orb

I didn't know that I thought it was more secretive, I guess the Eastern Orthodox Church doesn't have to tow the line to the Vatican which allows genuine religion to remain active in some places. It would be interesting to study the benefit such Christian practises have to see if they compare to things like Qigong and Buddhist methods, I know scientists have done some studies on the monks of Mount Athos and they found that the monks had great levels of health and almost no cancer, but they put it down to diet rather than the purification exercises they do.

 

There are some similarities to Taoist methods in some of their practises so I wonder if it all originates from the same source, for example some of the monks were nicknamed "navel gazers" which suggests they do some meditation method with the dan tien, plus some of the prayer postures look a bit like Zhan Zhuang but they usually repeat a mantra like "lord have mercy" while doing them.

IMO it doesn't matter what are you saying there during the meditation, it's mostly to dedicate yourself to the specific exercise and to push it to very high records without damaging yourself (I'm refering to the idea of super efforts of course). One big difference between the Taoist and the Eastern Orthodox practices is that although often a dedicated hesychast would achieve an extraordinary ability - let's say one-touch healing, levitation etc... - it was often disregarded from the start and the mental focus was on "Jesus" or "God" whatever form his knowledge might take achieved through this constant 24/7 prayer(or mantra if I may) and a lot of fasting and solitude - while the taoists seem to have taken these abilities and explore them to the max and develop them into a science. Tibetan monks actually have very similar type of approach but they might take it further to a total distruction of the body while in Christianity - that would be considered a big sin.

Yeah I have been researching recently about branches of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and the practises of the Desert Fathers like Hesychasm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm which has similarities to Buddhism where the monks enter solitude and do a number of psychosomatic exercises such as repeating Christian mantras like the Jesus Prayer while maintaining "watchfulness", with the aim of bringing your mind out of your senses into your heart, which can result with an experience of "uncreated light" which they identify with the holy spirit.

 

The text which explains a lot of this approach is the Philokalia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philokalia . Although this form of inner Christianity which can lead to real inner development isn't lost as it has been preserved in Mount Athos for hundreds of years it isn't that publicly well known.

It's actually quite a mainstream practice in the Orthodox Monasteries in Romania, Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria. I think all the Orthodox priests have to study Philokalia and in Eastern Europe you can find them in any public Library it is part of their religion. What is interesting is that when they say the prayer of the heart - they associate it with a breathing exercise. They do the same with their prostrations which is very similar to some buddhist/yoga/mantra practices....

Thanks for responses guys,

 

I agree, it is bullshit... for a start before you can change anything about the world you live in you have to be able to see it for what it is right here right now.

 

And yep if you have misfortune accept it, otherwise you aint really here..

 

All the radical spiritual dudes who made changes did so from a state of surrender.

 

Oh and also she says there is no point in stopping thoughts.. well who the heck teaches stopping thoughts?? no one we observe them and see them for what they are.

 

Cheers,

Ed

I totally agree and also think that she has a nice rack.

What somebody did or didn't do - or said or didn't say 2000 years ago has nothing to do with making decisions this moment in the now. It's all irrelevant.

Your qigong practice is based on what people said 2000 years ago.

This has been online since 2009 but I can't seem to find any English translation, which is strange

the paperback ver

Codex Sinaiticus: The H. T. Anderson New Testament

The stone is sulfur which is normally poisonous but when it's processed the right way, it becomes a very powerful antioxidant. Already processed sulfur can be found in plants like black garlic, but it's usually poisonous because of sulfur in it.

Have you actually done it or just read about it?

For a spiritual forum there appears to be quite a few bruised I's and egos over such simple comments. Cool stuff.

It's a process of elimination. That's what makes this site better then others. Keeping it real. Tell me who u really are and tell me how u really feel and keep the "namaste" and "kumbaya" to yourself.

Hey all,

 

So I think I'm starting to see a "link" in meditation, energy and health. So i'm going to post some ideas and i'm just curious on people's thoughts.

 

1.) I've heard that the chakras all correlate with the endocrine glands. Has anyone heard about this? For example the throat chakra would be th thyroid, brow would be pituitary, heart - thymus, sacral - adrenals, etc etc.

 

 

I strongly believe that the idea of chakras mostly relate to the endocrine system and the colors associated to them represent the vibration level of each of the glands and the correlation between them - kinda like the musical notes.

The endocrine system is the source of all our internal states and different glands influence our states by injecting its chemical substances (or hormones) into our bloodstream in order to be carried to a specific target. Those substances are very powerful and very different from each other so one can get you angry another one can get you scared or sad or happy etc... (they also can be combined and get some amazing twists - for example a certain combination could make you very smart...)

I believe that the old yogis knew this system in great detail and the great masters could control it mentally or with substances (i.e. hallucinogens) and that's how they would get the desired state - let's say bliss or compassion etc....

In time the understanding behind it kinda washed off and today we are just left with a vague and childish representation of the ancient science.

All these flowerlike representation of the chakras that we see in ashrams and yoga studios - they are just diagrams that we lost their meaning.

It's interesting that in our days if you follow certain yoga traditions you can still learn how to control those functions but without really understanding what are you doing.

So the best thing that can happen to a hard working yogi could be smth like a "stupid saint" - you got the power and you can use it - but in reality you have no clue how it works.(one example would be the mantra practice for different chakras - the theory of vibration behind it is very hard to comprehend so you just repeat the mantra until if finally works

...only the ignorant and inconsiderate believe it's SOMEONE ELSES PERSONAL PROBLEM.

All right here's my advice to you - I see u live in TX which is far away from the racist Hawaiian terrorists and their s vicious dogs so let them be on their island let that be their problem - I am sure they r not going to come after u in TX - so half of the problem is gone.

Now the vicious dogs from around your house maybe u should try this - Give them some snacks. I know they are horrible animals and would love to do you a lot of harm, but if you control your anger and give them a good treat you might become their friend.

And seriously you should let it go man, the whole thing - the dogs and people's ignorance aren't u tired of this?

Here on the taobums we are your friends.

What the hell...

 

I can't believe this guy has been talking about vicious dog breeds for more than one post. What a ridiculous subject to keep going on about.

 

But I guess if vicious dogs are actually attacking him over 20 times a week, then his feelings are justified. I can't even imagine that happening to anyone!

LOL I think my cat shares the same feelings I guess I could make him an account of TTB

anybody here ever thought that different people "naturally" breath in a different way then you do? Just like different people have different body postures that they "prefer" throughout the day, the same way there are quite a few different "natural" ways of breathing possible and it's not that one is more correct or anything like that.

This is so delightful reading this book! i'm in the middle of it! A moving account of a sincere being. Will be back with feedback once i finish reading it!!

 

And for those that ask about the (most essential) Yin part of Mo Pai:

this is (as far as my feeling goes) NOT the "yin chi" of chi-gong.

It is rather what the peoples from my family call--

The Enrgy Body.

 

The energy body joins the energy field of the everyday body through the Pirineum. In our tradition we say that a lifetime achievement is when a practitioner succeeds to join the Energy Body and its Twin (the everyday body) as a SINGLE UNIT. When this is done a man becomes a SEER--sees energy as it directly flows in the universe. The Energy Body is a field, an "environment" of sorts that vibrates differently from anything in the everyday world--even Time passes differently in this field. They told us for decades that once this Energy Twin of us is accessed and surfaces in the everyday world anything is possible--this field becomes a vehicule/environment for forces to be projected, will and intent to be applied in a non-linear way that defies the rules of the solid world.

Those Seers told us that since this Energy Body (think MoPai Yin, not chigong yin) vibrates with a different rate than the energy field of the everyday world and body (think Yang) then something as a current/draft can be created when compressing or mixing these two together, the way when two rooms with different air pressures/temperatures create current of air when joined through opening a door in the middle.

Those Seers say that when they see the totality of man as pure energy they see the energy field of the ordinary body as a sphere and then the energy field of the Energy Body Twin BELOW it as another sphere, starting from the middle of the body down. Those two spheres are compressed togethr to form an oval unit, however...everyday man rarely, or never, accesses the lower sphere (energy body) consciously, let alone to compress it with the field of the everyday body as a single, conscious unit.

In sleep, extreme events however, when the inner chatter is shut and the "world stops" then there is a space for the energy body to surface sometimes and some out of ordinary deeds are performed beyond the understanding of the experiencer... What keeps the energy body at bay are several factors, one of which is the fact that all of the energy man has is spent on selfconcern-related worries and inner chatter dialogue. The moment this dialogue is suspended, the moment the vibrations of the Energy Body suddenly can find 'space' and be felt. It is enough to think all the time and not breathe to never ever feel ANY vibratory feeling of the energy body.

The seers say that when the two bodies join (and some of you have felt this already!) there is a third force that IMMEDIATELY kicks inbetween them: the vibratory force of Intent. Intent is a conscious abstract force that pervades everything through the universe into Infinity, some call it God... When we overcome our endless being consumed by "me" and our two energy bodies join together in a single unit, then our individual intent starts to merge with Gods intent and we become players and actors of the impulses of Infinity, fulfilling its designs (instead of turning in endless routine day after day). There are forces that have rendered us sedate and docile and peevish, ever divided, and this state keeps the two bodies at bay unable to merge. The two bodies merge through a window of the pirineum, a window of critical ammount of inner silence/breath, etc...

I'm only very very excite to share this (though some may be familiar with those Seers' views and practices) because nothing in the world comes as close to those Seers practices & views as Nei Gong. Now i understand why this seer woman was talking to us some 20 years ago about Nei Gong (and she didn't just mean "something eastern chi-gongish-like). Anyways talk to you laters friends, will be happy to share feedback from the book once i have finished reading!

 

Do you mind sharing with us the kind of practice that you follow?

Thank you.

Having lived there for a year (in Wailea near Hakalau), my conclusion is that not only are there no good teachers, there are few mediocre teachers. I journied the whole Island. Shopped in Kona once a week, and often bused into Hilo, even though I had a 4x4. Have friends in Hilo, Pahoa and Papaya Farms area.

 

Surprisingly, Hawaii, especially the Big Island, is the most racist State (against Whites) in America. Non-White Hawaiians claim to be "breathers", whereas all Whites are Haole's (HOW-Le's). Hawaiian children are taught from birth to hate Whites. The Hawaiian King, Majesty (HRM) Akahi Nui, propaganda web site spews so much hate against Whites that it is sickening. http://www.freehawaii.org/cease.html

 

Hate crimes in Hawaii, although mostly swept under the rug to protect the bullies of the haoles (white people), is a very extensive problem in Hawaii. Assaults without provocation is common, especially towards White campers and hikers. It is advisable to stay in tourist areas.

 

In fact, hate crimes against whites are so prolific that the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai`i (VASH) was created to provide supportive and caring services to visitors who have experienced a medical emergency, have been victimized by crime, or have suffered another adverse incident while vacationing.

 

Anti-white hate crimes are rampant in Hawaii, and largely under-reported. This under reporting does not do a service to the State of hawai'i as a whole. Be extremely careful on isolated beaches,...try to go with four or more people, and camp with no less than 10.

 

Interestingly, Hawaii also has the highest ownership of vicious dog breeds in America. Thus it is wise to carry pepper spay with you at all times.

 

One more caution,...do not bring children to Hawaii for any lengthy stay. Hawaii public schools are breeding grounds for hate against whites. They even celebrate a Kill Haole Day.

 

While on buses or at business, be very courteous to Hawaiians,...don't engage in any conversation with them,...don't pick up Hawaiian hitch-hikers, and don't except a ride from an Hawaiian. You can not "fix" the deeply engrained hated,...even if got to be a token white dude, Hawaiians are fully unpredicable, and among their own, will turn on you, no matter how much of a compadre you may think you are.

 

I've been to 7 coutries and 48 of the US States,...Hawaii is by far the most hateful and dangerous. I've lived on both the Big Island and Kaua'i,...Kaua'i is a bit less hateful. If you have to live in Hawaii, try Maui,...it has the highest concentations of non-Hawaiians.

 

Please keep in mind that I'm a supporter of most Liberty movements, like the Zapatista's in Chiapas, or the Tibetans. The Free Hawaii movement is quite different,...besides being fully hate based, their's is not a cultural thing, but they want to reestablish their 1848 Constitution,...that is, to live under the Laws of Jehovah, as directed by the Hawaiian King.

 

If it wasn't for the Japanese control of the Hawiian economy, things would be really bad.

WTF, this is disturbing man. I've been about 3 times on Oahu and Maui and didn't see anything like you are discribing.

I've never been on the Big Island but I was planning to go there very soon.

I know they have good BJJ and Silat, but supposedly Taiji is garbage and some Kung-fu monkey style for kids.

Did anything ever happen to you personally - or these are just stories that you heard? I know they hate whites but I've never heard anything about crimes.

Anybody else knows anything like that about the Big Island?

edit

This is an account of when Gurdjieff met the Sufi master Ekim Bey

 

- G.I. Gurdjieff - Meetings With Remarkable Men - p.188

You know what's the most interesting part? Although this message is very clear and has been put out long time for a reason nobody understands it. There are all these idiots out there that are convinced that their book or their teacher actually "knows" about breathing and they keep doing it. Only much later they get very sick and they never make the connection to how and why it happened.

Anybody have any Taoist or nonTaoist hair growth recipes? I was born with a ton of hair - but the temples have receded and over all my hair is not as thick as my teens. Luckily I can still hide my temples and nobody notices. So anybody have any suggestions on keeping my or regrowing my hair?

The only method that works is the following - basically you have to die and then (assuming that you have already built a soul) you reincarnate in a different body type than the one that you are in right now. Some body types keep a strong thick hair all their lives - but keep in mind that they have their own issues that they have to face which can be even worse.

Other methods are - you just shave your head to keep it even and get a nice hat.

or - make a lot of money.

or - develop a gigantic penis <- this one might even be more impossible then the first method.

I think that covers most of your options.

Anybody have any Taoist or nonTaoist hair growth recipes? I was born with a ton of hair - but the temples have receded and over all my hair is not as thick as my teens. Luckily I can still hide my temples and nobody notices. So anybody have any suggestions on keeping my or regrowing my hair?

The only method that works is the following - basically you have to die and then (assuming that you have already built a soul) you reincarnate in a different body type than the one that you are in right now. Some body types keep a strong thick hair all their lives - but keep in mind that they have their own issues that they have to face which can be even worse.

Other methods are - you just shave your head to keep it even and get a nice hat.

or - make a lot of money.

or - develop a gigantic penis <- this one might even be more impossible then the first method.

I think that covers most of your options.

good comeback, girl

Do you see yourself saying any of this?

Thanks for the vid. The whole Tibet issue may end up having very bad consequences for the rest of the world because in a sense the non violent approach to oppression is an experiment which at the moment looks like it has failed, so it looks like non violence doesn't work which is a sad state of affairs for the world in general and for future conflicts. Things seem to be becoming more violent now with thirteen self immolations in just one year and it could be that when the Dalai Lama dies that things will become more and more violent although there is more time.

This is not a new experiment it's an eternally reoccurring drama of humanity. It's been done before thousands of times. Jesus and Gandhi did they same thing and they both failed but that's the nature of their sacrifice. Prophet Muhammad tried a different approach and still failed. Buddha was the "wise" one and failed as well. Moses wasn't too happy either when he had to leave. All the religions failed so far. The success is for the most part individual . I'm sure Jesus and Buddha and Muhammad are doing just fine wherever they are compared to the rest of the alerted souls...

I have 17 of his DVD's so far and all 4 books (his book "The Essence of Taichi" is only a cut-down version of his book "Taichi Classics").

 

He teaches temple style taichi....which is supposedly the original form of taichi that was taught by Lao Tzu, of which the family styles (like chen or yang taichi) are branched off.

 

Edit: You can order his DVD's and his books directly from his homepage:

http://taichitaocenter.com/

Did you have any success with his books/DVDs so far?

Do you believe it's possible to learn it from his DVDs without having to learn it directly from him?

Or better said - could you elaborate a little bit on your personal practice?

The reason I'm asking is because I spend a lot of money on things like that (DVDs/books/seminars etc) and I would like to avoid it if it doesn't work.

Thank you.

Orb,

 

Where do you live?

 

What are you looking for with this system? The answer to that question will help with the DVD selection.

I live in VA and I'm getting old and wanna learn Taichi.

When I was young (15-17) I practiced the Yang style for like 2 years. We used to practice just one move for a week or more and also practice started with 5 min and extended up to an hour of low (shaolin style) ma-bu stance.

We got to do push hands only after 1 year of practice and only if you were lucky enough for the teacher to pay attention to you. But that teacher moved to a different country and then I moved to the other side of the planet and that was that.

Recently I went to a Chen style Taichi seminar with some famous chinese dude in NC and it was good (the guy definitely knows his Taichi) but - at the same time I didn't learn enough for me to practice alone.

and in 3 days we covered the short 18 form version and the long version (I forget how many forms in that one)

and push hands and most of us were beginners. So....needless to say basically a big clusterfuck.

The problem is - I am still going to learn Taichi one way or another, it's just not clear to me from where or from who.

Those guys from NC are at 4 hrs distance from me .

So I'm trying to learn from DVDs and so far I hate it.

So I'm just looking at other styles and methods of studying it... I am not interested in the Yang style anymore(nothing against it - but since I've done it in the past I want smth different).

So that's my situation in a few words.

I'm just curious if anybody met him in person also has anybody purchased his DVDs?

Oh also - which Taichi style does he practice/teach?

Thank you.

This Lao Tzu is not that Lao Tzu

Why not?

Actually Chunyi Lin says Lao Tzu touched his head.

Wait Lao Tzu... why did you touch Chunyi Lin's head?