forestofclarity

Interesting that some years ago, there was a debate between Malaysian teachers, Sifu Yap and Sifu Wong Kiew Kit. Sifu Yap was big on releasing. Can you elaborate on this further? There is a similar focus in many Buddhist schools and many of those masters live a long time. Most of the stories I've heard about problems tend to be due to qi emission rather than dan tian cultivation. I don't know enough about Mark Rasmus, but I did follow some of his videos which had a profound impact. However, his online stuff is unorganized and his in person stuff requires a monthlong, $5,000 commitment. Does he have an in-between?

It's not.

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That's a good way to put it. English is very good at nouning everything. A few inner language shifts are always helpful--- referring to appearances or arisings instead of objects, etc. Egoing is a good addition.

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Essence is not function. Something can be false (or magical if you prefer) and still function. For example, a dream hammer is useful in a dream, but not useful in the waking state (and vice versa).

I will propose that anything which appears as a changing, limited object is false.

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I'd be curious to hear more about how Buddhism is practiced from a Shaolin perspective. I think Buddhism is practiced from different angles in different traditions. I personally don't think one way is right or wrong. Personally, I think the reason is that these practices require a lot of work and teacher supervision or they go wrong. On the other hand, I think the energy body stop develops anyway. I also think Westerners tend to "lower the bar" and miss out on a lot of possibility, but that might just be me.

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I agree with the nature, especially spending time around large, old trees. Shamatha or calm abiding meditation is the most grounding thing I can think of. Metta or lovingkindness practices are also useful.

Many religions/spiritual paths also. The thing about Damo is that all the criticisms seem to swirl around his personae. I haven't come across any of his substantive teachings that have been contradicted by other trustworthy sources--- in fact, they generally tend to be confirmed. I think it is a power path, and power generates all parts of the mind. It does seem natural-- there's an interesting book on this called "Cultish" talking about the tendency for people to form cults. Even when teachers actively discourage it. Qigong and intensive meditation can generate powerful experiences, so it is ripe for cultish activity. I think this is one reason in Buddhist traditions there is so much initial emphasis on sila or right conduct.

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The mind tries to shape and crate it, turn it into an object so it can grasp, cling, and manipulate it.

What do you think guru yoga is? It has different meaning according to the different yanas.

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Sounds a lot like objectless shamatha (calm abiding) with the dissolution of vasanas (mind habits). Sorry.

Obviously, it depends on what one means by meditation. If you mean samadhi, then one the method is fairly simple as set forth in the Yoga Sutras. 1. Follow a moral code. 2. Choose an "object" of meditation. 3. Disengage from other objects. 4. Place your mind on the object of meditation. 5. Repeat 3-4.