How Dao Changed Me

[Davey Calico]

Hi Dao Bums, I've studied the Dao pretty intensely for the past two years, with daily qigong work and meditation and a lot of reading. And it's become clear to me that a journey through the Dao causes actual changes in a person's lifestyle. So this thread is my remembrance of some of the shifts I've had, and how I've had them. I invite anybody to share or comment with respect to the fact that I'm making the best decisions I can with the information I have.

 

My journey into the Dao began in August 2022 with Johnathan White, who ran a course about mastering sexual energy. Along with the course, he included some qigong exercises and some meditation exercises. As I worked on my energy, I had numerous (false) allegations made against me that were eventually discarded. A parent of a student reported me to DSS for touching her student. My ex (who turned out to be a very cruel woman who I didn't realize) posted a lot of viscious rumors online about me. About November I was cleared of all charges by the DSS and in February I had people coming out to support me after seeing the situations unfold. Sometime in February I became multi-orgasmic, and I began to access an incomplete experience of the microcosmic orbit. Around this time I started a mens' group, which was a great forum for me to practice personal growth.

 

In August 2023, I encountered a lesser kan and li meditation. Although the effects were very mild, it was absolutely curious and I began practicing. I started read Damo Mitchell books and other books I could as well, because my previous experiences were of kundalini energy and I was forming a map of this energetic transmission. In Spring '24, I had a really powerful LSD experience which left me and my partner amazed. She knew I was into this energetic work, but I was at a loss. So I signed up for Lee Holden's 'Pearl of Consciousness' course. It was amazing and I felt so much more emotionally literate. I had light experiences of astral travel as well, and I learned to read the I Ching. That led me to his 'Kan and Li' and then his 'Dao Yin' courses. The effects on my health felt incredible. I quit weed.

 

In winter '24, my dad passed, and I inherited money and a house. At that point, it was clear that teaching in public schools was not helping my health or my practice. I decided to step away from public teaching for a bit to find something more aligned with my health. I traveled to Asheville, NC to study with Michael Winn for a month, where I gained a much deeper and more nuanced view of Daoist alchemy, as well as what following the Dao means to me. When I returned to my home I began study as a qigong teacher under Lee Holden.

 

Now I've been practicing at home for a month. I'd mostly cut out porn but when I got back I felt its effects so clearly I've had a month without porn of any kind. I do qigong everyday and I do some alchemical meditation most days. I have stopped drinking coffee, this is my third week. And I started running 3 times this week. I feel so full of vitality and I'm very grateful to the Dao. I wish you all good fortune through your way

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Davey