mjjbecker

Outstanding

No, but the 'Urban Dictionary' does provide an example. Made me think of you when I read it. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pecker+track (TO OTHER MEMBERS-DO NOT CLICK ON THIS LINK IF CRUDE AND OFFENSIVE SEXUAL SLANG IS LIKELY TO OFFEND YOU)

I didn't want to get into Master Baites, Seaman Staines or Roger the cabin boy. A bit too salty for me. I also realise that some people come to a conclusion prematurely, which can be very frustrating for them.

We don't want anyone going off half-cocked here. Too easy for people to get overly excited and have a dickie fit. Always thought the role of moderators was to facilitate, rather than to issue diktats. Even the obvious cock and bull stories should be handled thoughtfully. When I was once a moderator I had to deal with someone who claimed to have sex with dolphins. Bugger that, as they say. Something smelled rather fishy about his claims. One can easily clam up when confronted with such behaviour. Didn't want him lingering around though, so I banned him. Gave him the chop proper. Non of this fumbling around. Some complained, but the thrust of my point was such that in such circumstances, one cannot hold back. Penetrating insight into the human condition is a useful tool. Hesitation, or premature conclusions should be avoided. Timing is important. In the heat of the moment, each ejaculation should be judged accordingly. Moderation is just that. Too little and one gets frustrated and pent up with the retention. Too much and it can be draining to the body, mind and soul. If anyone got overly excited at the use of the word 'ejaculation', I suggest you reach for your dictionary.

Self analysis of what you are doing is a very important part of any practice. It looks like you do this well, and that is a very good thing. On the most basic level, a teacher is there to correct the students mistakes. With the best will in the world we all make them. Recently an osteopath friend of mine pointed out a problem with how I hold my shoulders, and how this could effect an old injury. It was a simple point, but one I had not noticed myself. I may have noticed it eventually, but having him point it out has at the very least saved me some time. Regarding energy transmissions, well, you just have to experience it. There is nothing I can say that is going to give you that experience and therefore some understanding of it. Certainly people can do very well with qigong and never have this kind of help. The more important factor is the individual and their innate natural ability to reach whatever stage. If you're happy with what you are doing, there isn't any need to defend it, or argue that another opinion impinges on your own. The world is a vast and diverse place and there is far too much comparing of dick lengths on this forum. Live and let live. Differing opinions aren't a reason for pistols at dawn.

When in doubt, Google it. I have no personal experience but here is an interesting article on the man. http://archives.starbulletin.com/2002/05/14/features/index.html

RE: Aikido and 'internal' training, see Ellis Amdur's latest book: http://www.ellisamdur.com/buy-books-on-martial-arts.html There is nothing else out there that has anything like the research into this subject. It talks about Japanese methods that exist in traditional schools and how Ueshiba likely got his power training from this avenue. Well worth reading.

Save up the relatively modest amount of money required and attend a seminar by Michael Lomax (Ya Mu). If that doesn't do it for you, I don't think anything else will. If Michael was Chinese, used arcane language, did the whole enigmatic facade, charged silly money, etc. he'd have people kicking his door down to learn from him. Instead, because he is down to earth, friendly and doesn't bullshit, those who are looking for the whole circus act wander on by. Their loss.

Don't forget Eric Clapton, whose capacity for drink and drugs was unreal. He even tried suicide by OD and still woke up the next day. Does make you think that if it isn't your time to go, you will survive, regardless of extra-ordinary circumstances. The converse also being true.

+1

What Michael said. The knowledge certainly wasn't wiped out, but it was a terrible period in China's history. I recall from Wang Liping's biography that he was tasked with codifying the daoist canon, so it seems there at least a lot of the written information was not lost. How the buddhist canon has faired I don't know. The Longmen school is not the only one to have close links to buddhist and daoist practices, so maybe much has been preserved. I hope so. I suspect that within the Chinese communities around the world there are some remarkable teachers. Some groups are very private though and I doubt they will show their hands anytime soon. Yes, lots of nonsense out there. Lot's of very good openly available information for those who are prepared to spend the time looking, and thinking. It's the thinking part that often seems to be the hardest though.

Absolutely spot on.

Prayers sent. While I respectfully disagree with the moderators decision in this case, I do understand what a difficult, and thankless, job it can be. Hopefully things can be resolved amicably between all parties. This really isn't a 'pistols at dawn' situation.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned 'old souls' yet, but I think it may have some relevance. There has been a lot said about 'lineages' and their importance. I won't disagree with that. However, I think the age of the soul is also very important. Soul's are re-born. Some by choice, some by necessity. Some likely have past life connections to different lineages, which perhaps lead to them favouring one school over another in life. You have an ongoing process, not one just in this lifetime. I suspect Santiago has been around a while, not just the thirty odd years current. I also suspect he's here by choice to help people. I believe he is one of the most genuine, sincere people around. People can take his help or not, that is their choice. People are entitled to question his motives, that is also their choice. However, before doing so, it behoves a person to do their homework and look at all the information, not just selectively choose in order to 'make a point'. If you want lineage though, he's got more than most of the 'ruling houses' of Europe. There are the bon lines, but there is also the sufi line. As far as I know, the sufi teachings are second to no school, and that isn't idle speculation. Like I've said before, Santiago is a prince among men. He teaches stuff openly, which frankly is damn rare (in Chinese circles). No doubt there are reasons good and bad for this, but that is where things stand. People can take advantage of this-or not. That is their choice. It will work for some; other methods may work better for others. There is a good reason for 'following your heart'. People keep harping on about KAP and how many students have 'kundalini'. That isn't the point. No matter how good a method, it comes down to more than one factor. The student may not be capable, may not do the work required, may be better served by another method, etc. This is the same for ALL schools. It doesn't mean the method is inferior; it does mean that ALL the factors have to be taken into account. Right, got to go and do my own training now.

Nice post. As for the issues of 'Globalization', well, it comes down to the consumers to educate themselves and understand this; if they don't buy locally produced goods, they will also find themselves out of work. I wonder how many of the people who have lost their jobs shop regularly at Walmart (a company that applies significant pressure on it's suppliers to lower costs) or wear clothes from companies that have moved abroad to benefit from cheap labour? How many of you know B&L sold 'Ray Ban' to an Italian company in 2000? My Ray Ban's are American made, and, from experience, far more sturdy than the newer one's, yet you pay a LOT more now than in the '90's. Go figure. Most corporations seem to only focus on short term 'profit maximization' (shareholder pressure-your pension fund companies demand it, and they are the major stock market players now). The Founding Fathers knew a thing or two about the dangers of overly powerful financial institutions. What to do then? Well-run 'co-operative' type businesses, where the 'shareholders' are the workers, and not Armani-suit wearing leaches (no offence to Mr Armani). Have a look at the 'John Lewis' company as a prime example: http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk I am personally sick of seeing a few living like kings and queens, while the rest live like indentured servants. (Steps off the soapbox...)

It is a good book.

I would agree with that. Teachers from different methods have demonstrated 'electric' qi. It isn't unique to the Mo pai or shaolin schools. Alex Kozma, in one of his books, mentions an encounter with a hsing i master in Hong Kong. One patient of Wan Sujian mentioned feeling 'a kind of vibrating warmth, a bit like electricity'-this from non-contact treatment (both John Chang and Robert Peng use physical contact). Robert Peng's comments about innate ability tally with what other teachers say also. That doesn't mean most people can't benefit significantly from correct practice, but 'high level' people are very rare.

Definitely bad, but a very common cultural thing in parts of Asia, particularly China. I've not encountered any teacher that would recommend smoking-quite the opposite. The same goes for strong liquor. As already mentioned, teachers are human like the rest of us, and, in fairness to them, shouldn't be put on a pedestal. Everyone's got their own work to do on themselves. It's not a bad thing for the student either-being around a god-like teacher would be more than a little intimidating I think. One important thing to remember with illness is overall lifestyle. The traditional diet that I have observed is very high in fruit and vegetables. As people move more towards the junk food, and unfortunately certain Western companies are very popular here now, health is going to be adversely effected. Wang Shujin was certainly an amazing man. It's worth looking up Ellis Amdur's comments on e-budo, and Marnix Wells' article on Allan Pittman's website. According to Marnix Wells, Wang was partial to the Taiwanese version of '7-Up'. Wang ended up with diabetes and bone cancer of the leg (possibly from the blows he took while showing off-R.W. Smith wrote that he heard Wang wailing in the night after one such demo, so Wang certainly felt the leg shots. Apparently bone cancer is not unusual in Muay Thai fighters also). Apparently Wang speculated that his qi made him fat, but that doesn't bear out when looking at many other famous teachers. So, poor lifestyle and showing off will catch up with anyone in the end (no disrespect to Wang). BTW, Marnix Wells has a website: http://www.marnixwells.com/ . An interesting man and someone who understands the Chinese language from the perspective of a martial artist, not just a scholar. Got some nice insight into Wang, especially given that MW was a disciple of Wang, unlike BKF (no disrespect to BKF).

This. I've read a couple of his books. Dr Fuhrman does cite scientific sources for his views. This means people can check the information out for themselves. He also does this for a living, and seems to be very successful at it (meaning his patients fully recover their health, or at least make significant improvement). It is very important to get it right, and Dr Fuhrman does detail the how and the why. Interestingly enough, much of it seems to tally with daoist ideas on diet.

Will do. I have some pu-erh tea but I don't drink it every day. As far as washing goes, I was told that pu-erh should be washed three times (small tea pot, fill and empty three times) by one merchant here in China. I didn't ask why. Oolong's one time. I was also told the tea poured away into the tea tray was an offering to the 'Gods'. I read somewhere that washing the tea removes some of the caffine, but that could be spurious. As far as the importance of cost, cheap oolongs, in my experience, taste much inferior to the better ones. There the right choice is really important. I don't think you have to pay the earth. Tasting some Teah Guan Yin recently, the only noticeable difference betwee the 600RMB per 100g and 1000RMB per 100g tea, for me, was the colour-the more expensive being slightly clearer. Taiwan does some very nice oolong varieties, well worth trying.

I might be meeting up with a tea master sometime next month. Depends on circumstances. I've met him a few times before and he is the most knowledgeable person I've met on the subject, having spent fourteen years studying with his teacher. If I do see him I'll ask him and let you know.

The person who told me about the monks is a westerner. What they will teach any particular person I really couln't say; that would be down to them and not me. I don't have anything new to add to this thread so I will leave it at that. Happy hunting in your search for a teacher.

When you talk about the Mo pai, it is an intellectal exercise-you have no experience. You comment on what you've read and what you think. When I do so, I am talking about my life and my personal experiences. The significant word here is 'personal'. It is an eggs and ham situation-the chicken being involved, the pig committed. You weren't there, you weren't even involved; you are simply curious whereas I was committed. You can't discuss this on an 'equal' basis with me because you weren't there and have no experience of the school. It has nothing to do with bragging rights or talking from 'on high'. It has everything to do with deeply personal experiences, some of which are private, regardless of public curiosity. I've had a little communication with some who've met and trained with WLP, and they certainly seem happy about that. Several people here on this forum have met him and posted their opinions. Given that, ask them, rather than me. When I made my comment, WLP was not teaching openly, nor inviting foreigners to come to the open public seminars. That has happened, so there hardly seemed any point in my commenting-others have already done so. My 'advice', FWIW, is this. Go where you feel compelled to go. I personally would consider the following, which does not include WLP (no slight in his direction, simply personal choice). If your quest is spiritual and you want to travel, then the monks of Myanmar and Thailand. If you want to stay in the US of A, go see Michael Lomax or Santiago Dobles. Michael teaches an authentic method. The sufi way is second to non.

It's not, and never was my call. I think John Chang wanted to teach more openly but was overruled. People can fixate on this issue all they want, but it isn't going to change it. As mentioned before, there are good schools, taught openly. I've said it before and I'll say it again. There are Thai monks who can do things that John Chang cannot. Wang Liping is doing public seminars. The information-for spiritual seekers-is out there. It is down to them to choose.