Max

I found an interesting article about remaining conscious during your sleep and meditating during your sleep by Sotapanna Jhanananda. From my personal experience if you meditate for a while, the line separating sleeping and active states will gradually disappear to the point you may not feel much difference in being in either one of them.....To me, the trick here is to meditate right before you go to bed, and this state somewhat will cary over to the rest of the night. Later..... More articles by Jhanananda you can find here... http://www.greatwesternvehicle.org/jhanaarticles.htm By Sotapanna Jhanananda (Jeffrey S. Brooks) I was recently asked to articulate a method or practice by which one could achieve consciousness during the sleep cycle, a skill I developed during my spiritual journey. I can of course teach the skill of not losing consciousness during sleep. I know this "trick" is a rather simple skill that anyone can develop easily it just takes practice. Remaining conscious during the sleep cycle is really a product of a regular meditation practice. What I mean by a regular meditation practice is beginning each day and ending each day with meditation. At first one need not meditate for more than 15 or 20 minutes, but one should sit as if it was the last act in life, and to sit with no time constraints, so that if one meditated for an hour or so, it would not be a hardship. Developing the necessary skills to support remaining conscious during the sleep cycle can take years, and really should be entered into with the intention of it being a lifelong practice. However I developed the skill within about 6 months of beginning the practice of meditation 3 decades ago, so I know others can develop it rather quickly, no doubt quicker than I did. The next level of skill development is to practice meditation while lying down. Meditating while lying down and not falling asleep takes quite a bit of practice. One doesn't develop that skill without a great deal of practice. I recommend practicing lying down meditation at two times of the day. It is best to take some time out for lying down meditation during the middle of the day. Any time between 1 PM and 6 PM will do. The second and best time to practice lying down meditation is at bedtime when one is ready for sleep. Lying down meditation is nothing other than engaging in a meditation practice while lying down. There are a few other additions, however. In lying down meditation one practices complete letting go, and deep relaxation, what I believe the historic Buddha meant by relinquishment. Therefore one's focus is depth and relaxation, while of course remaining conscious. The position for lying down is somewhat important. I do not believe lying on the belly will be very effective. I have found lying on the back in what is commonly called, Shivasanna or corpse pose, worked best for me. Some prefer lying on the right side. Lying on the left is acceptable, however I found it places some pressure on the spleen that reduces the duration one can remain in that pose. I have found developing this skill one can learn out-of-body travel, past life recollection, visit heavenly planes and numerous other skills. The best aspect of this skill is to remain conscious when one's death comes. If on can remain conscious during death, then one can conquer death and rebirth and decide where and when to be reborn, if ever. I found sleeping with a pillow made it more difficult to remain conscious during the sleep cycle. It seemed that by elevating my head at night I was draining blood from the head, and thus depriving the brain of nutrition, so I removed the pillow and in a fairly short time I began to have a more continuously lucid sleep cycle. More than 30 years ago I gave up all mind-altering drugs that included aspirin and caffeine. I have found caffeine stimulates the cerebral cortex such that it makes it very difficult to calm the mind. I also found it disrupts the sleep cycle. Therefore those seeking to be conscious during the sleep cycle should avoid all mind-altering drugs. My meditation "technique" during the sleep cycle is simply to remain consciousness and to observe all of the phenomena of sleep as this body moves through it. This technique is actually very useful for overcoming sleepiness during meditation as well. There is also something else to keep in mind sleepiness during meditation can be an indicator that one is descending to a deeper domain of awareness than one is accustomed to. If this is true, then one simply lets go of having to remain externally aware. Just observe the process of sleep as it arises, and do it seamlessly and with great detail. May you become enlightened in this very lifetime.

....Period. I was taking a "G" train home today when a girl I know Clementine (Plato know exactly who I'm talking about) walked in the same car. She saw me and sat right next to me. Man, she is as pretty as always. You know, those hot Polish girls that are usually not so bright on the inside, but this one has such a good heart! When she sat down she seemed to make a move to kiss me in a cheek but got confused and stopped. I wasn't sure if it was her intention, but I went and did it myself. Sweet girl, the sweetest I've ever known. She asked me how come she doesn't see me at all in the dinner she works part time and I said I'm busy these days. She said I look sad or tired and I just smiled back. I asked her how is school she goes to and she proceeded telling me about her internships, classes she is taking, etc. I don't recall much of it, maybe because I wasn't listening, only the last parts so I can ask additional questions. As she was talking, I looked at her face and for the first time could really see how she really looks a little more then a foot away. I also looked at the people in the train: most of the men were staring at her, covered in their own drool. Women stared her up and down- jealous! She said something about her taking a Photography class and I made a note to myself that the universe might be messing with me again. It's a long story, just ask Plato about it, he has more experience with photography girls then me. She stopped talking and was looking at me. I guess I could have said something but why? So she started asking questions about me... what I do for a living, if I like it or not... I gave short answers without even thinking what I was saying. My mind was blank and so she did all the talking, I just smiled and guided her. We proceeded talking about her dinner and she asked about Plato and how he was doing. She remembered the food we usually ordered- chicken cutlet and a pork chop with corn. Then she laughed about how one day they gave me pig knuckles instead of stuffed cabbage (both sound almost the same in Polish). I was surprised she remembers that one and told her "what, you have nothing better to keep your mind on?" She laughed. The thing is she wasn't even in the dinner that day, so the girls might have told her. It seems like Plato and I are some kind of unknown heroes that those Polish waitresses talk for days after we leave. They all want the same thing, anyway, that their drunken boyfriends lost years ago from excessive masturbation and watching porn. We kissed in the chick before I got off the train. She said "I see you soon" and I just smiled back. I remember the look on her face. It's the same look that 22 yo Ukrainian girl had when I was dating her. She had no clue where she was standing with me- she was so confused. And how those girls could have any clue about me, if I myself don't know. They are pretty and all, but is this all about looks? Am I impressed with their beauty?... Probably, especially at times when other men show they wanna fuck them. Clementine is different in one way- she is very kind and caring, to complement her looks. I could have easily got her number but what would I do with her? A relationship? I know for sure she wants a baby (she loves kids that's why she has a carrier as a pre-school teacher). I, on the other hand, mention word "baby" in sentences like: "Yeah, babies are useful if you have no other food in the house". It simply won't work. If I wanted to have a kid, she would be the perfect girl to have it with. But I don't. I would never be able to cultivate with the family the way I can do now. It is soooo hard to reject this girl. I had rejected so many of them already. They all are attracted to the same thing that other people can't buy with money, fame or any other way. They all wanna take it from you, and you get chased by hot girls that literally say they want to fuck you. Plato rejects dozens of hot chicks under a pretense that their ass is too loose. The reason you don't hear about it is because he lost the count and too lazy to type. I know I shouldn't have cared about all this and some of you would say "just fuck her and see what happens". I probably already have some karma with her because I keep meeting her and she is so receptive and friendly. I remember when I and Plato first saw her we were just kept starring at her because she is indeed a beautiful person on many levels. And that's why I can't "just fuck her". It's amazing it happens like clockwork. You start meditating and usually at the beginning you are not that strict with yourself. And so you have a girlfriend or if you don't, you want to get one. You want to get a pretty girl but if you are not good looking chances are they all will reject you. Your ideas that those girls should go out with you because you are on a spiritual path, or because you are fun, sensitive, caring and expressive are all dog shit and useless, but you will probably learn about that later on. I know I still in the process of doing that. But eventually, if you are lucky enough not to get married and get anyone pregnant, your practices become deeper and you will look at things from a slightly different point. If you stop ejaculating, your energy starts to build, or rather gets purer, and when you have enough chi you will see what you have to do. About this time, you notice that the opposite sex pays attention to you more. Most people have a desire now to get a hot girl, because "gee, I feel so powerful now, no woman can take it away from me!" They get a girlfriend and are back to the beginning. If you stay on your course, cultivate with discipline and resist the temptations of the hottest girls trying to get you, the universe will take care of you and you pass this stage and move on to higher things. But it's so damn hard. I'm not sure if I can do it this time. Mmmm, Clementine....

Follow the link: Knee Switches Video #1

Thank you for this post- I really appreciate it. I'm thinking of taking a 10 day retreat at the end of this year, probably the end of December through New Year.

july4, 2005. The thing on the left hopefully is a blimp. Two things on top and to the right...

Thanks for sharing. Have you heard of this place? Wudang retreat

I've finally decided to replace all the silver fillings in my teeth with white non-toxic kind. For those who don't know, the common silver filling dentists use to cover the holes contains mercury. What's wrong with mercury? Read this Amalgam / Mercury Dental Filling Toxicity I was reading one of the russian health magazines my mom buys and found an interesting article about this russian scientist about 300 years ago was researching bacteria and discovered that our common salt kills any bacteria on contact. So he started using salt to brush his teeth with after every meal (at that time they didn't have toothpaste). They say he died at the age of 90 with ALL his teeth in perfect condition, white in color. Here is something else I found: "Teeth are made of salt crystals like common table salt. Everyone's done the experiment where some yarn is hung in a glass of salt water and large salt crystals form on the yarn as the water evaporates. The crystals are white. What makes teeth yellow or dark is the stuff that gets stuck inside the salt." I say FUCK TOOTHPASTE!

Hi Craig, The best book on history of Taoism I've read is "The Story of Chinese Taoism: The History of Taoism and Taoist Meditation Techniques" by Nan Huai Chin. You can read more about the book on Bill Bodri's website The Story of Chinese Taoism. Metta.

Sean, You are completely missing the point of what Pietro is trying to say. Your reply that you wanted to protect the forum and didn't know anyone well enough to give up some control of TaoBums.com is not valid. You see, just like Pietro pointed out, this forum was created to be OUR forum. That means people that came to your website seanomlor.com were ready to come together and create something, TOGETHER. It didsn't matter how long it would take. We were willing to try. R.J. or i were going to buy the name, Plato was willing to host, Pietro and you would make the site, and Plato and I would work on link exchange and optimization to get a better PR and search standing. Non of that happened. You know why? Because it became your site. If you didn't trust us and were uncomfortable dealing with people you hardly know, you didn't have to be a part of it. Period. We have a good group of nice people here. And we have been around Healing Dao for a while now. Most of us have met each other, some not personaly, but through others. You say : Sean, I can see what you are saying. But this community is NOT ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS. Nor mine, or Pietros. It was about the group project name "TaoBums". Now. We need to solve this. Pietro leaving is not the answer, because this place is held by people who can contribute through their actual spiritual work. And the energy they bring here is the support for this site to exist. Without this energy Taobums will fail, no matter how "sophisticated" you make it. Just look at HT forum. We left and it was dead. Michael had to come and save it... and that's the only reason he is there. Plato and I have met Pietro personally, and he is a really nice guy that one day, I hope, will be a great teacher. He is a crazy genius with an inspiration to create crazy things. And just like me, he hates when the agreement is not kept.

Just checked Lo-Fi out. Can you make posts threaded when I open a specific topic from the list? # Pinned: Resources: Books, Links, Articles, Movies, etc. (15 replies) # Caffeine Experiment (5 replies) # TRADDITIONAL CHINESE MEDDICINE ? (1 replies) # Lin's Links (7 replies) # Fasting in chuang tzu (5 replies) # sungazing notes (15 replies) # master of your domain? (3 replies) # OK TESTIN DA FORUM (2 replies) # 3 amigos - get low (0 replies) It seems to have no alternative but linear view. Thanks. As for Scott Sonnon, he is always saying stuff.

Thanks guys for giving all this good info. As for holistic dentists, try this link: Find Dentists utilizing Holistic Dental Practices You can also get your own dental plan, if you don't have any, to save. Dental Plans Here is another great article on Mercury: The Dental Amalgam Issue

Thanks, Ron. Sounds interesting. Here is another link with good info on uses of Bentonite Bentonite clay I will replacing them in about 2 months or so, and it will cost me about $80 per filling (no insurance). One thing I noticed after cleaning teeth with salt is in the morning they still feel clean.

I don't like this type of forum either... too complicated. Why can't we just have something simple, like HT format, so I don't have jump from page to page? Blogs, wiki, articles.............. who needs all this shit? Do we have so much mental garbage that we have to bring it here and hang it like a pair of your dirty underwear? I see it's too late to change anything. "Simplicity" is a good word. In meditation, and in your daily life. International Sign of Marriage

Thorny, Thank you for your comment on HT board. I wish you all the best in your spiritual journey. Metta.

Guess who this is?

You are correct. But I can make it extremely hard to hack, especially if you have 2 firewalls with most of the windows services disabled. Here is a good article on how Windows is spying on us, and how to stop it. http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/10/298702.html You can check if your computer is secure by going here: http://scan.sygate.com/ Gimp is good, still can't beat photoshop. And you are right. Most of the reasons for Windows is gaming. Anyway, I don't like Windows as much as you do- it's just most of the programs I use are Windows only.

I had Linux but i've changed my mind. First, you can make any Windows bulletproof if you know what to do. Second, if you use your computer just for browsing, Linux is probably ok. If you need it for Web publishing or Graphic design, then you need heavy programs like Photoshop and such- the free graphic programs that you get with Linux don't cut it. One of possible reasons to have Linux is that you can't afford to buy all the good programs for windows. Tha's why people created http://www.phazeddl.com/ and http://soft-best.net/. BTW, check this out, lol http://soft-best.net/news.php?go=2493 Ohh, I wouldn't use the above links if I didn't have a good antivirus, pop-up blocker, and a moleware detector.

This is classic.... http://www.planearium.de/downloads/songsus...o-s-415chef.mp3

Keep your body relaxed and mind quite. Just remember a lot of people who actually practice go through this stage. You don't really need to know the reason for these vibrations, although some visions about the cause may come up in the process. Just keep on doing what you are doing and do not be afraid.

Harry, You shouldn't be concerned too much with shaking or any other physical manifestations while meditating. In fact, people who spend some considerable time practicing sooner or later may experience some vibrations in the body or bodily movements. The whole hatha yoga movement came out of this phenomenon, where people would move into different postures during their meditation. The next time you experience the shaking, just relax and try to remember not to give much importance to this. After all the nervous tension is gone from the muscles and joints in the body, and the mind is completely quiet, you will pass this stage and move on to a higher level of cultivation. Just like the mind that can pass through a flood of thoughts, so the body can experience the same thing on a physical level. Keep doing what you are doing and this all will pass. You may consider these experiences a good thing. Just don't give it too much importance, and it will pass.

Most of the red reishi mushrooms you will find on the market have chemicals that are very toxic. The stuff they are talking about in the books are a wild red reishi mushroom kind that people used to gather from nature long time ago.

Welcome. You can find some answers to questions you might have here: http://www.meditationexpert.com/articles.html