Gerard

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Posts posted by Gerard

  1. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    For those of you who are familiar with Feng Shui, 2024 is not only the Year of the Green Dragon but also the start of period 9 of the Flying Stars. So far we have:
     

    Period 1 –  February 4 1864 –February 3 1884

    Period 2 - February 4 1884 – February 3 1904

    Period 3 – February 4 1904 – February 3 1924

    Period 4 – February 4 1924 – February 3 1944

    Period 5 – February 4 1944 – February 3 1964

    Period 6 – February 4 1964 – February 3 1984

    Period 7 – February 4 1984 – February 3 2004

    Period 8 – February 4 2004 – February 3 2024

    Period 9 – February 4 2024 – February 3 2044

    Period 10 – February 4 2044 – February 3 2064

     

    When period 9 begins, the number 9 Flying star will become the prominent and most auspicious Flying star for the next 20 years; in period 8, the number 8 star was the most auspicious and so on.

     

    Period 9 Feng Shui will belong to the Li Kua  (Fire element) and in period 9, we can expect a lot of prosperity and progress for females; especially the middle daughter of a family.


    From Chinese Five Element Stem-Branch calendar, the name of 2024 Chinese Zodiac Year is Jia Chen.
    Jia is Male Wood and Chen is Dragon. The zodiac name of 2024 is Yang Wood Dragon. Yin is female and Yang is male. The color of Wood is Green.

     

    Therefore, 2024 is the Male Green Wood Dragon year.

     

    Before predicting your fortune regarding to your money, career, marriage or health in 2024, you have to know which element you are and what is your "lucky" element is from your Astrology Birth Chart. The "lucky element" is the major factor to determine people's fortune.

    Those whose lucky element is Wood, 2024 will bring luck to your life:

     

    https://www.mastertsai.com/ChineseAstrology/Chineseastrology.htm

     

    The Year of the Dragon, 2024, in the Hsia calendar, is symbolised by two Chinese characters with Yang Wood sitting on top of Dragon which is ruled by the Earth element.  So it is a Wood year on Heavenly Stem conquering Earth in Earthly branch. According to the cycle of creation and destruction, which governs the relationship between the Five Elements, if the two elements are in the destructive cycle and have conquering relationship, then the year will have more conflict and less harmony.   


    As Dragon is a symbol of strong Earth, earth disasters such as earthquake, landslide, avalanche, collapse of buildings will also occur since the Wood is piercing the Earth (conflict relationship between Wood-Earth Elements).

     

    Inside the 2024 Dragon, there is Earth, Water, and Wood but no Fire, which is the driving force behind economic activities. Fire is also the symbol of happiness and positive energy in the Five Element Theory. Fire  is necessary to stimulate optimism and confidence.  When it is totally absent, there will be less incentive and less drive for investment activities; this may lead to pessimism in the economy and set back in the stock market.

     

    From the evolution of the Year of the Dragon in 2024, there will be more earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and wars in 2026 (Fire Horse) and 2027 (Fire Goat/Sheep) years.

     

    Compatible Chinese Animals Sign in 2024:  Rat, Monkey and Rooster.

    Incompatible Chinese animals in 2024:
    Dog.

    Good Travel Directions in 2024: north, east and south.

    Lucky colours for 2024: gold, silver, copper, grey and bronze.


     

     

     

    • Like 1
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  3. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    :D
     

    Basically like this forum and the countless lower tantien & MCO threads, people carry on with the same useless discussions without knowing exactly why. 
     

    Edit: the I don't know why but I must read a lot of books on this subject as if the more I read the better for my progress.

     

    Of course the grandaddy of  all: enlightenment.

     

    It all falls under the banner of "spiritual materialism."

     

     

    • Confused 1

  4. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    OP,

     

    The problem of retaining Jing is building up "potential" energy and not allowing it to circulate properly. Hence you either enter a serious food intake mode (not really recommended if you work or study full time) or start moving a lot. Moving as in becoming a wanderer or hiking many kms per day in order to burn excess stored energy.

     


     

     

  5. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    Well, another animal about to go and a totally different one is arriving on February 10.


    Every year around the 4th of February when the annual Feng Shui energy is changing; the bells of the New Chinese Year are not far away. Not only do the annual 9 Flying Star change, but also the three gods (cosmic energy constellations) move to different compass directions influencing our lives.

     

    I'll write a full report soon with some predictions.

     


    2024-year-green-wood-dragon-with-festive

     

     

     

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  6. Posted

    You need to undertake massive changes in your diet and lifestyle to tackle sexual desire. It starts with a serious and dedicated practice over a long period of time that will change gradually your diet and lifestyle. You'll end up eating one meal a day before noon. 

  7. Posted

    On 31/12/2023 at 1:02 AM, Chang dao ling said:

    I think Qigong is not a derivative of yoga. Because of exercises  like Dao yin practiced from 5000 years in china this is way before bodhi Dharma. Second by observing different Qigong systems ( medical, martial arts, ZZ etc) we can say Qigong is "originated " in China. 


     

    China it was, is and will be. 
     

    The Hindu system is completely static; Chinese/Taoist is dynamic.

     

    Qigong owes nothing to India; end of story. Its roots are completely shamanic in nature (imitates movements of animals and the natural cycles). Most likely Siberian/Mongolian practices could have been influenced Qigong in the Neolithic period. 

     

     

     

     

    • Like 1

  9. Posted

    Ba Gua is vastly different from TJQ and they are mutually exclusive. Not a good idea training the two side by side. 
     

    Now with Ba Gua. It's internal in itself without needing to teach specific details like TJQ; the problem comes with people not focusing on the basics which is perfect footwork, circling and 8 Mother Palms; you can throw in some Ba Da Zhang stuff for fun but it won't matter as it's not essential stuff. Also FOUNDATION work is a must in the internal arts or Kung Fu in general. 
     

    He Jinghan has released a ton of video material on this which is his specialty. 

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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.

     

     

  15. 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

  19. 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. 

  20. 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

  21. 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. 

  24. 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.