lifeforce

This internal maelstrom is so all-encompassing that I was not able to locate it's source, but I didn't have any thoughts of trying to. The bliss was indescribable. It is quite difficult to put into English language. The Sanskrit term ghurni, as I gave examples of above, is the only way I could think of explaining and understanding my experience.

Not necessarily. See my link above.

I'd be interested to know more of your mantra practices.

Dillman was outed years ago as a fraud.

I rest my case.

I happen to be Sufi and I've never heard such mumbo jumbo. Who are these "Mo Pai masters" that you speak of ? What constitutes "advanced Buddhists and Taoists" ?

http://m.nirvanasutra.net/site/mobile?dm_path=%2Fdreadofthesoul.htm&fw_sig_premium=1&fw_sig_permissions=none&fw_sig_permission_level=0&fw_sig_social=1&fw_sig_session_key=54b7d9625b045b2f28259d325f7df8791125e22a449f2e6dc709ce38597e3a5f-8967449&fw_sig_potential_abuse=1&fw_sig_locale=en-US&fw_sig=410418d4a2878f17cea0af203aa6ea60&fw_sig_time=1527503067135&fw_sig_partner=webs&fw_sig_access_token=6334516ba53dd4d26ae71a8a5f00bce7b12abd89&fw_sig_url=http://www.nirvanasutra.net/&fw_sig_site=8967449&fw_sig_tier=-1&fw_sig_is_admin=0&fw_sig_api_key=522b0eedffc137c934fc7268582d53a1&fb_sig_network=fw#0202 Such a long hyperlink !

Self determination. The ability to motivate yourself to get up and actually do your practices.

At first glance I thought this was a map of Tibet !

https://buddhaweekly.com/amitabha-sutra-cutting-delusions-one-pointed-blissful-contemplation-amitabha-buddha-pure-land/ This webpage explains it far better than I could put into words. If you read it, re-read it, contemplate the meaning, and put the teachings into actual practice, you have a method for achieving liberation that is as valid as any other. Best wishes.

Vaj dead ? That's so sad. Always enjoyed his input.

Lin Ai Wei Mal Witch Yoda

Greetings. Recently, I had one of those "a-ha" moments that comes along every now and again while practicing the arts we love. As some of you may know, I've been practicing Xingyi for 16 years now. My main focus has been Xing Yi Nei Gong, San ti shi and the five fist forms. I haven't diverted from that formula but sometimes I break into some movement, combination and form which, to my knowledge, isn't part of any xingyi lineage. I've even tried these things out on my training partner. It's just something that 'comes to me' and feels very natural. While watching some xingyi videos, I clicked on a link to some Tongbei training films. Jibengong, forms, striking, applications etc. What I saw amazed me. It was EXACTLY what I'd been spontaneously playing around with, and I mean EXACTLY. Right down to footwork, entering and striking, exercises, the lot. I had never seen Tongbei before, ever. To me this is really strange and my training partner was really spooked by it when I showed him the videos. Has anybody any experience with this ? Not Tongbei as such, but knowing something really well, without ever having ANY exposure previously.

Excellent ! This correlates with the teachings of Nondual Saiva Tantra. Not wishing to veer off topic, I'm currently reading a book entitled "Tantra Illuminated" by Christopher Wallis. I'm about a third of the way into it and the crossover between NST and Buddhism is mentioned heavily.

To be honest, most xingyi that I've seen on YouTube etc is awful. It's like glorified karate. No substance whatsoever. Devoid of any internal development. Zero gong fu. I agree that you could learn to defend yourself using xingyi a lot quicker than the other "big" internal arts, but there are some less well known systems which incorporate deep internal cultivation AND can be much quicker to put into practical use. I'm currently exploring Tongbei, and there's also Bajiquan, Piguaquan, Chaquan, Xinyiliuhequan, Yiquan etc...

Sorry but his xingyi is terrible.

https://youtu.be/Dq5DYOlJoVI https://youtu.be/pFUGi2bZqLg Deep internal arm waving... Tongbei style.

Couldn't agree more. Pigua and Baji are very similar to the 'Big 3' internal arts also.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/pagantama/2018/06/12/connecting-with-shinto-kami-overseas/

The whole world is multicultural. It is human politics that divides.

http://www.greenshinto.com This site has a lot of information. I love the aesthetics of Shinto. As an ancient folk/nature practice and philosophy, it is uniquely Japanese. However, a practice centered around your locale and it's natural surroundings can easily be adapted from Shintoism. Great topic.

Following this thread with interest. Not sure if this is relevant but my acupuncturist, who cured my 2 decades long hay fever in half an hour, advised me to start taking good quality acidophilus and consuming sauerkraut.

My best friend got me into the internal arts over 20 years ago. We became friends by being work colleagues. Every day at work we would have conversations that no one else had a clue about. Deep, meaningful talks on cultivation techniques, spirituality, meditation, religion etc. We also trained at lunch break much to the amusement of our fellow workers. We no longer work together and very rarely get the chance to meet, but our phone conversations last hours.

Thanks for the link. I've just sat through both parts. Very well put together and inspirational. A recurring theme I got from watching was that: All paths (and none) are equally valid (as most of us here already know). There is no place for religious or spiritual fundamentalism, as in my path is the best/only Way. No organisation has the monopoly of awakening. The mixing of paths, taking from various traditions is as equally valid, in fact, I feel it is encouraged in these films. We are so fortunate in these times that we have instant access to the wisdom of the entire world. This forum has introduced me to teachings and practices that I would otherwise had not heard of. The Daobums is a special place, and I hope it continues to be.

Well, Tolkien was a staunch Catholic.