thelerner
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Everything posted by thelerner
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Yes, I do. As a kid I rebelled against it. But with just a blanket it takes about 25 seconds. I'm far from it, but a certain amount of zen neatness outside, reflects a clear mind inside. I'm a believer in Initial Conditions, how a project starts has a great deal to do with the end result. Starting the day by putting one small easy thing in order. yada yada, looking around my desk is a mess, with layers of papers like an archaelogical site. Michael
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The arrogance of our pseudo understanding and self importance.
thelerner replied to Patrick Brown's topic in General Discussion
Well, thats why God invented beer. Its my opinion the world is always falling apart. Every decade brings factors that will bring about The End. Thats the way its been for millennium. Its human nature, we have to grin and bear it. Life goes on. Though you say we teeter on the brink, there has been a revolutionary prosperity for 100's of millions around the globe in the past generation. That you're even seeing this on the computer points to an incredibly long list of almost magical blessings that have befallen you. You're right about one thing, if you want to feel good play with kids. The book Pronoia also helps lift ones attitudes. Off to play ball with the kids. Michael -
I do Haiku-ish It can rhyme- if I wish-ish Don't like it? Go fish
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A master (?) of many skills(?) I'm a wee bit skeptical. He's studied Kunlun1 for 8 or 9 months and now teaches and gives transmissions(!?) Fast work indeed. His site has pictures of famous teachers but he's not in most of them. It will be interesting to see if any old kunluners know him and what they have to say. Michael
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There is no satisfying intellectual answer for this. There are a wide range of practices, most involving prayer and quietude that don't exactly solve the problem as much as explain the question. The short answer is yeah , now find a method (religious, mystical, modern), stay with it; beyond boredom and intellect -surprises await. Michael
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Book/Media recommendations for Hostels
thelerner replied to MASTERforge's topic in General Discussion
I'm a recovering bookaholic. $1 books and videos can be found at library book stores and thrift shops. Instead of looking for a specific book, get into the habbit of checking these places out when you pass them. Odds are you'll find some cheap related materials. Yours Michael -
Hi Guy, A source for very deep (and free) mp3 guided meditations is Abardoncompanion.com by Rawn Clark. His system is loosely based on Franz Bardons Hermetics, but I see many similarities to Taoist concepts within it. His CSM, Center of Stillness Meditation is an excellent example of sealing the senses and getting into deep quiet. The Archaeous series is an indepth lesson on experiencing Hermetics element theory and how it peels back layers of being. I find the Archaeous series works beautifully to support standing meditation. Definitely worth a listen to IMHO. There's a discussion on Carlos going on in the Book Club section Yours Michael
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Thanks Cam, Seems like Max is moving towards Gold Flower. I'll have to make a special effort to catch his next round of U.S. sessions. Anyone I don't remember any particular teachings on spirit/dream travels. I'll write down (what I remember) of the Phoenix seminar soon. Michael
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I was going to make a separate post, but since this is here now: Which bum has been to the most Kunlun seminars? (I've been to one) How far apart were they, what did Max teach, and can you detect changes in what and the way Max taught? Thanks Michael
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Thats true w/ Iron Shirt. But I think what Trunk is talking about is quite an order gentler. I did some Kaishan Golden Bell, which got pretty extreme and needed an experienced and certified teacher. Gentle and medium hitting are great for waking up the nerves, tendons meridians etc. I don't do Kaishan any more but there are light chest thumping routines from it that invigorate the body. Michael Winn also has routines on bumping along the arms and legs. I've seen variations in a wide variety of cultures Japanese, Russian. Maybe any vibration is good, waking up parts of us that have gone asleep. Michael
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Welcome World Traveler rolls out invisible carpet. You can consider me schizophrenic and count this as two welcomes Michael
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Just picked up 'Tying Rocks to Clouds-Meetings & Conversations w/ Wise and Spiritual People' by William Elliott. A depressed guy traveling the world finding his purpose in asking the same questions to wise and spiritual people. Like Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa (it was written in '95) Stephen Levine, Jack Kornfield, Swami Satchchidananda, Ram Dass, about 22 people in all. He asks them about there core beliefs and practices, life, death. Michael
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Creating a yin mind Some Chi Gung outside, now that its nice Long walks listening to Michael McAllistairs Zen Inspired talks from Infinite Smile podcast Michael
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What are the best books on standing meditation?
thelerner replied to Cameron's topic in General Discussion
When it comes to standing, a few minutes with an expert can be better then hours with a book. Its nice to have someone with experience adjust your body. Zhan Zhang people may be rare, but a good Tai Chi player should be excellent, a yoga practitioner, Gung Fu people, some Aikidoists, Feldenkrist, etc. a fairly long list. M. -
wah wah, wah wah. No Tantric Mongooses for me . M.
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Que Seminare? M. in C.
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We talk about enlightenment. But it means different things to different people. To some its a rarified state only found in a handful, that makes them saints or more. To others its a process, a style of awareness, that we all slip into and out of- seeing a rainbow or fireworks or good sex. Is it function of psychology-such as the Nowness of Eckhardt Tolle? A function of higher inner energy, claimed by Professor Morris (Pathnotes..), a function of saintliness and grace? Is enlightenment a goal to be pursued? If so is the path through God awareness and ego lessening? Is it through energetic practices that strengthen the body and redefine the spirit. Or is it a bad goal. The tao is under our feet, in the air, the water we drink. There is nothing to find or do or study. Just acceptance and grace? Michael
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Mat Blacks post- "So, the Hua Hu Ching says "Avoid following impulses and pursuing ambitions which destroy the wholness of your mind and seperate you from the Integral Way. In order to eliminate negative influences, ignore them." In other words, don't identify with them. - ignore the 'fog' and it is no longer empowered and the sun can then shine. Mediatation is an invitation to the sun. Master Xuan Hua says "when one breaks through ignorance, the Drahma nature manifests" Another way of going about the same thing is to restore attention to virtue. -Reverence for all life -Natural sincerity -Gentleness, kindness -Supportiveness which is service without expectation of reward. The Hua Hu Ching says: "These are not an external dogma, they are your original nature" -" is so poignant. It reminds me of all the other great teachings written here that flow down the discussion page and never read again. I've decided I need a way to capture my favorites. I've created a Google Doc of Best of Taobums and I've started cutting and pasting. Starting with Mats quote. Michael
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You'd think that would be the case, but the longer I live it seems that sincerity and heart of the practitioner trumps the system. Michael
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Now that its finally getting warm and the sun is out, I'll go outside, preferably to a forest and do the first 3 pieces of Michael Winns fundamentals II chigung routine. Ocean breathing, sun-moon movement, crossing the ocean. Then stand in wuwei or go on to the short Pangu form. Michael
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Lets see my last breath, I'd think, damnit I'm wasting my time on the computer when I could be watching a movie downstairs with the kids watching Nancy Drew, then I'd reach for the mouse as the world grew black. How we die is important, our state of mnd at death may well be crucial (or not). But living each moment as though it were your last seems to be an impossibility. I could see it burning you out if you tried. I like the vispasana tradition of starting meditation by giving up everything considered You, body, past, future, thoughts, emotions etc. I am not my body I am that which in habits it, I am not my past, it old memories and patterns.. Michael
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Celebrate my sons birthday. Waking up early and doing some chi gung outside sounds good. Michael
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I think many of these 'cooks' are partially real. They may well have spent years or decades working on there Chi. They teach, they can warm up there extremities real good, even to the point of people feeling it a few feet away feeling heat. But that and a buck will only get them half a cup of starbucks. So they exaggerate. Its a slippery slope to fraudom, but it pays the bills. We're so hungry for show we persuade those with minor talents to don capes and cook fish, light shirts on fire etc. No wonder we drive the real ones to hermitage. Michael
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A live class is certainly best. But there are some good people with Chi gung videos out there. I like Michael Winns. He has a nice short form on his Fundamentals II video, his Primordial Chigung is also very good. Both are simple and have a nice feelings to them. He takes the time to explain the movements and energetics. I think there may be some video links to see a piece of them on the Healing Tao USA site. Take a look at the Reviews link, and the LINK link posted on top, for other choices. Michael
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Its part focus. We read the newspaper and its a concentration of the worst happenings in our city/state of millions, country of 100's of millions or our world of many billions. The millions of things going right, people helping others, feeding their kids, going to school and jobs. The ordinary good all around us matters much less then the sensationalistic horror 100's or 1000's of miles away. Thats not saying horrors should be ignored, but we should have balance in our views. Balance that makes us grateful for what we have. Instead of impotent screaming at the state of things and THEMS that caused it; we should find the little goodness's we can do, whether charity or simple kindness's to others and work from there. Michael on the other hand; There is a time to scream and rage at the injustices of the world. Get it out, don't let it fester. There is a time for silence and selfishness. We live in the world. We draw circles. Us, them, good, bad. ME, everything else, (thats the big one) Before we leave this world we need to work on that last one.
