qin00b

I continued with level 2 another week (possibly 2) after that post. I did continue level 1 for another ~month. I also followed the recommendations in re: water, not practicing during lightning, etc. Maybe there were a couple days where I only practiced once instead of twice…. I found level 1 to be very helpful, even after stopping level 2. Unless you fit the short list of contraindications (http://www.qigongchinesehealth.com/fragrant_qigong), there's probably no reason not to do it. (although, I believe one of Master Tian's requirements is the belief that it will work). To be fair, with every qigong system I've tried that has more than one "level" or form, I've gotten through a gong with the first one, then fizzled shortly into the 2nd one. I am unsure why this is. After the Fragrant experience, I took almost two months off and have recently restarted practicing Tien Shan. I am quite enjoying it - much different experience than the first time around.

FWIW, he also notes that memories are still made, just not as easily accessed due to an increased focus on present moment experience. (edit: I believe it was that it takes effort to access such non-habituated memories, which such Finders would not want to expend, so they don't). I recall somewhere in one of the zuowang books, a story of a master who would come out of meditation forgetting how to do basic tasks. It was a fun story and I'll have to look it up again, but that may give some insight.

Based on your advice, I picked this up. I'd tried Maxalding, muscle control and some other isometric routines before, but didn't have much to show for it. Not sure why, but this book really helped. I've been doing the isotonic exercises and can really feel it. Thanks for the recommendation. Figure I'll give it a couple weeks and if it's still working, I might grab his contraption.