RiverSnake

I experimented with edging and power locking before and had a very negative and painful experience, not a technique I would recommend. Here is a useful thread: http://thetaobums.com/topic/24876-a-few-questions-about-important-questions-about-ejaculation-control-and-sexual-energy/#entry360583 My 2 cents, Peace

Where are you located? It would be good to find a martial instructor near you. My 2 cents, Peace

I guess its a similar situation to Yoga, Chi Kung and Meditation. Yes there are great surface health benefits to all 3 practices. But the primary use of all three of them is for Self-Realization. Should the original purpose of self-realization be forgotten in favor of the surface health benefits? The problem occurs when the true depth and purpose of the art is forgotten in favor of the surface benefits....thus when people are actually searching for the depth they are lost among the thousands of "Surface Teachers" who don't know anything outside of the physical art. Many people are very healthy and flexible today because of Yoga....but at the same time a large part of a spiritual/cultural heritage has been bastardized. As to the argument of whether training in the dojo is as effective as being on the street....that's a dead end argument....it depends how you train. My 2 cents, Peace

We live in the same world....just different times. War and violence is just as rampant as it was back then. We just don't see it directly....that often. The OP is asking about the martial applications of Tai Chi....yes they are there.....and like most Internal Martial Arts the practitioners spent an extraoirdinary amount of time finding the most effective ways to kill there opponent and also on ways to avoid conflict to begin with. Yes there are health benefits to Martial Arts....but if your purely looking for health benefits and not wanting to learn how to defend yourself then eating healthy, a nice walk and some stretching will do the trick....and many other practices that don't involve a martial component. To turn around the art and say the martial component should be let go.....it would not longer be Tai Chi. My 2 cents, Peace

In the words of one of my teacher's teachers. "Tai Chi is for killing people." It will make you healthy and circulate energy effectively. But at the end of the day it's a martial art. Though I think much of the martial component of Tai Chi has been lost to the commercialization of the art for health purposes. Not many people know how to fight effectively with the art....they'll give you a few forms to study and call it a day. My 2 cents, Peace

Currently reading "In Search of the Ninja" by Anthony Cummins. Although an academic work, it is still very interesting. His goal is to give an accurate historical perspective of the character we call the Ninja and too cut through the dross of urban myth surrounding this renown warrior and scout. As a fan of Path Notes I am enjoying it so far. http://www.amazon.com/In-Search-Ninja-Historical-Ninjutsu/dp/0752492101/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403531382&sr=8-1&keywords=In+search+of+the+ninja My 2 cents, Peace

Welcome to TTB. My 2 cents, Peace

I know there is a Tai Chi practitioner in Autralia on this site. I believe his screen name is Stigweard.....or something to that affect. Very experienced guy. Best of luck. My 2 cents, Peace

Aside from the personal benefits i received i have also began to notice ripple affects that certain workings have had within my family. People whom were "stuck" in certain places and living unfulfilled lives have been able to break free and really start to pursue what they love. Really made me happy to see this. Based on what i saw in trance it seems like there is a direct correlation. Its cool stuff. My 2 cents, Peace

Personally I would reccomend you 2 things. Stop jacking off and start practicing some type of internal work in order to loosen the monkey minds hold on you. Welcome to TTB. My 2 cents, Peace

A member can be banned for being a potential sock puppet? My 2 cents, Peace

I actually had the opportunity to train Silat with the gentlemen in the video. Lots of fun. Those jump punches are serious cardio. It's amazing how well he moves at his age.....Hope I can be as vigorous if I'm still kickin by then. My 2 cents, Peace

Dishes with high concentration of proteins are generally meat. Light proteins I took as dishes like beans and others. Best to use your common sense In that aspect. My 2 cents, Peace

I am not a Buddhist...but the more I cultivate the more I see the depth and practicality of Buddhist methodology. I question whether such stories/myths even matter that much. 8 Fold Paths and the 4 a Noble truths seem to be the most valuable and substantive of the tradition. The directness, pragmatism and mental acuity behind the doctrine is continually apparent to me. My 2 cents, Peace

I recall there being a couple Dragon Gate Bums on the forum.....perhaps they'll pop in to chat. It would probably be beneficial for you to be open to learning from a DVD first and meeting the teachers later......given its possible there are none of the above teachers in your area. Best of luck. My 2 cents, Peace

Used to want to be a game tester/developer when a teen. Get paid to create and play video games all day along. But alas another dream deferred. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood. My 2 cents, Peace

DP

Always found water fasting to be an awesome way of detoxing the body. Though such an intense and sudden method might not be suited to your situation. Welcome to TTB, I look forward to reading your contributions. My 2 cents, Peace

Hope Michael doesn't mind me posting this? Here's a lineage chart I was given at my first S-M workshop. Attached below.

Welcome to the forum ZenYogi. I practice a bit of Hatha Yoga., its been highly complimentary to my Qi Gong. Enjoy your stay at TTB. My 2 cents, Peace

Nope

A kind of Neigong or Internal Alchemy. My 2 cents, Peace

Currently reading "The Art of Worldly Wisdom" by Baltasar Gracian. It's a bit like the Tao Te Ching but a European version. Giving simple pointers and advice....but more focused on ones social life, politics and power. Really enjoying it so far, learning quite a bit. Only 2 bucks on kindle. http://www.amazon.com/The-Worldly-Wisdom-Baltasar-Gracian/dp/0385421311/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1402542846&sr=8-3&keywords=Book+of+worldly+wisdom My 2 cents, Peace

Much info on retention and energy cultivation on the forum. Welcome to TTB. My 2 cents, Peace