letting it even enter you, I let it pass right through me. For example: I ask someone to do something for me, and they turn around and say no, and insult me, using an insult that is truthful. Natural human tendency is to deny it, then realize it is true, and respond with an equally harsh response. So, instead I say yes, you're right. It is neutralized right there. Or, I no longer let things bother me that once did. They pass right through me, I do not even acknowledge them. Not a thought enters my mind. Why even let it bounce around in me? It's exhausting Right, that's where I'm trying to go with this. And I aswell -- usually only around family or very very close people that deliberately push my buttons (and know how).

Could you please point me in the right direction, regarding Chunyi Lin speaking on Full lotus?

Hmm. So you're saying if someone insults you (justified or not), you immediately blow up and get defensive?

For those of you who are parents -- what do you think if your child chose not to marry and instead to cultivate his life? I think my parents are going through this. I'm 22, eldest child, sort of the most well-off, attractive and charming, "most potential" of the family. I get a lot of crap from family since I think my siblings all feel they are living in my shadow. It's a feeling I strongly discourage from myself and others, but that's another story. And then KABOOM, I was the strange kid who taught himself to meditate at 13.. And for cultivation purposes I have made the conscious (extremely difficult) choice to currently remain celibate, and not date anyone, until I am satisfied with my spiritual development. In the coming months I am planning for a very long journey. The problem arises with my parents. They most likely think I'm insane. Or gay. Or just an idiot. Pressure for a girlfriend, pressure to find a high paying job. It's all good though, I handle very well under pressure, and hardly give in. I am a child of 4, but imagine you had only 1 child. What would you think if he/she never married? If he spent his time meditating and doing martial arts? Would you pressure him or criticize him? Be honest! I come from a very wealthy but very open minded family. They are behind me 100% in whatever I choose to do, but they still think I have all these romantic notions in my head. They think I do not enjoy life or have fun. Boy are they in for a surprise. Would you be heartbroken if your only child didn't enter mainstream society the way you planned? This is something I'm very interested in hearing, since the majority of my ego problems come from "proving myself" and. I want to "prove" to my parents that I can be cultivated, very well educated, wealthy, be a good father, a good man. My deepest pain comes from letting people down. But in my bones I feel I (currently) have a deeper purpose. I would love to be a father some day. My last vision quest gave me a good piece of advice though -- as a kid, I always thought I was going to be a hermit. In fact, I envied the life. Now I know that isn't what's written in the stars, and it makes sense to me. But before I can be a good father I feel like I have to work on myself more. I hold others to a very high standard, and naturally I hold myself at the highest standard. I guess we'll just have to see how things turn out.

Lots and lots of practice,

Interesting -- well I'll have to give it a shot. Now that I can actually feel Qi perhaps after a few weeks of trying full lotus I will agree with you Also, is it true that the Buddha was said to have attained enlightenment while doing lying down meditation? I've heard this from several sources. I've heard that he is always put in the lotus pose, literally just because it implies a more esoteric feeling. Ah, sentimentality

Because you wouldn't be strengthening the muscles in the core and around the spine. Additionally, I was referring to the fact that you wouldn't need anything to support yourself -- you could be in the desert, in a jungle, in a city, with or without padding, etc.

Hi volcaniclastic, You should have no problem integrating Taoism with pagan beliefs. After all, at some point they were all related. A good place to start? The tao of pooh is good, but I would also recommend "The Tao of Daily Life". It presents parables to go with many of the major teachings of Taoism. Aside from that, since I assume you are referring to the philosophical side, get a basic understanding of concepts and try to live by them. That will give you a deeper feel for what Taoism is, and living in accordance with the Tao. Welcome to the boards

Just pay attention to your physical energy levels. When I went fasting I was fine for the first 3 days. The 4th day & on without food I had a hard time standing, got light headed very easily, and was very much almost dissociated from my body. I guess they say that's why the 4th day is special.. But anyway, use common sense . I assume you'll be at home, so you'll have many more safety measures you can easily call upon.

His student was the one that wrote "Chirunning" , right?

Hm, if it suddenly comes from nowhere, maybe you are picking up some type of your own scent?

What do you mean electricity is proven to be one of the healing agents of the body? Could you elaborate, and or point me to some links? Additionally, if the meridians WERE "electricity" based, or were found on the electromagnetic spectrum, we would've figured it out by now since we can measure different bands along that spectrum.

Nac, There are way more frauds out there looking to make money. That doesn't discount the possibility of the real deal. BTW: THe video was quite funny One of my missions while I head to china is to experience "real" fajin.

That is probably the WORST Line of evidence I have ever heard. I meditate daily, I do martial arts daily, I do multiple hours if Qigong daily. Can I not do that, and also have a six pack? Can I not do that and also be a charmer when picking up women? You seem to think these things are mutually exclusive.. they aren't.

A startling coincidence for me in my life has been this: Whatever the current system is, that's where the synchronicites show up. For example, when I started studying Norse runes they started showing up in dreams and elsewhere. When I began studying Taoism, Taoist concepts and discussions showed up everywhere. It's like the cosmos know the best way to reach you.

Haha, I see what you mean. Truthfully I don't have much insight as to the nature of your synchronicities. What do you think they mean, if anything.

What do you mean by disorderly?

I totally understand. Like I said, I recently began practicing Qigong multiple hours daily. I won't need proof of powers if it cures me of Asthma in the next year or so. Powers aren't necessarily desirable to me, but I want an understanding of how I can apply it [internal power] to many facets of life (assuming it exists.. once again something I want to experience). I want to know how to use it to heal, to fight, to gain understanding, and so on. Often, like you mentioned, the easiest way is to find an instructor who has such a thing and can demonstrate it in some way. I wouldn't mind getting the crap kicked out of me for being a doubter, not that I'm going to be challenging someone anytime soon. But humans learn by experience -- no? That's all I'm seeking.

What do you mean a sub-class of sychronicity? You mean deep spiritual epiphanies that occur from synchronistic events? I actually would say yours are a higher form of synchronicity. I don't experience those nearly as often, but they are tremendously profound. It sounds like you are describing something like the following: Something out of the blue grabs your attention. A concept, a book, maybe a movie you've heard of. The next day, a friend brings it up to. The next week, an opportunity comes to visit a country, take a seminar, meet a teacher on those very same lines. An example that happened to me two days ago (is this similar to what you're referring to?): 6 months ago, I got the book Pranic Healing from my aunt. She thought it would be useful. It wasn't the right time to read it, so I put it away until about 3 months ago. I started practicing daily, and then they mentioned Microcosmic orbit. I never did the MCO, but learned about Qigong, and a month ago began practicing. The last week I began doubting myself, and with all those types of Qigong, which one I should do, or if I should bother with Qigong. I heard about Spring Forest Qigong, but let it pass. I got picked up at the airport from my dad on Thursday, my dad mind you is the typical manly man. He thinks crying is for italians and women , and believes in no such spiritual phenomena but supports me in my search. He mentions that he talked to a dude a day ago who does Qigong and alternative medicine, and my father mentioned me to the man. He says that i should visit and learn some Qigong. I never pursued that further. Two days later, my mom drove me back to the airport to fly back to school.. She puts in a totally random CD - she says she got it in the mail, and my mom loves listening to things on tape. Guess what it is? A Spring Forest Qigong testimonials tape. I told her that just the day before I got the spring forest program. All of these are a really long, drawn-out way of saying "this is something worth investigating". Oftentimes, this is how I've experienced the most wonderful travels, experiences, and met the most fascinating people. Is that any closer to what you are referring to?

I believe you, or perhaps I WANT TO believe you. I simply cannot because I haven't experienced it. But I suppose I will soon enough -- I'm moving to Beijing in one year to investigate (for as many years as it takes me). I've also heard that story (like Okinawan karate) in a very similar way from Bruce Frantzis. Additionally: I'm not a Qi nay sayer! I practice two hours of Qigong daily, because I want to see if It produces any "real" effects beyond just sensations. Is that not scientific, while also devoted? If it doesn't do anything, why continue -- right? If those "powers" did nothing for your teacher, he never would use them or have learned them -- right?