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I'm quite interested in this subject, can you post a working link ? thx

I'm lately very interested in Deeplistening: http://deeplistening.org So I try to listen as more as I can in a medidative state, wherever I am.

I woke up between 8:30 and 9:30. I do 15 min microcosmit circulation in half lotus. Then breakfast and I go to work or to the university. When I'm in the underground I do emptyness meditation. I try to be conscious of unbalanced moments, I try to observe my emotions/feelings and not to follow them. I eat every 3-4 hours, vegetables, fruits and some cereals. Between 18 and 20 I do whether kung fu or strength training. After that I have a protein meal. Before going to bed I do another 15min microcosmit circulation in half lotus.

http://www.deeplistening.org/ that's a very interesting project, mixing music and meditation. As a musician I'm getting very interested in this project and I want to start a group here in Berlin. Anyone knows about it ? Some experiences with it ?

I like your point of view. I think it's better to look for a way to integrate eastern and western understanding, and fill up what's missing. Our culture is getting more and more syncretic, melting a lot of different approaches. So there are no right and wrong, it depends on you and what you're looking for. It's quite individual: I'm understanding more and more the importance of a master! Lifting weights can be even a very good corrective practice. In my case it adjusted the muscle of my back and now I'm always straight, even when I sit 8 hours in front of a computer. My kung fu and qigong practice gained a lot from weight lifting, from many point of view, the good posture is just one.

When I get a cold I do kungfu anyway and sweat everything out. I dunno if it's the best remedy, but it worked for me. Anyway it was a light cold...

very nice! I just add a blake's quote from his "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell": The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom. and You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough. Enjoy!

Very nice story, where did you take it from ?

It depends on your goal and your current situation. I'm doing weights training because I want to increase my muscle mass, in order to balance my body where it's weak. My kung fu teacher suggested it to me and he's following me step by step in this extra training: here's the importance of having a master, he knows the goals, your weakness and your strength, so that he can balance you in the right direction. So there are no ONLY, but just some singular situation. Anyway as a general answer I'd say no, if you really want to keep a great degree of physical fitness, qigong is not enough.

I find weight training really meditative, as you do it slowly and concetrating on the muscle your working. My body awareness is increased, and so my meditation are more "rooted". You understand how the body react to a transformation and it can be a good example for other meditation: it's similar to the way of the fakir of Gurdjieff As markern already said, just be precise with the movements and increase the weights slowly: your muscles grow faster than your bones and tendons. About durkhrod chogori statement: weights training can create tension, if it's your only (or mainly) physical activity; I do it 2-3 a week but I also practice kung fu and/or qigong every day, this way you keep a balance: your body grows stronger but still flexible. So remember about doing qigong or stretching, every time after weights training and do other activities the other days.

Great posts shaolin, you resumed very well the situation! thx

red deer exercises ? I can't find any...

Try to count the number of civils killed looking for the terrorists: that's enough for me for saying no to the war. Moreover I see no change in Afghanistan, or I actually think that it's even worst. If USA was really interested in freedom in Afghanistan, why did they supported against USSR ? has Afghanistan become "bad and intolerant" just after the 9/11 ? Do you know how many undemocratic situations is supporting USA in all over the world ? Terrorists exist, of course, but they become the new excuse to make wars for the US.

now I understand what you mean. The war in Afghanistan was the same lie as the other wars, just a bit less bitter. The idea of bringing freedom to other countries it's bullshit, it's a good excuse to conquer them: it's the same story since europe started to colonize the entire world, now USA is doing the same. We wanna civilize them and give them a better life: it's actually very arrogant, you assume to be better and you judge the situation by your point of view and using as a source the news given from the state. If USA really care about freedom of people, should start to threat better their neightbours, Mexico as an example, before going to Afghanistan or wherever and assuming to care about women's right. Still the situation of the women in afghanistan was and still not good, you cannot compare with USA, or you can do it but taking the whole situation, not just a little piece. A professor of mine once proposed a paper with the title: "Is it more offensive the Burka or Playboy for a woman ?" - I don't have a clean answer to this question, it's just a way to say that you need the context to judge, otherwise it's just tv bullshit. I prefere to spend my time in other directions, instead of considering Army as unavoidable compromise: as I said freedom is about believing in free ideas. Just think about some illuminated people like Buddha, Dalai Lama, Ghandi, Jesus Crist and so on: that's enough to delete army or war from my dictionary. Defending yourself is another subject, and it's not the case of USA: just think about how much money are involved and you know the real reason of wars.

I don't find the connection between what you quoted from me and you're answer... Anyway, please read Chomsky and the other link I gave, maybe you can understand what I really mean.

Feeling threaten is exactly what the media propaganda is doing since 9/11: since communism is not an enemy anymore, a new one was needed. The invisible und unlocalized terrorist is the perfect metaphor in order to have an excuse for an endless war. So, instead of resolving a problem, you actually create new enemies: people in the middle east see USA as a conqueror, as it actually is. So please, if you wanna join the army, realize that you're supporting the Terror and the power of USA over the world: your're not going to bring freedom anywhere this way. And if my words are too little, please read people like Noam Chomsky, and you'll know what I mean: http://www.counterpunch.org/chomskyterror.html and here smth interesting about taoism and war: http://www.index-china.com/index-english/Taoism%20and%20A%20Few%20Words.html

My emotional mind is not so powerful, don't worry Taoism is nowadays a very broad meaning; still the point is about Compassion, war it's smt to avoid with every mean! If the Army is ok, Nazi should be even more welcome in this forum: they use to have a deep interesting in esoterics, that's missing in western army I'm looking for a free world, not a pollyanna one, here's a tip: http://hermetic.com/bey/

I haven't exalted passivity for activity: I'm just suggesting you to spend your energy in other directions! I'd not stay passive if my family/my friends would be in danger, but an Army is about fighting for power and money. Are these taoist values ? Why are you thinking about people that can attach you ? I'm studying kung fu and the training it's a lot about fighing. Still I'm not thinking about people threaten me: I've learnt to develop good feelings and joyful living, because of taoism, training and this forum too. Of course I'd use my kung fu against someone that's trying to kill me, but it's not the point now.

I actually think that the world would be better with no Army at all, so I cannot have good feelings for the Army: to me it would be like worshipping money and power. As I've already said, Taoism is about Compassion, Army is about destruction: that's enough for me for saying NO! "Defend liberty making war": this is always the same excuse that people use to start wars, with this concept you can start a war whenever you want. The real Freedom is about believing in free Ideas, not doing whatever you want. Army is not a free Idea, not at all. Plus, I wans't criticising her choice (not directly at least:P ), but I find the subject of the thread quite off-forum. What do you think if I'd start a thread about how cool are Nazis ?

I usually like your posts and your good feelings, but I don't really understand how you can support the idea of an Army: it's something evil, point. We're on a Taoist forum: the hihest value should be love and compassion. The Army is exactly the opposite, death and distruction. And there is nothing to protect: just experience and enjoy, understand the other people. I accept violence just when there is no other way out. Wars has always been about power and money. I don't wanna to start a flame, I just wanna to put into perspective how this thread is evolving. Please look for Peace & Love not for Destruction & Death!

Cool stuff, it reminds me of Donna Haraway's Cyborg

Try starting some practice, qigong, tai chi or kungfu: look for the one you like at best. For me kung fu, qigong and taoist meditation did the work: I used to be quite lazy, doing no sport at all for years (until almost my 30s). Now I cannot live without it, my average happiness is increased and I know what to do when I'm stressed. Just try out for some time, keep on practicing and everything will adjust by itself