RiverSnake

For me personally i found that doing Hatha Yoga is a great exercise. I find it fun, challenging, and very rewarding. It keeps the body in good condition for the short term and long term and it also compliments one's spiritual practices.

Make a post in the general discussion asking for help. There are many knowledgable people on the forum whom have experience helping others and can give practices that will help you ride out the storm. Seth Ananda and Vaj are two such people on the forum.

Meditation in essence is cultivating awareness in all things: awareness when we are talking, running, working, and any other activity. Awareness free of all cumbersome mental banter. You're are saying that people should not be self-aware?

People for a long time have used ancient symbols as meditation tools. Christians use the cross, Daoist's might use the eight triagrams, Buddhists might use a Mandala. I have heard people say that by meditating on symbols you open yourself up to the entire history and energy of that symbol and also you can imprint such things as mandalas on your consciousness which can help with self-realization. For those whom have actually used such tools i was wondering as to the benefits of meditating on symbols? Are these metaphysical benefits true? Is there value in such a practice? And if so how has it worked for you?

What is Yi?

Interesting links CT. Thanks. Do you any of you guys have actual personal experience with using symbols as meditations. If so and your open to sharing please do so.

It is said that you can tell how far you are on the path by how blissful your life is and how close you are to truth. If everyday you feel intense suffering then you are still in your infancy...still too much garbage clotting your being.

I have heard many people say that if you are an energetic healer if your not careful you can be depleted and absorb the other persons illness. At the same time i have heard other equally reliable people say that when giving your energy to others in the form of healing you recieve even more back, the more you give the more you recieve. -It therefore confuses when people say you can become depleted? How can you become depleted if you get back energy from healing others? -Is there a certain balance of exchange that a healer must strike when giving a session? To me both points of view seem valid but at the same time contradict each other. -Can anyone answer this question?

Good stuff. Thanks. Gerard whats the title of the thread you made regarding your teacher with the video of him speaking about shakti?

There are many systems of Chi-Gung out there. The Way of Energy is a basic introduction to one of the simpler (but powerful) styles. If you want physical health it will take you there (as will most systems). For mental health simple meditation is highly complimentary. The more you do it the more benefit you get. My link -My 2 cents, Peace

IMO they are not reffering to a physcial death. The spiritual path IMO is a constant process of death and rebirth, it is unavoidable. "When there is no self, you are ready for the super-self." -My 2 cents, Peace

Why do you want to learn Chi-Gung?

One of my favorite books. Glad to see i am not the only one to pick up some its gems. In regards to your career Pie: In all of life i have only one rule that i follow and is useful in all circumstances. "Be true to yourself."Whatever happens happens, as long you are straight and honest with yourself. -My 2 cents, Peace

The Mind really is amazing. It never ceases to amaze me how it can rationalize anything.

I have found that spontanoes shaking is a good method for removing blockages. Do a 3 hr session and see what happens.

Every individual whom has ever cultivated themselves whether they stay in society or not has benefited humanity directly or indirectly. Their very energy helps shift humanity to a higher consciousness. You don't need to be a healer or a guru to help the world. The car mechanic whom practices cultivation helps all the people he comes in contact with just by his presence and the exchange of energy of a pleasant smile. -Are there more direct ways? Yes, but not everyone wants to or needs to carry that cross. There are plenty of genuine teachers out there, people just need to feel the thirst of dissatisfaction and ignorance in order to motivate them towards a higher state of being. My 2 cents, Peace

I wish you the best of luck Twinner. I know from personal experience that the more garbage (fears) we clear out of our attic the more free space we have to move around in life. Once you start the path the ball and chain can only get lighter. -Peace and Love

The spirit of Christmas is about selflessly giving to others from the heart. However, much like the spark of spirituality that created religion...the sparkle inevitably dies and all that is left is ritual empty of heart. -Christmas is a religious ritual which has been readily adopted by our capitalist economy in order to spur consumerism...but that is not to say that the individual cannot still carry the spark that created Christmas within his heart. -My 2 cents, Peace

Geez Gerard, way to be a prick. I have watched this guys videos for awhile. He doesn't have a following, he's just a lone ascetic that travels and takes videos and puts them on youtube...many of which i have found insightful and helpful. Nor does he ask for money or market himself to his viewers. You act like everyone who walks the path should be trying to save the world? And if they do otherwise their worthless? He gives his knowledge and experiences away for free...isn't that of some value. -My 2 cents, Peace

My requirements are simply that a teacher be Honest and Sincere in there teaching. Though i think it is a very common thing for people to project there expectations and limitations onto a teacher and be disappointed when there ideas are not met. I am by no means a teacher but what i have experienced and felt is that every person has some limitations around them (some thicker than others) and this gives the teacher 2 choices...he can dance around the students limitations by not saying anything that offends them and bide his time in the hopes that the student will slowly get over himself (a more watery way) or the teacher can take out the hammer (a more fiery way) and plunge through the students discriminating ego...this ofcourse comes at the risk of losing the student...however, i think it comes down to the wisdom and style of the teacher in determining which way to go about things. In the Zen tradition they have something called the Interview in which i think fulfills a similar role where the teacher picks apart the students limitations or ego. -My 2 cents, Peace

Hey Seth been doing a bit of shaking and have personally felt the benefits. However, i was wondering if you could tell about some of the benefits you and other have gotten get from the practice and also if you already practice Chi-Gung or some kind of cultivation in what way can it compliment your practice? -Chris

I agree with Shizu. -Confucius never had any success in politics because he wouldn't put up with the bullshit. He ended up resigning and living a simple life. -The easiest way i have devised to keep oneself safe in rough times is to possess nothing of value then people usually won't try to kill you. Note: i have not actually tryed this...just theorizing.

Stopping whining like a little girl and sack up. You're not helpless, you have the power to solve your own problems. Like Gerard said, all it takes is persistance and one step at a time. -My 2 cents, Peace

There are already to many divisions in the forum. -My 2 cents, Peace