Spectrum

This is REAL ! You guys should be paying attention to this. Herbs are NOT drugs. Drugs are MADE by pharm companies. I'm wondering how MINT feels about her new status as a drug... I've always been fond of that family of plants. Spectrum

Mentally release your attachments to the outcome of your actions. This translates usefully into many navigatable mediums of expression. Broadens experiential awarenesss of time (dilates), space (dilates) kinesthetics (enriches, deepens, dilates). Because of the amplification to your field through the truth of interaction experienced with another person it is advisable to leave as much of your luggage at home as possible. Take only what you need SkyWalker. Spectrum

"BTW the shoulder stand is a good practice in and of itself." ... and inverted pushup position and headstand tripod. I think in the shoulder stand is often put at the end of a series or circuit to reverse the energy flow before concluding practice. Spectrum

Obviously... monkey mind is running rampant. Isn't the speechlessness of afterglow grand? Spectrum Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny.

Not sure what you mean by meeting a Siddhi? Usually if it's a teacher of note they will manifest Siddhi's.

Nice work GT.

You've got it right Darin. I traveled around the world to learn what you partially describe here. You note the vacuum you experienced from the expansion of the lower dan tien, this action acts as an effortless action of the inhalation that is regulated as the tongue flaps to the roof of the mouth. This way there is balance between action and inaction even in the breathing cycle. The top part of the inhalation and the bottom part of the exhalation being the two parts of the cycle that are active, the other two being passive. Of coarse you could further subdivide to talk about it, but ultimately it's just one breath, one move. Condensation breathing. When breathing w/ the whole body standing is joy. Breath through the pores. in:heng:out:ha: Spectrum

Beautifully put. My hunch says from a dualistic perspective preserved in the foundations of western society. However when body and mind are re-united... how could there be such a thing as body or mind practice when there is no separation... everything is right on. Spectrum

Patterns repeat themselves. "From the pine tree Learn of the pine tree. And from the bamboo of the bamboo." - Basho

Taoist practice is taoist thought taoist thought is taoist practice. There is no "thought" in Taoist "practice". Taoist practice is an art of doing.

I was taught 4 levels related to the family structure and order of the group: Student Disciple Master Grand Master Spectrum YCT

Sho 'nuff we didn't invent anything. It's all been done before. Pass the pot of Iron Goddess.

What relationship do these tongue positions have with the breath? Does the tongue play a regulatory role for air flow? .. all various expressions of wuji... 13 5 3 1 0 Sounds like Lost. Quite a puzzle how many different ways the 13 connect in between spaces. A Publius Enigma. It's not just a matter of space, but also of time. Leaving out the connective threads only loosely binds the seams. Spectrum

Could be a 5 year old you learn something from... could be anyone in the right context. Sounds like something said about people practicing w/ a lot on their minds. Sensory Isolation chambers, bi naural technology and supplements can aid, but the metropolis field of energy at 60hz is something to look for a window facing away from. Without a doubt I endorse practicing in natural environments, outside "the grid"... Good old fashion fresh air and mountain streams clean the senses and calm the "monkey"... when the body is functioning properly the mind is calm. Of coarse a walk is nice, a park is a great place, a stream offers conversation, I just think on some routine level one should gradually expand their practice to include meditative isolations in natural settings...

White crane and Snake are both a part of Yang Tai Chi system that CMC degenerated by reducing it to the americanized 37; an abbreviated version of the 3rd section of the original 108. Just my penny of thought. You can find references to many Chinese animals and myths in the most unsuspecting places. There are times that I have focused only on how the crane would perform the 108, and other times on how the snake would perform it. Wonderfully juxtaposed personalities of movement. Spectrum PS- Bruce Lee was a fu'ster. He was anti system. Pro consciousness expansion, and all Kung Fu! Bruce was learning classical systems before he broke his molds w/ Jeet Kune Do.

Isn't an Asana routine more properly called Vinyasa? (ie when the asana connectively flows through itself and you end where you began?) <taking a number for my place in line> This is a good thread. I had a training partner in the mid 90's put together "menu's" for himself where he did routines composed of 30 second intervals for 5 minutes based around what he needed that day. I have used this concept many times over and have even used it to combine elements of the 108 into mini forms that isolate principles. From the perspective of "warming up" or in the interest of chi gung'ers "staying warm"... is my main reason for "menuing" or conducting short "warmups" before chi gung or tai chi practice. There is a certain "feeling" associated with being warm that is condusive to proper chi gung or taiji practice. I will edit this reply to include more information... <physiology of practice vs. intelligence of forms> <sunsalutations> <taoist jogging> <breath isolations> Spectrum

Reduce to Zero to contemplate 1. Flying Simplified.

On a related note concerning dowsing : how many taobums have pursued their standing meditation or other chi gungs in this context? ie topographical feng shui? ie find that perfect meditation spot yet? In your house? In your yard? In your neighborhood? Spirals expand and contract.... It's funny, on a really basic level the perfect spot could simply be behind a tree which obscures your presence from the main path; which offers solitude or a unique elemental perspective. On another day it might be found after overcoming some obsticle/s, or a convergence of elemental clarity. I think finding the perfect spot to practice is very much related to an intuitive dowsing that is cultivated w/ continued practice and observation of the natural water course Way. Spectrum

Dude. It's tea time again. Wheres that honkey Aiwei? (big grin) He's getting good prices on Iron Goddess while the rest of us are talking hawking. When's the regional taobums meets? I vote to host on the coast. Spectrum

I will compare this to the method I learned (described above) and get back to you. By referencing off your own shoulder you keep the loop closed. I'll have to FEEL how this one works...

Plumb Line is right. I forgot it was called that. How will this adjust your posture? Or am I misunderstanding the use of a plumb line like this?

D. All of the above.

:raises hand: I have/do appreiciate/d your qoutes. At once point while doing push hands w/ a gung brother a few years ago I was feeling very competitive and wanted to win; Sei Gung noted at that point for me to go look at my color in the mirror, he observed yellow, my brother I was practicing w/ noted it as well... I was indeed yellow, it was shocking to see... and I realized this about "unnatural contest"... and what it does to my state of being. Thanks for sharing the Taoist cannon. Spectrum

Oh don't get me wrong in my opinion it's VERY extensive. I think a skilled diviner can divine from ANYTHING. Falling leaves pivot freely. Yarrow Sticks, Tea Leaves, Bam Bam & Pebbles, Criss Crossed Pick Up Sticks, Lincoln Logs, Pendulums, Water and Ley Lines, and don't forget Crop Circles. I think divination is not so much about accessing "knowledge" as it is getting your own interpretations out of the way. Particulally in dealing w/ earth energies divining takes on important meaning because the diviner and the divined are no longer so seperated, it's a direct communication, no sticks, no leaves, no pendulums. The body is the Divine. On my first training trip to visit my Sei Gung we took a long stroll, a walk, a talk and simply observe in a rain forest. We would stop every so often at a spot that seemed just right, these magical moments of finding those "perfect spots" where something more was obvious, observation of the obvious was more something where spots perfect. Concergences merge on the emerging surface. These are valuable memories of wuji for me. True art is invaluable. As I said, we should probabaly be using this type of application for healing; <note for additional thoughts here> I was taught the Yarrow Stick method by the same fellow seeker who taught me the flute. Spectrum

Per request by another member: This exercise has helped so much that it's really best to share it. This exercise will require: 1. A partner. 2. A pendulum. IE anything small and heavy. 3. A string about the length from shoulder to floor. Prep: Tie the weight onto the string. Pendulim Alignment: Open wuji stance. All the normal 'alignments' apply, feet parallel, knees relaxed, sacrum tucked slightly, spinal colum elongated, shoulders rounded but not slumped, crown lifts to sky. Breath In, Relax, Breath Out, Align. The weight is 50/50 and in the center of each foot. Once you've "settled" into wuji prompt your partner to hang the pendulum directly off the tip of your shoulder. The "top corner" of your shoulder. The pendulum should line up directly with the center of your heel. Adjustments/Alignment: Once you get feedback on where you are (center, forward or aft of the heel center, etc) adjust your posture both vertically and horizontally. These will be very small adjustments usually to move the pendulum 1" or less. Spectrum YCT