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One has devotees -- the other, clients. Maybe that is one fundamental difference, idk. Another key point could be because Qigong is not what a lot of Westerners want it to be. In effect, Qigong in Asian countries is a common form of exercise for promoting good health, and not for spiritual cultivation, although in some instances, in can be a tremendous tool for spiritual cultivators, but practicing it in itself is similar to people practicing calisthenics, isometrics or gym workouts in the West. There are alot of unscrupulous 'teachers' around, simply because people are easily fascinated and distracted, and these same peoples find it difficult to believe that it actually costs nothing to eat well, sleep well, love well, and pray well.

9 litres sounds pretty optimum. Ignore what i said then. Hyponatremia usually happens conjunct with other debilitating conditions. Healthy individuals need not fear. But as with anything, moderation is key!!

So true!

If not for the hard and the strong, of what use is the soft and the yielding?

Double water intake could work. Anyway, i have been told consuming too much garlic and onions is not ideal for cultivators as this affects the subtle energetic body. Have asked a few Tibetan yogins and they are all in agreement, especially garlic. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. In Tibetan medicine, it is sometimes prescribed as treatment for specific conditions, like wind diseases, for example. Some trivia concerning the eating of garlic in a tantric context: -- eating garlic reduces the effectiveness of the recitation of mantras. -- it upsets the winds and makes the mind move on its own, thus allowing negative emotions to arise easily. -- in Tibet of old, someone who have eaten garlic will not be allowed into a monastery for at least 3 days. -- garlic and onions are never used in cooking for those who are doing long retreats. -- eating garlic destroys micro-organisms in the body, which is a form of samaya-breakage. -- outer tantra practices forbids garlic-eating; inner tantra practice nothing is forbidden. -- eating garlic prevents the smooth cultivation of the Vajra body and distorts inner vision. -- garlic and sexual abstinence do not 'gel'. Hence monastics have to abstain from eating it. -- garlic is detrimental for those who undertake practices like Chod or Sang. The odor disturbs 'visitors'. -- not only garlic, but all pungent foods, spices and herbs are to be avoided for those new to Buddhist tantra. This helps in generating a congenial inner and outer environment, and aids in visualization practices. Finally, some masters will say that it all depends on the individual's constitution... and one's sincerity (in practice) is not going to be diminished so much as what one takes in but rather what comes out from body, speech and mind. In fact, was it not that famous Jewish yogi who said, "Its not what goes into one's mouth, but what comes out of it that defiles one."

Sounds a bit like malaria to me.

WoW! Very clear, cheers, A!! (...and to think you recalled all this from memory makes me all envious! ) -- salutes --

"I was born in Nun before the sky existed, before the Earth existed, before that which was to be made form existed, before turmoil existed, before that fear which arose on account of the Eye of Horus existed". (Pyramid texts, utterance 486 - ca 2300 BCE) Interestingly, below is a comparative 'utterance' from the Rig Veda: "There was neither non-existence nor existence then; there was neither the realm of space nor the sky which is beyond. What stirred? Where? In whose protection? Was there water, bottomlessly deep? There was neither death nor immortality then. There was no distinguishing sign of night nor of day. That one breathed, windless, by its own impulse. Other than that, there was nothing beyond." (Rig Veda - Creation Hymn - Nasadiya 1-2) In what context should one view the "I" in the Pyramid text above? Thanks.

I just read this about an hour ago. See what you make of this yogi. If the accounts are true (which i think so), then that's my interpretation of someone with authentic spiritual juice. http://bodhiactivity.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/hello-world/ In the martial arts world, i would have to say Grandmaster David Chin is the man.

I am guessing that in some ways Joe was like your personal mirror. Now that that mirror is no longer around, you are beginning to view the rawness of reality without occasionally having to hide behind various reflective surfaces (we humans tend to do this out of habit - we find 'cushions' to lessen the starkness of seeing the truth laid out in all its purity) and this can be quite awe-inspiring, at first, and for some, forever. Its almost like you are now getting glimpses that your senses are not as restricted/constricted as they once were. Maybe you are starting to also touch with your eyes, smell with your tongue, taste with your nose, sense with your ears... and new vistas are opening up. A journey of re-discovering your true face as it is, and not as a reflection. How wonderfully challenging and exciting. Imagine the limitless possibilities!

It appears things have not changed much in the martial world since ancestral times. Not saying thats good or bad.

Corrective note: The 63K plus members do not belong to the BNMAA - This guy set up the BNMAA, according to the report, from his home, and targeted the Derby-based Amateur Martial Association's members, apparently that number of them, to sell them compulsory fight insurance, but the circumstances seem to suggest that he had already plotted the whole con job well ahead, and for the plan to work, he had to appear 'legit' which explains setting up the BNMAA. I doubt this 'association' even has members, or maybe were selling false accreditations to unsuspecting idiots. (sorry, flowing hands). The first thing which struck me as odd and aroused my suspicion when i viewed the cert was the use of the non-existent word 'creditation', which prompted me to dig further. Lesson: Never trust any cert which uses suspect words that dont exist! HA!

I am so glad you are no longer associated with this shoddy little 'school'. Back when you were teaching they must have been sort of authentic. http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/7989269.Martial_arts_guru_jailed_for_an_insurance_scam/ Thanks for the 'setting free' offer, but no thanks. Maybe some other time..

In post 15 i have already declared my status as 'prisoner', one who is bound to your claims of truth of the affairs of heaven, earth, immortality and heavenly lineage... so why are you still asking that i verify my status? In contrast, you are the one who proclaimed 'mastership' (or is it 'masterhood'? idk), which naturally entails some sort of ?, however small it may be. So, when can we expect you to back up your claims by showing some endorsed credentials, eh? If you cant, there's always room in my cell for two. A bit cramped, but at least there's no need for pretense.

Well, you can certainly help in the process by showing some certification from these governing bodies? Sounds important. Show, then tell. Even then, master or not, when it comes to ordinary day-to-day stuff, everyone's entitled to their goofiness, and if you dont think so, your claim does not amount to much. Its always wise to return to the basics again and again, no matter how high one's realization. All those 'masters' who fall do so because they forgot to adhere to this simple precept.

That library sounds fantastic! What a blessing! For those who are generating the right causes they will notice how virtuous circumstances almost effortlessly arise, and when this happens the obscurations naturally dissipate. There is really no need to go look for the causes of old, wornout negative conditions for they do not matter at all. Future results are never determined by past deeds -- they are always determined by present thoughts, present speech, and present actions. As long as you feel there is progress, that in itself is Realization, my friend. Dont be too caught up with what others say about all those lofty stuff. They may be right, but if you take too much on board then the causes of confusion will be activated, so one must take this into consideration, otherwise what's right becomes a stumbling block rather than as an expedient means towards your desired destination. When one is ready, one will discover what one needs to know spontaneously. Things will suddenly make sense... usually you will have a feeling when the turning point begins... occasionally the heart area becomes shimmeringly joyous and warm for no particular reason other than expressing its intended purpose, which is uniting one's innate purity with the primordial purity of all the Buddhas! When these moments occur, let go, and rest in that spacious, nurturing emptiness. After a while, they may increase in frequency, or they will cease. Whichever happens, remember not to chase/grasp. Just keep doing the practices. I am not advising you as such, merely sharing what i have personally been through for your own reflection should it be helpful at some point. I sense very strongly you are making great strides, so keep up the good work! Even one second of sensing your buddha state to be nothing but your own nature, your essence, generates tremendous merits! These are the materials you may find helpful: Liberation In The Palm of Your Hand by Pabongka Rinpoche Path To Enlightenment In Tibetan Buddhism by Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden This audio teaching by Ven Thubten Chodron entitled "Essence of Refined Gold" is also very helpful: http://www.thubtenchodron.org/Commentaries/essence_of_refined_gold.html May all beings be happy!!

Brilliant share, especially above para. Thanks!

Buddhism does very well dealing with the 'dark side'. For every neurosis unearthed, there is a corresponding antidote to remedy it. 84,000 of them, apparently. Its so fundamental that dances are enacted to depict the saints subduing all sorts of demons. That's why in Tibetan Buddhism countless protector deities are to be found. Each one serves a different purpose, but all are emanated from the one source. Where? It is to be found at the core of every being... the deepest wish to be free of sorrow and fears, suffering and alienation. However, the prescribed antidotes do not require one to analyze past conditionings and patterns in order to re-set one's being. What is required, however, is the full knowledge that what one does, from this moment on, determines what one will be tomorrow, a month from tomorrow, a year from tomorrow, 10 years from tomorrow, and so on. So, for example, if one sincerely desires freedom from suffering, then one has to begin this moment to create the causes and conditions for this to happen. Analyzing past darknesses is not, i repeat, is not the same as creating the right present causes. Its another form of delaying one's happiness... another excuse not to believe that freedom is indeed one's birthright.

You forgot to mention eating rollmops, and fish & chips packed in Wall St Journal newspapers!

Guahibo Indian Once I met a man Sun-shriveled, short and stooped In the jungles, Deep jungles of Colombia So remote... It took two days walking, Just to reach the nearest road. This simple, brown-skinned man Had no birth certificate. He didn't even know how old he was. We figured -- maybe 60 From the generations of children, Grandchildren and great grandchildren He had fathered. Me, so naive and proud Boasted in front of him... This man who sat on a bench In front of a hut with its palm-thatched roof And dirt floor - "I've travelled 25 countries", I bragged. He, in all sincerity, looked at me and asked so simply, So profoundly, "Did you find what you were looking for?" (Betty Blair)

Thank you for taking the time to view, guys! Humble apologies -- did not even realize third part was not posted up as i only watched the first part and found it quite well presented. Hopefully it will appear at some point. Cheers!

I dont think you are being dishonest. There will arise moments where formal meditation, when let go of, becomes more helpful, and there are moments when it needs to be held lovingly so as the fruits can ripen naturally. Might not be wise to cut down the tree each time the fruits have been plucked though when a little trim here and there would generally suffice. Non-meditation can be a very misleading term, especially for those new to buddhist tantra.

You'd be surprised to learn that many 'direct path' practitioners incorporate the lam rim into their daily practice. Why? Because its more structured, and more well-lit so that students can have equal and even access to devotional, analytic and absorptive methods. It also makes it more practical for teachers to help their students clear any 'debris' because they will be able to see exactly where the blockage is. Also, one needs to consider the 3 types of mental dispositions of students. The direct path is rarely taught to beginners -- but in today's world, hardly any aspirant would claim their beginner status.

Alright, if you insist.