Antares

36 minutes ago, Dedicated said:

and purposely avoiding Kundalini as it has been too misunderstood. 

I agree. First of all we need to make research when the term of Kundalini appeared and who brought it to the public. These days very often people trying to do smth not even having understanding what they do and why. 

13 hours ago, Gerard said:

Zero interest in politics

Politics affects the life of each of us in one way or another. Even if you live in Europe, or somewhere else, the upcoming events will be related to big changes in society there as well. It still matters who and how manages the processes in this world.

16 minutes ago, Taomeow said:

"Right wing, left wing -- they are wings of the same bird."   

It was irony on my part. I agree that both candidates will have problems, as well as the US in general. First of all, economic ones and a serious reform of the entire US structure is required, which will be associated with conflicts. The Dragon is the guardian of the East. The center of global governance will gradually shift to the East. And this year should be a turning point in this shift.

For Taomeow only:

On 1/2/2024 at 10:34 AM, Gerard said:

I'll write a full report soon with some predictions.

Are you not the One whom they refer to as "the Global Predictor"?

Will Trump win the elections?

I want to know it now

37 minutes ago, Taoist Texts said:

Your question has nothing to do with your quote from Wang Zhe. He talks about 五行  which Eskildsen  and you misunderstood as 5 elements.

Not only Dr E. translates it as Five Elements. I have seen other researchers translating it as "5 agents".  So may be you translate it wrong... I have other researches translations on early Quanzhen methods and Wang Chongyang writings and they only confirm what I said. Nothing changes in general. I dont want to argue with you. Read my reference to DZ again. There everything is clearly stated, and your emotions are hindering you from understanding it

13 minutes ago, Taoist Texts said:

Dr. E. is an abbreviation for Doctor Eskildsen. He mistranslated the passage you quoted. Based on his incorrect translation you mistakenly claim that there is a '5 element method'.

How you think what is the root of the Virtue as such and whether it is possible to gain Virtue without specific daoist method? The Virtue has 2 parts - internal and external or in orher words preheaven and postheaven manifestations. In order to obtain preheaven Virtue one needs to cultivate it what implies a specific cultivation method. I even provided a reference to DZ in re: on this issue.

Please (if you wish) let me know if I am clear enough for you to understand what i just said in this post. Thank you;)

1 hour ago, Blissdao9 said:

Again, there is no method in the post. Only a discussion of the natural way. In the Dao, there is no distinction, yogic or daoist, as there are only the natural laws.

Incorrect. Even in re: DDJ there was specific method which is outlined inbetween words actually. There is no such thing as "one yogic, daoist, muslim...method ". More over it such posts mess up the daoist discussion branch of this forum.  

16 minutes ago, Blissdao9 said:

My understanding comes from learning from gurus and personal cultivation. All of my knowledge comes from my cultivating experience, what works and does not work.

Alright, but as we are in daoist discussion thread I reflect over daoist methods of cultivation. As in a previous discussion I stressed the importance of no mixing approaches of different schools and methods. I mean in general it is incorrect to consider yogic and daoist methods as one common method of cultivation. They differ and should be mixed by no means. The Daoist method of cultivation is very narrow in terms of its precision, clarity, and sequence of stages. Any deviation from the rules leads to very undesirable consequences because the balance of yin and yang is a very delicate matter, as is the energy of the body as a whole

6 hours ago, Blissdao9 said:

You are not looking at the bigger picture. Stillness is a quality of the overall system that allows for stability and balance.

I only respond to what you post here in this thread and share my thoughts with you and others. Yes, I agree with you that stillness is the key and I share my understanding about the root of where the stillness is born from. If you want to grow beautiful tree with strong stem first thing you need to learn how to plant it and how to cultivate it right. Also re: balance what is your understanding of it and where does it come from? Can you share your toughts on it? 

As for my personal experience I would not share it because it is too personal thing. You can consider me as a researcher of daoist cultivation methods.    

32 minutes ago, Taoist Texts said:

What Dr E.  renders as 5 elements is......(drum roll....)  ....5  moral conducts  (rim shot).

Who is the doctor E.? Do you know from whom Wang Chongyan received transmission? This is not the TCM approach and methods, and you seem to be confused. No chance to comprehend what it is about without teacher. Period. 

55 minutes ago, Antares said:

Question: What is the method of the five elements?

He he, and what about five elements method? There are questions and answers. How sitting and calmness work with it? What about Lesser Vehicle method? I would like you to explain it please 

8 minutes ago, Taoist Texts said:

If somebody does not understand words on paper in black and white

Alright, can you understand next words?

Quote

Question: What is the method of the five elements?

Answer: First, observe the precepts, be calm, endure humiliation, be compassionate, do good, eliminate the ten evils, act expediently, save all living beings, be loyal to the ruler, and be filial to parents and teachers. This is the method of practice. Then, learn the true method

I hope you are able to see black and white here? 

18 minutes ago, Taoist Texts said:

I red the original while you did not.

I read it too and I meant to read it thoroughly. And what the northern schools you refer to? I know some initial methods from 2 northen schools (lineages) at least and how many northern methods and from what schools you know and practise? Texts cant help you much if no one explains it to you. Period

1 hour ago, Taoist Texts said:

in fact the very first line of the quoted text  directly refutes that claim. 

Instead Wang states the direct opposite of that claim

 First, start with removing all kinds of worries. Second, stop attachments to 'wine, flesh, profit, temper'. This is exactly the method of cultivation.

Well, this seems to be the precondition of the cultivation method for it can't be considered as method cultivation. Read that text you provided link for - there is said that these preconditions precede the real cultivation method.  I will continue citing the article that I mentioned above

Wang Zhe thus endorses the simple cultivation of purity and stillness as the only true way toward recovering the Real Nature and gaining eternal life. This is the Greater Vehicle. However, this inner serenity needs to be built upon a foundation of sound physical health. This foundation is built through the more complicated physical practices of the Lesser Vehicle. Wang Zhe sometimes seems harshly critical of the various physical practices, referring to them as ‘small methods of subsidiary schools’ (pangmen xiaofa). The seeming inconsistency occurs because the various discourses of Wang Zhe address different audiences and situations. Some of his followers perhaps tended to content themselves with pursuing the petty details of physical exercises, failing to attain true inner purity and stillness in the process. Others probably suffered health problems that hampered their spiritual progress.

So I agree that apparent contradictions are based on whom the teacher specifically gave instructions to, as he had several students. But overall, referring to the quote above, personally for me it is clear that the Ming cultivation method should either precede the cultivation of the Xing or go along with it, but it is definitely not the method of quiet sitting as some modern schools understand it. 

10 minutes ago, Taoist Texts said:

Do you have  a quote?

 Not directly from his writing but nevertheless I have one at least from an article of a сontemporary researcher

Quote

– Stephen Eskildsen

Wang Zhe, in Chongyang zhenren jinguan yusuo jue, outlines as follows the relationship between body and mind and between physical practices and mental discipline:

Only the Single Numinous [Nature] is Real. The body of flesh made of four elements (earth, water, fire and wind) is provisional. Borrow and refine the provisional to complete what is Real. Move and combine and become one. A lesson says that [the methods that deal with] the ease and comfort of the present body are of the Lesser Vehicle. But all such methods are the roots of the Greater Vehicle. The Dharma mind of the initial ground is the Lesser Vehicle that bears fruit to create the Greater Vehicle. The Lesser Vehicle is the root, and the Greater Vehicle is the stem. A lesson says that the stems and branches rely on each other. The stems rely on the roots and are thus born. Practitioners of nowadays do no understand what the body acquires its Nature and Life from and how it got to be born. A lesson says that everybody is not separate from what is created by the yin and yang. You must rely on your father’s semen and mother’s blood. These two things are the basics of your body. People nowadays who train themselves all do not cherish their father’s semen and mother’s blood. They waste and scatter their real qi and damage their primal yang. Therefore they have aging, the aging have diseases, and within diseases, they have death. For the practitioner to always be pure and still is the fundamental method of the Greater Vehicle. Those who want to practice the Greater Vehicle must begin by seeking and following the Lesser Vehicle.

25 minutes ago, Taoist Texts said:

Are you saying that Wang Zhe and his disciples were mistaken in their practice?

No. There are old Northern school and more modern Northern path of meditations. The latter one is just like echo of old Northen school. Wang Chongyan wrote that cultivation begins with Ming cultivation but his followers lost this method. I dont know how that happend.  

On 30.03.2023 at 10:34 AM, Blissdao9 said:

When one becomes still, one is able to gain greater awareness of one's inner workings, the blood flow, heart beat, breathe, etc. Stillness is very important because high awareness is necessary to "see" what is truly behind the living process. At the center of our being is the "still core." Being still aligns one with the natural laws of the cosmos, making it easier to also perceive and connect with the "strings" or "webs" of the cosmos that connect everything and link to the still core. 

Again, you are describing the Northern path of meditations. It's worth keeping in mind that stillness and calmness are Yin. Cultivating only Yin can easily create an imbalance in energy. This way of cultivation can lead to excessive consumption of Yang Qi. It's a very common mistake made by many practitioners

To the very heaven I'll embark on
Where do the clouds sail beneath me.
Like an arrow through the body, through the heart I flew
My soul, like a white bird, up after you (To the very heaven...)
 

On 02.04.2023 at 10:26 AM, waterdrop said:

How legit are youtube qigong videos ?   how beneficial are they ?          can they do harm in some way (even small one) ?  

Yes, in 99,99 % they will do a harm. It is just impossible to explain all details of correct practice through video even if the practice correct but there is no any authentic teacher who would post it on the youtube. In general there are not much teachers who can share this knowledge and even if a teacher has a method it is transmitted in person.    

Damo: "Build the dan tien in qigong"

Seriously? 

The Sun poured out with sunset,
Grace is present in the yard;
The world is absolutely clear,
But you cannot comprehend.

Comets kiss the sky,
And you laugh again.
The world is absolutely clear,
But you cannot comprehend.

Chorus:
I walk
Like an old sage,
Who has seen
The eternal;
To admire the Autumn sunset,
On the shore;
In secret bliss
Directed
To the infinite;
To enjoy
The beautiful,
Autumnal,
Sunset,
I walk...

1 hour ago, Lairg said:

Thus soul-bearing entities may choose between teachings that are familiar or are relevant to their tasks or seem glamorous.

Dude, you are in Daoist discussion thread. This is not "New Age relevant teaching for people who seem to be glamorous" thread of the forum

3 hours ago, Lairg said:

If you say so

 

OK. Can you provide a citation from  daoist texts in which there is said that there is the need to work with 7 chakras? May be Zhang Boduan wrote about chakras? Was any method that you advise here described there in daoist scriptures?  What about "sacral chakra"? Go ahead