Shugyo

Oh, my friend. I was being 143% facetious (based on the recent super-thread); I don't believe it's a cult in any way! The day was bound to come, (and I'm glad it has), when some "Westerners" attained a high enough level of cultivation and were willing to share the knowledge in a concise and plain-language manner. Sure, they charge money for it, and I know that is really at the heart of a lot of the criticism, but as it's been stated, it's a hella cheaper than making the trip to China to hope to maybe do it on your own. I know it takes time to teach and organize, and I know he has helped a lot of people for FREE, so that's not a sticking point for me. I really like that group because nothing is promised and there is no dogma! It's a simple physiological reality. They're doctors and know there is nothing magical about qi. I actually think about cultivation whenever I need to go in for an EKG or other test that tracks our body's electrical throughput... or output maybe? We are giant walking batteries. Biologically, every cell is essentially a battery, having measurable [bio]electrical movement and polarity. As it's been said, 'there are many ways up the mountain', and I think most cultures have found their own ways to bring about the changes. Golly, I hope I'm not re-opening a can of worms, :'D but... I don't remember it being brought up in the other thread. SO many times Rudi has downplayed the faqi aspect altogether, and told people to not focus on wanting to be able to emit qi. That the 'ability' is simply a side-effect of proper practice, and a low-level one at that! It's "no big deal" and "Burns a lot of qi" doing it, and unless you plan on using it to help people medically, there is no point in ever doing it. So for me, health and longevity are the reward, and maybe understanding ourselves a little better in the process. Having said that, though, being a human bug-zapper might be kinda nice on those long camping trips. -Peace

Sounds like a cult... (sorry, too soon?)

I mean... you wanna be that gal a little, eh? Sorry to hear about your cult adventure - prolly not as much fun as they make it look on TV, right? So, I completely agree with you. We can't take things at face value all the time. But I think we can all agree that kindness is also important. Healthy skeptecism is one thing, but outright name-calling and libelous accusations are not appropriate. The descent into semantics games also confuses me a bit. Getting stabbed with a knife is painful. That's both a subjective statement AND an objective one. It just is. The fact that individuals exist who have issues with pain receptors doesn't negate the fact that getting stabbed hurts. Always. Obviously, Partez didn't get enough hugs as a child - they were poison and I'm glad they're gone. I speak sarcasm, so get TT's jabby rants and pokey quips, though I wonder what happened to him that made him so closed to the possibility of the existence of things that have been documented for centuries in... well, ironically, in the Taoist Texts! No one needs my $.02, but hey. peace

Drops the mic...

To be where I am Travel to where I have been We come full circle

The famous "Face on Mars" - it's come a long way from a shadowy charicature from the 1970s!

I have a couple questions/thoughts. First, do you all think it's possible to learn effective Neigong or Qigong from 'online courses'? I feel like everything I've ever heard indicates that in-person practice is the only way for the nuances to be conveyed, and for mistakes to be accurately corrected. Thoughts? Secondly, I see a dilemma that I never see addressed. People ask questions here and get responses like "Go find a teacher" or "Get a qualified instructor", etc. - which is all well and good, but something I hear so many people mention in videos are statements like "Even most 'masters' do/teach this incorrectly and spend years wasting time..." So I guess my question is How do you know if a teacher is 'qualified'?

Thank you for the recommendation! I will look up Dr. Suh - That is encouraging to hear you know people who have gotten good results.

I tried acupuncture recently for the very first time, hoping to get make some progress on a nerve issue in my left leg. For years I have wanted to, and have had chiropractors and other 'also-acupuncturists' offer to try, but I've always declined, wanting more of an authentic 'master' with knowledge of Chi and energy systems. I finally found an old, Chinese man in Chicago who was an acupuncturist and Qigong teacher. "Eureka!" I thought. I set up an appointment. I was so pleased to see a large NeiJingTu banner on his wall! I suppose maybe my expectations were too high? He asked me a few questions, and then just stuck the needles in and hooked them up to the electrical stimulator and left for 15 minutes. He repositioned needles twice, and zapped me some more lol - I guess felt that this is what someone who took the 'weekend course' and got certified would do. Does anyone have a wider frame of reference in acupuncture? Is this how all acupuncture is?

Consider 7 Aum Arivu - I actually enjoyed it. Maybe not 'Enlightened' but an amusing Indian action flick with Bodhidharma and his bloodline. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1725795/

Good question! *shrugs My understanding is that acupuncture is supposed to help clear blockages and open up any stagnant areas of Qi? My HOPE was that it might also encourage nerve growth or regeneration, but I'm not sure that's possible... Maybe he would do more if I became a student of his in Qigong? Or... maybe there is just nothing more that can be done.

Growing eight more tails Would make me the monkey king I brim with great joy

Hello! I am pleased to be here! I have been a lurker for some time and thought I would finally jump into the rabbit hole with everyone else here As an introduction, and reason I showed up on your doorstep... I'm just a guy my late-40s - I have been a martial arts practitioner for most of my life. For years I'd never gave too much thought about Qi or cultivation; I just practiced hard. What I would learn later, is that with such practice comes a certain amount of automatic cultivation, especially in a system focused on breathing techniques. To my surprise, I had developed a foundation without even knowing it... yay. My goals are to improve my health, extend my life, become stronger internally to protect my family and myself. The strong should always help the weak! However, I feel all too much like the more I chase knowledge or techniques to become healthy and build energy, the further they move out of grasp, like running toward a rainbow. Esoteric knowledge is so difficult to come by, sadly, and I get that too many people are out for personal gain. I am certainly happy that the internet has allowed people to share more, and demystify so many things. But it's hard to know how to sift through the false information and made up nonsense, eh? I've been on my quest to understand how the body works, both physical and spiritual. Coming here has been fun and helpful over the last few years - it's good to see all the thoughts and ideas. I have enjoyed seeing people post concepts, books, or names of individuals about whom I've never heard, and this allows me to research and find information I might never have otherwise discovered. I think ultimately, I want to grow safely. There may be people here who know pitfalls of incorrect technique, or how to avoid damaging practices that don't seem damaging, etc... Ok, I've rambled. Nice to be here, in any case! -Cheers