.broken.

As far as I'm aware, qigong is not solely a Daoist practice. I believe it can be found in a number of martial arts - though I am by no means an expert on the matter. Having, like many here, studied a variety of spiritual practices it is possible to categorise meditations into the following sections: - Breathing techniques - Repetition of mantras - Visualisations - Concentration on an object, or any number of objects for that matter - Contemplation - Mindfulness (seperate from concentration?) Of course, many practices fall into a multitude of these sections. Probably missed a few out too... Left out stillness because, well, as far as I've been able to tell one is simply being mindful of being still. Your wording was most crucial. What is the intent (in Daoism)? Intellectually speaking it is arguably the intent that differs from tradition to tradition and their corresponding practices. This is why it is important to know what it is you are seeking next. Once you know this, you can find the practices that fit best. Follow your heart - that's all that's worked for me, try it if you fancy Yours humbly, James

Likewise. Santi, thank you! Met Guru Ipin both yesterday and today. A jewel amongst men - as my facebook status currently says Lol, got the wounds to prove it too! Teehee Yours, James

No religion requires anyone to believe in anything, it is the interpretation of the teachings by the individual that imposes such a requirement upon themselves. The realisation of ignorance is a difficult path. Most walk with their eyes shut. People who fight for 'reason' have the same misunderstanding of the word as followers of the 'truth' have of itself. Fighting itself is in conflict with both. I've put my sword down by the river. I ain't gonna study war no more. Yours humbly, James

You 'bump' a post to bring it back to the top of the main forum. That's all it is

Simply wanted to say that this is a great thread. You never fail to write with great clarity Freeform - kudos. SJ, I just heard some lyrics that apply to this: "Fear can stop you loving, love can stop your fear, fear can stop you loving, but it's not always that clear." Two sides of the same coin... expand you heart by learning how to love and by learning how to abolish 'your' fear. Yours humbly, James

As dwai rightly said, reincarnation works as part of karma. If you haven't cleared your karmic debt before you die, you shall be born again somewhere else - another realm, another time... really depends on what you're willing to believe in. Personally speaking I have pre-birth memories. Nothing fanciful about it, I remember them as I remember yesterday. Modern psychologists might disagree, but hey they're brought up in a world of science based on certain puritanical Christian beliefs. Before people ask about my past lives, all I remember was dying. An elderly lady who was very lonely. I remember certain 'realms' more vividly and I remember the sheer pull of sorrow for humanities suffering which brought me back. I'm being watched by certain guides and spirits, and have been since I was born. How it works? Well, Gnostics believe that after you die you are judged on karma, kundalini and the number of human incarnations you've had. 108 turns and your out - back to the lower realms. Do I believe it? I just keep an open mind. Am a Buddhist at heart... there is no immortality. Life after death is possible, but it's by no means permanent. Our souls are called upon when needed. Yours, James

Hehe, think you were closer than expected One day, cat, one day you will get the opportunity. Keep up your bhakti, it's bringing serious results. Every moment, practice with all your heart. Yours in admiration, James

This argument is flawed. Imagine you have two populations. One of which is an unknown population of 'souls' (population A) and another being the unknown population of 'beings' (population . Even if population B increases over time, we have no idea as to what the total of population A is, neither do we know the rules, if any, that are followed with regard to migration from one to another. Also, some teachings tell us that there are multiple planes of existence, so the amount of life on Earth is irrelevent - even more so if one looks at the likelihood of life within other areas of the Universe. There are a number of different approaches to this question... though I think ultimately the question you should ask yourself is do you think it to be truely impossible? We still have free will. The situations that arise do so because of our previous actions, whether one believes in past lives or not. It's in the moment that we make a (conscious?) decision that we determine our future. Yours humbly, James P.S. There's a relatively informative book regarding attempts to scientifically examine past lives call Old Souls by Tom Shroder.

! Sorry to hear that dude, I know how much you were looking forward to it If Santi doesn't mind me arriving a little late I'll let you know how it goes! Take good care, James

On my way

Cheers for the response Santi I had had little sleep the previous night and was running low on energy. Doesn't help that my practice hasn't been regular of late either. It was out of character and I let anger carry me. I am sorry for coming across as unkind and uncivil. I got paid yesterday so I may be able to afford the travel. Had the thought that it might be a fair bit cheaper to come by coach. As soon as you've got the address I'd be grateful if you could give me the details so that I can plan my travel arrangements. I have to be back in Scotland for the Monday, so there is the possibility that I may only be able to spend the Saturday at the workshop - thought you should know. I hope that you had a pleasant trip to the UK and that all is going well for you. Blessed be James

It's looking increasingly unlikely that I'll be able to attend the workshop. London was a viable option for me due to the fact I have family and friends based there - accommodation wouldn't have been a problem. There are also cheap train tickets for sale to London. Now that the venue details have been delayed for so long, and the idea that it'll be somewhere other than London really doesn't give much hope for me being able to attend. What's more challenging is that I am still not aware of what dates this workshop will be held on. Can't help but feel that the stereotypical American viewpoint of the United Kingdom is being perpetuated here... it's not easy, nor cheap, to get from one part to another - particularly in the absence of a motorised vehicle. I'll try me best to get a train ticket to wheresoever the venue will be once details are finalised. Dr Glenn has been a great influence in shaping my practice, as has Santiago. I will move heaven and earth to attend the event, but even that is not possible at times. Yours humbly, James

A few that have been bookmarked in my StumleUpon adventures.... http://www.veggiemealplans.com/ http://www.parsleysoup.co.uk/ http://www.vegcooking.com/ Enjoy James

Afraid you twisted my words slightly. I saw no profession of faith either. I was merely pointing at the universal aspect that this article has... it has the potential to appeal to believers and non-believers. If we need to have figured out nuclear fusion, created a true artificial intelligence and abolished poverty before we can even reach the stage where we become a Level 2 civilisation then ultimately we would need to be capable of a very strong level of compassion uniformly. God, as portrayed in this article, is merely stating that they want compassionate beings to leave their solar systems - those capable of understanding other cultures, far removed from their own. To ensure such compassion he, or the laws of physics, have devised a self destruct for anyone who reaches the technological advancements but fails on the 'humanitarian' front. What it could be is anyone's guess... science fiction wouldn't be too far to look in such instances. Anyway, if we did have fusion technology we'd be able to power the greatest mind humans could arguably be in possession of... it would be capable of far more than our own. My guess would be that the artificial intelligence would operate on a quantum computer and it would be the one to discover this knowledge, as well as what is needed to leave the solar system. Yours, James

I have to say, this is perhaps the best thing I've read recently. Its genius is truly awesome. It acknowledges the existence of God, yet is written by an atheist. It permeates the enlightened teaching of 'simply be' whilst informing us that the entirety of existence is for the purpose of love. Ecstacy is the reward for procreating as well as reaching higher stages - sound familiar? The purpose of life is to reach godhood - sound familiar? Whether it is true or not is an interesting intellectual exercise. I read some of the comments in the 'discuss this post' link at the bottom of the page and many there seem to be missing the whole of what this article attempts. Those that say it isn't true say so because they made up their minds on the existence of a god before they read the article. You see, you have the usual two factions of 'no there is no god' and 'yes there is, but it doesn't follow the teachings I have based my faith upon.' Here we come across the usual stumbling block of supposed rationality and blind faith. A futile argument and dead end points of view. There is so much I enjoy about this article, my thoughts are too scattered to pin point it. It encapsulates all of the following: - compassion for other beings - responsibility of our surroundings as well as of each other and ourselves - evolution/perpetual change - the thrills of cultivation and what some know as 'spiritual evolution' - the beauty of being able to keep an open mind which does not choose between opposing views but uses them as models of further intellectual development - the idea that dna is what life is all about - the advaitic perspective that it is one grand play for 'the one' so it can find itself again - the idea that the godhead itself was born of dna and that we ourselves can reach that status - the idea of a cyclical universe as well as multiple universes - the idiocy of closed minded belief - the fact that creativity and imagination are of great importance in the development of ourselves as a species (all other races for that matter too) - that we pale in significance to the greater works, yet equally favoured ... and so much more. I have no reason to disbelieve it, nor do I have a reason to believe it. If one wants to judge its truth or not, I would suggest awaiting to see if the prediction(s) it gives comes true Time, as always, will tell. Yours in reverence, James p.s. apologies for the awfully constructed post - as I said, my thoughts are scattered when it comes to analysing this article... so tempted to write an essay on the matter.

Beyond words. Inconceivable.

I'm up for it too

Good posture generally means a healthy spine. Good posture also requires less muscular effort to hold in place, thanks to core strength. Many ideas spring to mind, including: - Qigong - Any martial art, the more internal the better - Alexander technique - Chiropractic therapy (though, this is best backed up with any of the aforementioned) You may be interested to know that grey matter has been found in the spinal chord and its role in the body is being re-examined. Look after your spine well, but DO NOT pay attention to the teachers of your past - the western idea of a good posture is very much military based (chest out, etc.)... very much like our education system, funnily enough. Good ol' Prussians. Yours, James

Well, you know, online I can find my teacher's teacher http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zxxebP0u31g

The sheer mundane-ness of it all. Highs and lows occur but I am a silent witness, non-participative. My ego goes about its formulated business of day to day chores, yet I remain silent and withdrawn. I see the 'evil' my ego does, I see others toil in samsara, I see the perpetual unfolding of the ordinary. There is sheer incongruity between who I am and who I have been in this life time. Constant awareness is so hard, yet so easy. Constant mindfulness is challenging when the ego is seemingly in control of the actions that are supposedly my own. To bring one's awareness to material fruition. That, Lin, is most prevalent within my mind. Yours with humble respect, James

Maranatha

Read this and thought you might be interested in the following article: http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/18/sustainable_extravagance/ Yours humbly, James