shontonga

You ever feel like that Trunk ? ... Bet we could do a better job of it ! actually ? Hmm. ... I sell rocks and stuff and teach stuffish things for a living? guess i couldn't really ! but there are still days!!! If in an office ... yes. I would snap! LOL. ... I got a stick ! (AKA. staff?) Shon

Agree with that ! horse shtuff. though important maybe while learning ? another trick for me ... any find this true ? is to have the hips open. once you know the connections/pathways you can still find them wether or not straight or someone has you folded in a pretzel and is sitting on you! ... as long as you've practiced and KNOW where they are. much easier without someone sitting on you so you can breath though ; ) could be wrong with that ? just what i find.

Ha,ha. Great ! MMJ, enjoyed this! mikaelz, thank you for this thread. You are right in how easily we can all get caught playing with our own shadows making them dance and forgetting to spin around and play with the sun Didn't intend for my foolishness to end your posts Have enjoyed them all sincerely. only intention was to calm some of the shadows from attacking each other LOL, "shadow wars"! the paths we follow and our experiences and beliefs often appear different are expressed with different words but the heartfelt sincerity remains the techniques often very similar important (to this kid) to treasure everyones stories/lives So important to share them so we can all learn see with others eyes Have a friend who tells me " If someone brings you brownies, and you can't eat them, You don't say "YUCK!" becuse next time they may bring you some assume cookies!" You want them to share those cookies! Don't want them to think you hate their cooking! can always pass those brownies off to the sea gulls This is the first board i've joined in truth. apologies if i get carried away ... go overboard am actually very shy! but also grew up on a dock and couldn't resist playing with that! This board is a new way for me to play push hands! Thanks for letting me play! Shon CAT "Because humans love stories. They are food for the non linear brain. For the soul." I AM HUMAN ?!? I love to hear folks experiences Hope you all keep sharing!

Love it Mike! Thank you! LOL. No, not much on tv, always outside! OH yeah ... recall the cave? the car? all black and white on a kick stomp tv. Static like white mice on the screen. "Harsh" was just my own sarcasm ! U got the post because u know some lessons. These mirrors are nice and shiny and riddles only riddled with simplicity. ... And HEY! are you saying LOVE can only be shared sexually! ??? Sounds like a disease! LOL. There are some very loving virgins out there! OK. Mind out of the gutter,kids! (think a good percentage of this young world by the way!) Hey, by the way, you folks know about the "born again virgin movement" that's out there, right? I'm not making it up!!! Yes. I do live in one strange world! you would Not believe! But they say if you don't have sex for over a certain period of time, Some say 2 weeks, others 2 months or eight, or a year or ten or somesuch, You are a born again virgin! Some folks following some paths on here would surely fall into that group if they wanted to! LOL. Just so you know. i like that Tao Teh Ching quote. don't know that version. Translation. "Nice to know and not just understand. " YES! U GOT IT! "You can keep your virginity if you choose. I'd rather be having fun and not just watching the show ." LOL! Now you make sure if your not watching the show and are part of that act, You protect the tools of your trade! tell ya like yer my own brother some things may be worth keeping wrapped up! LOL Keep smiling! I bow out now. LOL! Shon You keep sharing that Love!

MIKE! harsh ? Personal attacks on Mirrors ??? Careful! Don't want to shatter any ... 7ish years bad luck and some such ladders start falling on black cats and all ... LOL. are we looking into the mirror or are we looking out of the mirror? and butterflies dream! If lookin' for write or wrong ... u all r. Me too! Have to sift(pan) through a whole lot of sand to find the gold (I like pretty sand, too!) then when we find it ... let it go. let it flow. down the river, it is the sea. the clouds are the Soul of the ocean! all the same. Peace kids! Shon. play nice now. I'd so like to Rip into some of the shamanism stuff on here! Could tell such stories of death! Birth can be just as hard and messy. they go hand in hand. U flip the same coin! but need to put my ego on a diet! LOL. Some folks might get parts of this???LOL! Sorry Mike for using you as my example of us All! Thanks for being there for me to do that! ... this virgin has a lot of fun playing in whorehouses!!! peace! Share the Love! Share the Love!

Hi mikaelz! I am Shon, Nice to meet you ! Great subject. For all my longwindedness will try to be quick? There are precious seeds of reality hidden within, that can grow from, pretty illusion's flowers! ... Or they may be weeds? with medicinal qualities? Other's illusions create great reflections! That Crazy old Taoist, from stories of old ? Was more than a bit Heyoka! Illusion is also a precious art! One worth playing with! ... although that of course means we have the understanding that that same "worth" is no more than a sweet illusion LOL Have Fun with it ALL! Shonton Ga

Thank you for sharing that Lin. could be applied to a lot of different layers (on larger and smaller scales!) interesting Shon

So ... ? um? Lot's of folks on here seem to have played with Kundalini Shtuff and all sorts of chakra things and meditations and all but kinda surprised not much mention of folks "Seeing" energy/qi ? Thought that was pretty normal with meditation stuff? So? Do you "see" ? Are there times that you see energy easier/clearer with yourself? with others? I know "smelling" might not be as common ? and"tasting" and "hearing" is a stretch for some but ? Still wondering !

Hey Allan! Interesting article, Thank you for sharing it ! am not sure what backward flow meditation is exactly, but think it may be like MCO stuff ? Had known energy stuff before i came to tai chi/martial arts/taoism stuff. Afraid I don't always know what the names of things are ? Was always taught if energy goes one way, it of corse goes the other way. LOL, some things considered backwards are actually normal for me ! If It goes up it also goes down (and out!... funny that?) If you can circulate energy one way it can be done the other (NOT SUGGESTING To play with things like that unless you have someone in yer life that's good at fixing you when you get F**ked up!!!) Folks always tell me "Left hand is for receiving, Right hand is for sending/expressing/giving" ... I'm usually well behaved and don't tell them flat out that's a load of "frogs" Folks like having rules to live by.To believe things are this way or that. But seems they forget it's mostly just outlines! not set in stone. I'm Sorry. I seem to ramble when I type? Even more so when tired ! My Statements are not aimed at you at all just observations of everyday life on this end! Would like to know what you mean by Reverse flow meditation though? Is it the Du and Ren Channels? Other? Stay well, Thanks again! Hi Sabretooth! OHYEAH! It gets Hot! Does that happen if you do Standing stuff to ? I have flat out HOT flashes if i do standing sometimes or if i do tai chi real slow it gets Very Fiery! Even in the winter. Depending on intentions and how i play with it? If you pay attention to the principals does it still happen like that? Have some theories to your questions but they are more just guesses than anything. Know there are others on here with far more knowledge of such things than me! Hope to hear from them! Thanks Sabretooth! ............................. QUOTE(xuesheng @ Jun 12 2008, 03:05 AM) PS - Since you're looking for a variety of opinions, I should mention also something I've discussed before on this forum. My experience and understanding of qi is different than most (even my shifu) people describe or ascribe to. I feel it to be present everywhere, always, and beyond our control to change it's presence, absence, concentration, and so forth. To me what is happening is not a process of increasing qi or moving qi but simply tuning my awareness to it and moving my awareness. As I said earlier, I look at what is going on as tuning a part of my brain/awareness to this sense of qi (whatever that means) and gaining progressively increasing control over that awareness. Qi doesn't increase, my awareness of it simply intensifies. I don't move qi, I move my awareness - sort of like a radio tuner (so so analogy at best)... Now if you want to call that quality of awareness "qi", then we're left with a semantic argument that is moot. Anyway - just my personal opinion derived through my practice. ............................... Hi Steve! LOL,It sounds like my theories on pain! In truth I'd have to say that sounds right to me but i still am at the point of Wanting to control it! I know it's an illusion. but i still want to Do you have a "name" other than "Qi" for that? That stuff that is underlies, connects all and fills in the spaces ? For what you describe ? All's qi to me! but there is so many kinds/states/textures what(other than "Qi") would you call this one? Thanks! Have fun!

Hi Junboa! Welcome ! Enjoy! Shon

............................................................................... IS YOUR TAIJIQUAN EFFECTIVE IN COMBAT? So is it? How do you know? I'm not asking about stories about someone you saw or your worshipful teacher.... but YOU! ............................................................................................. Yes. Though maybe not so much by me! Combat ? Hmm. OK. Stand in "grasp sparrow's tail", kids. Combative? What do you see? How are the hands? Open. Yer kind of in a non-confrontational stance ... It's kind of like putting you hands up and saying "Hey, man, It's cool, It's cool.It's OK." Now hold the same stance and make those hands fists. What your saying might change a bit? "What? You Wanna Fight? Come On! Let's Go! Come On!" Though tai chi is used martially I do like the options it gives you. Allows your first reaction in a confrontation to be one of calmness instead of aggression, which could cause a situation to escalate perhaps beyond control. will come back and give an example at some point soon but the night has gotten to late for it now! And the words aren't flowing... soon though. Great discussion, I Thank You All! Shon

That sounds incredible, Santiago Have fun! Don't pratice silat myself but HAVE Felt the effects of those who pratice it!!! GREAT ... PAINFUL ... FUN ... PAINFUL ... AMAZING! ... ly painful ? If you were near would love to come just to meet your friend from Jakarta ! There are some techniques/traditions followed by some shaman there involving a, um?, "Little shaman" that i would like to know & hear more about. Not many know from here. Haven't seen the same practiced here(U.S.A.), though it may be? Have a Great time ! Shonton Ga

on my lunch break, and i just laughed my tail off ! Thank you, now i can go back and face the world that's so bad the part not felt, seen, tasted, heard, or smelt I Like to call it spirited! Thanks! and "whipped airy crystalized butter"? I love to hear folks descriptions! that's cool! Shon

A sapphire tear falls into a child's sweet palm all the hopes and dreams

Taomeow ~ I Love The Tomato Qi! ... and how right after this post they started recalling all the tomatoes! Great! Scotty~ Have heard of folks um?, naming their parts and pieces But I HAVE NEVER, till now heard of one naming their energy?LOL! Henergy ?! Is that the guy standing next to you in your avatar? ... am still trying to figure that out! mwight~ I haven't studied much by name, but have played with stuff. Your descriptions sound familiar. Echo deep within. Bring back memories of the body being moved, folded,shook, burnt,frozen,Slowed to ... A lot of strange stuff for this kid. Have played with energy like/as mist , as fire, as water, as metal, and so many others, with each containing each other. Used to never get cold now ... been away from a lot for a while and am coming back to it slowly. Jedi777~ IT ALWAYS CONFUSES ME!!! So many kninds of energy/qi! Think that was part of the draw to internal martial arts. There is already a language in place. Had hopes of being able to communicate better about such things! Still have to translate from the words me and one of my friends made up so long ago to try and figure stuff out. "Little Star"='s lower dan tiean and some such. Would love to hear any descriptions of any sort of qi. if you have a favorite kind ? DarinHamel~ Oooh. Bubbles... It's always been so hard to put this all into words. You do it beautifully. Emotions & Qi connections are clearly made. That's always been an interest of mine. Seeing it in myself and in others. Learned for self protection more than spiritual reasons initially but i have never really been able to separate such things very well! They seem to go hand in hand. Thank you all for your responses. What great experiences you have all lived, to know such things! For being able to speak them and put such things to words? and for making me smile and laugh! Love it. Thank you for sharing it all. Such Great answers! Thank you. Bow Shon Stay well!

OOOooooOO! PLASTIC OBJECT! Whoa! I can imagine you being So Many things!!! So Moldable ! So explosive? So ALLL Natchurell! ... Like Amber, The natural plastic that 100 million years later smells sweet ! Yes! Plastic is God made as well as Man made! Sweet bug trapping polymer! um ... ? ok. am done with my tired tangent Hope You Have Fun Here! Shon

Glad you wrote it. Thanks. Much to say but will leave it be. May the debt only be paid for you with thanks.

Hi Welcome, Hope you enjoy it here! Seems like you see some of the traps involved with belonging to any group! Taoism it's self not necessarily, but anything with a group mentality can easily Hold One. Weather in servitude or otherwise can be debated : ) Remember you can be held in servitude or be held in a gentle embrace! Some might like it Matter of perspective! Folks Like to be part of a "group", makes them feel safe and secure. The whole saftey in numbers thing. Where you find trouble is when folks stop thinking for themselves, They fall into the habit of being lead. Or when they identify so strongly they get to ridged in thought and action and start believing that only their own experiences are right. Then ideas are forced on one another. Like folks to children, religious leaders, governments, schools, the music industry, advertising (what ever group you want here!) . Most would argue Taoism is not a religion, it's a philosophy. A way to understand health, life and reality. There is Religious aspect also but that is a very small part of it. A branch on a tree with many branches! Taoism seems to speak against rigidity/Holding things to tight, be it beliefs or people. But people on the other hand ... we LOve to Hold On Tight! To Anything! So of course you can find that trait in any group? As for Qi? That's no different than water, wood, metal, earth, fire, air, either, sun ,moon, stars,etc. for most of the world! Just very much a part of everyday reality, Such a normal part of life, experienced no less than those other things mentioned call it what you will. Not the foundation of Taoism any more than anything else in the natural world! The seasons, the Elements, Anything that represents or is in a state of balance might be closer to the foundations of taoism. Your masterwork sounds like quite an undertaking! Would be interested in your experiences and how you found to approach such a vast subject of it all. Be nice to hear your prospective. Look forward to reading your posts! Thank you, Shon

What a Great class size! Perfect! What style do they teach there? is it Chinese 5 element stuff mostly? or do you get to do some Japanese also ? Can't imagine the course load! just the physiology is daunting to me ! What qualifies it as MQG? I am not in school as a student but am learning painfully slowly. which means i have some books! Do you have a favorite acupuncture book? in english ! Stay well, Jeff! Shon Thanks! What martial arts do you enjoy ?

HaHaHa! YES! This Is The Art For Me!!! I Want to be Old and Fat and Have Technique! YES! I don't quiet know if i have any laurels though??? ... don't think i want that!!! I Hope that's not part of the Prerequisite! Have noticed that a lot though? Folks that do "hard" martial arts or did as a child, I can "see" it right away usually. Same with a lot of yoga folks. but tai chi ... i can't tell that That delapatated old man could easily kick my tail in half a heart beat if i just so much as bump him wrong! It worried me when i first started that so many looked so ??? how to say this nicely??? BAD! Then i realized some already look bad (like me! ... well,hey? I'm not That bad?...Yet!) when they start and that's part of why they start. Have seen some totally change from doing tai chi. Wouldn't almost believe that they were the same person! Seem like a whole new entity! amazingly strange! Sweet dreams all! Shon

I have one of Earl's books on dim mak Have to admit it's a favorite! Not that I could use the martial techniques in it all that well but I love the info it has on healing and all side by side with the kick your butt stuff! Has more in it than a lot of the acupuncture books I have! Would like to be half as Crazy as that bugger! and to have a drop of his knowledge or skill. Did you learn from Montaigue ? one of his students? any videos of your style on u tube or some such? Haven't seen any like what i do but saw one similar a long time ago and could never find it again! Funny difference to be beaten on by some one lovingly that offers a smile and helpful hand back up! (I.e. such as some of the body hardening stuff) NO Malice! ... It is a good family. Thanks Espen! Shon ... edited 'cuz i didn't have time during my lunch break!

LOL, Hi! Either way you'll learn! How many times you do one then think the other would have had better results! How many times you think you did something "wrong" to later realize the gift in the perceived "mistake" ! Most "Shaman" have a knack for fucking themselves up a bit in the learning! and the cost is usually high ... for some the ultimate price, you could say? either way could be right. either way could be wrong. Doesn't really matter even though it really might at the time! hard to say such things because the results are known of being fucked up and taking "bad" hits! (No. No Drugs involved! Never done any!) The path is in the learning though. mostly it's your own fears you need to learn to calm, and to stay present so you know how to proceed when that moment comes. Good luck to your friend! Shonton Ga

Hi YangLuChan, i've been eying your name ! Not an Erle Montaigue student per say? but he had come out to my school at one point before I was there. Think that linage goes back further to points I can't see! Afraid I've never been big into linage's so I can't go and tell you the details, I don't know them : ( It's taught with the same martial fervor though! Lot of fun! Also with a gentleness that i just can't wrap this mind around? A lot of laughter ... and pain. Have learned so much there, it is a family, like none I've known before. Love it! Stay well! Shon

The way this kid was taught there is only one kind of meditation one word for it is "Emptiness". Though in meaning it is so much more! All other "meditations" are Pre-meditations leading one to that state of "beginning/ending simultaneously" (i.e. emptiness.) The best form of meditation, as others here had said, Is what's right for the individual. What works at that moment, at that place and time. Could it be otherwise? Hi Rain! That is a good question. That is a confusing questions because so much of the answer depends on the the circumstances. sometimes yes. sometimes no. Mostly it would depend on the moment. *also on the action/s. *Also when doing such work usually the "shaman" has one to help them/protect/guide/play/etc. often an animal/person/spirit/ etc. that could take the form of the creatures you mentioned. *Also depends on linage just as in taoism or martial arts there are tangled-up linage's(that can make you crazy!) what's right in one the other will disagree with, they may do things in totally opposite ways to get the same results! *Also it comes down to the individual! Each person will learn different techniques depending on their own experiences and what's needed. There is so much more to it but for now... If He goes into studying the Aborigines or native folks of any land, The techniques used are at the ROOT all the same overall. They do get embellished along the way but to see beyond that the similarities are amazing! Peace all Shon'ton Ga