RiverSnake

IMO that is the most important word in that entire post. Prayer has been a key practice for me and has been very powerful. Good stuff. I have never heard that before and i do Yoga every morning, its something that i'll start to apply. Thanks -My 2 cents, Peace

"He who desires the Soul, who plays with the Soul, who makes love with the Soul, who attains ecstasy in the Soul, becomes his own master and wanders at will through the worlds. But they who know otherwise are dependent. They dwell in perishable worlds and cannot wander at will." -Chandogya Upanishad

Cool stuff -My 2 cents, Peace

Lol, i think everyone here has there fare-share of taobums battle-scars, myself included. -My 2 cents, Peace

Cool beans. Thanks for all the insights/tips. -My 2 cents, Peace

Hmmm....not sure if i get that one? My understanding and my experience is that knowledge in the realms of the "Mind" is its most limited form. Were capable of "receiving" in so many other ways than simply the intellect. -My 2 cents, Peace

Thanks for the response taoiseasy. I always heard teacher after teacher talk about Virtue, but i never saw it in that particular light, something i will contemplate and meditate on. I am a bit of an nerd and have always associated that area with ones intellect and thus felt it was a bit of a crutch to have a energetic disposition to that area...but i am glad to hear there's more to it than that. Thanks. -My 2 cents, Peace

I have a fondness for Jenny Lamb....so i would say buy her DVD....i am sure it is worth ever penny. I have heard mixed things about Max as a teacher....probably just thetaobums soap opera machine....but then again whom knows, i suggest you get a taste of both teachers and find whom resonates with you the strongest. -My 2 cents, Peace

Thanks for all the advice guys.

No matter what Tradition you follow....i imagine all the ingredients for both cocktails reside in the body. I find it doubtful that chewing on herbs or metals are going to make you more enlightened....though they may of-course assist in the process via supply more of what the body is already producing. -My 2 cents, Peace

Hey drew, I notice that you talk about how Chunyi Lin does Full Lotus for hours at a time. I just recently accomplished the level of flexibility needed in order to get into Full Lotus without hurting my knees....how does one make the jump from sitting a few minutes to being able to sit for hours at a time? Wouldn't want to de-rail this thread...perhaps you could make a separate thread about it? -My 2 cents, Peace

Yeah, i can feel the pulsing. Been feeling similar sensations when i meditate of on the Tree and individual sephirot. Powerful stuff. Some times i'll just feel "fried" after meditating on the Tree for periods of time. What is the actual role of the 3rd eye when doing this kind of stuff...? . -My 2 cents, Peace

There has been a lot of talk about more new subforums for things like the Occult, Neigong....etc I don't visit the subforums that often and generally just go to the General Discussion page. I was curious if i am alone in this respect? How many people here actually check in on the subforums on a regular basis?

The funny thing is all religion comes from Spirituality/Mysticism........Jesus, Muhammad, The Buddha, Lao Tzu....etc -My 2 cents, Peace

Having a physical component in ones practice is very important. I have found that doing some basic Yoga every single morning is very complimentary to my Neigong practice and i also work out at the gym a couple times a week simply because i love feeling the "burn" and pushing and challenging myself...which is not something you usually get from the internal arts. Also in regards to your post on pranayama.....in my understanding Chi Kung is designed to be a safe and stable way of building up ones energies......so you don't bite off more than you can chew and damage your system. -My 2 cents, Peace

Meditate on the Tree....that's about as pure a source as it gets. -My 2 cents, Peace

Live by experience.....concepts and beliefs will send you on an endless wild goose chase. -My 2 cents, Peace

If you're gonna be doing any kind of hallucinogenics i'd recommend you find some one whom has experience and knows how to handle the substances and can act as a guide through the experience....a professional shaman....etc. Make sure to do your research though, plenty of fakes out there. In regards to using drugs in combination with your practice.....not sure if that's a good or bad thing, i have no experience....though i know some people say taking hallucinogenics has "opened" them up in certain ways. However, one's goal should be to practice cultivation to the point where you no longer need to use drugs to be "High". Drugs can be a serious crutch for those who rather just pop a pill than put any effort into there self-cultivation. Also, my understanding is that you should never take any kind of drugs when your in a negative state (fear, anger...etc)....it can amplify tremendously and cause a "bad trip". Most of what i am saying comes from hearing of other's experiences...so take it with a grain of salt. -My 2 cent, Peace

Found this link in Serene's practice journal, lot of good tips in there: http://thetaobums.com/topic/21974-awaken-kundalini-in-90-days/ -My 2 cents, Peace

I have always had some sturdy blockages in my heart center...however after practicing my neigong daily for the last 2 years i am starting to dissolve the last tidbits of blockages in that area. You may find value in getting the assistance of a professional healer....however as far as i am aware....these things take time to dissolve and there are no shortcuts. Keep practicing. -My 2 cents, Peace

I personally have not awakened kundalini. However, in the realm of learning to handle and integrate higher levels of energy i do have some experience because of my retention and Neigong practices. It can be very challenging...physically, emotionally and psychologically........there is definitely a need to have some mode of expression. Currently i am looking into learning how to draw and paint from one of my friends. Looking forward to it. -My 2 cents, Peace

Sounds similar to Do Mo's cave in Path Notes. Its definitely and interesting exercise. Haven't ever utilized this kinda thing for memory though. -My 2 cents, Peace

Hmm....sounds like a tug-o-war between your lower desires and spirituality.......this is an age old problem....finding balance between heaven and earth....and something i think most practitioners struggle with. Can't really think of much advice to give except to work on deepening your own Well of Wisdom, your perspective seems to be confined to the immediate future of busting a nut....which is hardly the BIGGER PICTURE..... Also, perhaps actually practicing some Chi-Gung will help speed up the process of you needing to use all of this energy for removing blockages....given it helps your body run more efficiently. -My 2 cents, Peace

Here are a couple of threads on the topic, i have not practiced SFQ, but have heard nothing but good things. http://thetaobums.com/topic/8409-spring-forestalchemy-correllation/ http://thetaobums.com/topic/16496-spring-forest-qigong-practice-benefit/page__hl__%2Bspring+%2Bforest http://thetaobums.com/topic/22022-chunyi-lin-is-teaching-workshops-on-the-east-and-west-coast/ -My 2 cents, Peace

My understanding is this is not true. You can walk up to one of their lodges and express an interest to join.....though of-course i imagine they have some kind of vetting process.