Unseen_Abilities

Yeah Muay Thai is pretty hard from what I've seen. I've been learning Aikido since last year, and striking isn't really the main focus so we don't do much in the way of body conditioning (at least not in the same way as you'd find in a harder fighting style - We do lots of ukemi/breakfalls which does tone the body, but not in the same way) but I still practice some stuff I learned before Aikido that requires thicker skin. Only thing I'm concerned about is nerve damage, probably best to gradually build intensity.

Nungali: Chinese warrior armor isn't too convenient for where I'm at right now. cat: I don't do Iron Shirt but I'll look into it, thanks. Apech: I just got up a little while ago so my shirt is still creased, you're right maybe I should iron it. SonOfTheGods: Any specific techniques you would recommend for those things? skydog: I'll add in some spontaneous dance to what I'm doing - It's been getting just a little repetitiousrepetitiousrepetitious... cat (again): Yeah I've heard he was good, but I'm not familiar with his material, post a good song. Nungali (again): I've noticed that about Maori's too; They naturally seem very very strong.

Introversion/Extroversion Aware of having greater tendency towards introversion since infancy, and still today in many ways/Feeling drawn towards social expansion (probably a natural tendency for many) Aware of the importance of authenticity within/Aware of so much unauthenticity in the world and how people interact with each other, and not wishing to engage too much in it (is this just a projection coming from the observer???) but realising the necessity of doing so. Self-ishness (focusing on the self with a view towards improvement)/Selflessness (sacrificing the self for the good of others?) Being in the world but not of it/Being in the world and of it (where do you draw the line?) Thoughts on effectively balancing the two?

Can you give us an example of why this is "negative" use of intelligence? Like someone else said, we all do this all the time...If somebody isn't actively seeking to expand what's possible for them by expanding their beliefs (actually, is expanding your beliefs really what expands what's possible for a person???) then is anybody else really in a position to label that as negative? Is it not just the belief system you're running that perceives the use of intelligence in that way to be negative? $0.02

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Is anyone here familiar with Alexander Lowen's Bioenergetic exercises? I recently purchased a couple of books about this and I've been practising just a few of the exercises regularly for a little while now. They do work really well, and I'm beginning to feel much more grounded and centred from using them, but I'm seeking some advice from people more knowledgeable than me in regards to the sexual nature of these exercises and the teachings associated with them. I'll have to go back and check this specifically later, but I remember one of the diagrams describing the flow of energy as going downwards and out of the sexual centre, as opposed to (yoga/tantric I think) teachings I've come across that say we should bring the sexual energy inwards and up in order to reach higher states of consciousness/spirituality. For a while I got quite into/involved in the teachings/practises of Samael Aun Weor (look him up if you don't know who he is) and, even though some of his techniques do work, he had highly conservative views towards sexuality and even went as far as saying that any ejaculation is basically a ticket to hell...This stuff kind of f*ucked (no pun intended) with my sexuality and led to some fairly deep issues for a period of time, that I'm getting over now. Weor's teachings aren't the only ones I've come across that say conserving sexual energy and bringing it upwards is a key in reaching higher states of consciousness, but I feel that getting involved in his stuff was a mistake for me in the first place and perhaps it's kind of skewed my opinion on these sexual practises - No one should feel fear of hell-fire for busting a nut. If any of you know the Bioenergetics material can you tell me if, over time, practising this stuff will be likely to take me up or down in terms of spiritual development? I wish to gradually raise my level of consciousness, but maintain my sanity while doing it and not have to worry about feeling guilt for allowing myself expression in all areas of life. Thanks, peace.

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Wabi-sabi

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