Jordan

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I have been noticing everyone here talking about qi-gong, so I did a little research. I would really like to try it out but don't know where to start. Any recommendations for a student on a budget? How did you all get into it? Thanks.

How do I find out how to do it? Can you give me a description? A google search came up with nothing.

That is called a "paradiddle" (for the pattern - pair-uh-did-dul left-right-left-left). Unfortunately, that is already something that I can do without thinking. However, it is a good pattern that is rhythmic, but not overly repetitive. There is a little more advanced version known as the "paradiddlediddle" which goes: R, L, R, R, L, L... I prefer the paradiddle because it is revolving (it starts with the right the first time, but the left the second). The point of all of these patterns is to play them without missing a beat, there is no pause between cycles. It is probably a little confusing for non-drummers to understand. Try this with the paradiddle. Count the measure outloud: "One and Two and Three and Four and..." Then tap your fingers on each word in the pattern. It will probably take some time to get it, but it is fun to play.

Again, thank you for your thoughts and recommendations. When I am drumming (depending on what I am drumming), my mind does wander. If I have played a specific piece numerous times, it is almost second nature to repeat it without really thinking about it. Drumming is all about musle memory. After reading Craig's post, I realized the connection between drumming and meditation. They basically go hand in hand. I use a technique when I drum commonly referred to as the "Moeller Method" in which the stick does all of the work and the hand merely guides it where it wants to go. Many drummers can have very serious wrist/forearm injuries caused by bad technique, which I definitely don't want. The Moeller Method uses the least amount of resistance and really lets the stick do what it wants: rebound. It's really very amazing. I am going to try to apply this same philosophy to my meditation and incorporate drumming whenever possible, even if it is just with my hands and the carpet. Drumming can be a very soothing practice, especially when done correctly. Just think of all of the ancient cultures who have used drumming to express themselves in so many different contexts and situations. I truly believe that drumming can be a very spiritual act, so I might as well embrace it. I can focus on how my hands feel when I am drumming; the possibilities are endless. Thank you, everyone, I am going to keep chipping away at that wall...

That is what the kids call it these days, but it is about 4 hours north of the Bay Area. I live in Redding, about an hour north of Chico and about two hours south of Ashland, OR. I am sure there are great teachers in Ashland, but I don't have the time or money to commute.

Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate the recommendations. I live in Northern California (about 2 hours away from the Oregon border) and I seriously doubt there are any respectable teachers within a hundred miles of me. My main goal is to quiet my mind. I am a person who tries to rationalize and understand everything. I feel sometimes that I can't control my mind and thoughts. They completely overpower me anytime I try to meditate. I will not only be replaying songs in my head throughout the day (I am a drummer), but I will also have about three or four different thoughts rushing through my brain, making it very hard to concentrate on things such as meditation or relaxation. I really need to do something, but it seems that everytime I try to quiet my mind, I lose complete control over what I am thinking. I feel like there is a constant torrent of thought that is extremely difficult to control. I try to focus on breathing, but it doesn't work. The worst part is, I understand the problem, but that doesn't help because then I think about it all the time. I am going to look into all of your recommendations and find what I think suits me best. Thank you.

No luck for those of us in California...

Hello everyone! I am 19 and from California. I read both the Tao of Pooh and the Te of Piglet my senior year of high school and really appreciated the wisdom of Taoism. I am becoming more aware of my controlling nature and truly wish to rid myself of the stress that I have brought on myself. I am having some serious stomach problems that I think are due to the stress in my life. Signing up here is my way of turning over a new leaf. I hope that from this day on, I can truly just let things go and live a happy, peaceful life. I am hoping that when I get frustrated or discouraged, I can come here and get some positive reinforcement. I am becoming completely overwhelmed with all of the negative thoughts in my head and frustrated that I don't know the answers. I am at a point in my life where I want to understand everything, which I know is futile, which only makes me more frustrated. I need help. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to train myself into letting little things go? If this unrest goes on any longer, I don't know what will happen. I might go crazy. Jordan

Raymond, when you mentioned the "thousand horse condition," it struck a chord with me. I would like to read more about this, are there any resources? I have consciously realized that at any one time I can have as many as 3 or 4 different thoughts in my head. I play drums, so I am usually playing a song back in my head and under that, I can be thinking of how my body feels, what I need to do today, what I did in the past and what I will do in the future. As long as I can remember, I have only known thought. I am starting to feel trapped, like no matter what I do, I can't stop thinking.

Mmmmm...vaporizers. If you consider yourself a regular user, you might want to check out the VOLCANO. It is the Rolls Royce of vapes. It will, however, set you back a few bucks...about 400.

Thank you, everyone, I can honestly say that today, I went out into the world and just saw things as they were. I told myself "if this guy wasn't such a bad driver, then there would be no way of knowing who is a good driver..." and little things like that. I'm sure that is the most topical form of Taoism, but it did make me feel a little better about the situation. I also did get really frustrated at this kid who was walking down the road and stuck his gum on the back of someone's car who was parked there. Instead of making excuses, I let the frustration build up and then realized that there is absolutely nothing that I can do about it and that maybe someday that kid will grow up and do something really good with his life. I also kept a very peaceful melody in my head all day that I would hum to myself. It gave me something positive to focus on. I think music is probably the best thing humans have ever created. I do wonder, however, what some of you do when little everyday things bother you. I have a lot to learn, but I can already tell that this is going to make my life much better.

Erowid is probably the best site for any type of drug research. It is full of information on anything from coffee to lsd and beyond. I am 19 and have tried Salvia. I was sitting in my backyard on a bench with my best friend and, within a minute of inhaling, noticed how vibrant the grass was. I would say it was a positive experience, but the majority of people (including a few of my friends) reported very guilty, negative experiences. It is known to have a very negative effect on most people. It also has to be the worst tasting thing I've ever smoked. The effects only lasted about 10-15 minutes and then we were completely back to normal. I smoke marijuana occasionally, but never in negative settings. I try to think of it as more of a spiritual drug, something that relaxes me. I will admit, just about anything is more fun when I am high, but I practice a conscious effort not to abuse it. I was just thinking about mushrooms last night and how, if the opportunity presented itself, I would try them. I would probably want to ingest them through a tea rather than eating them, although I'm told that both taste terrible. I would also make sure, as someone said before, that the SET and SETTING were peaceful and positive. My dream mushroom experience would be in Yosemite on a large rock overlooking a small stream with maybe one or two of my closest friends there. I think that would change my life for the better. If you want to see an interesting, well-done, highly informative documentary on LSD, try to find "Hoffman's Potion." I rented it on Netflix and it changed my view of hallucinogens forever. It also made me realize how sad it is that recreational users in the 60's and 70's really ruined it for people who wish to use the drug positively. I'm not pointing any fingers, but Leary kind of ruined it for everyone. The most important thing: Keep an open mind. Don't judge anything you haven't tried.

Thanks freeform, I am going to give it a shot.