.broken.

Yep. Literally counting down the seconds until the London one

All fairness to Patrick, so is he Much improved since he was banned. He has come back a better person for it. I welcome him with open arms, and rejoice that he is still willing to share his opinions and insights with us. He could've just disappeared after being banned, but, like a trooper, he has stayed. Yours humbly, James P.S. Apologies Lama Tantrapa for the interuption to the discussion of your teachings.

Kate West has a few books which are a good place to start. Easy to read and simple to follow. A fair bit up the scale is Adam McLean who is a well read scholar on most western magic practices - particularly Hermetic stuff. I find some of his books a little heavy going particularly as I wasn't all too interested in it in the first place - an enthusiast would disagree, I would imagine. Very creepy looking guy but his extent of knowledge when it comes to western alchemy is second to none!! http://www.alchemywebsite.com/adam.html Shamanism wise I have always been tempted by Tom Cowan. Yours humbly, James

Wonderful picture of Shiva, Shakti's manifestation. Don't quote me on this but I'll give it a shot... The cobra around the neck will signify that there is a mastery of Kundalini. The trident is in fact Shiva's trishula, the weapon used to cut of Ganesh's head before it was replaced with that of an elephant. I believe the trishula symbolises a warrior spirit and, again, mastery of the nature of energy (due to the 3 spikes and the 3 channels that shoot up the spine, either that or the left and right hemispheres along with the spirit valley inbetween). Crescent moon perhaps for the mastery of the feminine... no idea about the conch shell - perhaps to signify an empty mind?? Your humbly, James

Very good suggestions. Janus, you may also want to check out Ray Mears - he's done countless documentaries for the BBC on bushcraft and wild foods. I believe he has also had some input into the SAS's internal survival guides. Was surprised to discover he even has a website. Yours humbly, James

From my readings, I believe the Rainbow Body is something obtained at the time of death. The body transforms into light and all that is left behind are hair and nails. Namkhai Norbu's uncle is said to have achieved this, and I have a funny feeling Namkhai will too. If you are interested in Dzogchen I cannot recommend his books enough.

The answer lies in breathing through your skin, not projecting qi to the ground. When breathing through the skin you obtain a feeling of much lightness in your body. To get to this level you need an awful lot of energy to be coursing through you. Keep practicing Yours humbly, James

Alas, some men find it distasteful. I read somewhere that it depends on genes whether one enjoys the flavours or not. Personally I can think of no better way, sexually, to please a woman... I delight in it and I know drew hempel does too

My eyes have been 'naturally' dilated for as long as I can remember - well before any drug consumption. Distrubing to read this Next time I go to my shiatsu lady, I will ask her to focus on my poor liver. passenger1980, the vividness of colours is something I too have experienced through my practices. Particularly when practicing the Kum Nye. I believe it has to do with energies flowing differently within your body, much as Patrick said. The new activity is almost certainly stimulating the areas of the brains that process vision. I would say that it is not a problem and that it may, or may not, settle down over time. Let us know how your vision is tomorrow - it'd be nice to see what a good night's sleep does Thank you, James

Apologies for being a pedant, but I believe it was Aristotle who said this. One of my mates uses it as an excuses for not going down on the ladies...

Most modern phones should be able to do this. (By modern I mean any made with MP3 support... which is pretty much all of them these days). I have the LG Viewty (KU990) and it is able to do this. I'd be surprised if the latest Sony Ericcson's can't. Hope this helps! Yours humbly, James

Thanks for making me laugh Sam - brightened up my evening even more so! Along this line of thinking I was told by a homeopath some many moons ago that crystals can help with this phenomenon. They project and absorb electromagnetic energy, as I am sure many of you are aware. Apache tears, Obsidian and Tektite might be worth looking into. Failing that I am sure some large, double terminated clear quartz might do the trick. Don't forget to cleanse them regularly Yours humbly, James

It depends on the tradition as to whether guidance is involved. Some have guidance from spirit guides, others from fellow humans. I'm reasonably certain that some Buddhist sects have some of their more senior monks leave for solitude under the instruction of the Abbot. In contrast, I know that female shamans in parts of Alaska are called to leave their settlements alone - when they leave they come across their guide who will guide them through the process of realisation. Generally some guidance does come into play. You should be careful that your desire to leave for solitude is not one out of disgust for your fellow beings, rather it should be out of compassion. One is escapism, the other a selfless act. If it is selfless, and if the desire grows up from a deep place within your being, then I would imagine that everything that would take you to solitude will manifest. It's karma. On a practical note be sure that you have taken care of everything on the homefront. You may choose to take a sobatical from employment in which case you'll need to converse with your employers; you may need to cover mortgage payments or pay for storage space while you are away; you will need to find out where your wish to reside, or even choose a nomadic lifestyle; you will need to know how to fend for yourself when in isolation (very much dependent on how you wish to live - could range from collecting water to how to make knots). Concerning your spiritual development you should have a good idea of the practices you wish to do. Think that's about all I can offer. If you do go down this path I'd very much like to hear how you got on I am planning my own solitary period for a number of years from now... much to learn still. Yours humbly, James

Cheers Mat - great information as always. Vaguely related...

Santiago, yourself and Shakti make for a generous combination. The energy was most ... stabilising. My morning routine was filled with a calm, soothing and expansive atmosphere. Unlike anything in my practices so far. I was made aware of some re-wiring that needs to occur to my brain stem - particularly where it leads to the right hemisphere. You know the shape a atomic bomb explosing makes... that mushrooming effect? Well it was as if my perineum was the point where the bomb went off and I could feel energy mushrooming up my spine, getting narrower as it went up. That big bit where the cloud blooms was my brain... Amazing experience. Just that, an experience - all part of the divine and just scenery alone the path. And my, oh my, what a view it is. Can tell I am not even scratching the surface yet, but I thank you for showing me things of what is to come and beyond. Most humbly, James P.S. Kudos, btw I saw your guitar skills on youtube. I'm not a great prog fan (more thrash, doom and stoner metal) but I know good guitaring when I see it!!

I was intrigued to hear in that video that it helps synchronise the activity between the two hemispheres. According to a few New Scientist articles that I have read this is also the case with seated meditation. So, I thought I would try an experiment. Jedi777, since you posted this thread I have been practicing this daily before my afternoon meditation and pranayama session. In the mornings I have a different pre-meditation routine. Anyway... My afternoon meditations have been much more fruitful in general compared to my morning ones. I attribute this to the SuperBrain Yoga getting part of my meditation's job done before I even sit. The third eye pretty much always has a great pressure during my afternoon sessions, compared to my morning sessions where it is only now starting to occur. Thank you for posting this. And thank you for getting me in touch with my nearest Pranic Healing teachers. My path is progressing well it would seem Yours humbly, James

Wise words. Master Lam does a good book on standing meditation called The Way of Energy. I recommend you find an internal martial arts teacher to help correct your posture though. Unless you can afford to take lessons in Alexander Technique. Eventually you may wish to visit a shiatsu practitioner or chiropractor... Taking up standing meditation will help ground you and help distribute the energy more evenly throughout your body. Essentially it's just a type of qigong and is used as a fundamental practice is all the internal martial arts (to the best of my knowledge anyway). Taking up a qigong practice or a chinese martial art will help in the same manner. Choose your path There are many places to get advice on seated meditation. Bill Bodri's website, meditationexpert.com, can give you much of the information you may seek. You are not doomed, just take it easy and diversify your energy practices. I agree with the other's that you are running too much yang energy through you - it might be an idea to train as a healer in the various healing arts if you are so inclined. So many options, so much time. Collect yourself and carry on brother Yours humbly, James

and... http://technology.newscientist.com/article/mg18524881.400

Cheers for posting this! Don't suppose you know what timezone they are in?? Think India lies in a few...

I second that Santiago, I trust that you'll see to it that it all goes smoothly and I hope all those attend keep up what they are taught over the few days.

Not actually a practice... more a cure... There was a youtube video posted here around the time i first joined. It showed a raw food retreat for diabetic sufferers. Apparently people were healed. I'll try hard to find the link! EDIT: here it is - pretty sure this is what was posted! James

Nope... male. At least he was. Master Stephen Co, his faithful student, now teaches Pranic Healing's courses as Master Sui died a while back.

Lol Yoda! You know our culture too well

Smile, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I considered buying this book, but it seemed too much effort to get a credit card for just one ebook. Heh, it was you who initially led to me Bill Bodri and his teachings have been helpful in my development. You are a scholar and a gentle man. Thank you, James