The Observer

In my extremely limited experience in working with chi/life force energy I mostly tend to feel it as a very subtle, cool sensation. The exception was when I was messing around activating chakras and I placed my awareness at the muladhara chakra and felt an intense heat lol.

I'm very sorry about your loss. I'll be mindful of this in my prayers for whatever its worth.

Forgive my ignorance but what does "Forbearance" mean when you say Truth-Compassion-Forbearance?

A question of my own: Would timing a 3 day fast for the full moon days once a month be effective for my sitting meditation practice? Also I've been fasting once a week regularly for almost a year.

Yesterday I had 2 very vivid deja vu moments that really got my attention... Anyways, what's the board's take on this odd phenomenon?

Lol very interesting. Its like for that split second you feel like your life's been on rerun for a while.

I first entered into the world of spiritual practice through yoga/yogic meditation. My first attempts at a full lotus were pretty pathetic lol. There were two factors holding me back that I can remember: -Excess fat around the legs, specifically thighs. -Very closed/tight hips. By moving to a vegetarian diet/reducing my food intake and daily practicing different asanas for all the parts of the body I successfully was able to sit in full lotus. It's pretty funny actually, I was just able to do it one day, just messing around not really looking for success in the full lotus posture. Aside from everything Mr. Hempel and others have said about it's energetic benefits, it provides you a great amount of stability for meditation by basically locking your legs, making you into a stable pyramid. Interestingly enough I've heard vague mumbles about the energetic benefits of pyramid, perhaps full lotus could be linked to that.

Can anyone recommend me: A: Any good Qi-Gong resources to start out with (books/websites for example)? and/or B: Any Qi-Gong teachers in the Miami area? Many thanks!

I think you took the quote out of concept. First and foremost one should be practical, if there is something threatening you, address it. Then whatever comes of the conflict, deal with it as best you can. Hope that made sense.

Thanks for the different links guys! Also I'm sorry if the thread was redundant, but a lot of the links to the different stickies were dead or didn't have specific enough info.

In order for one to achieve spiritual transformation should one have to isolate himself from society at large or is it possible to attain enlightenment through daily practice (referring to meditation, mindfulness, compassion amongst other noble qualities) as a unit of society?

Treat life like a video game or simulation. Faced with any task (mundane or not), do it to perfection.

Well Blasto here's my observation: Besides overpopulation, wars and famines we could also be instantaneously destroyed by a huge gamma energy burst before we even know what hit us. There's also a distinct possibility that the scientists involved with CERN could destroy the very fabric of reality in attempts at researching antimatter; and if all else fails we could be annihilated by an asteroid or run away planet. Basically this is what I'm trying to say: I think (from my POV mind you, I really don't want to impose) that the most important thing, as a living being first and foremost, is to be a good person to yourself as well as others. If all (or at least a majority) are consciously working at being better people then all else falls into place.

Inspiring story! I'd hope to retire in as graceful a manner as your father did.

Hmmm...the way I see it a time will come when the lazy need to work and years of sitting around will make it a difficult experience for them later. This is the wisdom of karma/tao to me. In a sense it's like cheating on a test, yes you may pass the exam, but in the long run when the time comes to put that knowledge (that you should have earned through study) to the test you will find yourself helpless. Relating more directly to your example, the lazy may be the downfall of a nation, but in the end it's their own boat they're sinking.

All things, at least in this material plane, are subject to change. Even the philosophy of your belief will in time be "diluted", whether for better or worse, by the insights of others. It is good that you cultivate virtuous qualities and your own energy for your own benefit, but be wary of prophecy and never forget to love all beings, regardless of whatever difference or ideology.

In response to the original post, it was a very great and inspirational story; it gives me heart to continue my daily meditation and attempts to be a better human.

The world isn't perfect, but all eventually get their just rewards or punishments.

Spot on!

More doom and gloom, fire and brimstone? Story of civilization. Your forefathers heard it from the old priests of the temple...now we hear it from the "expert" in the white lab coat. Live in the now.

Marcus Aurelius, Jesus Christ and the Buddha agree with you. I say you are in good company.

I don't know how relevant this is but I've been a full time vegetarian for a few months now and it's helped me lose something like 50 pounds, which is alright considering I was a bit overweight before.

Killing other humans, for whatever reason, is completely unnecessary. Period. Killing perpetuates more in turn.

Very , very valid point.