Apech

If you have the patience - or maybe just listen to the first 15 mins or so - but this is a good account of the kind of way that a tulku is recognised.  It is very intuitive - and in this case became subject to a lot of political infighting (which was not a credit to anyone - the Karmapa controversy - mostly now resolved as the two Karmapas are mates).

9 minutes ago, Maddie said:

9 minutes ago, Maddie said:

 

I also don't think enlightened people give non-consensual orgasms to teenaged girls at McDonalds either.  

I’m lovin’ it.

4 minutes ago, Chang dao ling said:

He writes books what's the name of this book?

Um ... can't remember but I'll PM something to you.

2 hours ago, Chang dao ling said:

Hi, Anyone send 20 dollars to him and received answers lol. Is he a instructor in SFQ? I recently reading his threads why he so obsessed with sitting in lotus posture? Anyone know him personally?

I read one of his books once.

14 hours ago, S:C said:

What effect, if any, has focus (not insight) meditation on the equilibrium and/or intensity of emotions? Does it help or does it stir things up?
Is there even a causality at play? What’s your experience?
 

I would say that from my experience focus intensifies because by your attention you are introducing more energy into the 'zone' or more presence perhaps.  I know that in TCM emotions are viewed as disturbing factors and sometimes disease causing energy when they interact with specific organs and so on.  But in qi work I think emotions should be viewed differently.  They are aspects of consciousness which while they may be disturbing they also open us up to the full spectrum of consciousness itself (Spirit if you prefer).  In tantra for instance the main emotions like anger and so on are seen as reflexes of types of wisdom (prajna) - and wisdom in this case refers to direct 'experience' or knowing of consciousness.

14 hours ago, S:C said:

What methods are there, to feel emotions in order to let them go? (They make me tired!)

You need to build an understanding of your relation to emotions and what lies behind them.  What lies behind them is your true self, God or buddha-nature - depending on how you want to put it.  The trick is to feel the emotions as fully as possible without identifying with them or becoming submerged.  How to do this I think is quite idiosyncratic in that there isn't a formula but just repeated experience of being thrown into the water (so to speak) and learning how to swim.  Sit with the feeling of tiredness and try to feel where the energy has gone.  Emotions are strong energy flows at base - and that energy is life energy - which is what you are (if that makes sense).

14 hours ago, S:C said:

At times they come back aprupt and I am surprised why now - and WHY so energized? (Could blame it on the planets though…)

Sometimes we are overwhelmed and all we can do is sit back and conserve energy till they pass.  They are phasic I think so 'the planets' is valid here.  If you see the world alchemically then we do exist in dynamic field.  Rather like the weather they come and go rather unpredictably I think.

14 hours ago, S:C said:

Has anyone had experience with Mrs. Byron’s four questions, does it help, it seems like a lot of time for writing and analysis? 

Do you mean Byron Katie?  When you said Mrs. Byron I could help thinking of the poem I quoted above  

I don't know anything about her but I do think keeping a journal is helpful as it helps organise thoughts and spot patterns.  I have to admit I am not very good at this myself and only do it in patches.  But I think  daily journal would help.

Just my thoughts as ever!

2 hours ago, S:C said:

What effect, if any, has focus (not insight) meditation on the equilibrium and/or intensity of emotions? Does it help or does it stir things up?
Is there even a causality at play? What’s your experience?
 

What methods are there, to feel emotions in order to let them go? (They make me tired!)

 

At times they come back aprupt and I am surprised why now - and WHY so energized? (Could blame it on the planets though…)

 

Has anyone had experience with Mrs. Byron’s four questions, does it help, it seems like a lot of time for writing and analysis? 

She walks in beauty  , like the night?

22 minutes ago, steve said:

 

Studies show that sexual activity for many continues well into the 70s and 80s.

I would agree it becomes less of a "big issue" (eg obsession or source of stress) with advancing age. 

yes but don’t you find in the cold weather things go brittle and drop off?

1 hour ago, Maddie said:

 

Make sure they match.

more bangs for your buck ( or something)

A lullaby 

Just now, The Biggest Nobody said:

At this point I not even annoyed anymore. I genuinely find amusement in the stupidity of how you guys nitpick things just so you can have a 'gotcha' moment.

“At this point I am not even annoyed ….”

3 hours ago, snowymountains said:

 

So.. you mean only the nondual schools and say don't question their masters ?

 

Its 100% a matter of textual reference, the masters, with direct insight or not, say exactly what their school's texts say on this topic..

 

That’s not quite what I am saying but I don’t want to derail this topic so I’ll leave it there.

51 minutes ago, snowymountains said:

 

@Maddie @Apech

 

The Theravadan view is discussed by Bhikkhu Bodhi https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/bps-essay_27.html 

 

If the argument is don't question realised Buddhists ( whatever that means ), then it simply translates to which realised Buddhists.. realised Theravada or realised Mahayana..

 

Which again simply becomes a question of textual references, ie if the Vimalakirti Sutra has its origins in the historical Buddha.

 

 

By realised Buddhist I meant one who has achieved realization of the nature of mind/reality.  For instance a zen or Tibetan master.  Although textual references are important they are not as important as direct insight or prajna.

9 minutes ago, Maddie said:

 

True I guess. Most of my learning has been Theravada. 

If you stick to the srvakayana then you are correct of course but then who are we to question the conclusions of actual realized Buddhists?

4 minutes ago, Maddie said:

 

The Buddha didn't teach non-duality, not sure why so many people (including Buddhists) think he did. 

Because the yogacara schools and some vajrayana do teach a form of non- dualism.

10 minutes ago, Maddie said:

 

Think of it as a badge of Honor Apech 😂. It doesn't take much to get on that list. 🤭.

I'm going to grow bangs to celebrate.

2 hours ago, Cobie said:

@Apech I have put you on my ignored users list. 
 

 

delete

5 minutes ago, Cobie said:

 

sex and money

A real master does not have sex with you, full stop.

A real master does not demand much money, just the normal entertainer fees. 

 

 

yes but what if sex is the entertainment? 

17 minutes ago, liminal_luke said:

I don't put much energy into spotting fake masters; it just doesn't seem that important to me.  During a medical appointment, an acupuncturist/meditation teacher once mentioned to me that he had been levitating.  I didn't ask for proof or question him in any way, and the conversation soon turned to other topics.  Had he really been levitating?  I don't know or much care.  He was a good acupuncturist and a good meditation teacher.  I knew because I felt the results of my time with him in my body.   

"I have friends in high places."

"Hey master come down from the ceiling and stick some pins in me!"

1 hour ago, idiot_stimpy said:

What advice or tips would you give in order to help someone spot a fake master?

 

Someone saying they're enlightened when they really are not?

 

Is there anyway to actually tell?

I think there's only one way and that is close observation over a long period of time (12 years is quoted in texts).  Do they speak the truth?  Are their actions consistent with their words?  How do they conduct themselves?  How do people around them, their close followers behave towards them and each other?

This kind of thing.

I have never known a good teacher who made any claims about their own enlightenment - usually they downplay their own abilities compared to their own teachers.

@Fatuous,

Hi - there are some texts which describe sexual practices between a male practitioner and female (usually young) subject - but I don't have the references (you might find them if you search the board).  They are definitely non-standard and dubious in nature.  Indeed this very board had an issue with an ex-member doing this kind of thing.  I won't go into details.  But generally speaking it is not ok without consent.  In the old days the status of women was so reduced that some felt themselves entitled to use female subjects for this kind of thing - and to the present day there have been many 'scandals' especially in vajrayana Buddhism where an advanced man 'uses' a female subject in this way.  Even with consent it can still cause harm unless the intent of the other person is properly understood.

There is also a risk that this was just a dream and you could waste a lot of time and energy on what is essentially a fantasy.

Quite a few people learn lucid dreaming in order to have pseudo-sexual encounters and the like.  This again is very dubious - genuine dream yogas have a different purpose entirely.

For what its worth my advice is to stay away from this kind of thing and concentrate on forming real relationships but of course it is up to you.

Just now, Taomeow said:

 

Same mystery as a "flat."  Why do you guys call where you live what we call a punctured tire?   

what’s a tire?  Do you mean a tyre?

1 hour ago, Apech said:

Why do they call a fringe 'bangs'?  I wish I knew.

serious question - have they always been called bangs in America or is it a new thing?

Why do they call a fringe 'bangs'?  I wish I knew.

Welcome,

I hope you'll be able to find real wood in the forest

On 2/20/2024 at 5:07 PM, liminal_luke said:

The post you responded too was from 2016.  I believe Jenny Lamb is now retired.  Her "Self-healing" dvd which has the basic Yi Gong practice was available for download on her website, Eastern Internal Arts Institute.  Max Christianson, of Kunlun fame, used to teach the 2nd and 3rd levels of Kunlun (his name for Yi Gong) but I'm not sure whether he still does publically.  My own sense is that most people are unlikely to need the higher levels: the basic practice will take a person plenty far.

 

Later edit: Here is an answer to your question from Jenny Lamb's website...

 

Thank you for your feedback about your experience of practicing Yigong level one and desire for advanced level. I have been retired for many years now. I have no plan to teach advanced level since I have not seen advanced students out there. In fact, Yigong level one can take you all the way to your goal if you allow yourself to deepen into it. There is more discovery in the practice than you think. I suggest you to practice at least 45 minutes each time (if you can). In the weekend, when you have time, make yourself available without time limit, but just end naturally to see what you will learn from it. Please continue to share your discoveries.

"I have not seen advanced students out there."

Does she mean us?