adept

I don't know enough about Reiki to properly judge it one way or the other, although I get the impression that it's probably nonsense.

Well Reiki worked for me. In fact I was very impressed with my experience of it.

Daoism is not Dao.

Totally agree with Gerard. It would be lovely towards the end of one's life to retire to a place such as this.

When all the affairs of the world have been taken care of.

To walk, sleep, eat and just be in the presence of such wonderful places, away from modern life and technology, would be a fitting end to life.

Either way, the primary method of Zen is reading text.

I thought it was zazen, more zazen and even more zazen without relying on the written word ?

Zen is simple, but very, very difficult.

Thai Buddhist Magic Sacred Geometry - The SakYant :

http://www.sakyant.org/

This guy talks a lot of sense, and backs it up with science.

http://stephencmeyer.org/

Chinese Taoist Association

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Taoist_Association

Even if this a legitimate organization, I have my doubts.

This is 'allowed' to operate by the same government that practically erased the teachings of the Way during the revolution and subsequent communist regimes.

To me, the Dao is more akin to living naturally, using our own innate essence, insight and virtue, and to be free from hierarchies, organizations, associations and suchlike.

http://www.crystalinks.com/sg.html

Despite first-hand accounts of his dodgy dealings, people still refuse to accept the facts, choosing instead to push the agenda further.

Why do people continue to do this ? It's baffling.

Gary is the only one who can help people get out of great minus you are in.

No he isn't.

There are many paths, and one's that don't require half a years salary.

Xiang Gong.

Free, simple to learn, and supposedly a very powerful energetic Buddhist qigong.

The advice is not to do any other form of qigong while you practice it though.

http://www.herbalshop.com/Xiang/xiang-gong.htm

I've been around both the Chinese martial arts world and the new age barnyard for exactly 40 years and I've seen every type of cult, phoney guru, and charlatan-driven-only-by-avarice. I've also had my skills (as a counselor and certified hypnotherapist trained in the mid-1980's-- hired and well-tested as a counselor to help by "deprogramming" some very, very deeply troubled, off-the hook, "almost-gone" victims of truly diabolical cult manipulation.

 

I have the Chinese martial arts background to attest just by viewing his demo on the Singapore police video that Lama Dundrop Dorje's skill is real. He put in his years (decades) in traditional Chinese martial systems and he is recognized by both Chinese physical culture and he is an authentic Tibetan lama and the long-time bodyguard of the late great lama, Penor Rinpoche. I have numerous students in Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong and kung-fu on both coasts of the U.S., and some of them are very, very affluent. One of them (in L.A.)--a student who I have taught on a weekly basis for the past 7 years--has taken Lama D. Dorje's 2-week meditation intensive at his Pathgate foundation outside of London twice in the past 2 years. He came back both times with good results and a creditable report...although he was surprised at what the Lama put him through both retreats: 2 weeks of seated meditation 6 hours a day. Lama Dorje uses his high-level Tai Chi skill to attract students and to "hook" them into how he teaches the Buddhist path--which he is formally sanctioned to do. Every teacher has their appeal, and "target market"--either conscious or subconscious...just because Lama Dorje attracts the well-to-do who can afford $10K workshops (and reportedly favors a particular Italian high-end fashion label) does not mean that he is a fraud or charlatan. His knowledge is real, his martial arts is formidable, he is a Tibetan lama, and he has something to teach some niche of humanity--however small and wealthy. So I reserve judgment until I see an immoral act of some kind.

Peace out.

ZB

 

P.S. I like the Eric Burden song. For the shit I've seen in the cult-pervaded 1980's in California with the likes of baghwan rajneesh (resurrected as Osho of late by his surviving money machine), "Ramtha" who had followers trying to heat rocks on top of their heads in meditation(!), a particular Indian "holy man" with a huge worldwide following, were sterling examples of the adage:

 

"When the going gets wierd, the wierd turn pro."

Honestly, I don't know why I bother !

I live in the same locality as Mr. Peter Young (Yeung, Dr, Sifu, Professor, Lama), or whatever he chooses to call himself these days. He is well-known as a bully, liar, fraud, cheat and con-man. The only titles he has are the ones he's made up for himself. He has no authority to teach, either martially or religiously.

He has limited skill, at best. The only skill he has is that he's an expert on hoodwinking gullible students.

But hey, don't just take my word for it:

http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=13442

http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=9597

http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/tibetan-buddhist-cults-run-amok.html

http://thetaobums.com/topic/23785-lama-dondrup-dorje/

http://thetaobums.com/topic/4088-lama-dorje-number-two/page-2

http://www.pinterest.com/sherril12/fractals-fibonacci-and-spirals-in-nature-god-s-mat/

Following on from a recent thread, and not wishing to derail it, I've decided to provide some examples of spirals, sacred geometry/mathematics and intelligent design.

These continue to be a source of inspiration and wonder for myself.

I hope that some of the members will find inspiration in these examples.

http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/natural-sciences/nature-blows-my-mind-hypnotic-patterns-sunflowers/

Spirals and sacred geometry, especially in nature, are a fascination of mine. Everything about them seems so naturally formed, without the use of any excess force. Only the Dao in action.

Is that a native symbol zerostao ?

Seriously? You bet. Just take a look in DW. So much prancing and bitching around it makes my skin crawl sometimes. If i could, i would hope that TTB will remain free of such fancy-pancy buddhism.

 

You should ask these guys their real motive(s) for trying to bring Jax's name to disrepute. What's worse, they can't even be honest about their intentions. If this is not hypocrisy, i really dont know what is.

Dharma Wheel has become toxic, just like E-Sangha did.

Honestly, for people like me who like to learn more about Buddhism and it's practices and are trying to connect with others, it gives the wrong impression of the way Buddhists act and behave.

The Buddhist sub-forum here sometimes drops to that level, and for that reason, I tend not to spend much time here, which is a shame, because we have some wonderful members with excellent posts.

I didn't know this and am relieved to hear it.

 

... but sometimes when you feel under siege and you find the lies hard to kill you have to go out for justice.

I would like to thank Jax for sharing these videos which I will watch when I have more free time later.

Falun Gong is probably the best of the best since it generates chi 24/7 but it takes about 2 hrs a day to do.

I have also read that Xiang Gong (Fragrant Qigong) is also very powerful, yet only takes 20 minutes and is really simple to learn.

I will try it for 6 months and see how it works out.

Bumping this thread.

I'm going to stop my other qigong routine (baduanjin) and practice this alone for at least six months to see how it works out.

I have a few health issues (nothing serious) that my baduanjin hasn't managed to sort out.

Maybe the more subtle, but powerful energetics of Xiang Gong can succeed where the breathing/tendon/muscle focussed 8 brocades can't.

He is impressive alright, charging up to $10k for a 2-week retreat for those who clamber furiously to join his 'elite' sangha. Lots of shady undertones, verified by some members here on this very forum. Please dont get so easily swayed by displays of energetic manifestations. Keep a pure practice, and stick to it. One is enough.

Exactly, CT.

The interweb is full of charlatans, con-men (and women !) and all sorts of not very nice people.

The martial arts, fitness/health and spiritual/religious domains seem to be the ones that unearth the most unsavoury characters.

Folks, please do your homework on anyone you have an interest in learning from. It doesn't take much time and could save you years of misery, confusion, ill-health and financial ruin.