Guidance

[Island_monkey]

Dear all,

 

In the past I have done some chi going, mostly zhang zhuang and red sand qi gong. I switched and stuck with yang tai chi (Wee Kee Jin / Huang). I practice regularly (5/7) days a week. However I seem to be missing something and get the urge to start doing something next to it. Recently, i also started monk mode nofap which also raises my motivation to do things. I feel like having a lot of energy but no use for it. I like movement as well as mediation. However I have no oversight what system I should pick up and since I live on an Island there won't be a lot of qi gong teachers around (0).

 

What system would you advise?

 

Where do you recommend me to start?

 

 

 

Thanks a million! 

[steve]

Baguazhang is a wonderful compliment to qigong and taijiquan if you can find a teacher.

 

That said, when I was putting a lot of focus into the martial arts, meditation, and qigong for many years I also felt like I was missing something. That something turned out to be opening my heart, practicing love and compassion - now nothing seems to be missing.

[Gerard]

Since you live in a very limiting location, I'd personally recommend you Satipatthana Vipassana aka Insight Meditation. You can learn it without a teacher but eventually you'll need one once you start progressing in the jhanas and or encounter a roadblock (there will be many of them). For that you can travel to Thailand or Burma for a retreat. If you are interested, please let me know and I will add some links.

 

Vipassana meditation is structured around prostrations (to help you get started with the formal practice) + walking meditation (in my experience, the most important part) + seated meditation.

 

Alternatively, there is the option of learning online (not free though):

 

Mindfulness Meditation Course

 

If you can't afford the course:

 

http://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks_m.htm (free e-books, just pick and choose what you like)

 

(walk super slow as shown in the video (or slower if you can))

 

Walking and seating meditation are practiced in a 50/50 format or if you like walking for as much as you can and then sit as long as you comfortably can and keep doing so (this last option best suited for advanced practitioners, initially is best starting with the 50/50 rule).

 

Good luck.

[yugenphoenix]

Any videos of the prostrations and advice how to do, how many, etc. Many thanks.

[Gerard]

Here's visual guide about how to practice prostrations in the Thai Forest Tradition:

 

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Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu is going a bit too fast (he's only demonstrating it anyway), so please slow down in the movement and be very mindful during your practice.

 

Best.

[AussieTrees]

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Edited July 19, 2016 by AussieTrees