Eric23

Just did a quick search on Gung Fu Tea. Here is a link to the Wickipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gongfu_tea_ceremony Will search further as time allows. Thank you xuesheng for sharing your tea experiece.

Never did like coffee, so took up tea instead. I've tried a number of teas over the years. These days I'm really liking Indian chai. The recent popularity of green teas has brought some very nice options to the market shelves. I've never heard of Gung Fu tea, please tell me more. My favorite cafe/coffee house has a very nice tea list, fun for trying new things.

Alan Watt's writing has been a major influence in my journey. When it was time to really understand something, whether it be Zen, Tao or meditation in general I turned to Watts first. I've also read some of Keroac's stuff, and it was fun reading about Watts and his group in the Dharma Bums. That must have been a very interesting scene. Personally, I kind of like the fact that he was "flawed" in the tradional sense.

Get a copy of Daniel Odier's "Tantric Quest" and read it. Odier and his teacher spent a tremendous amount of time meditating together. What I took away from his account is that the sexual component was not an overwhelming, mind bending experience. The cultivation and transformation of kundalini happened more in the preliminary stages. The totality of the time and experience he spent with her was life altering however. I think what Rain is refering to is being in a relationship where you can't take the practice to its fullest extent. I know a lot about that type of relationship.

Rain, for whatever it's worth, you are not alone in the madness. Pretty sure most of us on this forum have to cultivate on their own. Myself included.

I do miss FP, can only imagine how he would have reacted to the Kunlun phenomenon.

Thanks Spectrum, Beautiful, fluid motion. A joy to watch.

It's all a big cycle, subjects come up then die out, people come and go. Been hanging out around here for a year or so now and have seen several cycles come and go. TB is kind of like the weather, if you don't like it today, hang around for tomorrow it might be different.

I constantly remind myself, "the journey is the destination, the journey is the destination."

Thanks for sharing Cloud. Truly beautiful.

Papago Brewery is just down the street on McDowell

Showing my inexperience here... 1. Unwinding the Belly- a self massage program based on Chi Nei Tsang 2. Zhang Zhuang 3. 8 Pieces of Brochade, I know it's very basic, but provides a nice calistentic stretching with some meridian opening 4. Yin Yoga 5. It hasn't found me yet

I'm in for Friday evening socializing.

Excellent idea. There must be several of us TBs who have been spectating and would like to see Max in action. BTW a question for Mantra, when is the second edition of the book scheduled for release? Thanks.

Ahh... The journey is the destination! Thanks for the video. Watt's The Book on the Taboo of Know Who You Are launched my journey.

Let me add my welcome and thanks to SFJane. Very interesting info on all your posts here at TB. Seriously considering a trip to the Bay Area sometime early next year, just might take you up on your offer. Eric

Along the same lines, I've been working with a Chi Nei Tsang based system called Unwinding the Belly. It's a self- massage modality designed to unblock the belly and connect with our bodies. The big difference is that you are using your hands to heal yourself by opening up the lines of communication with the organs themselves. A fellow Taobum, Freeform, has talked about his process of talking with various trouble spots within his body as a healing process; hope he jumps in on this thread. I've used his method very successfully to loosen up a major tightness just below my sternum in the vicinity of the gall bladder. A serious car accident 25 years ago resulted in a cracked rib in the area that would manifest itself up until recently after coughing etc. Going in, gently touching it and opening a soothing dialog began a process of healing. My wife has all sorts of blockages and issues within her belly that I would love to help her with. However, the Unwinding process is about healing yourself. I tried the basic techniques on her, but without much success. She really wasn't in a frame of mind to be healed, said it felt good, but tickled. Additional reading and a seminar in Chi Nei Tsang are in my future.

I've rapelled, not bungie jumped. For me the difference is that there is an element of control in rapelling.

So glad you enjoyed Cat. A real eye-opener for me.

Sincere thanks for the advice. My morning practice is a yin yoga based stretching routine. In the afternoons I start with 8 brochades (squats included here) followed by Zhang Zhuang. Being an old fart, will gradually increase knee bend and add wall sitting.

And now for the $64K question all male bums are afraid to ask.... Where does the Aneros fit in? edit... I know where it goes!! Meant to inquire is it considered analsex?

Novice Zhang Zhuang practicioner here. This thread is affirming my practice and prompting a new question. Should one start out right away in the horse stance, or do you gradually work into it? I've been bending my knees, shoulder width apart from the very beginning, but not anywhere near a full horse stance. I'm fully in agreement with Taomeow on the no pain stance. Burn is good, pain is not. Thanks.

Courtesy of Keep Sedona Beautiful, an long standing organization with enormous influence.

OK, I majored in Physical Geography (earth science) and took geomorphology. I have either lived in Sedona or visited my parents still living in Sedona since 1966. My job takes me over Sedona and Northern Arizona several times a year in a small single engine airplane. Crystals come from metamorphic rock. The red rock formations of Sedona are sedementary layers. The same layers that are found throughout the entire Colorado Plateau. Around Flagstaff and along the Mogollon Rim the sandstone and limestone layers are capped with basalt from the volcanic activity that formed the San Francisco Peaks. When you fly over the area, the basic geomorphology of the region is very clear. I'm positive that the guy doesn't have a clue.

MIcheal, Take the van up Oak Creek Canyon and do the hike at West Fork. It might be a bit chilly, but it's one of the most beautiful places around. Trust me, I've done this hike countless times.