BaguaKicksAss

Though I can't help but keep thinking that this thing we are working on and this: http://thetaobums.com/topic/36001-help-us-help-buddhist-discussion/ are not that much different somehow in solution.

The retention threads are irrelevant to this... Most of those actually go quite well. It's very likely you missed a few . Though the forums have gotten way way way better in the past year, for stereotyping and insults in general! The one post that brought up my initial snide comment in that other post is yet *another* thread about how women are going to drain all your money (if you are a man). Just one post no problem, but seeing this every single week... just gets a little old, so I bring it up. The first 2 that I remember, perhaps bad examples, but it does show some general opinions which I find surprising. At the very leas you might get a good laugh (I tend to try to use humor to lighten things up a bit) http://thetaobums.com/topic/35145-are-men-generally-more-conscious-than-women/?hl=+men%20+women%20+book then http://thetaobums.com/topic/35303-what-can-feminism-do-for-men/?hl=%20women%20%20better%20%20men which was just all around bad, and http://thetaobums.com/topic/33168-bkas-guide-on-how-to-pickup-women-and-lizard-people/?hl=%20men%20%20women%20%20book TTBs is worse than some other online forums in this regard but miles better than many others . On a side note, all threads no matter the content tend to go bad after about page 10!

Ah here is the thread that I wanted to past this into. Why oh why are so many things closed door and secret? Many reasons, but here is one, that I just posted in another (very interesting) thread: ("this" referring to going very unbalanced, insane or etc. from practice; we were discussing why some people manage to avoid this pitfall).

On the path we are always striving for positive and progressive internal change . That is sort of the whole idea really. Sometimes this internal change does involve external manifestation of things to improve our lives, but essentially it is about changing ourselves for growth and also so we can manifest all we need, and to help others. I have personally found that both internal and externally things have changed for me for the better. For example, gotten rid of most negative bad habits and things which were not serving me on a higher level. Grown stronger as a person, as well as spiritually. Gotten past most of my own self important crap. Worked through some difficult past issues. Much less angst (should have seen me as a teenager lol). I would say I have many times let go of my old and worn out who I was in favor of change and growth. If we stay the same each year, we have been slacking on our homework I figure. Yes very very intentional. self refinement and alchemical transformations are the ideas I go for. One can't go far if we just allow our limited concept of self, ruled by all of our biases, ego and issues, run the show. I feel that continual letting go of the clinging onto who we are is so very important along the path. While we have to find ourselves and our own inner power, we also have to embrace change and be willing to let go of all hat we thought was us and it. Also a stronger connection with magic in general and the forces that be . This is really really difficult to put into words actually, I hope it made sense.

There are obviously not quite made it to the asylum levels of this that lead to strength . I think I also mentioned the needing to recoop after a year or two, then strength... but... just from what I have seen so far... I haven't seen any cases of just went that far off for a year or two and fully recovered . There was always something not quite right afterwards that tended to lead to not being able to function in some major way, from all the cases I've seen. (I've been hanging around with far to many practitioners for far to many years, and seen a lot). But I'm sure it's possible. Now the nearly made it there sure; that is extremely common I think. By asylum I mean not able to care for oneself for a time longer than a couple of weeks due to emotional or mental troubles and having to be helped before one hurts themselves due to behaviors or not being functional enough or whatever. I have seen this far to many times to be comfortable with, amongst dabbles . I think I should copy and past that last bit to the thread about why are some things kept secret. While I'm all for darwins law and all.... Hmmm, really good point . It is very fortunate that all the various systems do include a lot of work towards this. Also I think that ways to release the built up pressure are very important (ZOOM definitely had that one covered!) I have also noticed that the Work tends to amplify... well everything... ourselves.... so it would be about *what* is being amplified. Also self knowledge is so very important. If we have unresolved stuff, that is going to screw with us at various possible breaking points. All that has to be released over time throughout the practice, to stay balanced I think. The knowing when to slow down is so very important! Again very good point. I think maybe some folks don't heed their own internal advice, or sometimes the advice of their teachers. Hmmmm. I would agree with you. Or those of us lucky enough to have others to help when things have gone a little to far or gotten a bit to real . Going to fast is most definitely one of the biggest dangers on the path. So hard not to when one is new though!

They are! It sure lets you know how limited your perceptions were before that. A few months straight of this though got to be a bit much, so I stopped. At least what is seen can't be unseen. Yes that. When things start to warp and wave "how they shouldn't" it gets downright freaky. That tends to be when I slow down or go ground . Though I do enjoy a good 1-4 hour temple session where I embrace it when it happens. Also when what one thought was physical objects come and go.... I seem to recall myself saying to the powers that be or whatever "OK guys, this is a bit much for me at this time" before lol. Glad I have had more experienced folks I could ask stuff of when odd things came about. I would like to figure out how to be more open to seeing past the illusion, but also be able to function well in my daily life. A very slow and gradual process is best I figure. Probably a good thing. Been there . It's good to know one's current limits figure. There is a reason the training takes decades instead of days I think. Yeah, those not born with it! Actually I find it fun in the exploration aspect. One can use it to explore the reality and universe we live in much more deeply. However, being able to see and feel the horrible murder that happened in a spot years previously (for example) isn't very pleasant. I am very very very fortunate in that I have learned methods to turn it off and on. Some can't do this. I think it takes just as much training too. Either training to get there, or training to learn to work with it in a healthy and productive manner. I think you just learn to keep going through the terrifying fear bits with the psychic stuff, and the trapeze stuff. Then you become at peace with it with more experience. Though, none of us stay still at our current skill level, we are always trying to improve, do more, and thus new situations which are unexpected and sometimes actually do still shock us come up! Though I think with psychic stuff, it is 24X7 really. We use it all day everyday whether we realize it or not (or at least I do) and it feels really odd when it gets shut down for a time for whatever reason. It's sort of like being blind for a bit or something, losing one sense.

Or because the drug companies make a little less that week. Unfortunately there are also cases I have seen where the Dr. would give standard care (giving little suzie her antibiotics) but *also* alternative care, and be booted out . Eventually though... They do have a weekly qigong class for the patients in the hospital here locally, which is pretty awesome . So some headway is being made.

We could try just pointing it out to them first and asking them to please change their posting style first. I think people don't realize what they are saying half the time, or how much it might affect others. I've been working on this a lot myself lately.. it's difficult. I don't mean to be an ass, but sometimes it comes out. Like I said, a work in progress .

The first step would be to deeply introspect into oneself to see which aspects are drawing these sorts of forces and energies to you. Purify yourself (and your internal conflicts) and you also purify your external environment. Oh a more physical and very practical level salt works really well . Or salt water.

As a chronic derailer myself..... thank you for creating this one. It just wasn't the right atmosphere to start such a big topic from a split thread of a snippant comment I made . All women do such and such (negative thing). Get so sick of reading this all the time. Oh wait, some people changed it to "most" to be more politically correct . And the whole objects thing. Hello we are people too, just like everyone else; just because folks have been hurt by some person in the past (obviously a woman) doesn't mean they have to project all that negative energy on random internet discussions. (uh oh turning into a rant here). Not to bad, I just stop reading threads where it comes up. I have also learned there is no point (for me personally) to stand up against it or debate it any longer. Be respectful with speech . But also not chiming in to make matters worse. Be respectful and compassionate of others, all others. Also, I find that much of the derogatory bits about women is making it about the other person. Really, as we all know, it is *never* about the other person . Always keep at least a woman or two on the staff, and in the backroom listen very closely to what they have to say and don't just brush it under the carpet or try to win. If in the backroom it isn't considered important, it won't be even addressed on the boards. Notice how many of the women members actually stick around (or join in the first place). Notice how many post, and how many have stopped posting. This would be more for the long term members who sort of know and remember everyone. Have more women been contributing lately? If you don't make it about the other person (or group of people), things can be said respectfully. I feel that quite often we say things without thinking about their impact on people. Is it really that important to get a point across about how horrible you think a group of people are? I've really cut down on my self expression about my opinions on new agers . Perhaps I could instead of trashing on them, mention that perhaps some of the books or groups out there are written from a weekend workshop or armchair perspective, and point out some better paths. Same thing would be maybe something like saying from my experience I have found that a couple of men I have been with have used me for money and that fortunately most obviously aren't that way, and I didn't choose so well; instead of going on about how all men are lazy users. (the gender opposite term for gold diggers) Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary? Well OK the third one is probably pushing it, this is the internet after all . But it all pretty much boils down to respect, are we respecting the other person? Even if there were no women members, perhaps someone would feel bad that their niece or mother was being put n a bad light. On a side note, male bashing was socially acceptable for a bit; I'm REALLY happy that shit stopped. I don't mean on the forums, I mean in person. Now are stereotypes true? Actually quite often yes. However, we really do need to get over this and look at each person as an individual. Must not derail, must not derail, must not derail... OK think I'm good .

What is unfortunate is that two of the women who stood up most to the derogatory comments about women in the past were banned. I'm not saying the banning was wrong at all; they really did go overboard, however... when it feels like 10 to 1, sometimes someone will snap a tiny bit. Perhaps that is it. If a debate comes up about women stuff, for obvious reasons, anyone hoping to "win" the debate, even if to prove a point about gender equality, will just give up and leave (or get really pissy and get banned). For example, if a woman were to say something makes her feel uncomfortable, what % of the board would actually understand? The board has become about 1000 times better since I have joined, imo. When I first came on here, I would have been embarrassed to invite some Taoists from around the internet I talk with. Also previous some women friends of mine have seen posts on here and definitely decided to not join the forums. Less talking about women as objects and users would be nice. This is a very common theme unfortunately that comes up in side comments in threads a lot, and I do mean a LOT. If a woman says something about it, we are told that we are wrong due to some myriad of different intellectualized and self justified reasoning. Again though, it is 1000 times better than it was a year back. Less lockerroom stuff is always good. I've noticed that this has calmed down a lot though, and I have to say seeing less nearly naked not even trying to be respectful or artistic photos of women has also been something I appreciate. However how much of us women can just ignore it vs keep that stuff of here balance there should be, I have no idea. Personally I'm used to the lockerroom atmosphere since I have worked in warehouses and also hang out with martial artists. So I just post photos of nearly naked men to prove a point, and move along. But do we only want ladies on here who are used to being one of the guys? But on the other side of the coin, do we really want to be PG 13 and way to much censorship either? Just throwing around ideas on this one.

Much much more concise than I would have been, thank you . Though I will put some thought in, and post a reply later on...

And as a medical Dr. if you use qigong on folks, you could lose your license...

Fear of losing who we (think we) are, is just like fear of death. Also that fear of nothing to hold onto anymore, nothing staying the same, everything changing and warping. Takes a bit to get used to, and usually slowly over time it can dissolve relatively within our comfort zone. In the west anyways. What about folks who have grown up where all this is natural, and even encouraged?

I would most definitely agree, it is at those times when we are close to death, that we allow more. Or situations similar to death. Now that whole conscious mind snaps (Magento for example thing), what decided for us regular human folks after something which pushes us that far past our limits and ourselves, whether we will be one of the myriad of practitioners who end up in the asylum, compared to someone who grows and finds strength from it afterwards (sometimes after a year or 2 of recovery)?

I've always found that the more "real" dreams are the ones to be aware of and keep track of as they are us, well another part of us, getting stuff done in other planes/places. That's how I see it anyways. I think that what we think of as the real world is only a tiny tiny slice things. I think the dream world is yet another slice. We are closed off to so much all the time. Less so when we allow it to all crumble of course. Personally I have a difficult time allowing the crumbled what I think of this physical reality, to stick around. I get all stressed out and do mundane stuff for awhile .

I think you would be able to figure out how to do it without the huge emotional pain and wanting to off yourself... any intense emotions that strong, or perhaps even creating them for a session to get the charge. That must have been a pretty rough experience for you though . Life changing I figure. I have had experiences where I was in such severe pain that I just couldn't stand it, the sort where the hospital fills you full of morphene, but really I don't like that shit, and going in all the time really really sucks. So I would just suffer at home sort of thing. Well in the worst bouts of pain I caused some really odd things to happen. Such as when right at an intense stabbing pain a fly buzzing around above me just did it, and I hucked it across the room and squashed it against the wall... without moving an inch. That definitely surprised me! I also whacked someone (was in too much pain for conscious thought) without moving once... they screamed for a long time it was really odd. Fortunately I have learned to control such things, for better or worse (would have saved a lot of money on fly swatters). Interesting what intense emotions and experiences which bring us far far past our usual self, life, experience, brain and "reality" can do. We've all heard about women who pick up cars when their kid is underneath it...

I have always found the dreams inside of dreams really interesting! Though at one point where I was practicing most of the day everyday, and into my sleep... I started to not be able to tell the difference between dreams and this "reality". It all started to merge together. Not very handy when one is trying to keep track of what has happened "here" and what hasn't! I decided to slow down on some of the practices. I figure dreams are just as real and valid as what I think of as this reality, but fortunately can keep the two separate enough to not think I already completed and mailed the work project for example . Definitely interesting stuff. So how does one keep from falling back asleep in the bigger sense?

Zoom, are you able to replicate them? If not, how come? Any theories? I'm one of the folks Zoom has discussed a few things with, seems legit from my experience around a lot of "wierd shit" over the years, and around many folks who have "wierd shit" occur around them/by them.

I failed the IQ test . In the fact that I thought it was one of those free ones, and didn't check beforehand to see if they would try to scam me for payment at the end to see my score. Fuckers. I think I did pretty good though.

I think illusion is what we perceive when we are stuck in our closed off/down distracted so focused on ourselves state. Then reality is what we can glimpse when looking with our spirit/soul instead of just minds and conditioning. The illusion tends to crumble when we practice and open more and more. Arg these things are difficult to put into words.

Working for yourself? Working for a non-profit which helps folks? Sell at farmers markets only? Just some ideas .

Or when they are paid off to produce specific results...

Well I mean in comparison to many other cities. http://www.theprovince.com/news/Fisherman+gift+leads+Saturday+night+sockeye+feast/10144206/story.html

I feel that they have a different definition of "soft" than I do . I think the "soft" one would last you a good couple of years. This is coming from someone who felt that massage therapists never pressed hard enough until deep tissue massage came into fashion. Though if you work out a lot, and work your back, and do martial arts, and don't have any chronic back problems, yours may take the more firm version. Do a search for rumble roller online... some funny posts about them on the weightlifting forums! I think the consensus is hard=ouch lol. Perhaps a short one of each density? I think the "soft" would be good for 6 months to a year...