RiverSnake

Naturally this principle can be applied to your whole life and skill in any field of study. Leveling up in the Business world or in your ability in carpentry. I made a post about this awhile back in my PPD making a similar comparison. There are too many different dimensions of cultivation to make some kind of "standard chart". Suffice to say each individual has his own "base stats" at the beginning of the game and areas that he is naturally inclined. It's important that the individual first assess his beginning of the game natural affinities....Incarnation Stats. Once you discover your naturally abilities...its important to invest skill points in leveling up that particular tree. Some "common" skill trees in the area of cultivation are: Healing, Divination, Martial Arts, Mantra, Astral Projection....etc. In this game though....the skill levels have no cap.

Never had much interest in Enlightenment when i first started training and i still don't. People train for various reasons. Having power is great...but as with all things, it must be tempered appropriately, to avoid harmful recoil.

Emphasis on (1). Developing a skill is 90% of the battle. Once your in the top 1% in your field.....people cross mountains to receive your services.

Go deeper.....energy management....notice the slightest fluctuations in your intent. This is true mastery

I am more in favor of natural remedies (Vitamin D, Zinc...etc) and strengthening ones immune system (foods, fasting, exercise....etc) than hastily developed vaccines.

Learning to manage your Energy/Intent is a VERY important part of spiritual maturity. Individual whom are unconscious, will make there life a mess and not even know why.

Welcome to TDB. Sex, Sorcery and Spirit by Jason Miller is one of the best works on the topic. Though it is not a "Taoist" book.

A good interview talking about Thai Occultism. I've heard good things about the Author Jenx's books.

Very interesting post. Love me some good old folk animism. Working with blood as an offering can be very powerful, though not recommend for the unskilled or in a "wack-a-mole way". Obviously these people have a long time relationship with the king and thus a well-tested procedure...so that's great. Could you describe the various aspects (7) of the Monkey King that the Temple works with?

"Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." Original American Seal

Beginner: Your lost Intermediate: You have a moderate grasp of things Advanced: Not much catches you by surprise....you've got a decent map....but know there are greater depths

When you put yourself in retreat under optimal conditions for cultivation....strange things can happen.

To learn about Chemistry, you open up a Chemistry textbook. To learn about the ultimate nature of reality, you become a Mystic/Occultist.

Making grand metaphysical assumptions, without many years of cultivation under your belt....is a great way to fill your life with suffering. Tread carefully.....always wear your thinking cap....or you will be taken in by all manner of tricksters.

Welcome to TDB.

Existence is not so rigidly structured. I completely disagree with your theoretical assertions.

If you can understand the "creative process" in one thing you can see it in all others. Hmmm....i would recommend a balance of intellectual knowledge and internal cultivation. Practice this movement Moving of Yin an Yang 20 minutes (minimum) every day until its 2nd nature to you. Video below. In terms of understanding how the world works and how you can maneuver in it to your advantage. Geez, human beings and scientists are still trying to figure this stuff out....hmmm....ill try and post some books that i think will be useful and have a spiritual flavor. 1. Chaos Protocols by Gordon White (Economics and Magick) 2. The Way of Walking Alone by Miyamoto Musashi (not a book, but a good list of rules to live by) 3. The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Balthasar Gracian (how to navigate society) 4. The Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu (how to navigate life) 5, The Art of learning by Josh Waitzkin (a map for developing skills) 6. The Prince by Nicollo Machiavelli (Politics and Power) Chi Kung technique:

Sweet love blossoms, whenever it can.

Oh, to be young again......jumping on spiritual adventures, thinking nothing can hurt you.....sigh. Merry Christmas....don't fly off on Santa's sled.

Offerings to the Ancestors. Welcome to TDB.

Welcome to TDB. Monkey King is an interesting figure, kind of an enlightened trickster.

Kamajayi Mudra

People whom try to drain your energy/attention. This pattern of behavior is as old as man. Trolls are just a new manifestation.

Welcome to TDB. Root chakra issues can often be the source of these kinds of problems. You may wish to investigate some methods that focus on cleansing that area (I recommend steering clear of Mantak). I also do healing professionally ($), you can PM me if you desire. Best of luck.