Taiji Bum

Thanks.

I have done some searches and come up with nothing. I was hoping for anything really except the cult stuff. Of course I couldnt even find any cult stuff. I did find some Mantak Chia stuff but he is always trying to sell something. So, anybody know of any good online Taoist/Taoism videos?

Kung Fu Dragons of Wudang was great. I love any tidbit on the history of Taoism. Heres another- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6...67&q=taoism

Do you think that Qi is the essence of Taoist study? If so how may we best obtain our own personal experience of Qi? From the way you asked the question, the essence of Taoist study would be Tao and not Qi.

God bless the internet. I love seeing the old masters do taiji.

I've seen a couple of his programs. He is high energy to say the least.

Wow, I didnt even think of getting a real skeleton. I guess I am going to hit the science store this weekend.

thelerner Posted Today, 02:40 PM One Zen story I've heard in identical form from Zen and Kabbalistic camps is: The master has finally said that long time disciple Josh is enlightened. All the student gather around him and ask, "What is it like? How do you feel?" Josh says, "Miserable as ever". Must say I don't understand it. Though after a year or two of contemplation I understand this one: Above the gates of enlightenment is a sign, Abandon all Hope, Yee Who Enter. (from a Glenn Morris book). Glad your here. Your comments and experience are welcome. Michael One of the things that keeps me going smiling is Buddha's saying that life is suffering and the Sufi one that the more "awake" you are the more miserable you are. That always makes me laugh.

There are a lot of differing theories on Taoist alchemy. The only time he mentioned the 5 elements was in regards to the footwork in taijiquan. I think he figured practicing tai Chi would balance out the mistakes made in alchemy. So are people here anal about how to spell things relating to taijiquan vs Tai Chi vs tai chi chuan? Dao vs Tao?

Yeah, timing is a big deal only insofar as confirmatory signs go. It is kinda like puberty in that it usually happens to most healthy people in the same general way at the same general time. Some people are really close to the general timing like me and some aren't. It should happen that the alchemist practices his/her timing in a natural way so that the transition from mantra into meditation with form transitions smoothly into meditation without form. I have never done the elemental work with my organs. I have seen it in books but since my teacher didn't show it to me I didn't want to mess anything up that I am doing. I'll check out that site. Whats your personal practice?

I thought the book was great. I used the practice of bone breathing alot when I first started the Alchemy. When you breath enough chi into your bones you will sometimes get an electical-like shock. Some say that this is when its being transformed from energy to power and others say that it means you breathed too much chi into your bone and it discharged. I never could get a straight answer what the electrical shock thing was or even if it was relevant. Good book though with all the foundation works of Chinese Alchemy if my memory serves me.

Thanks for the welcome Freeform. My teacher was John Wang, Wong and sometimes he spelled it Huang. Odd guy, but really good at Taijiquan. I honestly dont feel any different now than I did then except older. I know more but thats about it. I started the Alchemy to stop the spontaneous out-of-body-experiences I was having. It stopped them but then I decided to ride out the Alchemy to the end. I did the Army thing for a few years so I am no stranger to discipline. I figured I would feel better if I failed at the Alchemy than if I got married and never knew if it was possible. I just imagined lying on my deathbed and wondering if I could have pulled it off.

Yeah....

Very cool. My Tai Chi teacher is from Taiwan and I lived in Koushung (spelling) for a bit. I loved the temples. My teacher taught me the internal stuff but never did it himself. He was Catholic but still went to Taoist temples. He said Chinese will get married in a Taoist temple, buried in a Buddhist one and may go to a Christian church on Sunday. They dont look at religion like we do. Or maybe it was just him? What is your experience of their salad bar approach to religion?