balance.

In sitting for shikan-taza, we were told to lift up gently from the sternum, move our neck up and back a bit-- so that it touches the nape of our collar, to pull up gently from the crown, and to tilt our chin slightly down... At this point, I prefer to tuck my tailbone in slightly... Not much.. Just enough to get a little extension.. I find if I allow too much of a curve I begin to feel some pain in my lower back. * To clarify... We were instructed to allow our tailbone/lumbar region to assume its "natural" curve... But I think there's a difference between really embellishing that curve by being lazy and "falling" into it, and by gently guiding the curve by being attentive and maintaining unity... Being aware of certain posture points in general seems to form the proper curves anyway... I find when I lock into the proper position, my body prefers to maintain it. ... It's also helps to lift up from your kua while paying basic attention to the above guidelines... But we all are different, and it's important to feel intuitively what works for you without setting up unnecessary mental barriers. Every challenge is a blessing and an opportunity to temper ourselves and our spirits through trial and we shouldn't just concede and pack it in. Conversely, there's always shavasana (corpse pose). I remember reading about a particularly famous nun in Road to Heaven (whose name escapes me currently) whom became known as the sleeping dragon as all her meditation was done from corpse. While there certainly are limitations with that pose in terms of energetics, you may find it helpful to pursue an alternate approach for the time being.. And who knows, being able to let go fully in shavasana may allow you (not to say you're unable now, mind you) to more effectively integrate seated postures into your regimen. best. balance. *edit.

... Just when I was feeling good about the basic level of proficiency I've reached in my prasara yoga practice.. ... Always good to have the bar set just beyond the extreme of your current reach though. thanks for that. balance. Oh, and topic related, I think "I would just tone it down and not get too aggressive - seeing as how you will keep seeing the same faces every week, like it or not.." .. is one of the better points made yet and something important to consider.

You're most welcome. I hope you find them helpful. Feel free to post any questions you should have after sifting through that haul... Other bums may share. ..... and I'm no elder-- just the perpetual whelp... Crude, unknowing and ignorant in the ways of the Great Magnet. balance.

Thought I'd give you a head start. http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?showtopic=8092 http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?/topic/506-revenge-of-the-sperm-masters/ http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?/topic/12093-semen-retention-transmutation-whatever-i-just-feel-weak-after-ejaculation-and-dont-want-to-feel-like-that-anymore-%3B/ http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?/topic/6436-is-reserving-jing-even-necessary/ http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?showtopic=112 A lot of information scattered about in the above inclusion. I think 'revenge of the sperm...' is particularly helpful.. If only because it brings Jeremy back into circulation... But there are many more threads in the archives that can help you out here. balance. * http://www.precisiondocs.com/~altaoism/HLSbiel11025.htm\ http://forum.healingdao.com/practice/message/5409%5C

...I think you'd find yourself surprised at how quickly girls respond to some of these exercises, and how willing they become to begin to reciprocate on their own end by beginning some of the rudiments themselves. I'd been seeing a lady for a couple weeks before things took their natural course, and the inevitable question about my unwillingness to ejaculate came up.. So I opened up to her. She seemed hesitant at first, but I gently explained and led, and she's ended up really enjoying some of the aspects of this new path. The experience is more important than explaining the conceptual in's and out's at first (in my opinion)... But eventually, you may find that those begin to interest her too. There is no subterfuge or sleight of hand necessary to try and hoodwink "squares"... You should just be honest and sincere and allow for the growth of a real relationship... That sort of intimate and understanding foundation makes it easier to broach some of these topics.. and also allows for something beautiful to come out of it. It's exciting to teach and be taught by someone you truly care about as opposed to just practicing with your "plain girl"... Results will speak for themselves and offer strong incentive to continue down the path. Chances are you'll not need to coerce her. And again.. Be genuine, straight-forward, sincere and considerate. my two pesetas. balance. *and by the way... I am 23.

You may find this thread of use. http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?/topic/15381-sleep-paralysis-demons-of-the-night/

I'm happy you find it agreeable... It is indeed a good one. Though I suppose, coming back to the thread, even not having a goal is having a goal.. just as inaction is action... But i'd like to think that keeping your eyes on your idea of the prize is different from being receptive to all that comes... All I can do is practice with a diligent and open heart and trust in the power of the Great Magnet. And as Mick said, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes well you just might find, you get what you need." balance. *edit for the proper transcription of occasionally useful pop culture references.

Smile.

Expectation colors progress and makes spontaneous development difficult.

Dark blue energy is associated with the kidney system. ..So perhaps you're just picking up echoes from seeing the color.. Really couldn't tell you with any amount of certainty. Exciting when your body begins to mirror/mime the natural world... Pardon the cheap analogy, but it feels like dancing. balance.

Interesting. My skin will tingle before a storm, but no headaches.. Almost grateful for the absence there though. ..Guess it's nice to be able to trust the internal barometer.

I'm interested in a deep, loving growth and expansion.

I, truthfully, fail to see what people find so attractive about Mo Pai. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy1jPKS8qIY Being able to knock things over and light them on fire seems to pale in comparison when the great end-game of the myriad cultivation paths is considered... ...Perhaps if it was Chang's obvious skill as a healer that were emphasized and gained the most attention (as is the case with Chunyi Lin) , then I may have an easier time swallowing the often bitter mo pai pill.. But it's the surface level fireworks that illicit the oo's and aah's and not the substance that has provided the ground work for such "dramatic" manifestations. But this post is probably just a projection of my obvious energy-envy. ..for that I apologize. Truly. balance. *and perhaps I am one of those who have misinterpreted Mo Pai... perhaps there is truly (as there most certainly is) a deeper directive that guides the mo pai hand that extends above and beyond the performance of "tricks" .. I only know that I don't know.

I'd like to emphasize that my knowledge here is pretty basic.. There are many other bums here far more experienced than I am... Hopefully they'll stick their heads in an offer up their two pesetas as well. Anyway, onward. When taken out of context and not integrated into the greater whole of a balanced alchemical and physical regimen, retention just causes problems because (to simplify) energy is not being circulated, but just balled up. Further, the million dollar point, while an attractive method (given its ease of application) to prevent ejaculation, actually can cause myriad issues itself, and both Chia and Winn have made retractions/alterations to their own methods with regards to its use. http://forum.healingdao.com/practice/message/5409%5C (Michael Winn's personal response to a query similar to yours) In terms of breaking things up, I think that pursuing exercises that directly stimulate the kua (ie. kettle bell), stretching, manual massage (not masturbation....) and deep belly breathing could be places to start... But as I mentioned previously, I would defer to the wiser bums should they offer up something contrary. It also probably wouldn't hurt to see a doctor.. preferably one who might have some holistic leanings and won't write you off as crazy for bottling your essence. Oh, and not being able to get turned on/ejaculate without having your heart in the act doesn't seem like such a dismal development to me. Lastly, a helpful link to another bum's website which chronicles some of the issues that can arise from retention. http://www.precisiondocs.com/~altaoism/HLDangerMain.htm best, balance. *oh, and there are also many *many* other threads covering this issue here should you care to do some searching and find them... Might be helpful to find some more fully developed conversations.

Woah. Tremendous. Surprised that maneuverability is not more severely hampered by the gear they're carrying around. Beautiful clip all the same.

Interesting. I'll be sure to be both humble in my approach, and covert in my glance. Thanks, Meow.

Thanks for the alert. Almost a pity next week brings the full moon instead of the new.

Now.. I recall stumbling upon a list that some bum here had compiled (or linked to) of the energetic personalities associated with different sorts of trees.... I've spent time digging through the archives (by way of advanced google search...) but as of yet, I've been unable to unearth this list.. It certainly possible that I've imagined the whole thing, but I remain hopeful that some part of this fantasy is grounded in (some) reality. ... Can anyone fill me in or point me in the direction proper? many thanks. balance.

Haha-- I was curious when Folgers would come into the equation.

Mm, tremendous... Fizix: While I've not read the book, this is not the first prod I've had to finally pick up "dragon gate".. perhaps the time is nigh.. and it was indeed out of admiration for our bough-laden brethren that I decided to fire up this post... Seems like there is some exciting territory to be explored out there. Scotty: Ha, that was actually the link I had in mind-- Much appreciated. Durkhrod: Great to have an experiential view on this.. I'll be pursuing this in greater depth myself.. Thank you. Taomeow: I'm actually pretty unfamiliar with the subtleties of wuxing... But I'm eager to expand upon that shaky foundation... Did a brief search in the 'ol google and came up with this.. http://www.shenzhaopai.com.au/yingyang_wuxing.html At first glance, the page seems pretty cursory... So I, like Ralis, would be grateful to made aware of some Taomeow-approved resources... Much appreciated. Hagar: Thanks, Hagar.. A worthy revival.. A lot of good information/experiences rattling around in there... and some beautiful imagery as well.. Thank you. Matt: Curious-- I'll have to take a look into it. Many thanks. balance.

This is a page from Trunk's site... http://www.precisiondocs.com/~altaoism/HLSbiel11025.htm Offers up an alternative that's based upon Dr. Lin's method... Far more gentle and definitely worth considering/exploring. And matt-- I could be wrong, but is this the link you're referring to? http://www.precisiondocs.com/~altaoism/HLDangerMain.htm Apologies if I'm mistaken. balance.

I'll be writing that one down.

Yum. Much appreciated, love.

You should actually be holding both the upper and lower dan tians in your mind... If you refer to the texts that Dr. Yang has translated in there, you'll see what I'm talking about.. It's about maintaining attention at both polarities. Optimal posture and hand position change from practice to practice and teacher to teacher... Though it's also important to consider what comes most naturally to you.. There is a personal aspect that shouldn't be overlooked. But what Matt said is good advice. Walk with the teacher until you acquire technical, conceptual and experiential mastery of the material... At which point, you can make you're own decision if you'd like to continue or try something new. balance. *Though I'm sure if you wanted to sit in full lotus that that would be just fine. I hear it's tremendous... I can't get into it myself yet.

I'd hesitate jumping onto the throat chakra here-- but then again I could be completely wrong. Chunyi Lin talks at some length about the importance of clearing out your C7 vertebrae... Blockages here create all sorts of problems, above and below the neckline.. As such, it's (clearing out C7) among one of the very first cursory steps that he advises healers to go through when assessing a patient... So I'd look into that.... Chunyi Lin sees the areas beneath the clavicles as the windows to the chest... If you have trouble breathing-- throw the windows open... "Let the smoke out of the house.." SFQ would have you apply sword fingers to these areas to break up blockages.... ... But there are a host of additional steps to follow through with each of these two points... I'm just offering up some possibilities... But I do think C7 would be a great place to start. As for tightness/flexibility... Have you tried simple, slow, relaxed stretching? Neck rolls etc coordinated with breathing? But, I'd like to emphasize that I'm really no expert, and it would be wise to pursue and entertain a variety of possible avenues here. best. balance. *oh, I've also been told recently that problems at C7 can also affect the shoulders... Something to keep in mind.