Vigilant3

 

 

Well it depends by what you mean by "sexually". I know this is the sort of smarty pants thing to say. But I think it's very important we get clear about it.

 

I'll tell you why: I stumbled some work some years back when I was doing my thesis on disability and the law. It had nothing to do about that topic other than disability. It was a study examining sexual responses in people paralyzed from the waist down. The amazing thing they discovered was that they were fully sexual beings. The popular cultural assumption was that they had to be asexual due to the disability. Not so said the evidence of disabled peoples' lives. The fact that they had no response in the genitals was no impediment to have fulfilling sexual lives. The reason being is that many of them had developed such sensitivity to touch in the sensate areas of their bodies -- indeed some were able to have the seemingly mythical body orgasm.

 

Now the reason I mention this is that currently people equate "sexuality" with genitals. As the study I've just been referring to indicates, this is a load of nonsense -- sexuality is about intimacy, of which genital can play a negligible, and (in some cases) no, role.

 

So returning to your question: when you say you need to rekindle your "sexual energy" do you mean as expressed through the genitals? If so, then perhaps you might like to first explore the possibility that sexuality can be expressed in other ways and ways that you might be more comfortable with.

 

Just a thought. I'm all for challenging our western culture's obsession with genitals -- whether of the "they're the fruit of satan" or the "they're the fruit of Eden" schools of thought.

 

For my two cents worth advice: forget Chia and fancy Taoist practices, light those candles, sit facing one another, gaze into her eyes, and just recall EVERY blessing she's bought you, and then embrace until your breathing and heart beats are united. If you or her can't be content with that, then I'm afraid that there's nothing one could ever be content with.

Sage advice, thank you kindly for your response. I believe you are correct with relation to there being more to sexuality than genital stimulation. Perhaps I am locked into that view. I feel maybe I am psychologically cognizant of what you are saying, but because I have been "trained" by society to view sexuality as an emotional connection, I am unsure how to. I would very much like to learn any practices there may be to deeper explore sexual intimacy beyond intercourse. If you have any further concepts I would be eager to listen

Anyway desire does not die at enlightenment, clinging to desire does. There is a story of the budha sitting and admiring a beutifull flower, realy soaking in its beuty, when he had to go and do something else however, he did not experience the suffering conected to clinging to his desire for beauty. I belive this is a good illustration of what enlightenment does with desire in general. Since it does not take it away one enjoys what there is to enjoy in life, sexuality for example, however one does not cling to it and so does not experience the suffering connected with being attatched to having the desire fullfilled. There is a huge difference between detatchment and non attatchment. Detatchement removes any feeling towrds an object what so ever, in ieffect it makes you could and machine like. Non attatchemnt just makes you not cling and hold on to things.

 

I realy recommend you read a wise heart by Jack Kornfield about budhist psychology. It clears up a lot of these misunderstandings. A path with heart and after the exctacy the laundry are also very good but I think especialy a wise heart would be good for you to read to clear up musconceptions about what eastern spirituality (at least budhism) actualy thinks about desire and attatchment.

 

Thank you for your posting. I enjoyed the comparison of non-attachment vs. detachment. How would you say this applies to physical intimacy? Are you implying that one should view the sexual pleasure as something one takes in at a spontaneous moment, and that we should not be focusing on it during the day or otherwise when the other partner involved is not present?

Hello All

I am wondering what the taoist practice is generally for sexuality. I have staved off sexuality so much mentally, that i've caused problems in my social life (I think). Even when I am in a relationship with an attractive woman, I can't always seem to find a way to become interested in sexuality. I find it more productive to do something else... which is odd

I guess what I would need in order to rekindle my sexual energy, is to feel that sexuality is accepted and encouraged through taoist practice. Is there anything anyone can share on this subject? I know the question/comment is a bit odd... but I really would like to break the mental confusion I have about sexuality and whether it should be fully embraced or denied. I guess i'm too black and white in my mentally which I am slowly changing.

I didn't really quite understand what was being said about Buddhism... could someone clarify those last two posts?

 

So where does that leave us? Find the path that resonates with you and stick with it. At the essence of spiritual practice lies the same Truth. Whether you use Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, or whatever the important thing is to find one that feels right, that you can understand the essence of.

I see what you are saying, but where can the dogma be found in Taoism? And glad you found that book, it's great isn't it?

I would have to concur with the first response to your post which indicated something along the lines of life being what you make of it. So i'd say there's a good chance that the various occuring events in your life may be fate-related (the girl approaching you), but causality will affect the outcome of what happens next. It's like being given a fork in the road. You either choose to strike a conversation with this woman and maybe she becomes your future wife, or you choose to ignore the opportunity and go on eating your fast food.

I can't possibly believe in "fate" or "destiny" as an ultimate truth, because in doing so I would be accepting that my entire life is predetermined in its sequence, and so there is no point for all beings to live. Without choice what are we? Pawns? Why would such a complex being as those born of humanity exist only to exist? It is like playing a video game where you cannot actually move the character; merely watch him/her fail or succeed.

Lame

Years ago I discovered a book on Tao called "365 Tao" written by Deng-Ming Dao. I began to read many of his other works (I think i've covered them all by now), and "365 Tao" became a sort of "Bible" to me in a strictly comparative sense.

What I really liked and appreciated about Taoism was that it sought the truth. It didn't simply accept some sort of answer or belief as the only possible one. It didn't preach about how one should commune with God(s) and pray or worship an unseen being. It didn't really "preach" anything at all to be honest. It merely spoke truth about life and volumes about the realities of the hardships of life and how one could go about dealing with them. I was very impressed.

I began reading about Buddhism and noticed it was more religiously oriented. It spoke of reincarnation and how a Buddhist believes beyond a shadow of a doubt that they existed in a past life and that they'll be brought back into yet another once they pass from this one. That's all very "religious" to me, and riddled with blind faith, which doesn't appeal to me at all. I really admired the open-mindedness of the Tao.

My knowledge of both is limited, and I am posting this thread essentially in the hopes that someone will be able to comment on whether i'm completely confused about both practices or actually have said something here that makes any kind of sense

Please enlighten me

Very nice

I would take this man seriously if only because he clearly trains hard and respects his diet which is reflected in his appearance. Finally a martial artist that knows how to train and eat

 

One last thing, that monk has used steroids, period.

There is nothing I disrespect more than ignorance. Such general and decisive statements as "that monk has used steroids" is complete BULLSHIT. Maybe he has and maybe he hasn't, but being a bodybuilding coach myself and having dealt with steroid and non-steroid users alike, I can tell you his physique is MORE than achievable by natural methods. Just because you may be fat or skinny and not know how to train and eat for such goals, doesn't mean the rest of us don't.

Thanks.

Lol, "period?"

 

I guess anyone with any muscles is guilty until proven innocent? Even a Shaolin monk? Or weightlifters or gymnasts?

Glad someone is more informed on somatotypes and the realities of the human body. Cheers.

I have very weak erections... I saw too much porn and ejaculated a LOT. Now I am not getting erections...

 

A while ago I had mentioned about this in another thread...

 

I strongly feel that testosterone is my main problem... Can you give me some wise advice as to how I can increase my testosterone?

 

My erection is exactly like the third one in this image (i am 33 years old)

 

You're suffering from Porno Shock. You don't need a higher testosterone count you just need a vacation from the pornography. Part of the excitement of sexual arousal stems from the actual conquest of attaining a woman. The ease at which you're finding the arousal coupled with the common fake breasts and attractive bodies are ruining real world sexuality for you.

If you insist on increasing your levels of testosterone, go exogenous and shot 500mg of Testosterone Enanthate into your system weekly, or pick up some Tribulus Terrestris from your local health food store to bolster natural testosterone productions.

Really though, just stop the porn for a while.

the bad are the teachers of the good--

--and vice versa--

 

I smell opportunity

Valid point

I think considering how diversified Lee's mind was in his acquisition of knowledge, it's a safe bet that he adopted no one true way.

wow 160kg!? that's 352 lbs lol !

 

the anabolic diet says 18 calories x lbs for the maintenance phase (3 to 4 weeks) then you can either bulk from there (add) or go on a cut (decrease) for your goal.

Yah I was hoping it wasn't 160 kg

That recommendation is for bodybuilding level athletes from what I understand

DiPasquale also has a book called the Radical diet, I can post it if you like in ebook format.

I would recommend checking out http://www.precisionnutrition.com and looking at Dr. John Berardi's work

Also http://www.lifestylechangeonline.com is great for having a diet made for your personal goals

 

Where did you get this information?

 

Vigilant3 I personally don't remember Mantis saying his goal was to shed of body fat.

 

Notice I wrote "IF" your intent is to shed body fat.

Also based on the caloric values mentioned, and the fact that mantis claims he eats too much, it is clear he isn't expending over 2800 calories per day through sheer exercise.

It's a matter of deduction and common sense; nothing to do with language.

YEAH - go ahead and fear fruit! You will become a pansy then. I eat fruit all the time and have a 6% body fat, but I don't eat grains. I get my carbs from fruit and vegetables. Fruit has more than just sugar in them, cakes do not!

 

NO ONE is going to get fat eating fruit. Quit reading the grain industry's propaganda that you see everywhere and just eat fruit. This is why America has its obesity epidemic.

 

.....Also, you need to look at the calcium that fruit has. Calcium improves insulin sensitivity - you're looking at things too narrowly. Again, no one has ever gotten fat from eating fruit. Eat bananas all the time like a chimp and you're fine.

 

Bananas are also rich in B6 and tryptophan - precursor to the wakefulness neurotransmitter 'serotonin'.

Nobody ever flat out said "eat fruit and you will be fat"... You're clearly just throwing in your 2 cents based upon what you feel your personal experiences are and not based on any scientific analysis of macronutrient ratios. I'm glad you enjoy fruit, and nobody said not to eat it in moderation, but your take on how eating fruit all day will not incur fat gain is ridiculous, and uneducated at best.

i've read and some people here seem to have gotten into it, has anyone had any success with it? i'm on a good diet right now (the anabolic diet) but you have to eat so much and so often that it's driving me crazy, not to mention it's expensive (tons of meat products = $$).

 

the warrior diet seems to be the better approach, you do a "controlled fast" throughout the day (eating vegetable/fruit juices and vegetables) and then have one big meal at night.

Is your goal mass gain? Otherwise there's no good reason as to why you'd be eating so much on DiPasquale's anabolic diet.

Nobody posting their opinions on diets thus far has mentioned anything about their goals as far as I can tell. Without defining variables as to what the intent of the diet is, no accurate answer can be given.

 

 

It is pretty surprising, but there you have it.

You totally made that post so you could correct his spelling didn't you

 

wrong

 

almost every major us city has tons of crime

Please note I stated "most" people, not all people. There are exceptions to every rule and I was referring more specifically to illustrate a larger point to Darin. I doubt he has murdered anyone.

The first time I saw someone die, it was pretty shocking and humbling.

 

I tend to agree that growing up in America is pretty peaceful, despite the high crime rates.

Scotty, where and how did you see people die? I am curious to hear more.

If there was a website that you felt should be created related to the Tao, what would it be? Is there anything missing out there or has everyone's needs been met in terms of what is online?

Well I have found the posts to be very interesting and variable in nature.

Most people seem to find that Kunlun practice is quite beneficial and invigorating, and for this reason I will most certainly be trying it. I didn't know that "WYG" had been banned in the past and the had personally attacked anyone and for that oversight I apologize to "mantra". You were right to defend yourself if this was the case, I just didn't see it in this thread.

I visited the kunlunbliss.com website to further understand what this is all about, and I came across a page where it said "buy this book, it is the only source of kunlun of this kind available in the world, you will not find it on the internet, etc." things to that effect. Then of course the price tag was somewhere in the 0.95's of cents, and there was a photo which looked similar to what I might see if they made a Star Wars 7 movie, of this individual named Max who was generating some kind of lightning from his palms.

Now, please do not take offense to anything I am about to say, I do NOT mean it as such. If I ever dislike or disprove of something, I merely ignore it, I would not ask educated people such as yourselves about the topic in a thread. I would have no need. It gives me no satisfaction to put down other people's beliefs.

I am an entrepreneur, and own multiple businesses. In my extensive experience as such, everything I could see on that page was founded in marketing and sales tactics. This is fine, as clearly if we don't sell anything in society, nothing gets accomplished. However, I felt while viewing the page as though I was on one of these websites where they have a talking head appear saying "Buy Goji Juice! It revitalizes your senses!" and they have multiple derivitaves of various fruit juices that they sell through MLM and affiliate marketing out there that i'm sure we've all seen at some point. Also why not just say "$20" instead of "19.95"? The 0.95 cent tactic is deployed for psychological effect to lure a consumer into thinking the item costs less than it really does.

It is for these reasons that I feel "skeptical" and of course in no way slanderous to the practice. The posts from the users in this forum are what ultimately have helped to formulate my decision to actually purchase this book, and i'm just waiting to receive it, but I must say that the image of lightning in someone's hands or whatever that was really didn't do much to help my skepticism, it only enhanced it 10 fold.

I live in North America, and frankly in a capitilist society such as this one, nothing is sacred anymore. It is very difficult to find a source of peace and love and genuine mental practice that isn't lead by some cultist or manipulative individual seeking to empty the coffers of students involved, or worse yet a person who genuinely believes what they preach but is merely insane. I am hoping Kunlun or something similar could be a beacon of hope in a dimly lit world.

Please if i've offended any students of the training, I do apologize and shall edit my post to reflect it.

WYG,

We don't care if you like Kunlun or Max or what you think, so speak freely if that is what you feel you need to do. It doesn't change anything. After all, you can only GUESS at the reality of what is going on from your Australian perspective, so what is your point? And really what is the point of all of the other seemingly intellegent people on this forum who prefer speculation to direct experience? Really, it's like US Magazine in here sometimes. Gossip and fabrication based on NOTHING but ignorance, jealousy and boredom.

Comments like that indicating that you don't care what he thinks, are probably why he feels like he can't express himself freely within the forum. If you are such a profound believer in what it is you do, and you don't care what anyone says about it, then why be defensive? Embrace your practice and enjoy it. There's no need in my opinion to mention in such a manner that essentially what you believe and have practiced is somehow the be all end all of understanding. This man may not have experienced it, and is expressing his skepticism while he awaits a try at it. If you were not skeptical before you attempted your studies of this practice, then I don't think you fall into the category of the "seemingly intelligent people on this forum" that you refer to several times. It is natural to be skeptical, and it is why I started this thread. I would like to attempt the practice myself, but if I tried EVERY SINGLE infomercial's "lost 10 lbs in a week" scams without at least questioning them all deeply first, I think i'd be more of an idiot, than a person at peace.

I don't think anyone is slandering, merely speculating and sharing. That's just my 2 cents. And is this not all about peace anyway?

I've seen those televangelists healing and I have always suspected that they must have had energy and/or NLP training.

So you're saying you believe they are indeed healing people?

Kunlun has nothing to do with faith based religious healing. Not sure what you mean by "time-tested" and "true practice".

I meant has anyone actually experienced or can anyone vouch for the existence of this energy and internal practice that somehow releases negative energy? Or is this simply a matter of a placebo effect? I guess that would sum up my question.

I don't think kunlun is faith based nor are the majority of eastern energy practices, as they utlise physical stances and movements which are innate and common in the human body and do not require any faith in any religion, at least that is my understanding.

 

and besides, the book is cheap and many people are benefiting (including me), so buy it and try it if its no good then no loss.

I agree with you, I just have seen too many televangelists "heal" the blind with their palms in the Christian faith and whatnot, I just really don't want to be guilty of spending even 25 cents on a book that supports that kind of practice.

After reading some of the topics posted about "Kunlun", I have naturally become quite curious as to what it is. I visited a website about Kunlun Nei Gong, which explained that it is some form of energy release technique which allows one to "let go" of negative energy or something to that effect.

I am wondering, is this really a time tested and true practice, or is it akin to religious healing wherein if one simply "believes" something is occuring or exists, it becomes true to the individual?

I'm by nature a skeptic, but trust much of the word that is spoken in these forums as the people within it seem to be intelligent and worldly. If someone could share with me what exactly Kunlun and dispel any misconceptions I might have, I would be very interested in learning and praciting this method.

I have seen the threads about the new book, which I will purchase to learn more, but would like to hear some thoughts and comments from fellow Tao Bums. Cheers

I noticed there was as taoist music thread, and I thought maybe it was somewhat relevant to post a taoist video game that I think everyone should really try. Ok so it's not taoist per se, but I challenge someone to play the game first hand and tell me they don't feel spiritually at peace somehow.

The game is called "WordJong". It is a combination of MahJong and Scrabble. It is for play on the Nintendo DS, and i'm not sure of other platforms but the DS is where the magic really comes into play. There is beautiful zen music, and taoist and buddhist quotes galore which compliment the game's zen theme very nicely. It plays with a stylus pen which makes the experience all the more relaxing. I've just never been more impressed with a simple $20 video game in my entire life... if this post doesn't belong in this forum I apologize and will move it immediately, but wow, this game couldn't get any more Zen! Anyone played other than me??

Here is a clip of the game being played on YouTube:

 

 

 

Mystical Japanese Music - modern style -

 

 

PS. How do we add the actual video from Yuotube in the post? I tried to insert the image, but it did not work with the URL address? Any tips on how to place the video box directly in the post?

Thanks for the great music posts... very relaxing and revitalizing music!

Not sure if anyone answered you in regards to youtube embedding, but there is an embed code on the youtube page adjacent to most videos. Simply copy and paste it here.

Anybody else get violently ill when they fall in love? I figure it has something to do with the chi getting all schlosshed around with the emotional peak of falling in love.

I think that in your case, it is like any new thing. I hate to use this as an analogy, as it is the polar opposite of love and sexuality, but regardless it is great to illustrate my point with:

When we grow up in North America for example, we are generally never or almost never going to be exposed to murder, death, or violence in a real tangible way. So for example, I think it is safe to say that most of us will not go out there and slaughter another human being, innocent or otherwise. We just call the police, they pick them up, they go to jail, end of story (or some derivative thereof). Because of this, when we see a dead body, blood, gore, violence for the first time in our lives, we generally vomit or feel nauseous or panicked for some period of time, right? If we killed many people throughout our lives, like many child soldiers in Africa for example, the violence becomes a part of us. We are desensitized.

I think that because you have not experienced sex with a woman, or a true full complete relationship with one as is human to experience, you are feeling that nausea. Over time, if you should ever decide that it is in your interests to pursue sexual relationships or full relationships with a woman or two, I think you will find the results quite different when you meet the 3rd, 4th, or 5th woman.

This is my opinion.

After a lucky break doing some work, I actually have a little bit of disposable income. I have approx $40 to spend on some books, and need help as to what I should get. I have a had a great interest in taoism for a lot of years, but ever actually starting cultivation has eluded me. I'll give some details, and maybe people can help me find where I should go from here.

 

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was a kid, all the way back in 1983, so it wasn't part of this modern diagnosis kick. I did a lot of drugs after I left high school, and messed up my brain chemistry so bad they say that I am now Bipolar, and I tend to believe them. My concentration is crap, I tend to procrastinate alot, and I float from doing thing to thing on a constant basis. I have about 10 different 'projects' going at a time because of this, and have a hard time really finishing many. I try to fit things into my schedule around taking care of my kids, so I don't always have a long time to do things straight. Uh, thats about all I can think of that might be relevant right now. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

In my opinion, you would benefit very highly from a book called "365 Tao" by Deng Ming Dao. It is a simple one page taoist expression per page, 365 pages in all, one daily meditation for every day of the year. It is a beautiful way to refer to the Tao, and i've come to treat it as my "Bible" of sorts

I feel that martial arts are a practice like any other. Why do people play with toy train sets? Why do people collect stamps? Build cars/planes? Fly kites? Collect comic books? Workout at the gym?

Although there are a few overlying obvious reasons such as for the fun of the act itself, or the aesthetic value of some practices, the underlying purpose is all the same. In practicing something, we find a belief for ourselves. Something to call our own. It is something precious that we devote ourselves to. Something nobody will ever truly understand; something private.

The spirit of the martial artist isn't extraordinarily different from any other in my opinion.