lotusbud

It would really be something to study this sort of thing with a guide who really knew what is what in the shamanic world. I looked at a book by Michael Harner and wasn't reassured by his way of telling you a method without much discussion about motivation and then tagging on as a side thought "Avoid any ominously voracious nonmammals you may encounter in your journey." Thats right folks, no sudden movements, just go back the way you came.

Great stuff here! My choices would be: 1. Consider and treat everyone and everything as if they were your close relative or a close friend. 2. Have and work towards a clear, grand goal or project that will benefit everyone. 3. Practice persistantly. Gradually figure out how to practice 24 hours a day. Ahhhhhh, one more, 4. Food: increase the quality and decrease the quantity. Eat less than it takes to make you feel full.

I recall that Tom Chetwynd had some interesting info in his book "Zen and the Kingdom of Heaven". He first retells how buddha became the Catholic St. Josaphat, and then goes on to speculate on how much influence eastern meditation traditions may have had on various sects during Jesus' time. He makes much of the discovery of a fragment of the "secret gospel" of Mark. Which Mark assembled for "the use of those who were being perfected" and "being read only to those who are being initiated into the great mysteries." http://www1.uni-bremen.de/~wie/Secret/secmark_home.html He then follows up with a history of Christian meditative traditions that the desert fathers maintained were handed down from the earliest days. Compelling stuff with a lot to say to Christians who think of prayer without the aspect to training the mind and the heart.

What Sean says seems pretty much in line with what my teachers have said. Finding a master who knows what he or she is doing is essential. On your own you can improve your health and quality of life to a certain degree, which is certainly beneficial, but finding a master can save you decades of hard work. One thing I was taught was the principle of "the masters look for students". It doesn't really work the other way around. The masters are looking for people who can accept the teaching. You can learn some movements and some breathing but the teaching is based on "the great dao has no form". There is more to it than just exercizes. This doesn't mean that we should just give up searching for them, as they do seem to be open to sincere people. But they know how not to be found. They can test you at any time. Not many people are willing to do the work of controlling and changing their thinking and attitudes, their actions and lives, from self-centeredness to love. If the student is not going to work on this then the master is just wasting their time. Why liberate yourself from this plane of existance? Why become an imortal? To what purpose? If we don't know we may as well be lighting fireballs and levitating.

Yay! We're starting to talk recipes and specific foods. I'm so happy! Cumon people! Spill what youve been eating! Yesterday I came home from the local organic produce shop and ate a lunch of sprouted grain bread covered in olive mash, avocado slices, and unpasturized honey. Then I chomped down on an unpeeled carrot, followed by a large salad of green lettuce with a dressing of hemp oil and apple cider vinegar and ........... fresh grated parmesan cheese. But then I was quite sated and I couldn't get to the banana I had been eyeing. Anyway, It was a lovely meal and I did notice how comfortable my stomach felt most of the afternoon.

Hmmmm, Year: wood rabbit Month: wood monkey Day: wood horse Hour: wood pig Inner element: Water Constellation: Pheasant Elements: Wood/5 Fire/2 Earth/0 Metal/2 Water/3 Some of things on this chart are spot on.

Congratulations on this! I've been finding routine really useful to get me started lately. Like you say, just put your feet in the right place, why? well because I do this every morning. There is almost always a part of me that is screaming "no" and trying to distract me. Just doing it is so easy but...... It's like a parent trying to get their child to brush their teeth every night, sometimes they kick and scream, but if you miss one day you are toast because suddenly every day becomes negotiable. Having the spiritual fortitude to depend on daily practice as a foundation for one's life and daily activities implies a remarkable power in and of itself. I hope to join you in the six month club sooner rather than later. I'm still gathering info about the state of my body and mind when I do miss a day. It really does seem to be that sometimes it gets harder when things are "working."

I don't think I can manage this right now. But I'm definately interested in people's recipes and experiences with this. I'm deciding right now to make 3 completely raw meals of my own this week (not including the fruit I ate for breakfast) as this is what I can be sure to succeed at. If I could cook rice this would be a lot easier...

Hi there! I'm yet another person who has read this forum on and off for several months and decided to participate. I started practicing qigong a few years back with a local Yan Xin group. I've been looking to find ways of expanding my interest and knowlege and motivate my practice. Glad to meet you all! Oh I almost forgot. I've almost learned the whole Yang style 108 move long form. (Yay! Except there is so much work to be done on it.)

Yes, though I must admit my understanding of it is still very elementary due to my limited knowlege of tcm and other traditions. I glean what I can from various sources and books. I still practice as often as I can manage. The practice itself I find very comfortable (and very uncomfortable sometimes) and very beneficial so I haven't felt the urge to find other teachers yet. I'm still changing and learning, working at it and benefiting from each change, so I'm basically happy. My Taiji study is really different, as our focus is really on the martial side of things. I know the whole 108 Yang long form now. Yay! And my teacher and fellow students are a really stelar bunch that keep me enthusiastic encourage everyone to work hard and consistently. Looks like most folks here started off with Healing Tao stuff if I'm not mistaken. I've really enjoyed some of those books.

I've heard that drinking raw milk can help as well as living with farm animals like pigs and cows. I've always wanted to care for a pig (at least a small pot bellied one). They are supposed to be very smart, clean and affectionate animals. They'll dig up your back yard of course but that's a small price to pay for companionship and allergy free life don't you think? Bylaws in residential areas against keeping farm animals are of course a problem. And I'm not even sure that a pig could be comfortable if you live in an appartment. Hmmm.

Yan Xin is a well known qigong master trained in TCM and western medicine. He has been influencial in bringing a lot of scientific research into advanced qigong up to acceptable scientific standards, publishing research in peer reviewed journals, double blind trials etc. His "9 Step Child Longevity Qigong" is characterized by an emphasis on cultivating virtue in life and character as a technique to support our health and tranquility, accept the teachings of masters and advance to higher levels.

Ha ha! I totally know what you mean. I can hardly stand some days. Luckily my teacher doesn't let me get away with too much before the onslaught of corrections starts. Some days I feel like I can do a passable brush knee until I start to feel what is happening in my back, all the tension. Oh well, baby steps...