RiverSnake

I am not familiar with many traditional Taoist meditations.....but It is my understanding that Chi Kung is often emphasized in Taoist practice. My 2 cents, Peace

Just finished reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is basically a series of conversations that the author has with a Christian Mystic over the course of two years. The book is written in an older style so at times the language can be quite thick...but not empty. It was refreshing to actually read a book in which a spiritual teacher is straight forward with his words rather than speaking in metaphor and koans. Also it was interesting to here about mystical phenomenon from a Christian perspective given that Christianity does have its own Mystical Tradition and yet we never of it. Overall it was a very good book and i found my knowledge of Karma, elementals, siddhis and the astral plane was greatly expanded from reading it. Some of the things written in the book can seem quite crazy and i am a very open minded person. I thought it was interesting how much of what is written also coincides with what i have read in IIH. -I highly recommend this book

Hm....you don't seem like a newbie? My 2 cents, Peace

It's one of my favorite books to this day. Hope you enjoy it. My 2 cents, Peace

Supposedly this is a good book on the topic of Baphomet. Have yet to read it myself but he supposedly represents a kind of primal life-force. http://www.amazon.com/Book-Baphomet-Julian-Vayne/dp/1906958467/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373037014&sr=1-1&keywords=Baphomet My 2 cents, Peace

Lol.

I personally say fuck that shit, if you listen to your intuition and combine that with reading books you will be fine and learn in a natural way. Take your time meditating on the cards and reading descriptions of them and there deeper meanings will gradually unfold as you continue to experiment and do readings. Ofcourse that is not the best approach for every person and some people need a "structure" to facilitate there learning. That was not my preference when approaching working with the cards. As for using the cards as gateways In Trance work.....I don't have much experience with that......it is best to have non-human guides or inner contacts when working astrally as we tend to be stupid with this stuff given we are quite "dense" beings. My 2 cents, Peace

It's a technique generally called forceful zhine. When you focus on an object your giving it energy and thus probably why it appeared to glow....you were probably seeing the aura of the object. This is a technique often emphasized in Tibetan Traditions. There are 3 steps: 1. Forceful Zhine 2. Natural Zhine 3. Ultimate Zhine http://www.plotinus.com/zhine_tibetan_dream_yoga_copy.htm Make sure your completely relaxed while practicing, you don't want to let the intense focus lead to tension, any kind of tightness is bad and defeats the purpose. Overall it's a great exercise for concentration which is the most important skill in Esotericism. You can take that concentration and apply it to other techniques. My 2 cents, Peace

There are many recommendations for Qi Gong in this thread. http://thetaobums.co...start-out-with/ However, this is a simple technique that can help you jump right into healing yourself: http://m.youtube.com...h?v=gr5MkMLyoeI Not whacking off will help you build energy and help you heal yourself. Qi Gong will help you but it also requires a strong will and self awareness to get over your addictions. The more Qi Gong you do the better you will feel and and more self aware you will be. It's complementary. I wish you the best of luck. My 2 cents, Peace

Our thoughts, emotions and perspective are a result of our vibration/energetic state. Right now "K" is probably bulldozing up against some pretty intense blockages in your body and which is probably why you are feelingo so chaotic. IME detachment is a natural process of spiritual development, however you are getting hit with these experiences at such a rapid rate that your personality is having difficulty grappling with the changes, most practitioners do interal work for years before they hit with this kind of internal fire. If you give it time, do internal work and surrender to the process you will eventually level out and come into some kind of stable state. I wish you the best and hope you level out soon. My 2 cents, Peace

DP

I had an addiction to my mind and fears. Through Internal alchemy I continue to heal mself. My advice: Stop wacking of and practice Qi Gong daily and also pray daily for assistance to whatever God or High power you believ in....if your an atheist pray to the niverse or nature...etc. Its not gonna be easy at all, but if you dont give up and persevere no matter what life hits you with......you will suceed. My 2 cents, Peace

When you let go of everything......then you simply observe, enjoy and take in the beauty and glory of creation. You listen to your higher self and follow your path. The void/emptiness can be scary and depressing at first.....but you get used to it and will eventually find it to be a truly blissful way to live. My 2 cents, Peace

Here are some full lotus stretches: http://zenmontpellier.voila.net/eng/lotus/lotuseng.html Here is list of systems of Qigong: http://thetaobums.com/topic/27757-what-is-the-best-qigong-lineage-to-start-out-with/ My 2 cents, Peace

Personally I began my practice of qigong from a DVD and visit my teacher once every year or two. However, that just worked for me. Dont really know any teachers inthe big apple, but I am sure there are. My 2 cents, Peace

Meditation, lots of friggin meditation and Chi Kung. Maintain the void at all times. My 2 cents, Peace

Devotional work has always been very heart opening for me. We never stop learning to surrender. My 2 cents, Peac

If those are the ones your draw towards than those are the ones you should check out. Welcome to the taobums. My 2 cents, Peace

Email him and ask

For me personally combining my foods according to TCM trophology guidelines has helped me a lot with any trouble in the bathroom. http://thetaobums.com/topic/25715-tcm-food-combining/ My 2 cents, Peace

Just finished reading Protection and Reversal Magick by Jason Miller. Its one of the most thorough books on defense i have ever read and it is not a fluffy bunny work, but is meant for the practicing Occultist. He covers a wide variety topics: -Daily Practices for Protection -Protecting your Home -Exorcism -Using Spirit Guardians and Servitors -Reversals and Counter Magick -How to actually recognize your being attacked i really enjoyed it and learned a lot even though i have read other books on psychic self-defense and was familiar with some of the material. I highly recommend it. Probably gonna buy the rest of his works. My 2 cents, Peace

The book is mainly techniques and he doesn't necessarily go into his beliefs about Gods, servitors and what he feels is right or wrong.....but what he says is.....what are you willing to take responsibility for? Cause and effect is the name of the game, if you do something then be ready to take responsibility for it and the consequences that come and learn from the experience. The book is mainly defense based. However, he does include some reversal techniques....so if someone curses you you simply reverse the curse that the person sent to you back on them....and he gives examples from his life on how this has went right and wrong. IMO he provide a very well rounded and balanced perspective on the topic. My 2 cents, Peace

There is some useful info on the topic of retention in these threads: http://thetaobums.com/topic/22912-semen-retention-100-days-and-my-experiences/ http://thetaobums.com/topic/26533-great-spiritual-physical-mental-benefits-from-semen-retention-celibacy-and-mental-emptiness-my-experience-and-thoughts/ My 2 cents, Peace

http://thetaobums.com/topic/27757-what-is-the-best-qigong-lineage-to-start-out-with/ My 2 cents, Peace

Interesting, thanks. Gonna try it. My 2 cents, Peace