adept

Why do we exist ? I dunno 'bout the rest of you but I exist because my mother and father got together and produced me. Simple really. People get waaaaay too glassy-eyed and metaphysical on these subjects.

'It is because we are already enlightened and have the full capacity of buddhas that selfless adaption to temporal circumstances is natural as is.' Wonderful !

Indeed. It made for some bizarre experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed it though.

Great topic !!!!! I started way back in '86 when house music exploded in the UK. Went to raves, warehouse parties, outdoor and indoors. Clubbing every weekend for about 6 years till '92. In that time I had taken copious amounts of cannabis, speed, lsd, mdma, cocaine and ketamine. I absolutely loved it. The UK club scene has always been fabulous. In '92 ( I was still only 23 ) I got bored with it and stopped for a few years. I still took drugs now and then at home or at peoples house parties. In '98 I got itchy feet and started clubbing again, this time with my wife who I'd recently married, virtually every week for another 6 years till about 2004, when we both finally gave up for good. These were probably the best times we ever had, apart from getting married and having our children. I've been clean ever since. Although I sometimes miss the scene, I had some wonderful times which shaped me into the person I am today. Techno was, and still is, my love of all forms of electronic music. I still play it regularly. Techno is part of me, of who I am.

Maybe they are. You helped me realize a lot through our communication here. I think your words and encouragement brought something out that was always here, but had been hidden. Thank you.

I've watched the first 3 if these vids and I'm very,very impressed. So much so,that I'm going to make his system of Daoyin internal cultivation my main practice.

Thanks Dzogchen. That list is exactly what I need.

If that is true, then it is indeed a shame.

Hi Dzogchen. I wouldn't mind some advice. I've been steadily cutting down on carbs recently. Initially it was for fat loss but I can see the benefits of a total lifestyle change. Mainly my diet consists of organic meat, veg, fruit, nuts, eggs and a little organic milk and organic yoghurts. Potatoes, rice, bread, noodles and pasta have all but disappeared from my life. Hunger is something I'm trying to overcome at the minute. I wouldn't want to see all the good work I've put in over the last few weeks come undone.

I don't practice Bagua but I guess the Daoyin outlined in these vids will go well with my 8 Brocades practice.

Bookmarked these for later viewing. A quick flick through and they look really good. Thanks for sharing.

Tim Cartmell's Sun Style Taiji DVD series is very very good. Not just copying form movements, but lots and lots of detail on structure, weight distribution etc etc.

Good stuff. 12 minutes is awesome in a 90 degree horse stance. Well done !

What if chi is not physical at all ? After many years of practice and meditation, my take on it, is that is a mental/mind/awareness energy. What if the dantian has no fixed location ? It exists only when awareness is placed there ? Chi = mind ? Just my observations.

Hi Chang. I took a few classes many moons ago in Newcastle. I found it a very good art but due to family commitments I had to let it go. I may get back to it someday. Good topic, brings back some good memories.

I have to answer no to all of them. That's my honest opinion.

Today's entry in 365 Tao : ALTAR Each day I forge my body into steel And fold in bright strands of consciousness. Piling up ripe fruit and fragrant flowers, Lighting red candles and incense, Serving tea, rice, and wine. Anointing with aromatic oils, Offering heart and bones, The altar is my anvil, sun and moon the coals, Discipline the hammer, lungs the bellows. Followers of Tao have private altars in their homes. The pious see an altar only for supplication; the skeptical see the altar as false and insincere. Actually, devotional effort is absolutely necessary for those beginning on the path. True spiritual cultivation begins with the premise that you already have a pure spirit and only need to clear away obfuscations. Thus one must work on both the physical and mental levels in order to achieve the quickest results. Such varied efforts need a strong center. By focusing on the altar as the platform for all practices, you will keep yourself strongly on your path. The outward acts then pile up like offerings after offerings, and the outward votive furniture becomes your means of memorializing your efforts. Then your body itself becomes a steel altar, an unshakable monument to spiritual devotion.

The same one as Mak Tin Si, bodyoflight, tulku etc etc

I remember reading your account of it last year and it was your postings that got me interested in the first place. Me & Mrs adept are planning on making a weekend of it in London.

From what I was told, practitioners are not supposed to divulge any secrets to non-initiates.

Not yet Rich. I'm yet to be initiated. You can go to their website and take the free course.

Not only here but on the Tea House forum also.

Maybe we should get these : http://www.kleargear.com/fingers-listening-headband-12627.html

Back to topic - I did the course with XYP last year and was told there would be a UK initiation this year. The only drawback is that it's in London, a few hours drive away. However, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'll be trying my damned best to be there. Please don't let a certain individual ruin this topic, just ignore him is the best way to do that.

I have often thought about purchasing that book after hearing good things about it and the practice. Especially when I read of Dr. Wu’s Daoist Aunt, Cheng Yu Li who was 140 years old in 2006. I'm not sure if she's still alive but that is a good advert for any cultivation system. I'd be interested also to hear from anyone who has practiced this for a while. Good topic soaring crane !