<html><div style='background-color:'><P><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Dear all.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I think of all of you often.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>It was an amazing journey for me to travel and study with all of you.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I suffered a broken back, broken leg, and crushed knee joint in 2005 September - </FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I was confined to a bed - on my back, not allowed to move for 6 weeks. </FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I made a vow that I would visit Teacher Hu in September 2006 and take a group of 15 people for a Alchemy study retreat...............so all of you in a way were a part of this vision I had to give me the strength and courage to learn to walk again and recover my health.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Thank you all so much. ^_^ / </FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Each of you holds a special place in my heart.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>It was hard for me at times in Wudang - remembering my "former" self - and having to face the reality of recovery and rehabilitation. Yet, as tour leader, I had to be there and transform - and as a group, I feel you all helped me to focus and draw on my inner strength which I needed to use for this journey.....</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Thank you all for that. </FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>In Taoist traditon, when students study under the same teacher, they view each other as brothers and sisters - members of the same family.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I hold such feelings in my heart, and think of us all as a family.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I am busy getting ready for the New Year here in Japan!</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>It is a busy time for gift giving and many end of the year dinner parties.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I plan to write a longer letter shortly, well maybe after the New Year!</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Here are my ideas on the questions brought up by Isaac.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>I have limited experience, so I do not feel I see the "whole" picture of Taoist practice - but here goes...............</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>On contemplation - I feel that there is a wealth of information in Taoist written works <EM>(especially the Chuang Tzu)</EM> - </FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Perhaps points Taoists contemplate on:</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>1. What is Tao?</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>2. What is our relationship to Tao?</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>3. How to gain complete Union with Tao?</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>4. What is the meaing of the three treasures of the human - jing, qi and shen and the meaning of the three treasures of the Tao - earth, human, and heaven. There are also three treasures of heaven and earth.........</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>5. What does it mean in the Taoism classics when they state that a human contains a complete universe?</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Many things for ur contemplation............</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I think contemplation serves a important purpose at some stage - to help create a shift in our awareness, or how we look at life, the world and our place in it all - breaking away from the acquired education we were served as children in the education system - reshaping our sphere of reality.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>After this awakening perhaps comes the stage of seeking how to practice - as we need a <STRONG>method or "Way"</STRONG> to help us gain our Union back to the Tao.....</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Then comes the time to integrate daily practice with our everyday life.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>In practice we can think of the following postures we use for our meditation.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>1. Sitting.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>2. Lying.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>3. Standing.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>4. Walking.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>In any of these postures we perform our meditation to some degree........</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Yet the "king" of these postures can be said to be "sitting"..............</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Preserve Jing.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Let us understand the purpoes and reason why we practice this method.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>It is a method to help "safeguard" and "stabalize" the Jing.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>In the first stages of practice, especially for men, the Jing can transform from "preheaven" to "postheaven". </FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>We can think of this as changing from "energy" to "matter".</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Jing has a nature like water. Water likes to flow downward.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>This can be more of a problem for men than women.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>For men this can take shape as an ejaculation in sleep.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>So we seek to shut the door and stop up all leaks.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>We make the door so strong and tight, nothing can escape.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Seeking stabliity.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Once things are stable, then perhaps we do not need to use such a method any more.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Always seek to simplify and let the natural process take it's own course.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>With the state of the pure true heart, there is no need for technique or method - the Jing naturally will transform into Qi.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>This is something for all of us to think deeply on.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>This is not an exercise for you to "visualize" Qi being drawn up to somewhere.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>In practice at home, it is important not to "add" some extra methods to the original way you were taught to practice. This can create a shift in another direction, or make the practice change course and become not so effective.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Keep it simple and pure.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>~ This practice is something to perform after an evening sitting session before going to bed - to prevent the "leaking" of postheaven jing.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>1. Stand with feet shoulder width apart.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>2. relax all parts of the body.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>3. shift attention to tan tien, then slowly shift attention gently to hui yin area (sphere on top of the muscle floor internally and at the same time sphere on the outside )</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>3. inhale deeply to tan tien area, making hands rotate in a small circle making fist. </FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>4. hold and secure the breath.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>5. press down with fists, using whole body internal power. air contracts inside, yet is also expanding in a sphere to the outside.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>6. teeth touching, slightly clench, toes grasp the ground.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>7. draw up the pernium muscle floor, contracting strongly, but again maintaining relaxation.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>8. feel this muscle floor draw up into the lower tan tien area - variation is to draw up to middle tan tien (find which method feels more natural for you).</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>9. holding this contraction, holding the breath, and drawing up with whole body power. (be sure to be aware of not alowing the heart rate to increase or become too strong - important point)</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>10. when feeling you have reached a gentle and full limit - gently and slowly exhale, relaxing the whole body, yet hold awareness of whole body while standing, maintain an observaiton and awareness - with focus in tan tien while standing. catch your breath and let the heart rate become calm and still.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>11. repeat.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>12. after 3-9 sessions. settle into tan tien. smile to yourself. and forget all practice and be in the moment. rest, or sleep.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>An alternate method for you to practice to strengthen this area and help to secure the Jing.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>1. Sit crossed leg on the floor with hands on the knees - palms open and stretched to the sky.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>2. Focus on Tan Tien, relax all parts of the body.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>3. Let focus shift to Hui Yin area.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>4. <STRONG>Inhale - </STRONG>and let breath penetrate to Hui Yin.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT size=4>5. Breath expands in all directions in a sphere shape. <EM>(in first stage it is good to actually count the inhale and also the exhale - both should be balanced - example inhale 1,2,3,4 - exhale 1,2,3,4)</EM></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>6. Hui Yin expands (muscle of perenium actually opens and expands) - abdomen area and also lower back area also expands with breath..........</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>7. Exhale - Hui Yin and perinium muscle floor contracts and lifts up (drawing in) - also abdomen slightly contracts and draws in, lower back also draws in - ALL are drawing in and slightly contracting to Tan Tien sphere.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>8. Repeat.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT size=4><STRONG>NOTE:</STRONG> This is the basic method of breath training for begining students termed - After Heaven Breathing Method.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>In breath training it is a very important key to the success of practice. In a word we must perform breath training and master the breath - then forget all things about the "acquired" breathing - and move into the stage of "True" breathing or "Fetal" breathing.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>We can think of this as three stages.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>1. After Heaven Breathing.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>2. Before Heaven Breathing</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>3. Fetal Breathing.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>We can even look further that within these three stages there can be nine kinds of breathing techniques we can incorporate into the training.</FONT></P>
<OL>
<LI class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Inhale and exhale from the mouth.</FONT></LI>
<LI class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Inhale and exhale through the nose.</FONT></LI>
<LI class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Inhale from nose, exhale from mouth.</FONT></LI>
<LI class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Inhale from mouth, exhale from nose.</FONT></LI>
<LI class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Inhale only, no exhalation.</FONT></LI>
<LI class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Exhale only, no inhalation.</FONT></LI>
<LI class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Subtle breathing.</FONT></LI>
<LI class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Breathing through the meridian channels.</FONT></LI>
<LI class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Breathing through the energy points throughout the body.</FONT></LI></OL>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>In all of these methods please do not forget the most important part.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>"Heart".</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Keep the heart pure, simple and calm.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Smile, love, create peace inside and outside.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Do not become obsessed with gaining Qi or storing Qi or with the "proper" technique to follow.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Find the natural way and course that is lying in wait to embrace you.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Merge with this course and sail forth to the destination of Tao.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Cultivate Clarity and Stillness.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Cultivate Stability.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Cultivate a Pure, Clean and Sincere Heart.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Rest in Stillness and Fall into Emptiness.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I have to go now................</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I want to write more, and need to make more time. </FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Let us all support each other's efforts in practice, so we may continue walking the path together back to Tao.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I have been having an idea these days.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>more like pictures and images that come to me in my meditation.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Of all of us, or some of us having a reunion in China in August. With Teacher Hu and we travel to the sacred Mount Qiingcheng - one of the places where Taoism came into being - and a place that was untouched by the cultural revolution - being and practicing together and gaining lectures and teachings from Teacher Hu......... </FONT><A href="http://www.eternalspringtours.com/sacredsites/qingcheng1.html"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>http://www.eternalspringtours.com/sacredsites/qingcheng1.html</FONT></A></P>
<P class=RTE><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>What do you all think?</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I think if we had at least 5-7 people, Teacher would consider such an adventure........</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Wandering like clouds in a free manner and practicing together...........</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Just my romantic idea perhaps???????</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I have attached the how to practice document - review it, it contains many good tips and points for you to practice properly.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>I sincerely wish that each of you gain success in your cultivation and practice - gaining Union with Tao in this very lifetime.</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Much love and peace, Jesse</FONT></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>Here are my recent class projects in Japan --> </FONT><A href="http://taoyoga.jp"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>http://taoyoga.jp</FONT></A></P>
<P class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=4>PS. Yuko gives her best and her love to all of you also. ^_^ /</FONT><BR><BR></P>
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