Hey Taobums,

I've been reading several books on inner alchemy, meditation and the like, and I'm finally considering all the warnings I've read about not doing these techniques without a teacher's guidance. And I've found all sorts of programs in Wudang, Beijing, etc. I've even found some in the united states, like the ones Eva Wong is teaching soon. But I have yet to find one good teacher in my area. I don't think the American Southeast is really a hotspot for Taoism... But I'm keeping my hopes up. If anyone knows of a teacher in North Georgia, or at least close to there, please let me know. If not, I guess I'll have no choice but to try it alone.

I just moved back to Atlanta.

I practice Kunlun Nei Kung. You can check it out at http://www.kunlunbliss.com/

They are having the last USA workshop for awhile in NJ in a month.

It's a really simple enlightenment practice you can do on your own but recieve a powerful transmission at the workshop.

You might also check out http://traditionaltao.com/ they do retreats in China with very high level teachers.

But if you hear of any Taoist Masters in Ga let me know

Cam

I'm not sure there are any Taoist hotspots in America. Were working on it though....

If Yoda and Cam are in the SE, then the SE is seriously hot. ssst

Here's my opinion, but dont take my word for it.

Be a lamp unto Yourself


As the Buddha was dying,
Ananda asked
who would be their teacher after death.
He replied to his disciple -

"Be lamps unto yourselves.
Be refuges unto yourselves.
Take yourself no external refuge.
Hold fast to the truth as a lamp.
Hold fast to the truth as a refuge.
Look not for a refuge in anyone besides yourselves.
And those, Ananda, who either now or after I am dead,
Shall be a lamp unto themselves,
Shall betake themselves as no external refuge,
But holding fast to the truth as their lamp,
Holding fast to the truth as their refuge,
Shall not look for refuge to anyone else besides themselves,
It is they who shall reach to the very topmost height;
But they must be anxious to learn."

Thanks for the quote. It is found in Chapter 2, Mahaparinibbana Sutta - The Book of the Great Decease - T W Rhys-Davids.

What a wise instruction left behind by the great master!

Of course students would be perturbed when a great master is about to leave them behind. However it appears a bit misunderstood by some, on the web, on what went on behind the thought.

In the Sutta, Buddha told Ananda that unlike the closed-fist of a teacher, he held nothing back from his students – which meant he taught them everything he knew, including meditation.

Therefore his students can stand on their own two feet and practise on their own. And need no further instructions from other sources. They can be their own guide (lamp).

Another thing is to hold fast to truth or sincerity within and they will need no other teachers. There will be a guiding light (lamp) within.

To reach the highest level, students must be anxious or earnest to learn.

Is there any difference from what the other two great sages, Laozi and Confucius taught? Not much. If only students can be earnest and sincere, they can become wise by studying the doctrines of these three ancients.

However, students need to learn neidan from a good teacher, before they can be a lamp (guide and light) unto themselves.

Through diligent study and practice of what the ancient Classics teach, it can be simple and easy once we arrive at clarity to become a lamp unto ourselves, and at times, unto others.

(Similar post entered in my blog today, titled 'Of students and masters (7)'.)