JohnC

Check this out bums: The Return of the Serpents of Wisdom - Google Books

After spending 6 years in the pickup community, knowing most of the guys that teach it, I would tell you that most of those guys teach things that are assumed, or based on their world view that is skewed by their biases and own attachments. And that most of them don't really know what they are talking about, but are teaching as if they do. Furthermore the whole biology/evolution information is largely useless. It's all just debate food, or ways to confirm or deny your way of seeing things. All that really matters is how you are with women and your way of being. How attached you are to things, or how free(childlike) you are. I think Laotzu would tell you to focus on 'inner game', to relax, have fun, pay attention and learn. And he would probably say it in a crazy cryptic and profound way. John

People change. I initially got into meditation, so I could clean up my mind, so I could get women. Now I'm into meditation, because I enjoy it and it is damn cool. I'm actively passionate about spiritual development. It doesn't need to be flashy, but attention getting. If somebody told me to just hold the kunlun position, I'd be like... meh. But in experiencing bliss, I'm immensely intrigued, and have been practicing it regularly for a year. High level masters tend to be walking advertisements anyway. It may be true that some are fickle minded, but some aren't. Does it really matter if the website/marketing is flashy, if it causes thousands of people to become happier and healthier? Does it really need to be plain, modest and simple, so that you can feel good/superior/whatever or so it fits into your student/teacher paradigm?

This. Shit everything in western science is just theories, that people talk about as true... but were still not the dao. Just attempting to point at it.

Hey guys, I have a friend who is in extreme pain from lyme disease. Does anyone know of really good medical qigongs? I've already recommended spring forest qigong. Is wild goose good as well? Are there others? Thanks, John

Some of the best advice. John

I wish the modest and powerful masters would get a bit more flashy, or market better. Kunlun/yigong is great in that it is simple and powerful. How are we supposed to find the great practices? I love the down to earth and simple straight forward manner of Jenny. Less fantastical, and more realistic. While dissapointing, I find most things are that way once you let go of your want for it to be amazing/complicated/etc.

So I guess spiritual lineage? It seems kunlun is so damn powerful that people get in touch with stuff like that really quick. Other things I've seen that are simple and powerful are zhan zhuang, are there other practices that are similarly powerful and effective?

Is there anything wrong with mixing different practices? I was wondering because I was reading about Falun gong, and how you shouldn't practice it with others. Is this true? Whats the detriment if you do? Can you mix spring forest qigong with kunlun? Thanks, John

From what I understand of Mo pai, is it basically conditions the body and energy channels very very specifically. While a lot of other practices are more, open everything up. Opening is more what I'm looking for right now, and if I find a specific path I want to devote myself to, or go searching for John Chang, then my body will already be strong enough and open enough to take on the practice. Mostly doing a lot of Zhan Zhuan (an hour a day), some kunlun (sometimes an hour), with zazen/vipassana meditation (another hour).

Thanks guys. Yea I couldn't give a shit about dogma, or how they say the universe is. I'll decide that on my own thank you. I just want to use a style thats effective. John

I was hearing about the naga spiritual lineage of kunlun, and was wondering what else is out there? Like also how Buddha had nagas protecting him and the like, and am curious about whats up with all that. Thanks, John

I just read this... Thought it was funny: Energy work vs sitting

I agree. John

The point of all this... the how is critical. How you disagree, show skepticism, or do anything. Being derogatory, condescending, or in any way offensive with your opinion shows psychological issues/attachments (namely to your current perspective, ideology, dogma, ...whatever)... that you would think people here would be into digging through... like finding whats under it and unearthing it. I guess it this is dependent on why they meditate. I guess it shows that, you can develop the body, but that doesn't mean you've removed attachments or developed the mind/being? Like the story of the high level mo pai master who held on to hatred, even though his body was highly developed. The funny thing is depending how the arguing is done, can really hinder any kind of advancement of knowledge or finding the truth, or really help find a better truth. Usually it creates polarity, people for/against and a whole bunch of energy is wasted going no where. People get attached to their viewpoint, and can't handle letting go of where they are at, to try on the other side and see if it is actually true. Or they just out right refuse to let go of their viewpoint.... or accept some information. It's a bummer really... because there are so many really smart and knowledgeable people here. If people would stop and ask: "Why am I arguing with this person?" I think it would help a lot. The "lol your stupid/my viewpoint is better" bullshit is a waste of time. John

This is great guys.

Very cool.

Very helpful guys. All information added is appreciated. Also if you know any resources please post them, John

Poor question. Its just a bashing thread on the new age movement. Furthermore does it matter? I think the point is, if it causes people to feel better about their lives, work harder, develop their psychology, its an overall positive thing. John

When I can't get into it I let my mind wander. I still do the practice and stick with everything, I just don't try and force anything. I think forcing the mind or trying to fight yourself is a lose lose battle. Basically stick with the discipline, but let your mind clean up on whatever your doing. I think that after you think about, mull over whatever is pulling your attention, your mind will naturally let it go and you will then be able to do your practice well. I did vipassana, and the first day is like clean up on life. If you haven't gotten enough sleep, you'll fall asleep meditating. Your mind is constantly jumping from one thing to another. After that though the ego runs out of stuff to think about, and since your not talking, or doing anything other than meditation there is no new stuff to think about... and your mind quiets down. John

I think its a great idea.... Any progress? John

How? What would be something to start checking this out? I currently do presence/insight meditation and the microcosmic orbit. How would I start cultivating my dantien? Anything shared is appreciated, John

An hour when I wake up, and an hour before bed.

Well I was wondering too... can you have spiritual abilities while not enlightened? According to the Taoist stuff I've read so far the answer is no. But some of the posts on this forum suggest otherwise? I guess it makes me kind of realize that enlightenment is not this huge thing that is very rare... that it can be done, given time, and effort. As far as the meridians, the yogi's have an extremely and very similar map out of the body in regards to meridians, chakras and the like. I think that chakras are powered by the meridians... like the meridians are a more bodily oriented while the chakras are more spiritually oriented. Basically from what I can tell the yogi's stuff and Taoism stuff map over around like 80%. They are both like the sciences of the body and spirit, with Taoism more focused on the body, and yogi's more focused on the spirit... I think. Correct me if others know more. Thanks guys, John

Lin or others, I was wondering what the difference was between enlightenment gained by cultivating the dantien, and enlightenment gained through strictly meditation practice(samadhi)? I imagine that enlightenment is enlightenment... wouldn't the person that gains enlightenment through cultivation of the dantien, still be a paradigm of morals and ethics? Could there be an attached enlightened one? Someone with attachments that has enlightenment from cultivating the dantien, or has the abilities? Basically I'm wondering if were dealing with two different definitions of enlightenment. Like an enlightened body but not mind....? I imagine through the samadhi path there couldn't be an evil or angry enlightened one... by nature of meditation cleaning out your attachments and the like. I also imagine the same would happen if you cultivated the dantien... so it wouldn't take longer, or present more risks, it would just be a different path, with its own pitfalls, and challenges. I've been meditating a lot, and notice that at times I will feel the same thing as when I practice qigong, or similar. (like heat inside the body at certain parts, aches at certain pressure points etc). The other thing I was wondering was... do these things have to be separate? I think the truths in Buddhism apply with Yoga apply with Taoism. They are just separate bodies of knowledge, but still related in how the world works. Is this accurate? Thanks, John