BaguaKicksAss

I'll pass thanks.... I'm extremely energy sensitive, so being at a retreat with many (or every?) participant engaging in sexual practices.. and them all being complete strangers... who likely (from previous experiences) could use a few dozen cleansing baths..... would not be a fun weekend for me. I was sort of more picturing either a private retreat with one person, or perhaps a group of people I already knew, so I knew there would be good people and a good vibe around. Now that plant alchemy and martial arts bits, oh hell yeah! That retreat posted in the above link didn't have any of that fun stuff! I just can't imagine why Mrs.GMP would have a problem with you going alone, by yourself, without her along???

All Bagua movement is from the ldt...

Fortunately many teachers are able to do this .

Time and date of the retreat please?

They have t-shirts!

MPG doesn't do martial arts; I've tried to indoctrinate him into Bagua, didn't work.

I want to get a proper printed out lineage certificate from Master Ken's school!

Here's a fun one in WA state for $260, if you are into such things . Tons of workshops, tons of spiritual people, camping, lots of food... Nothing required aside from showing up and setting up your tent (unless you do work trade option for a half price entrance fee) http://fairycongress.com/

I try for a meditative state 24x7. I fail miserably lol. It is still a goal though. In otherwords, I remind myself all the time to go back into meditation. For the cooking example, if one can cook while plastered drunk, or having taken an extremely large does of some hallucinogen (though you sort of have to work up to this lol), then why not while meditating? It just takes practice . (I used that as an example to compare a state which gets rid of a lot of the conscious mind). Though meditating while walking down the street can lead to you ending up in the wrong place, but like I said, practice . I use my psychic abilities all day everyday, and I am one who prefers to turn it off and on; I don't like to be wide open around other people tyvm. So I just go into a meditative altered state everytime I wish to make use of it. Shopping for the most vibrant veggies or whatever. I was told once to get rid of all the psychic and magic stuff while practicing Bagua. So I tried it, and it was extremely difficult, and it felt very unnatural to me. That is when I realized how it has become a natural part of my life. Closing it all down for a an hour or 2 for practice was plain odd! Well that and I would naturally amp things up via trying to go into meditation, when doing such a practice. I have been taught by a few teachers that there is no reason to keep things seperate (unless you really do have to spend a lot of time in the mundane world, such as at a corporate job). Far from recommended for everyone, but it works quite well for me. I have to get into an altered state for my job, it is sort of a job requirement lol. Same goes for my hobbies, and when I teach folks. When I started martial arts, I was shown how to incorporate stances, posture and basic training into my day to day life. I quite liked that approach and do think things should be integrated, to attain further mastery. Now the trance like altered state that Ken is talking about, I don't tend to go that deep very often, unless doing the sitting still stuff, but sometimes.... usually when in the forest.... PS art pretty much sucks if you don't do it in a pretty good meditative/altered state. IMO.

You obviously are not an artist.

everyone's cel phones and laptops placed into a safe at the beginning. Various Bagua throughout the day. Qigong and neigong. Some meditation time. Did you mean a retreat I would attend, or one I would teach? I replied with the type I'd like to attend .

This is, classic! LOL Doing an IP check on the OP turned out quite... interesting . Sometimes people like talking to themselves... Though the IP coming in from a public highschool could be a fellow classmate, both from the same small town. Since this is old and said person only seems to have done the one thread, I won't report it, but I will laugh, and perhaps poke a little fun at the guy who started this thread as a girl, if he starts posting on TTBs again (hasn't in a few years).

Oh now that whole saying someone is bad at magic because they aren't rich, oh that is a pet peeve of mine! Some of the most kick ass magicians I know are seriously broke! We actually had this discussion at meetup this week, if they are so good at magic why aren't they rich. (I was asked why I don't live in a mansion with a dozen concubines lol). Well for one each person has different areas they are really good at and some they aren't. Being a magician doesn't change this. It works on our already natural talents. Also it is about priorities, you manifest what you put the most effort into. To many magicians exploring the universe and perfecting the works just ranks higher than buttloads of money. Btw, on a side note, I forgot to add to my mini rant above.... not like I haven't also taught half the population for free over the years (or so it feels like it), it is just that I'm not going to teach some random stranger for free, I would have no free time (or supplies left). Hell I have even spent about $500 to go teach a fellow Taobum who ended up homeless, because I felt he needed it. (no this is not an open offer ROFL) But most people, yeah they gotta pay . I get requests for free stuff every single day actually.

Skype, is useful .

Another idea, the rainbow gathering . They have one in WA state. Last I knew it was free, just have to get there (and there are many carpool options). MANY spiritual folks go to these things, and the event is all about sharing.

Hmmm, an idea, couchsurfing.com and search for spiritual folks, it can be an awesome time and adventure.

The folks who teach for free, don't tend to have large retreat centers, because well, they are broke and have no income . Well either that or have a day job to pay the bills, and hence no time for retreat centers. I seriously looked into running a retreat center, and I was trying to do it at the lowest cost possible because tbh most magicians are broke lol. Even with camping, I couldn't do a 5-7 day one for $200 per person. I don't feel like going into details, but for fun write up a business plan that involves running a retreat center, including insurance, food prep requirements met, food storage, staff, and the place for people to sleep... where it won't go into the red. There's a retreat center for $35 per night on one of the gulf islands her in BC, and it doesn't look like any chores (accept your own food cooking of course), need doing . It is all about a spiritual connection, though they don't teach you, but are open for advice and such. Hmmm teach for free, but have no work trade? I'm glad some people do that, because I sure don't . Now if my dentist, chiropractor, acupuncturist, the grocery store clerks, the postal workers, the farmers and people at the local restaurant, and so forth would all provide me with stuff for free and work for free, then I'll give it some more thought. I don't feel that what I do is any less valuable than what they do. This is especially true for full time teachers, 60 hour workweek for free, would be difficult, even if you love it. Oh wait, my acupuncturist and I do trade! I have another person who I swap teaching for chores. Then another person I swap money for teaching.

It is a current thread, look at the very last page, someone just posted an event a few days ago. People use it quite regularly to post events . $30-$40 per night? You don't live in WA or OR do you? The least expensive 2 star I can ever find is $60 per night these days, plus tax. (more in the summer)

Even to get a cabin for that many days would cost $200, especially in WA state. There is a really nice hostel (and yurts and camping spots too) over on Orcas Island at Doe Bay Resort. These would definitely fit within your budget for a self retreat, and it is a really lovely place with a spiritual vibe (though they don't lead retreats or teach anything, unless you count kayaking). In town though there are often low cost learning opportunities as there is a large spiritual community over there. They are a bit newage, but not in a bad way . I used to vacation there once per month, always met awesome people too. You just take the ferry from Anacortis. (to stay within your budget bike or hitchike on the other side, it's safe, and pretty standard).

Sometimes intention is gets a little skewed too... people praying for their family to quit their "evil" Taoist path and come to the light, with the best intentions ever! Or perhaps some magic to breakup a friend who is dating the worst man for her ever... again best intentions. The first example is quite acceptable for some reason, whereas it can really make someone's path difficult. I think that folks should put more thought into what they are doing.... Or at least call a spade a spade. "you doing some more black magic on me mom?" lol (fortunately I have never had that problem, but know many people who do). Asking the divine, or doing a tarot reading first is always good .

lol

http://thetaobums.com/topic/2336-upcoming-events/

Where's the original post?

Some random thoughts as I work . I feel that magic is magic, each system has its techniques and methods and spirits. It is the magician themselves that decides each time and in general what they are going to do with such things. I have found the supposedly "white lightest" practitioners to throw just as many curses around as the "darker" folks. For example. All paths have ethics, even the darkest ones (for example don't harm children or animals), yet I have seen some practitioners harm children (pretty pathetic IMO). The teachers of all paths also tend to be pretty choosy about who they teach since so much can be done with such techniques and information. It is very likely you wouldn't like the day I used some compel powder to return an opened box electronics item that was the wrong item for me, to the store . Now the dark stuff, having the knowledge doesn't lead to using it necessarily, it doesn't tend to change people... unless.... the person hasn't worked out their deep anger towards others AND doesn't have a strong set of ethics. Or who is new to things and gets caught up in the power trip of it all. Having a teacher really helps that, the teacher tends to tear folks a new one who do "stupid shit". What things can all this dark knowledge help with, well undoing crap that others have had put on them is handy. Knowing what to look for when you run into some spirit or energy. Actually most left hand path folks use it to delve into their own darkness and figure themselves out. Is magic manipulation any worse than say.... NLP? Or just natural manipulating another? Or fudging one's resume'? Some say the info is there so the system is complete. I wonder sometimes if the info is there to test us, to see what we will do with it. And some folks (on the online magick forums generally) think all magic should be public *shakes head*. Now personal gain, and altering futures I can get behind . I also don't feel this is much different than say someone of a religion praying... actually.... it is using fancy ritual and incense and such to tell some Deities what you would like help with, vs praying to tell some Deity what you would like help with... (if you are fortunate said Deity will favor you and tell you it's not a good idea if it is something that will screw you up lol). PS for anyone new to this forum, no worries, I am by far in the minority with these viewpoints, on this forum .

I just figured there must be!