Taoist81

Actually, in his diaries and other texts he spoke quite highly of people he respected. He was simply equally harsh when speaking of those he thought were crooks, frauds or simple idiots. It is quite amusing that "L Ron"'s religion is so anti-drug when he had a history of drug use and died with boatloads of psychiatric drugs in his system.

Whatever anyone thinks of Crowley, it is very telling that he considered LRH a nut and pegged him for a conman just from reading letters about him....

Baihui should be more along the lines of "Bi" (as in bisect, bisexual, or biology) and H-way (with a slight "oo" after the "h").

He claims to have gone through training in the White Tigress tradition in the Teachings of the White Tigress book. Other than his word, there doesn't seem to be any other evidence of his training or that lineage.

First off, yes, there is concern among many TCM practitioners about how studies are conducted. Both on the front of having untrained Chiropractor's and MD's performing bad treatments (you may or may not be surprised how many patients have "tried acupuncture" with no effect and been turned off by it because of some Chiropractor who took a few hours of needling technique). On the other hand lots of "research" has been done in China with little or no real controls. Hospitals wanting to partner with TCM for research have had problems with lack of proper protocols as well as research funds "going missing" in the "People's" Republic. As for electricity, it has been shown to be an effective pain treatment in some cases, and can, again, in some cases, assist with acupuncture. But calling it a "proven" and "main healing agent" is oversimplifying in the extreme. Likewise calling meridians "electrical" is greatly oversimplifying. There has been evidence presented that the galvanic response is different over acupoints than over non-acupoint areas of the skin, but, frankly, that just doesn't cover the scope of acupuncture's effects. It is worth noting that galvanic response is highly "responsive" to many things, like emotion, so, it may be (and likely is) simply a corrolation, not evidence of causation or evidence that "qi" is electrical. Your Archetype idea is interesting, from a psychology perspective, and your comment on acupoints and connective tissue is in line with some recent research on the most effective "location" of some of the points.

From the psychological perspective. For example, when Darren Brown "converted" a room full of atheists he domonstrated his ability to "pull the spirit" through a guy with his back turned to him. The mind itself is a lot more powerful than most people give it credit for. So far no one has demonstrated the regular ability (i.e. in a lab setting) to affect inanimate objects with qi without touching it. That said, there is no point in arguing or even debating over what amounts, in practice, to semantics. Many "qi based" practices (acupuncture etc.) acheive their results whether or not one "believes" in qi. Figuring out whether one is "experiencing" something too complex to describe as energy, or actually experiencing an otherwise undetectable energy as energy is a fruitless waste of qing qi. The fact remains that the treatment is (or in some cases is not) effective. : ) The physical and etheric bodies may be manifestations of each other, but the only one that can be tested by anyone other than you is the physical one. So, all we can be "sure" of is the physical.

It sounds like we are in the same boat thought-process-wise. Qi is certainly "experienced" as energy, but it seems more and more likely that it is just a good way to describe a complex innumerable set of processes, chemicals and neurological effects that despite being varied end up working together for a given result.... easier to just say "qi" : ) More research does need to be done, but it seems less and less likely that "qi" will ever be directly detected. Who knows though. American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

First off, it is very wise of you too question before jumping into studying TCM in school. You will continue to (if you are smart) as long as you study it. Now, credentials: this poster, graduated in Dec. and has completed 3 of the 4 NCCAOM exams (the fourth will be soon). Yes. The poster has experience with the effective use of TCM in treating a number of ailments (from musculoskeletal to common cold). It has its strengths and weaknesses, and in many cases works best with (gasp!) western medicine. For example, our school runs clinics with many of the hospitals here in Houston to treat cancer patients undergoing chemo. Western medicine is absolutely necessary for their cancer (yes, the hospitals have looked into Qigong therapy, but it hasn't caught on or proven itself yet), but Western meds fail in "treating" the effects of the chemo. Infertility is the same way, one clinic here has MD's referring patients to them because TCM improves the success rates of the IVF treatments they do. If you want to look into studies a decent resource is pubmed.gov. You can search acupuncture or chinese herbs or whatever with any number of problems and see which ones there is significant success with and which ones there hasn't been. Good luck.

Ah, then, apologies for the misunderstanding of your meaning behind your words. it sounded like what some former hippies say when they blame substances used irresponsibly for their own personal mistakes.

While not disputing your conclusion about enlightenment, and with all due respect, there are lots of things that you old hippies "toyed around with" irresponsibly. Just like a lot of the early ravers, too many people got a "shiny new toy" and blew their minds, had bad stuff happen and blame the TOOL, not the way it was used. It is not something that hippies should be blamed for necessarily, it happens every time a new generation discovers something the previous generation didn't know. Fortunately, many in the generations that follow can learn from the mistakes of the former (even though many still don't). If you get rid of prohibition, then people will learn to be responsible with these substances. Either way though, as you say, "Be Now".

No, not at all. Life is to be enjoyed. Though, using enthenogens for fun is not necessarily spiritual practice. On the other hand, one can certainly enjoy using them for spiritual practice.

Like anyting else, it depends on how they are used. If "just" to party, then, no, no more than fruit loops. If used to purposely explore other aspects of yourself and consciousness/reality, then, yes, they can be a useful tool on the path. However, on their own, they are only a means, not an end. Even the shamen who use enthenogens regularly for spiritual work, they have "methods" they use with them, meditation, sweatlodges, etc.

First off, Dr. Lin's "doctorate" is in engineering, he is not a medical doctor. The OP needs to see a medical doctor about his weakness if it is sudden or if there are any actual major problems. Kidney deficiencies can manifest in many ways and in many combinations, often Yin or yang deficiency will result in a deficiency of the other. Diagnosis would depend on an in person evaluation which is why the best recommendation, as noted above, would be to see a MD and a TCM practitioner. Still, the fact remains that if the only symptom is pre-cum spotting his shorts, he likely is normal. The purpose of pre-cum, in addition to lubricating the urethra, is to assist in lubricating the head of the penis as well as the female for penetration. Thus, quite a bit of pre-cum is completely normal.

It is questionable depending on the type of fabric he wears, and what he means by "soaks". If there is a spot visible, it is normal (again, depending on fabric), if he is dripping on the floor, then something is wrong. Again, the baldness may be a sign of Kidney deficiency or it may run in his family. Either way, advising supplements is unwise without doing at least preliminary testing. You would be amazed how many people would come to our school's clinic loaded up on different supplements that were "good for them" and found that after stopping the supplements at our advice their symptoms decresed.

"Excessive" is the questionably key term here. And pre-cum got its name because it is usually before, not after sex. It lubs the way for the rest of the seminal fluid at ejaculation. As others have stated, from the OP's discription he is normal for anyone who has not "gotten some" in a while. Unless you are having qualified instruction in your form of "tantra" it may be wise to cease it. In the 500's CE a commonly quoted (Taoist) recommendation for a man of average health of your age to ejaculate was every other day. The lack of strength in your legs, if not due to changes in your habits, sounds like something you should see a doctor about, especially if it is quite recent and if you have had any fine motor skill changes. Baldness is usually genetic, though it can sometimes be treated with TCM, or Western medicines. Ejaculate more often and you will probably see a decrease in the precum and the quickness of your erections. One last thing, if you were not responsible about getting your nutrients while vegetarian then, yes, it may have wrecked your system. On the other hand, if you were responsible (getting your Iron, B12 etc.) then it is not likely to blame for any of your symptoms. Go see a Western Dr. for your weakness, just in case, and a TCM practitioner for any "energetic" problems. And relax, again, you are normal.

You are normal. Quit worrying about it and enjoy your relationship.

Now, as anyone who has been reading here for some time knows, most here don't see it as advisable to practice taoist sexual techniques without a proper teacher and other appropriate practices for balance. That is not what this post is about. On a purely physical level, what does everyone think is the appropriate technique with regards to things like "pc pull-ups", the Deer Exercise etc.? Most of us started out on Mantak Chia with instructions to contract the PC around the perineum, then there is Dr. Lin who says it should be the anus, then there is the Deer Exercise that says PC, then there are others who say anus. What do our fellow Bums think?

Obviously, for any of us who have experience in this area there are no simple answers. However, mayn people find there way here (and other Taoist oriented sites) because of sexual practice questions. Out of three responses, only one even discusses the practicality of PC contractions. Ya Mu, your words in many threads are often spot on and insightful.... care to elaborate? Little 1.....without disagreeing with the points in your post.... do you have an answer you would like to add? Do you as a practitioner have a "belief" on the PC vs. not PC debate? deepblue, thank you.

Inspired by another thread: No, this is not a thread about the government taking over or a nuclear holocaust, but, just out of curiosity in respect to natural disasters. Especially since hurricane season is nearing for those of us in the south of N. America. As Lao Tzu reminds us, "Heaven and earth are impartial", so, why not prepare for the possibilities of Nature b!#chslapping us. Who here has, for example, a BOB (Bug Out Bag)? What types of preparations have you made for "garden variety" natural disasters? Here, in Houston (hurricane prone), we have been building our survival kit/BOB since before Ike last year. We have a decent supply of water, high calorie bars to supplement our canned food etc. supplies as well as your basic survival supplies (wind up flashlight, lighters, camping stove, handsaw, compass, knives and sharpener, first aid supplies, battery powered radio, maps of the local and regional areas). The former are stored with other food so it can be rotated, but separate for easy grabbing, the latter are in a bag near enough to grab at a moments notice. There is more in the bag, but going off memory alone some is missed. What about other bums? What preparations do you make? Do you not make any? Why, why not?

You likely haven't received many responses because we have a slightly skewed gender proportion here, though that changes regularly. As for your question, your experience is supposedly common (a male speaking here, so only second hand accounts to go by for the female version). There are any number of physiological explanations for why the exercise would cause the arousal, so, it is okay. Just like Kate says, just enjoy it. Enjoy it in the way you most enjoy.

No apology necessary, and the above post was in no way intended to discount Lucifer's Hammer, just sort of a cross reference with the future possibility of Apophis. The "grab in 10 seconds" type of BOB was more the intent of this thread, with a bit of stocking up for emergencies (short term emergencies like hurricanes for example than for long term like nuclear winter). The "either way" comment was specifically referencing escape tactics from hurricane Ike last year. Basically, if we had needed to get out, we would have been fine, but we were just fine staying in, and didn't have to depend on FEMA or the like. Going for more of a survivalist outlook would entail knowledge of hunting and/or foraging at least in case a stockpile of food were contaminated or ruined. For the purposes of this thread, just short term, local emergency type BOB's are in question. Thanks for all of your points, by the by. And the "better armed" comment opens a great point of discussion....what type of firearms, if any, one may keep on them or include in a BOB. Even in "safe" areas, something like a massive solar flare (as may arise with the next sunspot cycle) or riots could take out the power grid long enough to be trouble. It was interesting to hear Michio Kaku on Explorations today talking about the potential of solar storms affecting our ability to function now.

One doesn't need to read Lucifer's Hammer to get the idea, just one episode of the History Channels coverage of Apophis (the 2036 pass) shows how little would survive if we had a direct hit. But, again, this is just a thread about "regular" disasters. Like what happened during Ike last year. We rode it out fine, but had we been in Galveston, would have needed to leave. The preparedness in question works either way.

After the movie, while waiting to see if there were any after credits scenes (there aren't, so don't bother waiting) a older gentleman (the only other person still in the theater) walks up and says "Don't take this the wrong way, but...F#$k Picard!" We had a laugh while talking about how good a job they did with the reworking of the OS. It is not very often that a show/movie series can span generations and bring people together in the way these shows (as corny as they may be at times) do.

It certainly wasn't taken as insulting on this side of the computer screen. Condolences for the losses you and your wife experienced. Regarding the role of religion, there is an element of personal choice and personal ability factoring in on how totalitarian religion affects a person. It is a complex and perhaps a topic better addressed by a therapist or at least in a real conversation instead of on a messageboard where, as you point out, meaning is even more dependant on the recipient than the speaker. Did you see the earlier response clarifying "respect"? If she is continuing her disrespect toward you and yours, then don't "respect" her, get away from her (if you can). Just try to help your wife understand that she has gained strength, not weakness, from having survived in such an environment. Understand what you have gained from the situation (and even loss begets gain in some ways, though you/she may not be ready to hear that yet) and love yourself (herself) despite having risen from a more difficult situation than perhaps some others that you may know.

Probably from a different side of the globe from what you are looking for but some refer to the Higher Self (or True Self) as synonymous with the Holy Guardian Angel: http://www.sacred-texts.com/oto/lib800.htm