-Tabitha Kirkland
I have been learning, practicing, and teaching semen
retention for over forty years. Most of my teaching has been done privately, in
person, with one or two students. Now with my blog, and various social
platforms, I’m reaching a wider audience. I’m getting feedback, comments,
gratitude, and questions, which encourage the need for, and importance of, this
vital knowledge.
There is a teaching from the Tao of Love that has benefited
me not only in love, but in all aspects of my life. It’s called ‘Good Faith.” To
better understand the concept of good faith, we need to explore its opposite:
scarcity mindset. Kind of like the Taoist glass half-full/half-empty!
“Scarcity Mentality measures out life in ounces: it
always concludes that the need outweighs the resources.”
-Erin Straza
Learning about prosperity from the late Paul Gallagher, he
first introduced me to the concept that there is more than enough of everything
for everyone. The idea that there is a finite amount of money, or customers, or
resources leads one to look and act in the world from a scarcity mindset. Paul
introduced me to the teachings of Napoleon Hill.
Hill stressed that nature always gives more than needed,
such as in more seeds than can become plants, or thousands of fish eggs that
get eaten before they can become fully developed. Nature is full of abundance
and shows it every day. Basically, we are given more than what we could ever
want or need. Scarcity comes from fear, greed, or even a childhood of deprivation
and want. Hill’s teachings included “going the extra mile,” and “doing more
than you are paid for,” which show his understanding of nature and his faith in
abundance.
” People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything
in terms of win-lose. There is only so much: and if someone else has it, that
means there will be less for me. The principle-centered we become, the more we develop
an abundance mentality, the more genuinely happy for the success, well-being, achievements,
recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to…rather
than detracts from…our lives.”
-Steven Covey
For many years in my career as a Tai-Chi instructor, I
suffered from the scarcity mindset. I believed there were only so many people
who could benefit from this art, or who were interested in learning it. I would
try to hold on to every inquirer who came through the door. Or try to steal
other teacher’s students. Or outright tell people they could only learn the
real art from me. I tried everything to hold on to as many students as I could
get. Sounds pathetic and desperate! I was.
"Being a warrior means that you are not hungry and desperate, like the poor bastard that thinks he will never eat again and devours all the food he can."
-Don Juan Matus
Gradually, as I saw Tai-Chi grow in popularity, increase in
the public eye, and become mainstream, I had lots of people coming to learn.
Nature showed me Her abundance. I also grew in maturity as a teacher and
devoted myself to the art, not self-promotion, or the size of my classes. When
people left for other teachers, arts, or styles, I let them go with sincere
good wishes for their learning and growth. My philosophy developed into
thinking that if I’m not the teacher for you, or Tai-Chi is not the art for
you, or my school was too far away, that I did not want you to be in my
classes. This led me to not only an abundance, but a deeper quality, of students
and seekers.
” Abundance and lack are always both present, and we get
the one we focus on.”
-Myron Golden
I see abundance in everything now. I’m not concerned with
natural resources running out. I don’t believe there is a shortage of students,
or food, or money, or anything really. Except maybe a sense of humor! So now I have come to semen retention and the crucial idea of having
faith in the abundance of the Tao.
“To rise when desirous and to rest when not, this is ‘good faith.’ ”
-The Classic of Su Nu
To practice semen retention and gain all its benefits and
wonders, you have to have an abundance mentality. The above quote is talking
about erections. To have an erection, not ejaculate, and rest or soften after,
requires faith in the method and concept. Let’s look at some common scarcity
ideas as concerning sex.
This may be my last erection.
This may be my last ejaculation.
This may be my last lover.
This may be my last opportunity for sex.
This may be my last time making love with my spouse.
This may be the last person on earth!
If these statements were true, then you would “go for the gold” and” get all you could” and “stay with them til your seas are dried up.” (Thank you, Eric Clapton!) A man who practices the Tao and has faith and experience in semen retention knows this is not the last of any of those. Unless of course his time is up, or something drastic happens. He knows he will have other erections, love-making sessions, etc.
He can have faith in this and not
ejaculate out of desperation. He can end his loving with a thoroughly loved
partner, while still possessing a full erection. He can then meditate and circulate the
energy, use breathing or a cold shower, or simply use time to let it subside.
Or he could begin another session of intimacy. Retaining his vital essence for
his health, spiritual advancement, or a future round of lovemaking, this is
good faith!
” Those who have an abundance mindset are far more likely
to be happy with their lives and to achieve their goals than those who have a
scarcity mindset.”
-Mike Cernovich
I hope this helps you with not only your Taoist practices, but your daily lives. There is so much you had, you have, and will have. There is no shortage, only the perception of shortage. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write to me. Until then, keep the faith!
25 Laws of Success by Napoleon Hill
Journey to Ixtlan by Carlos Castaneda
The Book of Druidry by Ross Nichols
Art of the Bedchamber by Douglas Wile
What that thing is doesn't much matter; whether it's too little time, money,
friendship, food - it all contributes to experience a "scarcity
mentality". And this has benefits. People who experience a sense of
scarcity are good at managing their short-term problems. Poor people have an
incredible ability - in the short term - to make ends meet, the same way that
overworked CEOs can power through to close a deal.
Despite all this, the drawbacks of a "scarcity mentality" are greater
than the benefits. Scarcity narrows your focus to your immediate lack, to the
meeting that's starting in five minutes or the bills that need to be paid
tomorrow. The long-term perspective goes out of the window. "Scarcity
consumes you", Shafir explains. "You're less able to focus on other
things that are also important to you.
There's a key distinction though between people with busy lives and those living in poverty: You can't take a break from poverty.”
- Rutger Bregman
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