RyanO

Yes I've heard that before. I think one of the issues for me has been not having any kind of community support or ongoing relationship with a teacher. I've recently been going to a good Qigong teacher in my area so perhaps that'll break the spell!

Super cool! Any thoughts on the energetic effects of Namo Kuan Shi Yin Pu Sa? Perhaps intent is the key as I focus it mainly on my heart and experience it there. Taking a look at your prayer mudra evolution of KYMQ, that's awesome. I got the DVD based on your suggestion (and my interest in KY) but didn't start a regular practice as it seemed to 'brain' based, which I thought was interesting because I associate Kuan Yin with the Heart. But your understanding that that the brain work is merely a part of it makes sense.

Great responses everyone! snowmonki: Thanks for the info! American Gods looks cool, I'll check it out. Your info and links are exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for so thanks. I agree with you in general about not being overly particular about specific titles etc as long as the intent is sincere. But I am very curious about Kuan Yin's role in Taoism in general, any more info from your library would be appreciated! Walker: Very cool! Would love to visit a Kuan Yin temple someday. I didn't realize that Taoists revered the Heart Sutra. To hear it's a foundation text of the Complete Reality school is especially interesting. Does this apply to the whole school or just certain sects such as Dragon Gate?

Ah, Satan. You can find him here: http://www.churchofsatan.com/home.html Although in that movement he doesn’t really exist and is just used as a metaphor for the ideal rebel as well as Nature in a religion that is essentially dressed up objectivist philosophy. Then there is theistic Satanism which is quite different and based in Judeo-Christian metaphysics. One's understanding of Satan and evil of course will inevitably depend on one's metaphysical beliefs. Simply put, Satan provides a nice scapegoat for the problem of evil for monotheists. People who don’t believe in evil or Satan have to explain why there is suffering and pain. Suffering might be explained away by ego, but it is clear that pain is inherent in Nature. Materialists certainly have an easy time explaining this. But those who believe in an inherent ‘goodness’ of reality and no Satan have a much more difficult time explaining the existence of pain. The suggestion that pain is necessary for spiritual growth finds its greatest enemy simply in the unfairness of it. Of course this has been addressed before lol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_evil To me, it makes the most sense to see gods/deities/bodhisattvas as all-loving but not necessarily all-powerful in the traditional sense (as they are subject to the dynamics of ultimate reality/Tao).

I'm pretty sure the longest something can steep is 10 mins so that probably wouldn't work at least for that length of time.

I usually drink yerba mate with honey I make using this guy: http://www.brevilleusa.com/the-tea-maker.html It's awesome! You set the temperature and time and it'll do all the work for you. Also has a programmable setting so you can set it to be ready when you wake up. A little pricey but highly recommended. Of course it kind of takes the ceremony out of tea making but it's very convenient and is great for making sure the temp and steep time are accurate.

Great topic Informer! Very relevant to a recent development in my spirituality. The following is obviously an intimate personal experience but I thought I might as well share. Basically, to answer the topic, yes I have found the heart center and it happened inadvertently. My 'doorway' was sexuality. It had become apparent to me that sex was not a path to lasting fulfillment, but this frustrated me, because it seemed like for a while it was. I don't think I'm the only one who has imagined heaven being basically a bunch beautiful naked women around eager to fulfill me every need Conventional sexual satiation however got me to wondering what it was I really wanted--I didn't know. Still seemed like sex. So in this frustration I got in touch with my deepest cravings and amplified them. I began chanting Guan Yin's name over and over with increasing intensity. I chose her because I have always had an affinity for her, she is female and thus able to offer me feminine love, and because she is known for her listening and wish granting abilities. My intention was to find the fulfillment of my deepest longing. What happened was amazing: Though I wasn't locating this mantra physically, I began to have a very intense orgasm--in my heart! It felt very loving, warm, and unconditional, and left me feeling much happier than conventional sex. Of course the implications of this are pretty wild. I am still figuring out how to integrate this experience in my daily life. I could go on, but that is the short of it. I have been chanting the mantra Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa from my heart and have been able to replicate this experience. I even bought a 108 bead mala so I can make this a regular devotional practice. It has definitely made me feel more love for myself and other beings. I am eternally grateful for this experience. Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa

Just wondering if anyone has studied with or heard of Dr. Camilo Sanchez and his Elixir Qigong system. He is an OMD and teacher in my area and I am wondering how his system compares to others (especially most of the ones talked about on here). Since he is local I don't expect many have heard of him but I thought I'd ask. Perhaps people are knowledgeable of his lineage or style? He also teaches other things like Chen Tai Chi and a system of taoist yoga. His website: http://www.elixirqigong.com/ Thanks! -Ryan

Nice thanks bubbles!

I like the interpretation Eric Yudelove gives in his Tao and the Tree of Life. Basically, that metal is air(-) and wood is air(+). I could go into it more but here some relevant links: http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?/topic/15976-taoist-magic/page__p__219231__hl__yudelove__fromsearch__1entry219231 http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?/topic/14058-beginning-taoist-practices/page__st__80

Cool stuff. I don't know about the Earthing products, but I have been doing some some barefoot running/walking in a local park and really love it. Thanks for motivating me to do this even more.

Good tips Brion, thanks. It was a pleasure to meet you and everyone else. Thanks again to Michael and yourself for making this special event happen. -Ryan

I respectfully decline to enter this debate, except to say that I really appreciated this paragraph. If more people understood and took to heart these words, the world would be a better place.

Hey all, just wanted to report that I had a GREAT experience at Michael Lomax's recent workshop. Others have gone into more detail better than I could, but suffice it to say I had some awesome experiences and really felt the transmission. That plus all the great people that were there equals a great time all around. I'm very excited about continuing this practice for 100 days and seeing how it develops! I highly recommend attending a workshop if you're at all interested. If you happen to go to one in Terre Haute, be sure to visit the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. It's incredible, especially if you have an affinity for big cats. Check out this vid of a big guy saying hello to me:

Great answer!

I think for the average person a good way to do this would be to combine it with the Inner Smile or Loving-Kindness meditation. Sending the body some love and transmuting lust that way. People have enough body issues as it is.

Probably not since he's most likely into yoga.

Wow, congratulations! That sounds like quite an accomplishment! I myself have always wondered what would happen if an accomplished practitioner suffered a terrible brain injury which really set them back. Would they maintain their spiritual capacity? If not then what is the reality of spiritual development? Beginning psychology students often learn the story of Phineas Gage, a railway worker who suffered serious frontal lobe damage from a terrible accident (railway spike impaling his skull). Before the accident, he was an amiable man who everyone liked. Afterwards he became cold and grumpy (more or less from what I know, here's more : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phineas_Gage ) I wonder if things could have been different for a cultivator? Perhaps you're inspiring story grants that such things are possible, at least to a certain extent.