Red Pheonix

Pyramid Meditation Workshop

Dallas Texas Friday November 4th

Grandmaster Yuanming Zhang will be teaching a Pyramid Meditation workshop in Dallas Texas. Additionally he will be available for healing sessions although you will need to inquire in advance to set it up (takes an hour or so to do).

http://www.qigongmaster.com/events/2011/11/04/pyramid-meditation-in-dallas-texas/index.php

Pyramid Meditation Workshop

Dallas Texas Monday September 19th

Grandmaster Yuanming Zhang will be teaching a Pyramid Meditation workshop in Dallas Texas. Additionally he will be available for healing sessions although you will need to inquire in advance to set it up (takes an hour or so to do).

http://www.qigongmaster.com/events/2011/09/19/pyramid-meditation-in-dallas-texas/index.php

Personally I love having a community for Taoism and Taoist cultivation/discussion. Here in the US there are a ton of people into yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism; pretty much what ever is trendy today. That's not to say that all of these people are trendy, but it's not like we can't ignore the fact that spiritual ideals are now good for the market. Having said that, I've seen many a good Taoist discussion on here get totally confused an muttled because the posters would be coming from a variety of non Taoist perspectives. It's not bad to discuss other things like Buddhism, often times there is relative context in Taoist methods, but it does get bad when the core focus gets so far off track for long periods of time. First it's Buddhists, next it'll be the Pleadians or elephants with too many arms *giggle*. Each of these other agendas have several sites for their discussion, certainly far more than we have for Taoist discussion.

In closing I'll ask this. If a Buddhist says they want a section on the Taoist site, aren't they being non Buddhist by not only having a desire, but going to far as to place it upon others?

Uhhh huhhh... that's what I thought, are we really dealing with Buddhists here or is this a subversive scheme on the behalf of the Pleadians?!!!

Shamanic Primordial Tiger Qigong Workshop

Rowlett Texas Tuesday August 30th

This is the 1st of a 4 class series; Grandmaster Yuanming Zhang will be teaching in Rowlett Texas. He will be joining the Internal Alchemy group, which meets each Tuesday, to share his knowledge and lead us all in this ancient practice.

http://www.qigongmaster.com/events/2011/08/30/shamanic-tiger-qigong-i-in-rowlett-texas/index.php

I am wondering if others have noticed that when channeling celestial chi or doing MCO if you get goosebumps from the energy flow?

 

Personally the hairs stand on end.

 

I figured this would have been talked about here by now, but maybe this is unique to me? It has happened for over 10 years and is clearly visible and can be done at will.

 

I am curious what others think of this and if there is anything in Taoist literature or others experience that describe and or define this. Thanks for your time!

To address the 'why' these sort of things aren't written about...

The Way is a path experienced, I think that when people experience things like this they simply enjoy and proceed to the next level. Being fascinated with such things will prevent you from experiencing new levels, it will even halt your growth in the current level. If we think about it, talking of such things may be an indication of a desire to be validated or recognized. It's a catch 22 though, in order to attain certain things we must first relinquish cares or desires for even attainments themselves.

I'm only speaking in generalities and from my experience, I know that I've hindered myself because of this very thing. In the end I find truth in the saying 'he who speaks does not know, he who knows does not speak'. Unfortunately I speak too much and by my own admission and logic have to wonder if I know lol. I find that it's better to receive such things in humility and appreciation, this allows us to experience them in a truer light and allow them to manifest without our hinderance

Consider 'why' you are jealous. Do you feel entitled to a thing? If so, relinquish your desire to be entitled. In truth you are entitled to nothing so accept that and smile. The answer most likely lies in your personal insecurity, ask yourself 'why' so you need such a thing to feel secure.

It starts with observation. 'We speak out attachments', remember that and listen to the stuff that comes out of your mouth.

You find direction by asking your self questions... your line of questioning may lead you all the way back to your childhood.

Judgement is a nasty thing, nothing will bind a bad attitude to your heart more than judgement so don't do it. If you have judged someone in your past you better figure out how to love them and let it go because it might lead to stuff like this

These two have been intertwined since the spread of Buddhism (which is about half as old as Taoism), partially due to the physical proximity of cultures and also to the alternating whims of Emperors in China. Taoism started to grow with the Yellow Emperor nearly 5000 years ago, this was in the Qingcheng region which is on the edge of Tibet and China. This is where the 5 Elements came from as well as cultivation using air and fire. The older/shamanic methods are really quite brilliant, they way they get right down to animal nature in the way they connect to the Tao.

The real nitty gritty of the cross over came from the mountain Taoists in south eastern China (Qingcheng and Emei) and the Buddhist sects coming from Tibet. Today you can go to Tibet and learn cultivation methods that they will partially attribute to the Zhang family, the Zhang family also attributes part of the method to The Sect of the Living Buddha; there is no conflict although each side will represent the form according to their alchemical beliefs. You see this same theme over and over, the same physical form with similar, but distinctly separate explanations with respect to the internal alchemy.

Another thing that has muttled much of the two are the politics that have controlled them. Even today the land is wrought with political issues of ownership and religious ideology. For a long time they would have 1 Emperor that was Buddhist and the next would be Taoist; each would tear down the others temples and new factions would be created out of the old. Imagine being Buddhist or Taoist all of your life and suddenly having to convert because the one you chose was now illegal (you would most certainly carry some of your old traditions into the new belief). Unfortunately this is not an issue of the ancient times, it's still happening today.

we don't reply but we do read them.

 

Also realised that people might not even be able to see the front page if their IP is banned. We usually resort to face book when TTB is down for maintenance so I guess I'd better log on and put a message there.

I so feel your pain, I started my 1st ISP 15 years ago and I'm STILL spending time every week fighting spammers lol. I actually write scripts that add rules to the FreeBSD ip firewall based on spam/bad logins (attempts to brute force)... it's insane the lengths you have to go to. If you ever need another technical hand feel free to hit me up, I have joonux for breakfast every day lol.

On second thought, perhaps we need to create a powerful Fu for the server!!! Go go gadget calligraphy

Are there any appropriate places to post a Taoist workshop? This is one of the few places you can post such a thing, keeping it on the low low while reaching people who would be interested in such things.

ps. love the clarity you've brought to the forum

The topic says it all. Besides the obvious like distractions and tensions stuff like that.

My method...

Physical Relaxation;

Don't worry about good posture at first... start at the top of your head and physically relax every part of your body, tell it to relax and it will.

Mental Relaxation;

Go to a beach for a bit and enjoy the sounds/smells and sunlight upon you.

Count yourself backwards from 10 to 1 and clear your mind. Exist as a passive observer.

Breathe easily/deeply through your nose with your tongue pressed to the roof of your mouth. Listen to the sound of your breath as if it were heavens own music... appreciate it and receive its love.

Stuff that pops into your mind beyond this point is typically emotional garbage you have to clean out. Use this as a tool to identify attachements, desire and issues from the past. When you've relinquished these things you will be able to exist in peace and experience meditation.

I thought I would offer my two cents on the topic. This is just 1 perspective, I'm sure this particular cultivation manifests differently to different people. My intention is to address the general way in going about this, not to provide details on the method.

I've learned 2 different methods, although very similar, one from Qingcheng and one from Maoshan. I cultivated it in what I would consider a short amount of time although that was only due to the right foundation work. I would say that this is easier for someone who's a strong meditator and has developed/opened all 3 dantians to a reasonable degree. I followed a simple method and did not make it technical at all, I practiced in simplicity for some time. I would think that a technical process would preclude one from being able to attain this because it distracts us; you can not experience a thing if you believe you already understand it having never known it (the whole child like nature is needed). It also never activated in practice; I never worried about anything activating, I simply enjoyed. The beautiful thing is that it activated when I put my hand on a students head one day, as if it was some divine medicine that would pour out only when everything was right. I found myself standing between 2 worlds, a large golden disc of light rotated in front of my minds eye and consumed me. Needless to say, it was the most amazing thing I had ever experienced up to that point.

My best advice would be to learn the meditation method and practice in simplicity without the desire to cultivate this attainment. Details are great and I'm all for the technical knowledge, but making this overly technical will most likely hinder you.

I've had to put them down altogether, but that might also be because of lack of self control. I write software and LOVE writing bots for games, were it not for that I would probably never game. I played WoW, worked on both the Glider bot as well as Pocket Gnome (I soley wrote the 1.5 revision of PG). I crack out on it though and it's bad for me lol. I would play with 5 toons at once and loved being able to solo instances or dominate PvP, having the smallest richest guild was fun too lol. No self control though, it was all or nothing... I decided to save my ass and close all my accounts. As for any positive aspect, I can most certainly say that my time would be better spent on other things. As for recreation, sure it was fun recreation and we all need some of that, but now I resort to things like masting contact staff... just as entertaining and I'm gaining levels IRL lol.

Nice post! I've had my eye on the algae for some time, one company that's been working to develop it is located in west Texas (yaaaa haw!). The farms themselves look like a sort of large green house with rafts hanging through which the algae flows... in the desert is just fine (so long as you have a water source).

One concept that I really enjoy about this is that the oil in the earth today comes from ancient algae. Seems to me like it's a smarter choice to skip the years it takes to create oil and just use the source

Amidst all of the back and forth of this thread two real gems of wisdom have been brought to the surface.

 

Thank you to Red Phoenix for your point on discernment versus judgment - in my experience this understanding is key to progress in spiritual development, particularly mind based training methods, be it Yi Gong, Tibetan Bon Po or Nyingma,or Daoist Golden Light or similar alchemical methods.

 

Also thanks to Hundun for your point on Spontaneous or Natural Flow methods of qigong - I have experienced these methods to be quite valid and effective in my practice. I also consider Spontaneous/Natural Flow methods to be quite gentle and nourishing.

 

Lastly I would like to add to the discussion that these two gems connect very well in practice: Training to free the mind from judgment and the limits of cognitive thought and emotional response, while maintaining awareness, allows for the pre-natal shen to flow, relaxing tension, easing rigidity, releasing blocks, and allowing for the natural, free flow of energy to nourish body, mind, and spirit. This "mind training" for me is the heart of spontaneous qigong. And the practice of forms, particularly for me taiji, helps develop the greater Yi necessary for more effective spontaneous practice, while at the same time helping to open the channels and the physical body to ensure that spontaneous movements and expressions of energy are expressed in a free flowing, graceful, and gentle manner.

 

I wish you all well in your practice, whatever it may be.

Very well stated, in depth and quite accurate!

My spidey senses are tingling.... uuuuh huh!!! *huuuuugs* (but you knew that was coming)

ps. thanks for sharing your water, we like with that sort of intention

I would look into the quality of the meat youre eating. What the cows ate and other elements of their regimen makes a huge difference in the nature of the meat that you get. At this point I basically only eat meat from grass-fed cows. You also might try cooking your meat less - this can be risky if you dont have high quality meat, but it does reduce the heaviness factor.

Good point, I read something once that is a good illustration of this very point; it's actually how they learned where 'mad cow' disease came from. It was noticed that in tribal communities the women were the only ones who would get the mad cow. They followed that observation and discovered that it was because the women get the crappy cuts of meat while the men got the good cuts of meat. In the end it was determined that you would only get mad cow from eating crappy cuts of meat; if you ate a good cut from the same cow you wouldn't get sick.

I've noticed lately that after eating beef I feel very sluggish and uncomfortable. This has not been the case for me before, but it has been lately? Anyone know anything about this?

That's why I switched to Taco Bell brah... their beef filling doesn't quite weigh me down like real beef does.

seriously... think about it!

i think they archived 2 of those videos. you might contact the folks at eceti also.

I love ECETI, I was up there when Kan (Kunlun/Max's student) exorcised a brother and produced a black cloud from his body... that place is just magic. He took some amazing photos too; he was saying 'look, theres a being' which none of us could see. He then started taking peoples cameras and snapping pictures, the crazy thing is that the beings would show up in the photos he was taking!? They looked like stacks of light; I could go on n on about that place lol.

If you (taotongue) call up there ask for James and be sure to tell them what you think of Kunlun That goes for the Dragon Gate Sanctuary too!

I love this place, a wide variety of souls who come together and are actually able to share!

NeiChuan, I'm still waiting on the Mo Pai manual... what gives, I've gotta get past level 2!!!

*group huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuug*

Haha, Can't say I fully grasp what you're saying. How would you differentiate a judgement and an observation? Or how would you define each. I think most expressions tend to get "lost in translation".

 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/judgement

 

I'm using definition 1, 4 and 6. For example "this glass is translucent" would be a judgment.

 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observation?show=0&t=1298349822

 

I'm using definition 2 and 3.

 

So basically when I say observation, I mean something that is observed and noted in thought. When I say judgment I mean a conclusion based on an observation. How would you define these terms and how would judgment hurt one spiritually?

 

I can understand how using labels supplied with preconceived notions can be harmful. for example if someone fat, saying "you eat too much" would be an assumption that hasn't been verified or justified through observation; the person may be on a strict diet and simply have a glandular problem. I can see how that would be harmful. Is that what you mean?

 

-Astral

K, lemme take a shot at clarifying this because it's one of the most important lessons a human can learn. The dictionary won't help as I'm not using these terms as explicit reference, but rather as symbols to represent the concept I'm trying to explain.

Observation: when you observe a thing and do not make an emotional commitment.

Judgement: when you see a thing and make an emotional commitment.

Heres a repost of the example I provided;

If someone I know does something bad I can react in 2 ways. I can observe their behavior and make a decision or I can make a judgement in my heart. If I simply make an observation and don't judge them then I am able to be true and to offer sincere help. If I judge them and carry that in my heart then I can no longer see them clearly and am not in a place where I can help them.

In scenario 1 we have observation. Since I do not make a judgement and emotional commitment I am free to see the situation clearly and help out of sincerity vs the bias of a heart that's passed judgement.

In scenarion 2 we have judgement. My heart is biased and cannot observe the subject with objectivity. I have instantly blinded myself in one aspect. Aside from that, the emotional commitment creates karma (a bad substance that can be seen in the spiritual world). If you don't believe in karma then you can also say that this puts a 'bad feeling' in the heart; this is something that will stay there until you resolve it. Your subconscious has recorded 100% of your judgements and somewhere inside of you they are lurking; one day you will have to relinquish them if you want to be free. Judgement also prevents you from being able to meditate; to illustrate this simply try to meditate and see what pops up in your mind *everything that is in your heart*

This is a fundamental concept of the heart; 100% of the people reading this article work this way. I will state that as fact, however you should receive it as opinion.

AGAIN, ITS YOUR KUNLUN FRIENDS WHO BRANDED THE TERM. YOU CAN CHECK ON THAT IF YOU DONT BELIEVE ME. AND SECONDLY, WHATS WRONG WITH GOING TO SEE THE ORIGINATOR OF THE SYSTEM YOU PRACTICE? Is there nothing you could learn there? Even Max doesnt deny now that it came from her. Arent you even SLIGHTLY curious about what she has to share given she is the source?

My Kunlun friends? You know me so well *sarcasm*. Jenny is the originator and inventor of this system wow!? Why would I be curious about learning from someone with students that act like you (assuming you're student)? Then again, maybe I already know her and know that she has a better heart than this?

I would take you up on all of your advice, fortunately I have someone else to train with.

This is getting way off topic though and all you want to do is flap your gums imo; last stop for me

Isn't judgment, discernment and discrimination necessary to determine one's path? aren't these things tools for SAFELY progressing along the spiritual path? I believe two of the greatest master both Christ and Buddha were very discerning and discriminating. For example the stories of the Essene Christ wouldn't even accept anyone into his "inner circle" unless they were vegetarian and took an oath of non violence. Buddha as well set up 5 precepts that he had his followers take up. I should double and triple check but I'm 90% sure this was the case, please correct me if I am mistaken. I believe discernment and judgment is a crucial part of the human experience. For example we judge and label mushrooms and "poisonous" and "non poisonous" so people can tell the difference and stay safe from that which may potentially hurt them. Perhaps I am misunderstanding your post and if I am I apologize, this is just the impression it left with me. Plus I'm kinda in that mindset right now, I just posted a chapter from a book I enjoyed alla bout discerning false "gurus", lol.

 

-Astral

I'm making a distinguishment between observation and judgement. If you consider Christ a great master then go read proverbs as it illustrates this idea in many different ways. It IS good to make observations, but it is not good to go so far as to judge. This sort of judgement incurs karma and becomes a weight that you have to eventually let go of. So in this context we see that 'observation' is good and 'judgement' is bad. When you can walk without judgement then you avoid a lot of the karma and emotional issues that come along with it; this in no way inhibits your ability to observe and make good decisions

Here's a practical example, if someone I know does something bad I can react in 2 ways. I can observe their behavior and make a decision or I can make a judgement in my heart. If I simply make an observation and don't judge them then I am able to be true and to offer sincere help. If I judge them and carry that in my heart then I can no longer see them clearly and am not in a place where I can help them.

Hope that makes a lil more sense. This very lesson is one of the hardest I've had to learn (and am still learning); I'm quite certain that it's a condition which exists in all humans.

Be proud to be a kunloonie if that is what you are... why would you feel bad about it if that is what you have chosen. If it works for you thats good enough for me....

Kunloonie is a term that you or your friends have implemented in an effort to brand and bring segregation. Your techniques are only going to work on the weak minded though and make you look childish imo (I'm gonna guess that you're 16?). In the previous statement you further your agenda and branding, that's just my opinion though; the statement represents your agenda more so than the truth.

So if your happy and life is wondeful.....then thank YOURSELF OR do you owe your happiness to Kunlun? To Max? If so, great...... then say it proudly. I know its hard to hear some of what I have to say if you are a kunloonie... but expand your horizons go see Sifu Jenny ask her some real questions about all of it. That is unless it will destroy your vision of your rainbow butterfly garden....

I've enjoyed training with Max and have learned a few things from him. As for where I place the 'source' of my happiness; thanks for your advice, but I think you're rather off target here lol.

Expand my horizons? Ah yes, I'll run right out and take your advice because I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing

Again I see you using your branding term 'kunloonie', nice one... are your friends giggling with you? I'm laughing!

Why dont you ask your guru about sorcery?

He's actually not 'my' guru, thanks for your continuing effort to put words in my mouth though It's almost like you know me! *giggles*

Honestly bro, your heart is filled with echos that you need to let go of. Sure it's ok to have an opinion, but imo you are trolling because you cannot find peace in your heart. Theres a difference between making observations and making judgements. Observations allow you to see clearly, judgement binds a thing to you and makes you act like...

In the end no one here is perfect, including me. If we have judgement in our hearts then we leave no room for hope. Every person grows, we all change; hopefully for the better. So what sort of energy are you sending out? Energy capable of helping your brothers and sisters or energy that's intended to do the opposite? No need to answer this one, your actions clearly illustrate this result.

lol!

 

Even the advice of dorks can be a valuable commodity on Taobums.

True true, it's shameless... I know that dork all too well!

Are you a kunloonie? sure seems like it.... no, I never liked the label at all, not my sense of humour. (from Cat)

 

Oh yeah, you are definately a kunloonie... I looked at your post history and no doubt about it!

I'm a kunloonie, should I feel bad or segregated? Funny cause I don't, I feel wonderful!!! It appears as if your destructive intentions don't work on me, hmmm... how can that be... unless...

Label it up all you want, in the end it's what's in a persons heart that illustrates who they are. You can't hide your heart because we see it every time you open your mouth (true story).

I don't know about wild goose either, but then again I don't think we should pick on people because they don't know your style. I do know a couple of forms, some of which you're most likely not familiar with; the difference is that I'm not going to beat you up about it... I'm gonna share if that's what you like (because I'm not a jerk about these things, that's not what's in my heart).

As for spontaneous and shaking; I would concur with the others here, nothing uncommon about it. I practice several arts that involve this and would say it's most certainly an aspect of Taoist cultivation. Many of the primordial forms involve this as well as Longmen Pai.

If anger and hate are in your heart then it's going to show, if love is in your heart it's going to show. What's in your heart? Don't answer that one... your actions and words will show us!

The aforementioned statements are only opinion

Red Phoenix cuts the rug, are fiddles involved?

Only if you bring your country arse out