Eric23

My resolutions for 2008 are to: 1) Continue with Zhang Zhuang 2) Continue with the Unwinding the Belly program and build on it through studing Marin's Chi Nei Tsang book (already have gained some interesting insights from the intros and first chapter) 3) Dedicate more consistant time to empty mind

Keith, Thanks for the Kunlun update on your site. Very helpful for guys like me who have been sitting on the fence watching and waiting.

Getting your Kunlun experiences down in writing must have been a spiritual experience in itself. Very good read. Thanks.

Click on the webaddress (assuming Safari) on the top bar to highlight it. Using the mouse drop and drag it over to the desktop. From there you can drag it back to any message when you need it. I'm using a non-apple keyboard so the keys are different but you can still do a copy and paste as well usining the alt key instead of the ctrl key. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootropic

I'm one of the folks who mentions Unwinding positively. A very nice self-massage program. The book is well organized and approachable. Gilles Marin's Chi Nei Tsang book is in route from amazon.

Drew, Are you suggesting that one should include non-western music in their practice? If so do you have a suggestion or a sample of music that illustrates your thesis? Thanks. Eric

Marvelous addition to my morning routine Thank you Lin

Root: open (25%) Sacral: under-active (-13%) Navel: under-active (-38%) Heart: under-active (-13%) Throat: open (31%) Third Eye: under-active (-13%) Crown: under-active (-13%)

Did some lifting and pressing this morning, very nice. Thanks for your excellent vids Lin. Is there a recommended number of repititions or time?

Instants by Jorge Luis Borges If I could live again my life, In the next - I'll try, - to make more mistakes, I won't try to be so perfect, I'll be more relaxed, I'll be more full - than I am now, In fact, I'll take fewer things seriously, I'll be less hygenic, I'll take more risks, I'll take more trips, I'll watch more sunsets, I'll climb more mountains, I'll swim more rivers, I'll go to more places - I've never been, I'll eat more ice creams and less (lime) beans, I'll have more real problems - and less imaginary ones, I was one of those people who live prudent and prolific lives - each minute of his life, Offcourse that I had moments of joy - but, if I could go back I'll try to have only good moments, If you don't know - thats what life is made of, Don't lose the now! I was one of those who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, without a hot-water bottle, and without an umberella and without a parachute, If I could live again - I will travel light, If I could live again - I'll try to work bare feet at the beginning of spring till the end of autumn, I'll ride more carts, I'll watch more sunrises and play with more children, If I have the life to live - but now I am 85, - and I know that I am dying ... Someone shared this with me and it struck a chord, thought I'd pass it along

I have horrible posture and slouching issues myself. Way back I started a stretching routine for my back that has morphed into a more of a yin yoga practice. While this keeps the back muscles stretched, loose and mostly pain free, the source still exists. For me, this posture issue was one of the major reasons for embracing Zhan Zhuang. The first area I feel the muscle burn is in my lower back. I'm operating under the presumption that pole standing will strenthen my back, and abdominals from the inside out. Not sure if it's working, but I feel like my posture is straightening out.

I got to get me a new gig!

If you're so bothered by this thread, why do you insist on reading and also responding to it? There are some of us who are enjoying reading Drew's stuff.

Just from personal experience. The focus point on the penis is the frenulum (front side just below glans). Stimulate it (erect) while simutaniously rubbing the right nipple. It will feel great. There is another point about 2 inches up the shaft on the front side that the guys on the Aneros board call the P point. Takes a while to find, but worth it.

Have had this image in my mind for several days now since Xeusheng made his tea posts and bumped fatherpaul's wonderful poem.

As a life long Sun Devil I can attest that there is no shortage of sexy women at ASU (even married one)! As a matter of fact, I got a chance to see many of them in person at the big game last night As for the topic at hand, I must be one of the very few baby boomers who managed to not experiment with drugs, not even pot. There is part of me that regrets not having a psychidelic experience. On the other hand, not having to deal with lingering side effects has it's benefits. I have witnessed more than a few train wrecks caused by the feel good variety of drugs. Have to agree with the overall opinion that one is best served by finding their bliss within themselves.

Thank you very much Karen for taking the time to write such a thoughtful reply. This will take some time to ponder Darebak, thanks for sharing your experience as well

Thank you

Lin, Thank you for the excellent article. How should one position the eyes? Open, partially closed, looking at the tip of the nose, closed? Eric

Our hospice nurse told me the process is like walking down a hallway with a series of doors. At each door the person has to decide to pass through, knowing that they can't turn around and retreat. Once you pass through a door you can't go back. Then it's on to the next door. Not necessarily related to dementia, but very much in step with the overall conversation. BTW, just to clarify, Dad does not suffer from full blown dementia. Up until a few months ago, he was very alert and sharp. Several recent set backs with chronic heart and lung disease has greatly affected his thought processes and mental accuity however. Never the less, his days here are coming to an end and my comments have been of observing the process of elderly leaving this life. Thank you for all the kind words. Rain, I wish you and your mother the best.

Very profound thoughts, have had similar experiences. Now we need to let them go

Thanks for the kind words Karen. Could you please briefly explain or define consciousness in the context that you are describing? Thanks

I'm getting a first hand look at this through my father. The diminished mental faculties are no doubt caused by the deterioration of the organs. Less oxygen is getting to the brain. Even though there is a medical explanation for this, I'm seeing it as a natural process of the body preparing for death. The entire process of a an elderly person dying a natural death (not a young person dying in an accident) has a definite spiritual component. The liturature that hospice left for me says that people die the way they lived. Kind of tough to watch it happining first hand, but it's a very profound experience.

When you say you want to start practicing Tao, what do you mean? I know that there could be a language translation issue, please forgive me. Taoist studies can mean many things to all people. Do you wish to study the writings of LaoTzu, do you want to begin qi gong or tai chi? Do you want to learn alchemy? There are many paths a person can take to learning about the Tao. Take some time and read through the posts here and see just how varied this practice can be. Once you have an idea of what is available, your decision will be easier.

Just to add my two cents, this has been a facinating thread to read. Agree with Cat that reading this has challanged me in so many different ways, and it is a good thing.