adept

That's comforting to know CT. Sometimes I feel VERY alone, even in the midst of family and friends.

I'm finding that compassion is a very difficult quality for me to develop personally. The use of the mani mantra in both formal meditation, and throughout my day has helped a great deal. I feel that part of me is softening somewhat. I know there's a long way to go, but with the right intent and daily practice, I can change myself.

Very nice post CT, and all the best for the new year.

http://thetaobums.com/topic/14756-365-tao/

$295 for a CD !!!??? That's outrageous.

Well, today I had my first tai chi lesson and I was very impressed. It was part of a scheme run by the local council to get people off their butts and into any kind of exercise. Stereotypically, I expected nothing but OAP's and ultra happy new age types having seen these sort of things elsewhere. I could not have been so wrong ! In fact, myself and Mrs. Adept were the only ones there. This was to be an excellent opportunity for a virtually private lesson. The tutor was extremely good. We warmed up with some light stretching and then qigong. Later the instructor took us through body movements, posture, alignment, stepping and breathing. We didn't do the form at all, as the instructor was trying to get us into the way of moving and stepping and coordinating it with correct breathing. A thoroughly enjoyable first session !

Nice post Gerard. To add a standing component to any martial art, will accelerate progress immensely. ZZ really is the key for superior health, strength and power in the internal arts. I've practiced standing for a few years now and feel it will be invaluable to my new practice of tai chi.

I didn't even ask what style it was. To be honest, I'm not too bothered at the minute. I'm just going to enjoy my learning as much as possible and maybe ask more questions at a later date. Because we didn't learn any form work whatsoever, his style would be difficult to make out. Judging by the width and length of his stance when showing us movement, I'd have a guess at saying Yang style.

Thank you for the good wishes Steve.

Thank you soaring crane, I intend to !

Thanks Rocky Lionmouth, that's some good solid advice. Too much MA 'window shopping' can be detrimental to practice.

Thank you Gerard. Indeed, quality IMA instruction is what I've been searching for what seems to be years, and then all of a sudden, this teacher appears, charging only £2 per session, a five minute walk from my door ? Maybe good karma has played a part. When the student is ready, the teacher appears, as the saying goes.

The work of Stephen C Meyer is fascinating in the world of I.D. After many hours watching very informative videos, reading lots of scientific journals etc etc, I've come to the conclusion that there is one Supreme Creator/Designer. That Creator lies outside the laws of physics, space and time because the Creator created all that is. Both the seen and the unseen. Whether that Creator is named Allah, Yahweh, Jehovah, God, Dao or whatever is irrelevant. Chance has no place in the structured order and extreme fine tuning of the Universe.

Intelligent Design, a Supreme Creator who started the universe. How this fits around the Dao, meditation and qi practices, I've yet to figure out.

Yep. Lunchtime 12-1. Only £2 as well because it's subsidised by the local council. Also you could tell that the instructor had the 'juice'. Steel wrapped in cotton as the saying goes.

Another thing for those more knowledgeable on the subject, do you think this kind of thing is possible for regular cultivators as opposed to monks and those on retreat ? People that are still entrenched in the 'dust of the world'. This is a fascinating subject. There seem to be cases all over Asia of these and similar events such as Pure Land cultivators knowing there time of physical death, rainbow body, daoist immortals etc etc. Looking forward to some thought provoking input on this.

Wow, that is truly amazing. Can anyone translate this page properly ? Google translated it and it comes out all gobledegook lol.

Change is the only constant.

Derek Frearson ? If it is he's a really good instructor of a great art. My friend runs a mantis club up in the north east affiliated to Sifu Frearson. He is very highly thought of.

Indeed. A lot of Theravada teachings are offered free of charge.

Bump. Mods, please could you move this to the Buddhist section. Thanks

Great idea CT. I would love to take part in this, count me in also.

135

http://www.stephen-knapp.com/ A friend introduced me to this man's work a few months back and this started me on the path of Krsna Consciousness and Vedic study. What a brilliant website. A feast of Vedic information.

Wow ! So many fascinating testimonials, some of which sound amazing. If these stories are true, then more people really need to practice this.