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There are Qigong techs to improve intelligence. I recall there being some in Sifu Wong Kiew Kit's book Chi Kung for health and vitality. If you have some methods which target and increase flow/expand your energy centres (third eye, throat and crown especially IMO) this can help with the intellect.

Yeah it was awesome, have you read the books?

I will add more when i have time but briefly: http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=2186 From "Heart Drops of Dharmakaya" , it has other accounts of rainbow body including that one. You can research more on Illusory Body and Rainbow Body. Both are attainments giving "immortality" in Buddhism. There are various grades of rainbow body also.

The masters who were at such a level to be able to dissolve their physical body into light are IMO at a much much higher level than Chang. That is a higher level of immortality than the Yang shen in taoism (afaik). There have been numerous accounts of this even in recent times.

Still not fact. Besides even if John Chang said that, using the sensing ability of a level 20~ or whatever he supposedly is would not be an absolute measure would it?

Use a good quality camera please =]

Don't know why you keep stating this as fact. Be honest you have no idea.

Agreed. The whole castaneda thing came to my mind as well. People using second hand probably embellished information as a Bible is getting ridiculous. Using this lens to view/judge other cultivation systems is even more ridiculous. You can't call yourself scientific minded if you're getting your info or basing your opinions on such a source material.

I'd like for the Indonesian students to confirm if some of these stories in Magus of Java are actually true. Seems like padding to make the book more sell-able, imo.

What "level" is Gary in your opinion?

Also interested to know the "policy" on this.

Well i ordered it so will update when it gets to the UK

My feeling is it contains the practice methods, but if someone has it or is getting it and can confirm, will wait to buy it till then.

Has anyone learnt from Jerry A. Johnson? The contents are impressive. Everything one would want to know on the topic and practice methods too? Surprised he's releasing this.

i downloaded it a while back

These talks are great thanks for uploading once again.

Phew, glad they were able to bring down the mighty Sauron!

+1 on sweet potatoes as per Zanshin's suggestion - i find this veg amazing. Samurai Mountain Man - i recommend looking towards some asian cuisine we have some really nice vegeterian food. A load of variety with Indian sabjis/sabzis and of course simple and delicious oriental stir frys. I love asian herbs and spices they can basically make any kind of mix veg dish.

In the quote i responded to it didn't mention shamatha, only jhana. "Everything got real bright, there was only the subject, observation and the object, and then all three fused together, with a great amount of bliss and pure consciousness." Thats what i experienced in a repeatable fashion with mantra. The quality of practice was good, complete focus and devotion in the mantra, going very deep into each syllable slowly. No other thoughts. Sounding the mantra mentally, hearing the mantra, being the mantra. Body disappears after some time then it all breaks down into the powerful bliss/light. It could be as a result of energetic of devotion and deep focus. Probably just first jhana. But yeah powerful and feel amazing afterwards. I think the stability factor is a quality of mind you can generate not necessarily focused on a "gross" object. So you could use mantra as a platform into whatever state this is, then use a concentrated mind to meditate on the actual state, that becoming the "object" concentrated upon. I didnt pursue it further as i dont practice mantra anymore, so i don't know where it can lead with more practice.

Where did you find info about their shattering palm training?

Agreed. This is also based on experience not theory.

I think i threw up

From a physical POV, saliva is also protecting your teeth. For my qigong we keep it where we can feel the best energy connection. For me i feel it's on a small bump about a centimeter behind the two front teeth. There is a definite energy flow/circuit, the tongue vibrates and shakes by itself.

Good for you, You're heading in the right direction following thetaoiseasy's advice IMO.

This seems very out of line saying you can't do anything for yourself and can only be saved by paying 12000??? I'm really shocked by this.