Chang

This is correct and the energy will flow with greater ease through the relaxed body. Unfortunately once more our use of language causes problems. As regards our internal practices we may use the physical body to affect the energetic body. By this I mean that by manipulating that which is manifest (the physical body) we may effect that which is unmanifest (the energetic body). This is generally better done though through a process of expansiveness rather than through relaxation. If we take the skeletal structure as an example I think more of expansiveness than relaxation. It is as though the space between the joints just increases by a fraction. A good way of explaining this is to use the hand as an example. We are all familiar with Mickey Mouse. Well imagine that you are wearing a pair of his huge gloves. They cover your hand but do not touch your skin at any point. Now feel that your hand is expanding to come into contact with the glove (this should be a completely expansive process involving no tensing of the muscles). This alone has an amazing energising effect. Now imagine if in you Standing Stake practice you were to do this with your whole body. You will find that it will take you to a whole new level. When Standing Stake practitioners speak of energy channels opening through simple standing alone then it is this process which brings it about. Obviously the principles of external posture would have to be correct but it is all part and parcel of the same process. I hope that I have been able to put this point across in astraightforward manner and that it may prove of use.

I agree with Gerard and use a simple carbon filter. There is an awful lot of hype about water and it can cost you a fortune going down the bottled spring water route. At one point I did get myself a water distiller but it is very expensive on electricity. Just a run of the mill filter does for me now and yes, cultivate the habit of drinking fine tea's.It is one of lifes exquisite and subtle pleasures.

Our disciplines like our lives in general can suffer from that 21st century problem of information overload. My own belief is that the most important thing is to keep our practice simple and straightforward. All that is then required is perseverence. Unfortunately the perseverence part is where most of us fail.

Very interesting. Very disturbing.

For most male teachers the plight grows less as the years grow long. Though Lindsey did quote a young friend of hers who was training with an eighty year old monk in Thailand. She had to leave as the intrepid monk was intent on sleeping with her.

This link will take you to an interesting method of opening the microcosmic orbit that was new to me. Open the orbit using chi ball

And yet there were such high hopes for Mr Obama,dancing in the streets and people singing "Change a gonna come". To quote Robert Burns "The man of independant mind he looks and laughs at all that".

A proverb which comes to mind when considering politicians is: "Much blossom and little fruit, that is the work of God. Many words and few deeds, that is the fault of man,"

If you are interested in mantra meditation then you could do worse than take advantage of this free mantra meditation instruction. free Meditation Course It is basically the Transcendental Meditation method and is put across in a simple and straightforward manner. A good starting point.

You can search the forums for threads on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Medical Qigong which are both largely Taoist based. There is also a school of thought which believes that Reiki has its historical roots in Taoist practice but that line of thought is controversial.

What a temptress food can be. How much easier to be lean and ripped were it not for her charms and how shamed we feel when we have indulged.

When I have meditated I have also viewed my hands through closed eyes.I have also viewed the whole room in which I was meditating. I have never taken much notice of experiences when in a meditative state but simply let it go. I must admit to not worrying overmuch what others may think of either me or my practice and as to what is normal or not> Well we can only judge what is normal by using ourselves as a measure and that can be dangerous. May your meditation grow deeper.

A very interesting subject which gives much food for thought Encephalon On an individual basis using Taoist thought then yes, anarchism can be both vibrant and positive. Unfortunately on a national level it will generally replace that which it overthrows with something far worse.Communism and Maoism are perfect examples.

Hi ibaconi. I like your style.

For those interested Mantak Chia gives exercises for collecting tree energy in his book "Chi Nei Tsang".

Hi Wayfarer, You will find some very interesting information here and some very interesting people.

No the book goes into greater depth and has also been very well produced. It includes a version of the Eight Strands of the Broccade exercises involving a way of practising them that I have not seen elsewhere. Anyone interested in Standing Practice would also do well to look at Master Lams "The Way of Power" This book further develops the Standing Stake exercises.

We can indeed look into all of these things and perhaps adopt practices from them. But who makes the most progress, the person who takes a thousand steps in one direction or the person who takes one step in a thousand different directions?

If you have not already done so then check him out on You Tube "Stand still,be fit" a series he did many years ago in the UK.

Ultimately the only person we have any control over is ourself.Most of us cannot even manage that very well. Yes a Taoist Sage could offer all manner of good advice which could make our world a much better place. Good advice is not in short supply but the wisdom to apply it is sadly lacking. Taoism is the way of self cultivation, let us concentrate on that. It is a hard enough job trying to change ourselves without worrying about the world. "Demand much of yourself and expect little of others. Thus you will be spared much vexation."

Perhaps our disciplines can lead us to immortality, perhaps not. I would be happy with vibrant health and strength into extreme old age. Many would state that the whole point of Taoist health arts is to maintain the body so that spiritual development can be continued as we grow older. Is this not sufficient reward for our efforts?

The choice will always be arbitrary. My own favourite is the Jnae English Tao Te Ching in collaboration with Gia-Fu Feng. The reason being that it was the first version I read.

Paul Bruntons Search in Secret India and Search in Secret Egypt are an interesting read though his style is somewhat old fashioned now. This is especially so if you delve into his books on meditation and yoga. John Blofeld on the other hand has the gift of being both interesting and informative, any of his works on pre Communist China make marvellous reads. I have always been at a complete loss as to why Paulo Coelho is so popular.Give me Hermann Hesse any time. Anyone interested in travel to and Taoist cultivation in Chine would enjoy Lindsay Wei's "The Valley Spirit" The Valley Spirit I am reading it at the moment and it is first class.

Yes the book is very well done and the exercises are described in a simple and straightforward manner. If you have not already done so then I would recommend taking a look at Damo's website Lotus Nei Gong Also take a look at their You Tube offerings which are extensive and very well done.

The unflappable idol worshipping harpooner from the Pequod. Welcome.