baiqi

I'm just telling you what I feel: this man has certainly a lot of knowledge in Chinese arts in general, but I don't think he is a specialist in baguazhang. I've worked with people like that before. You'll probably learn interesting stuff, but.... I advise you to do a bagua seminar with someone who is mainly doing bagua, so you can see the difference. Bagua is quite original as an internal art. When taiji people do it, they tend to do put their ideas into it. Anyway, I could be totally wrong about this! Just tell us what you learnt after the seminar.

There will be the end of planet Earth ffor sure one day... just like everything else. I just hope we won't be the cause. And the later, the better.

Just answering this, I believe it is your "duty" as a human being (sorry, I can't find better words) to question your culture. It doesn't matter in which you were born. It doesn't mean that all aspects of this culture are bad, so I don't say " go against". But it's very likely that you will go against some aspects of it. Why? Because if you don't, you are not yourself, you're just a robot following your "programm", that is, your social conditionning. And sadly, most people are like that. I don't know any "perfect" culture, they all have their negative side. I do believe, however, that some are better than others (won't tell you which ones...) You may actually find that a specific part of your culture is good, after questioning it. It is not the same as the angry teenager angry against everything and everyone. So, it is your duty to question everything you've been told from childhood. The way you think, eat (of course!), drink, have sex, see relationships, act, work, have fun, etc. Everything. Let's be honest, you won't be able to do this completely, you'll always be conditionned at some point. It is very uncomfortable to do this, people will put pressure on you just by thinking differently. Yes, some cultures don't want to be questionned. it is a huge problem, even if their culture can have some very valuable points. If you think of China in the ancient times, people could question every aspect of their own culture, including things reagarded as sacred, such as "filial piety". Ancient taoists certainly did that. Nowdays? Well, officially you cannot do it. At the time they could (not easily, but they could) In some other countries, you have principles cast in stone (sometimes written in the law, or a religious book). It is much harder to free oneself as an individual there. I believe those societies are the most sick. I admire the people living in these kind of societies who manage to get free from their conditioning, sometimes putting their lives at risk. Our western societies are - at first view- more tolerant about questioning things. Some even seem to encourage this attitude. But, my experience is that if you scratch the surface, they are still intolerant with everything and everyone that is different. Actually, people are offended when you do. They take it personnaly, sometimes as a racist attack (if you are not from the same country/religion), or see you as a traitor. You have to make it clear that it is not the person you attack, but their beliefs, those they consider sacred, but are just things that were put in their heads by others (even if it was with a good intention) Even though, expect a lot of resistance. There are some times when you should just let them. Your ego (and other people's) doesn't like this at all. The best thing is to do it yourself, but you'll need a lot of courage. And yes, I am off topic.

First, please do not look down on the fighting techniques...I think they can be a genuine way to enter the more internal aspects of bagua. Second, I think this student of Frantzis is just right for you. Don't know him personnaly, but practised the same style for a while. And he is more into health and cultivation. http://www.circlewalking.com/tag/baguazhang-london/ ...if not, try this one: http://www.palmchange.com/index.php/north-london-bagua-overview (Luo Dexiu lineage, probably more combat-oriented, but you can ask them). Or this one http://www.baguauk.com/#!chris-ray-chappell/c1bk5 (Liu Jingru lineage) Third, bagua does kick ass, so you're looking in the right direction! And fourth, good luck to you!

Not really, but I was in relation with Quanzhen monks when I was in China. Now I focus more on bagua.

Sounds like something with which Adolf could have said.... Certainly not, Hitler had clear opinions of "good" (aryans) and "bad" (jews)! Hitler never was a vegetarian,by the way it is all 3rd Reich propaganda! Anytime you talk about vegetarianism, you end up with a Godwin point.... I'm a bit tired of this.

I have seen some parts of it when I was in China (Not Taiwan, actually, the Continent) . The Quanzhen sect uses it. You have some "mantras" and invocations on that part. http://www.360doc.com/content/12/0131/07/363181_183024579.shtml I remember the "invocation to clean the body",invoking the four emblematic animals (Green dragon, White Tiger, Red Phoenix and Dark warrior) to help the individual to dispel doubts, and protect the "real self". And the "Celestial Lord of the Magical Jewel" to make the mind peaceful. I had learnt this by heart at the time, but didn't know it was part of such a big book. Now, there is just no way I translate all this! Besides, that's not really worth it, especially if you don't have a master. I'm gonna have a look, tell you if there are some interesting stuff. In the aforementioned part, there is something about classical Chinese cosmology you probably already know: Yin-yang, 5 agents, 8 trigrams... Funny, how it brings back memories... thx for that!

First paragraph for tonight... (Where did you get that text, and what led you to this? I'm asking, because this seems to be part of a much larger text. Also, when I translate, I like to have the "big picture" ) 卷外﹝細說篇﹞ External scroll, " a detailed description (of the process)" 一、 金丹大法的再世因緣First: the great method to get the Golden Pill (or golden elixir) and the karma of reincarnation. 法身金丹修鍊大法的再世，是有其大因緣的。這個大因緣在【瑤池金母普渡收圓定慧解脫真經】中講得很清楚。因為人類“輪迴無息，禍難慘纏”，雖然“人皆佛性”，卻“無以回天”。所以，“竊此三期”，要“渡盡坤乾”，這是其一。 The great alchemical method to get the Golden Elixir is related to a person's karma and past lives. In,The True Scripture and Recovery of the Entirety Scripture of the Golden Mother of the Jasper Pool, they talk about this great karma very precisely. Because humans die and get reborn through the wheel of Samsara without rest, experience hardship and are chained to misery (although every human being has the Buddha Nature) they all want to " become the Void and go back to Heaven". So, in order to "steal these three periods', the first thing one has to do is to " unite Kun (earth) and Qian (Heaven)" (Ok, so this seems to be a pretty classical mix of alchemical Taoism and Buddhism) 渡盡坤乾，是瑤池金母的大悲大願，也是諸佛、菩薩、聖者等的大願望。所以，在無極瑤池金母的龍華勝會上，慈航大士觀世音菩薩合掌恭敬祈盼瑤池金母為眾生開簡易大道之門，說定慧解脫之理。於是，瑤池金母在無極光中，宣說了普渡收圓定慧解脫真經，闡述了三家會合、定慧解脫不難之理。後頒下【瑤池金母普渡收圓定慧解脫真經】一卷，獲得三教聖賢，十方諸佛頂禮恭敬，信受奉行。常念此經，即口應心，身無魔考，家居平安，國家泰盛。 Unite Earth and Heaven is Xiwang Mu's (Taoist Goddess) Great Vow of compassion. It is also the great desire of all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, wise men etc. So, in the Longhua temple dedicated to Xiwang Mu, there is a statue of Guanyin, the great Bodhisattva of compassion, her hands together, praying Xiwang Mu to easily open the door of the Great Dao for all living creatures, settling the principle of liberation through wisdom. Thus, Xiwang Mu, within the light of the Great Void (Wuji), chanted the The True Scripture and Recovery of the Entirety Scripture of the Golden Mother of the Jasper Pool, explaining how uniting the three schools (Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism) was the way to obtain liberation. After she promulgated This True Scripture and Recovery of the Entirety Scripture of the Golden Mother of the Jasper Pool, she received the saints and sages from all three schools, all the Buddhas from the Ten Directions, to pay her their respects and follow the instructions with faith. If one recite this Scripture frequently, with one's heart, the demons won't be able to torment us, one will be able to be at peace in one's home and the Country will be prosperous and peaceful. (Let me guess: you got this in Taiwan?)

Deities are symbolical concepts. They are neither good not evil (although some symbolize bad or good aspects of life, others are more neutral). Actually, polytheist religions are usually more tolerant than monotheistic. And are usually closer to nature, since many deities represent in fact the different forces of nature. That being said, both polytheist and monotheist religions are right and wrong...from a certain point of view. The sum of all deities would be "God". Is the color "white" actually "white"? No, it is the sum of all colors. Or yes, it is just white. Depends on your point of view. Monotheist religions fail to understand that, leading to religious intolerance. Polytheist religions also have their flaws, some of their followers take the "deities" far too literaly. This can be quite ridiculous and superstitious, but that's all. Monotheist religions ask their devotees to kill those who worship idols. I think that's a little extreme.

It depends on what you mean by that. If you think you have become God, you are good for the lunatic asylum... However, if you define God by the source from which everything comes from and returns, that is everywhere, then of course you are a part of this. (The Daoists use the word Dao for it, which I prefer, because it isn't close to anything human, whereas the word "God" has become something like the "King of the Universe". But they are just names anyway.) You may or may not be aware of it (and I don't just mean think). There are some spiritual seekers who actually achieved this. In any tradition. They remain humble. Actually they get more humble than before. And they don't seek refuge from anything, they just are. On the other hand, you have some people whose ego exploded, and turned mad. (Quite litteraly) If you want, it is the difference between the fish that realizes it is a part of an Ocean, and another crazy fish who would believe it can control the waves... From a human perspective, yes, definitely. But not as absolute principles.

First thing to know about Xie Peiqi baguazhang curriculum: it is huge. There are so many things to study, that he divided that into his disciples. It's a lifetimeS study! I personnaly see no objection, except that you shouldn't be in a hurry: one year on the lion (which is the most important one, at least from my teacher's point of view) is a minimum, and you never stop doing it. Remember, you won't study everything, it's close to impossible, unless you have lots of free time. So my advice for now is: focus on the lion. Yeah the Panda has a lot of awesomness. This bagua system in particular is very different from Yang taiji... As for the qigong aspects, they are probably very interesting, but I never had a chance to study them, which is a shame. So I can't really help you with that.

Ok, I don't know the man, but wish you a good seminar.

I call this bullshit. It's actually dishonest. You just need to know what does meat to your body/the world/ animals and imagine what happens without. Then you can easily prove these 22 points wrong. You'll save your heartYes. Why? Just read the latest studies about meat consumption and heart problems. The results are very clear. Here is just one among many: http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-study-links-l-carnitine-in-red-meat-to-heart-disease-201304176083 You'll reduce your risk of cancerYes, some cancers are directy linked to meat consumption. You'll make a strong political statementYes you will: even if you won't stop everything, you'll get noticed, even if you don't want to. They say " In fact, the entire interactive network of life on earth, from the jellyfish to the judge, is based on the sacrifice of animals and the use of animal foods. There’s no escape from dependence on slaughtered animals, not even for really good vegan folks who feel wonderful about themselves as they finish their vegan meal." Maybe, so what? Because you have to harm animals, we should just do more harm and not care? The vegan folks at least reduce the harm we do to animals. Not perfect, but still better. Your bones will last longerReferences, please? Yup: http://pcrm.org/media/news/vegetarian-diets-promote-bone-health (And you can put me to the test on that one, by the way) http://www.garvan.org.au/news-events/news/vegan-buddhist-nuns-have-same-bone-density-as-non-vegetarians.html and so on, I stop it here... I'm not saying it's a panacea for health, I 'm just saying you can be just fine, if you are just a little bit cautious.

Eeeeeer weird, honestly. There are many of walking the circle, but this one does not seem right to me. I spotted some important mistakes. Not saying all is wrong, some points are right and well-explained, but the overall impression is not good to me. There is a thread on this forum (Bagua help: look for it ) that is really helpful. Read it. Great. Which teacher/lineage?

I cannot really visualise a "love bond" here, sorry... From the many documentaries I've seen, most predators seem to act by surprise. The prey has very little time to realize anything. Predators mostly kill the sick and the old, so it is a part of a "purification" process. That is not "moral", but is consistent with Nature. And animal farming is far worse. I agree completely. I wouldn't say "I'm fine with it", since you can be healthy, in our modern societies, without any meat, hunted or not. However, I agree that if human only ate hunted meat (like in many tribes): - animals would be violently killed, but at least they would have lived free lives in nature before that. With farming (especially industrial), there's simply no life before death - we would eat waaaaaaay less meat - much less health problems: it's pretty physical to hunt, especially without guns! - the killing-eating process would be direct. Which prevents dehumanization a bit. The animal is still considered as a sentient being, not a mere product. - no environmental problems caused by animal farming. - the animal has some chances of escape, and there even is a risk factor for the hunters. It's a "fight", not a mere execution. So yeah, even if I don't like hunting, your point does make sense.

Well, I like the position holding/ test of structure (the master dealing blows is a good way to know if you have strength the "6 directions"). What I dislike is that the guys are so tense... (The guy carrying the jars in particular) No doubt it's effective for combat, but I'm afraid that it might not be very healthy.

I studied some of this material (lion)... for a (far too) short period. Don't hesitate to ask, maybe I can help.

if we were in a real democracy, we would vote for laws proposed by other fellow citizens, not for politicians.

Qigong is a very recent term for lots of different techniques. Can be daoyin, tuna, tuina, and even neidan. Neidan is qigong, but not all qigong is neidan (actually very few people do it, and its a good thing, mistakes can have devastating effects!) Neidan is also part of Xiulian, which is also "alchemy", in the very wide sense.

The tricky thing with Chinese (classical in particular) is that you can choose wether two (ore more) characters are together to make one meaning or not. Or both. And there is no grammatical word telling how the two relate to each other (and,of, by, from etc.?) So for me, both interpretations are correct. And more. Daode 道德, in modern Chinese, as an expression just means "virtue", or "morals", "ethics". Leading many Chinese to believe it is a boring moralizing book, just like any Confucean classic. We know that, while there are some ethical aspects included, it goes way beyond that. We could say: "The Way and its Virtue", "The Way and Virtue" "The Virtue of the Dao" "The virtuous Dao (I don't like this one, but why not?) "The Virtue from the Dao" "etc." No wonder you have new translations every year... Of course, each of them is an interpretation. You have yours- which may be correct- but nothing in the title proves it is better than another...

Yes, besides, Taomew, you are not giving advice for a new vegetarian, you are trying to prevent Rara (and other folks who may read) from turning vegetarian. You may have good intentions, but this is not the point here. He made his choice. Time will tell if he was right or wrong. (Of course, I believe he is right) Moreover, from the excerpts of the book I read, this book seems pretty lame. Always the same arguments against vegetarianism... You said you were vegetarian only one year?? That's good, but it's not really much time. I mean you cannot really see the changes (if any) in just one year. Your body will need time to adapt any new diet. (Anyway, new thread to continue this discussion) So I'll just say: yes, you can be a vegetarian, and still be healthy. Actually, you might become healthier than you used to be.

If you really want to become a tree, I can't give you any advice but to wait for death, and hopefully the next incarnation.

The whole system of agriculture is indeed murderous, but the meat industry is even more harmful. Besides, agriculture is more harmful because we have decided that meat would be the primary source of food. If most of the population turned vegetarian (or just ate as little meat as we used to, that is to say once or twice a month), it would be much easier to have an agriculture that respects nature. Even if we eat organic (which is a good thing), we cannot eat so much meat and say we care about the environement.

WoW

Rara: congratulations for this choice, it's a good one. I won't give you details of what you need to eat, you'll find it yourself I'm sure. There is so much information available now... Just go slowly, reduce the meat, then just fish, then veggies. Oh, and of course, you don't need to worry about the sirens telling you that vegetarianism isn't healthy. Yeah, usually the main problem is relationships. That one in particular, I guess. If I were you, I would answer him honestly when he eventually asks why. You may lose a friend, but you shouldn't care about being judged. After all, you're the one doing the right thing, he certainly doesn't.