riverheron

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/mushrooms_odd_dc This is a good and interesting topic, all . . . I just wish to add a few side-notes. Firstly, I have to cringe when I see people on the spiritual path refer to plant spirit medicines such as sacred mushrooms and ayahuasca as "drugs". The collective puritanical consciousness field is strong, and using the language of the those who wish our collective consciousness to remain unawakened and closed so that we may continue to play the role of batteries for their toys and war-games, only strengthens the control they seek to hold over our collective consciousness. Speaking of stepping out of the dualistic mind-set, let's look deeper than "drugs are bad, they mess you up." It is all of the Dao . . . and in my humble experience, the plant spirit teachers have held my hand, directing my consciousness into the luminous realms of non-duality. They have also terrified me, when my ego was out of balance. Then they hugged me, because the highest message is; "It's Ok" I have also had equally deep and transformative experiences in meditation with my daoist master, working only with the Universal Qi Field as the medicine. Whether it is breathing, visualizing, or ingesting a plant, we are working with medicine. Is one good, one bad? Who can say? For me, I have found that intentional, sacred use of mushrooms and ayahuasca (under the guidance of a true shaman), have indeed nourished the divine within me. All is a mirror . . . those who approach these teachers without respect and humility, will have difficult experiences. That is what it is about. The same as one who approaches an enlightened master with a self full of ego. The tea will spill over the rim and the seeker will get burned. "Mushrooms played a vital role in early Taoism. Even before the emergence of religious Taoism, mushrooms were sought for their magical powers. Qin Shihuangdi (r. 221 - 210 B.C.) and Han Wudi ( 140 - 87 B.C.) both sent magicians (fangshi) in search of such funghi. Many adepts were said to live on mushrooms; for example, Pengzu, who lived to be over seven hundred years old, ate only mushrooms. . . . As Michel Strickmann has shown, the cult of magic mushrooms in China is ancient. Sima Qian's Records of the Historian states that mushrooms were believed to be among the sacred plants that grew on Penglai, one of the isles of the immortals in the Eastern Ocean. Since at least the Han dynasty, the appearance of strange and auspicious mushrooms has portended virtuous emperors. The use of mushrooms that enable the adept to see the numinous world is common in many cultures. In the Six Dynasties period (420 - 589), as well, mushrooms (specifically "mushrooms that nourish the divine" or yangshen zhi) are mentioned as among the numinous plants growing on the isles of the immortals." From "Taoism and the Arts of China", by Stephen Little with Shawn Eichman, page 340. blessings and love Qi, riverheron

Not to my knowledge . . . it is an energetic mantra which gathers qi to the dantian. The word is related to the idea of offering or sacrifice, i.e., offering your breath to body. . .

'heng' with the mouth and teeth closed. ~r

I find the work of Thich Nhat Hanh to be very powerful in the practice of staying present. It is very simple, but with practice can completely anchor us in this moment. If you haven't come across the root of his present moment teaching, here it is. When you breathe in, say to yourself "Breathing in, I calm my body and mind." When you breathe out, "Breathing out, I smile." In "Dwelling in this present moment." Out "I know this is a wonderful moment." And so on . . . you can add other elements depending on your needs, such as "Breathing in, I am a mountain." "Breathing out, I feel solid." "Breathing in, I am a flower." "Breathing out, I feel fresh." You get the idea . . . It's a wonderful practice . . . potent and simple. He has some wonderful books out on the subject of being here now. For me, it is all about the breath. Breath is my anchor to this moment. As for multi-tasking, it takes a bit more awareness to be present with two things at once, but it's definitely possible. Perhaps making the two into one? Good luck on your journey to the Now!

Hi all ~ this is a good topic . . . Alcohol is 'strong yang fire' ~ if we look at everything as energy, instead of as 'good or bad', then we can learn to work with the Qi of whatever we ingest. I feel that we can learn to work with the yang fire of alcohol, remembering to balance it with yin/quietness. I know my Qigong master loves to go have a microbrew after class "I do everything" he says with a shrug and a smile. Generally, in the Daoist sense, if you are going to do something (anything), then feel that it is medicine for you. If you worry about it being bad for you, then you might have trouble with it. On one level, it's our consciousness about what we take that really causes problems. On the topic of peyote and plant spirit medicines, they are very powerful catalysts for awakening us to our multi-dimensional nature. They are spirits which, when ingested, flow through our body sharing healing and cleansing energies and information. They must be greatly respected or they will cause mischief, kind of like the I-Ching When we disrespect the Sage, then we tend to get spanked. . . that's the way of it. For myself, I check in with plant spirit medicine a few times a year ~ I go in with intention, ceremony, song and humility. Always I come back with a gem for my life, a piece of the puzzle. The path of plant spirit medicine is definitely not for everyone, but it is very important to see through the lies about these substances fed to us through the social control paradigm. These medicines are of the earth, herbs, which have healing properties for us at certain times. I have only read a few of Castenada's books and resonated with them a bit, but felt something was off as well. This was confirmed for me when I saw a movie made about him several years back. I hadn't realized what a cult empire he had built around himself. When he died, several of his apprentices drove out to the desert, ditched their car and walked to their doom to join him. Good? Bad? who knows . . . but he was one strange cat. thanks for the thread, and love qi to you ~

Hello all ~ I just want to say that I really appreciate the level of communication and connection here at tao bums. Thank you all for your great writings and humor and wisdom! I'm glad to have wandered my way here . . . I have gained so much through the years from poetry. There is something about the transmission of a good poem that comes between the lines, from the space between the words which connects deep within me and helps me to remember. I was hoping this thread could be for sharing our favorite Daoist poems, or any poetry which has really touched your soul. One collection which I always turn to is 'The Book of the Heart' by Loy Ching-Yuen. Translated by Trevor Carolan and Bella Chen. Here are a few of my favorites from this collection; ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With a quiet heart it's good to practice Tao exercising our power in the inner places, the source of our knowledge. Diligence fosters the effortless flow of ch'i enjoins us with All, omnipotent Tao, self subsumed by non-self; the pearl within the oyster. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Never forget the folly of greed; we may as well swim against the current of the Yellow River. Training our inner self is like forging lead; nine times a blacksmith turns his dipper in the flame. Yin and yang, earth and fire find their own harmony. Precious metals and our inner pearl are waxed and chamoised with the pass of days. When the mind is empty, blue flame licks the firebox. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The fragrance of blossoms soon passes; the ripeness of fruit is gone in a twinkling. Our time in this world is so short, better to avoid regret: Miss no opportunity to savor the ineffable. Like a golden beacon signaling on a moonless night, Tao guides our passage through this transitory realm. In moments of darkness and pain remember all is cyclical. Sit quietly behind your wooden door: Spring will come again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ anyone else wish to share? love qi,

Hello tao bums ~ I wrote up a little piece about a spirit adventure I took to Ireland a few years back. I was called there specifically to work with five stone circle sites in the deep SW of the country. I thought you might enjoy hearing about what happened on the journey! The stone circles most definitely serve a purpose . . . in the grand scheme. Last March I was guided to take a journey to Ireland, one of my ancestral homes, and to connect with five different stone circle sites in the far SW of the country. My guidance was to find these sites and enter into sacred ceremony with each which involved crystals, sound (didjeridu and toning), and meditation. Before going, I had not received clear information about why I was to do this or what would happen, just that it needed to be done. So I took off on my own to Ireland after a family visit to Paris and Brugge. I had hand drawn maps of how to reach these circles, which I had copied off of a site which lists all known megaliths in the UK and Ireland. I traveled in my rental car down to the Beara peninsula in the far SW corner of Ireland and began my search. I won't bore you with too many details of this journey, because I just want to get into words here my reflection of what happened through this work. Basically, I took a group of 20 Tibetan quartz crystals to each of the stone circles I visited and placed the crystals upon each of the stones in the circle in different patterns and combinations. Then, holding the request and intention to awaken and activate the stones, I played the Didjeridu through the crystals and into the stones ~ I literally felt the ancient stones begin to stir and awaken as this intentful energy touched them and moved through them. I was receiving the message that part of my life agreement during this time was to activate these portals which had been lying dormant and mostly forgotten for the past several thousand years. I could ~feel~ that these stones are living beings, and are here for a very specific purpose. They are awakening now for a very specific purpose. A part of my work on the planet at this time has to do with re-connecting the human realm with the realm of the Sidhe (Shee), the faery and elven beings. This reconnection represents a healing in the rift of humanity with nature ~ the faeries are very real and dwell in a realm which is vibrating just a bit faster than ours, which is why they are largely invisible. They can choose to lower their vibratory rate in order to interact with us, but this is not very comfortable or easy for them and they would rather we raise our vibrations to meet them at least halfway in this connection. These beings are our cousins, sisters and brothers on this planet and it is time for us to remember and return to our communion with them. Remember that they are extremely telepathic and sensitive beings. If you approach them with a clear mind, humility, a cohesive energy field of unconditional love, and a quiet heart, then it is likely that they will connect and communicate with you in some way. The chaotic human mentality which jumps around endlessly makes them quite dizzy and they avoid it at all costs. It is so important to become aware of our inner state at all times and to use the tools that so many masters have given us to return our spiritual energies to harmony and peace. Breathing in, I calm my body and mind Breathing out, I smile Dwelling in this present moment I know this is a wonderful moment What the stones told me as they awakened was that they were put here by an advanced race in our pre-history and were programmed to awaken at this time of shift on the planet. Their purpose is multi-dimensional in nature, somewhat acting as Earth acupuncture needles. The stones receive the very high vibration of galactic energy which is beaming down on the Earth right now and transmute this energy into a form which can be integrated deep into the Earth's consciousness. They transmit this stepped-down energy into the core of the planet, where it mixes with the sacred Earth Qi and then rises back up into the stones. The circle then broadcasts this new frequency of galactic/earth energy out across the planet in all directions. The circles also are representations to us today of the sacred group meditation circle. WE are as the stones, able to gather in circles and do this crucial work of transmuting energy for the Earth and out to all beings through our hearts. This is a responsibility for those of us who are here now, awake to the greater shifting taking place. As these stones and meditation circles and celestial families broadcast this energy across the planet, the overall vibration is increasing. The stone circles are very closely related to the realm of faery as they are vibrational portals to their realm, as well as one of the means to raise humanities vibration to a higher dimensional reality. What I have noticed recently is a general increase in the awareness and reality of the realm of Sidhe. I see many people awakening to their elf and faerie natures, as many elementals are now walking the planet in human disguise. They are now awakening and remembering who they are, where they came from, and most importantly, why they are here. The message is that the time for hiding is over, and that now is the time for awakened humans to connect with the realms which surround them through the vehicles of sound, rhythm, laughter and love. Discover your trance and work within it. The portal lies within this ONE moment. This is the fulcrum point. Now is the time for the elementals, the elves and faeries wearing human bodies, and the starseeds who work so closely with the elemental realm to awaken within their bodies and open the inner door to the natural magic which is their birthright. The children know this already . . . they are trying to remind us, to teach us that we are connected to such a greater reality than we can conceive. Imagination opens the initial door, and Great Spirit does the rest. So this has been my experience of this lineage work . . . I suggest to you all that you meditate upon your own Sacred Lineage. What are you connected with in your DNA, what lives have you lived and what worlds have you danced within? Call these aspects of yourself home, into THIS body, and welcome the wisdom and power of your multi-dimensional nature into your present moment life. Here it is. Here we are. What are we going to do with it? And if you feel an inner pull to travel to one of your ancestral homelands, to place a crystal on a stone or to tone into a cathedral, then please follow that call. The activations are needed planet wide, and we are the only ones who are going to bring them through. Blessings to you all, and any of your feedback is always welcome ~ La'naia A'ho,

Hello Knight ~ I recently read this wonderful book, "The Spiral of Memory and Belonging" by Frank Maceowen. I would heartily recommend it to any interested in the Celtic path of shamanism, and to all who are connecting to the sacred lineage beyond words and concept. It is a very multi-dimensional and poetic exploration of reality. Blessings to you, http://www.amazon.com/Spiral-Memory-Belong...TF8&s=books

Hi Mythmaker, I generally end stillness meditation with 'Harvesting the Qi' ~ a series of self-massage which helps to draw the qi deeper into my cells. Then a deep bow . . . and I sit and open my eyes. Then I stand up slowly. That's about it for me . . . love qi

Zhongxian Wu is 8th generation lineage holder of the Mt. Emei Wu Qigong lineage, from which comes the Laohu Gong (Shamanic Tiger form). love qi,

I recommend this audio CD by Ken Cohen as a great place to start. I discovered it about ten years ago and it was a great way to start into cultivation with the voice of a teacher guiding you along the way . . . simple, and powerful. http://www.amazon.com/Qigong-Meditations-K...TF8&s=books {sorry for the long link . . .} love qi, riverheron

I think these words are wise . . . Zhongxian Wu expressed to us in a retreat that he feels that there is too much emphasis put on the daoist sexual practices and loss of Jing in the teachings available to westerners. Basically, if you are worried about loosing Jing, then you may have a problem. Much has to do with your consciousness around your sexual energy . . . no worry = no problem. This resonates with me, because we are beings of consciousness. When we are in right relationship with life, then everything becomes our medicine. When we are out of alignment, all is poison. Thanks all for the great thread!

Hello and blessings, all ~ I've been reading the threads here from the shadows for some time and decided I wanted to share something with the group in the Ayahuasca thread. So here I am, introducing myself I've been on the Qigong path for 10ish years now, for the past almost five years working with my teacher Zhongxian Wu in the Mt. Emei and Wudang Taiji lineage. I've had my nose in dao books most of my life . . . but meeting a true teacher has deepened the wisdom, once just words, into the cells of my body. I am thankful. I am a sound healer and bard by trade, working with vibration and energy to help people shift and release blockages. I love life, in all it's beauty and challenge. My website is www.one-root.com Nice to meet you! love qi, riverheron

thanks for visiting the site and for the warm welcome, sean and michael. . . it's good to be here. The energy is nice. ~

hello all ~ I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work with a female peruvian shaman in aya ceremony twice. Just to clarify, in true Daoist style, this is experience is nothing at all what your mind thinks it is before actually taking the medicine. So that clears up some issues about expectation and trepidation. Also, if you experience Ayahuasca yourself, your experience may be nothing at all like what I describe below. I just feel called to share a free flowing presentation of this spirit medicine and how it effected me. I feel that it is important to realize, when working with such plant spirit medicine, that we are actually taking the Spirit of the plant into our body and consciousness. It is a symbiotic process through which the Spirit of Ayahuasca, a female presence known as the Mother Vine, moves through our body, mind and spirit. As a generalization, first she travels through our meridians, in a sense diagnosing our current state. Then she activates the Purge ~ this is when we release toxicity on every level, physical, emotional, and psychic. After the purge, often we find ourselves in a visionary state, where aspects of our life are shown to us. What needs attention in my life? Oh, I need to clean my room . . . holy order. And in my experience, I was shown how to share the transmission I recieved from my journey with others through a state of presence. On another level, there is often a transportation into a realm of geometry, sound, light and fluid Oneness with all that is. This experience is beyond words. And then, on another level, I experienced my Spirit dwelling in the rainforest of Peru, as the Aya spirit did her work with my body. We switched homes for a little while, and learned from one another. After the ceremony, over 6 hours of the shaman singing her Icaros (magical songs of healing taught to her by the plants), there is an overwhelming feeling of Belonging * * tribal consciousness, multi-dimensional connection with Nature, other people, my family. And a renewed sense of purpose, wholeness, dedication to grounding my lessons into the present moment of my life. My qigong practice was what helped me to integrate the lessons of Aya. into my cells, into my heart/mind. I was shown a door . . . and realized that Qigong is the path which opens the door and allows me to walk through on a daily basis. One realization came through so clearly to me ~ that my Qigong teacher, and my Peruvian Shaman are spiritual family. They are doing the same work in the world as if brother and sister. I am so thankful for both of them, and the teachings they share. Ayahuasca and Qigong can be partners in the dance of life. As the great explorers of the Way that all of you are, I suggest keeping an open heart when it comes to the teachers of Nature, the plant spirits. Our culture had done much to demonize these substances as 'evil', and there are remenants of this programming in each of our cells. Perhaps the very reason that they are illegal, is because they teach us to awaken from the 'Matrix', the great dream of our society which tells us we must conform and pay our taxes so that the good war can continue. Sleeping Tiger Awakes Spiritual Sword slays the Demon Returning Everything to the Heavenly Cave. blessings and love qi, riverheron