Gerard

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Posts posted by Gerard

  1. Posted

    As sweets, I do cook my own pastries & desserts. This one is Central European but its origins are a lot older than that (Middle Eastern).

     

    Pear Strudel (with homemade dough)

     

    I normally replace the cranberries with other dried berries like sultanas or currants or a combination of these two since I'm not a big fan cranberry fan.

     

    Ginger is missing in that recipe but what I do is add a 2-inch/5cm minced ginger root to the filling ingredients. Ginger adds a nice layer of depth and spiciness to the strudel.

     

    Guten Appetit!

     

     

    • Like 2

  2. Posted

    On 16/12/2023 at 12:02 AM, Jenn said:

      The utter ambiguity and slow unfolding of understanding of what Taoism really is as a byproduct of practice and experience is both incredibly frustrating and literally the most amazing gift I could ever imagine.  I'm from the west, we like all the answers immediately and easily digestible :P.  In retrospect, what a sad waste of the mysteries of life.

     

     

    Yes quick answers and many want to acquire results from reading books & paying fake masters for quick results.

     

    None of this works.

     

    Gong Fu = hard work.

     

    This and practicing in the natural environment will help you understand Taoism your your true nature.

     

     

     

    Quote

  3. Posted

    You need to do the RIGHT PRACTICE (1) in the right environment (2). 
     

    I already gave you a clue for number 2.

     

    For no. 1:

     

    This is what I do:

     

     

     

    But from time to time I play with TJQ a bit too:

     

     

     

     

    Learned both from legitimate lines and highly experienced teachers.

     

    Then you'll understand and connect with the principles within (Tao).


    So it's method + environment (nature is the best place to train).

     

    You need to find a good teacher. It's a very important aspect of this path.

     

     

    • Like 1

  5. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    7 hours ago, Sahaja said:

    How did the concepts of reincarnation and karma become so important and widespread among people when seemingly so few people remember and feel accountable for behaviors in past lives?

     


    Through religion; in other words follow the rest like sheep.

     

    The eagle, the lone wolf discerns by itself through relentless observation and careful analysis of the principles that exist within.
     

    Self-realisation vs. faith. 
     

    One example:

     

    I spoke the other day to a Yang TJQ stylist at the park which I have seen practising for an entire year most early mornings all by himself. I decided to approach him and have a chat. Well, his practice is paying off. He said to me, we are a microcosmos placed between Heaven & Earth (San Cai). He is probably the first Tai Chi practitioner who I have spoken to which is focused on inner work rather than looking good in his routine performance. 
     

    He moves extremely slowly; far from the style of TJQ that is so popular today:

     


     

    I asked him about his year of birth: Fire Rooster. Ha! It makes sense now. 

     

     

    • Like 1

  9. Posted

    Correct practice means a traditional method passed on from master to student by many generations.

     

    1. Internal Martial Arts: Ba Gua, Tai Chi & Xing Yi (Kung Fu, Taoism).

    2. Vipassana meditation retreat (Buddhism).


    Examples of poor lifestyle choices which plague modern society: 


    Spending 10h a day in front of the computer, smartphone, etc.; years of academic study and poor posture; eating dinner; etc. 

  10. Posted

    Check He Jinghan's entire YT channel for solid practice rather than spiritual mumbo jumbo, fairy tales and all those snake charmers who make money by selling books and courses. 

    https://m.youtube.com/@HeJingHan-Baguaquan-Taijiquan/videos

     

     

    FREE OF CHARGE. He is a good noble man. 

     

    There is a very good reason why he has put out so many videos. Find out through serious practice and you'll know why. 
     

    Attend a Buddhist Vipassana retreat snc soon you'll find out what is really going on.

     

    Good luck! 

    • Like 2

  11. Posted

    The only way you'll fix your sleep issues is by correcting a pattern of disharmony in the Wood Force (Liver & Gall Bladder) 

     

    To do that you need to introduce significant lifestyle changes which will result from correct practice.

     

    A Qigong method won't do that because all those styles never go deep enough plus practicing them for one hour a day tops isn't enough.

     

    Hope this helps. 

  14. Posted

    On 10/11/2023 at 10:02 PM, StressedByAMountainOfBooks said:

     

    I know there are some schools around Wudan, but +-2k per month is also more than I can immediately afford


     

    Is this how much the Chinese Gov. is charging nowadays for that tourist trap?

     

    Unreal. Stay away from the mainland unless you go to the major cities and learn from a reputable teacher linked to one of the legit. IMA lineages. Beijing is the best place for that. 

  17. Posted

    5 hours ago, Neirong said:

    People who talk poorly about MMA, a sport that produces fighters with lightning reflexes and massive strength, that compete at the highest level, claiming they are not real fighters because they follow some common-sense rules like no eye-gouging. 

     

    Yeah right:

     

     

     

    5 hours ago, Neirong said:


     on the opposite, 'internal arts' already have a terrible reputation in society.


    Far from that:

     

    Ba Gua Quan

     

    https://www.energyarts.com/bagua-why-practice-this-old-and-obscure-art-part-1-2/

     

    Tai Chi Chuan

     

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254613000999
     

    Xingyi Quan

     

    https://www.internalartsinternational.com/xing-yi-quan/

     

    Wonderful arts that will change your life entirely for good. 

  20. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    Not a problem. You are starting to mix various teachings, which is a bad idea especially in the beginning stages. Stick to your original source (Tom Bisio) and nothing else. Check others only for reference purposes.

     

    You need to combine circle walking with Foundation work if you plan to go deep. Check He Jing Han's video collection on YT.

  21. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    The problem with that instruction is the focus on the Palm. 
     

    Let's see:

     

    1. The Millstone Pushing Palm is advanced material. Only taught to students after at least one year of practice of the previous 7 Palms if the lineage contains this Palm as number 8; hence the name Eight Mother Palms.

     

    Other Ba Gua lineages start the set known as Ba Da Zhang (8 Old Palms) with the Millstone Pushing Palm. Their 8MP do not include this one. I prefer this methodology and it's the one I learnt.

     

    A better video to learn from is as follows:

     

     

     

    Liu Jingru (Cheng style Ba Gua) teaches the whole 8MP neigong set + mud walking stepping (one method of walking the circle).

     

    2. As a beginning student do not start learning any of thd 8MZl until walking is done correctly. I spent an entire month under my teacher's guidance before he taught me the first Palm.

     

    DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS AS THE ENERGIES YOU ARR DEALING WITH ARE VERY POWERFUL. BE WARNED.

     

    Also grounding work must be implemented. Refer to He Jinghan's YT Channel has he has released a ton on instructional material. Start from the very bottom (year 2005) and work your way up.

     

    It's difficult to learn Ba Gua from a video so you know. 
     

    Good luck. 

    • Thanks 1

  23. Posted

    Many recipes here:

     

    Chinese congee (porridge):

     

    https://www.foodandwine.com/soup/porridge/9-recipes-congee-cozy-porridge-you-can-eat-any-time-day

     

    https://www.brit.co/living/healthy-eating/how-to-make-congee-dinner-recipes/

     

    Japanese

     

    https://www.justonecookbook.com/recipe-index/
     

    Winter warmers 

     

    https://www.thespruceeats.com/winter-stews-and-casseroles-4157675

    *https://cerijoneschef.com/welsh-cawl/
     

    *Feel free to replace lamb with chickpeas & spicy tofu (see note) if you don't eat meat.

     

    The Welsh cawl is a bomb! It will awaken the dead. :)

     

    Note: here's how to make spicy tofu cubes.

     

    https://www.tasteasianfood.com/spicy-crispy-tofu-recipe/

    • Like 1

  24. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    TCM:

     

    https://vitalitymagazine.com/article/traditional-chinese-medicine-for-herpes/amp/

     

    You need to clear both HEAT & DAMP from your system being the Liver organ (Wood element) the culprit.

     

    There are specific herbal formulas for this but you need to seek  professional treatment. On top of that you need to follow a solid internal  energy method. Seated meditation alone won't  fix the problem.

     

    Good luck.