RiverSnake

I respectfully disagree, i highly enjoy my Zhan Zhuang sessions and i also enjoy meditation. However, i think i'm the exception more than the rule. -The Way of Energy was the first book i ever stumbled upon for Chi Kung. I'm grateful to have come upon such a gem so early in my practice (4 weeks to be exact).

This whole debate reminds me of a conversation between Lao-tzu and Confucious: "Confucious went to Lao-tzu and said, "I have read the Six Classics and consider myself an expert. Yet none of the seventy two rulers whom i advise have ever put my idea into practice! What am i doing wrong? Lao-Tzu answered "You may have read the Six Classics, but keep in mind that these are only footprints, not the shoes themselves. Look at nature. Each animal reproduces according to its nature. Some are live bearers, others lays eggs, to give you a few examples. Every species has its own nature and that nature cannot be altered! The Tao cannot be stopped. When you have the Tao there isn't anything that you can't do, but if you don't have it, you can't do anything! Confucious spent the nex three months alone in his house, meditating on Lao-Tzu's words. When he returned to visit the Master, he told him, "I have it now! I understand that each animal reproduces in its own unique way in accordance with its own nature. I have my own part in the harmony: when i did not teach the rulers in harmony with the natural way, how could i expect to change them? Lao-Tzu replied, Now you have got it!" (Simple Taoism, Pg 18)

Never took any classes on Kundalini. I've read a book on it but i've never heard the word Shaktipat? Also could some enlighten me so to speak on the role of an instructor in the Kundalini process?

Lol.

Fear is the contraction of awareness. -Expand your awareness and you will see your fears for what they truly are.

Any music that comes from the heart is good music.

For those of you who meditate in Seiza posture i was wondering if you could give me some insight. -Whenever i use seiza posture for meditation my legs fall asleep and i feel pain in my rignht ankle. -Is this simply a matter of stretching out my joints and persistance in seiza position which will allow me to stay in this position for long periods of time or is this simply not a good posture for suspended meditation? -Thanks

Thanks for the insights fellas. I appreciate it.

Was reading some Mantak Chia and he notes that if you're feeling pressure in your forehead it's an example of stagnated energy flow. -Gonna start meditating on the dantien and work my way around i should complete orbit in about a month. -Gonna take one day of meditation for each energy center.

Hmm..sounds interesting...if it's not too personal do you mind if i ask from what experience do you draw this insight from?

Thanks for the advice Scotty and Drew. It's funny that you mention the Mantak Chia and the orbit. Whenever i look at my book shelf and am trying to choose which book i want to continue reading i always go by feel. And yesterday i felt that it was time to put down Path Notes by Glenn Morris (which is one of the best books i've ever read) and brush the dust off Mantak Chia. Also that site you posted looks like it has a ton of useful info, can't wait till i have better control over my energy. -I started meditating 15 minutes everyday after Chi Kung and will be increasing the time by 5 minutes ever couple of weeks. I think i'm in love with the esoteric arts.

Don't think it's just a muscle spasm. This vibration between my eyebrows has been happening continuously for the last couple of weeks. It's no longer annyoting, i've gotten used to it. But still wonder whether it has something to do with my Chi Kung Practice: I've been doing Zhan Zhuang standing postures ever day for almost three weeks now. Maybe it's a symptom of my bodies energy systems being re-arranged. Don't know, anyone else who practices Chi Kung experienced this?

I've never been able to get into Lotus position, however, recently i've began wanting to beable to perform this position. -Can anyone show me any stretches that i can practice daily and will help me work my way towards Full Lotus position?

This is just what i wanted. Thanks a bunch.

-It's funny that you mention Chi Kung because this was about an hour after i finsished my session. -I assumed it was my third eye because the tension was occuring where my third eye is suppose to be. Maybe i'm mistaken, either way its pretty irritating. -Thanks for the book reccomendation.

I feel that the argument of West versus East in terms of medicine is an example of the "Right Brain versus Left Brain" argument. Both sides have validity and a healthy balance between the two is best.

I was meditating today and i noticed that when your sitting and you have either your palms up and your palms facing down it makes a difference in your energetic and mental state. When the hands are closed against my knees my mind slightly darkens and it is more difficult to empty myself, while if i have my palms facing up it is easier to let go and i notice a great deal of energy will gather and tingle in my palms. While if you have one palm up and another down you come somewhere in between both effects. Don't know what this means, but was curious to know if anyone who's experienced in energy work or meditation know what this means? Thanks

Non...you need to "empty your cup"...reevaluate what you know and don't know (that's one good thing western philosophy is good for, take a PHI 1 class) "The more you learn, the less you know" anyone with experience will tell you this is true. Also, stop jacking off, this will increase your yang energy. Do some push ups every morning...and take your time, focus on the present and don't be trying to always get somewhere or you will miss out on the present, the more you focus in on the moment the wiser you will become, also listen to an "older cat" who's trying to spit some wisdom your way, "fiveelementtao" has already been around the block a couple of times. Not trying to knock you down, congrats on being willing to put in the effort for balancing out yourself, not many people want to even look for the light at the end of the tunnel

You seem to have a great deal of insight on this topic. However, my gripe with this issue is that as a young man i look around and feel that men are slowly being yininized (that's a made up word) or becoming more and more feminine...with no real masculine role models and this literally breeds a bad situation for both men and women. Like you said...there is frustration on both sides.

Good to hear.

Reiki is a form of healing that doesn't drain the practitioner. Just make sure that you release ones own intentions of trying to "fix" others when you heal them otherwise you become drained...simply allow the person what they need, don't add your own perspective(the body and spirit is wiser than us all and knows what it needs). You both sound like you could use some reiki.

Spiritually and in ones personal life balance is required (this is TAO BUMS). If your surrendering yourself completely to your partner then you have lack of respect for your own self and autonomy. There is such a thing as an over-active heart chakra. This is not a balanced and healthy relationship (dependency issues) when you give your entire self to your partner and then your companion will probably lose respect for you. I write this as advice for men...not women. I simply know that women enjoy a challenge and will dump you when they think they know all there is to know about you.

Yep nowadays men don't know how to take care of the of the pussy and don't even realize that women actually enjoy sex as well. Blame the Christians!

Hmm... i tend to agree with this statement above, in my limited experience i've found that the minority and the people who sound the most outlandish in society are often on too the truth. Anyways... man this is one monster thread, took me about 3 hours to read. A ton of the stuff naturally seems pretty far out there. Not sure what to believe, some people say David is a fraud while other people say Mantak Chia is a fraud. But still a very interesting thread. Gonna do a bit more investigating and read some more it can all be very confusing. Thanks for the Insight and info Seandenty and others. -To your credit Seandenty you do sound very honest and sincere in your offer.

I live in Miami, Fl and was wondering if any one on this site could tell me where i may find a Taoist instructor in Miami?