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It appears that some are just responding to aggrevate or belittle. He's already given his reason for charging, yet you seem to believe that a person who has reached a high level of cultivation should give these teachings for no charge. For what purpose? Even if he did, would he not be put through the same scrutiny as Max and be found to be human... just like the rest of us? Those that will, will find their path in their own time. I pray that all may do so quickly. Yours, most humbly, James

That feeling you occasionally have in your body is the presence of qi. I can feel it in my spine and in certain meridians at all times of the day. The more you practice, the more you attune to it. Simply notice it and focus on your practices. If the feelings become too intense it may be wise to pace yourself a little. The prickly heat is, as far as I am aware, just stronger concentrations of qi. I have upon occasion experienced the flashes of light, just as you have. I think it has something to do with your optic nerves activating due to the presence of higher energy levels within your body. Advice? Well, just keep practicing To get the results you are indicates that your practice is going well! Yours humbly, James

Here's what Tom Cowan has to say about shamanism in his book entitled, "Fire in the Head, Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit." From my further studies I have come to realise that there is little to distinguish shamanism from any of the religious and spiritual schools that are in existence today. Broadly speaking, shamans train the body, mind and spirit in order to further themselves and help their communities. They loved poetry, art, war, healing... They also have to go through various initiations and, in some cultures, rigorous studies (for example, druids had at least 20 years of training under an elder) before deemed to be ready... much like the daoshi perspective above. The only thing that seems to seperate them is a perceived civility on the part of current religious and spiritual schools. Though I have a theory that the dawn of written teachings had an impact, I cannot see where the distinction between shamanism and current schools starts and ends. Anyone care to give me their opinion on the matter? Yours humbly, James [edit for spelling error]

AMAZING May thy feet be swift on land So they may embrace the deck Winds bellow over the vast end Our sails fill with power and might "On to the next port," he says, "For there be more wenches in bed." HAPPY TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY EVERYBODY

i was dead i came alive i was tears i became laughter all because of love when it arrived my temporal life from then on changed to eternal love said to me you are not crazy enough you don't fit this house i went and became crazy crazy enough to be in chains love said you are not intoxicated enough you don't fit the group i went and got drunk drunk enough to overflow with light-headedness love said you are still too clever filled with imagination and skepticism i went and became gullible and in fright pulled away from it all love said you are a candle attracting everyone gathering every one around you i am no more a candle spreading light i gather no more crowds and like smoke i am all scattered now love said you are a teacher you are a head and for everyone you are a leader i am no more not a teacher not a leader just a servant to your wishes love said you already have your own wings i will not give you more feathers and then my heart pulled itself apart and filled to the brim with a new light overflowed with fresh life now when the heavens are thankful that because of love i have become the giver of light Translated by Nader Khalili Rumi, Fountain of Fire Cal-Earth, September 1994

I remember reading that Wang Xiangzhai put an advert in a newspaper asking for challengers. One of the few who took up his challenge was Kenichi Sawai. Like the other challengers, he lost. He did, however, stay around and was taken under Wang Xiangzhai's wing... he then took the art back to Japan and called it Taikiken. Zhan Zhuang is translated as Standing Zen from the Japanese. I don't believe everything I read. Probably for the best... I did, however, find which might shed a different opinion onto the matter. I have a pants internet connection, so have no idea what it says - lol. Yours humbly, James

Truly, truly beautiful. Thank you so much! Poetry is of the Divine, and this poem speaks volumes. May kindness follow you always, James

I share the same hope. In fact, I believe we will pull it off. I and many other concerned individuals have and will make it the main objective within our lives. The UK was the first country to have a Climate Change Bill in Parliament. This didn't happen by accident but by hard graft. Change is forever upon us and we simply need to adapt. As far as I am aware, having heard a geophysicist from the University of Edinburgh speak on the matter, the permafrost is already melting. Methane is being released in vast quantities. The vicious circle has started. For those of you who haven't noticed, the weather is doing strange things... this'll build until humanity takes notice and changes course. Very interesting times ahead. I cannot wait to see how things unfold. In the meatime, I shall keep campaigning for change and raising awareness that we as a race need to accept responsibility for the abuse we have perpetrated upon our planet. We are her children after all - I think it's about time we grew up. Yours humbly, James

A shame you removed the song you hear. It was a beauty to read. May they sing your praises for some time to come (I imagine rain means North, South, East or West...) Yours humbly, James

This statement does not correspond with what I have read on shamanism. Shamans are very conscious of what they do when fighting the demons that manifest as illness or poor harvest. There are many different levels of shaman, as there are of any other tradition of spiritual practice. All point toward emptiness - the difference is the emphasis of practice. Isolated islands all over the world have forms of Shamanism, be it in the Phillipines, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Greenland, Australia, New Zealand... Ritual stone circles and other formations have been dated back further than anyone has been able to date Daoism. What is more likely is that Daoism is just another type of Shamanism... the only thing making it different being the fact it was put into writing long before the other traditions were - thank to the Chinese and their intellectual evoltuions. I remember reading that a particular dance the Native Americans used in ritual was also found in Australia. Does this mean one influenced the others? Not necessarily... Guiding spirits that taught such things may've taught both civilisations. The Astral Plane is a great medium for travelling huge distances and spreading teachings. Perhaps the similarities that is found across all Shamanistic practices is more an indication of universal consciousness, as opposed to indicating they all stem from one geographical location. They all stem from one place, however, and that is the Dao, the One, Shakti, the Infinite, God, or whatever you decide to call it. I would argue that all ancient civilisations and cultures required someone to heal the sick and to explain the inexplicable. Shamans are needed in every society. In ours some appear as scientists (my main point of reference here being Einstein). Yours, James

I do think this topic is about more than just financial disasters. Regardless, I couldn't agree more. There's a reason terms such as "follow your heart" and "be your self" are common turns of phrase... Ancestry is more important than many believe. As someone already mentioned on this forum, "There is nothing new under the Sun." Most humble, James

One thing humans are good at is adapting. Adapting to the changes in our external environment. We have survived at least one ice age and perhaps a switching of the poles too.... Can't quite remember. Anyhow, how can we survive?!? It depends what you mean by "we". Many will die if disasters hit us as hard and as fast as some thing. Water wars, mass migrations, economic collapse. This means that the darkest characteristics of humanity will arise as well as the best. Vigilantes and gangs will conflict. Governments will either need to respond to rapid change or crumble. Those worried about the financial storm that may appear should get their priorities straight, and instead of worrying about mortgages and job security - worry about food. While some may await these events and fear the worst, I personally choose to help the Earth to heal as that is all I can do for now. She is our mother after all. My peace and blessings to you, Miai. If the floods come, seek high ground. If drought comes, seek water. If the fires come, seek shelter. Head North to avoid the growing deserts. The Emporer faces South. Yours humbly, James P.S. Li Jiong, Buddhists think human life is precious too. They just accept death is inevitable.

Belief and knowing are two different things. Sometimes I just know what is going on... it always turns out to be correct. Other times I believe I know what is going on... it usually turns out to be incorrect. Intuition, though few here doubt it, is the way forward. Simply be. "Insanity" is a strong word for what is simply attaching to preconceived ideas, is it not? Yours humbly, James

Indeed. Eva Koskuba is one of my taiji teachers. I learn chen style from her. Here's what their website says about her: Truth be told her taiji is amazing and by far the best internal martial artist I've seen, other than Chen Ying Jun (Chen Xiaowang's son)... another of my teachers. Her husband, Karel, is apparently better but I have yet to meet him. I have of late decreased the amount that I practice and I no longer turn up to my regular classes. I am taking a break from taiji as the reason I got into it was for spiritual purposes and these are now my focus. Also, I am in a bit of a constant financial struggle which means I cannot pay to go the seminars... Junbao, there is one book I can point you in the direction of. Perhaps not quite what you are looking for, but a very good book on internal arts and it shows you quite a useful form. The book is called Combat Techniques of Tai Ji, Xing Yi, and Ba Gua: Principles and Practices of Internal Martial Arts by Lu Shengli. Yours humbly, James

I have met many people whom others categorise as despicable. I have also got to know a few of them. The story is usually one of neglect and abuse. One can see how their previous experiences made them the way they are if one listens. I could've turned out the same as those I listened to if I had their experiences. Who am I to judge others? I'll leave that in the hands of karma. Anyway... Imo, these are worse attrocities. Yours humbly, James

Good man I'll keep an eye out for the 3rd edition. SPAG errors irritate me no end... Yours humbly, James

My pleasure Yes. Balancing both sides is certainly recommended. Practice equal measures of time of both sides. Yours, James

Karma will take care of it. It's a law of the universe. The perpetrators are as flawed as I am, so I would be a hypocrit to show them anything but the compassion that I seek. May they find their path in their own time. Most humble, James

You and me both, brother. Mine was induced with Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds (which contain LSA) along with visualisation meditations. I discovered much in those 6 days. I decided to give up at one point - perhaps a bad idea as I ended up spiralling into a manic state. The whole is a wonderful place to observe things from. Yours, with respect, James

My, oh my! I am forgetful. How could I have forgotten the wonderful bezoar stones?! I believe they are meant to be relics left by certain beings - apparently it's not just saints and buddhas who leave them behind... Was tempted to buy one at one point, but I think the one I wanted was about $400. Looks like they've updated their site too. If anyone feels brave enough I would like to hear a report about the energies these things are claimed to exude Yours in deepest reverence, James

I believe this is what Gnostics teach. Personally, it is simply an interpretation of the situation which I do not believe in but it was the first thing that sprang to mind when you asked. Beings that leech others of their energy exist, apparently, and it is how they further themselves and sustain their existence. Not really much more to it... or maybe there is and I just don't know enough to tell you more Yours humbly, James

Well written article by my teacher's husband. Has a picture of Hun Yuan Zhuang too... http://www.yiquan.org.uk/art-zz.html Yours humbly, James

I do not consider myself Daoist, yet having studied a broad overview of religion I thought I should give my opinion. Darkness is basically an extreme. We know darkness exists because light exists. If light didn't exist then we would no nothing but darkness and as such have no name for it - it would just be the permanent state of things. Regarding witchcraft and darkness, my understanding is that it would be the same as how many religions view light. It's just the other side of the coin. Now, the forces of darkness would seem to indicate the other end of the spectrum to forces of light. Recognising that I have a Christian influence in both my upbringing and culture, and having a inclination toward good deeds, I would interpret forces of darkness to be a different way of generating energy. Instead of feeding off the good deeds that one's self perpetrates, one feeds off the bad deeds of others. The forces of darkness could be seen as what thrives where there is an absence of good deeds. That which sustains the existence of the various egos and obscures the Truth. I realise that good and bad are as relative as light and dark. I shall try and explain my interpretation another way. Many religions and spritiual practices dedicate much time and effort to developing one's own energetic components, be it by meditation, devotion or selfless deeds. This I would consider to be forces of light. On the other hand you get those who hide in the shadows, feigning ignorance to blend in and feed off the energies of others. Leading their 'victims' to paths that benefit themselves. Ultimately selfish acts of cultivation. Both valid paths, imo. "Vampires" would be an example - beings that devour the energy of others for their own use (whether knowingly or not). Yours humbly, James

I found myself browsing the internet this morning for a name that has cropped up a few times of late, Peace Pilgrim. Within a matter of seconds I was staring at what appears to be quite a promising free ebook. Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words compiled by some of her friends. Thought I would share it with you all. May love and happiness follow you, James