Harmonious Emptiness

according to this website you may have ended up with it from the cold. The #1 suggestion was "300 mg. a day of Coenzyme Q10 This powerful antioxidant is crucial in the effectiveness of the immune system and the circulation to the ears." second suggestion [from the website]: Home remedies for Tinnitus #2: Bayberry bark, burdock root, goldenseal, hawthorn leaf and flower and myrrh gum purify the blood and counter act infection. Check this out about cloves: http://www.antioxidants-for-health-and-longevity.com/benefits-of-cloves.html Funny this ties in to a recent question about breath freshners... reminded me about chewing cloves, and so I just found out that they were high in anti-oxidants and germicidal -- had a sore throat like a cold was coming on.. used cloves to kill the germs in my throat by putting the burn from chewing 3+ at a time back to the germs in my throat. That with some sleep and focus of energy. They also gave me a bit of a lift in energy because of chewing about a dozen within 5-15 minutes. The website also says "Research indicates that a few spicy meals a week won't get you much of the antioxidant benefits of spices; you must consume larger quantities on a daily basis." So I'm enjoying some cloves by my desk as of recent. They burn especially near the middle of the tongue but you can try to keep it at back and tip to avoid some it. Start of with one though and move up if your not ready for some sting. I don't know about any drug interactions with plantain herb, but that is known as the herb for blood purification. A herbalist or naturopath would be good to check out if you try the tea in suggestion 2 if you take medications, but looks normally safe at least for a limited period of time. Probably not too much Plantain herb if your adding it to the other similarly working herbs. Relax, do some qi gong, read some Chuang Tzu edit: was going to suggest to take ibuprophen since website said "Eat fresh pineapple frequently to reduce inflammation", but "Cause of tinnitus #3: Long-term use of certain medications. Aspirin used in large doses, quinine, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs can affect inner ear cells." Be sure to check the site, of course

Ah, (no offense) I saw Marblehead posted after Manitou and thought it was just another "nice to have you back" post, lol, so didn't check to read it (great post, Manitou, by the way. Come on Marblehead, you know that's you ). Yes, I am very interested to hear more about Shamanic undertones throughout the Dao De Jhing. Not sure where else we (or I) might get to read such obscured explanations. Very interesting!! In retrospect, I think I personally could have avoided a bit of the tangents by deflecting some misunderstandings via the Private Message function. I'll try that in the future and maybe post the outcome of the discussion in one post approved by both parties. Would be a shame to have the whole topic become unreadable due to pages of unpalatable side clarification. Maybe others would be willing to do a bit of housekeeping in this way to keep the topic easier to follow (+1 is an acceptable response--)? I guess the whole discussion involves mostly side clarification, but we (or I) could try to keep it somewhat succinct in this way.

Well, I don't see any reason to assume that he expects anything of you, or is doing anything more than stating his point of view as he sees it. Isn't that why we're here at TTB? to share and learn from all these different points of view? Perhaps you might be projecting your own underlying con-ster before making a clear judgement about who he is..? I don't know. I just know that I'm wasting time that could be spent in the real world rather than publishing all my baseless conjectures about you in cyber space. Passe une bonne soiree

Well, I am confident that his understanding of Taoism goes far beyond the the words of the Tao Te Ching. You might also benefit from expanding your knowledge of Taoism beyond this resource.

Aaron, If someone signs in on TTB and says they are a Christian pastor, would you immediately assume that they are trying to misrepresent themselves in order to receive misguided respect from people? Consider that what you know, believe, or understand about the complex varieties of Taoism may not be as complete and comprehensive as the many traditions which exist around the world. For you to claim a superiority of knowledge of the matter is, for me, far less reasonable than the metaphysical views of an initiate about the nature of re-incarnation and Taoist Immortality (a relationship which does exist, btw. I would have to find it, but there is mention in an early scripture about Immortals being able to choose reincarnation in our mortal world if they are so compelled). To question the validity of complex metaphysical views is up to you, but being opinionated about anything so far beyond mere intellectual comprehension, and so far removed from your actual knowledge or experience, really doesn't seem like a strategic approach to finding any truth.

Much great advice already. I think, with the right attitude everything becomes a part of growth. Success, striving, and challenges are some of the most outspoken teachers. Going after what you want with the right attitude changes everything. Setbacks become just another thing to step over. This is like a diamond body of another sort. You can strive and become successful, yet still live the Tao by knowing when to stop, what is necessary, and what you might as well give away. Knowing this and cultivating this is ongoing whether you`re cultivating martial arts, meditation, etc., since there is a point when the cup is almost at the brim and you should stop pouring and take a sip.

If this is the path you've chosen for yourself, you might do well to check out the Kundalini Awakening Program (KAP) which has received very high reviews from a number of members here. Doing a search on it will lead to many discussions. I suggest this due to the fact that I have heard retention for 1 month at a time is part of it at least at higher levels. Further, you will learn how to get all the energy you need, to feel the way you have described, out of this amount of retention without adding the risks (especially without a qualified teacher and suitable regimen) that come with super extended retention practices. They also do skype classes, and the fee is quite reasonable if you compare it to Tai Chi schools for example. Your proven discipline will ensure that you will be able to get the utmost out of it! Get in contact with TTB user: Shakti Mama, who runs the classes. I`m sure she`ll be glad to answer any and all of your questions about Kundalini, Tantric celibacy (just making that term up, seems to work), exercises, etc., etc. There are other systems and so forth, but this is very accessible and effective and affordable, and includes what you're asking about. P.S. I've never been a student or in any way affiliated with KAP. Just heard lots about it.

I mess around with a bamboo flute sometimes. If you approach it similar to a singing bowl it can be pretty cool(ing). Listening to shakuhachi music, I realized that most of the songs repeat a similar formula (in laymen's terms): pick 1 note, play the next lowest note (full tone) and hammer on to the 1st note again. Play first note, sharpen it (play semi tone higher) and go between these two tones a bit. Then move the main note up and essentially repeat this pattern using 3 notes (you might go back only a semi-tone after changing the main note. see what sounds right). This is an easy way to improvise with the flute in a meditative type sound. Also practice vibrato by slightly lifting the finger (all holes are covered behind the finger that makes the note) off the hole and covering it fully again, repeating quickly. Voila! Some utterly basic semblance of non-descript Japanese flute music. If you can practice next to animals they will often react to you having the right overtones or not. Cats are especially good flute teachers in my experience .

Do I feel different? Sure. I'm sure things would be a bit more chill if I was surrounded by nature and warm weather all year round. Special? Like I won the birth lottery just to be born in Canada rather than the middle of a war zone or surrounded by abject poverty. However, I generally take issue with random nationalism (even) for Canada which only divides everyone and participates in finding one's own transgressions in other people. I was however, reflecting today on how glad I am to live in Canada where if I feel like I have signs of kidney failure (see recent post in TTB Healing Circle) I don`t have to worry about being sure before I go to a hospital and spend my last red cent on treatments! Whew! Thank GOD!!

American history as taught by Americans, at it`s finest. Don`t forget that Hitler`s army was first bankrolled by Americans, allowing him to actually have an army. If the US didn't finally join the war, it would have been owing quite a bit to the rest of the world that was fighting the Nazis when it was all finally finished. Seems the US was starting to look a bit too complicit by waiting so long to take a side. I think most of the US citizens were on the right (left) side, but the powers that made decisions would turn faster than ballerinas. Everything good about the US has come from the marginalized fighting against the real hegemonies of the country, and then the powers that be take credit those successes and use them as a credit to their own power. The US would be just another face in the crowd if not for failing to suppress it`s citizens time and time again. The fact of the matter is that US citizens are like everybody else, and want the things that everybody else wants, ie, peace and prosperity. The power of the government has enabled some of this virtue to influence other governments, but to think the US is different is a nationalized tunnel vision of self-congratulation.

Wow. Thanks for bringing this information. It really shows how the selfish ego is the root of evil. Here you have a Pope who wishes for merciless slaughter of people who`s only transgression to be found was in their beliefs. What effect does someone's belief have on God? Nothing, though if anything it might negatively affect the person with the belief. The only motivation could be the feeling of tyrannical might slipping away from these leaders, and they would even motivate random villagers to commit murder by offering land to them, just to keep this group from usurping Catholic influence, an influence that promoted the merciless slaughter of their neighbors. How could there be any influence other than selfish ego behind this? Nothing else can be behind such evil.

I`ll add here that in his thread in the TTB Healing Circle forum he says that there is brown in his urine. He has blood in his urine. End of story, GTFOH. Go see a doctor. just plus one this post if the OP should get off the computer and take a cab to the hospital (we don`t really need more distractions).

cloves are good for breath, and super high in anti-oxidants, so they keep your face fresh too, lol .

Another good one is cloves.

Hey, you said in the link If you have signs of kidney failure, then go to someone who deals directly with kidney failure, ie., a hospital. I think any of these healers will tell you to go to a hospital first if you tell them what you said above. It might be something else, but why even put that burden (of something terrible happening to you) on these other healers when you may actually need some physical work done to make their job easier, or even possible? So, do your healers, and yourself, a favor and go to western hospital now before the issue gets even further out of hand. When the doctors tell you that there is nothing they need to do, then your healers will be able work much more effectively knowing that there isn't some trick curve ball like a busted tube or detached muscle tendon. If it so happens that there is nothing physical, the reassurance from the hospital will benefit you anyways and help your recovery one way or the other. Seriously, don't just say "I think I have kidney failure" and then -- WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE?

Well, it had to seem legitimate enough, for them to fool 60 thousand +, not to mention the owner's name was behind "several martial arts champions."

Let's be fair though, it wasn't really very small, having 63,369 members, and the owner, himself a 7th degree black belt, trained "several martial arts champions" who I'm sure won by the decisions of various panels of judges. Unfortunately this owner decided to pocket everyone's insurance money, but that doesn't, itself, define the legitimacy of BNMAA associates. I think that's a bit like saying my credit score is a fraud because it was given to me by a bank that pocketed bailout money.

If there is any pain you might want to double check that there is no damage like fluid leakages, perhaps even urine in the bloodstream. If it is solely an energetic leakage issue, the only thing I can think of would be one of various "white light healing" techniques if you have learned any. This Chunyi Lin video (My link) might help there. If there was any fluid leakage, you might want to pick up some Plantain herb (not the bananas) from a medicinal herb shop. It is a blood cleanser, used by Native Americans for snake bites and externally for poison ivy. A search on it will tell you more about it. You could also take vitamin C tablets to speed up tissue regeneration. Quite obviously, I would take a break from packing chi in the dantien and concentrate towards healing and purifying practices. Meditation with the hands face down on the thighs is one alternative to holding the dantien during Emptiness or "Sitting and Forgetting" meditation. By the way, it sounds like you are a more advanced practitioner than myself. These things just seemed like rudimentary and safe approaches. You might want to just go back to basics until things settle back down of themselves.

... and can you catch yourself asleep when you're awake while you're sleeping? Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep

Can you catch yourself dreaming when you're sleeping? Can you catch yourself ego-tripping when your awake? or Can you catch yourself awake when your sleeping? Can you catch yourself asleep when you're awake?

I think this is a very accurate description, however, it is also a perfect description of everyone in the late 90s getting into grunge. The more obscure, the more avant garde, the cooler. "I listened to Nirvana before Nevermind came out" was the status symbol. At the same time, people would listen to grunge, hip hop, classic rock, and heavy metal all on the same mix tape. In the 60's people would listen to Coltrane, Ravi Shankar, Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Woodie Guthrie, etc. etc., and there is nothing wrong with having diverse tastes. The issue here is just about people who are content with the popular tastes and don't go searching or come up with their own. However, this, again, is nothing new whatsoever.

Your quotation is pretty much identical to the definition that Paul Goodman gave to hipsters of the Beatnick culture, and the same thing happened with Hippies when a bunch of kids moved to San Francisco to join "the scene." It was a much more groundbreaking scene than today, but the impulse that made it take over is nothing new than the hipster impulse that your denouncing. In fact, it's a bit of a hipster thing to denounce hipsters now too, just like it was a hipster thing to be a white trash moron in 50s Alabama (not to equate you with one, btw..), and its a hipster thing to do Yoga today. There would be no generational analysis' possible if not for hipsterism!

Thank you for your replies! 1) Is the incoming pre-heavenly qi obtained from external sources, such as stars or trees? 2) Is there a specific text that you feel explains this process more clearly than The Secret of the Golden Flower?

Looking forward to 3 of 3

Would it be possible to explain more precisely what this means here, and how it is achieved?