Long Yun

What Mr. Semple states in his book is that the seminal fluid is transformed into a fluid that is drawn up the spine to nourish the brain. He also says that it's not an end to sex, only that you have to really regulate how much you have, since the semen is essentially nourishing the brain. To lose semen is to lose brain nourishment, which would not be a good thing. He makes no mention of the penis shriveling up and disappearing, so I don't think you need to worry about that. We'll see what he has to say.

Mr. Semple, I hope I did not offend you in my post, as that was not my intention. I'm not trying to undermine the practice you have set forth, as it's both simple and effective (though I have not done it myself). And I'm not trying to suggest that there's just one way to enlightenment. I'm just trying to look at your practice, my practice, and the books to see how they fit together and where they differ. It's not time yet for me to just *do*. I have to wait years because of the effects on reproduction you mention. I'm looking for the best ways to realize total union with Tao (God, universe, Advaita, whatever). I can intellectually realize it, and I can emotionally realize it also. But I think there are more levels of understanding than this, and that's why I do these practices. I want to experience this union with every possible ability. The mandala issue was just something I've heard elsewhere and I wanted to see if you experienced it as well. Again, I meant no disrespect and I hope you were not offended. Sincerely, Myles

Mr. Semple, Please don't take this as a question of your achievements. I have read your first book and I have a great amount of respect for you and what you have made available. That being said, I have some questions. Did you experience everything mentioned in the Golden Flower? Did you see a mandala, as Darin here on taobums did? Is it possible that you uncovered a method of Kundalini awakening in a text that was meant to do something else, or possibly just what you discovered plus more? As always, I appreciate your willingness to share your experience. I look forward to your reply. Thank you, Myles

This has probably been stated before in other posts I don't know what conventional Taoists would say about it, but I am of the opinion that there's nothing wrong with it. I think it may verge on unnatural and some have suggested that some sort of imbalance may be involved, but that's neither here nor there. The fact is that homosexual people are homosexual because that's the way they feel, so who's to say that it's good or bad? It's just how they feel. Trying to live a heterosexual life would just make them lie to themselves and others, suppress their feelings, and create an overall negative outcome for everyone involved. So, it's just better to let their natural feeling take over instead of trying to lie to themselves about it. Nothing wrong with being gay. Not sure if it would really benefit them in an energetic sense, but nothing wrong about it. And since the world population is at the breaking point or damn near close to it, I'd like to see some more homosexual couples. They're doing us a favor by keeping our species in check.

This has been a really good thread! I've learned alot and heard some really inspirational and informative things, both from Mr. Semple and from the rest of you guys and gals. This has sparked some really interesting possibilities and I hope that everyone helps explore them. Awesome. I am curious to see what the Hui Ming Ching says about what the correct method is. From what I remember, it was describing the microcosmic orbit and the joining of kan and li, though it did not give specific exercises. Almost all (in fact I think all) of the information I've come across is either "techniques of massage and breath control" or "techniques of concentrated (insight) meditation." Maybe I'm not seeing something... Could there be an emphasis on the or? Perhaps it is saying that massage and breath control cultivate life, while techniques of meditation cultivate original nature. Maybe saying and instead of or? By using these together in a method like the Golden Flower, we cultivate them simultaneously? Am I grasping for reasons here?

A good point. I'm going to look into it more at Easter, since that's the next time I'll be at my house. Still, I'm glad you put that passage up there. Makes me want to delve deeper, which is a good thing, I think.

This is still a very interesting observation, Leo. I read Wong's book before I knew anything about the backward flowing method, or really anything about Taoism, so I didn't even remember this passage. I am truly at a loss right now, haha. I'm glad I don't have these books with me actually. I'd probably be up all night re-reading them. Based on Wong's explanation, we'd probably be better off steering clear of the Wilhelm version all together. That's wierd to me, since both JJ Semple and Darin here on taobums have used the Wilhelm version. *Ugh* I'm back to my old arguing with myself thing again...

Any opinions on the "Blood Type Diet"? My parents are doing it with some great results. Both of them have made it down to a healthy weight, and it doesn't seem like their losing any more than is healthy. The only problem I have with it is that I'm a type O, which the book calls the "hunter type." That means I have high stomach acidity for digesting lots of meat. It also says that milk, grains (except for rice and spelt), and legumes (which I was eating alot of before now) are bad for my type. Any opinions?

Thanks for all your help everyone. And thank you very much for directing me to Dr. Power, Karen.

Wow! That's quite a provocative bit of info, Leo. I wish I had my copy with me. Have you compared it with the Hui Ming Ching from the back of the Wilhelm version? You know, the text between the Golden Flower and Jung's commentary. I'm curious to see how they relate. And I wonder exactly how to interpret this section... What were you thinking?

I checked out Dr. Power's upcoming book. I have to say that it makes much more sense than D'Adamo's does. It's based more on avoiding foods that you have a mild allergy to, which somewhat correllates to blood type, correct? At least that's what I got from my brief fly-over.

How about John Bright-Fey I think? Anybody read his translation?

Yeah I'm still checking into the science behind it. And they have been eating LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies. Probably the real cause... Thanks for the input Karen! I agree that the larger view of the individual has to be included. So would you say that, as a type O with only occaisional seasonal allergies and sinus issues, I don't have to eat a meat-based diet? I would like that

I'm all for it. Not necessarily worship, but definitely an offering of respect and reverence. I think in the west, or at least in pagan Norse traditions, that ancestor worship was typically done around the winter solstice. Already did mine this year

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.

Well, like most on this forum, I've at least looked into Kunlun to see what it's about. I was considering doing it just over a year ago, but when I saw those pictures on the book page, I just lost all trust in that system. I know that a lot of people have had really good experiences with Kunlun, but does anyone really think those pictures are real? Has anyone seen him "emitting light" in person? Keep in mind, I'm not trying to say that Kunlun is bogus or not. And I'm not trying to undermine anyone's experiences. Others have already done that in other posts, and that's not why I'm asking. So keep comments related strictly to the photo please.

I've got both his books, but I've only finished the first one. Mostly, it's his journal of how he found and practiced the Secret of the Golden Flower. It's pretty good, and there's a little checklist of the practice at the end. Very easy to follow. Can't say about the second book yet. But I have corresponded with him a good little bit. I'd be happy to share any pm's he sent me if you're interested. Check out this post: http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?showto...l=golden+flower Also, just send April a pm and she'll forward it to Mr. Semple. I hope to incorporate the Secret of the Golden Flower with his guidance later in my practice. I think it's worthwhile to check him out.

Hey guys, I was trying to go to the eternal spring tours website to get some info on their ba duan jin (I think, but whatever seated practice they had up) which they had diagrams of online. But I can't go to the site. It sends me to their Japanese sister site which has no real practice info. If anybody has it, I'd appreciate it if you either post it here or send it to me in a pm. Thanks.

Thanks so much!!! I got what I needed.

I don't have any personal experience with either, so keep that in mind when considering my input. But I've heard that Mantak Chia and some of his practices are actually dangerous. This is supposedly because he never learned any of the practices he teaches. He did his own research and came up with practices that he thinks fit. That's just what I've heard though.

I know. They were up for a while, and I never thought to copy off their exercises. Now that I would like to practice them, they're not up anymore!!!

I see them too! In the window behind them right?

I'm no expert, but Spring Forest Qigong active exercise 1 has worked the best for me.

Watcha talking about?! The Van Damme version is a classic! Hahaha.

What happened to this thread? I left when there were three pages; I came back and there were five. None of which were talking about the pictures in question... *sigh*