Spectrum

The benifit of traveling to train should not be underestimated. I realized this in 1998 when I first traveled to L.A. to train w/ the Machado Bros. The funny thing about any "system" of movement are all the gate keeping mechanisms usually in place to experience it. When you travel a lot of those mechanism simply arn't there. I have encountered this multiple times. You can learn a lot extremely fast especially with the TIME allowed yourself to focus while your travelling, as it's a given that you will be learning new things, your mind is more open to the suggestability and impression a place, people, or person has to offer. The cost w/o trusted verification is interesting. A certain amount of seeking is off of hearsay and legend, but when someone is making claims it forces one to seek the source of the claim, in a world as small as todays, seekers are willing to travel to verify forthemselves something like the claims of dowsers about crop circles (one of my travel interests) or Taoist healers abilities in far off places. Spectrum PS - Another angle about this is that a group of us form that are competent in a number of contributary skillsets and shoot a documentary journalling and investigating a number of individual groups and claims associated around the Taoist internal healing arts in general. There are a number of individuals on here that are in positions to network support of such a project and which would be mutually beneficial for all involved. The world is still a very big place still rich in virgin unconsumer knowledge untouched by the twiddling hands of western commercialization. There are plenty of mysteries yet to be quested. There are plenty of people still interested in seeking something other then what the 5 o clock news peddles. Seek On, Spectrum

I was once put in a position in which my intent / gaze was directed at a dog seated next to his standing master for a period of time looking at the seashore and at a distance of approx 500 yards. Upon fixing my gaze on the dog he became increasingly irritated over the coarse of 60 seconds until he pulled master from his fixed position. I was recently put in a position on a road walking w/ my significant other in which a pair of dogs were walking well ahead of their owner. It was obvious the larger lab was protective/aggressive as she barked and growled as we slowed; i stepped ahead an inch. We both stopped and the dogs stopped 20 feet in front of us. Barking and growling if we made any move forward... time for the stare off. Tension fills the air. Relaxed tension. I fix on the more agressive female who stands her own line. Stillness. Breath. Her owner gets closer, she hesitates and I inch forward; the tension breaks and the dog backs away from the line. I did not move backwards, my love was there. As we pass the dog attempts to flank just like a dirty dog; I stomp my foot on the ground and have to adopt a ready position this time before it puts its tail between it's legs.... never turn your back on a dog for a second. Spectrum

If your standing for any period of time as routine it's hard to believe in "no effect"...

The Chinese Martial and Mystic traditions are steeped in family hiarchy, by blood and other means. Thus we still have closed door systems to this day. Spectrum

Please talk more about the phases of consciousness between silence and "trance"? Something about this statement : "Returning to source by projecting..." Why is it more desirable to "project" then to be Still? Thank you for your dialog, Spectrum

Perhaps, but as a central axis of your mass movement, cyclic phenomenon emanates and returns .... I would be curious on the reflections of various practitioners about what occurs w/ their chi cycle upon sleep? When I was first being introduced to the Art I encountered a monk who did not lay down to sleep do to his meditation habits. I am interested in others perceptions. On the idea of their being many centers and the dan tien(s) not being the only ones I would just say ... duh ... ... all rivers lead to the ocean ... there are trickles and there is gushing, there are pools and there is the abyss... The important thing isn't to define and categorize new ways to box yourself into thinking, new systems, new styles, blah blah blah, all the Taoists arts have many things in common, a couple of which are the importance to FEEL, and probably the most universal commonality, the relationship to the center / emptiness. If a blockage makes you aware of an area so be it, everything always emanates and returns to the center. Work through the blockage, return to home. Adventures yield spoils, and winter bring hibernation. These are natural cycles. This to me is why the cultivation of emptiness is ever so important for the practical taoist, this empty space being "ground zero"... Sung... a stable quiet place to work from, relaxed, yet ready, ready, yet relaxed. Without a foundational reference to stillness movement is only partial. Spectrum

Probably the most telling statement. Careful who you share your pearls with. I Am; even though you say it. Spectrum

If I did the 108 ten times today I would get Lost... maybe permanently! 108 216 324 432 540 648 756 864 972 1080 That's about 6 hours of moving meditation. Spectrum

On a related note... has anyone found "living water" or "alkaline" or "structured" water ? Had the opportunity to try some last week... I'm researching its properties. Seems similar to charging water w/ chi. Please report your results if you have any. Spectrum

I would be willing to volunteer to shoot footage for a documentary about this. Tao Bums: The Movie. The willingness to search is usually met w/ answers. The fact that there are so many people still seeking is a testament to the universal quest; there is still hope for humanity. However PhuturePrimitive. Spectrum

In reverse, I have noticed that some adopt the philosophy of attaching very strong emotions to their energetic intent. Isn't this how Anikin was seduced to the dark side? By attaching for instance something like "anger" to your intent... is this not just asking for self-destructive troubles? The idea that this type of coaching could be passed off as "energy work" is a cause of concern to me. Combining strong emotions to energy circulations certainly has an effect, but the long term effects on the individuals energy patterns outweigh the short term "powerful" feelings experienced through emotive intent. I'm not saying that emotions can't be used as a motivating factor, just that they are spontaneous and occur naturally, for instance the woman who lifts a car off her husband. Hows that for the Power of Love. I am reminded of Bruces teaching scene in Enter the Dragon "emotional content... not anger" Spectrum

"non-ordinarinauts" It's a beautiful mind.

As you cultivate your original mind, emotions and perceptions may seem more intense because of the mental clarity meditation provides as a foundation for your perceptions of reality. Regards, Spectrum

Every time I figure the Whole thing out, I end up forgetting it. What is there to say? Taoist learning is forgetting. Spectrum

"how can Taoists advocate selflessness when their prime mission is cultivation of personal knowledge, chi, etc. " Because of the foundations in which progress is made by the adept or inheritor disciple of any Taoist tradition. Cultivation is rooted in Emptiness. Attachment to a goal reveals personal selfishness, and invites further inquiry into the nature of self. Learn and forget. Forget to learn; learn forgetfulness. Spectrum

If anyone becomes a master in one workshop let me know.

Pietro is that a serious question? Here's one; what is the difference between an idea and a dream? What is the difference between sparring and watching a UFC payperview event? Deep stuff. Spectrum PS - Darin - have you received any helpful replies from your request?

Silent meditation retreats. Lots less to think about, preferably less expectations on reality. Spectrum

Hey MythMaker are those made out of Jet?

As an aid to meditation the most natural lines sooth seemingly through seams beyond. Inside Out, Outside In; ride the lines. Be like Water. I think we should talk about this a little more. Can you expound a bit? I have some thoughts as well. Thanks Yoda - Spectrum

Binary language predates human existance. What relationship can we draw between dowsing and feng shui? (since 2 pages of this thread have managed to steer completely around the obvious...) Spectrum

"...about systems of working with place energy." There are no systems that work, the place energy IS the system. Practice like you normally do, THINKING about how perfectly neat or powerful or awe filled or terrible a place isnt practicing, just practice like you normally do; that might mean picking up some trash.... FEEL these differences... observe.. and pause before you speak. Spectrum

Lots of dialog around here lately. I've always been more inclined to listen to a good tune together then to separate thoughts through definitions and categorizing. I have grown up around music and have always gravitated towards music from a young age. I'm reminded how music effects us by my niece who as a wonderful 1.5 yr old gladly jumps up and down uninhibited laughing and bouncing w/ the music whenever she hears a tune! I love seeing her jam like that! Of particular interest to me is the theory, philosophy, and consciousness studies around music and sound. Sifu has always emphasized music and how the human is like music playing when we move and express. Even the proportions are the same. No time like now to start something new. There is always another instrument to learn how to play. Spectrum

I think its wise of you to bring as many of the points metaphors to your awareness as possible to reach a mean that is easily absorbed.

SHHhhhh. Listen. Thump-Thump.... Thump-Thump.... Thump-Thump....