Fa Xin

Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing! I can't say I've ever seen this technique done before... (video should start at 13:35)

Some thoughts that may or may not help... * It may not be the ZZ that's causing the pain - especially because you say the pain is less severe while standing. Think about how you relax and correct your posture during ZZ practice - do you do this during your day while sitting at a computer? Computer stuff is notorious for wrecking posture and the thoracic spine... many people deal with kyphosis and pain because of it. Doesn't matter if you do physical activity for 1 hour a day, if your sitting habits are 40 hours a week... the bad outweighs the good. My recommendation is to incorporate some basic yoga stretches for the back and shoulders, as well as perhaps a foam roller. It's hard to gauge your standing without being in person, but if you have any tai chi teachers close by, think about emailing them and setting up a 1 hour session for them to critique your posture. ZZ and alignments are kind of Tai Chi's thing, and they would be able to help you with it.

Hello, welkin, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Hi Welkin, Welcome. Thanks for the intro, it was nice to read your story. I don't have too many answers, but I can share my thoughts. I would follow your instincts and let the path unfold for you. It seems your being drawn to the spiritual side of stuff for some reason, and it's lead you this far. If you do get into healing, just make sure it is for the other person's sake and not your own (a common trap to fall into). I hope you enjoy! You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Powerful book, stories from the oral tradition of the Bride and Jesus. Read it a few times. I highly recommend it. Only a chapter into this but so far it’s decent....

TTC is beautiful because it can have many interpretations at many levels.

The eye of Sauron

Lol. Alright then....

The people who made and maintain the site seem to disagree with you.

Know the white, yet keep the black. Or as you say, "she is present, and can welcome all things."

Who is to be the judge and jury of that? Dangerous practices? By whose standards? See the issue? And anyone is very welcome to comment about how a practice is dangerous. But going at them personally is where the rules have to be enforced.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I still see you sharing valuable info and interesting experiences. Isn't that what it's all about? A forum of this size, with such subjective topics... is bound to have issues pop up. Whether we choose to focus on such issues, or focus on the valuable info and interesting experiences - is ultimately up to the individual and how they spend their time.

Lol. Does the Dao exclude things now?

Some people live in it, others visit. The house changes superficially but the foundation stays the same.

Members come and go, but TheDaoBums remains.

Hello, 茶rlie, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Hi Charlie, Welcome. I'll take a stab at your questions, but I'm sure more knowledgeable people will be along shortly: 1. Taoism is found in your heart, doesn't matter what nationality or race you are. 2. I would say that is enough, and yes the diet stuff is optional. Again, Taoism is more inside of you. 3. I think signing up here is a great way to interact with the teachings. I've learned a lot from the forum here. I hope you enjoy! You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Hello, gatsu, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Hi gatsu, Welcome. TDB is becoming a great resource for ZZ, thanks to a few dedicated practitioners who log and share passionately. I hope you can join in and share your experiences too. Enjoy! You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Hello, mikerecords, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Hi Mike, Welcome. Nice training you've had there. I hope the forum helps you to deepen your studies. Enjoy You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Looks like an astronaut dog

I've always enjoyed the term "cultivation", though I don't much use it in my lexicon. It says to me, "I'm working at something, but it is never really finished."

I do see your point... how else can we verify someone's claims? My answer to that would be, examine why you want to verify it?

For me, cultivation is returning to the present moment, returning to presence. It never ends, I always have to remember to return. Each moment brings its own set of distractions, and I have to find my way back - though I never really went anywhere.

This guy is my favorite. And he has students. Would love to cross hands with him honestly... maybe he'd kick my butt with his strange style. Vodka Fu

Semantics get tricky, but you do have a point worthy of consideration. When someone says they don’t believe in God - I always tell them that is still a belief.

Hello, Goldenbell, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Hi Goldenbell, Welcome. We definitely have members here who can help. Please reach out if you need. Enjoy the forum. You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Hello, Kang Wei, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Hi Kang Wei, Welcome. We do both here, I think you will enjoy it! You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin