Birch Tree

Tree04: Hey sis! Thanks for your thoughts--they are always welcome. The "border war" that I am referring to in my original post is a tendency on these forums for discussions of Taoism vs. Buddhism to degenerate. I don't want this post to turn into a "border war" of this sort. Your idea about the balance of external and internal makes sense to me. I find this idea appealing. In my readings of Taoist works, I have not seen the role of intention displayed as prominently as it is in Buddhist texts. Perhaps it is time for me to try to restore balance to my life by focusing outwardly after focusing inwardly for so long. I am beginning to feel that I know myself better. I don't know myself as well as I need to--and like you said, I am still a work in progress too. However, looking inwardly has been enormously beneficial to me. However, what you said also reflects my feelings about the Tao--if there is nowhere where it is not, then it can be sought through helping others as well. I like this balanced approach to seeking the Tao. goldisheavy: Thanks for your thoughts. There is no doubt that the Lama I heard was authentic. My paraphrasing of her answer certainly does not do her answer to my question justice. She gave a very long and detailed answer to me couched in Buddhist terms (honestly, I don't recall all the details of her answer because she spoke on my question for over 10 minutes), and my paraphrasing of it reflects my understanding of her answer from my point of view. Also, I am a relatively new student of Taoism--it is not my childhood tradition, but is something that I discovered later on in my life. I readily admit that I do not know all of the ins-and-outs of Taoism. But I am an honest student of life--hopefully that counts for something. I do recall that Chuang Tzu saying things like being "near to the Tao." Perhaps I missed the nuance between "realizing the Tao" and being "near to the Tao." If it was a mistake, it was an honest one I assure you. Still, I do not claim to "grasp the Tao." I deliberately avoided using words like this because I know that the Tao is not something that one can consciously grasp. One may become aware of the Tao when one deliberately tries not to grasp it--this is what I meant when I used the wording "realizing the Tao." I did not mean the phrase "realizing the Tao" to be equated with a total understanding of the Tao or some ability to use the Tao on command. I chose this phrase in my question to the Lama because I wanted to know her thoughts on the difference between the Taoist search for the Tao and Buddhist enlightenment. I didn't know how else to ask the question at the time, and I only had a few moments to think about how to craft the question before I asked it. Also, the translation of the Tao Te Ching that I use (English & Feng) makes reference to the eternal Tao, and speaks of how the Tao ultimately was the source that gave rise to the 10,000 things (which I take to be the world around us). This is where I got the idea for the permanence of the Tao. Lastly, I appreciate the point you made about the distinction between self and others being artificial. I have heard this before, but honestly I had not given it much thought. Yet this seems like a critical idea. I will have to reflect on this idea some more. Lastly--Thanks for Tree04 and goldisheavy for your thoughts. These are the kind of posts that are thought-provoking and helpful. I hope the posts to come will also be as thoughtful as yours. Sincerely, Birch Tree

I really like this forum as well. It is an oasis. Thanks to all of you for making it a special place. Birch Tree

I like the Jane English/ Gia Gu Feng translation as well.

Welcome Stevekare.

Hey Tree04, I am sorry about Andy's grandpa--please pass along my condolences to him--losing a grandparent is really difficult. As for your experience--that's really cool--I'm sure it was real. I would often get the same feeling when I thought about Grandpa L. after he died. It felt like a cold hug. I don't know if it was your spirit guide or Andy's grandpa, but I'm sure it was real. I think you and I have always been more receptive to spirit energy. I'd love to talk more about your experience over the phone sometime soon. Also I'd be happy to talk about the dantiens sometime. Taoism stresses dantiens instead of chakras, though the three main dantiens are located at chakra points. Also, I picked up a copy of Siddhartha at B&N last night. I can't put it down--it is fabulous. I'm not done with it yet, but I'm about 70 pages into it. What a great read! Thanks for the suggestion! I'll try to get a hold of you this weekend to chat. Hope that you and Andy have a nice weekend! Your brother, Birch Tree

Tree04, Welcome, sister! I'm glad that you registered here! I think you will find this a friendly and informative forum. Certainly something that we can discuss next time we get together over coffee! Cheers! Birch Tree

drewhempel, Thanks for the response. When you practiced TAOIST YOGA, did you do so on your own, or did you work with a master? Also, would it be okay if I PM'd you a couple of other questions that I have? Thanks, Birch Tree

Hi drewhempel, I am wondering if (and for how long) you have been practicing the internal alchemy in the TAOIST YOGA book. I have started following the instructions given in the first chapter (I haven't been trying it for very long--couple of weeks), but so far I have had some interesting meditation experiences. I'd like to chat more about your experiences with TAOIST YOGA if you are open to doing that. All the best, Birch Tree

Hello friends, Most of the time when my third eye opens (or at least when I think it opens), I simply feel overcome by serenity. Usually I have strong vibrations all over. On a few occasions, I have seen white flashes of light with my eyes closed. On two occasions, I have seen a void (for lack of a better term) in my mind's eye. Peace, Birch Tree

Hello friends, I have a question about internal alchemy, and I am wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this. Last night I was doing sitting meditation (with my eyes closed in a dark room), but I was trying a different set of hand and leg placements (outlined in Chapter 1 of Taoist Immortality: Alchemy and Immortality). I was trying to focus on my precious cauldron (between the eyes and in the center of the brain), something that I have never tried before. After 15 minutes I began to feel tingly and "charged". I ignored this, and keep focus on trying to locate my precious cauldron. After about a half-hour, I "saw" a flash of white light. It lasted about 2 seconds and was not an immediate flash but rather it was a gradual flash that increased then decreased in intensity. At its brightest, it would have been similar to someone shining a flashlight in my face with my eyes closed. It startled me at first because I wasn't expecting it, but I kept my eyes closed and tried to keep my thoughts empty. I was then feeling so "charged" that I decided to do the microcosmic orbit to balance my energy. That was the most pronounced microcosmic orbit I have ever done. Once the energy mass (that is what it felt like) went around and entered my lower dantien, I had another flash in my eyes similar to the first one and my ears popped. I was so "charged" that I was worried that I might hurt myself, so I opened my eyes and it felt like I was in a daze. I could hear the ceiling fan above me and it sounded like it had slowed down to about half its normal speed. I don't know if that was just my perception or if the fan actually slowed down since I didn't look at it. At this point though, I could not really feel my body all that much, I could only feel the energy and the "charge". I closed my eyes again and tried to ground any excess energy. After about a half hour of this, I was able to get up. My lower dantien felt like it was on fire the rest of the night (normal this morning though). I have never had an experience quite like this before--It was exciting and a little scary. I should note that I am trying to follow the alchemic practices in the book I mentioned earlier, but this was the first time I have meditated since buying the book. I plan to meditate again tonight. I've heard that if stuff like this happens to you, you are supposed to keep it to yourself, but the experience was so intense, I don't want to do anything harmful when/if something like this happens again. I welcome any thoughts or insights you might have, or similar experiences if you'd like to share. Peace, Birch Tree

Thanks sabin1star for your list of resources. I will do some checking into them. I would love to find a teacher, and I do have a qigong teacher whom I respect a great deal, but I am limited by my rural geography. Does anyone know of a list of reputable Taoist teachers in the United States? I'm not adverse to traveling (within reason) to visit a teacher. Also, has anyone else tried to follow the internal alchemy techniques in the Taoist Yoga book? Lastly, is there any chance that what I experienced was a Kundalini rising? As for my third eye, I had thought that I could open my third eye because I often feel a tingling the middle of my forehead during meditation, but perhaps that sensation is a false sensation, and what I experience was more of a true third eye opening? As always, I appreciate all of your thoughtful suggestions. All the best, Birch Tree Hi sykkelpump, I do like spring forest qigong a lot. I have tried northern star qigong but I didn't find it as beneficial. I will continue to read up and learn as much as I can. Thanks for your thoughts! All the best, Birch Tree

Hi markern, I personally found some comfort in meditating on the Cycle of the Search for the Bull (or Ox). Here's a link: http://www.beezone.com/Trungpa/search_for_the_bull.html You may want to consider #10 in particular, as this would seem to apply to the question you raised. There are other commentaries available on the web about this (a web search is bound to get you some additional information). I hope you find this useful. All the best, Birch Tree

Hi sabin1star, Thanks for the reply. I have done the microcosmic orbit many times before, but it has never been like this. I can't say that I've ever consciously done the macrocosmic orbit, but the book that I am following does talk about it, but I haven't tried it yet. Do you know any good sources for learning the 6 or 8 healing sounds? I usually do sitting-forgetting meditation, the microcosmic orbit, or Spring Forest Qigong, so inner alchemy is somewhat new to me. I be interested to learn the basics of it (which I thought this book was going to teach but perhaps I am mistaken)--do you know of any good sources or texts which might help me build a better foundation for inner alchemy? Thanks for your thoughts, sabin1star. I would certainly appreciate any additional advice or help you might be willing to offer. All the best, Birch Tree

Hello de_paradise, I follow the practice of asking one of the immortals (usually Lao Tzu) for guidance before doing meditation. Nothing fancy, just a quiet and polite request. I begin meditating when I feel they are with me. I sometimes ask Lao Tzu or Spring Forest Qigong Master Chunyi Lin for energy help when doing qigong (especially if I feel low on energy), but not always. Best wishes with your practice. Birch Tree

I will never forget the first time I sensed the microcosmic orbit. Very inspirational. Peace, Birch Tree

I've taken Spring Forest Qigong classes as well. I have found them to be very helpful. I use a combination of SFQ and daily sitting meditation, which works very well together. I met a level 4 SFQ student who has been practicing for a long time. I could literally feel her energy when she entered the room. I am a believer in SFQ and regularly practice it. It works. Birch Tree

Thanks for sharing your technique VCraigP!

I love trees. Especially birch trees--they are my favorite (obviously). We planted a beautiful little birch tree in our back yard a few years ago. It is nothing short of lovely--and it has been a joy to watch it grow and mature. We also have a 90-year old maple tree that just died this past fall. We are going to invite some friends over and have a party to celebrate the life and death of our majestic maple tree friend. There is definately something spiritual about trees.

I definately find the discussions here to be the most enlightening part of this forum, which is to the credit of each and everyone here!

I also get a buzzing sensation sometimes when I do dantien breathing meditation. The buzzing is usually below my dantien, near the perineum. I also notice that my hands sometimes shake a little when this happens. Anyone else experienced anything similar? Edit: Caffeine and sugar are my vices as well. All the best, Birch Tree

I hope you don't lose heart erdweir. Just keep taking the experiences as they come. The quest for the higher self is both noble and worthwhile--and could take you to spiritual places the likes of which few have ever seen. Perhaps it would be best to view your experience as a gift? I am sure there are lots of people (myself included) who would love to experience something like what you experienced but have not had the opportunity to do so. Also, I don't know what "lesson" your experience has to offer, but I am guessing that you probably have some idea--trust your feelings on this. If nothing else, it is a reminder that we are much more than just our physical bodies. Keep trusting your mind's eye, and take heart in the knowledge that several others right here on this forum have experienced something similar. I hope these thoughts are helpful to you. All the best, Birch Tree

Hi Scotty, I appreciate your point of view, but I must disagree with it. I believe that I personally would have been spiritually held back if I had stuck with the religion I grew up with, and I suspect that many other people feel the same. For myself, I have "tried on" numerous religions from highly organized to shamanistic to atheism and agnosticism during my spiritual journey. Having discovered Taoism, I finally feel like I am home. Still, I never would have found Taoism had my journey not taken me through so many other widely varying sets of religious beliefs. Also, there has been some discussion on this thread about whether or not we should respect the religions that we grew up with. Absolutely I think that we should. We should recognize, however, that the challenges and shortcomings of our past religion(s) were important stepping stones in our spiritual development and growth--these challenges provided us with opportunities to grow and develop. So, I think we should respect our past religions, because they were important waypoints on our spiritual path. I think we can respect our past religions while still recognizing that we saw problems with them or that they were not a good fit for us. This of course is my own humble view. All the best, Birch Tree

Hi Erdweir, Thanks for sharing your experience. My sister experienced something like this before. She said that she was scared at the time, but upon later reflection said that she wished that she hadn't been scared. She's been hoping for another experience like that but to date it has never happened again to her. At the risk of stating the obvious, it is possible that the exploding spiders/insects were imperfections or impurities of some type, leaving your body? I would guess that if one is going to meet one's higher self, one would need to a higher level of refinement and purity--and the exploding insects could be a representation of your achieving that. Here's another thought: do you think there was any chance that the bars of searing light you referenced could actually be your higher self? Or perhaps a mental representation of your higher self? I humbly throw these ideas out there as something to consider, and I hope they are helpful in some way. Best wishes on your personal journey! Sincerely, Birch Tree

Hello friends, I am a Taoist and have just recently come across this forum. I am interested in learning new methods of meditation and cultivation. I thank you for welcoming me to your community. Birch Tree

Very interesting Yoda! Thanks for sharing. All the best, Birch Tree