TzuJanLi

Greetings.. Water nourishes without judgement, the rain falls on good and bad without notice.. Water neither seeks praise nor resists scorn.. it moves through its 3 phases, liquid, steam, and ice like Tao manifests body, mind, and spirit.. Water bathes kings and queens, and it bathes drunks in the gutter.. it is no wonder water and Tao make sense to us.. Nice thread, Marblehead.. (did i make a rhyme?) Be well..

Greetings.. For starters.. combine Taoist 'Reverse Abdominable Breathing' and 'Kegel Exercises'.. be aware that the Qi, on the inhale cycle, will exit the DanTien and enter MCO through the Ming Men (Gate of Life), specifically, Chong Mai (Thrusting Vessel/Spinal Cord).. The 3 compressions (Diaphragm, Abdominals, and Floor musches/Kegels) push the Qi into the Ming Men and Chong Mai, the three compressions also draw-up the Jing and filter/purify it through the DanTien.. While the Water Path traditionally separates at the HuiYin, the Yi (mind) can lead the refined Jing through the Ming Men to the Thrusting Vessel/Water Path.. it rises up the spinal cord to the brain where is nourishes the Shen (spirit).. but, for starters, practice the Reverse Abdominal Breathing and Kegel exercises, this alone will yield noticable benefits. The Kegel Exercises will strengthen the Floor Muscles such that you can 'Lock the Perrinium', preventing external ejaculation.. you will have the same 'feeling' but, the Jing is recycled rather than lost.. Be well..

Greetings.. We are like snowflakes, unique patterns of exactly the same stuff.. ("God", Spirit, or my personal belief, Energy..) Another 'pattern' that survives the individual manifestation is the evolving Human Experience, the sum of Human Knowledge.. Be well..

Greetings.. Aye, Sean.. you're touching on some serious stuff, stuff most people don't want to know about.. but, as we begin to understand the relationships of these 'hidden structures' (there are many), Life will have new meaning.. Good stuff!! Be well..

Greetings.. Hi John: Those are marketing uses of terms and processes the users no nothing of.. a littele more 'google' will reveal some interesting information, be diligent.. i cannot say much more, but.. the actual 'White Tigress' Society preys on males, sapping them of their Jing.. intentional and, due to their energetic training, quite harmful.. careful study and diligent awareness is necessary if you should encounter a classically trained White Tigress.. if you can match their skills and cunning ways, there is a wealth of wisdom available.. if not, it will take years to recover.. they are awesome to behold, moreso to encounter and remain intact.. Be well..

Greetings.. Beware of the 'White Tigress'.. google it if you really want to know.. Be well..

Greetings.. Sexual activity without ejaculation takes some discipline, but.. 12 years later, the benefits are so well worth it. My first go at 'iron palm' training failed because i couldn't retain for "3 moons" (3 months).. i sought proper training and 'intended' the appropriate result.. now, it's not even an issue, and.. your significant other will appreciate the stamina.. Once you learn 'retention', then you can begin cultivation and transmutation.. then, you can link, entrain, and dramatically expand the energies normally lost during mundane 'lovemaking'.. ultimately, you can use these energies and their potentials in every aspect of Life.. imagine the creative potential when it manifests as a controlled orgasm.. music, art, writing, mowing the yard, cleaning the house, anything 'can' have the power and effect of a full orgasm.. guys, imagine your orgasms lasting 10, 20, or 30 minutes AND, having as many as you choose as often as you choose.. it's all very doable with discipline and 'retention'.. Be well..

Greetings.. Hi V: Lets keep ritual in its proper perspective.. That is consistent with Buddhist beliefs.. Taoists, typically, choose to 'wait and see', you just might be surprised by what IS possible.. This is consistent with Buddhist beliefs.. it seems they find 'liberation' in the pronouncement of certainties and absolutes.. Taoists tend to actually investigate things, not relying on preconceived opinions.. Be well..

Greetings.. Hi Bill: Just got back from the workshop.. it was a continuation of earlier work we have been doing, excellent stuff.. i hope we can get a chance to sit and chat sometime, i really think you would 'get' this stuff, it's usefulness transcends specific disciplines, and.. the results are verifiable and undeniable.. the interesting part, though, is its utter simplicity.. reacquainting ourselves with our primal body-mind, trusting our 'true' nature.. anyway, i will reconnect with TT, i hear he's stopped teaching all but a select few.. Be well..

Greetings.. My experiences reveal a slightly different perspective.. in the 'local' experience, the awareness is focused primarily on maintenance of the vehicle/body and its relationship to its physical environment.. the 'non-local' or spirit experience is not confined by local influences, it is united with the whole consciousness.. rather than 'teleporting' or 'astral projecting', it is more a matter of becoming aware of some particular aspect of the 'non-local/spiritual' existence.. there's nowhere to 'go', you're already there.. it's just a matter of refocusing your awareness.. Be well..

Greetings.. Pondering the 'dream' of a butterfly? wasted time, it was a dream.. you wake to the verifiable continuum of existence.. Life asks for your full presence and attention, not fantasy imaginings of passing dreams.. if the dream was an actual experience with the unified consciousness, its message will not involve imagining or speculation, it will apply directly to the continuum of existence.. The whole dream within a dream and butterflies that can't decide what they are thingy, has posed more obstacles to pure Clarity tham is barely imaginable.. the inclination to diminish the value of Life in favor of imaginary conjurings or poetic musings is not a result of Clarity.. Be well..

Greetings.. Marblehead's post is spot on.. when the mind is still the 'process' reveals itself, away from our inclinations to 'paint it our favorite colors'.. as your meditations progress, it is possible to carry this meditation into 'Life at large'.. my Taiji practice offers this potential, becoming so comfortable with 'Living' that there is no need to 'think' it.. it naturally responds to its own existence.. Be well.. Greetings.. It is interesting to note the various attachments to 'ritual' in a Taoist forum.. something a bit inconsistent with Taoist philosophy, as i understand it.. Be well..

Greetings.. LOL, i had a feeling it was you.. well, my studies with Dr. Yang have revealed some interesting insights.. that is that 'both' conditions exist simultaneously, flow and storage.. yes, TT literally vibrates the air around him, it's nice to experience that level of development.. but, do you suppose that too narrow of focus has other consequences? Precisely, the 'river/stream/brook' anaology is exactly my suggestion.. each meridian/vessel doesn't actually contain 'stagnant' Qi, put provides greater capacity for greater 'flow'.. one of our tasks, if we choose, is to expand and refine that 'capacity'.. I agree that 'Martial Taiji' in and of itself will not transcend its own limitations, but.. i also find that its is, perhaps, the single most effective catalyst in bridging the physical and spiritual aspects of a 'Life well Lived'.. By the way, and i know it's a late notice, but.. Rick Barrett is presenting a workshop in Tarpon Springs tomorrow, i'll link you to the flyer.. it's a continuation of the past 4 or 5 workshops, and.. it's something i think would be of interest to you.. http://webmail.aol.com/28878/aol-1/en-us/m...ow_-FLYER-1.doc Good to communicate again, Be well..

Greetings.. Hi Marblehead: Your 'Sage and Chair' analogy/story is spot on.. it is my understandings that Life is experienced through the physical focus of the Consciousness/Awareness individualized perception.. which is to suggest that the direction or 'flow' of the process is from the spiritual (non-local) into the physical (local).. then, as we can plainly observe, the physical returns to the spiritual.. there seems to be a consistency and an observable/experiencable continuum to the physical aspect of the Cosmos.. so, i am confused when i encounter others that reject this physical experience as illusory or not 'real'.. i am amused as some people construct 'imaginary chairs' while fully aware they can't actually sit in them.. the 'direction/flow' suggests that the spiritual/energetic existence 'intends' the physical experience, but.. without control, manipulation, or limitation.. it seems contrary to the direction/flow to focus beyond a healthy balance on the spiritual to the exclusion or detriment of the physical.. we are manifested as physical beings for a very short interval, it is my understanding that we each contribute to the evolving Human Experience, which continues beyond our brief individualized manifestation.. to the degree we are capable of experiencing Clarity, experiencing the spiritual/non-local aspects of our existence, the 'wisdom' indicated by the direction/flow is to enhance the evolving Human Experience.. that is to suggest that Life is for Living, embracing fully.. it, too, will pass.. and i will have no regrets (and the scars to prove it).. There is a quote i really like.. but, it uses terminology that, if understood appropriately, won't detract too much from the message: "The eyes through which i see "God", are the same eyes through which "God" sees me".. hugely profound IF you can let-go of the 'God' baggage.. Be well..

Greetings.. It has been my experience that we don't actually 'store' Qi, as most people think of 'store'.. imagine a garden-hose, about 1 inch in diameter.. then imagine a 6 inch diameter 'bubble or bulge' in the hose.. that's kinda how i sense the physical being, as the 'bubble or bulge' in the hose.. the Qi flows through us, and we arrange the 'structure' of the 'bubble' to most effectively sustain the 'Life' of the 'bubble'.. the Qi in the 'bubble region is not so much stored as disciplined through a pattern or structure according to someone's Clarity, Awareness, and understandings of the 'process'.. it seems like 'storing' because there is a longer interval of 'Qi' experienced as the 'bubble' compared to the uninfluenced flow through the 1 inch diameter hose.. I hope that makes some sense, it took me a while to develop an analogy that approximates my understandings.. and, i'm not sure this gets the message accross.. but, i'll keep at it.. Be well..

Greetings.. Hi Marblehead: As i have been just 'lurking' lately, i am confused by the tendency toward 'wisdom competition' and personality invention being played-out as 'Taoism'.. My personal preferences, by no means a measure of Taoism, lean toward genuine curiosity about the whole process and its many interconnected 'parts'.. i enjoy the sincere investigation of the relationships and consequences that we experience as Life.. it seems to me that Life is fully present, right here, right now.. that this is a temporary reality for our individualized experiences, but.. it is also a fundamental aspect of the evolving 'process'.. my experiences have revealed that Life is a magnificent relationship between the 'source' as a singularity and the 'source' as multiplicity.. this relationship functions most effectively when the physical/local aspect of 'source' fully engages/embraces its physicallity.. this doesn't imply rejecting the Unity and wholeness, but.. bringing them into balance, that Life, when embraced with the understanding of its relationship with the eternal process of an evolving source, becomes a truly profound and magnificent experience.. even when it sucks.. because this is a temporary reality, but.. a very real 'reality'.. Anyway, something seems 'insincere' about much of the 'mind-play' passed-off as something supported by Taoist Philosophy.. i see very little understanding of how wu wei applies to the experience of living well.. conversely, i am also compelled to accept 'wisdom competition' and personality invention as no less Tao than each Spring's rebirth of life.. so, i'll have to accept the conflicting perceptions as idiosyncracies of personal preferences.. hmm, something to ponder.. Be well..

Greetings.. Hi Ryan: Rather than me pointing you to 'my' links, i suggest that you google 'Connective Tissue Tensegrity'.. read a bunch of the hits (i read the first 200).. a pattern emerges that should reveal the amazing potential of re-discovering this physical system that links us to our spiritual existence.. a great read is Rick Barrett's "Through the Western Gate".. he also does some absolutely great workshops on the subject.. Yes, it so simple and can be done anywhere anytime.. it's nearly instantaneous, the mind clears, the chatter falls away, and Clarity emerges.. Try it, i've never seen it fail.. Be well..

Greetings.. There is nothing more important than Life.. it is the basis of all realization.. it resides eternally in the Cosmic Memory, a reference for the future evolution of existence.. nothingness retreats before its evolving Light.. Be well...

Greetings.. Look in front of you.. Tao provides, do you judge Tao? Precepts? Li Po would wash away such nonsense with wine and a giggle.. Men wrote the bible and men wrote the Canons.. neither 'God' nor Tao are confined by either.. Be well..

Greetings.. No, this technique goes back thousands of years.. the index finger was used to indicate many things prior to the development of language and cognitive thought processes.. our ancient ancestors didn't have words to describe threats, they experentially knew better than to make noise, so.. they pointed.. this told others to 'pay attention', it activated a heightened sense of 'body-mind' (CTS).. whatever imagery was dancing in the mind, stopped.. all awareness and focus would be necessary to understand the environment and dealing with the threat.. similarly, the 'pointing', done with different expression and body language would signal food, or potential mates, or.. well, you get the picture.. the pointing was a primal survival tool that activated the 'body-mind'.. it still does to a lesser degree.. the first thing it does it clear the mind, that's the 'point' of my suggestion.. if you notice, after pointing it takes a small effort to activate the 'mental chatter'.. Be well..

Greetings.. Either will accomplish the result.. i use both, for balance.. Since i'm not getting much feedback, ill give a hint: it is one of several very easy methods of activating the 'Connective Tissue System' (CTS).. if you're interested, and you should be, google 'Connective Tissue Tensegrity'.. i read the first 200 hits, some confusing, some too deeply medical for me, but.. the general implication, and i researched much about this amazing and little known system, the general implication is a giant leap for those interested in the physical link to the spiritual journey.. understanding and integrating this understanding into my practices has opened vast new landscapes of potential, it has expanded the practical application of awareness exponentially.. Another hint: check-out as many images of Taiji Masters or notable practitioners when they are pushing-hands.. look at their index fingers.. at least 90% will be extended/pointed.. there's a practical and profound reason for this.. Be well..

Greetings.. Hi Vajrahridaya: No, you don't 'notice', you observe through darkly colored glasses.. one who 'notices' does just that, without applying preconceptions.. What comes 'naturally' is what has evolved the Cosmos into its current magnificent manifestation..No, what you have done is project the programmed suffering onto Nature itself.. It seems 'what you love about Buddhism is the infinite number of ways it provides you to endlessly and self-righteously tell others how 'right' it is.. which, is wrong-action, of course.. There is nothing 'natural' about suffering.. suffering is the condition caused by not doing anything to end the causes of pain, hunger, abuse, oppression, injustice, etc.. and, not doing anything, either by the afflicted or the capable, is ignorance.. if the afflicted are incapable, the capable are bound by natural compassion to act as advocates.. pretty simple and natural. Be well..

Greetings.. I am a prime advocate/activist for ending the causes of pain, hunger oppression, abuse, injustice, etc.. but, i'm not going to anyone's pity party.. Be well..