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Quotes aside, all kinds of "the tao of..." thingies constitute yet another cultural appropriation (much as I dislike the glaring overuse of the concept in vogue of late, it does occasionally hit the right target), westernization, and oversimplification of the deepest insight of another civilization. Tons of books with this cute title -- The Tao of Pooh, the Tao of Meow, etc. -- created an illusion that such a thing as the tao of something not only exists but is approachable by the same cute methods as those outlined in self-help books or "get rich fast" investment plans. A fascination with sand you describe -- you can call it contemplation, introspection, study, observation... all fascinating to be sure, but none amount to "the tao of sand." Tao is not a property of sand. Rather, sand is one of the manifestations of tao, out of many. As for the sword, a sword practice is one inroad into "attaining" tao -- out of many -- and it can't be attained via contemplation, only through practice itself, but even at the highest level you would call what you attain "the gong of sword" first, mastery through dedicated practice -- and you might attain tao through that, some 50+ years down the road... or not. Also sprach Taomeow.

I'd say it's priceless. At the least, worth every penny. It's also freely expressed naturally. I thought about posting how I've observed a two year old tomcat consistently earn Merit. Or, a six month old calico, sense when I was accepting rising earth energy and put herself in-between my ankles and participated along. Enough experiences, lessons, to fill a book Yesterday, the one guy I hang out with regularly said, that my cats looked at me as God. I said, I've never had God thoughts myself. Today, I told him, I used that perspective though, to relate how a God possibly loves creatures. I think the 'cost' is accepting the responsibility and providing upright care. And accept it isn't any one-way relationship. Indeed, they have a lot to offer and teach.

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better than getting a high from retaining and accruing and selfishness . I believe it is the essential interior human motivation . Sure we dress it up in all sorts of dignified clothing but ... if one can have honest and accurate introspection . As the saying goes " even Sister Teresa did all that because she wanted to ." ... and on examination , her whole 'service' now seems in doubt . Just because I help an animal does not mean I am its master .... that is entirely sus ! A dog is capable of finding his own water in my environment . As are the animals I share food with . Possum can find honey , but I enjoy feeding her some , not to be her 'master' , not at all . I think that is a very strange concept . By they way , I only have 'feral' pets ... we share the environment here 'naturally ' ... with the exception of a few fish in a tank . However I think I understand what you mean ... after observing some with pets . being master is not a good way to relate to animals ... all the good experts ( like horse whisperers and good dog trainers ) only use that approach with an animal that has a natural hierarchical instinct ( eg the head mare of a herd ) , and even then , the relationship is not based on force .

finger-knitting mudras, pt 1 of 2 finger-knitting mudras, kuji-in

In my case it's a dog. Here goes, 1. Long daily walks in nature are mandatory. 2. Stretch at least 7 times a day. 3. Yawn at least once every hour. 4. Fast regularly. 5. Eat only when you are hungry. 6. Roll a little on your back every morning. 7. No resentments. 8. No need to think so much of tomorrow. Live in trust. 9...in progress

Thanks. That is very useful to know:)

Some kids have all the luck.

That thought comes to my mind so often... Thanks for your post. Loved it 🙏

By loss of energy I mean loss of Jing, I used the wrong term there. But don't you agree that masturbation is a total loss? If not, do you think sleeping makes us lose more Jing than masturbation? Why preserving jing should be one of the final steps? I always see it as one of the first steps people talk about. Even when people don't practice qigong there's this general rule in TCM to not waste Jing - "overindulge in sexual activity", because excessive sexual activity drains our jing and in turn affets our health. What I learned was: You can still drain yourself if you engage in TOO MUCH sexual activity. But I always knew that the woman gave her yin to the man and the man gives his yang to the woman, why do you say the opposite? This is a very interesting information, I will look into it. Yes I also heard that it's the same.

The Christians . But they should not have ... they should have said it leads to hell and eternal damnation ! And that is without examining the whole historical concept and understanding of the term . I guess the Christina demonologists left that bit out ? Ya never know .... walking down the street one day and ..... Dr Wilson Van Dusen in his article 'Presence of spirits in madness ' observes that psychiatric patients that complain of possession or similar conditions are often previously 'normal people like me and you ' that have a strange event 'happen to them ' ... you need not have a history of 'psychosis' . and of course, as you hint, there a variety of other reasons to study as well .

Timeless awareness.

Daily Dao .

I always figured the collection of Yin from woman was a very deliberate action, and not something that happens on its own. There's a cultivation manual called "Yin Plucking Technique" that deals with this exactly. Ehhh, I wouldn't say masturbation is a loss of energy. If someone considers that a loss of energy, then they should really try to stop SLEEPING. Sleep takes more energy from a human than loss of sexual fluids ever will. I do find that preserving Jing, through certain ideas and disciplines works, but honestly preserving Jing should be one of the final steps someone does but I'm sure people will disagree with me. My opinion, my opinion. Most people who I see undergo discipline to accumulate Jing, don't do much better than burning out their meridians. It probably feels like progress, but you're really dooming yourself to a mortal existence if you think the preservation of Jing is important then you're setting yourself up for mundane failure. Sorry that was off topic. Sex is not an exchange of Energy, it is a pure gain. Men gain a large amount of Yang from the Women they sleep with. Women benefit immensely from losing their Yang while Men always benefit from more Yang. Overall, trying to gain Yin from sleeping with someone requires a specific technique, and is somewhat evil. Because Yin is like the bucket, Yang is the water in the bucket. If a Woman loses their Yin during lost, then that basically means that the amount of Yang they can provide is less forever (unless they somehow recover Yin). Yang recovers over time, just like how rain will fill the water in a bucket. But as far as I understand, no matter how much it rains, the bucket holding the water will never change. Hence it is fair to say that Yin does not recover on its own. Only Yang does. The loss of Yin is equivalent to your bucket getting smaller. Loss of Yang is water in the bucket being exhausted. I would argue that even same sex provides the same benefit, like straight sex would. A man can even pluck another mans yin through sex. I must reiterate though: there is serious loss when someone loses their Yin to another person, because it makes their bucket smaller forever. Of course one can collect Yin to make their bucket larger again. But imagine your bucket is full and it suddenly grows smaller. A lot of the water (Yang) is gonna pour out. This is why plucking Yin gives a man so much, as sex gives Yang, which often means someone needs more Yin (make the bucket larger) if they want to hold that Yang (water in the bucket) permanently. Most people who have sex don't do this, so the benefits are temporary. Meanwhile taking Yin from a Woman means they won't be able to provide as much Yang during sex, it's a seriously heavy and often permanent blow for a Woman to lose Yin. Because as far as I understand, its a lot easier for a Man to pluck Yin then it is for a Woman.

Who told you it leads nowhere? It is extremely rewarding field of self-cultivation. The demonology is very much like biology, but instead of studying elementals of life (animals and various "life" forms), it examines creatures from other worlds. Why do people train in martial arts and develop their bodies if they never plan to fight on the street? Security based on skill and ability, rather than chance or luck, is a key reason. Also, it improves your health, well-being and productivity in life. I know of many cases where people were parasitized and victimized by otherworldly entities (demons) without even realizing it was happening. It is easy to fall into a trap and have your entire life consumed or drained by entities, without the host ever becoming aware of it. The consequences of being "eaten" may not be as dramatic as depicted in movies but can be as common as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, fatigue, and an inability to think clearly or enjoy life. If you cannot resist and protect your energy and mind from external influences, you will inevitably become prey. Remember the scene in The Matrix where humans are kept in capsules and their energy is siphoned off by another civilization?

MAY 10TH is the 1,229th Birthday of Taoist Immortal (saint) Lu Tung Pin, the de facto leader of the 8 Taoist Immortals of Chinese religion, folklore, and culture. Celebrate this anniversary by learning Lu Tung Pin's Taoist Elixir Method ("Tao Tan Pai") 31 Basic Meditations System from Master Terry Dunn at this special 14-hour workshop on May 8, 9, and 10, at Tao Retreat (Han Chinese Culture Estate), 33 Tao Road, Catskill, NY 12414 Hello to Flying Phoenix Qigong Practioners and practioners of all ancient authentic ancient systems of Qigong, Energy Healing, and Internal Energy Martial arts. From May 8 to 10th, I will be teaching a 3-day, 14-hour immersive residential workshop in: A. Tao Tan Pai (“Taoist Elixir Method“) Basic 31 Meditations; B. The 10 "Shen" Exercises of Tao Tan Pai (A rare, truly spiritual Qigong subsystem that develops psychic intuition); C. Tao Tan Pai 5 Animal Kung Fu forms—Monkey, Crane, Snake, Dragon, and Tiger (For intermediate and advanced students: This workshop is in celebration of the 1,229th birthday of the Taoist Immortal (saint) Lu Tung Pin, the founder and patron saint of the Tao Tan Pai Kung Fu, aka the Golden Elixir School, and the author of "The Secret of the Golden Flower", a seminal Tang Dynasty text on Taoist Alchemic Yoga (neidan). Tao Tan Pai is a martial, yogic, healing, and spiritual tradition that has been impeccably preserved across 24 generations and gave rise to the Quan Zhen ("Complete Realization" or "Totally True") sect, one of the two most important movements in the history of Taoism and Chinese culture. The Tao Tan Pai 31 Basic Meditations (“TTP-31”) is an authentic and intact ancient Taoist system of moving meditation and breath control—invented in the Tang Dynasty by Taoist Immortal (saint) Lu Tung Pin—that imparts good health, strong vitality and personal empowerment—by coordinating eyes, mind, movement, and breath according to an ancient alchemic formula that opens the heart, clears and focuses the mind and profoundly strengthens the body. Regular practice of the TTP-31 series imparts a wide range of verifiable health benefits: improved circulation, respiratory power, metabolism, posture, bone strength, immunity, flexibility, agility, coordination, sound-regular sleep, higher energy levels, and profoundly increased resilience to stress and trauma. Because the TTP-31 Basic Meditation Series empowers Tao Tan Pai Kung Fu and the TTP Healing Arts (acupressure, energy healing, and herbology) to supernormal levels of efficacy, it is the perfect energizing warmup and supplement for any sports or athletic activity, in addition to martial arts. This video shows what 8 of the TTP-31 Basic Meditations look like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKGt3C4cQfk&list=PLLnoZ9AAmn666z33oSXe9b7ZGWlf1PP35 <•> In addition to the TTP-31 Series and Tao Tan Pai 5 Animal Kung fu forms, during the last 4 sessions of the workshop (on Saturday and Sunday), I will also teach the Ten "Shen" Exercises, which is the next level of Tao Tan Pai Nei Gong that follows the TTP-31. The "Shen" Exercises, which I have never taught before in a workshop setting (only privately over the past 40 years) is a system of 6 standing postures and 4 sedate seated meditations that specifically cultivates one's "Shen" Energy (Qi). which my favorite TTP senior classmate called, "the pure speculative aspect of action." Building upon the vibrant health, integrated strength, and structural sensitivity conditioned by the TTP-31 Basic Meditations, the "Shen" Exercise System further integrates mind and body through calm and stillness and develops deeper jhanic absorption that simutaneously develops: (A) the physiological capacity to literally see all forms of energy that are not seen in the consensus reality (e.g., any person's past incarnations) and (B) psychic intuition, the ability to know in granular detail spatially distant events hitherto unknown in the past, in the present, and in the future. • The Tao Tan Basic 31 Meditations Series utilizes an esoteric yogic methodology that is completely different from that used in Flying Phoenix Qigong. The Tao Tan Pai tradition and Flying Phoenix Qigong's encompassing Ehrmei Mtn. White Tiger tradition have very different origins, are historically unrelated and utilize different cosmologies. They are different as night and day in terms of all three essential factors that determine any Qigong system: (1) "Xing" (Shape-form-posture(s) of the body), (2) "Yi" (mental focus and visualization); (3) "Chi" or "Qi" -- esoteric breathing method. Yet the TTP-31 serves as a superb foundational catalyst that deepens, enhances and prolongs all of the verifiable healing effects of the Flying Phoenix Qigong. Because I am the sole living preserver of Ehrmei Mountain Flying Phoenix Qigong and I also happened to have learned the entire Tao Tan Pai Kung Fu and Neigong system for the 15 years prior to meeting Grandmaster Doo Wai in 1991, there is no other person on earth who can teach you how to practice the Tai Tan Pai Qigong arts to further activate the healing and restorative effects of Flying Phoenix Qigong. (See the attached testimonials by workshop veterans Tony Arcuri and Spencer Lawrence after their first experience of TTP-31 Qigong followed by Flying Phoenix Qigong, and letter of reference by Dr. Emil Mondoa.) • Complete details about this workshop's content--as well info about the beautiful Tao Retreat Center in Catskill, NY (including pics of its wonderful Szechuan food all made with home vegetables)-- are on this issue of my monthly Newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/terencedunn/p/on-may-10th-celebrate-lu-tung-pins?r=5i7g9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false or find at: terencedunn.stack.com I hope to see you in person in Catskill or on Zoom! Please contact me here if you have any questions. mitakuye oyasin, (Lakota greeting and prayer that means “All are related,” “To all my relations,” and “Help and health to all my brothers and sisters.”) Sifu Terry Dunn P.S. No.1 TTP-31 Qigong Workshop Schedule 7 two-hour sessions at these times (EST): Thursday: 3pm - 5pm; 7:30pm - 9:30pm EST Friday: 10am - noon; 2:30pm - 4:30pm; 7:30pm - 9:30pm EST Saturday: 10am - noon; 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST TUITION $450 early registration extended all the way to May 7—or $65 per each 2-hour session. $525 day of workshop—or $75 for each of the seven 2-hour sessions • ZOOM PARTICIPATION: $60 per 2-hour session or $385 for all 7 sessions. (Zoom log-on links will be emailed to registrants the day before the workshop begins) • Please send payment via Paypal (to [email protected] or scan the QR code above) or send payment via Zelle (to [email protected]). Postscript #2: Reviews by two long-term FP Qigong Practitioners of the Tao Tan Pai 31 Meditations System's impact and influence their Flying Phoenix experience: 2 Reviews of “Qigong For Health For First Responders” class by Master Terence Dunn on March 29, 2020 (one hour of TTP Basic 31 Meditations + one hour of Flying Phoenix Qigong) I felt a surge of tangible sensations coursing through my entire body, streams of subtle vibrations and tingling with a particular focus in the chest and head areas. Unlike the typical calming, relaxing, and sometimes sedative effects that I usually experience from Flying Phoenix Qigong practice, this pattern of energy was more invigorating, enlivening, and longer-lasting. I was alert and full of energy with an underlying sense of ease and contentment. Its effects were still mildly present three hours after the practice session ended, and most surprisingly, after a heavy meal, something I haven&#39;t quite experienced before even having attended a dozen intensive workshops. Although we only practiced basic exercises from each system, my experience mimicked ones I’ve had practicing advanced meditations of Tao Tan Pai Qigong and Flying Phoenix Qigong separately in longer sessions. I can only attribute these effects to the thoughtful, specific, and unique combination of TTP and FP that was offered by Master Terry Dunn. --Spencer Lawrence, Jersey City, NJ I’ve studied with Sifu Terry Dunn for 5 1/2 years at Eastover and any place else I could get the chance. The major focus of that study had been Flying Phoenix Qigong and related Bak Fu Pai arts. I’ve taken a couple of workshops in Tao Tan Pai but never gave it any thought, devotion or practice. Recently I’ve partaken in Sifu Dunn’s Sunday class “Tao Tan Pai + Flying Phoenix Qigong for Peak Immunity...” It consists of one hour of Tao Tan Pai followed another hour of Flying Phoenix. For the last 12 weeks I’ve faithfully practiced TTP daily with profound results. My lung capacity has greatly increased; my inhalation and exhalation are longer and deeper now (something useful In this time of pandemic). I’ve noticed, too, that my heart rate has slowed down by 5 beats per minute. As to the synergistic relationship of these two seemingly unrelated disciplines, I’ll mention a few. Tao Tan Pai is the perfect warmup for Flying Phoenix Qigong. It loosens both the body and mind. It deepens the relaxation response putting one in an altered state much sooner. This state of relaxation is so deep that by the end of Sunday’s class I can barely keep my eyes open. This is especially true of the Monk Serves Wine series of exercises. My personal practice will forevermore start with TTP and end with Flying Phoenix. --Tony Arcuri, Queens, NY Postscript #3: Observations by Dr. Emil Mondoa of the differences between Flying Phoenix Qigong and Tao Tan Pai 31 Meditations Qigong. June 22, 2022 To Whom It May Concern Terence Dunn is an Ivy League-educated American who has dedicated his life to preserving and teaching ancient Chinese internal martial arts and yogas. Forsaking the corporate path, he has become something of a monk without a monastery. He has a special gift to bestow the public. I on the other hand am no monk and am a practicing physician who met Terry about 30 years ago before the internet age. At that time, I had completed a busy residency and was pursuing an MBA at the University of Pennsylvania while working full time and caring for a premature baby, our first daughter. Needless to say, it was a challenging period and I was under enormous stress. I was looking for something to manage my stress which was not a benzodiazepine or alcohol. That is when a detailed flyer came in the mail (quaint now) about something called “Flying Phoenix Heavenly Chi Meditations.” After a little thought, I ordered the complete set of 3 VHS tapes from Mr Dunn and was off to an interesting adventure. I figured doing a few exercises could not be worse than going on anti-anxiety pills. His teaching method was simple, direct and clear and after learning some basic very slow movements, stationary postures and breath sequences it was possible to follow along with eyes closed. It worked! From the very first day, I experienced a relaxed calm for which I had no other explanation. For about 18 months after that, I practiced at least 15 minutes every single day and over time, that relaxed calm evolved into a pleasant buttery, honey-warm glow that pervaded my entire body and mind and lasted all day. As a trained physician, I considered explanations. It had to be endorphins, I thought. After all, it seemed to get rid of pain. Taoist and Buddhist practitioners in China must have encountered a practice that floods the body with endorphins and elevates the sense of well-being. The fact is, I have no proven western scientific explanation and traditional chi theory is a parallel world view. It is 30 years later, and I still practice. Not as consistently as before, but I practice. I have introduced the practice to dozens of friends and relatives but no one wants to invest 20-30 minutes a day to slow movement and breathing. They give up without even trying. Perhaps a culturally familiar explanation would help. In traditional Chinese medicine, these kinds of practices are considered medicinal. In my personal experience, they are medicinal but not in terms that current science understands or to which western culture is comfortable. Until that translation is made, many people would continue to miss out on what in my opinion is the greatest gift from ancient China. In addition to Flying Phoenix, Master Terence introduced me more recently to Tao Tan Pai, a totally different system of chi kung (qigong). If Flying Phoenix embraces your being in a sweet warm, healing maternal embrace (without somnolence), the feeling after Tao Tan Pai is an enhancement in executive function, focus and athletic ability. I came across literature that suggests that if athletes actively visualize their forms, it improves their performance over and above physical training alone. Tao Tan Pai seems to be operating on that principle at an advanced level and provides a reward that is qualitatively different but no less astounding from Flying Phoenix. Again, it would help if these subjective experiences could be further studied and made accessible. Right now it is available but not accessible mostly for cultural reasons. Sincerely yours, Emil I Mondoa, M.D., M.B.A. [email protected]

It's been a deliberate pattern since the first posts here. This awareness seemingly compulsively exemplifies a shallowness of character in a desire to lash out and a nigh on complete lack of sincerity in communication. I honor your desire to engage them and attempt to 'lighten' their laden load.

A relationship is an exchange. Exchange of words, ideas, pleasantries, etc. Rewards in exchange for service defines a specific type of relationship. Some ask God for things and expect everything for free. As if religion were an offshoot of socialism with free education, free healthcare and free lunch. If the relationship was a fair and balanced one, should God not also ask things of people expecting the cost of wages & labor to be free.