Adam West

No, I didn't know you failed. What exactly do you mean by that - what is the context that defines the said failure? I tend to agree with your general conclusion. I would be very interested to hear a more detailed general analysis of your experiences if your willing to do so and share! Many thanks! In kind regards, Adam.

Hey Darin, I've read of your experiences elsewhere, very interesting! What books, practices and traditions would you recommend given you have had significant time to explore the path and had some good results? In kind regards, Adam.

Cool vid... but oh so staged! Ali was PUT down, certainly not thrown down... Fun as... In kind regards, Adam.

As I see it, if someone makes claims of an empirical nature, like the introduction of a new and as yet undiscovered element or the explicit negation of known physical constants or laws, like the mental affect of a mind-independent reality, then those claims invite testing and validation. Otherwise, those claims are as worthless as the fantasies of a child. Further, in a culture such as ours, one which implicitly assumes an empiricist epistemology, any said claims are more probabilistically false, than not, as previously stated by another poster, following Ockham's razor, given known physical constants. In a room full of intelligent men and women, statements made will not go unnoticed or intellectually un-investigated. Certainly, unqualified claims such as X has already demonstrated F many times in front of X number of witness are entirely worthless without hearing directly from those witnesses themselves. For there is no personal testimony of eye witnesses; nor any physical proof or data drawn from appropriate test conditions. It amounts to disguised hearsay. In kind regards, Adam.

Hahaha... I'm not to sure what you mean here... are you trying to insult me... or just being funny? In any case, I enjoyed the laugh... Thanks, most amusing to be sure! In kind regards, Adam.

In my view, the historical evidence to the contrary is simply overwhelming - the above proposition does not seem to have any support except in the traditional belief set of the path that David represents - and other religions also - as has been historically documented. In kind regards, Adam.

I just speak of my personal experience and experimentations. Also, my personal intuitions and research. These are are qualified by 'my...' or, 'I would argue..' or, 'in my view...' That is all we can do, from my perspective, any absolutist statements or assumptions would seem to be indefensible and entirely too problematic to make. So, I don't think they contribute anything constructive to the conversation; therefore, I try not to make use of them. It is clear to me, however, that in addition to the above personal insights - of whatever value they may be - we can do cross cultural research and see what is consistent throughout the historical documentation of human experience - particularly the mystics, but humans in general. In kind regards, Adam.

Hey Jan, I am glad you got something out of it! I enjoyed contemplating and writing it. Please feel free to share as you see fit, it's a beautiful thing. In kind regards, Adam. Sean, Good luck to you, I wish you and all of us, all the best in our endeavours in noticing that-which-is. In kind regards, Adam.

Oh yes, Mr Samael Aun Weor, your quite right, no historical link that I can see. Thanks for pointing that out! In kind regards, Adam.

Mantis, the previous text posted by SiliconValley came directly from the text Kundalini Tantra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, a very well respected Indian Swami, who is possibly enlightened himself. His knowledge is consistent with, and a stream of one of the authentic Kundalini Tantric Yoga traditions of India. Naturally, that does not make it true or accurate by default, yet it would seem to have some compelling force of authority. Yet, clearly, it is simply one among many possible positions you could argue for. However, your statements are starting to look a little undefended and weak. Please follow the link below if you would like more information on the text. http://www.amazon.com/Kundalini-Tantra-Swa...i/dp/8185787158 In kind regards, Adam.

Hi Mantis, Please do clarify your position. Most importantly to me, clarify the implication of certainty in your post. Many thanks! In kind regards, Adam. I know, but isn't there is a historical link between them? In kind regards, Adam. Hi Mantis, I do not believe the symbolism is for sexuality per se, that is the lessor teaching. I believe the symbolism is for the union of binory polarities of the universe - from apparent duality to non-duality - unified consciousness, not unified sexual partners. Sex can result in unitary, non-dual states of consciousness, but it is not necessary to achieve them, nor is it the inner teaching being hinted at. Could be wrong though, but my research and experience suggests this. In kind regards, Adam.

Thanks mate! I enjoy the sharing of ideas on this forum, and since I had a thought or two at the time, making a contribution seems to be the friendly thing to do! In kind regards, Adam.

Yep, in my experience, there is definitely orgasm without ejaculation. I practice it about every two or three weeks as part of my celibacy practice. There is a point just before the point of no return when the orgasm takes place that is perhaps energetic rather than biological (involving the ejaculatory reflex); however, other bio mechanisms are in operation also like changes in brain chemistry such as increases dopamine and serotonin etc., so it would be inaccurate to suggest there are no bio-relations involved. By doing this, one can have as many orgasms as one likes during sex or auto-stimulation. I believe Yogani promotes a version of this, which is said to help develop kundalini activity and the nervous system in general; further suggesting it evolves into something profoundly energetic and consciousness affecting. In kind regards, Adam.

Hey guys, I don't think this post or exploration of this thesis is lame; that is a bit harsh. I don't think there is any truth to it, but it need not be dismissed out right. It's not really new agey, it is a thesis put forward and argued for by western occultists of the OTO, the Ordo Templi Oriantis, if I remember correctly. They were popular in the 19th and 20th century; western occultists who practiced sex magic as a path to affecting the world and gnosis, or enlightenment - Crowley was part of it, a head of the Order one point, and it continues with his line of followers. I personally think the premise is flawed and false, but then so are most of the premises underlying most philosophies. It seems a little arrogant and dismissive on the intellectual plane to prima facie dismiss out right, these kinds of discussions - rather prejudicial and inconsistent in my view. As we can usually turn around the same reasoning and just as easily - and weakly - dismiss our own favorite position, thesis, cosmology, philosophy etc. It is clear to me, very few, if any people throughout history have ever been enlightened through sexual practice. Yet, there is a high correlation between enlightenment and meditation - assuming we can say anyone has ever been or is enlightened. Evidently, we do not need sex with a partner to raise the kundalini, or achieve enlightenment. I would argue it is less likely to accure, as have people like Robert Bruce and others, who have and can raise their kundalini. I have experimented with traditional eastern methods for many years as with western sexual methods, and conclude the western sexual methods (and eastern sexual practices) are BS mythology. We can get the same and more effective and efficient energetic results with emptiness meditation or pranayama. Sex is great, enjoy it in balance if you see fit, but it will not bring us enlightenment. Working with the sexual energy and its conservation and transmutation, I believe will. In kind regards, Adam.

Hi MWIGHT, I completely agree, in fact, I could not agree more! Can you tell me why exactly you recommend Robert Pengs DVD? Why do you feel it is worth its weight in gold? Does Robert Peng also place emphasise upon trance? Please elaborate. Many thanks! In kind regards, Adam.

Yeah, he's very manic and disorganized. Perhaps a lot of cultivation that has lead to an imbalance of some kind. In kind regards, Adam.

Very interesting Drew, thanks for sharing! So your main practice these days is with the methods detailed in the book: Taoist Yoga? I know you are fond of Spring Forrest too. In kind regards, Adam.

Hey Truth, What kind of sitting meditation methods does he use? Why does he / you think the microcosmic orbit is crap. I too, intuatively, feel there is something wrong with it. I'd be interested in hearing his teachings on that. I assume, from what you have said, the basic criticism is that it unnaturally forces energy through the orbit which is perhaps problematic in some way? Could you elaborate? In kind regards, Adam.

Thanks mate! In kind regards, Adam.

Hi again Jak, If you look on the AYP site, you will see an interesting thread on the Six Yogas, gtummo in paricular. An initiated practitioner seems to participate. He seems to think that it is a long and complex path, with hours of concentration, and not too much results. And quite difficult without a teacher, since they hold back subtle little details. He seems to think Advanced Yoga Practices are the way to go (similar to the Kriya yoga of Yogananda and that linage which has many branches; and the book on pranayama I recommended previously). Do a search on the site if your interested, there are a few discussions about it. Here is a link: http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic.asp?TOP...archTerms=tummo In kind regards, Adam.

Hi Mantis, No, unfortunately I haven't done it. I am Australian, so I don't live locally to the US; if I did, however, I most certainly would take the time off work to do it. I am convinced that a year of ten hours a day in meditation would result in enlightenment. Just 2 to 3 weeks would likely result in some very profound stuff. One should be careful, though, there is much documentation of people have psychotic breaks as a result of large doses of intense meditation. I think though, it very much depends on the meditation technique and underlying predispositions to mental illness. There have been a lot of cases of mental illness following from those practicing intense insight meditation on the 10 day Goenka retreats; however, I think that particular method is psychologically agitating and therefore, may be predisposed to triggering probable psychotic episodes. Other the other hand, I have no such concerns with emptiness-stillness meditation, with all things being equal. In fact, my experience is one of profound bliss, joy, serenity and equilibrium. And flashes of Rigpa or the natural state (Buddha Mind, Original Mind, Zen Mind, The Tao etc.). I would like to get around to further exploring the theories one of these days. I personally know someone who did a one year retreat in his home and just sat and meditated on his couch non-stop. When he was tired, he slept, and when he was hungry he ate; and so on. He is now, in my view, what you would call enlightened - permanently unified in realisation of the Tao or Nirvikalpa Samadhi. In case you are wondering, he used mantra yoga at the brow chakra as his method. I formerly used the same method with profound results, resulting in being established in a similar, but much lower state when I was practicing several hours a day. A complete transformation of consciousness. I later became more worldly, and practiced less, and lost the state of Samadhi. In my view, it's really all about practice, practice, practice. Of course, some methods are more efficient than others, but then, you just need to find what works for you. Often one modifies any particular method to suit oneself completely without intension, it just evolves through practice. But you won't know unless you spend the hours on the cushion. And if it is working, it is not a drag or a chore at all, that is one of the signs. If it helps us to access higher consciousness, then it is working; and accessing higher consciousness is THE most amazing and enjoyable thing there is. However, that does not mean turning away from the world, rather there is a drive to bring higher consciousness into the world - at least that is how it seems to me. In kind regards, Adam.