Long Yun

Thanks Lin, My plan is to read and understand classics on virtue. And once I understand them, I can incorporate their teachings into my everyday life. That's the foundation. I know that I have a long way to go even with this stage. Lets just say I'm not the greatest model of Buddhist detachment... But I hope that practices like the Golden Flower method will help me empty my mind and remove such desires and attachments, which is why I chose it for the next stage. I've read it multiple times but I'm waiting for that strong foundation before I begin to practice it. If I do it correctly, I should have a totally fresh outlook and state of mind. Then my aim is to cultivate my body. I hope to use Qigong from the White Could Monastery to heal and strengthen my body. The only reason I'm sticking to the Quanzhen system is because I don't want to mix practices from different systems for fear of conflicting teachings/practices. It's not that I'm affiliating myself to this system. But my question is, do you think (not just Lin, but anybody) that this would comprise a full system? That is: -Moral and philosophical foundation implemented into everyday life (Daoist, Buddhist, Confucian) -Right meditation to still the mind (Golden Flower; end desire and random thoughts) -Exercises to keep the body healthy (develop Qi and Jing) I just don't want to start a practice and miss something important. I'm afraid I'll even come out worse in the end. Thanks for your input, Lin. I'll take it to heart. Peace.

Hey Taobums, I've been reading several books on inner alchemy, meditation and the like, and I'm finally considering all the warnings I've read about not doing these techniques without a teacher's guidance. And I've found all sorts of programs in Wudang, Beijing, etc. I've even found some in the united states, like the ones Eva Wong is teaching soon. But I have yet to find one good teacher in my area. I don't think the American Southeast is really a hotspot for Taoism... But I'm keeping my hopes up. If anyone knows of a teacher in North Georgia, or at least close to there, please let me know. If not, I guess I'll have no choice but to try it alone.

Alright, I know that there are alot of Kunlun folks on this forum, and I'm sure that alot of this has been answered before. But what are some of the experiences that you guys (and girls; generic term "guys") have had? I would like to hear some things from those who have attended the seminars and from those who have only read the book. I'm about to start an inner alchemy practice and couple it with taijiquan for greater effect, but as I looked into kunlun, I thought it might be something I should consider. To those who have practiced kunlun bliss, what is it like? Thanks.

Thanks for your help Cam. I'm either going to check into this or try another technique solo I don't really have the resources to go to Arizona (I think his next workshop is there) but I'll keep my options open.

Ok, here's my question for TaoBums. (And I genuinely mean no harm in asking this. I'm just trying to stimulate some minds out there.) From what I've read (besides the classics; i.e. Magus of Java, Opening the Dragon Gate, etc.) the current trend in ethics among great masters is to pass on what they know for the greater good of humanity. For posterity, so to speak. Kosta Danaos talks alot about this in his book. I am no Taoist master. I haven't even read the whole Tao Te Ching, and I don't fully understand half of what I have read. And I am not a master of morals either; I get angry, hurtful, and inconsiderate far more often than I should. But is it, or is it not, wrong to charge money to transmit trainings that are "for posterity?" Are the costs involved in Verdesi's system reasonable? I mean, is it possible that they have that much overhead to pay? (Not an attack, just a genuine question. Where does this money go?) Is charging for books (Magus, Dragon Gate, etc.) even reasonable? I know you have to pay for publishing and printing, but other groups are getting their literature distributed without charging a dime. Look at the Hare Krishna's. Now, they are basically the most annoying Hindu's or whatever that I've ever met but still, they get the job done only asking for donations. My point is, that the "true seekers" that Verdesi's charges are trying to separate from the rest would naturally be separated from the rest by the sheer difficulty of genuinely attaining the Tao. Those who should not or would not attain the Tao, would not. And if the Hare Krishna's can distribute their methods free of charge, why can't some of us Taoists, helping those who need it? I'm new to TaoBums, so let me know what you all think. And please, no attacks on anyone, including Verdesi or especially me

Hey, Can anyone point me in the direction of either: 1) A full size sword, made entirely out of peachwood 2) A source of peachwood boards, etc. I've been reading articles about these and apparently, they're good for protection against evil spirits and ghosts. Now I'm not being attacked by any bad spirit, or whatever. But I am fascinated by these things, and the only one I can find is from www.fenshuibestbuy.com and it's tiny. I'm looking for something that I could potentially practise tai chi jian with also (just a real size sword made of peachwood). I would plant a peach tree, wait for it to grow, and harvest the wood myself. But frankly, I don't want to wait that long! If anyone has any other info on these swords feel free to post it! Thanks.

Ok, now we've talked a little about the metal swords. Why are peach swords considered so special? What I mean is, if I can put the same amount of devotion, power and (in non-alchemical terms) spirit into any sword, why bother with peach specifically?

Thanks guys, So now I guess I want to know about these rituals. Does the maker/user of the sword (wood or metal) sort of pray to the cosmos to imbue some of its energy into the sword? Or does he impart some of his own energy to it? I don't want to do any ritual just for the sake of doing it. I'm interested in what's really behind the ritual; what the real intent and state of mind should be. Thanks

I'm not sure exactly yet about what "the light" is, but according to what I've read in Cleary's version (not much yet) Wilhelm had a botched edition that he translated, and since he was not a native Chinese linguist or culturalist, he misconstrued the ideas. Cleary even says that the Wilhelm version is dangerous. According to him, the light is turned inward instead of being circulated around the MCO. I'll look into it more.

Ok, thanks. So do these rituals happen while the sword is being forged? Or any time?

I don't smoke and I don't like it when other people smoke. It's just as bad for them as it is for me.

So is it just the peach swords that are esoterically important to Taoists? Or is it any Jian, wood or otherwise, that has been used by the dedicated student in practice of his arts? It's always been my view that the right intention and the right frame of mind is much more important than the traditional material things (robes, dzi beads, whatever.) I have no teacher, so anything you guys know would be helpful. Thanks.

Thanks to both of you guys. I'd appreciate your help, wudangspirit. Let me know if you come across anything. Where are you located? And guy from Xi'an (I can't read Chinese; don't know your name) I'll keep an eye out for the ebay one, but I usually like to get items from other places if I can. I'm terrified of giving my credit card number away on ebay What did you have in mind to work out? Anyway, thanks again for your help. Let me know of any more info about these (why peach is so good, how they combat the ghosts, etc.)

The Hui Ming Ching calls this little guy the "Fetus of the Tao" and the "Child of the Buddha." In other verses it calls it the "spirit-child." I don't know much else to say, but I think that the Hui Ming Ching will be very informative if you look into it. I think it's published in the Wilhelm addition.

Thanks for quenching our curiosity, DZ. I hope you didn't pay full price for that video...

Now I definitely don't have as much experience as most of the people on this forum, and I'm in the same boat that you're in. I have no teacher either, and the best I can do is books. I think the best place to start would be to read the Secret of the Golden Flower and the Hui-Ming Ching. I've read Eva Wong's version of the Hui-Ming Ching and I just ordered both translations of the Secret of the Golden Flower. I recommend the Eva Wong version (I don't understand all of it, but I recommend it.) As far as I know, these two texts are some of the most direct when it comes to this kind of thing. I hope this helps you a little.

Hah

The main reason I'm turned off by this website is the total lack of info. Even the "about us" tab doesn't lead anywhere, so why should anyone trust them? Traditionaltao at least backs up their page with some credentials. I advise everyone to keep your 200 euros...

I think a good question would be which classic(s) give(s) the most guidance to those of us without teachers, but who still want to attain the Way. This is my main concern at the moment, anyway. And thanks for making this happen dao zhen!

I'm Wu-Liu and I've been reading this forum for a long time, and I thought it would be a good thing to join. I hope to learn some great things and share with those already on here.

I'm willing to admit that the point of this thread, morality associated with money, no longer strikes me as a deep ethical concern. And you're right, Joe. This is an awful lot of griping and not enough productive thought. I think we should stop this thread now and move on to other things. My bad for putting this up here in the first place. My future questions will be about my own practice, not the morals of other people. (Even though my original intention was to balance thoughts on how it's right just as much as how it's wrong.) Let's just drop it.

Wow. I had heard that he was no longer a student, but I hadn't heard about the cancer. I figured that the health benefits of qigong/neigong could have helped him avoid disease. I think everyone has had someone they know die of cancer, and even though I don't particularly respect the man I still think this is no way to die. I hope he recovers well.

That's fine, man. Fine I like to think in terms of the Complete Reality School, since the first text I read was the Hui Ming Ching. Whether one should cultivate the mind first (so it can direct the body) or cultivate the body first (so it can house the mind) caused alot of debate back in the old days. I'm not sure which way I fall, but one thing's for sure. I am waaaaay far behind on the whole third eye stuff. But thanks, xenolith.

Thanks Cameron! I can't believe I haven't come across this before now. And I appreciate the direction to Kunlun, I'll check into it. But I'm still open to as many other opinions as are given. I'll consider them all

Would you please elaborate?