Harmonious Emptiness

Technology is potential. By technology we can increase our potential. Other animals cannot (so much as I can see) increase their potential like we can. If they could, guaranteed they would, and for even more selfish reasons. Are we better off with technology? Well, we've lost a lot of inner abilites like memory and physical endurance while gaining these abilities 100 fold by use of "extensions." If we die by the use of these extensions due to atrophy of natural abilities then we've failed ourselves, but it's our own fault for abandoning all self reliance. The more potential we have for good, the better. I think people are more good than bad and so is the use of technology; however, greed and profit is a bigger motivator than sustaining contentment. We can use technology to try and motivate more love for all life like has never been possible in the past without high tech communication and travel. I think that's the issue really, is that we can give people better ways to change things, but motivating their respect and love of all life has not been so successful. However, we've made a lot of progress there too in the last 50 years, though it needs to continue on if we're going to ever benefit from technology as an entire species.

Not to confuse concepts, but in this discussion there seems to be a major correlation between shen-spirit and te-virtue. I recall a part in the Leih-Tzu that said the virtue returns to its place of origin after death. It seems like shen and te are both attached in that cultivation of one increases the other inevitably.

Like I said, know the destination = know the exits. Wisdom and Faith like one hand washing the other. Looks like you figured out the next exit . Any time

yyyyyeah, I don't know. If so I think it should be called "complementary pursuits" or something and be for all other spiritual paths like Assine, Sufi, Kabbala, Egyptian, Aboriginal, Hindu, etc. I think a page like that would be cool, but Buddhism plays an undeniable part in a lot of Taoist schools so it should only reduce the amount that shows up on the Taoist page, while giving more stuff to learn about that might be helpful but not totally Taoist. Maybe have something about it should tie in somehow to Taoism or else put it in off topic. This way it will probably get read, though the sites capacity might collapse, and someone's gonna need to take up the mod stick (not it!)...

Though some good teachers will say that you should forget about books and just practice what you learn from themselves, I really think that we need to continue studying/teaching ourselves even when we find a great teacher. No teacher knows everything and everyone learns a bit more in different directions even within the same tradition, so I think it's important to continue reading and studying so that you know what you want to pursue learning. Just because one teacher doesn't have all the answers for us, they could still expedite our progress immensely and then another teacher will pick up from there and bring us in the next direction until we get where we're trying to go. Continuing to learn and study on your own is needed for us to know which exits we need to take to get where we're trying to go. As long as you keep driving toward that goal you'll eventually land in the right town and find a guide who knows the route. Wisdom and Faith are most complementary qualities when the path becomes overgrown don't loose sight of the guiding stars. Put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward until you get there. Don't eat yellow snow.

Alright! That explains SO MUCH. Not only do I understand a lot more of what I've read and experienced, but all this gives me an awesome key to work with! InSPIRIng. Thanks all. And by all means, keep em coming with practices and whatever you have as I'm sure I'm not the only one trying to take it all in --- --- edit: So essentially (not to dilute. The responses will be here for future reference, maybe in my practice log too), clearing the mind and developing concentration develops Shen. Having better energy circulation and balance does as well. Having more energy and brightness of mind/spirit from various practices is a healthy shen. Awareness of shen is what provides awareness of the sameness between our substance and the substance of life.

He is also a master of Aboriginal Healing (especially Native American, but also studied with Kahuna, African, and some others) as well as a Medical Qi Gong master, and author/translator of a number of books. He lives in Colorado but travels a fair bit to teach and perform healing ceremonies around the U.S. and Canada. His website is http://kennethcohen.com/ I'm certain you will have much to talk about and share ! Strength and Health -d

So that goes with my experience and understanding, that more Jing strengthens and cultivates the mind to make it quicker and more awake. Thanks. Now, is that all that is meant, though, when it is said to turn jing and chi into shen? Because it seems like this process is similar to putting chi into dantien, like "put the chi into the dantien and then turn it into shen before you close" whereas the energetic mind seems to just be noticed later on like "hey, I don't need to sleep after work anymore" Also, what is meant by bringing the Shen into other parts of the body? There seems to be a connection where Shen is like a second stage of refining Chi during Qi Gong.

I wouldnt use any philosophical logic to understand my identity. I am who I am because of how I handle emotions and feelings, imo. -God- still existed before creation was made according to legend. Thus we exist regardless of our awareness of other beings. We can exist more or less in relation to or according to other people, but that has no bearing on the fact that we do exist. This is why art is really important, and something you should probably get into more. Art allows you to tell your own story regardless of what other people say or don't say about you, and helps you to know yourself as YOU know yourself rather than how others want to see you or project their own shadows on you. We exist without other people; it's just an unfulfilling existence with no experience without other people to share it with.

Discourses between The Yellow Emperor and Plain Girl. It's not in the general TCM text by The Yellow Emperor, but if you can find a Chinese "Pillow Book" from before 1910 you'll get the whole thing there (good luck...). Otherwise, "The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity" by Daniel Reid is a must have (even if you do find a Pillow Book).

Hey man, if you have access to a University library, just find out where the Taoist and Buddhist stuff is and poke through everything until you find the gems. Same goes for most large libraries. There's usually tons of good stuff there. For finding a teacher, it depends. You could start with local Zen or other Buddhist centers around you where you might find a well trained abbot who will instruct you in meditation and Buddhist philosophy. For Taoism, you'll probably want to start with a Qi Gong, Tai Chi, or Alchemy instructor, and continue with the Buddhist instruction. There are also some well trained, experienced, and wise instructors on this site if you want to learn internal arts like Qi Gong, Alchemy, Tai Chi, and some of the philosophy that comes along with them. There's also a lot of free advice from hobbyists like myself. Actually I'm probably more of a hobbyist than the majority of people who respond here, which is why I spend so much damn time here!!

Hey fatguyslim! I hope things are going well for you! My interpretation given the context here is that, when someone is trying to practice and just keeps running into walls, and is stubborn like a ram not allowing his himself to learn with an open mind, he should empty his mind, ie, empty his cup of thinking he knows all about this and that so that a teacher can fill it with it instructions. Of course, when we think we know so much about this and that, it is really difficult for a teacher to fill a cup that is already full. The highest teachers are very very simple, so simple most would never believe that they have something to teach them -- thus it is very important to consider that even the simplest person you encounter might in reality deserve your utmost humbleness -- far more than one who's loftiness is apparent. It takes an almost impossible amount of true humility to humble one's self beneath someone who is so incredibly humble. No matter how low you bow... they're always closer to the earth

I second the Alan Watts recommendations for getting started especially. From there, note the people and texts that he talks about and check them out. The Sutra of Hui Neng is one of the most original sources for Zen. Also, check out more than just the Zen side of Buddhism since the "no mind" is more fulfilling when combined with all the other virtues that are not mentioned so much with Zen where clarity is sought as a means to the other virtues -- whereas, going by what I've read in Sutras, the clarity of Zen seemed to be taught as a more advanced lesson after the other virtues were apparent. That said, Zen clarity can be experienced from time to time no matter how much experience you have with Buddhism. "Emptiness is the house of spiritual light." A good teacher will be the most expedient, but in today's landscape I would check out some original sources so you have a better idea how deep the teacher's knowledge really is. It seems to me that the one's with the most diluted lineages generally charge the most $$$, but there are several exceptions to this.

Welcome Master Sio. I see that you are also a Medical Qi Gong Instructor in Southern California. Perhaps you know Kenneth Cohen? It's an honor to 'meet' you sir.

Agreed. The place mentioned is just sort of a sanctuary where people can go to meditate and maybe receive some basic instructions. Looks like it would be well welcomed by a lot of people and maybe help to ease some suffering too. Formalized sitting meditation does a lot of good in prisons to help people deal with a few of the same difficulties. It's a great idea, and provides more options. mo.

See the book club forum from the home page.

Yes. I suspect that there is an aspect of this even when people are just "vibing" off each other on a deep level while drinking coffee together or what have you. I like that you mention purging as part of the process. Sometimes I wonder if I'm purging negative energy or qi that I should be retaining. Is there a certain way to know when it's not obvious? I've also heard of people who have pain using the excess energy to fill the lack of energy in another part or other persons weak area. I've found this useful for transferring some extra energy from pain to the dantien within myself as it at least relaxes the area. I see the danger in this if it's negative energy being intended there, but some diseases are caused by stagnation of chi and others by lack of chi.. Dr. Zhi Gang Sha teaches this, so I believe the energy in general can be moved this way which is strange. I suppose the chi doesn't have the disease, and the stagnant chi was only stagnant in the blocked channel of the one who releases it?

Hi Rainbow I realized a few errors after posting that but it was late so I didn't go back to edit... Mainly I meant people on TTB who practice some type of dual cultivation. Or, at least there are a lot of people who practice Qi Gong and are not celibate so they would have had some experiences in regards to the OP. It seems to be known about by high level martial artists a fair bit too. My ex dated a guy who studied with Shaolin in China and (man, girls always tell waay too much private information about their exs....) she said that he did the injaculation thing. Also I think most people who study Chi Kung are schooled a bit about the importance of retention and would be directed to sources on how do this in a relationship. This is speculation, but it is pretty important to Qi Gong. There was also an article in a free daily newspaper here in Montreal a month ago (they hand it out at the subways in the morning) which was titled "did he say injaculation?" and referenced Mantak Chia. It was just interested in multiple orgasms but it also shows that there is more interest in this of late (then again, I live Montreal.. thank god). I also picked up a copy of Daniel Reid's book from the RECYLING BOX IN THE LOBBY OF MY APPARTMENT BUILDING AT 7 IN THE MORNING. BEST FREAKIN FIND EVER! I really wondered if someone knew I pass there in the mornings and left if for me... spooky The biggest thing I should have mentioned is that even the people practicing with partners are hardly practicing dual cultivation since their partner doesn't usually know anything about dual cultivation, so it's more of a sexual cultivation for the one practitioner than dual-cultivation or Taoist sex, imho. edit: oh, yes I'm doing well, thanks for asking I hope the same goes for you too!

Thanks for the input. I see what you mean about physical and spiritual sides. Following that though, it might make sense at least that not practicing Chi cultivation rigorously (say 3 hours a day) while practicing 100% abstinence all year will throw off the balance...?

I'm in agreement with Ya Mu here, and I'm really glad that someone of his abilities sees it this way. I read Daniel Reid's book before any Chia stuff (only a couple chapter of Chia), and found Reid's book to be mostly based off the writing of the Yellow Emperor. I think we probably would have heard more about self-damage this way too since so many people are into dual cultivation now. Another thing I wonder about with this is that it's said the jing, chi, and shen must be in balance and harmony. So if someone is not not cultivating shen and chi adequately, then it seems that overabundance of jing would just throw them out of balance rather than move them along smoothly. Sure they should use that energy to practice, but some people being 100% celibate all year, while not practicing like 3 hours day... I don't know.. but I'm not striving for immortality in this life time either.. Other notes on this, from Reid's book, is that nocturnal emission is "100 times" worse than when awake and controlled so extreme celibacy is not always the best answer. And, there is a lot more leeway in Spring, then about every week in summer, every month (if I remember) in Fall, and hold out all winter. By 30 everything should be with a partner, and after 50 you should save everything to the end. This was from someone reported to live about 200 years or something, if that's what you're planning to do... And, yes, like Ya Mu said, it seems to make sense that cultivation would be especially important when vitality is low..

Can definitely see the Taoist side of the videos. That stuff can't be done without breaking through barriers of social expectation, as well as conquering the need to control things rather than having a strong enough sense of self to let yourself ride the currents. The openness that this creates can only nurture spontaneity and sincerity which are high on the list of Taoist virtues. I suppose the difficulty with this, as I've experienced it, is that riding these currents can make it difficult to settle down sometimes, or make quietism seem like a waste of time which isn't the case. However, I can see you've had more experience with martial arts so you've probably developed perhaps methods to transition between the two, or have a different experience altogether with this effect. I suppose "releasing Yang" like that brings one to another level of yin once in a while too...

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