Aetherous

http://www.albigen.com/uarelove/ My favorite "meditation" technique. Very powerful and direct. It seems like it'd be good for you. Also, check out the book "After the Ecstacy, the Laundry" by Jack Kornfield. It's good to make spiritual progress while having clean clothes. And I know you're interested in kunlun so, go for it! Enjoy

Why learn from his teachers when they've given him the okay to teach the techniques himself? You won't be able to anyways, especially the Maoshan stuff. By the way, it's rude to contact them and ask about Max. People here have done that in the past, and it's really not cool. I forgot the thread it's in... Anyway, I don't understand this unconscious kunlun bash fest phenomenon. If there are REAL questions that come from intelligence and honesty, then I'll answer but this just seems like someone's skepticism being turned into something ugly. So why did I even take the time to respond? I guess I'm just a nice and open guy. But no more!

From what I understand, "Kunlun" is Max combining Maoshan Pai with Kunlun Shan Pai. Since he learned the spontaneous movement practice (among others) from Jenny Lamb, who teaches Kunlun Shan Pai arts. And he learned the Red Phoenix practice (among others) from Andrew Lum, who taught him Maoshan Pai arts. The origin isn't bogus, then. As you can see on Jenny Lamb's website, she teaches Dayan Qigong (Wild Goose) and other practices, which are all part of the Kunlun school, as everyone knows...

I just got the book and haven't read it yet...but the color edition looks really great. You can do golden flower with kunlun level 1...I often do that and I like it a lot. Don't do level 2 until you've done the recommended time for level 1. It's good to follow ALL the tips that the book gives you, because without getting the transmission, those tips will help you build up your own energy in a safe way. Just my point of view...

I agree. So lets use that example and say kunlun is like a diet. There are many diets out there....some work well, some only seem to work well, some don't work at all, etc. It'd be skeptical of someone to say, "I am not sure if this kunlun diet works at all, it could just be placebo effect". It'd be slanderous of someone to say, "I think the people that do this kunlun diet are brainwashed, and that the guy selling the diet is a stage hypnotist." There is a difference, and it does influence people despite everyone having to choose for themselves...because if the word gets around that a certain practice is useless, even intelligent people will for the most part avoid it. So I don't think it's good to slander a practice, or a person, especially if you haven't actually tried it, or ever seen them in action. And of course not everyone can try every 'diet' out there. So just do what you think is best. If someone thinks kunlun would be great, they should give it a shot. I just hope there aren't people out there trying to sway that person's decision, simply because they are doubting and speculating.

Sounds good. I agree that the spontaneous movement is a good tool. So since you practice a form of it as well...then why do you say Max is somewhat like a stage hypnotist/televangelist? You haven't even met him. I can understand having doubts about a system without trying its techniques. But is that a good reason to slander it?

You know, this is all not just about the shaking and laughing and stuff. That's a really exterior thing that's going on, which actually isn't all that spectacular. What IS spectacular is the opening (on all levels), and the energy...the inner stuff. And after the seminar and a couple months of practicing, I can say it's very real beyond a shadow of a doubt. It's not about really needing something to believe in. For myself, I tend to abandon beliefs, ask questions, be skeptical, and find out for myself. My favorite saying for these kinds of matters is: "the proof is in the pudding"...or rather, practice and find the truth instead of listening to others talk about their experiences with the practice. Finding what's actually real about things is my forte...so it's kind of disrespectful for you to assume that I've been brainwashed. About if you do end up going to a seminar...it's good at the seminar to be who you are. If you find that others seem to be doing what Max says and going along with stuff without truly experiencing that stuff, like hypnotism, then don't do it yourself. That's their problem, if that is truly the case. So be true to yourself. But keeping that in mind, allow yourself to relax and go with the flow if your body starts doing things without you guiding it to, because that is part of the practice. And keep in mind, that's only half of the main practice. The other half is red phoenix...and then of course there are a bunch of other tools. There's more to this all than chi blasts.

How so? Just curious.

I can vouch for it.

Cool, thank you for the info.

Yup I personally haven't started level 2. Too much on my plate.

Awesome, you can do it. At seminars it's a lot more laid back. We get a transmission, and of course there should be some time to purge, but as far as I know it's not anymore a 6 month time period before you can start k2. Max said that with the transmission k2 isn't so important...that k1 and rp1 alone can get you there. But at least for me, it took me about 2 months to be able to actually understand what's going on with the practice, and to be able to do it well. If I had started k2 earlier, due to thinking it is cool and being impatient (which it is, and I am), then I think the results would've been kinda useless. But now it seems like I can start if I want, after a little over 3 months of practice. That's just me, though. Oh yeah, I also recommend getting the new book. The extra practices are really worth it. I always practice I-Jong for 20 minutes before kunlun, because it helps to open the legs, ground, and get a downward flow.

Great post. I love getting the inside scoop from chinese medicine...I know there are other threads on this, but where did you learn how to diagnose with it like that? I'm interested in learning that!

I really love the shakuhachi stuff...so relaxing. I had to buy a cd of it!

The first time I saw someone die, it was pretty shocking and humbling. I tend to agree that growing up in America is pretty peaceful, despite the high crime rates.

Hey Seth, I'm no expert by any means but I'll help answer your questions. Someone else please correct me if I'm wrong... I'm not an expert on the visualization at the beginning, only practiced it for a day or two...I think Max said at the seminar it wasn't too important. Good question on that, though. For myself, I did a mixture of both when I first started. Yes I think there are a few Aussies here on taobums who practice, or who have at least tried it out. I bet the crew would go to Australia if you set it up with them...just make sure you spread the word so that people actually attend, you know? It costs a lot to travel these days. That's probably a question you should ask after at least 3 months of practicing. See for yourself. From what I gather, the book's instructions are supposed to be followed fully to get the actual effect. All the details...the 100 day celibacy, etc. It takes time to build your energy up to a level similar to what you'd get from a transmission. So it's not just about the spontaneous movement, it's about cultivating. Anyway after at least a few months you should finally be able to tell what's actually going on somewhat, and you can better judge for yourself if you think you should add k2. It's not as big of a deal as it seems...you'll know what doesn't work because you'll experience problems. Basically it's just certain kundalini exercises...stuff that pushes energy upwards goes against the flow. Anyway, I think it's good in the beginning to solely do kunlun 1 (and red phoenix 1 if you get it at a seminar). Especially if it's just from the book. It's better to actually figure out the subtleties of a practice and master it, than hodgepodge together a bunch of fun stuff and get a mixed effect, and not be able to know what each thing truly does. After some time of doing k1 and rp1, then adding other stuff is great and you can quickly see what new exercises do. Kunlun kinda opens you to figure out different techniques really quickly...at least that's my experience. So previously, I had no idea why certain hand mudras were used...now I can distinctly feel energy coarsing through my hands and my whole mental/physical state changes as a result, so I can better tell what different things do energetically. Just my experience.

Yes! Pilates is a great idea.

Sounds great, phore!

You know what, I've had the same question as well...it's actually a great question. Thanks sheng zhen for this: Very nice.

http://www.paldendorje.com/

Sounds good.

Sounds good...

Yup. In addition to the old content, from looking at the table of contents, it also contains: Surrender Five Elements: The Jongs of Maoshan (the 5 elements standing qigong) I-Jong, the first posture The Five Elements Maoshan travelling hands (I think this is spirit travel) The secret of the golden flower of Maoshan Red sun: opening the heart (this practice rocks, I just tried it yesterday) I look forward to getting it in the mail and checking it out!

Putting your attention on the soles and perineum might help, but I've always thought that concentrating your attention in your body isn't good for energy imbalances. That was just my personal experience, it might work well for you. I'd say go for long walks daily, preferrably barefoot, in a nice setting. Laugh with friends, and focus more on your social life. Drop everything spiritual or energetic for the time being. Make sure you don't sit cross legged. In every moment, contemplate what's physically true. If you are remembering something that just happened, cut it out and just chalk it off as just your imagination, and life your life here and now. Of course it's good to remember things, if you need to. But if you're remembering shutting a door on a demon or something that may or may not have happened, just forget about it and focus on what's real.

You have to watch the movie...it's at the end! I can't just post the spoiler right here.