Chang

Isis ↑→ Hecate ↑ Kali, Lakshmi, Parvarti, Sisters one and all.

Where the fireflies mate Ending their brief but bright life Passing on the torch.

Fireflies were lovely Bright sparks illuminating The stygian blackness

Chill most of the time This holds true for most white wine But not for the red

I look forward to viewing your video testimonial Wells - praising the efficacy of Gary Clymans teaching. I suspect that you are already pole vaulting out of bed in the morning. Though with you it would simply be a case of gilding the lilly. There are a large number of these videos on the Gary Clyman YouTube channel and it is noticable that whilst he is very good at blowing his own trumpet he also likes to have others do it for him. Keep up the good work.

Unfortunately it is well nigh impossible to set someone up in the correct posture without being with them. As regards the spine and its alignment we are working towards what is natural and expansive. The chin draws back slightly without dipping down or tilting up, the sacrum tucks under causing the hips to roll slightly backwards but having done this roll the hips forward again and feel the lumbar region of the spine adjust. Both of thise movement will make you feel taller. With the spine we should not think about making it straight as this simply does not occur. We should think instead of working towards creating a natural alignment of the spine. Not for nothing is it called the celestial pillar.

Zhan Zhuang is unfortunately one of the most misunderstood of the Taoist practices and one where you undoubtedly need personal, hands on instruction from a knowledgeable teacher. First and foremost correct stance, posture and bodily alignment is paramount. With the joints correctly aligned we can then assume a state of “sung” energised relaxation. Again this is a most misunderstood term but is basically a cat like quality where there is only as much tension in the muscles as is needed to perform a given task – in this case standing in an assumed posture. Again complications arise as the state of sung is not simply involving the muscles but also involves an opening of the joints to place the body in an expansive state. This standing practice whilst being an exercise in stillness is in reality training the body for movement. But movement in the state of “sung.” It is part and parcel of a process of development it being easier to train the body to assume a state of “sung” whilst motionless but practice allows us to develop that state whilst involved in movement. The benefits are that the state of “sung” relieves the body of tension, takes stress from the joints and allows for improved circulation of blood, lymph and chi, thereby bringing about a greater state of homeostasis. From a martial perspective our standing practice will eventually lead to a more relaxed movement where greater fluidity and speed can develop. Again I cannot stress enough the need for a competent teacher who can lead us towards correct bodily alignment so that we reap the rewards of our efforts and do ourselves no harm.

Yet another ranting nonsensical thread raving and ranting against the admin team. I fail to see how the use of enlarged script adds weight to the writers argument. It is not the purpose of the Dao Bums Admin Team to guide forum members in their practice. Their purpose is to both provide a forum where such matters are discussed and to ensure that the said forum runs in an orderly manner. It is as simple as that.

What a lot of stuff and nonsense. I like kar3n and consider her a fine moderator. Moderating this forum is a thankless job and it is impossible to keep everyone happy. The present team do a damn good job as far as I am concerned. I am saddened that this thread was started, especially as it gave Ilovecoffee (The Great More Pie Bore) another opportunity to bemoan the treatment of More Pie Wallah's on the forum.

Don't know what next, good! For I do like a surprise Nice if possible.

Making my heart storm Raging against that which is Hoping for better.

Silence is internal whereas speech is external. The internal is cultivated by silence and thereby allows the creation of energy. Speech flows into the external thereby leading to the expenditure of energy. Thoughts also expend energy to a lesser extent but as our internal chatter exceeds our external talk then thought must be considered a loss of silence. As regards silence being the source of energy? Energy simply "is". Silence allows us to cultivate energy within ourselves. Mental silence being the ultimate requirement but a reduction is frivolous talking makes a good start. 'Silence is deep as Eternity, speech is shallow as Time.'

At last I've found you The search was both long and hard Was it all worthwhile?

He is known in England as the Norwich Ninja.

In the endless now Adrift in the etheric Ah sweet contentment

Yer already rich With your own pot to piss in What more could you want.

Then you'll need a bowl To beg, eat, drink and to pee All you'll ever need

Good thing I like tea A pint pot and a pint mug For the Alpha Male

Howard Jones folly Revolutions of the heart Dreams into action.

I asked a thief to steal me a peach: He turn'd up his eyes. I ask'd a lithe lady to lie her down: Holy and meek she cries. As soon as I went an angel came: He wink'd at the thief And smil'd at the dame, And without one word spoke Had a peach from the tree, And 'twixt earnest and joke Enjoy'd the Lady.

Worst nightmare? ...Wake up Things can only get better Go on - fool yourself!

Fight on, Arjuna Thinking not of victory But calm centred be.

For better or worse The knot is tied the die-cast What will be will be.

Something to ponder. A simple rule of thumb which I have found to hold true for any given group, society or population. In any given population, large or small you will find that the following holds true. 80% of the people will be idiots. 10% of the people will be assholes. 10% of the people will be more or less alright. This can be applied to all area’s of life but let us look at politics. In a democracy the 80% of idiots will vote for the 10% of assholes who will gain power. The 10% of the more or less alright will be powerless to alter this situation. In a tyranny the 10% of assholes will already be in power, the 80% of idiots will just let things go there merry way and the 10% of the more or less alright will again be powerless to alter the situation. You may argue that this is simply not true and cite the breakdown of communism in Russia or the Arab Spring to show how society has thrown off the yoke of tyranny. But in reality it has simply been a case of removing one set of assholes to replace them with another. In the case of democracy no argument is necessary to prove the rule.

It is all nonsense and simply a case of the Emperors New Clothes.