An... um interesting site

[Yoda]

interesting... thanks for adding that. I'll have to take a Jenny class at some point!

[Wayfarer64]

These accounts seem from what I have read of them to deal with people who have undertaken 'powerful' practices without having understood what they are doing or what was happening. Moving energy/chi in your body and so on can produce quite dramatic results including the ones that they mention. In fact these stories are probably very good illustrations of why you shouldn't have 'power' as the goal without understanding and compassion. I wonder why their teachers didn't help them? Is it possible that they too were subject to the same forced approach.

 

We all seek effective techniques and practices and I quite agree that there is no point messing around. But all practice has to be approached at a level and speed which is assimilable to the individual. Good teachers understand this.

 

Obviously it is in the interest of mainstream religion whether Christian, Islamic or other to demonize anything which is not within their control and leads to individual empowerment (in the true sense) and realization. So I think both the initial teachers and the 'exorcisers' are at fault and left some very confused individuals.

 

This rings true to me - as well as what Cat adds(as usual)-

 

My only points would be -balance and moderation in all practices usually gives us the most benifit- I remain Taoist in my outlook in that the middle way is what I seek - not any extreme state of being or power, but natural growth- which takes time -like bamboo- it takes years to break the surface of the earth and then goes wild with growth -work within yr potential -push yr limits as you feel it is a benifit and PAY ATTENTION to the results as you cultivate-

 

Keeping an open mind and an open heart will help too-

Love to all-Pat

[Yoda]

PAY ATTENTION to the results as you cultivate-

 

amen!!

[Gerard]

I loved the second link. It was a good read. This one:

 

http://www.chinaforjesus.com/resources/qigong/chap2.htm

 

It's good to question whether our qi is actually good for us, or in his case, not so good! I have yet to read the other chapters, though.

 

I came across that website several years ago. Yes I agree with everything he says in there but in the end he came across one of the biggest hurdles: the dark night of the soul. A very difficult one to overcome. The Buddha almost died because of it and extreme asceticism. He didn't have a teacher/master to guide him due to his status of becoming a Buddha in his lifetime. For the rest, a guide is needed in this difficult moment.

[mgd]

Edited December 4, 2008 by mgd