MASTERforge

I have now started to explore the teachings of Alan Watts. He was an incredibly articulate and profound thinker. So naturally I wanted to learn more about this person and his life. I listened to a discussion with Laura Huxley that gave an insight into his personality that a monologue can not offer. He led and controlled the discussion in a domineering manor. Not really interested in hearing anything that was different to what he already knew. I think this can often be found in intellectuals as they are so convinced in their superiority, knowledge and understanding. He died at 58 with a heart attack during the night. What surprised me was that he became an alcoholic possibly due to financial and social commitments he struggled to meet. I will continue to explore his works as I find them fascinating but I am posed with a question. With his profound understanding how could he end up an alcoholic recluse? Did the world become so intolerable he could no longer live in it? Surely this is counter to his teachings? I know no person is perfect but I thought he would have gone happy and surrounded by friends.

I normally meditate in the evening but I was reading the syllabus for YMAA and their meditation is from 6-7am. I am wondering when is the preferred time to meditate? For me a 6am start would probably send me to sleep. I am willing to have a go with this time if it is beneficial so I thought I would ask peoples experiences of different times for meditation.

Is anyone else training this in the UK? Perhaps we can meet up and train?

Hi, I have been doing Dr Yang Jwing Mings Embryonic breathing for about a year or so now. I haven't found anyone else doing it so its nice to know that others are practicing it. I do it to enhance my tai chi practice. I am still at a very early stage though as I am taking it real slow. The book is excellent as it has lots of ancient translated texts. Feel free to PM or email to discuss our training.

Dr Yang Jwing Ming has excellent books and DVDs for Tai Chi and Chi Gung. They are great to learn from if you are studying at home and he is highly regarded in the martial arts community: Dr Yangs DVDs Dr Yangs Books

Under 55 and over 22!! After 55 its normally downhill with the body. Under 22 and your still wet behind the ears.

The weather really effects me. Winter time I get gloomy but also like the snow and sleepyness of it. Spring I love the colours and everything is coming to live I feel energised. In summer I feel the full power of the suns energy but start to feel that there is too much energy and then I normally get a cold or something. Autumn time is winding down I love the colours. I enjoy the changing of seasons best of all. I notice my diet really changes. Each season has different energy to offer.

I understand that Boxers also use this technique so there must be something in it. If anyone can explain it properly I may incorporate it into my training.

Hi, I have several suppliers out in China and we use EMS. You can track the parcel no problem and its proved reliable everytime. The only issue I may have is that the parcels come a little beat up now and then but otherwise the goods are always perfect. I am still searching for the long robes like those in Crouching Tiger film. I would be interested in retailing them on our website is anyone is interested in supplying.

Hi, This is not like the normal topics here but I wanted someone who could understand my needs. I am currently creating a Chinese Sword society in the UK so we can get together and share ideas and discussions. Also its to build a voice in regards to the proposed sword ban here. I am at the stage of building a forum and we need a logo for the organisation. I would prefer if a taoist or taiji practitioner could design it. I would pay by a paypal transfer or western union if the designer is abroad. If anyone is interested in designing the logo for us you can reach me at: [email protected] Thanks

Hi folks, We have a general design that needs to be converted to .png or .psd so we can edit it. Also the words 'Chinese Sword Society UK' would need to be incorporated into the overall logo design. Our budget is really limited as we are not for profit (charity) and just starting out. Our budget would be about $60. If anyone is interested in working with us you can contact me at: [email protected]

Thanks for the contributions Smile - that book cover looks awesome. I have a guy who is working on the forum and he is coming up with a design but he will probably draw it. I will need it converting to image file. So I will see what he comes up with (so far its looking good) Any thoughts on a logo is much appriciated.

It came through on the Chineseswordsociety email

Hi, I dont think the email has come through. It might be better sending it to: [email protected] Your art work is very beautiful and I see its all hand drawn or painted. If you can apply those skills in adobe photoshop then that would be great. Thanks Leigh

Well put hager, I wish I had that level of articulation I have only experienced what you described fleetingly in meditation or tai chi and agree wholeheartedly.

Did I miss a Tao orgy again? My guess is that its one of our members (male) trying to teach us a little lesson. Even though we try to cultivate the spirit, we still haven't mastered our desires. Those who took the bait were quite exposed for it. Unfortunately my time is too short to make any effort on this level. Actually, I think its quite good to receive these lessons. It was quite cleverly done and those who fell for it might have a little introspection on why they were so quick to jump. Keep up the lessons whoever you are

Buy a few self help and motivational books and audio CD's I was sceptical about this method at first but it serves a purpose. The books gave me an understanding of how to achieve my desires but more importantly it made me recognise my negative thoughts and emotions. When I was able to recognise them, I was able to change them and put them to better uses. Instead of dreading working on my tai chi form as I found it quite boring. I knew that in order to learn it, I had to enjoy it. So whenever I learn a new section of the form I put out the dread and the boredom and let myself enjoy the experience. When I am enjoying the experience it no longer is work. The audio CD's are great with the books. The books tell you how and why in an intellectual way and the audio tapes internalise it so you feel it. Self hypnosis tapes are great, they are easy to listen to. When you have listened to them for a while they will change the way you think for the better. Instead of that voice in your head saying 'i'd rather be watching TV' you will find you have more motivation to practice your tai chi. It takes a while to change bad habits. They won't change overnight, but you will notice subtle changes over time that will eventually add together and you will reach that goal of level of practice. A common mistake is to go from telly addict to tai chi several hours a day. Its almost impossible to maintain. A lifestyle change takes a while to adjust to. Get the motivational material and when your motivated your practice will be much more rewarding. You will also notice this affecting other parts of your life.

Doesn't semen contain testosterone the male hormone that affects agression? Storing it up will naturally make you more aggressive and horny. Your creating sexual frustration in yourself so naturally agression would occur. Don't know if there are techniques to redirect the agression or channel it elsewhere?

Hi, Yeah it was really cool when he met rainman. I think the highest thoughts are based in feelings and imagery. A picture paints a thousand words. I feel like I have real difficulty expressing myself properly to other people sometimes, because I process information primarily visually(NLP VAK system). I have been playing around with memory techniques and have constructed a memory palace not to dissimilar to Hannibals one in silence of the lambs except mine is a lot more friendly. I can store information quite easily and recall it with little difficulty. Currently I am committing to memory the contents page of a book on cold reading. Its easy to store the topics of the contents page but the problem is actually being able to use the topics at will. For example the topic of rapport, I can remember where it is on the contents page no probs but actually remembering the content of the chapter is near impossible without much more commitment. I could remember the content but actually using the techniqes on rapport proves much harder. The memory palace is quite fun as you expand and explore it. Earlier toady I created the image of a carribean beach and put myself in it. I stayed there for a while and felt much better as I had been feeling ill. I plan to add things like speed mathmatic techniques in the palace and quite a few other things. Sorry to go off on a tangent but I thought it might be worth mentioning that you can expand your own mental powers considerably with useful techniques.

I saw this guy on TV he was absolutely amazing. I don't know if its a gift or a disability. He can do amazing things with his mind but incapable of normal behaviour. He is truely a SuperTard Actually the way he does math is quite similar to memorary techniques. Except he experiences his way more vidid and complex.

Hi Guys, My interests cover tai chi, QiGong and meditation. They also reach to psychology as I am fascinated by the mind and its possibilities. I read a lot about NLP and the vast subject that covers it. One conclusion from my interests is that personal change is very possible with practical techniques. I have been considering adding a daily mantra, pep talk, prayer to my practice. I believe that, if said daily, it will become ingrained into me and the words used will become part of who I am. I was thinking of saying it to myself maybe once or twice a day. I wanted to know if anyone else was practicing this kind of personal development? If they are would they be willing to share the words they use? Are they noticing results? Any thoughts or comments on this issue, please share. Thanks

Thats a beautiful piece of writing

We are still on for sexy club friday night? guys? Guys? you there?

Your pep talk gave me a new perspective on what I was intending. It has a spiritual flavour. I was thinking along the lines of motivational based but now I will add a few lines similar to yours. Thanks. What is clear after reading yours is that any mantra I make will have to be made by me. A simple cut and paste wont work as its artificial. Thanks for the advice and help. Its always good to know someone else is on a similar path.