moment

- "I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be." --  Douglas Adams

Kites harness the force of the wind. They express our intent, But they cannot change the wind.

                            365 Tao, Deng Ming-Dao

5 hours ago, Daemon said:

@moment 

 

You've misunderstood the dynamic between me and my friend @Marblehead. As far as I'm concerned, we didn't need to reconcile because there wasn't any falling-out.

Whatever, I enjoyed it.

On 3/22/2018 at 12:24 PM, Marblehead said:

Fair.  I always try to speak directly to the person I am having a discussion with.  But then, I understand that if we are going to speak we should keep in mind that whatever response we make may be helpful to someone who is not a part of the discussion.

 

 

 

I must say, I was encouraged following this thread.  You guys reconciled well together.

17 hours ago, tadmonk said:

Hey,

 

i would like to ask for advices about my spiritual journey (18 years old currently).

 

In past i've been living crazy life - smoking cigarettes/weed, drinking alcohols, masturbating daily -> my life was slowly getting out of balance and i began feeling low and unconfident, i was stressing a lot so i was hit by several diseases - stomach, skin, hair loss.

 

At one point in my life i did not know what to do, i knew i could not continue the way, i was stressing too much about my hair and i just could not enjoy life anymore.

 

Then i started researching internet for advices about hair loss, i've found lot of information about healthy diet, excessive masturbation and so on. (that pointed me to the right direction, so i stopped smoking as i wanted to heal my body)

 

My journey has began, i've started eating healthy, i was trying to not masturbate daily and it got to one point where i was meditating 20 minutes a day, feeling great, eating healthy, exercising and i was just feeling good.

 

I've also realized, that my hair loss was actually good, because it has pointed me into the right direction and i do not want to know where would i end without it.

 

For past 7 months, i did not masturbate and ejaculate at all, but i've had at least 2 nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) a month, usually each 14 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have been working the extremes. There is a much better middle road.  Relax more, worry less.  At eighteen years old, losing semen as much as once a week makes no difference in your development at all.  Maybe after five or ten years of consistent/productive awareness and energy work it might be something to look into. Getting rid of the alcohol,cigarettes, pot was a major good move though.

If a teacher is advocating sexual practices or restraints, early on in their particular discipline, you should probably view them with an open but cautious mind.  I would recommend finding a local very reputable Tai Chi teacher.  If you can learn a system well, under the personal direction of a good teacher, it will change your life, for the good, forever.  The key to everything is focused, RELAXED, attention.

the tyranny of politics

On 3/13/2018 at 1:39 PM, Starjumper said:

 

Anyone here ever heard of tai chi?  I heard about tai chi once,  that it is a good kind of meditation.  Some say it's kind of like a walking meditation, only it's better than 'just' walking.  Some say it is calming and soothing and can help eliminate stress.

I just got a personal message from tryingtodobetter.  He says no. No Tai Chi.. What do you recommend for a newbie with no teacher who needs results in the near term?  Something that can be built upon.  I know Yang and Wu.  I am sure that you have some ideas.

On 3/10/2018 at 3:52 PM, Tryingtodobetter said:

 

The Hakuin's oil melt resonates with me more, is it similar to "the butter meditation"? 

 

I had a barefoot walk today and felt more relaxed, though the energy seemed to become "heady" again shortly after putting my shoes on, I was only out for about half an hour today.

 

Yea, I quit using marijuana cold turkey about a month ago and recently gave up cigarettes.

 

Thank you 

Hey there!  Do you know any Tai Chi?

On 3/13/2018 at 1:39 PM, Starjumper said:

 

Anyone here ever heard of tai chi?  I heard about tai chi once,  that it is a good kind of meditation.  Some say it's kind of like a walking meditation, only it's better than 'just' walking.  Some say it is calming and soothing and can help eliminate stress.

Tai Chi is awesome. I love it! Not the best in the  in the short term though, if you have never done it before and you don't have a teacher.

Quick fixes here for what tryingtodobetter considered an emergency. My sense is that since he did not mention it, he did not know it. But, who knows? Lets check it out.

On 3/13/2018 at 1:39 PM, Starjumper said:

 

22 minutes ago, Marblehead said:

You are correct but I suggest that when we look out the window we will learn the feelings of our heart first hand from personal experience.

 

Thank you for being solid and consistent.

On 3/12/2018 at 4:13 PM, DSCB57 said:

Thank you for your support Moment. No problem regarding any questions - ask away! By the way, my comments did not refer to something imaginary regarding peoples' attitude toward me here. I was literally completely ignored, despite having made a considerable effort to contribute. Even the most supercilious or superficial comments from other members were acknowledged and answered with gusto. In fact, I only received a single pm, nothing more whatsoever. Let's see whether anyone aside from you responds to my last post and whether it actually changes anything. 

David

Happy trails!

David,

Hang in there and do what you do.  Worry less about what other people think.  I may check in now and then and ask you questions, if that is okay with you.

1 hour ago, 七星門 said:

"I have been and still am a seeker, but I have ceased to question stars and books; I have begun to listen to the teachings my blood whispers to me." 

 

Hermann Hesse

Thank you.  That really hits home for me.  I have never told anyone this before but, sometimes when I was doing vigorous moving meditations in the woods, I would stop for a minute and hear my blood whisper to me.  It was like generations before me and more were there.  Again, I thank you for reminding me.

On 3/10/2018 at 3:52 PM, Tryingtodobetter said:

 

The Hakuin's oil melt resonates with me more, is it similar to "the butter meditation"? 

 

I had a barefoot walk today and felt more relaxed, though the energy seemed to become "heady" again shortly after putting my shoes on, I was only out for about half an hour today.

 

Yea, I quit using marijuana cold turkey about a month ago and recently gave up cigarettes.

 

Thank you 

Yes, it is the butter meditation.

If concentration meditations are done before a certain level of a calm aware mind has been attained, a lot of crap is/can be kicked up that we are not ready for. Eventually, you will become very efficient, just pared down to a few techniques that work best.

Be well..

On 3/9/2018 at 8:16 AM, Tryingtodobetter said:

As of late I have been experiencing a lot of synchronicities, whether they be repeating numbers, overhearing certain phrases in others conversations that I perceive to apply to me or drawing parallels between far too much that I read and see with myself.

 

I have heard that this all may be part of what I have been manifesting for myself or attracting.

 

Years ago I began to practice a candle gazing meditation known as tratak, and while I was relatively dedicated to the practice, I think I proceeded too hastily and at a pace too fast for me. I only adhered to the practice for a few months, and didn't follow many of the safeguards expressed by the sites I visited describing it. There have been very brief periods over the last few years where I picked it up again, again with little precaution. The last time I did it, my reality seemed to be okay, though soon drastic changes began to happen. 

 

I began thinking that too much of my social media feed applied to me, I had difficulty ignoring the conversations of others and I noticed that the negative nightmarish(to put it lightly) changes in my reality were resultant of considering fictional musings of others far too much and my depressed mood at the time. I am sure that semi-regular marijuana use exacerbated all of this to a nightmarish extent.

 

I worked 30 days straight at my job while using marijuana off-and-on, and I felt like I was in hell at the time and my surroundings suddenly reflected that. I also felt like I was in heaven for a time and my surroundings reflected that.

 

I have since quit using marijuana and am currently taking medication, I arranged an appointment during my episode. Im also quitting cigarettes today for at least a month

 

If anyone reading this has any advice as to how I can smooth out this experience and return to some semblance of normality I would be extremely grateful.

 

So far I've been using positive affirmations and meditating on positivity occasionally. There have still been nightmarish "hiccups" in my reality that I would like to permanently go away.

 

I would really appreciate some help and I figured this was a place where my voice might get to reach the right person.  

First off, no more candle gazing, avoid it like the plague. Walking meditations  in the forest or nice parks is useful.  Start eliminating stresses.  Everything negative you are feeling is an artificially magnified condition.  You need to soothe yourself.  Do more of the things that relax and calm you.  Absolutely stay away from drugs or alcohol. Simplify. Keep in contact with the people who care about you.  I wish you well and you can contact me at any time.. 

22 hours ago, Rara said:

@moment Thanks. I did see your reply a while ago but it's taken some time to digest

Digestion is good!

Ok

On 2/10/2018 at 8:56 PM, Kinzard said:

That merely means, I do get what I work for but nothing more really. outpour of misfortune after misfortune are still evident. I have almost zero ability to live normally all I can do is do whatever is needed.

 

I seemed to have shared too much. This will only become a issue. It seems I need to speak less yet still.

You are all over the map.

On 2/10/2018 at 11:30 AM, Kinzard said:

Kinzard

Hmmmm

14 hours ago, Hugh Morris said:

Is there a particular resource you would recommend for studying the 13 postures and 13 principals?

 

Thank you.

What Liminal is saying is of course true.  A good in person class is better.  But, if that is lacking, go to youtube and search for 13 postures.  Get a feeling for what you are seeing in common and then try several until you get a good fit. Now, what I am giving you below may seem like a little much at first but, it will start helping you over time.

Good Hunting--moment

SONG OF THE THIRTEEN POSTURES

by Unknown Author 

The Thirteen Postures should not be taken lightly; 
the source of the postures is in the waist.

Be mindful of the interchange between insubstantial and substantial; 
The ch'i circulates throughout the body without hindrance.

Be still, 
when touched by the opponent, 
be tranquil and move in stillness; 
changes caused by my opponent fill him with wonder.

Study the function of each posture carefully and with deliberation; 
to achieve the goal is very easy.

Pay attention to the waist at all times; 
completely relax the abdomen 
and the ch'i rises up.

When the tailbone is centered and straight, 
the shen [spirit of vitality] goes through to the headtop.

To make the whole body light and agile 
suspend the headtop.

Carefully study.

Extension and contraction, opening and closing, should be natural.

To enter the door and be shown the way, 
you must be orally taught. 
Practice should be uninterrupted, 
and technique achieved by self study.

Speaking of the body and its function, what is the standard?

The I [mind-intent] and ch'i are king, 
and the bones and muscles are the court.

 

15 minutes ago, Limahong said:

A great weekend.

You too!

On 1/20/2018 at 2:48 AM, Limahong said:

Hi moment,

 

Natural cycles of life. Winter is always there waiting - so are Spring, Summer and Fall.

 

Living is not linear?

 

- LimA

On 1/18/2018 at 11:19 AM, lifeaftercheckmate said:

We are not humans experiencing consciousness; we are consciousness masquerading as humans. I was stunned with the force of this awakening. Since then everything has gone topsy turvy. I have no idea which way is up. I have no idea what I'm doing with my life. I almost don't even exist, it seems, and I have no more drive or motivation for most anything in my life. This is most distressing because I have always been a driven, strong, passionate person with many causes and convictions...now nothing seems to matter. I've read and heard to be still, to let go, to rest in the unknowing, but the practice has not dropped from my head to my heart and I struggle and I am confused and afraid as parts of me fall away and literally just die off. I didn't realize that enlightenment meant giving up the "good" along with the "bad," and now it's too late. Most friends, my partner, my therapist, they have no idea what to do with me now. I'm feeling alone (which I know is utterly silly because there is no separation, and yet that fearful feeling remains). I'm here at Dao Bums looking for support, direction, a reference point, something that tells me which way is up and which way is down...and I'm most afraid that none of those things exist. Thank you all for this space.

You have gone into a new winter season.  This is very important because it signals a spring coming up.

He has his own recipe. It does lean toward tolerance though.

On 1/10/2018 at 2:24 PM, Jessup2 said:

I have been seriously disappointed in most of the banter and feedback here. What a bunch of clowns. What a bunch of wishful thinkers that have no answers and don't take any of this seriously. You know who you are.

There are those whom come in and look around and start slowly, humbly and calmly peeling back layers.  Then, there are those, that come in hammer and tongs, with their glass full and wonder why things don't turn out the way they expected.  All of those layers are an arrogance screening apparatus of sorts.