RiverSnake

Hey Bagua could you pretty please make me a super awesome sub-forum?: http://thetaobums.com/forum/149-oldchi/ My 2 cents, Peace

Hey Kodo. Welcome to the forum. My 2 cents, Peace

Hey kit. Don't know if its necessary to go to China. Here's a thread with some useful resources for many styles of Ch Kung available in the USA. My 2 cents, Peace

To be honest. I think less is more. The main thing that I think was holding the forum back was the useless flame wars and passive aggresive attitudes that trolls would use to insult and bypass rules. Given there's a bit more "bite" behind the mod squad and admins.....I think things can only get better.....as long as it doesn't get too strict....like people getting suspended for having respectful but intense conversations and disagreeing with each other. I think this ongoing year should be a time for evaluating these new methods and there effectiveness at maintaining respectful conversation while not stifling the friendly and creative atmosphere here at TTB. My 2 cents, Peace

I actually just recently went through a phase where I unintentionally dropped about 90% of my friends. Lived In a social vacuum for about a couple off months...funny thing is I focus so much on cultivation that I barely even noticed. However now I am noticing that I am attracting new friends....and the majority are all cultivators and martial artists. As you go through internal changes, external reality will slowly mirror the internal. My 2 cents, Peace

Could i perhaps have a 2nd PPF entitled Martial Arts Discussion….pretty please….. ? My 2 cents, Peace

DP

Yes…..this has happened to me. It can be a difficult transition…stepping into the void in your everyday life that it is. You fall of the grid in many ways. Remain gounded and you should be fine. My 2 cents, Peace

I think you've been holding out on us Bagua. My 2 cents, Pea e

My Silat teacher does something similar. Holding weights while doing the movements slowly. Cool stuff. My 2 cents, Peace

What a shame …..oh well..….carry on. My 2 cents, Peace

Such metaphors should not be taken so literally. We need to put in the work in terms of cultivation…but the teacher is there to offer effective techniques, knowledge, guidance, and energetic transmission….he can only do so when the student is willing to accept and dedicate himself to the work. My 2 cents, Peace

Sounds fun. Something to look forward too. My 2 cents, Peace

On a more serious note ill give my opinions to the 2nd and 3rd questions since I don't have any knowledge of the 1st. Sirius, I think it's often best to listen to your body while you practice. Yesterday I was practice some Chi Kung and as I usually do I was ready to get pretty "intense" with the motions. But I could feel my body say "take it easy don't gather so much Qi you're still a bit sore (energetically) from yesterday's session." So I decided to take it easy and cut my session a bit short and keep it at 30-50% intensity. Be receptive, always trust your intuition and listen to your body. I suppose its possible to get addicted to chi, but I think that is pretty rare. What's more common is for people to get power addictions and get there head blown up with a bunch of crap thinking there guru of the year and develop messiah complexes just because they develop a little power and charisma as a result of there chi development practices....life,the path and the power you develop as an individual through your practice will continually test your virtue. Know thyself remains the most important rule. A good thread that I typed out long ago: http://thetaobums.com/topic/18274-spiritual-maturity/?hl=%2Bspiritual+%2Bmaturity My 2 cents, Peace

I think its about time I confess....many will possibly have noticed by now given my Jesus picture.....but I OldChi am a Chi Addict. I get as much as possible and store it in my dantien everyday. It's gotten to the point where I practice Chi Kung for over an hour every day and then even when I am driving my car and walking around at work I still struggle with my desire to collect chi in my Lower dantien. The warmth and flowing energy moving up my spine, the sense of expansion in my 3rd eye and the subtle bliss that sometimes accompanies my addiction......it can all be a bit too much....I am now even working on trying to learn to collect chi while I sleep and dream.....it will be a struggle to leave this addiction behind....but I know that I have all of my Bums to depend on for assistance and support in this struggle. Couldn't resist. My 2 cents, Peace

Good post Creation. I remember back when I first arrived here and Vaj and Denny were still participating....they would say some things....and I'd be like holy shit that's cool, these guys are awesome! Some really mind blowing stuff for a beginner like myself to walk into. My 2 cents, Peace

I concur, the Water Method by Bruce Frantzis is an outstanding book. My 2 cents, Peace

Welcome to TTB. Hope you learn a lot and enjoy your time here. My 2 cents, Peace

Just did a divination on this topic. I love divination The question i asked was "How can the TTBs attract more quality teachers to the forum?" Answer: Emperor-Reversed -The Emperor generally refers to intense masculine energy and leadership. The ability to use ones will in order organize and direct hot energy. However, this card was in reverse. When the Emperor card is balanced it represents powerful but selfless service to the community and the world at large. When it is imbalanced it represents the desire to contain power for oneself and to subject others with our own Will. How i interpreted this was that the best way for TTBs to attract teachers is basically to let the "TEACHERS" take a break from being "TEACHERS". Let the Teachers or "Emperors" enjoy the fruits that TTBs has to offer just has everyone else does without the pressure to teach and give advice. Give the teachers the opportunity to waddle and play in the mud a bit as Chuang Tzu would say and be the kids that they are at heart....without "all eyes on them" and all the pressures that they face as TEACHERS in there regular day to day life.. I think many forget that it can be a great burden to be in a leadership position and being a spiritual teacher can be one of the most entangling positions there is because everyone is looking to you for spiritual, emotional, psychological and overall life guidance.....and if you make one foul move Heaven and Earth shatters in the mind of others and people lose there internal pedestal that they've built up for that teacher. Even though the teacher never wanted to be on that pedestal to begin with. If we foster a more open and friendly environment where were all just Bums playing and waddling in the mud together.....having fun talking jive about magic, mysticism, philosophy..etc....not taking ourselves to seriously, whilst the whole time learning and exchanging with each other. Then TTB will become a kind of vacation spot for teachers, where they can talk and share there knowledge freely without having to worry about all the pedestals that people create for them and all the parasitic riff-raf that comes along with being a "spiritual TEACHER". It's not fair for only us young wiper snappers to be having fun....teachers need to play as well and forget all of there responsibilities for awhile. My 2 cents, peace

Oh mike, your posts are always fun to read. Hope everything works out for you. Blessings. My 2 cents, Peace

Indeed. Some deep stuff. Any Buddhist or Jain monk could appreciate the discussion and internal conflict of Aang needing to kill the fire lord. I've yet to see the last season the legend of Korra though, is it as good? http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WgizUYdnuyQ My 2 cents, Peace

Perhaps I should have put an options for ebbing and flowing. My 2 cents, Peace

By being "ready for the pickin" I simply was pointing to the fact that you are only ready to learn when you realize there are things you don't know.....having an empty cup that is waiting and willing be filled is important. If one has there head up there ass (we've all been there before!!) and thinks they know everything then they cannot be taught and moreso they would be an extremely tedious person to teach. If your willing to have the courage say "I don't know the answers.....but I really want to learn the truth and am willing to do whatever it takes to get there." Then I think this means one is "ready" to take the next step and become a vessel to be filled. My 2 cents, Peace

Lol, my pleasure.