Aetherous

Awesome looking sheath and stand!

PM'd ralis on why I personally don't think Kunlun should be considered Spontaneous Qigong. ... "Kunlun is a safe practice"...yes, sort of. In my experience, it can be damaging if you practice wrong. This is called an art for a reason - because you have to do it skillfully. "If you steep your tea too long, it becomes bitter." Pay close attention to the details of the instruction in the book. Spiraling at the waist is veeeeerrrrrrry important, as is being well hydrated. If you start noticing any negative symptoms, then take it easy! Breaks from practice are totally good. Don't deny your symptoms, and try to push through. You should feel light, pure and awake after practice...if you feel the opposite in any way, then put it on the back burner for a while. It will only make it more powerful later...if you keep pushing through, it will keep the practice weak because it's draining you. Focus on dan tien breathing and a healthy lifestyle to recharge. Don't worry about the suggested hour of practice so much, if your symptoms aren't good. The book also says, "less is more." So just do the right amount. This is my opinion and the way I choose to do things, taken from what I was taught and my experience. To each their own, regarding their own way of practicing. Please only regard what I've said as suggestions, for your consideration, from a fellow practitioner.

Thanks for answering...will research more in depth in my books.

Ralis, Steve, and Ape... I'm not going to speak for the Kunlun community or Max. I only speak for the way I was taught and what I share with others. I will say no more about specifics, because it's irrelevant except to anyone who learns from me directly, or whoever senses truth in what I've said here. I don't mind if people are scared away from the practice. I don't care about the image of Kunlun or Max. Don't want to convert people. The marketing campaign is over. It's not meant for the public...most don't care about this stuff. I'm happy practicing on my own, and sharing personally with those who step up to the plate. This is my way. Trunk, Oh my bad, it seemed pretty much directed right at me. I don't have a problem with you, Trunk...much respect actually. Peace.

Just a different framework. I've found it much more useful. Definitely not naive or bullshit...just not for you. Everyone's different and will view things best in their own way. But thanks for being so insulting, Trunk. I enjoy my life and am actually peaceful and relatively happy with my situation. Yes, I'm a lot more calm now, as well as cautious...definitely have changed. Spontaneous Qigong was harmful, and I don't practice it or teach it...in my opinion, it is not a part of Kunlun. Max is a human being, and not a reincarnated demon with an alien-worm implant, and he doesn't put energy in people. Don't trust me, because I've been "infected"? Oh well.

Here's some things I have liked to do, during bad dreams, etc... If you encounter some scary thing, stare it down. Look at it directly for a long time. Make a point to just glare at it, without any emotion. This helps you face the underlying issue, and develops your will power. You can point your index finger at it, which will help to awaken the alert mind and get you out of the hallucinatory state. Moving to touch it will help also get over the fear. There's a Tibetan mudra for "banishing" that I stumbled upon once, where you cross your wrists and pinkies with the palms facing outward, and point the index fingers and thumbs, while bending the middle and ring fingers to touch the palm. They say lesser spirits are scared of it because it resembles the garuda. It works...I think mostly because of the extended index fingers (awareness) and crossed wrists (symbolizes protection). Someone once said that Ya Mu suggested to hiss at it loudly. Haven't tried this but it sounds good, because it'd help to snap you out of it. Another thing is just simply telling it loudly to "get out"...simple, it works. Like I said, all of these things are simply so that you can become more alert. That's all...no magic. Overall, I view "demons" (internal or external) as products of the mind, essentially the same thing as characters in a dream. I think even calling them demons or spirits is a bit delusional. They have no power, unless you believe they do...then really you're just deluding yourself, and causing your own problems in life. In my life, when I dream, the characters don't actually impact my life. I choose my financial situation, my relationships, etc... These characters symbolize the energies of our lives that we've hidden away...that's all. It's a subconscious interpretation...totally the mind. By facing these things, we can become whole and more open...more capable of being good people and living fulfilling lives. Any beliefs beyond this are delusional.

People can choose to look at it however they want. The way I look at it got me through that stage, and it's an accurate and grounded perspective. On the other hand, we have "entities" controlling our fate, and the need to set up an altar and pray to deities. Everyone's different, so that kind of thing might be necessary for some...but it's definitely not for me.

I like your suggestions, man.

That's the right attitude to have about these things. Strength (of your own) spirit overcomes fear, as does clarity of mind. Furthermore, if you are sensing some "evil presence", you should understand that it can't corrupt who you are. You have the power to choose to be good, and that can never be changed by any "entity". They are best viewed as products of the mind, and best thought of as 'scenery' along the way. This is my opinion.

If you think about it, the mudra is one type of energy...its corresponding word (like "rin") is another type of energy, somewhat similar or complementary...it's attempting to convey an archetype, or a specific force. You then add on the mantra, a third type of energy...visualization with color and location, a fourth...etc. These things give the energy more purpose...like various winds all blowing in roughly the same direction, creating more potential for change. All of this is good if it's an authentic system you're learning from. However, I personally prefer doing the kuji themselves. It works. If you're open to it, that's all you need. Why am I like this? Because I haven't found a system which I jive with enough personally...all that I've seen is at least second hand info. This is strange to say since I'm usually not into deluding oneself, but I had some sort of empowerment through dreaming after learning Lepine's version...and the dream mudras differed quite a bit. It was more appropriate to who I am. Plus, using sanskrit mantras isn't for me. I kinda have the feeling that what a person trains should be catered to their individual energy...and the training would have to adapt based on that person's stage on the path. To have this, you'd need a very intuitive and knowledgeable master of kuji-in. Until then, I guess it's good enough to just practice what you know. ... I can now respond to this. Yes.

Thanks for the inspiration to add massage in, guys! I will stop being lazy! Ya Mu...something I've been wondering for a while...what is the purpose of using those exact face and neck points in your massage (from your book)? Are they just areas where qi tends to stagnate? Do they correspond with certain channels which you want to open? Thanks.

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I really prefer dogs. Actually when I was a child I would communicate with a white Labrador...I remember it teaching me things about life, like a guardian/friend/guide. It actually had a human spirit for some reason. No joke. Sorry to derail the cat thread.

Check out KAP to work with the chakra system. Vajrasattva, who posts on this forum, is one of the teachers of it.

zazaza, You don't know what you're talking about. But feel free to share your views. Peace. Edit: Whoops, didn't see that ShaktiMama posted before me.

I think bringing it all to the dan tien is essential. Lately I've been rolling the ankles around for a while afterward. Good point, lifeforce, about massaging. I'm often too lazy to do it, but it's a really great idea.

soaring crane wrote: Nice. I think if someone grows up outdoors, they will have a closer connection to where they live. If you have kids, take them to play outside in more natural areas!

This topic is awesome. Now that I think about it, real barbershops do have something nice about them. It's a good place to be. I've been to a couple where they use the straight razor and cream...it's definitely a much better haircut experience. At least for me, there's something about trusting another man enough to take a sharp blade and put it on the skin of my throat. Nothing perverse...but you have to develop somewhat of a bond after having to trust someone like that...you are literally putting your life in their hands. It reminds me that the world is actually safe, and that I can actually trust people with my well being. Weird. This is really interesting. Definitely related to jing. Maybe you should open a barbershop or massage parlor, effilang! It'd be really good for your cultivation...I'm serious!

I think another thing that could help is engaging in constant activity...go volunteer at places. Accomplish things.

Then you know the training went well.

I think it was in the Anapana Chi conversations ebook. He kind of just mentions it in passing, like "if you're breathing anyway, you might as well do it this way."

This is what I think about the subject...

Drew, In researching swara yoga, I read that 3 days before a full/new moon, one nostril becomes predominant (in healthy people). Then on the night of the full/new moon, since that energy has reached its peak, the nostril changes over. Something to look into...

The only thing I really care about is having a relaxing session of belly breathing each day...at least 10 minutes. I want that to be my only contribution. If people are doing that, then we know things will at least be somewhat effective and safe. Everything else is fair game to what others think is good! I hope that knowledgeable people will contribute.

Well I've been really lazy over the holidays...I mean like not doing ANYthing good for myself. So it's not been getting full use. I plan on using it every night before bed, for sure. I used it Christmas day, when I was feeling anxious (it just happens sometimes for no reason), and after 100 points I was totally cool. It's really good for insomnia...that's where it shines, I think. I have no worries about staying up til 3 am every night, and having to revert back to 11 pm bedtime...it'll be a piece of cake with the device. It's definitely a worthwhile investment, because compared to any other device, it actually does something. Unlike "zappers", etc. And you can just get a refurbished one, so it's not that huge of a price.