Green Tiger

Lot's of good responses. I don't know how a virtuous person would handle your situation, but I would handle it like so: The next time you hear a round of the banging, take a few deep breaths and go knock on the guy's door. Greet him in a friendly way. "Hey. It sounds like you've been having trouble hanging a clock or something. Do you need a hand?" If he gets in your face or responds to you in an unpleasant way, then I would take it to the landlady or the authorities, but unless the guy moves out, don't expect that to be the end of the deal. In my experience, neighbor disputes can only be resolved in one of two ways. 1. You become friends, or at least tolerant of one another. 2. One of you moves out. Also, keep in mind that if you knock on his door and speak to him politely and he threatens you in any way, you probably have a case for getting him evicted. Assault is taken a lot more seriously than noise complaints.

The other day I had my first experience in a flotation tank. For anyone who meditates, I would recommend trying this. Even if you don't meditate, you should try it. It was pretty awesome. When I first got in, it was somewhat uncomfortable. It felt like floating revealed all the latent tension in my body. You begin to relax though, as you float. I also noticed that breathing seemed somewhat . . . labored? At first my breathing felt awkward, so I tried doing some deep breathing exercises. After several minutes of breathing exercises it dawned on me that, "Hey, maybe this would be a good time to practice floating stillness-movement!" Almost as soon as the intention hit my brain, I felt more relaxed. By the end of the 90-minute session, I felt really REALLY relaxed. It felt like my spine had assumed a more natural curvature and my breathing eased significantly. Two days later I still feel a noticeable difference. If you do try a flotation tank, I would recommend you also get a massage after your float and basically clear your schedule for the rest of the day. Floating is really detoxifying and you might need some time after to just relax and let your body process.

I'm with you on the movement followed by meditation sequence, but I must say that I've also tried it the other way around and it also has merit. Especially if I'm practicing first thing in the morning, it seems more natural to sit for a bit, then stand, then do some movements. Then maybe even sit some more, if you aren't already late for work. I would recommend going to the workshop also. Not saying it can't be done without the transmission, but my first transmission was a life-changing experience and the second was also pretty fantastic.

I practice the Stillness and the Movement. I've found it to be pretty spectacular, and I've only been at it 9 months. I also practice Yang Style Tai Chi, Xing Yi, and the associated neigong standing meditation postures. And ashtanga yoga, if you're interested in that sort of thing. And blues guitar, although I haven't been practicing that much lately.

DOLPHINS!!!

The morning of day three was pretty special for me as well. Although the mornings on the beach when we got to practice GOT while the sun rose over the ocean were pretty special also.

Sitting in my motel room in Knoxville, Tennessee; excited as all heck to finish this journey and practice neigong on the beach! From the looks of things, I will be arriving in Hilton Head between 3pm and 5pm. Will be eager to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones. Is it too late to set up a meeting time for folks who can/are interested? Main lobby around 7ish? Give everyone a chance to grab some grub.

JB's advice is sound. Seeing things and hearing voices are certainly not on my list of things I'd like to achieve through study of the meditative arts. And I would be very suspicious if such things did begin to occur.

Making my first journey to South Carolina this fall. It seems a bit absurd to me that I missed the workshop in Missouri (practically next door), but will be going to the one cleeeaaar across the country. C'est la vie.

For an easy introduction, try the ichingonline.net

Wanted to share this: Took blood pressure approx five minutes before practicing Gift of the Tao and Stillness-Movement (standing and seated)--136/91 heart rate 72 Took blood pressure shortly after finishing an hour long session of Gift of the Tao and Stillness-Movement (standing and seated)--122/75 heart rate 62 I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and take medication for it. One of my goals with practicing Medical Qigong is to eventually eliminate the need for medication. Will update periodically.

Nog. Very special that someone here can compare Gift of the Tao and Mo Pai. Makes me proud to be a Bum. I would also like to add that Jerry Alan Johnson has said (special feature on his Chi Kung Healing Workout DVD) that his instructor told him moving meditation is 1000 times more powerful than stillness meditation, but most people don't practice moving meditation with correct posture, so don't get the full benefit.

So . . . when the feminine returns, we'll be able to fly?!?! AWESOME!!!

You got a job? Congratulations!!! They're tough to come by these days.

Master Zhongxian Wu has a book on the Iching. http://www.masterwu.net/MasterWuSeekingTheSpirit.html I must admit, I haven't read it, but I've read a couple of his other books and I really like his writing style. Might be worth checking out.

Even if you could get the best of the best energy-wielding masters to submit to testing . . . what sort of testing could be conducted? It took a particle accelerator the size of a small city to even find the higgs boson. Are you just going to usher some qigong masters into the LHC and turn it on? Edit: Not that I'm not intrigued by the idea that the higgs boson could be qi, mind. I just don't think there's any way the theory could be tested with current technology. So there are two problems.

I think that is the key. If you really want to progress in NeiKung, you need to practice A LOT! And it might help if you have a natural affinity for it. You might want to start with some simple sitting and standing practices while you're looking for an instructor.

Hmmm . . . Never been to South Carolina. Checked ticket prices from Des Moines and they are a bit steep. Mid-westerners! PM me and we'll talk carpool.

You still got her #?

I wouldn't say there is 'no chi' in that sort of technique, just not the same sort of chi that is used when say, applying diagonal flying or brush knee and push. Certainly, there are different types of chi that come with different circumstances and effects. The root is all the same though. Good chi comes from being relaxed and firmly rooted, breathing deeply and evenly, moving gracefully from the center, and having a strong intention. If you have those factors working for you, whatever you do will have chi.

I can grok it. Not something that's easily conveyed with words though, is it?

I saw the Kaki King videos and immediately thought of Trace Bundy. The acoustic ninja himself. Could also watch this oneMy link if you want to see some taiji sword and a poorly choreographed sword fight.

My tai ji instructor has often said he thinks that tai ji chuan should be called 'yin yang boxing.' I've only been practicing about five years now, so I don't know if I have the requisite experience to tell you, definitively, what tai ji is.

Yeah, I certainly can't vouch for his authenticity, but it's an interesting story, nonetheless. I also read that his group recently released some women they were holding captive. Apparently, they broke this woman's arm and nearly starved her to death while she was their prisoner. She and another woman were being held because they were allegedly practicing witchcraft near where the Buddha boy does his thing.