SmallFrameGrandUltimateFist

You know some people here say good things, but some I cannot agree with, why because if I heard them tell you do that and I know it's only going to cause you harm, would I not be scorned by the heavens for standing by when I might tell you otherwise, you don't have to listen but so long as I say it that is enough. The Tao is about clearing away emotion, not saturating yourself in them. That is nonsense,(no offense here just what I believe) think about it, if you are going to be super emotional your not being any different than anyone else, who laughs cries and lets their feelings run their lives. I'm not saying that clearing it away makes you some kind of unfeeling robot, but clearly doing so puts you in control, and that is the difference. We all feel all sorts of things, the true way is for some stimulus to hit you, like you said in another post those girls who were being mean, that is the stimulus, but you have trained your stability so you are unmoved, their taunts and words flow right over like a passing breeze, if you let yourself become all emotional, then their taunts and insults have cut you at the core. If you feel any response at all you have already lost your footing. This is no different than a bad driver on the road cutting you off and then giving you the finger, if you get all mad at them does that sound like someone of the great way, me thinks not. I'm not saying you hold it back either that is not correct also, you shouldn't have to hold it back cause there shouldn't be anything to hold back in the first place, get it ? You should think about this, you decide if I am wrong or right. As I said I am not here to convince you of anything, but if I stand idly by when someone needs help I fail not only myself but my teachers and those above. You must choose what to believe in for yourself, you alone decide your fate and your decisions are yours to make and responsible for, but just remember if you ask, there are alot of people out there to help you.

Ah I see, what then exactly is dependent orgination ? As I am unversed in that topic would greatly appreciate a clarification.

As I said in my intro I hope to learn anything I can and help anyone I can, so if I may humbly ask of you to share, it would be my pleasure and honor to learn.

I must tell you that yes it is ok to feel bad, but it would be better for your practice to create a stability in you that doesn't allow you to be jarred shaken or stirred. I read this once, " Even when grand mountains crumble at your feet, and flashing blades clash in front of your eyes you alone remain unmoved, like the center of the compass the world revolves around you, yet you alone remain still." I do not like it when people push others around, I especially do not like it when those who are pushed are good people, great people, like yourself. Rather than feeling that emotion and tasting it so fully, and wanting them to feel that bad as you did, why not feel that they are simply beneath you, and not even worth your time. Not even worth you feeling anything over. Why even acknowledge their existence ? You are better than that, the Way will take care of their payment, the pain and evils one causes become like a noose around their neck, there is no need for you to take part in that, or you yourself will fall into the cycle of retribution. Next time, something like that happens perhaps, you can smile and laugh at them as if they are but fools who know nothing, would you be wrong in thinking so ? Smile not only on the outside, but on the contrary you must learn to smile on the inside, generating positive energy you will glow, there are many who care what will become of you on this path, even if they have never met you before. You should remember that.

Hello Everyone, It is a pleasure for me to join this disscusion board, the merging of technology and spirit is im many ways a very impressive thing, that we can help each other and learn from eachother, individuals from so far off. We all seek the truth, in this chaotic world. I am glad that there are so many as hungry for this deep knowledge as I. Humbly I hope you accept me as your fellow member that we may learn and guide eachother towards our ultimate goals. Patrick

Ego? I thought you to be quite welcoming, it is natural to make assumptions about things, when you would usually be correct, I am not one to say I never do this, it often prevents us from making the same mistakes or wasting time looking in the same place for something new. So long as you have good will in your heart I don't an apology is ever neccesary, but it does show your quality. Yes I would go through and re edit everything but as long as my general point gets across I am fine with a small typo here and there, afterall it's not like I'm turning in an essay or something. Stigweard and Yoda Thank You for your Greetings and Welcoming me, and thank you Stigweard for posting some of the ongoing polls I'll be sure to check them out. I was up in Los Angeles all day today so I am beat, about to hit the hay but couldn't help but check to see what was new. Thanks Again Everyone

Believe it or not, the art I practiced is quite at odds with well pretty much everyone else in the taijiquan world, so in someways your right yes I love the art, but when your martial principles go against all theirs it's hard to be buddies usually, I am usually pretty nice, you'd be surprise how vehement these so called pacifist Tai Ji guys get when you say something they think is wrong. Yes I have studied with Taoist Priest infact that is where my final way of meditating was taught to me, when I say final I mean the way I feel is correct and the way I choose to follow. These priests also were involved in many esoteric things, I was taught their arts but I seldom use them anymore, some kind be a little unusual dispelling ghosts and demons for example. Infact that is how I found them, I was so messed up from improper practice and the buddhists over there couldn't do anything, till I met these guys, but they helped me to fix myself up. I did have a student once, but he was my mentor in another subject and I taught him some Tai Ji because he wished to learn, but he was a bit old even for tai ji 75 at the time. Plus as I said my Tai Ji is not the same as most others, it goes back to the old battlefield arts, so it's quite strenuous, if you understand the chinese meaning behind the phrase "Gong Fu" then you'll get my what I'm saying. Thank You for the welcome White Tiger, I hope I don't offend anyone in here as discussing techniques I find people can often butt heads, if you like my view of things odds are I will like yours as well, so likewise I look Forward to reading your posts as well. sorry for the crummy spelling I'm tired from training today and my touch typing is not quite what it used to be

you know there was a thread in here I just posted on this morning that was all about what your asking for. people had tons of quotes.

I wanted to say something more about question 3, what is unique about Taoism is that you could really be any religion and still practice the principles of the Tao, that is what was always so special to me about it, people that are free agents in the world of spirituality are in some ways lucky and in others unlucky, because when it comes down to it the Great Way is about being clear minded so as not to waste mental or spiritual energy, without any sort of extra methodolgy from that the flower will bloom over time, those who have no religion can in someways take the best from the all, but in other ways they feel as if they have no home and often feel lost. Because those that already have a religion just follow what they are told and don't have to worry about it. This is what appeals to me about Christianity, not the haters Christians ok, but the good ones, yes there are good ones and before you start hating too remember that if you do just cause I say Christian your no different than that your being agressive towards. One of my mentors for example, he is Christian and was born into it, he follows it but is not overly religious, he once explained to me how he did things, he said when he goes to church he lights a candle and prays for his children's safety and that of his friends and loved ones, then he goes out into the hall and has a cup of coffee. Simple right ? There are times when I do wish my spirituality were that simple.

1) Is there any deities or a Deity in the Taoist way of life and ritual? Yes countless ones 2) Can enlightenment be achieved through a Taoist type practice? Certainly thats the goal of the art, 3) can people convert over to a Taoist way of life or does one have to be born into it? It is a way of living, for everyone of the world, being Chinese may help you understand some of the culture behind it as well as some of the writings better as a translation from a chinese character to english sometimes gets a confused meaning, for example the character used for emptiness, really refers to clarity people make so much of it, but that is from a westerners translation, empitness refers to clarity or being clear minded. Which is kind of the same thing when you get that but can be confusing for some, as empitness is not the same as oblivion or dead void. 4) is there life after death? According to taoist most people end up as hungry ghosts kind of like wisps of energy that will eventually fade away, there are several level of attainment, those with a bit more energy may end up as a spirit which is positive energy but also temporary, then come the immortal categories, there are earthly immortals those who will be like spirits on earth but permanent, Spiritual immortals like ungraded versions of the earthly that may pass on to the heavenly realms, and lastly there are celestial immortals which are pretty much unfathomable because they are so perfected that even their physical bodies are transmuted to energy. 5) Do Taoist believe in reincarnation? Yes but not the same way as hidues the laws of karma are there but practicing the way already indicates many cycles of good karma to even know of it and practice it, so their is no sense in worrying about what you once were, they feel it's more important to worry about what you might or might not become. 6) Are there other realms than the realm we are currently in? According to them yes many different level even in the celestial realm. 7) Does Taoism also focus on Ancestor guides? Absolutely worshipping your ancestors particularly your mother and father is considered very important in Chinese culture. 8) Does Taoism have any mystical practices like lucid dreaming? Yes, I have been there ALOT, but to be honest this is wrong, because it's kind of like running your mind all night long, and if you've ever done it you know that afterwards you wake up kind of tired and dull feeling, mastery will actually clear you of dreams, so you sleep sound as baby. 9) What are we? Are we a soul? A spirit? What is the Taoist definition of what we are? See question 4. 10) Do Taoist pray? If so to whom? See question 1 and 7 11) What types of meditation are taught in the taoist tradition? Countless my method as taught is the method of no focus point, most mediations utilize a focus of somekind, turning the water wheel, focusing on the dan tien, etc, we are taught to just sit upright be calm and clear yet aware and alert, you will see this is far more subtle and difficult than it sounds because it is far easier to close things out when you bite down on something with your mind, but without any brace all you can do is find the subtle mysterious pass which can't be spoken of only experienced, ultimately from my research I have found this to be the highest method(I will say for me because I do not wish to offend anyone's art saying I am better than they so please no offense apologies in advanced, again better for me thats it not for everyone) I wish to make no offense here 12) Can someone link me to some reading material on Taoism for beginners? Anything by translated by Thomas Cleary best book from my perspective Vitality Energy and Spirit a Taoist source book by thomas cleary, that alone should last you a lifetime. 13) Were we created? If so by what or whom? This one is tough, tradition speaks of Pan Gu emerging from the cosmic egg, in paintings of christ and such we also see this cosmic egg, I don't know what it's significance is but in any case we will all find out someday right ? 14) Does Taoism have an explanation for those who have seen the deceased in dreams who give vivid messages that prove true in waking life? See question 4 15) do we have spirit guides? See question 4 and 7 16) Are there any angels? One might equate them to immortals, as any good spirits might be considered such being. There are also something I don't even know if I should really speak of but whatever your question though unrelated made me think of it so I will, they are called old Gods, Gods from before the void, before Wu Ji pre chaos Gods, I know little of them but I have heard about them from my Taoist Teacher in Taiwan, he doesn't seem to want to talk about them when I asked him, but he did say a little, just that even from the standpoint of immortals they are very very old, and from the way he said it, he seemed disturbed to even mention it, so my guess is that is not a power we want to mess with, I once meditated upon it to try and find an answer what I got was something that even for me was very very uncomfortable, like something really really deadly, as if death and destruction were something you could smell and taste and feel, rage anger, locked away, not very pleasant. 17) are there heavenly realms? see question 6

What is that like a riddle or something, I've never heard of anything like that the closest thing I've heard is what my Tai Ji teacher told me when he taught me the last of what he knew he said this was called the passing on of the Dragon's Pearl and that I may give it to whomever I please but that it is something he worked very hard to decipher so not to pass it on lightly. But I would say Gold, if their is a colour of significance in China it is Gold, the Divine colour.

This is interesting I don't know what it has to do with energy exactly but I know it has alot to do with the diaphragm, and I play blues guitar and sing a little, and I met a voice coach one time that said yawning intentionally is a great way to open up and relax your belly. Singers must breathe very deeply and fully, so it likely fits right in with meditation. However, I must say that I was told that you should not yawn or be very sleep after meditating as I was taught this indicates you were not being aware enough and drifting during your practice.

Epmtiness refers to clarity, for the mind to be clear it must absent of thought and clouding emothions which is why the chinese character for emptiness was used, but in english the word clarity would be more accurate for the meaning they wish to convey. sorry for the spelling I was typing fast

I believe the closest thing to what your asking that I;ve heard of is called the khecavari or khecari mudra from Yoga, it involves elongating the tongue so that it may reach behind to tonsils and into the brain cavity, but if you study a simple anaotmy chart you will see that the pineal gland is part of the brain, so you tell me can you flex your brain, ummm probably not, and you know what alot of people who practice the Tao are kinda weird so for those don't take offense but if you have ever heard the saying those seeking the way are like the hairs on a bull and the horns are those who achieve it, this not only refers to the fact that true attainment is very rare but also that the people who practice the right way are also quite few, so you really should use your logic, because I can say all kind of weird thing and tell you to do strange stuff like hang weights off your nuts and flex your brain but, I am not one to say irresponsible things like that, I would say those types of practices would probably injure you and cause madness. True Tao is simple just be clear and pure and aware, don't think too much, and it will come.

"Your health is not that precious. One good way to lose one's health is to become obsessed about it. Your life is not that precious. If you have to stay alive at any cost, that's the ticket to hell." I think I understand what you mean, but the way you say it is not accurate to me, health is not important? How can we practice the way if we are unhealthy, your life is not that precious? how can we practice the way if we are dead. Understand that throwing away yourself as if you had no value is easy, anyone can do this, if your saying the will to live and survive is not important then I cannot agree. The very nature of life is to survive and propagate, Tao is the way of nature, to be reckless with your life and health is not the way of the Tao. I used to think this way. But now I realize that is the easy way, a cowards way. One of the tao must handle their affairs take care of responsibilities and develop themselves early on so that they may retire from society and be free of things in a responsible manner. No matter who you think you are you must have parents do you not owe them your very life ? Would a true immortal tell you to ignore taking care of them in their old age and sickness, would they say oh it's ok abandon them cause your special. I think not. What of a family too many people these days think that they should not have a family because of their special knowledge of the Tao, nonsense. I say the opposite you should foster a great clan of Great and Good people bring them into the world and bathe them in the light of the Tao early on so that they may go forth and benefit the world. To act as if your life is meaningless is selfish, because no matter what there is certainly someone somewhere that needs you.

From what you say, it sounds as if you are not practicing correctly, this is not easy to take in sometimes, but there is no other way for me to put it. Focusing on this and that, feeling here and there, spot on the spine, etc. Your mind is from one rest spot to another, this will not yield clarity. Ask yourself this, if your doing everything right then why are you feeling bad ? If you want to feel the underlying vibration to anything at least let it be a positive thought, why cause you'll be happy. Believe me that negative state is not a road you want to go down, I've been there, it acts like an evil magnet that only brings more trouble. Luckily for you the opposite is also true. So you feel you like women so what, no judgment here. If that is what makes you happy then that is what makes you happy, however, from what you said regarding masturbating to women, I have often heard from many girls who I know are not bi sexual or lesbians, that they enjoy watching the girl in a pornographic movie more than the guy. So that is not neccesarily an indication of that. Ask your self this do you ever find a guy to be attractive, do you ever have a sexual urge for any guy ? Is it somewhat repulsive ? If so then maybe your right but if you can think of a guy you may feel that for maybe your just making things out to be something they're not. If you are going to practice meditation you cannot do all sorts of random things, like focus on this and that and sit dwelling in negativity, you will bring forth some very very undesirable mental states, hallucinations, spirits, demons, call them what you will, but they will come and mess with you. Depending on your level of awareness you may not even realize it. In the beggining when I just dove into my training with no guidance, I had all types of weird experiences, I would literally see stuff, in full waking moments, scared the crapped out of me, then it happened so much I was used to it, then it became annoying. I've learned since then that my practice was improper, and have gone through much to correct myself. Believe me do not take this sort of thing lightly, this is no ordinary art your practicing, it calls forth tremendous energy, particularly if your a female, as you have more of a knack for it than males do, your feminine nature allows for this, the fact that you do not need to worry about emmiting sexual essence is another advantage that us guys have to really really struggle with. One ejaculation from a male and we've blown a whole 100 days worth of foundation set up, as a girl you can enjoy sex as freely as you please, you however, will lose your essence during your menstral cycles and bleeding, as well as if you were to have a child. So during your period it is important for you to stay well nourished, and well rested, eat a bit more meat perhaps, as this is your time of energy loss. Most people will not know of the differences between the Tao for a man vs a woman, I've lived with my grilfriend for over 3 years and we practice together, through my research I have discovered these things mainly to help her, there is far less literature about woman of the great way than men, that is the folly of society. I can tell you that conquering fear is something that came early for me, as I studied the ways of War, which lead me to study the Great Way or Tao. In regards to conquering fear of anything, there is truly only one way, to feel, stand against it, and not let it overtake you. After you do this you will realize the truth behind the old saying the only thing to fear is fear itself. My Tai Ji master once reflected this upon me in another way, when one attacks you with a blade or sword etc, this causes fear getting cut, feeling pain bleed to death it is very scary. but whether or not your scared the situation is there, being scared doesn't help you deal with the situation, so why be scared ? In other words it is useless to you, instinctively it was designed as a response for us stay away from things we couldn't defeat, but we have come so far that truly there is very little that we cannot defeat. Overall my advice to you is to simplify everything, just reading what your practicing gives me a headache you know it's just too much all over the place. Just keep it simple go back to something basic like listening to your breath or paying attention to your posture, this should help out, and if your going to focus on any though, let it be a positive one, if you think about negative things all the time no wonder you feel, "Sadness, and Fear of Death Coming Up During Meditation" Good Luck

I know your all expecting something from Lao Tzu or Confucius or Bodhidharma, Ghandi etc. and You might all think I'm stupid for choosing this quote but to be honest, for me and maybe for many of you it has great significance. That is, my quote, and yes you can laugh at me, is from Batman Begins. "Why do we fall ? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up again." Many of us in this practice rise very high, so much so that we begin to forget that we are human beings, whether it is a sexual emission, a flit of rage, a jealous thought, a lustful gaze, we've all been there, if anyone says they haven't they're either Buddha reincarnate or a liar. What I found very important about this quote is that yes we do fall sometimes, sometimes it feels as if we are so high we have mountains beneath our feet, and when we fall we can only look at the great heights at which we once stood, even if an inch at a time, I will never ever forget to rise again, no matter how many times it takes, till I get it right, this is what that saying means to me.

If you know musashi's three years locked in the attic, that was me in highschool, up to my ears in stacks of books, so yeah a bit, but don't think me arrogant, I just love to read, I hope to learn alot from you all. You can call me Patrick. And Thank you for the welcome.

I must say that the issue of celibacy and our ultimate goal is quite a tricky subject, I feel there really are only a few ways of going about it at least correctly. One is the Buddhist approach, (yes I know it may be the approach of others but it's just to make it easier to understand) that is vegetarian no food from the alium family garlic, leeks, onions, etc( as these produce sexual desire and anger). Heavy doses of meditation sensory fasting, vows of silence, etc. From my perspective this approach is not the way for us of the Tao. There are aspects of it that maybe useful, like the diet part, and the meditation part. However, we are not monks that live in temples correct? We are living in the world thats why they formed the methods of teh Tao. Taoists have always been somewhat at odds with buddhists. We live in the world, eat whatever suits us, have sex, enjoy life to the fullest, yet still reach attainment. This sounds like the obvious better way but one must understand one this right here and now, it is far easier to be holy while hiding behind well guarded temple walls with countless holy men about you than it is to be the lone ray of light in the sea of darkness, that by it's very nature seeks to snuff you out like a candle. That is us in the world. Celibacy to me means, not masturbating and wasting energy, or ejaculating period. However, we are living in the world we have jobs, drink soda, watch movies, see a girl walk by with huge boobs about to pop out of her shirt. That is why we must be ten times more stable than a monk who never exposes themselves to the world. I suggest you all think about what it means to be alive and to experience life. Practicing The Great Way does not mean running away from these things. Has anyone ever heard of the bedroom arts. Sex is actually quite beneficial, one does not ejaculate but brings their partner to orgasm many times over, in this way one can absorb yin essence to heal lost jing. Believe me I know this works from personal experience. Simply being celibate and doing nothing is like sitting on a time bomb which you add explosives to on a daily basis. The end result is inevitable. Now I never said its easy, mastering sex and lovemaking in this way takes some practice. And of course one must have a female partner that is very understanding and fully aware of what your goals are. So she knows not to overdue it and make you lose it. Many of you may be too young to have had sex many of you may not be, but believe me the bedroom arts not only work, they bring a different type of satisfaction and vigor to our practice that simply is not available to those who do not have a woman. That is the healing yin essence. Woman do not lose their essence from orgasm and hence do not get depleted by this practice, on the contrary it is beneficial for both parties. As a man, it allows one to control their ejaculations and at the same time relieve pressures, much like after long meditation sessions, but also it makes the man a very very good lover in bed, which is usual something many women are not getting these days. I am not saying to you that I am right and you are wrong or anything like that, so don't get the wrong idea please. I am sharing what I have found to be true with you all. Because I hear what your all saying and I was very much like this myself in the past. Not ejaculating only to lose it at some point later on, one way or another and feel like a failure. I would go for a long time sometimes, months and months, as I train martial arts and mediation so the combined practices certainly do help to burn off excess and transmute, but believe me, we are human beings ok? Can we not agree that it is in our very DNA to mate and survive ? The two most ingrained things within us. No matter how you try if you do not form a loving relationship and experience that there will always be something missing no matter how high and holy a place you feel you've reached. I know this from experience, I've been there, training my Gong Fu and meditation long into the night, travelling through asia with no ties to bind me. But until I met my girlfriend of 3 years who I plan on marrying sometime soon, it was only as a burning candle is next the the rays of the sun. This is especially important for those of you who have masturbated alot, or tried and failed over and over. It is said do not be concerned with losing essence, be concerned with building up and losing essence. I believe this refers to the fact that normal people who don't even do what we do ejaculate regularly and hence to not have a megaton explosion like we do when they ejaculate, they let out a little at a time and live normally, we try to go all the way and when we fail, it's like a hundred ejaculations in one, so it is far more debilitating to our bodies. All I know is all the practices of our minds should be understood by now, clear out emotions and negativity, be pure be clear, light and buoyant. But just remember that the Tao is the way of nature, in nature our goal is to find a mate and live on, it does not mean because we do this we cannot have a family and enjoy them, or make love to our partners. On the contrary doesn't it sound nice if you had a woman who understood you, understood what you're trying to do and was actually on board with you? Trained tai chi with you, did yoga with you, discussed The Way with you ? Overall this I must say would make even the most stoic of us very happy, so please there is no need to run away from the world, our world is beautiful if you choose to see it that way, I know there is evil out there but if you spend your life running from it you only succeed in missing out on the other side of it, and that would be a great shame.