ShenLung

New Yorkers do have a certain sense of courtesy, don't they? Hard to explain, if one hasn't experienced it.

A Godling with a crappy intenet connection?

Most notably bretharians; from what I can tell, they tend to be a bit cultish. Some have been successful, but I feel that the main flaw in the approach is that they seem to be fixated on the effect (doing without food) rather than cultivating the cause (gathering qi energy from their environment). Typically, if one goes without food for extended periods, one will starve to death (generally within 1 and 1/2 months, 2 at the longest). between one and five percent of the energy used is consumed in the digestion of food. GIven the poor quality of a western diet, this percentage may be much, much greater. Nearly twenty percent of the energy used is consumed in performing work- more or less depending on the level of physical activity, and the efficiency that one uses energy. Fifty to eighty percent of all energy used by a person is in simply maintaining normal bodily function and temperature. In warm environments, the appetite lessens. There is no need for great meals to sustain basic function, as the body naturally absorbs some of the energy it requires from the envirionment, even if the person has no expereience with energy work. Qi in the air? Yes, but I believe that the opposite is true: The qi has air, the qi has bodies, the qi has physical manifestations. One cannot live on the qi of air alone. One notable is rumored to have said "man does not live by bread (Gu) alone". Even the rocks posess qi that can sustain life for those who can access it; the stars have qi, have life force for those who can access it. This phenomena is not the goal in and of itself. It is merely a side effect of seeking a higher path, the understanding of the nature and meaning of life. It does mankind no good, if one can sustain one's own life on the qi of the universe, if one should then turn their backs on mankind, leaving only rocks behind.

I also cook I'm a big fan of bromelin and papain, indespensible protease enzymes that should be included in any meal that contains animal protein. The less energy the body must spend producing enzymes, the more energy that can be extracted from the food. (edit) Ok, here's another one, fitting for holiday: Coin one pound carrots. That's 450 some odd grams for you non - hacking wankers! (with respect and loving kindness, of course) Turn out into a pan containing one quarter cup butter, melted, and simmer on low heat. Add one ounce freshly grated ginger root, and toss until the carrots begin to become tender. Drizzle on honey to form a glaze, then remove from heat. Plate with freshly roasted slivers of almond, and enjoy! God bless Her majesty's navy, and the H.M.S. Gloucester, who saved my hide one fine february day in years past.

Thanks, Ish, I'll add it to my shopping list ... I checked out that video GMP put up, but all I saw was an effect, not an explanation of the breathing technique. Heh, 200+ degrees is fairly impressive, I've only managed to swing a 60 degree differential thus far, and only in cold weather at that. Of course, that could have been NaOH solution with H2O that Zhou put on the foil, which would explain the heat .. I don't think they were taking the temp of the labour points in the palms.

Ethical Atheistic Anarchist !

Oysters stuffed with a sliver of pepper, wrapped in kelp and simmered in coconut milk. Finish with a dash of salt, ground black peppercorns, and a splash of lime juice. Reserve the juices to steam your rice, and serve with fresh slices of pineapple and melon.

Being 'in a hurry', worrying, dwelling upon negative emotions. Compensating for extremes of temperature without balancing energies, Unwanted contact: disturbing, hostile, or excessivly needy persons; there is an energy differential here (thank Eternal_Student for providing that clue) Shallow breathing: I've heard somewhere that "The shorter the breath, the shorter the life". Thats sounds true to me. Release of energy during sex: Lots of folks practice semen retention religeously, but I believe that if one is mindful of their energy, the energy generated by sexual activity can be easily absorbed and circulated, whether there is ejaculation or not.

One of the nice features of this forum is that I occasionally get introduced to new terms and ideas. Today, for example, I discovered that the breathing control and chi circulation trick where I conciously generate heat to transform my body into a mini-furnace is called tummo. Vase breathing is a new term for me ... where is a good place to go for an explanation?

Annuities are a type of investment vehicle based upon the profitability of an insurance companies investment efforts. They are sold on the strength of the percieved benefit: an anual payment to the investor based upon the principle deposit. The downside comes with various legal contract arcana that can leave the investor incapable of realising any significant gain for his/her money while the profits are consumed by fees and the principle becomes diffficult to extract once the investor becomes aware that there are better ways to invest their savings.

More to the point, if you were an ascended master, how would you know?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMxzU6hxrNA

You can 'trick' yourself into a good weightlifting and physical excercise routine by finding something to do that includes the physical exertion. Rock climbing falls into this category, or taking up a job that will require heavy lifting, like landscaping. Good excercise, and the creation aspect is very rewarding as well.

In your universe, the whole world was feeling it. We don't always experience the exact same universe, even though we might be standing side by side. I know the feeling, though ... hard to describe sometimes, or the description doesn't do justice

There seem to be a lot of folks all over the world experiencing ringing in the ears lately. I wonder if all of these occurrences are clinical tinnitus, or if there is another reason - brain interpreting awareness of something else as a sound, for lack of appropriate sensory organs, for example. I expereince synesthesisa, for example .. hearing light, and feeling sound, and tasting colors occasionally, which is a nifty party trick when I'm in the mood for it.

Fill in the blank .. I'll start: If I were to die tonight, it would be with infinite gratitude to whatever conciousness that has permitted me to experience this magnificent universe. If, indeed my experience is only a matter of accident, then what a happy accident. To live, to think, to feel; these experiences have brought me (well, almost) endless delight. Thank you. (edit) I forgot to mention, but you all probably figured this out: You can always go back and edit your response if and when it changes. Something interesting to look back on at some point on down the road

"Gooder", GMP? We are counting on you to maintain the integrity of the language, even here in the colonies

The issue of whether the people should have arms: What is the function of government? Does providing the people protection from harm from within or from without a function of government? If from without, then does it make sense that in order to properly defend from attack, one must maintain weaponry that is equal to or superior to that of the atttacker? Yes?, then proceed. No?, explain yourself. When government continues to borrow and spend resources, beyond the extent of the available resources in the world, will that government endure? No?, proceed. Yes? explain yourself. When that government collapses, who will then be responsible for the protection of the people from attack from without? Anyone in some country other than the US wishing they had the guaranteed right to keep and bear arms yet?

One of the things that I learned from the OG's was this: they are just people, attempting to get by in whatever way they can, without making too much of a disruption for everyone else. Seem strange? It's a matter of perspective. I was perfectly safe in that envirionment because I was a legitimate resident of the 'hood'. Nothing more, nothing less. Selling drugs to addicts and pimping out women who have no sense of self worth may seem bad, but compared to selling time shares and annuity funds, it is not so different, once one understands the principles involved in the exchange. Come to think of it, drugs and prostitution are small potatoes compared to the evil that is invoved in annuities ... The suffering of existence is something that everyone shares, from the most priveledged to the least.

Unconditional love is a high ideal. If we, in our personal endevours strive for perfection and yet fall short, should we fault the concept of striving for perfection? I think not, since it was just this pursuit that enabled us to reach so high, and progress so far, despite failing to reach the goal. If others should fail to reach this goal as well, shall we blame them for their imperfections also? Imperfection seems to be indemic in this universe, and yet we all strive to be better; some with more success, some less. I absolutely despise the behaviors of some people, and truely wish that they could find a way to progress past these issues. Ultimately, they must make this progress on their own, if able, and I will recieve the news that they have won past the barrier with great joy. But I will not hate them for indulging in the beliefs that I theorize to be false. Wish them much success in the fields of tap dancing or orchid cultivation, perhaps .. but not hate.

There you go. perfectly good, perfectly free. If you want to pay for the same information, but with more detail in a form that one can grasp, even if one isn't inclined to be a geologist, I could recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/Naked-Earth-The-New-Geophysics/dp/0452271622 I can't find my copy .. it's either in storage somewhere, or I've misplaced it .. oh well, time to order another for the earth sciences section of ye olde library, I suppose.

Happy WS to all the bummers from Tulsa, OK, where one can find the "center of the universe" (no, no real potent juice, but it does have a nifty sonic anomoly)

I use bellows breathing all of the time, unless I'm doing weidan, and then I still do bellows breathing, but conciously seperate it into two stages ... Not that it makes a difference to the qi, but it is a way of being mindful of the breath. Other breathing techniques come into play depending upon what I want to do with qi, but this is more of a mental marker, too. If you don't need the extra mindplay, I wouldn't bother with it. All kinds of paths, no one right way. Don't forget to enjoy the flowers, they're lovely! (edit) leaving the above as it is, but adding this notation: It does matter, not merely as a mental artifice as I had assumed. Today, while giving instructions for a cleansing breath technique that I had developed for myself, before I had even started giving direction on the meditation associated with it, I had a student begin trying the breath. Leaping to conclusions before the basic instruction had been completed -- I caught her in mid -exhale through the nose!! tongue down, at least, but she still managed to give herself an instant fever, and done for the day. Saftey tip: Must listen to all instructions thouroughly before trying new techniques.

Whey protein does wonders if you are working on building up muscle mass. You still have to do the excercise, though