Aetherous

Nope.

-O-, This is from her website: Yi Gong is one of the highest Taoist Maoshan esoteric practices. Its system includes two aspects, spiritual and physical. The spiritual aspects have not been revealed to the public. The physical aspects include three levels, spontaneous adjustment, celestial master points the way, and great water fall. So the three levels have been taught through her.

I know what you mean. Although I recently made the decision that it's simply not worth it. Not good to compromise yourself like that. ... I voted "disgust...you name it" because my emotion doesn't fit the other ones. I personally find anxiety the hardest to overcome.

Sloppy Zhang, From my limited understanding... If people are practicing from the book, that is good enough. I'm not here to tell anyone they're doing anything wrong. I don't know! They are getting effects. It's up to them and what they feel is correct (not what they think is correct)... If they want to go deeper, they should continue their studies in person. I highly recommend continued learning in Kunlun, while at the same time treasuring what you have, and mastering the basics. Not to be overly secretive (this isn't a closed system), but these practices are very special and should remain so by being private, and taught personally. That's just how I feel, as a fellow student. It makes it better for everyone.

Levels 1-2-3 are from Jenny. For the past couple of years they were part of Kunlun Nei Gung, but recently were removed. Now there is just the kunlun practice, which is barely similar to yi gong.

JohnC, Max tells stories, but a lot of what he says is true, in my experience. "Kunlun level one" (a practice) is one part of Kunlun Nei Gung (a system). Max's system. To learn the actual system you have to find a facilitator, or preferably go to one of the Primordial Alchemist foundation courses. I've found that the way of practicing is quite different from the book, or the public seminars. A lot of changes were made to it which make it much more advanced. Jenny Lamb's version is called "yi gong" and it's almost entirely different from what we do. It is where the kunlun practice originated, but it's not the same thing anymore. Due to various disputes and confusion, the level 2 and 3 practices have recently been removed from Kunlun Nei Gung. There is word of a new book being written by Max, which will clear things up... What this all boils down to is: the current book is a very basic introduction to some of these methods, but if you want to continue on your path, you need to see the teacher of your choice (or both, to compare). The two teachers are very different, as are their methods and the results you will get from their practices. ... Jetsun, The Kunlun Forum was just recently deleted, due to inactivity as well as some pretty strange negativity from a couple of people. I still practice it. Took breaks here and there, when I wasn't into it. I think it's really good to follow your intuition...if you feel drawn to it, then your practices may go very well. Taking a break from it simply makes it more powerful. I only practice for a few minutes at a time. You may notice after a while of practicing that doing more isn't necessary, and actually doesn't give as good of a result. My real focus is on other Kunlun Nei Gung practices... Well, I think it is a very good practice for opening you up, and making every other practice work faster. But what I've found to be more powerful in doing all of those things you mentioned is I-Jong (the standing posture). Very good observations. I have noticed the same things. For resolving stuff consciously, try more I-Jong. At least what I've found is that the key is really the breath. When you practice breathing in the right way, your energy will be flowing effortlessly and subconscious mental images and feelings will appear and easily vanish (unless you wanted to contemplate them for some reason). Just relax more and have the breath be more gentle, and you will end up doing it right. Good to do in I-Jong, or sitting on a zafu with your palms on your knees. It seems boring in comparison to the kunlun practice, for instance, but it's important to balance yourself and disengage the mind and emotions. If you are constantly doing the kunlun practice, the unconscious baggage is simply piling up and slowing you down. If you come into balance, then you can once again have powerful practices. These are all just my opinions at this very moment...constantly changing.

I think people need to be around people in order to be happy. But then again, being around people can be really annoying. Solitude is peaceful, but nothing is better than spending time with your best friends.

Hey Electric Gravity, I find your posts interesting. What you have said about the tao seems accurate, at least from my limited experience. But of course it's bad manners to fill someone else's thread with stuff that's not really on topic...anyway my point: just wanted to let you know that people are interested in your posts.

Yikes.

It's nice to just have my private practices, and not bother with this stuff.

You explain the problem yourself... If you made money a bigger part of your life, you would naturally get more of it. Not necessarily in a magical way, although many believe that helps...but perhaps you'd try for better paying jobs/save what money you do have/invest/etc. Money is a really good thing to think about. Maybe spend 20 minutes each day taking care of financial stuff, and planning.

Well, if you look at 5 element theory, the lungs oppose the liver (anger)...so it could be beneficial to strengthen the metal element in order to regain balance. Something simple could be imagining pure white (metal element) compassionate (cultivating the opposite feeling) light within the middle dantien (wood element wants to go to fire element of the heart in the generative cycle).

Exactly. The knee isn't designed to handle bodyweight at that angle, unless you have perfect form...and even then, it could cause damage. I go to school for physical therapy/athletic training, so this is not some unqualified statement. I've studied the anatomy/biomechanics of the knee in depth, and have seen many knee injuries during my clinicals... The knee is a modified hinge joint. It is primarily designed to flex and extend...forward and backward, like when the feet are shoulder distance apart. Going into horse stance (which is very wide) applies rotational forces to the structures at unnatural angles, either injuring you directly, or setting yourself up for easy injury by malforming the lateral structures. If there is pressure felt within the knee, you're doing it wrong. The lower leg should be straight. The knee should be aligned directly above the foot, as if the patella is pointing where the second toe is pointing and not going too far beyond the toes (which would overstress the anterior structures). The ankle should be aligned as if standing normally. The stretching and strengthening should completely take place in the upper thigh and hip musculature. I consider these two pictures to be good examples: Most people can't even accomplish these basics of the form...myself included! Listen: this topic is about building qi. Horse stance has been suggested, and I do think it's a good exercise if you are able to do it right. It's just risky. Zhan zhuang is just as good for building qi, and is relatively safe. Edit: Also, I'm not a horse stance instructor...I'm sure there is even more involved in performing it correctly. I don't mean to give tips on something that I don't personally train.

Gerard, You're just taking things personally. My intent here is simply to help people not hurt themselves. What is your intent?

Devoid, I agree completely with your suggestions. And not to argue with you, but if you're practicing horse stance as you suggest (which isn't for a long period of time) then it isn't a qi building exercise anymore...but rather a stretching/strengthening exercise.

General rule of thumb: if an anonymous person on a forum tells you that something dangerous is actually safe, don't listen to them. They are most likely lacking experience and education.

If you watch some sitcoms on TV, you realize just how fast and loud the world has become. The characters speak faster than they can even think. It's very far removed from the moving stillness of nature.

That's a long time, man!

That way of horse stance can be really horrible for your knees! Most of us don't (and will not ever) have the training regimen and experience of Shaolin monks. Also, most of us have weak knees to begin with (whether you know it or not). Check out the book Way of Energy. It teaches a good way of how to stand for qi building.

Thanks for sharing Mike...I recognize that it's a very good method. Just downloaded your new book, The Thunder Wizard Path, today...especially enjoyed reading the part about how the Teutons may have interpreted the 4 directions, within the Five Elements section. Very insightful!

Nice! _/\_

Yeah, maybe people should stop sharing their opinions about this forum, because it's making Sean feel worn down. Our incessant "bickering" is just too much to handle! UGH.

Who personally insulted Mal? There are moderation guidelines. Everyone here has followed them, so there is no reason for anyone to be ejected.

Agreed.

Taomeow, It's all good, I know you enjoy writing like that. But I hope you weren't too hurried when considering what I said in response...