Gerard

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Posts posted by Gerard

  1. Posted

    I had no idea classical TCM used wild animal parts; eg. tiger bone, rhino horn, deer antlers, etc. I thought it wasn't real Taoism but more folk medicine that found it's way though classic TCM. 

     

    When I lived in Europe I had the misfortune of meeting a lawyer that worked for drug traffickers. He had a tiger cub in his garden and was trying hard to get a gorilla one too, which is pretty much impossible but he had the money and was determined. 

     

    Is always humans driving to extinction so many wild animals and felines in this case. 

     

     

    • Sad 1

  2. Posted

    On 2/8/2023 at 4:25 PM, Taomeow said:

     

    It has been steeply decreasing in Malaysia.  In Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam they practically went extinct.

     

    Poaching for folk TCM medication? Habitat loss? Both reasons?

     

     

     

     

  3. Posted

    Steps to open the meridians:

     

    1. Walking mindfully for many hours/days/years especially if you start at the mature age. Circle walking preferably. Combine it with seated meditation practice.

    2. Regulating the Yin & Yang, the 4 Phases and the 5 Forces

    3. Acting upon the joints by using an Internal Martial Art or any other Kung Fu style that involves bending, twisting, stretching, sinking, expanding and rising (all related to the action of fhe 5 Forces).

    4. Practice in the natural environment as often as you can.

    5. Celibacy. 

    6. Good quality food and clean air.

    • Like 2

  5. Posted

    Thanks Pak_Satrio. What else to add, I guess people will have to figure out by themselves or they wouldn't be here in the first place.

     

    I suggested the two internal methods but don't want to sound patronising. Whatever method works for you best!

    However the method has to give substantial benefits being the most important one a full transformation of the practitioner which will enable them to connect with the inner reality and understand how it links with us, smaller and identical copies of the big picture as well as linking with your Earth animal and the Heavenly sign and feel the yearly changes each animal energy influence us every year. 

     

    This Rabbit lunar year runs deep and it's great for deep healing as rabbits do when they hide in their burrows.

     

    image.png.912fbe9b87297072e3946dba274cd7a2.png

    • Like 1

  6. Posted

    6 hours ago, Taoist Texts said:

     

    of course it is. thats why the broken record 'of 'go find a teacher' is even more hilarious. 

     

     

    I found my Ba Gua teacher in Brisbane after conducting a web search. 

     

    Is it that difficult?

     

    The problem starts when you are after more than a teacher. Then the perks will soon follow: cults, fake & useless teachings, etc. 

    • Like 1

  7. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    Forget about it.

     

    "Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience."— Hal Borland

     

    “Two things define you: your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything.” —George Bernard Shaw

     

     

    Your turn:

     

    How long can you practice every day and are keen to find a local teacher?

  8. Posted

    1. No books. Good only for reference purposes

    2. Find a real life teacher 

    3. Practice with discipline and dedication on a daily basis for as long as you possibly can combining MOVING and SEATED practices 

    4. Practice in the natural environment as often as you can

    5. Practice one of the major Internal Martial Arts styles preferably Ba Gua or Xing Yi

    6. Eat good food, breath good clean air and minimise sexual activity

     

     

    • Like 3

  11. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    53 minutes ago, Barnaby said:

    Serge is an accomplished martial artist. But as a "spiritual teacher", he is a con man and a liar.

     

    Isn't this business ridden with them?

     

    Name me one that isn't barring historical figures including some debatable about their real existence like the Jesus Christ.

     

    It's certainly a personal path and you do not rely on others, end of story.

     

    For the teachings go seek an internal martial artist that teaches a known that follows a *lineage which originates from China or a retreat centre in SE Asia for example linked to Buddhism if you prefer something less energy based. 

     

    I had no idea SA was charging a lot for his teachings; I thought he was another author like Damo Mitchell. 
     

    *For example:

     

    https://www.scribd.com/document/76435480/Bagua-Lineage-Chart

  12. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    I'm endorsing no one. The student should always be better than the teacher in the end. But it takes a heck of a lot of work to get there and still you got to 'keep the house tidy' on a daily basis like brushing your teeth. 

     

    OWN EFFORT. Does this sound familiar? 

     

    Achievements? Keep them to yourself.

     

    I have attained quite a lot, but how is this going to benefit others? Will I ever make them public? I don't think so, what for? To make me happy or give me a sense of accomplishment? That would be an unresolved ego trip.

     

    Back to the topic of discussion, Serge Augier isn't putting a gun on people's heads to buy his books or enrol in his course. Don't like him? Move on and find someone else, there are legit teachers out there but BUYER BEWARE there are also people who shouldn't be teaching due to:

     

    1. Lacking empathy

    2. Pass on inadequate/poor quality teachings

    3. Passing on a half-baked method 

    4. Passing a superficial method good for nothing except for the show. 

     

    And they are not necessarily advertising their method to the whole world, they are lurking quietly in any of the world's suburbia. The good and the bad and the mediocre are always coexisting with one another.

     

    My advice is to be inquisitive and spend a great deal of time in finding a legit teacher and system. 

     

    EDITED: typo.

     

     

     

    • Haha 1
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  14. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    There is an excellent site about it but unfortunately lost the bookmark and tried to find it later on again but to no avail.

     

    One particular tradition (forgot its name) which for me ticked all the boxes as for being the most accurate was the one that taught there is no right and wrong, no karma, no heaven and hell and all that superstitious stuff that is associated with all religions. I was surprised it came from India!

     

    Will try to find the URL again with extra effort this time. 

    • Thanks 1

  15. Posted

    On 9/7/2023 at 7:13 PM, Taoist Texts said:

    what is so mystical about Kowloon Mountains, they are right in Honkong.

     

    I think it's an error in typing the word correctly. 

     

    It's Kunlun mountains.

     

    Btw, I see nothing wrong with this course. It's always the same thing but with different coating like we have Fiat, Volvo, Toyota, Mazda, Mini Cooper, Skoda, etc. cars. They all have:

     

    1. Wheels

    2. A transmission system

    3. An engine 

    4. A body/chassis

    5. Front axle

     

    and so on. Regardless of the car you choose to buy, it will always take you from A to B...some are faster than others though so the travelling time will be reduced.

     

    Apply this reasoning to Qigong, IMA & various meditation methods.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  16. Posted

    1. Look at the orators in our republics; as long as they are poor, both state and people can only praise their uprightness; but once they are fattened on the public funds, they conceive a hatred for justice, plan intrigues against the people and attack the democracy. (Aristophanes)

     

    2. The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. (Tacitus)

     

    3. Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception. (Machiavelli)

     

    4. It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption. (Montesquieu)

     

     

    • Like 1

  17. Posted

    Yes tovarisch Taomeow.

     

    Let's all follow NK:

     

    "In the early to mid-1990s, unable to combat the growing food crisis and refusing to seek international assistance, the North Korean government actively encouraged the population to forage for alternative or wild foods instead, such as roots, grasses and stalks, promoting them as healthy and safe sources of nutrients."

     

    Very healthy and tasty indeed; meanwhile the Supreme Commander Kim Jong IL was enjoying premium sushi prepared by the Japanese chef Kenji Fujimoto.

     

    Lead by example. 

     

    *https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2010/07/starving-north-koreans-forced-survive-diet-grass-and-tree-bark/#:~:text=In the early to mid,and safe sources of nutrients.

     

     

     

     

  22. Posted

    Once finished that course you could move onto the next form which is more dynamic as it moves around the TJQ axis entirely.

     

    https://youtu.be/Tetf79WQta4

     

    Rest of the entire form are available on the author's YT channel:

     

    https://m.youtube.com/@IanSinclairTaiChi/videos

     

     

    Yang TJQ 24 or Beijing Form

     

    Ian has split the entire form in several videos. Very well detailed, easy to follow and each movement, eg. Repulse the Monkey, shown from various angles.

     

    FREE OF CHARGE as well.

     

    • Like 1

  23. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    Not even for free I'd want that.

     

    My advice once and for all:

     

    1. Stay away from anything that is set up according to levels. It's pretty much like a pyramid scheme. The Mo-Pai cult is also structured that way.

     

    2. Stick to traditional methods of training.

     

    Examples:

     

    1. Neijia/Internal Martial Arts. Baguaquan, Taijiquan & Xingyiquan ate the major methods.

     

    2. Buddhist Vipassana if you prefer a less dynamic method and structured around a meditation retreat setting.

     

    3. Find a teacher that is focused on teaching a deep method and who has attained a high level of development and his healthy and vibrant. Beware of charlatans and people who are more interested in making money rather than passing on a genuine method.

     

    4. Foundation work must be also implemented to support your main practice.

    • Like 1

  24. Posted · Edited by Gerard

    Here's a great way to dip in your feet in proper internal cultivation.

     

    Tai Chi Chuan/Taijiquan Yang style 10 Form.

     

    https://youtu.be/Gv47RFEPIaQ

     

     

    The whole form is split into several videos.I just liked the demo.

     

    Rest are available here:

     

    https://m.youtube.com/@AndrewPlitt/videos

     

    FREE OF CHARGE.

     

    ALWAYS couple your internal moving method with *FOUNDATION work which is basically doing primarily static postures involving the kua/the core which is the entire waist area as it serves as a connection between your upper and the lower body. 

     

    *Asian squat should be practiced on a daily basis throughout the day.

     

    Good luck! :)

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