Dainin

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Posts posted by Dainin

  2. Posted · Edited by Dainin

    Received last night:

     

    Dear friends of the Sanctuary of Tao,

    We warmly invite you to join us for an online memorial for the Sanctuary of Tao community to honor the life and legacy of our beloved teacher and friend, Stuart Alve Olson, on Sunday, August 31st at 1:00pm (Central Time).

    This is gathering is free and will be held on Zoom. Please to receive the link. 

    There will be an in-person official memorial for Stuart in Minnesota in October. All are invited, and we will send out the details about that as soon as we have them. 

    Sanctuary of Tao Online Memorial Honoring the Life and Legacy of Stuart Alve Olson: Sunday, August 31st at 1:00pm (Central Time)

    The service will be officiated by Tim Burkett, former Guiding Teacher of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center. Stuart studied in the lineage of Tim’s teacher, Katagiri Roshi, and in 1982 began his two-year bowing pilgrimage from the Zen Center.

    Itinerary (approx. 75-90 minutes total)

    • Welcome & Opening Words (~5 minutes)

    • Clarity and Tranquility Scripture (~5 minutes)

    • Memorial Talk with Tim Burkett (~30 minutes) – Tim will offer a longer talk, sharing reflections from Buddhist and Taoist perspectives on death and impermanence, helping us meet this loss and let it open us to greater understanding on our path of awakening. 

    • Stories & Remembrances (~30 minutes) – beginning with Stuart’s lifelong friend Vern Peterson (who will recall how he introduced Stuart to Master T.T. Liang and their early years together), as well as members of the Sanctuary of Tao including Lily Shank, Suzanne Nosko, and Bill McCracken, followed by open community sharing. You may let us know in advance that you’d like to prepare a few words, and we'll put you on the list, or you may simply speak from the heart in the moment.

    • Da Bei Chou (Great Compassion Mantra) and Closing Words (~5 minutes)

    This memorial is a space to both grieve Stuart’s passing and celebrate his life. It is a time for us to gather as a community—to hold our sorrow within a shared field of love, to cherish our memories of our teacher and friend, and to carry forward his teachings in our lives.

    We hope you will join us.

    With gratitude,
    The Sanctuary of Tao

    • Like 2

  3. Posted

    Received the following last night:

     

    Dear friends,
     
    We are writing to share the heartbreaking news that Stuart passed away two days ago, on August 14, 2025, at 4:08 pm. He was in the comfort of his home, and Patrick and Suzanne were at his side until the very end when he passed as they held him.
     
    They ensured he was cared for and loved, and they let him know how much all of you loved him, sharing your letters to him and how much he had touched the lives of others. Even though many of you were unable to see Stuart during this most difficult journey, he knew how much he meant to all of you, how loved he was, and how much his life positively impacted the lives of others.
     
    He leaves behind an immense void in our hearts as we will miss him greatly. As we come to grips with not having our beloved friend and teacher physically with us, we will carry on through everything he taught. It is through what he taught us and through the moments we shared that he will always live inside of us. 
     
    It was also always important to Stuart that the teachings survive him so that others can find wisdom and compassion even after his own time. So, just by remembering what he taught all of you, what he shared with each of you, you are carrying his legacy. May his life continue to shine positively on each of us.
     
    We will keep you informed as we take the first steps towards arranging a memorial service for Stuart. It will most likely be in October in Minneapolis, MN. We are also planning an online memorial service for the Sanctuary of Tao community in the coming weeks, and we'll send an email as soon as we have the details regarding this event. If you would like to send a memorial gift instead of flowers, we would be deeply grateful for a donation to the Sanctuary of Tao as a way of helping fulfill Stuart’s vision and carry forward the work he dedicated his life to.

    Once again, we would like to thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support, love, and prayers for Stuart during the time that we needed it most. We will forever be grateful, and we will never forget it.
     
    With heavy hearts but with all of our love,
    Sanctuary of Tao

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  4. Posted

    Yesterday I received an email with this sad news about Stuart Alve Olson entering hospice care. I've found some of his materials (books and courses) to be both interesting and useful over the years, and wish him a peaceful transition.

     

    Dear friends of the Sanctuary of Tao,

     

    We write to you today with a heavy heart to share that our beloved friend and teacher, Stuart, is now in hospice care at home. Patrick and Suzanne are taking care of him, offering comfort, warmth, and companionship as he enters this time of sacred passage. His vital signs are gradually declining, and he is now receiving medication to keep him peaceful and free of pain. The hospice nurse has said he will likely pass in the next day or two.

     

    Patrick and Suzanne are holding vigil — reciting for him and staying by his side. We invite you to join this vigil from wherever you are: through chanting, prayer, meditation, or simply holding him in your heart and sending love. If you know it, you may wish to chant the Da Bei Zhou, or offer any mantra, spiritual text, or prayer that carries meaning for you.

     

    This is a time of deep grief and sorrow for our community. As you receive this news, we extend our hearts to you, knowing that many of you have walked closely with Stuart in one way or another.

     

    From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the love, support, and prayers you have shared throughout this most difficult journey. We are deeply grateful for your care, and for holding Stuart in your hearts and prayers in the hours and days ahead.

     

    With heartfelt gratitude,
    Sanctuary of Tao

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  5. Posted

    There's that whole path of Jhana phases in Theravada Buddhism. In Sufism, there are Stages (temporary) and Stations (permanent) that a dervish would go through. Probably lots of other systems have this too. In my opinion, I think it would probably be better to have a live teacher to check on your progress with this kind of thing, rather than reading a book and developing a set of expectations based on it.

     

     

     

     

     

    • Like 1

  6. Posted · Edited by Dainin

    In case you might be interested, the last two sections of Tom Bisio's Daoist Meditation course ($150) are on Sleeping Meditation and Sleeping Gong.

     

    He also has a book ($20): Daoist Sleeping Meditation: Chen Tuan's Sleeping Gong.

     

    I think that master who pulls trucks with his balls (Master Tu maybe?) has an 8 Pieces of Brocade DVD that also has some information about sleeping qigong on it. I haven't seen it.

     

    • Like 2

  9. Posted · Edited by Dainin
    Rescheduled

    https://www.shenten.org/event/tsalung-%26-trulkhors?lang=en

     

    20-22 November 2025 (this was originally scheduled for June but was cancelled then due to the passing of HE Yongdzin Rinpoche)

     

    Khenpo Akarpa Rinpoche is introducing a new course that offers a comprehensive summary of Tibetan yoga practices. This course is distinct from the Zhang Zhung Nyan Gyud teachings and has been personally developed by Rinpoche based on his extensive study and expertise in the diverse yoga traditions of Tibet.

     

    About Tsalung Trulkhor

    Tsalung Trulkhor refers to specific secret tantric practices and unique, purifying physical exercises designed to enhance Dzogchen practice. These methods have been traditionally employed by tantric yogis in the Himalayas, Zhangzhung, and Tibet. The practices include wind purification, body purification, mind purification, clearing obstacles, and the unique tummo inner heat purification. Tummo focuses on the bodily life points connected to tsa-tik-lung channels and refined body postures.

     

    Khenpo Akarpa Rinpoche has studied tsalung trĂŒlkhor and tummo extensively under numerous exceptional masters from the major spiritual traditions of Tibet, including Yungdrung Bön, Sakya, Gelug, KagyĂŒ, Nyingma, and Jonang.

     

    Course Highlights

    The program integrates key practices from various Tibetan traditions, including:

    ‱ Wind Purification Practice: Techniques to unblock bodily points and balance the five winds, promoting physical and mental health.

    ‱ Body Purification Practice: Exercises to harmonize the five elements, enhance bodily warmth, and address ailments caused by imbalances.

    ‱ Mind Purification Practice: Methods to calm the mind, eliminate mental obstacles, and cultivate one-pointed concentration for inner peace.

     

    Purpose and Benefits

    These practices aim to purify body, speech, and mind, clear obstacles, and foster supreme mental and physical well-being. Participants will experience increased energy, radiant health, and profound joy while nurturing compassion and wisdom.

    This course is tailored for contemporary practitioners from both Eastern and Western backgrounds, making these ancient techniques accessible to all.

  11. Posted

    In Google, it is possible to do site-specific searches like this: site:www.thedaobums.com (search term)

     

    However, Google's crawlers do not reach the PPD section, where a lot of interesting content can be found. This site's search engine did (or still does but just for the past two months). I'm wondering if the mods could experiment with re-setting the search scope further back in time to see if it affects connectivity and speed? If it is negatively impacted, by all means go back to two months. Just a thought. (You may have already tried this, apologies if so)

     

    I'd also like to thank the mods/concierges and IT people for all you do!

    • Like 1

  13. Posted

    Sorry but I have to disagree about the search engine never working well. For example, last June I used it to analyze my practice log. As you can see at the following link, it would (at that time and until recently) retrieve hundreds or even thousands of results for given search terms. There has definitely been a change since the recent connectivity issues to greatly impair this function, leaving it virtually worthless. To me this has been an important feature of the site and allows visitors to readily locate information on the topic of their choice. I hope tech support doesn't blow this off and continues to investigate the issue. Thank you.

     

     

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  14. Posted · Edited by Dainin

    Hi Tech Support,

     

    Just thought I'd point out that the search engine for the site doesn't appear to be working correctly. Entering  relatively common search terms produces no results or far fewer than should be expected.

     

    Examples:

    Bagua, 5 results

    Mo Pai: 6 results

    Zen: 27 results

     

    Hopefully someone can look into this. Thank you.

     

    • Like 3

  15. Posted · Edited by Dainin

    https://serenityridge-ligmincha.secure.retreat.guru/program/online-2025-tibetan-yoga-training-part-1/?lang=en

    Tibetan Yoga from the Oral Tradition of Zhang Zhung:
    The Magical Movements (Trul Khor) of Body, Breath & Mind

    April 14 - 17, 2025

     

    Beginners and experienced students alike are invited to this Tibetan Yoga retreat!

     

    The distinctive Tibetan practice of yoga known as Trul Khor or ‘magical movement’ incorporates breath retention, awareness and dynamic physical movements. In this four day retreat we will focus on the Foundational (Ngondro) and Special (Chedrag) magical movements from the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyu (Oral Transmission of Zhang Zhung).

     

    Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche calls Trul Khor “a wonderful support for all spiritual practitioners, not just for those with an interest in physical yogas.” By harmonizing the winds (lung, prana, or chi) and guiding their flow through physical and energetic dimensions, Trul khor can clear long-held blocks in the practitioner’s body, energy, and mind, supporting the spontaneous arising of awareness during formal meditation and in everyday life.

    Trul khor has different sets of movements composed by different masters. This retreat, will focus on practices from Pongyal Tsenpo and Orgom Kundul, two great yogis who are among the masters of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyu.

     

    Students that complete this retreat are eligible to participate in Trul Khor, 4-part training.

     

    (This will also be available in person in Virginia)

    • Like 1

  17. Posted

    Dzogchen Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Thrul Khor Teaching, Transmission, and Instruction

    via Zoom and In-Person with Tempa Dukte Lama and Geshe Tsewang Ngodup Rinpoche

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    Three Weekend Course

    Week 1 | Sat. October 26th – Sun. October 27th, 2024
    Week 2 | Sat. November 2nd – Sun. November 3rd, 2024
    Week 3 | Sat. November 9th – Sun. November 10th, 2024

    from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST

    This teaching is offered both via Zoom and in person at Olmo Ling (1101 Greenfield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, USA)
     

    Registered participants will receive the recording after the teaching.
     

    The teaching will be taught in English. Simultaneous translation will be available in Spanish, French, and Portuguese via Zoom. Check back soon for updates!
     

    In this special teaching, Tempa Dukte Lama and Geshe Tsewang Ngodup Rinpoche will offer the teaching and transmission of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud practices of ancient Tibetan Bon Yoga (Thrul Khor). This teaching is part of the Bon cycle of Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Dzogchen. Dzogchen is the highest teaching of Bon as it offers a means to directly recognize the true nature of the mind and attain stabilization of this recognition. Thrul Khor, the training of harmonizing our body, mind, and energy, is an integral part of Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Dzogchen and supports us on this path.

    Thrul Khor practice utilizes gentle physical movement, breathing and visualization to clear blockages in the energy channels, strengthen our focus, and clear our mind from agitation, dullness, and drowsiness. Thrul Khor also helps us transform conditioning that causes disturbances and imbalances in the three humors of wind, bile, and phlegm and thus helps us maintain a healthy body. Through the special yogic practice of Thrul Khor we learn to abide in natural clarity and insight, allowing a harmonious state of our body, mind, and energy to manifest.

    The focus of this teaching will be on becoming familiar with the yogic movements of Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Thrul Khor. This training will help us build mental stability and awareness and improve the circulation of the vital breath.

    Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Dzogchen Thrul Khor includes four series of yogic movements that will be covered during the three weekends:

    • The First Series consists of the 5 preliminary Thrul Khor practices for the head, the feet, the arms, the upper body, and the lower body.
    • The Second Series or Root series consists of 11 practices
    • The Third Series or Branch consists of 10 practices
    • The Fourth Series consists of the five Specific Thrul Khor Movements that are used to clear obstacles in particular parts of the body.
    All are welcome to this special teaching. No prior experience or yoga practice is necessary.

    This teaching is well suited to complement and support the recently completed Fourfold Instruction of Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Dzogchen with Tempa Lama and Geshe Tsewang Ngodup Rinpoche.

    • Like 1

  18. Posted

    https://tenerifeonline.tibetanmedicineschool.org/courses/yantra-yoga-from-a-to-z-2024

     

    A Year-long Yantra Yoga program with instructors from around the world.

     

    Come learn the detailed knowledge and practice of Yantra Yoga with an international team of authorized professionals who together make this a rich and unique opportunity. Each instructor and a Tibetan medicine practitioner will teach one of the 14 special workshops; additionally, a guide instructor will accompany practitioners, facilitating weekly practices and addressing doubts or questions arising from the practice.

     

    Yantra yoga was originally brought to Tibet by Padmasambhava in the 8th century and entrusted to the scholar, master, and translator Vairochana who recorded the practice in a text known as the “Trulkor Nyida Khajor”, or the Union of Sun and Moon. It was first introduced to the West in the 1970s by one of the foremost Dzogchen masters of our time, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, and later made openly available, understanding the immense benefit it holds for everyone.

    Program

    Special workshops are offered once a month, with the exception of the month of October where we will have two workshops. The monthly workshops will be Sundays at 5pm CEST/CET, (From 2.5 to 3 hours).

    • October 6th, 2024: Introduction to Yantra Yoga. Benefits and principles of the method. History. Structure of the practice. Exhaling the stale air, 9 purification breathing. By Honza Dolensky

    • October 20th, 2024: First preliminary series: Tsigjon, loosening the joints. By Oana Marcu

    • November 3rd, 2024: Introduction to Tibetan medicine and its relation with the Yantra Yoga practice. By Ilaria Faccioli

    • December 1st, 2024: Second preliminary series: Lungsang, the 8 movements to purify the prana. (PART I) By Vicki Sidley

    • January 12th, 2025: Second preliminary series: Lungsang, the 8 movements to purify the prana. (PART II) By Angelica Siedlecki & Logan Mikyö Clark

    • February 2nd, 2025: Third preliminary series: Tsadul, balancing the energy channels. (Pranayama) (PART I). By Alessandra Policreti

    • March 2nd 2025: Third preliminary series: Tsadul, balancing the energy chanels. (Yantras) (PART II). By Honza Dolensky

    • April 6th, 2025: Rhythmic breathing. By Fijalka Turzikova

    • May 4th, 2025: Vajra wave: serie to conclude a Yantra Yoga session. By Marija Bajic-Jovanovic

    • June 1st, 2025: The first series of Yantras. By Luke Karamol

    • July 6th, 2025: Second series of Yantras. By Elerin Uibu

    • August 3rd, 2025: Third series of Yantras. By Nataly Nitsche

    • September 7th, 2025: Fourth series of Yantras. By Dina Priymak

    • October 5th, 2025: Fifth series of Yantras. By Maxim Leshchenko

     

    It looks like there is a 20% discount if you pay in full

     

  19. Posted

    To the OP,

     

    If you simply want to feel qi, Pangu Shengong, Fragrant Qigong, or the La Qi method in Zhineng Qigong would probably allow you to experience that pretty rapidly (and less expensively) than the methods you've mentioned. On the other hand. if you would like to do something with the energy you would be feeling, one of those more extensive courses could be more beneficial.

  23. Posted

    https://www.yogicstudies.com/ys-128

     

    Enrollment is now open for our next online course, YS 128 |
     
    KalÌŁarippayaṟṟ˘: Embodying the Cosmic Wind taught by Lucy May Constantini!
     
    📚 Kaáž·arippayaáčŸáčŸË˜ is a ritually transmitted martial art with an allied medical system which originated in South India in the Malabar region of present-day Kerala. The word kalÌŁarippayaṟṟ˘ is a Malayalam compound made up of payaṟṟ˘, signifying practice, and kalÌŁari, a polyvalent term that here refers to the place of practice. This training space is a ritually prescribed shrine with installed deities in the wider tradition of Kerala Tantra.
    Historically important in Kerala’s social and artistic life, kalÌŁarippayaṟṟ˘ has a sophisticated conception of the body which underpins the methodology of its practice. While in modern times it has been adopted by performing artists and yoga practitioners in India and beyond, historically in Kerala it was used not only to train future warriors but also performing artists, most famously in kathakali. KalÌŁarippayaṟṟ˘ was part of the education of children across social groups in medieval Kerala, girls as well as boys, and there are several stories of elite female practitioners.
     
    This course is aimed at anyone with an interest in the moving body in the Indic context. It assumes no prior knowledge and will work with a range of materials suitable to different learning styles and preferences.
     
    🎧 The course runs live from May 6 - 31, 2024. We'll meet live on Fridays @ 10-11:30am PST. If you can't make the live sessions, not to worry, recordings will be available!
    👉 For all course details + registration, visit: https://www.yogicstudies.com/ys-128

  25. Posted

    Yang Taiji Baduanjin: The Eight Brocades (September and November 2024)

     

    https://www.masichinternalarts.com/zoom-8-section-brocade-baduanjin

     

    (Note from Dainin: this is something completely different from the standard 8 Section Brocade. The Yang Family Qigong that I practice with my Tai Chi teacher (can also be seen in a book by Stuart Alve Olson) is just one part of this longer form. You may be able to see some excerpts from it on Youtube. I'll definitely be signing up for this one!)

    Join Master Sam Masich for four 2-hour Zoom sessions teaching the almost-lost Yang Taiji Baduanjin from the Yang-style Taijiquan tradition. These eight extraordinary segments are perfect for those who want to go deep into the internal aspects of taijiquan.

    In an introduction to his 2011 book ‘Yang-style Taiji Real Power’ (Yang-shi Taiji Zhen Gong æ„ŠćŒć€Șæ„”çœŸćŠŸ) author Sun Yizhao explains:

    Taiji Baduanjin was originally created by the Yang family as a training method for mobilizing qi and training jin (yunqi lianjin gongfa é‹æ°Łç·Žć‹ćŠŸæł•). Like other forms of baduanjin there are eight sections but the movements are not the same. It can be distinguished by it's 'forging and smelting' (duanlian 鍛煉) of the sections and joints of the body and the strengthening of the internal organs and their way of functioning. It strengthens visceral system functioning and also contains within it a great deal of attack and defence training methods (jiji 技擊).

    The Yang-style Taijiquan Baduanjin was originally an indoor family neigong of the Yang family—a secret weapon of sorts. It can be seen variously as a good solid warmup and strength and flexibility practice or as an essential piece of the Yang-style Taijiquan curriculum. 

    This is the first time this work has been presented in online sessions. As part of your registration, you will receive access to downloadable handouts for each session and access to the recorded session for your future reference. 

    Registration form

    Cost: $150 USD payment options PayPal, Canadian bank transfer, International (€ & £) bank transfer

    Hosted by: Patrick Foley of Longwater Tai Chi

    Dates: Session 1: Sep 14

                Session 2: Sep 28

                Session 3: Nov 16

                Session 4: Nov 30

    Time: 19.00 CEST, 6pm BST, 1pm EDT, 10am PDT