shontonga

... one person loses some weight??? and another one gains some! LOL I think it is true???

An Offer of hope for a lot of folks after the last few elections. I wasn't able put much faith in what seems just illusion ... an offer of hope. Hmm, guess i'm looking for honesty that may not exist in the world of politics? This just seemed as ... something to pacify a child ... like a shiny ballon. Balloons fly away. Balloons pop. Or just shrivel up? Neither of the 2 main candidates were much comfort! Do either have the skills needed? I don't know that they do. Maybe? Most folks that preached politics to me these past few months (They didn't converse mind you, was like they were all ready "brain washed") where going to vote for him. You could tell which tv channels they were watching by what they had to say. And basically it seemed to come down to, not the issues, not the level of skills acquired by the candidates, But who they had been told would win. People are sheep. Easily influenced. I like Obama's Charisma too, but is he skilled? They had been convinced he was going to win and who wants to vote for a looser, lol? It's rather sick and very disheartening to watch. But maybe I'm wrong? LOL, Have been before! It's just this old age and all these grey hairs that have left me so extremely jaded and cynical! Let's hope that's the case. Would like to see the "depression"that folks have carried since the last few elections(and sep 11) get lifted. Would be a very good thing. Just would like their decisions to be based on KNOWLEDGE and not mere propaganda. or on them just following the sheep to the slaoughter. Do have hope that folks are intelligent and informed when making such a decision? Also think "he" (president) is mostly just a figurehead. And it's funny how upsetting this all is to me because of that. It's made it easy to see where some of this child's attachments lay! It's been fun to watch and I'm sure will continue to be interesting! They all speak with forked tongues ... LOL, Hey ? Maybe they are all of the reptilian race after all! Should be fun to watch! Stay well, Shon

What an intense project! Would love to hear about your own experiences when it's completed, if you have a chance? someday down the road! Thank you for taking the initiative to do such a thing, so much of the old knowledge seems lost? ... it come round again, i suppose, but would be very interested to hear some of his stories? What has had the most profound effect on his own cultivation and learning what's brought him joy in this life? The beginning of his studies, how things progressed? What is he learning now? I myself have foolish questions of working with time but can't figure out how to word them! but maybe he could touch upon the nature of "time" in doing the work that he does? You mentioned Wudang magic and Sorcery, but also in other practices, "time" play a part in it or totally unconcerned about such a "thing", be it in his own or in working with the lives around him? Not sure if this makes any sense at all,lol! Any questions you ask, any conversations you can share will be a gift ... of a very precious kind. Thank you for doing such work. Sincerely, Shon Stay well!

No, no hate, no like , no voice, lol, ... just a love for the drama of words Thank you Lin, much to practice, much to live. "I" could ask for no better, when it comes to gongfu partners. Wish you all a peaceful day shon

HAHAHA! Yes. Ahh, Such a fine line between friend and enemy! LOL. Great! Yes, yes. ok. Thank you for echoing the voices in my head! Keep getting to wait. Just wait. I So HATE WAITING!!! Haha This line hit hard~ "Cultivation leads one to attain a state of no effort to get things done. " But I like the effort ! patience is my friend. grumblegrumblegrumble. Will repeat it till it becomes a song, without the grumbling! Think Patience is a very good kung fu partner! Sweet dreams!

Thank you lin. *bow* replies with heart. Not intending this to be complaints or confessions, lol But will try to say what's confronting me often as of late. Tend to work with what comes to me to work with? Have worked diligently and for the most part steadily for a long time, probably for about 15 years or so in this way now, steady, without much of a break between things. Work with different concepts/natures/energies/elements/whatchyamacallit's Some constantly. Some separately. Others as "needed". Often with the focus on one(most recent) thing but am also solidifying what had previously been worked with. Work in a way of becoming that which is being worked with. And when learning, in general it takes about 5 months before "starting" to really learn (to understand even a little) can begin! What is learned is put into practice, then learned in deeper layers. Usually one thing leads to another. Easy to know what to work with, obvious. Finished with some stuff a few months ago, back in July or August or so. And that's it. Not working with "anything" right now. No direction. Feels more like a FORCED vacation, hahaha. Lots that can be called on and played with but feel like I am just twiddling my thumbs...and i am. Meditations are fine. Trying to discipline myself with my practices. But doesn't feel like there is a reason for it if I'm not working with something. Get depressed If I don't feel I'm learning enough. Like always being hungry. Find myself reviewing stuff, going over it and getting bored. Then Getting short with myself and with those around me. Like having an itch i can't scratch, lol, shoot. Get depressed, then angry, lash out for no real reason. Know better, yes, but still do! Not much direction from outside this self. Not any from within. Just sitting and waiting. All be it very impatiantly! LOL. Ok. So it is a complaint and confession of sorts But if you see me lash out at anyone or start looking for a fight you know why now! It's not personal ... I'm just bored, lol mwight ? I send you a hug kid. It's hard, heavy stuff. Hope life feels gentler for you soon. Am confronted with "Death" stuff daily, it seems. Even If I'm not working directly with it, folks will come and tell me about their last 3 boy friends that um,? "Jumped off the planet". Daily. Keep yourself connected with life, whatever way u find that works. Pay attention when you see beauty, and things that are "good"? It doesn't change what you may feel always, but it reenforces the other side of things sometimes. For what it's worth if anything! Good luck, stay well, Shon

sure u do get asked that alot, sorry! Couldn't resist! OOooo. good questions. Yes. Very legitimate but don't get caught by it. No. Not with time, but with practice. Every action is a choice. Every moment a choice to be made in that moment. Great observations. How often it is how we are within our selves that influences life around us, hmm? To watch and observe yourself and those and those around you, it can be an interesting "game" to play, To see when those choices are being made? thank you. good questions will have to sit with that. made me think too. Shon P.S. (my disclaimer !) ...As if i actually know anything lol!

Me Too! Thanks!

Hi! ... yur investigating us??? So, A? What kinda questions you got there kid? LOL, U poor thing! Any certain Taoist's school of thought that catch your attention more than others these days? Stay well, Have fun here! Shon Cool telescope!

AHHHHH! That's a big list?!? Looking for a side by side comparison to see the similarities/differences? What is it you want a list of? Good luck Genuine Art! Shon

hahaha, love it! Um??? Think U left folks speechless ! Lots have looked but they are unsure maybe? They are all sitting back on their laurels trying to figure how it isn't? How is "something" that's a part of Everything not a part of something??? LOL Not sure how to answer myself, Gen? But if you narrow it down a little I will try! My own knowledge is very limited i'm afraid but will attempt? Like do you mean Where does one see Tao in their life or how does one practice day to day taoism/buddhism? Are you looking for the religious aspect taoism/buddhism? Or more into he philosophy of Taoism? More specifically What are you specifically pondering ? Nice to meet you! Shon

OUCH. IT' TRUE ??? HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! WHAT ARE FOLKS GOING OUT AS OR BUM'S KIDS GOING TO BE FOR HALLOWEEN? HAVE FUN !!! *edit ~ whoops sorry had the caps lock thing on : )

WOO HOO! Hi, missed you! Missed your writing! Missed your pictures and videos! Glad your back man! Shon LOL, HEY! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! What a perfect day to come back from the "dead"

Ugh, The first one kinda freaks me out to! Folks usually leave it to soak in a special brew ... Looks like bloated swollen fingers floating around in jars. Thanks for the second line there. Important maybe to remember... thank you!

LOL, Open up a taoist page to read about a South American "Herb" ??? DUDE!?! Just hit me funny. How are you Serene Blue? Nice to meet you! There are plants on every continent that can be used in such ways. To understand though, in Shamanism, it is not the plant you are working with. It is the Spirit. You know it as you know you mother, brother, neighbor. You Don't just go up and kiss a random person, lol, well some may but they are apt to get slapped/kneed in tender places/or kissed back unexpectedly!!! Just as in meeting a person, you are introduced, you shake hands so to say! Some you maybe inclined to "kiss" a bit faster than others Some you may have to work with for many, Many years before you would ever dare. Some you may never and be thankful for it! Hahahaa! And as with a child folks are usually introduced to such things by someone they trust. A Parent/teacher usually shows and teaches how to work with the "plants" Spirits. They learn from an early age how to be respectful. How to be humble and sincere. If it is an act, one gets knocked on there ass. Usually harder each time it seems! For those who see energy it's easy to see if someone has taken/worked with Ayuhasca(spelling?). It's obvious. Unmistakable in how they "look"/"feel". It changes them. There eyes are very telling. Everything about them is very telling. The changes are permanent usually, lots of times they still don't know it though, they don't realize it, can't see it. Have been around very very many. Don't ingest such myself. Do work with many things though but not like that if i can help it. But I am sure that ingestion is never really needed if one knows how to work with them. Others may say different . There are things not necessary to me? Minds change though too. For one thing am one of those folks who would rather literally die than throw up!!! True! So won't do it!!!! BLAAAA!!!! In The U.S.A. It is Illegal. They can come in and basically take all you own not just the plant. Yes. You can look it up. If it were Native American religious stuff and one has the papers to prove they are native themself , who knows??? Still it's Not a native american "religious thing" not like peyote is/was. Laws get weird. Shamanism isn't usually an advertised thing by those who practice it! It's life. Why bring more attention to oneself ! One derogatory name that's used for folks who do is "plastic indians". Considered a very bad thing to do. (and don't say that to anyone unless you want to fight:) ) There are still groups that do use it though and places one could go. There's a bit of stuff around the east coast so must be else where also! or one could go with a group to Peru or some such. LOL, Shoot, I know of folks that do tours. Won't say who they are though. Find someone you TRUST if U do such a thing. Have to know your self well. I would not recommend it... but that's because of my own beliefs and experiences in this life. Am giving you a very biased opinion. Your life is yours to experience as u see fit my friend. Treasure it . Ayuhasca is never worked with by it's self, it always has a companion. At times more than one. By those who Know it it is not compared with altered chemicals only with other "natural" substances usually. LOL, Vision quests are done over a period of a year or more, living a "clean" life, usually with someone who is your sponsor present in your days. Knowing if, when, and how, you mess up. And helping you learn to correct it. and they don't "stop" after the quest. (The effects of this plant don't either.) Before doing one there are other cleansing things that are done (i.e. fasting or Sweat lodge are just one.) Most who are working in such ways are not looking for a quick fix, it is a way of life. It is LIFE... Only *LIFE* Most "Altered" States can be reached with No more needed than your own body. They aren't something to be chased after and caught like many think and attempt. Others on this page may have more techniques or ways to offer. Be careful in your searches, know yourself well, always listen pay attention. NOTHING IS ABSOLUTE. If working in such a way always greet the one your working with respectfully and depart the same way. As you would an old grandmother/father you love and cherish. No matter the results you think you see. Be respectful, honest, direct, lovingly strong. The start and end should be clearly defined. Have a lot more to say, but always do! This should be good as an introduction to it a little? Stay well, Stay safe, Shon There is a man who is an artist here in the U.S.A.? Don't recall his name. Has got books of his paintings out there readily available. The place is called "The Hall Of Mirrors" or something like that. Think it may be in an old church in New York. He has Life size paintings your meant to stand in front of, like a mirror. It is supposed to be the equivalent of a energetic transmission, The "drugs" with out the side effects,lol! Might be good to look into. Told it can be creepy to some folks, told by others that it is the most meraciously profound thing they've ever seen or felt. Lots of storys have been told to me about them though I've not seen them in person. I don't know ? but his work is interestingly accurate in some of what it depicts. Some He could only know by "seeing" it in order to paint it, not stuff most know about even if they "see" energy. Good luck.

we are what we are. The sunrise and falling stars. Ugh. Need some coffee.

CAN SMELL 'EM COOKIN'! ... Not bad? Bit disturbing and all but not bad! Hmm, goat doing WHAT off a roof? Yup. Am GLAD I don't drink now, Thanks! LOL Ugh. Interesting the river analogy,? How the river is found in (most?) every culture when it comes to death stuff. ... Haven't thought about going up it??? LOL, Always trying to git across it! (kinda) Was taught a map (formula) as a child. Just normal stuff of "folk tails" but every word a symbol, every word very full of meaning. This one just happens to be from an irishish part of the family but it's not an unusual story, also found in many parts of the world. Have seen/heard the same from South America and Asia and other places too. An old map, like any other. Used when working with many different layers, depending on the view of the individual. Used (taught to me for) "Shamanism", but also works for "enlightenment". Or just trying to figure out "normal" everyday stuff. Yantras, mandalas, and such are often used the same way, as a "map" but I like the old stories! The one I speak of was learned as a song ...what better way to teach a child! LOL But anyway, I ramble on and on, sorry! But this story has one first cross over a "crystal" river (understand? ie. tears) Then a river of Blood, LOL, The next one comes upon is a thorny path! ... which is avoided because it leads to "hell". Or rather the "instructions" are ya might (definitely!) want to "avoid" it! It can be done and sometimes has to be traveled upon but ya really don't want to do some things!!! Goes on and on also, making lots of stops along the way. Typical disappearing from the earth for "7 years and a day" folk tale stuff, but fun. Takes a good 45 min. or more for me to tell it as it was learned. And that would only be such a rough outline at best! It is said that the tales are alive. They are creation. Creation doesn't end. If creation ends what is it? Dead. (though there are other ways to think about that!) So the stories change, move, live, and teach according to the individual and there needs/experiences. Their are so many tales like this!!! This is just one I like! So Go Up The rivers ??? ... What's up the crystal river then ? Stay well! Shon

I like your name. Creates interesting images... hmm? Welcome! Nice to meet you, I am Shon Stig makes the finest tea, by the way!?!

(LOL??? Oh, No. Ya know, some of these are just wrong. Just wrong. finding myself stumped by this haiku? ) is making me pee. Drain to sea, humidity. Bad for curly hair? (Yer Up, kitty!) (or anybum!)

Any way works! I've just been polluting random pages like yours saying ~ It's been done? Do have my "own" journal but been neglecting it lately! Lol, I Can Trash talk you guys! and get away with it!?! ... This is gonna be great! Guess i gotta do them tonight then? Was thinking of slacking off, am home and kinda sick and all .... excuses excuses excuses .... But mYTHmAKER's bet hurts and would mean i couldn't post so was gonna do them , but whine whine whine. LOL I might be the one in need of trash talk, hahaha! What did I get myself into??? They're all great Mal, Kinda like the last one? OMG That looks like fun! U Folks Should All Come And Live In My Back Yard!!! So We Can Do Push Hands All The Time!!! I Think I get cravings for that like some folks would for chocolate or sex! (just reading the celibacy page!) Darn. Think I'd gotten to play like that only once since september Whish my dogs were better at push hands. Stay well, Shon

THAT WAS TORTURE OF THE KEENEST KIND SEAN! LOL Got it back up pretty fast! Looks good so far!?! Thanks to some of the bum's for saying hi! Appreciate it, was feeling lonely! Thank you too Sean!

AWWW. COME ON! I'M A GIRL FOR CARP'S SAKE! NOT TALK ABOUT IT??? THAT'S WHY I JOINED!!! Hahaa! You are right about the burn, man! Didn't realize this old body of mine was that out of shape! Wow! The Kap programs sound pretty cool? Have fun! Shon

LOL Taoist boys are so cute and sensitive! OMG Love it! ... all ready made my vows to "my squatting buddies" in Mal's post You guys should join the SQUAT CLUB!! Comeon! Be Cool! Right! I send you both a hug in these hard times though. I know it's gonna be rough but keep breathing, We can get through this, together. Together we can git through anything! Ok? See ya! ... by! Shon Hey, you know Gonna miss the bum's. It is truth by the way! This bit here.