anshino23

Sweet, that's good to hear. Thanks

Does this mean that when the 'spaces' between the bones become filled with Qi, the back no longer "snaps" and "pops" and "cracks"? I can't believe I'm 28 and my back cracks and pops so much when doing my internal training and during stretching. But then again my shoulders crunch when pulling them back and when squatting my knees squeak a bit. It's kinda nuts - like the whole system lacks lubrication. Western medicine says it's not an issue as long as there's no pain - but I don't remember kids nor having "crunchy" or cracking joints when I was a kid myself. I'm not sure if iit's the case -- but I imagine if the YJJ process is gone through it would change that?

I assume he's referring to the attainment of the Elixir / Dan. The Dan, the golden elixir pill is made of the condensed substances or "ingredients" of one's congenital nature. Internal alchemy uses the underlying substances of Ming, Xing and Yuan Xi ("original breath"). This is then condensed and brought together which creates the Elixir Pill or the Dan. After that, if I recall correctly, one forms the Golden Embryo. Next, after enough time, the consolidates spirits are condensed and the immortal fetus is ready to exit the body. At that point you've attained authentic immortality. All of these remaining steps usually happens in retreat and away from society in my understanding.

Haha, got it. Thanks.

As a pharmaceutical connoisseur and psychotropic experimenter, I'd be curious to hear which drug experiences you would be referring to here?

Actually -- one of the things I thought being the case was that the more you build Qi and vitality (and yang Qi runs in your system) the more power your emotions also have a hold over you -- since there's more power behind them. How do you reconcile those two opposing views -- one, where having more Qi means being more resilient and unshakeable, and another where having more Qi means your emotions, tendencies and habits can get worse -- fed by this extra layer of Qi? Thanks for sharing. Great discussion.

An elephant on the right with its trunk extending down to the middle. A woman sitting on top of the elephants head. Some sort of tornado or wild cloud formation on the upper left side.

Alright. Too bad.

Are your playlists publiically available? Would be curious to hear if possible

I learned from a student of master Nan Huai Chin, and he said the main point was that by exhaling out with certain mouth shapes or sounds, one "tunes" the breath. And that the importance was really to focus on where the exhalation ends. Then one waits for the inbreath to naturally come back. Before the breath "comes back" one remains within the gap between breaths. After continuing doing this, one will eventually reach a point where the gap after exhalation increases. At a certain point of development this leads to complete cessation of "outer" breath. At this point inner breathing starts happening. That's really the method I understood from Master Nan's anapanasati and related techniques - entering authentic emptiness through quieting the breath completely, until you reach breath cessation.

Happy to hear it

Are you allowed to expound on what exactly it has done for you that makes you say that it's both clearly powerful and very healing? I'd be very curious to hear if you'd like to share. Happy to hear you've been enjoying the practice.

Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Enjoy

Where are you from? Sounds like Scandinavia. Weak-will and not putting an effort, it depends what you mean... are you talking about having a hard time doing Qigong? Hard time studying? Hard time working on projects? How are you passing in medical school without studying? Natural ability can only take you so far... Speaking as a doctor who just finished medical school - trust me, I know what I'm talking about In Chinese medicine they say that the spleen governs the Yi. Therefore if you strengthen the spleen (and stomach) you strengthen your ability to focus. Perhaps that's something to look into. How's your diet? Another is to look out for the kidneys since they house the Zhi which has been translated as will power, along with determination/motivation and memory.

In the words of my Buddhist friend who learned from Master Nan Huai Chin, I find this applicable to this conversation. @forestofemptiness. Without transformation, there is no progress. This is important to remember - even in the Buddhist path. Wisdom is not some mental concept - wisdom and absorption arise together, as said in the Dhammapada.

I see. Well, I can't explain his thoughts behind it I'm afraid. He said it might become a topic for one of the podcasts soon, so it would be interesting to hear his explanation and basis for sharing that when it is released.

Sales pitch? Sorry, not sure I follow? In my understanding, and I may be wrong, is that each tradition does things a different way based on their different views, and also have different final aim(s). What those aims and ends are and the exact differences, I don't really know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Would you say that authentic Tibetan Buddhist masters also attain this Elixir? How about those that have become free from rebirth in a prior lifetime of intense alchemical study, but then decide (out of compassion and vows) to come back to help free sentient beings from suffering - do they also have to go through the whole alchemical process to gestate the elixir into the Golden Embryo and so forth? Or are they simply born with it (unactivated), and they just need to re-member, and then they have direct access to their higher body from that moment on? Very interesting discussion. Thank you for sharing

This is incredible. Thank you for sharing. Ever seen Samsara - the movie by Ron Fricke? Reminds me of the soundtracks and atmosphere in that movie. So beautiful.

One thing that should be pointed out about the online course and subscription - is that you're not just paying for the teachings. The very videos themselves have embedded transmission. When I tune in and do the practices with Damo, it's clear something changes in my energy body. It's tangible and direct. I've had many dreams about Damo since getting involved with the lineage too. So perhaps that is some esoteric part of it as well. You don't just sign up to learn some stuff and go off on your own. You sign up to become a part of a lineage and learn a very specific line of development that Damo teaches that leads to high levels of spiritual development from the ground-up. Preferably you then also get to see Damo or one of his many teachers when everything opens up again. I've not been able to find something as stream-lined and with such beautiful simplicity than in Damo's system and I've been around the block a few times looking for genuine teachers and been part of various lineages. 40$/month is absolutely nothing compared to the quality of the material. But that's for each person to figure out for themselves. Another thing I shouldn't forget to mention is that you get direct access to the Facebook internal arts academy page where you can ask questions. This is priceless in and of itself.... I've not seen any teacher be able to answer questions so fast and comprehensively as Damo - and we're talking an onslaught of questions every day along with his own training, book-writing and all kinds of other projects. And always with a smile on his face... helping others. For me, a great testament to the blessing of this lineage. Best of luck VajraFist. I hope you find what you're looking for - there or elsewhere. These are just my two cents on the matter - hope it helps

One of my favorite's The Divine Comedy's Empyrean illustrated by Gustave Doré... Something special about it

Wow, never seen that artist. He has some great work. Thanks for sharing. Really captures some incredible moments/feelings for me.

To my understanding and knowledge the system is comprised mostly with seated meditation (of various types through the different levels) and then the moving Qigong. I haven't seen any standing in their system.

That sounds rough indeed. I (perhaps wrongly) assume if you had been around your teacher at that time he could've fixed you all up faster than 3 months? And probably also told you not to fast, ha.