Fox

I've come into a crisis. This wasn't even a crisis till I tried labeling things, however at times, I guess things do need a label. I believe in a higher power, but I do not believe in a God of personification, I believe in a God that is everywhere, that is in the smile of others and in the curve of the horizon, a God that is in the water and trees. He may posess a physical form, but that form is beyond my realm of comprehension. I believe that Jesus Christ was an amazing enlightened being, but I am not sure about him being a saviour, honestly, after 12 years of Christian schools I'm not really sure I get why he is our saviour, I mean, we are all "God's children".. right? I am also unsure of a christian afterlife, I don't believe that a loving creator would let someone burn in hell for eternity because they are a bad person. Average life span-100 years (i'm an optimist). Time maybe spent in hell- ETERNITY Doing the math wouldn't that make God an ass? I know this isn't a Christian forum, but I just have been really into Eastern thought, and I give talks to a youth group and help with a local Christian church, and lately I feel out of place.. Though I think my talks on stillness and breaking concepts of what God could be are very helpful, I just don't think I am..well a Christian. But what does that even mean? I think Jesus was a great guy.. I think he was a Buddha.. I just don't think I owe anything to a creator, and I get a lot of that vibe in Christianity.. I think we are our own Saviours in a sense. But then there are these glimpses of simplicity and inner peace in Christianity that I do love.. The whole Gospel of Thomas, a gnostic gospel, speaks of inner peace and the kingdom of God being in each of us, and hell being in each of us too if we do not find the perfection in the Now. I guess I am just stuck at 1) picking a group to associate myself with.. 2) Being angry at myself for wanting to label my belief system. Some of you had to have started out as Christians.. How do you do this? Do you still associate with Christianity and Taoism/Buddhism? Do you go down both paths? How did you conquer this, or approach this? Thanks.

A friend of mine and I just did a quick tai chi practice. It involved a few forms, most I had seen before. I have never really done tai chi before, but all that we did I have seen done on the dvds I own. At one point we lifted our hands from our crown to our belly buttons. Ever since I have had an intense heat in my body, and am feeling almost dizzy. Did I just get over heated?

I think it can be done with humility. I'm in.

See above.

Guys, I am so calm, level headed, peaceful and blissful on my own. I am the same at college, around my friends, around my girlfriend. However, Coming home, I cannot stand it. My family are miserable, they whine, they complain, they judge. I just got told I laugh and smile too much, ...see what I mean? They bicker, they fight, and my mom constantly is complaining about depression and her "fucked up" life, that isn't fucked up whatsoever. Their negative attitudes are wearing me down, I am finding myself frustrated, hurt, and downright angry when my siblings start trouble. This is not like me. How do you deal with people who suck away your good energy?

Hello friend, You won't be able to sit and meditate for hours right away. The key is: Slowly. Your mind is racing right now, jumping between meditations, being confused about what to do, what not to do.. Stop. And just be. That is meditation. So just sit, and focus on your breath as people have mentioned before. I started out only being able to sit 5-10 minutes at a time, and I built upon that.. You are fine, just remember.. Be natural, just be, and be slowly.

Everything is a cultural myth.

I know the topics of sexual energy have been beaten to death, but I feel as if all of them were ages old and from members long gone. I feel as if I would like advice from you guys, my friends, on the subject. I hold no kung fu practice, (I'm athletic, running and yoga twice a week), and meditate daily. I am in a long distance relationship, when my girlfriend and I do meet we have sex quite often. However, when I am celibate for weeks at a time I am overflowing with amazing energy, and whenever I ejaculate, it all goes bye bye. I feel tired for days, now not too lethargic to where it is a sickness but moreso where as I am not as outgoing or energetic.. It's a huge change from when I do not ejaculate or have sex. Should I start any sort of sexual practice? If so, how? and what is the safest? and that can be done without having to buy a book. I have been told as long as i'm not over doing it I am fine.. but even once every two weeks or once every week drainsss me. I want to keep my energy and my feeling of fullness and still be able to have sex. It's no fair! haha. Also, would any supplements replinish my energy afterwards? I hear fish oil and zinc? I know this has been mentioned lots, but please converse with me. Fox

Hey folks, Recently I asked you guys for ideas of topics regarding a series of talks I have to give to a group of kids (15-16 yo). It has been going well, right now we are just discussing possible future topics, and what they want to cover within the group. We have discussed two topics so far, one was Gods love, and just love in general. It was a spontaneous topic, but we talked about it because a few days before in their youth group service they discussed sending Gods love to people, but we couldn't really define it, so we talked on that for a bit. Then we discussed what they would do if they won the lottery, how it would affect their lives, as well as their spiritual lives. Any more topic ideas would be amazing. I started a blog so the kids could read a bit more into some of the topics we talk about. wtylerallen.tumblr.com

I'm interested in Buddhism, Taoism and various other school of eastern thought. Geeze, I'm sorry if my questions have been suchhh a "nuisance" to some, however, the top of the forums does say its welcomed. So my apologies to all of you and your poor little mouse clicking fingers who may have stumbled upon a post of mine that may have had buddhist traits held with in. As someone who is vastly interested in Eastern philosophies, I find this forum to be helpful in many many subjects, one being Buddhism. I come here if I have a buddhist question, and it gets answered, I come here with a taoist question, it gets answered. I have gained quite a bit of knowledge from users on this forum, no matter their affiliation. I like having Buddhists around, Taoists around, and so forth.. they offer a lot to this place.

1) Any tips that may help me within the first stages of my qigong practice? What helped you? Diet, practice times, yoga or meditation to accompany it, celebacy? I've just started Ken Cohens Essential Qigong DVD's and such. Feeling great results already. 2) Any advice on starting the Microcosm Orbit? I've been told to not practice this without a teacher, but there are no qigong teachers in my area (nor any taichi, or any eastern practice places, such as buddhist temples, or meditation centers, for that matter. Very irritating living in the deep south.) Should I still learn to feel the orbit? Or wait till I can find a teacher. Thanks, Fox

No no, the longer winded the better. : ) I have read your posts before, you seem like a good source to listen to. I appreciate your time and words.

Hello friends, I use the word breakthrough very lightly, mainly because I'm sure I'll get a few responses about how no breakthroughs exist, there is only is ..and such.. haha but anyhow, I was just wondering was there any moment where you said to yourself, wow, the program, teaching, mindset, yoga, meditation or etc.. I have been using is really paying off? And what may have triggered this moment? I'd love to hear. I have a few. Besides friends and family noticing my change in mood and the grin that's usually on my face the main one I can think of happened just the other day: I recently gotten into an argument with my parents while at my girlfriends apartment. I was upset, thats one of the few things that gets to me these days-- my family and their on going financial problem, I usually get caught in the middle of their negativity or their short tempers. My girlfriend, sweetly just rubbed my back and said it'll be okay, just take a few moments, and told me to come to the living room whenever I wanted, while she was putting the finishing touches on dinner, I kissed her and told her thanks. As she walked out, I got into half lotus, straightened my back and did a really quick inner smile, and breath meditation. I opened my eyes slowly, couldn't have been longer than a few seconds, and I saw my girlfriend at the end of the hallway staring at me smiling, I smiled back, playfully asking whats up with the grin? Assuming she was laughing at my crossed legs, though I always sit like that these days..So I figured that wasn't the case. She said, I don't know, it was like you closed your eyes and a stillness just over came you, weirdest thing.. but just looking at you..I couldn't help smiling either.. It was so strange, I never mentioned anything of stillness, nor my meditations to her, and knowing I radiated a smile onto her stood as a milestone for me. Share yours! If there was no "breakthrough" feel free to share times from before and after your training and the improvements you feel! -Tyler

Please?

I didn't thoroughly read this topic as much as I should have, but this makes me cringe a little.. it always does. I was raised in a Catholic environment but.. a really liberal one... I know, right?? I went to a Catholic highschool which in class we discussed the issues with the church and why the issues mattered, we discussed other peoples views of the church, we discussed world religions and philosophies and how they differed AND COMPLIMENTED one another. And as an unintentional side product, I know believe in various thoughts and they all sort of help us along the way, the path. I became a person who sees how religions compliment one another and how beautiful it is to transcend the ideas of a right way.. A very deep seeded view that I hope you guys can understand without me having to try to get in depth to.. Basically I just am fascinated and inspired by various schools of thought. I did some music work for a catholic church this summer where the priest gave a homily (sermon) on Taoism and how Christianity and Taoism compliment one another, I want to see if I can find the priest (he was just filling in for another, not the usual one) and get a copy of his homily. It was beautiful and opened up the eyes and ears of many. There are many christians who use eastern philosophies to compliment theirs, including priests and preachers. You'll find these people though. You'll find the people who make it about damnation, make it about how to pray how to meditate, they make it about everything but right now.. There are varioussss, numerous, types of Christian meditation. Prayers are very similar to mantras, and if you've read The Accidental Buddhist, you'll find that quakers meditate together once a week, and there is a chapter in that novel that compares it to buddhist meditation. This is what usually grinds my gears.. I have been very at one, at peace with myself, and others, but it just seems when people "don't get it" and they use anger to convey their different opinion, it just sets me back a bit, it's something I am working on. I worked with a girl who wouldn't want us to read her horoscope in the news paper in the mornings because it was wiccan. Sigh.. Okay this was nothing more than a ramble but I'm just saying I can relate and I wish you all the patience in the cosmos.

It's been surging like no other, or perhaps I am just now realizing it. It's almost as if I am breathing in electricity, or a static that is filling my body. I have been near over-emotional lately. I don't mean that in a bad way, I have just been noticing things, I have been more mindful, but at times, it's gotten a bit intense. I nearly cried at the sight of my girlfriends smile as I held her in my arms, and I was in awe at the sight of cars going by outside a window on a city night. I am not sure if these have been "bad" feelings, they are just new. What could be reasoning for being a bit over emotional? I hate to use the term over emotional, because when one uses it they usually are describing sadness, but it was a bit of a blissful feeling, and an awe struck feeling that brought tears to my eyes. I feel as if I need to distribute this energy throughout me more. I am rambling at this point in this post. Thanks for your time. -Tyler "Fox"

Yes, the mundane is amazing, thus I guess, making nothing mundane. I don't contribute it to the cosmos though, I think I was just there. I think I was just fully present in a moment and it struck a chord. It has been happening quiteee a bit lately though.

Tyler, I too feel a bit in disagreement with the US educational system, which, by the way, was a system taken from Austrian factories, the factories "system" was used to teach their employees the bare essentials quickly so they could better understand their jobs. Quick, easily, mindless jobs. I actually gave a speech in my Speech Comm class on problems with the educational system and used examples from my class in my speech, my teacher was just "out there" and "hip" enough to find it not only amusing, but probably helpful in forming his curriculum. I wrote this when I was so content with my life that I wanted nothing else. I have a beautiful girlfriend, good friends, I am currently jobless but I have done quite a bit of networking where I could get a job working with a local music booking agency or doing some PR work (my major is Music Management/PR and business), and even if I didnt get a job, I was content working at Arbys or somewhere to barely get me by, just because I was that damn happy, I was in the moment through and through, for days. But... Then I started thinking.. I want a family. One day in the future, I want a family. I want them to be well off, I want my wife and children and if possible, even my parents, to not have to worry about money. Getting a degree would not only help me, but it would help my future family and friends. I am not miserable in college, I make average to good grades, I have many friends who though I am far different from them they still love and accept my eccentricities, I'm a pretty social guy, and it's a small campus and I'm moderately well liked by those who know me. I am vice president of my fraternity and doing well with my major. But I was just ready to get it over with. The social aspect of it became a popularity contest, though a fraternity is GREAT networking that already has opened many doors for me, it's one big popularity contest. Classes began to get boring.. I have finished my basics and classes for my major are very repetitive (Music Management and a Business minor), and I have job offers NOW that are pretty much the same grade I would get after I graduate.. but, then there are the good things, my friends do love me and I love the support they give me, I am involved locally and I am about to mentor a group of youth kids, something I've mentioned on here before, also, I love knowledge and I do take some great classes, plus the independence is always liberating. Your dilemma seems to differ from mine slightly. It seems as if you just haven't found a good environment in which you'd like. I love my campus, it's not too big nor small, and it has great classes and clubs and an amazing music scene. I think you would enjoy a college that you could...enjoy (ha). Find where you fit, as someone mentioned before, a place that is a school but you're okay with it..and you can at least deal with it. Either way, good luck to you.. and as strange as it sounds, the thought of helping OTHERS in my future, really made me want to get back going. Stay true, -Tyler

I actually typed a long reasoning as to why I was thinking of taking atleast a semester off, but my internet was on the fritz. I have just been so embedded in the moment, and I have loved where I am with my friends and girlfriend. My parents were paying for college, well the small bits my loans didn't cover but since they recently filed for bankruptcy its a bit tough for them to support me in the slightest, I'm a junior this fall, so I'm halfway there, I've just had this really existential moment, or moments lately where I've been questioning the point of things. My father works with his hands and has always pushed for me to get a degree, and seeing him kill himself slowly with work is definitely a motive for staying, but I don't know, I just feel like I have everything I need, I just needed a slight boost back into reality, whatever reality may be. Ha, and I'm aware I am or was coming off as feeling sorry for myself, I had a long written reason but with typing this on my phone all I could salvage was the word please, ha. I don't know guys, what are some of your occupations and degrees and such? Just curious. Of course I am enrolling, it was just hard not being able to afford this semester and having to borrow money from my already broke parents. But all should be well.

I have been volunteering at a Church near my college, I have been doing Music there as well as working with the Youth kids. Every wednesday they meet for what they call, "Covenant groups". They are groups that meet and usually discuss topics that deal with life, hardships growing up, or just things to make them think. Recently, I was approached to lead a group for the older boys in the youth group (14-16). Of course I said yes, so I was wondering if perhaps any of you here on Tao Bums had any suggestions on what some good topics, stories, or discussion questions would be? It would be amazing to hear your input. They do not have to be Christian in nature, they can be of any thought, non-"religious" questions and topics would be even better. A friend is leading a group for the girls and she is doing talks on relationships and how the girls shouldnt feel as if they need to be in one to feel whole. Things of that nature.. Any ideas would be so appreciated. Sending love your way, Tyler

I was told that I should let them each pick a topic and lead one week, but they kind of want me to lead and then have a portion of the time to also talk about their topics, or anything they want to discuss. I'm only 21, so.. I am still somewhat in the know of what's happening with the kids these days.

Ah! I am eternally greatful for those replies! I am not just being overly sincere, I have posted this same question elsewhere and finally I get a well thought out reply. : ) Thank you very much, great advice. Still open to more. -Tyler

I remember that video! I remember hearing him discuss the guy and at first I was thinking he was going to compliment on his simplistic lifestyle, or something like that, but he ended up calling him a failure and so forth. His original videos weren't bad at all, but then he just got into.. "Hey, here is a topic, let's discuss it on journik". He gets so offended and calls people out and stuff, it's silly. He deleted all the unused journik profiles and then some of the members called him out on how silly that was. Anyhow, Cheers.

I know this is, oh so old. However, I found him recently doing a search on meditations on youtube and honestly he kind of got me into taoism and buddhism.. NOT saying I followed HIM but he did spark an interest. However,.. he's a tool bag. Now, I am usually a pretty articulate guy but that's the only word I can find. Read his responses to comments.. One of them is telling a guy to "never read his comments again, it is very disrespectful to talk down to a master so never ever watch another video again." Also he gets all sassy when you private message him.. He also has facebook statuses about shoving haters negative energies back up there ass. I don't know, he just rubs me the wrong way. Also, the admins at Journik.com, his message board, are a bunch of really immature 16 year olds who do nothing but call out grammatical errors and talk down to people. It's sad too because there are folks on that message board who are really deep folks. Anyhow, I'm just really glad I found this topic and the one over at bullshido because I always knew something was fishy about this guy. He talks about tranquility and releasing baggage through the root chakra, and then he spazzes out via facebook status. I just find it more hilarious that he was never a monk and was just a failed businessman. However, a bit of it is sad. I wanted to start putting up youtube videos for the youth group of a local church that I'm going to start meeting with, and now I just feel as if doing so would remind me of this assclown. Thanks for listening to my rant.

I have seen 'em too. AHHHHHHH! REPTAR!!!