thelerner

So sorry for your loss. I've discussed TCG with my 3 children. The good we do goes on. I think your powerful warning will save lives. Yours Michael

Hi Lomistick, Actually Dao Zhen, who wrote the piece I copied is unfortunately rarely on the board these days. But fear not, we have many "unqualified" teachers who will probably not be able to help you for free Which in some ways is a gain. We should probably start up a post on what good books there are on Tantra and Taoist Sexual techniques. Michael

I echo what others have said. When you wrote "I've heard that a good beginning point for a water fast is one day for every year you have lived, which would put me at a 23 day fast, which doesn't seem too bad." That could cripple you. Even water fasting every other day is very extreme. A practice built up slowly over time creates a strong foundation and makes you stronger. Rushing to extremes will burn you out mentally, physically and spiritually. Start way way way slower and get some proper advice from a responsible source. For what its worth I've done some fasting through Daniel Reids Book The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity. Its not something to be taken lightly, there are potential dangers even to a short fast. Do your research from a couple of sources. Michael

If there is time and if its not a huge effort, I'd love to see the Personal Discussion section 'cleaned up'. People who haven't written in years or have never written should be placed in limbo or at put to the bottom. Likewise those who have the most active discussion sites should be placed closer to the top. My 2 cents Michael

Really, you don't know?? definition 1. The third step of the 7th element of Tantra, only possible if the woman can spread her legs 174 degrees. definition 2. Black tea with spicy herbs, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg etc., often served with milk- popular in Tibet and Starbucks.

Use your Chi.. I mean Chai. Tell her you've found a place that makes amazing Chai and ask if she'd like to join you there after class next week. Step 2, finding a place that serves chai. Michael

Give meaning to your time In Chinese it would doubtlessly be fewer characters Michael

Tempting not to write a reply and prove my vast knowledge then I was going to write stay away from braggards and slick salesman, but you know what? The best teacher will not necessarily fit your stereotype. Some will talk a lot, some won't, beware litmus tests. Michael

Too much?? Sure , in a monastery it would be 2 years of this, then two years of that, maybe 3 years for the next step.. But you're not in monastery, you have the opportunity to go on the University's dime, you're enthusiastic and passionate. Go for it. Just work hard to stay grounded and let us know how it is. Yours Michael

Great writing as always. Insightful without lapsing into vague philosophy. Michael

I'm an abusive Netflix user. Mostly TV series like Lost, Heroes, etc, and a few movies now and then. Its amazing that I can watch shows on my Ipod Touch. The last movie I watched was 'Ponyo' w/ the kids, Miyazaki is the Japanese anime genius who did Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, his movies are beautiful and thought provoking. I'd be interested in more spiritual titles. Michael

Must be something in the air. I got up, put on Rawn Clark's Archaeous meditation and stood 15 minutes in ZZ. Listening to it while standing makes it very easy. I could probably set the piece up twice and do 30 minutes. It was probably a combination of things, but I energetically cooked myself about a year ago. I took the event as a sign to stop and slow down. Time to get back on the train I think. Michael

I think he's got it. The 'showy' powers are in reality pretty boring, ie heat from the hand is hot, but not shine a bright focused light and burn paper hot. So you can impress students with very hot hands, but for a video and large demonstration you cheat. Still, David Verdesi systems demand a very high level of commitment and time from students, I have no doubt that people practicing 4 to 6 hours a day get impressive results. Michael

I noticed they lived and the husbands died. Guess life after 40 for them was no fun Michael

Yup, Daniel Reid echoes that point in his book, Tao of Health Sex and Longevity I think.

I do something like this when starting to come down with something. I'll make a pot of herbal tea which includes lemongrass, which makes me sweat, drink half of it, then take a very hot shower and allow water to pour into my open mouth(now swallowing) and along my throat. When done I'll drink more tea, then wrap myself tightly in a large towel then go under the covers to 'sweat it out' and sleep. Michael

Oh my, oh my, what will they go after next???!!!! The trees. Just kidding, actually it looks like on April Fools the stores that carry herbs will be just as stocked as ever. If you have a few minutes to google it, it looks like the legislature will demand a level of certification of safety and standardization for herbs. It shouldn't be a problem for any medium or larger distributor. Smaller ones might have problems. Course really small individuals may not give a damn since they already have a close relationship w/ customers and really will police go after you for unlicensed chamomile?? I know Germany has already had prescription type herbals for years. In that way they're way ahead of the U.S. where there are so many manufacturers we may well be buying 'junk' herbs half the time. Its also allowed for the best controlled tests on herbs which have proved there effectiveness. IMO its not a great piece of legislation, but its not hair raising prohibition either. Michael

Every month or two we should 'bump' this up so people are aware of it. Its a way to meet fellow bums who live near yah. Michael

I agree with it and I'm glad he added other breath techniques have value. I see a clear parallel to energy meditations vs stillness debate. They both have value, but stillness is the nourishing main course. Thankfully there is time to make room for both.

Here is what I get. There is the stereotypical monk or scholar who's straight laced and observant, but every now and then comes one who exudes joy and breaks the rules. Their spirit and purity is such that they get away with it. It reminds us the way is bigger then we imagine. Michael

I've always been amazed at the angry bitterness some people have shown for old teachers, even mellow ones who they've actually had relatively little contact with. Michael

Here is an unusual Herbal site I ordered from years ago. They seem fast, honest and certainly have an unusual collection. Here's a quote from a newsletter they just sent: Greetings from IAmShaman.com and ShamansGarden.com. First, we apologize for any unwanted intrusion. Your information is not only safe with us, we respect your privacy and will never send you another newsletter if you choose to unsubscribe below. For those who remain, we've got a special one-time coupon for 15% off of anything in the store. Simply type NEWSLTR15P into the "Coupons" section during checkout on either Shaman'sGarden or IAmShaman and the discount will automatically be applied. We're proud that with over 350,000 customers and counting, with strict adherence to security protocols, and by offering only 100% legal products rich in Shamanic history and tradition, we have become the top exotic botanical vendor on the internet. We couldn't have done it without your help and loyalty, and our newsletter is just another way to give back. Our newsletter will offer exclusive discounts, access to useful special offers, and valuable information not available on either website. They're worth checking out if you're into herbals or shamanic stuff. I may brew up some tonics for the coming winter. Since they're best after a few months, its probably time to start choosing now.

Are you sure we're not dancing around the original question w/ semantics?? Getting into everything is a miracle territory, which I think of as very fuzzy. FT88 is probably not a figment of his imagination, he's probably a real person who wrote the question and I'm a real person reading it. I'm thinking of a purple ape right now, that ape is a figment of my imagination, a class totally different from FT88 who's posting a pretty deep question. For me the Buddhist answer is to side step the question with the very logical 'You won't ever really know, concentrate on whats important'. No one can tell you a satisfying real answer. You may be able to put yourself into a state (w/ long practice) where you'll get some understanding, but someone else telling you will never be anything other then conjecture. on second thought maybe our answers aren't so different after all Michael