Eric23

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Posts posted by Eric23

  2. Posted

    https://www.amazon.com/PROOF-Heretic-Mysticism-Yves-Cadoux/dp/B07QZV3MD7/ref=sr_1_6?crid=30VI1YAFC6BDW&dchild=1&keywords=yves+cadoux&qid=1588118084&sprefix=yves+cad%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-6

     

    Picked up this last year.  Really tough read.  Lot's of 'this is the goal', but very very little guidance or practice on how to get there.  The second half of the book is a treatise of the Gospel of Thomas.  The author repeats himself to the point of distraction.  

    • Like 1

  4. Posted

    So it's been several years at least since I've been here.  Seems like I'd check in and the site was down.  Found a few of you on Facebook.  So much has happened in the meantime.  I probably won't post too much, but it's fun to have the site up and read.

    • Like 3

  6. Posted

    Years ago, before there was any inkling of this path I'm on now, life was pretty difficult. Lots of anxiety, stress etc. Nothing that most of us haven't faced, but it was taking a toll on me. I picked up Your Erroneous Zones at a used book store and read it. Dr. Dwyer's advice was timely and very helpful at that stage in my life. Regardless of how his career evolved, I will always be thankful for Dr. Dwyer. Safe travels towards the light.

    • Like 1

  9. Posted

    I've been to several yoga nidra classes. Some have been better than others. I've found that the intonation of the voice makes a difference for me. I had downloaded a version that has limited success for me. My house is not ideal these days for deep meditative practice, my high energy dog just doesn't get it. I'll check out the link. Thanks

  10. Posted

    I retired last year and have been home an awful lot lately. The summers are brutal in Phoenix so I spent most of the time couped up. We also had some remodeling done so I needed to be home, primarily to babysit the dog. I definately felt "down". The chores and projects around the house seemed overwhelming, and to be honest, I haven't really figured out what to do with myself at this new phase of my life. Once the summer heat let up I've been out walking and hiking and things are much better. If you're only getting out once or twice a week, that not nearly enough.

    • Like 2

  19. Posted

    Years ago, I found my singing bowl in Nepal - bought it directly from its maker near Swayambunath stupa, who had bowls stacked high. I bought a striker from him too, but he was reluctant to sell it, as he didn't have that many available. So, I had to make do with what he had and was willing to sell.

     

    The bowl has a rich tone, but the striker I have is smooth wood and it's hard to get the right friction going sometimes to get the bowl to resonate. Don't know why I haven't tried sanding the striker a little to rough it up; I should try it.

     

    A particularly cool and meditative effect is to fill the bowl partway with water and watch how the vibrations create fascinating ripples in the surface as you play the bowl.

    Another meditative thing I like is simply to place the bowl on a hard surface and give it a tap, and focus on the ring until it totally fades out, It works best when the bowl is on a surface area that's smaller than the bottom of the bowl itself, such as a block, to minimize the contact of metal with surface... so the bowl resonates longer. When I am not using the striker effectively and can't get a good resonance to play the bowl, this is my "Plan B." :)

    . I had a chance to use a striker with a thin leather covering and it made a mellow tone, took the edge off from the bare wood. Later on I read that covering the wood with clear plastic shipping tape had the same effect. (Just a couple of wraps). I tried that and like it. I know it sounds weird using plastic tape to aid in meditative practice, when we would prefer something organic, but it works.
    • Like 2

  20. Posted

    It took me almost a year getting to know my bowl. The striker has an important roll, I keep three around, each with a different diameter and covering. It was a matter of learning what pressure and speed to use for the singing. You can always start with a simple gong. Wonderful way to start each morning.

    • Like 2

  21. Posted

    I've been working on combining mantra with LDT breathing and "so ham" seems to work most simply. "So" corresponds to inhale and (more esoterically) to opening sushumna to receiving and then "hammmm" corresponds to exhale (and resonating sushumna)... the whole thing kind of went from LDT breathing to sushumna to a version of white skeleton meditation. (spiraling thrown in there)

     

    Though I know that "so ham" is a classic mantra, I still think of Mark Griffin of HardLight.org when I use it, as I learned it from him and I found his talks on it to be... very deep, clear, and practically helpful.

     

    Anyway, where I started with it this time was "what mantra could be used in conjunction with lower dan tien breathing?" .. and I'd be curious to hear if any of you use "so ham" like that, or any other mantra?

     

     

     

     

     

    p.s.

    It's funny how LDT breathing keeps changing, integrating... I've kind of had the attitude that it was just a simple static "thing" to learn ... and it just keeps transforming to include more, deeper... in a way it makes me feel kind of stupid, "haven't I got it yet???" and yet that's the way of it, I guess, that these practices that rest on deep fundamentals just keep going deeper deeper including more more.

     

    Use this during Yin Yoga, aLong with basic pranayama breathing while holding postures. My teacher always reminds us that the breathing is the real practice, the postures are along for the ride. So Ham brings me back, or keeps me present. I am particularly drawn to your comment about sticking with the fundamentals. Working with the basics over a long period of time, like a year or two. I think it takes at least that long to find the depths of the practice.

  22. Posted

    I would make sure that the fundamentals of whatever practice being taught are sound. Present a practice routine that the student can take home and work on for years to come. Present the why we do it this way as opposed to my way or the highway. Present a list of troubleshooting items to watch out for as the student progresses with the practice. Stress the importance of plugging away at a practice, just doing it continually, every day. I think a lot of people want to be handed the juice, but they don't want to learn what a practice involves.

    • Like 1

  23. Posted

    I don't think I saw it as a poll option, but TTB members have really turned me on to some great resources out in the real world to study and learn from. Off the top of my head I heard about Kunlun-teacher Max and Jenny Lamb here and studied with both. Signed up to learn about the key sound technique. Bought an aneros. Am considering purchasing a Karen Kingston feng shui book recommended in the book section tomorrow. Considering experimenting with tonic Chinese herbs from Dragon Herbs recommended here. And on and on.

     

    Lots of taobums are doing cool things, and sometimes they mention them and it sparks an interest for me that I follow up on.

     

    Liminal

     

    Hit the nail on the head. TTBs is a great source of information. Discovered both of my primary practices here. Yes, I also bought an aneros:). Every now and again someone posts a link to an article or video that I find fascinating or educational.

     

    I've also had the wonderful experience of meeting a couple of bums face to face and chatting with them in real life. Trunk is spot on, develope connections with the local community.

    • Like 6

  24. Posted

    I'm 59, and lost both of my parents in the last couple of years. My grand mother lived to 103. So these days my views of living to an old age have changed. After witnessing the decline in health and just wishing for an end to suffering, my wish would be to die quickly from whatever it is that that the universe sends to finish me off. Until that time I think that being active, both physically and mentally is crucial. If one has to scale back a bit with age, so be it, just keep doing it. I'm also convinced that when the pain gets too much, it's time for medical marihuana.

    • Like 1