Aetherous

Heat being released through the pores may have caused that effect.

No way. Breathing is supposed to happen on its own, naturally, unless you want to control it. Being forced to control the breath because you don't otherwise inhale is wrong. I'm not a fan of it... Primordial Qigong is good. Just takes 20 minutes a day.

See an acupuncturist to harmonize your energies. I don't think the mindfulness meditation you were doing is good...just hang around the forum and you'll probably find something you like. This is a great resource. A device that I think is a good idea (for you especially), is the Stress Eraser. To put it really simply: it tells you when it's healthiest for you to breathe. It works with your HRV, which is related to the parasympathetic (relaxation) nervous system.

Why did you choose to do it this way?

Freeform, How interesting! I've found that running is a lot easier, and I'm also able to write better songs on the guitar, when hungover.

Here is info on the kidneys... http://www.itmonline.org/5organs/kidney.htm It's great you're going to a TCM doctor, because the subject is much more complicated than it seems at first. Self diagnosis is not a good idea.

It was a good explanation. Please let us know how the practice goes for you, Nilo!

Excellent post, Hagar...really turned my mind around. I will think about it deeply. Thanks for that.

No offense meant in saying this... Having the flexibility to get into the position doesn't make someone an expert on the effects of the full lotus. If you haven't even opened your MCO a little, then you can't possibly comprehend the energetic effect. Drew knows, and his explanation is great:

The world is changing all the time. I think it's gotten better, especially in "civilized/modern" areas, where peace is the norm. I do not believe that it's because of "taiji" that there are good areas, and bad areas...it's just because the civilizations haven't mixed enough yet. When we make sure that we're doing good in our lives, we're doing our part...some, like you (being involved in that organization), do more than their part. I tried to do more at one point, joining the guard, but it ended up being a huge waste of time. I didn't make the change I wanted to at all, although I made other lesser ones...we never know how much our presence impacts others, and when the seeds that we inevitably plant will sprout. By being a decent person, we are unknowingly changing everything mysteriously.

I don't have the book with me, because I'm at my parent's for Thanksgiving. Otherwise I'd just copy the section for you...it's a small portion of the book...if I remember correctly, it basically says that the reverse orbit counteracts the negative effects of the regular orbit, or your lifestyle (bad foods, etc). It has some info that I haven't seen anywhere else...but it's also kind of a boring book. The author is a good scholar, but it seems that he's not experienced. It's not essential, but good to go back to from time to time.

Let it happen...if you force a regular MCO while it wants to flow in reverse it's damaging. It makes sense that it'd want to reverse, because of your previous overheating issues. For info check this.

Steve, In my view, it has nothing to do with seeing ourselves as better than them...it's solely about preventing horrible things from happening. I totally disagree. We have the power to change this world. It can become less horrible. This is very untrue. It's a huge change to prevent even one of the women in these pictures from being hurt.

Sorry guys, but I disagree... I think they are very different. The people who commit these types of acts, do it completely out of ignorance and lack of compassion. They have been in power too long, and have too little authority that is able to 'put them in their place.' On the other hand, people (like me) that hate those who do such things, hate out of compassion for those who were disfigured. It's not as if this hatred overwhelms me with emotion, or causes me to lose my ability to think clearly...so I see no problem with "hatred", despite people often thinking it's a bad thing. There is a time and place for it, and this is it. Furthermore, those who want to punish or kill the people who did these things will be accomplishing something...horrible things will stop happening in the world! One by one, as each person responsible is removed, less and less atrocities occur...little by little. Every atrocity prevented from happening is something huge, at least in that victim's life. They say "Live by the sword and you will die by it", but they should add... "Or choose to live comfortably, and have others pay the price for you." Not saying anything about anyone here, and I respect all opinions on the issue because it's a tough one...

Secularfuture wrote in another thread, I ask: what's the point in practicing qigong and meditating if your life is meaningless? What gives meaning to life? Once you become enlightened, what then? Once you've taught everyone your secrets, and it's a common thing, when everyone is enlightened, then what will we do? When we master qigong, and it becomes normal for everyone to be healthy and move their qi around...then what is the purpose of our lives?

People can hurt themselves with some stuff. Also, have you ever tried to "teach" someone something? It's very hard to find a way for them to have the same enthusiasm for the subject that you do...they listen to what they want to. So it's a huge waste of energy to teach someone who isn't ready to absorb the info. Plus, maybe secrecy itself motivates people...it's like solving a puzzle. Also, it might cause some people to generate all sorts of fears about the motivations behind the secrecy...and fear is a big source of energy...the only problem is that sometimes people really believe in the fears and quit the path. Just some ideas as to why...I don't personally really know the answers...

Yes, it's a posture of alchemy. Not necessary at all, since there are other practices out there, but good if you can get your legs into it. Someone once shared another posture which inflexible/weak-kneed/tree-trunk-legged people could do which is said to do the same as full lotus if you do it about 3x as long. However, only people with a good foundation should do it...I practiced it years ago and experienced bliss, yet had health problems occur as a result, so I will only share it with people who I know practice foundation stuff. It's not a big deal.

Taoism was originally about 'joining' as well.

Steve gets it. Hardyg, No, I've only seen the Holy Grail.

I'm impressed, Witch. Great answer.

I was way off!

As a fellow practitioner to another... I would just play around with it. Things aren't set in stone, where you must do each exercise equally. You've found what works for you, and should continue experimenting without worrying about the rules, as long as your results are good. It's not like only doing one of the brocades for a while, or doing it more than the other ones, is going to mess you up. It's important to gather all of the energy in the dan tien when you're done practicing anything. This alone will yield great results.

I may be totally off, but is the sun in the picture? And maybe a shoreline or something? Just playing with intuition. That's the first thing that popped in my head for some reason...not trying to prove I have abilities.

If the spleen exercise is working wonders, keep doing it until it stops working wonders. Then you've balanced out. After exercising, guide the energy to the dan tien so that it doesn't stagnate in the spleen.

Nice. I agree. Also, holding to the following belief is another waste of energy... The point of all spiritual philosophy is not that the unawakened mind can be correct in its knowledge. It's simply to awaken. "You, monks, should not thus cultivate the notion of impermanence, suffering and non-Self, the notion of impurity and so forth, deeming them to be the true meaning of the Dharma, as those people searching in a pool for a radiant gem did, each thinking that bits of brick, stones, grass and gravel were the jewel. You should train yourselves well in efficacious means. In every situation, constantly meditate upon the idea of the Self, the idea of the Eternal, the Bliss, and the Pure ... Those who, desirous of attaining Reality, meditatatively cultivate these ideas, namely, the ideas of the Self, the Eternal, the Bliss, and the Pure, will skilfully bring forth the jewel, just like that wise person who obtained the genuine, priceless gem, rather than worthless detritus misperceived as the real thing." - The Buddha, Chapter Three, The Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra