nightwatchdog

I am a male survivor of childhood molestation. I have to chime in here; the issue of sexual abuse is NOT a male vs. female, yin/yang nature discussion. It is a discussion about predators, people, male or female, who prey upon individuals they percieve as weak or helpless in order to gratify themselves. That's all. This is not an issue that will ever be resolved by continuing the gender bias paradigm. It is true in our society that men are encouraged to behave in predatory ways more often than women, but that is changing. Rates of violent crimes are on the rise among women in the U.S., while they have remained relatively stable among the male populace. The root of this evil is involved more in the way people think, not the bits they were born with.

Welcome Franklin! Those photos look like sea-stacks I used to visit all along Trinidad and up near Klamath in Humbolt and DelNorte counties. Wonderful places to practice Chi Kung. Bodhi

Hey, welcome to the Forum! You'll probably get more responses by posting your question on the Taoist discussion forum. I'll be looking forward to reading some of the more knowledgeable member's replies. Hope you find what you are looking for! Bodhi

I had a similar experience with my first Chi Kung seminar. We were all told that the class would consist of a "special Chi Kung style" that focused on opening the meridians, and that we'd learn some heavy academic theory and be taught to recognize and locate meridians on ourselves. All of my Gongfu brothers and sisters were very excited about it as none of us had any training in locating our meridians. In actuality we simply stood in a difficult zhan zhuang posture for four hours straight. We broke for lunch and thought, "Okay, well maybe all the promised stuff will come up after lunch." Nope, another four hours of the same posture. There was no academic study of any kind. I was very enthusiastic about zhan zhuang, but I couldn't practice again without excruciating pain for a couple of weeks after that. Bodhi

Lin: Thanks for the very succinct explanation. "If a child can comprehend it, it's probably true. If a child is confused, it is often false." Cat: To extend Lin's teacher's examples further, I'd venture to say that when we meditate, we often see and experience precisely what it is that we expect and need to. Many Westerners are raised with spiritual teachings that tell them that the other spiritual paths are evil. When we engage in the new practice, often the first hurdle to overcome is resistance to the new practice itself. For many people this manifests as a gradual boredom with meditation, or the urge to skip a practice here and there. Soon we stop training altogether. Some of us are very sincere on the other hand, but perhaps we were raised to think that practices outside of western religions were demonic. People in this situation experience resitance to the training by feeling guilty, or by experiencing dramatic visitations by unwanted guests, such as ghost or demons. Perhaps your friend had some of this early training. In either case, the important thing to do is the same. Let go. Observe. Breath. At a deep subconscious level we can manifest or attract things that we don't consciously want. Ironically, practicing with such unpleasant experiences is the quickest, surest way to train your wisdom mind to lead your unconscious mind. Unfortunately it is also the most difficult. Bodhi

We have a tortoise form in Hsing-i Chuan. It's one of the simpler forms, but it teaches you to link the six harmonies, and thread the Chi through the body very effectively. Unfortunately I cannot find a clip for you, but perhaps this information will lead you in a direction that bears fruit. Bodhi

Welcome rbj 100! I'm new here myself. I hope you enjoy yourself here, and find good information. Bodhi

Hi LCD! Welcome to the forums!

Welcome kathrynwhyles! I'm new here myself, but I thought it'd be good to start greeting new folks. Welcome guests make good guests. As to your question, I've noticed in my own work in mental health that the stress of helping others can leak out toward co-workers quite frequently. I just try to remind myself why I'm doing what I do (helping people is a great motivator), and simultaneously I cultivate a sense of detachment toward other's misbehavior. Usually people lash out at others when they aren't paying attention to what they're thinking and feeling. Our emotional mind takes control if our wisdom mind is asleep at the wheel. Emotional mind is powerful, but it lacks good judgement. Misbehavior is rarely personal, rather a lack of mindfulness. So, be mindful. If you're into meditation, those skills you develop in letting go of errant thoughts can easily be transfered into letting go of other's errant thoughts (when they manifest as behavior). Bodhi

Hello everyone. I stumbled across the site this evening looking for information on jing cultivation. There is some interesting stuff out there, and since I've been doing it on my own, it'd be nice to have a bit of guidance. I'm not much for long winded discussions on the deeper nature of the Universe, but rather more interested in practical ways to deepen my understanding first hand. I have practiced Zen and recieved formal instruction at a monastary for a time. I've practiced martial arts for twenty five years. Specifically I've trained Pa Kua Chang, Aikido, Jujutsu, dabbled in Tai Chi (which was too complicated for my taste), and Hsing-i Chuan. Currently I train Hsing-i Chuan exclusivly. I've absorbed useful things from all of the styles, but for me, I'm at a stage in my life when I'm more interested in refining what works and discarding whatever is vestigial. That means Hsing-i recieves the brunt of my training time at this point. The focus on daily Chi cultivation and simple, effective fighting movements are all I could ask for. I'm interested in herbs, and have made a nominal study of thier uses in the chinese tradition. Unfortunately a degree in TCM is outside the scope of my current life situation, but who knows what may come? I registered in the hopes to be able to peek into other members daily training logs in order to find inspiration, and perhaps glean training tips for my Chi Kung practice. Unfortunately that area is still blocked to me. If it remains so, then I may fade away quickly. I'd rather practice than sit in front of my computer anyway. edit: Now I can see you all in the personal forum. It's lovely to meet you, although you may not have known I was watching. Cheers.

Thanks Michael. I was beginning to think that perhaps I should've declared I was a woman, even though I'm not, just so I could get a hello. (Snort!) I will take you up on your offer as soon as I can find something meaningful to say.

Stepping outdoors In the sharp morning air Sip the tea slowly