Ish

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Just wondering what your source is where a link between "black" and "clear light" is made? i've not seen that before .

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From the secret of the golden flower

-ll.

Quite interesting , thx for posting. I wonder if they will update more specifically where they found him etc...

Not saying that you're wrong - but how have you decided on those two's level of attainment?

Oh , it's ON!

Well, whether you call yourself a Taoist or a Buddhist, we are all human and thus have water and fire inside ourselves. So moreso it depends on you!

Where did u hear that btw?

What is your aim or what do you really want to achieve? Whether you need a teacher or not depends on what it is you are aiming for, really.

The aim is not immortality of the physical body, you can wonder then - what is it that becomes immortal?

Wheres the song?

C'mon crazy nei gong enthusiasts where's your 10 000 punches a day commitment???

What's enlightenment? Why do you think no one will succeed? Do you really have no control over your thoughts :S ?

For sure i feel it to be the second one. Rather than an instant enlightenment that some may proclaim, as you say a gradual progression, with many a-ha's along the way!

Nei Dan = Inner Elixir. Qi Gong = Energy work. So Nei Dan is essentially spiritual cultivation, as you say refining ones energy broadly jing -> qi -> shen until you get the inner elixir or immortal medicine. As you can see one could call this "energy work" in a sense. Though the actual approach to achieve this is beyond techniques or formed approaches.

Can you expand on that?

There can be a lot to do before one is ready to leave it to the Tao! I think it can help if you try to see yourself clearly. Then you can know what you can do for yourself.

Fun topic. I don't like the Void that much, since it often confuses people. I like "Mystery". It leaves one with the openness to experience the ineffable.

"If we could abolish knowledge and wisdom" I think it does indeed depend upon your definition of the words used... for me wisdom is a positive attribute, which is honestly only truly gained by going to the depth of ones own personal development. If you can understand yourself and the world without any clouding of your vision, then this is a great wisdom i think.