freeform

Sounds to me like you're over-exerting on your perineum... stop that for a while... learn to relax it - and relax it fully... If in time you want to begin to do the exercises again, just start out gently - when you tighten, follow with an equally deep relaxation. Begin to differentiate the muscles you have down there... there are many... you may be squeezing them all at the same time.

That Guy, I'm not so much interested in the philosophy side of things unless they relate to direct experience - not experience of reading about yin yang theories in books... We agree on certain things - and you're rightly finding counter-examples to my belief that 'all actions arise from a positive impulse'... When I follow the chain of impulses back to its origins - I find less and less limited, 'defiled' motivations that arise out of a kind of primordial emptiness/fullness. The higher up the chain I go, the more morally 'positive' the motivations seem to most people... What the woman did on the surface seems cruel. She did what she did because of the post-heavenly experiences she's had... these are the defilements the specks of grime and dust that obscure the light of the original impulse... The original impulse is not good or bad or anything like that - it just is - and it's pure - un-contrived, un-defiled... just like a new-born - a new-born baby isn't good or bad - but most people tend to love em... just as most people tend to love un-contrived, pure, effortless action. This is what I meant by 'positive impulse'. How do you deal with cruelty as an observer?... do you just allow yourself to react automatically? - bearing in mind that your automatic reaction will be coming from your own post-heavenly defilements... or do you take it deeper, uncover your own 'pure impulse' and act from there?

Yes - shaking happens when your blockages are getting cleared... this often happens at night when your mind is out of the way. If your doctor says there's nothing, then no need to worry - you're cultivating at night! I agree that you should check it out with a professional. In my opinion, based on limited information, it's energy related.

Yes - wanting revenge was my immediate reaction... (Of course if you saw a short video clip of me throwing a woman into a garbage bin with no context - you may have a certain reaction of your own! ) So I traced that desire for revenge down to the original impulse (and even before). Of course the very act transformed my attitude... suddenly the complexities and three-dimensionality of the situation floods in... more choice, awareness and presence... instead of patterned reactivity. The want for revenge doesn't disappear - it can certainly be accessed - but it doesn't pop-up automatically - as a robotic, automatic reaction.

Indeed. Although my belief comes from experience - not 'thinking and analysing'. It comes from tracing all kinds of motivations and tendencies down to the root. Not as 'ideas' but as felt and sensed experiences. If rather than making something up for the sake of your argument, you honestly and genuinely traced any of your behaviours and motivations to the original impulse, you may be surprised by what you find... This involves moving into very deep internal terrain. There is a specific method to it. Very basically it involves finding progressively higher purposes to the original behaviour... with each step, going progressively deeper and deeper until you reach the source. (there's also a specific movement that happens along my core channel as I do it). There is Yin within yang and Yang within yin.

I'm with Blasto on this. All actions - no matter how evil they seem to you or I - start out with a positive impulse. This is not a 'truth' - just a useful belief - an experiment if you will. From a positive impulse all manner of distortions of post-heavenly form take place - twisting and misconstruing the original impulse into something outwardly destructive (or even constructive). Once you peel away the layers of distortion, the original positive impulse is there, shining bright. Having your attention on the original impulse when you interact with someone and not on the outward manifestations of the impulse - feels like boundless compassion to me. Saying all this - I'd like to see the lady dunked into a bin!

Anyone soak their grains in water and whey (for 48hrs if I remember correctly)? I've seen this recommended - in fact as the only healthy way to eat grains and beans. Bone-broth congee sounds delicious!

To find out if your intent is sincere ask yourself the following: What would having this intent realised do for me that is even more important than the intent itself? And then see what comes up. As an example: "I intend to double my income this year." What would having this intent realised do for me that is even more important than the intent itself? "well it would allow me to help my poor cousin and his family" (then you ask the question again) What would helping my cousin do for me that is even more important than that? "it would make me feel like I've made a difference in someone's life" What would feeling like I made a difference in someone's life do for me that is even more important than that? "I would feel happy" What would feeling happy do for me that is even more important than that? "I would be complete" At some point you will feel like there's nothing more important... At that point just state the intention in the present (eg "I am complete") then stay at that level and allow the strong sensations and energy to fill you up (if you did this with your whole body, as well as with your mind - you would be feeling strong sensations). When you feel saturated with it, go back down the list, carrying the energy with you... "I am happy", "I am making a difference", "I am helping my cousin", "I am earning double my income this year". Then forget about the whole thing and see what happens (with no concern for any particular outcome).

I like Blasto's advice. One of my favourite aspects of Taoism is that the Taoists systematically developed ways of experiencing God or the divine or Tao in your self. Not reading, thinking, philosophising, writing poetry about it, but directly experiencing the divine in your body... As this happens - as you are 'spiritualised' from the body out, every effortless action will become infinitely satisfying. Pick a system that interests you and begin enjoying your practices. (It's important to practice for the joy of practising and not for the achievement of some distant goal - in contrast to most approaches to sales I guess).

The difference is in how the energy behaves during the spontaneous practice as a result of the additional practices within Kunlun - most notably Red Phoenix; as well as the lineage transmission. I agree. I just want to clarify that Kunlun is not just the spontaneous practice... Writing 'kunlun/yi gong' gives the impression that these are pretty much the same system, when they're clearly not. That's all I wanted to point out for the sake of clarity - especially for those unfamiliar with either of these practices

Yup, still practice it. Yi Gong and Kunlun are two different paths. Kunlun uses the forms practiced in Yi Gong, but goes about it slightly differently, and adds distinct additional practices that make it very different overall. Grouping these two individual practices together confuses matters.

Thank you. It's been very informative and a pleasure.

Regarding grounding - I actually agree. Most people think of grounding as 'calm, sober, 'normal''. In my experience - true grounding (and I use that term slightly differently to 'a strong earth element' - although that's a major part of it)... true grounding looks a bit a lot like a healthy, happy child... full of joyous, inquisitive energy... awareness is free to roam without attachment, and is strongly anchored to the original nature. Yes, there's a Shaolin master here in the UK - (hard to track down though!) here are some 'interesting' videos. Definitely ecstatic practice Shakti liking to be shared. Very true in my experience - both in groups and even out in nature - sometimes I feel pulled towards a tree and the resulting transfer is often very balancing... some trees teach you how to ground, some teach how to link up to heaven... and humans teach the trees something different ... sometimes I feel drawn to the ground... that also helps discharge the over-amped energy. Max always emphasises the cool, magnetic aspect of the energy (as opposed to the hot, electric aspect)... there's a tangible difference - especially in the way the spontaneous movements come about... the electric energy causes the trembling and shaking, jumping and loud, percussive noise making... often have fast and sometimes reverse breathing, a certain upwards spinal wave movements. The magnetic seems to cool the body, the movements are slower - less shaking and more grand movements - making circles or spirals, dance like movements, vocalisations come out as chants or tones, or even songs... In my own spontaneous practice I seem to move from one to the other, then back again. Yes the capacitance metaphor really makes sense. The energy is intelligent - it can only give you what you can take... so it's never a case of trying to 'increase' energy, but a case of becoming a clearer, lighter conductor. At least for me, that's the most useful way to see it at the moment. Max would be a little reluctant to demonstrate the spontaneous movement himself - I found out why! when he was demonstrating it for a couple of seconds the room filled with an out-of-this-world buzzing and pressure, some people looking directly at him either saw him glow or start to disappear. For me it just felt like an overwhelming blissful buzz. I'm guessing the alchemy of transforming the base physicality into subtle light is what allows for a greater and greater flow of current. Rope to God... central channel?

Interesting. An idea crossed my mind. That the bushman way does indeed seek harmony, but on a social level... during an ecstatic session some people are hot some people are cool... I have noticed that when you switch on the spontaneous energy in a group setting you tend to balance each other out... You see similar stuff with Ratu Bagus. The taoist seeks to create an internal harmony, largely independent of a community of spiritual seekers. However - it's obvious that the taoists practice ecstatic spontaneous forms too... from spontaneous animal movement qi gong to kunlun, to Zi Fa Gong, to certain shaolin practices and many others we've probably not heard of... how do these forms relate to the ecstatic form of awakening? They are certainly presented in a less radical way... but the fact is that the practice is as radical as the bushman way...

Yes - all of those. But as you might be able to see, the bushmen don't hold the same posture, or get the same transmission - but they activate the same energy. It comes down to having that energy be activated. a,b,c and d are all ways of allowing the energy to be activated. In kunlun we don't want to do any contrived shaking - if you need some contrived movements to help you along, then loosen the spine and make small spirals with your waist as you hold the posture, keep your neck and head loose. The posture itself - having your legs up on the balls of your feet will start an automatic shaking of the legs - then you just let go and be patient and the rest of your body will follow. Regarding mixing practices - I know the mind loves to plan and perfect and improve-upon... but if you want to do this practice then leave the others alone for a while - and then if you still want to... after at least 2 months practice time, add other bits at a different time of the day and pay attention to how you feel. Regarding N/om - yes they often describe it as a needle or spike that gets hot when it activates... they say to store it in the belly. They also say that N/om can often come in from the top of the head, or in the belly, or in a dream, or from a song, or story or the earth. N/om from 'young maidens' is Drew's particular focus . Have a look around Keeney's site - check out some of the videos http://www.shakingmedicine.com/ Thanks for the Keeney interview link, Hundun.

You're quite right! I tend to respond to what I feel is happening for others, rather than arriving at an accurate idea of something, independent of context... If someone was driving too fast I tell them to slow down. I don't mean for 'slow down' to be the blanket advice that covers all driving situations. Like giving little corrections, rather than showing the 'perfect way'. Yes - some people will open up by doing contrived shaking. For others this is (in my view) not recommended - it may be better to wait patiently until it ignites by itself. I did years of contrived shaking (as just a 'loosening up practice' - before I even knew about spontaneous practices). I never had the N/om activate. Until of course I started kunlun - where I waited patiently, with no contrived actions, as the energy suddenly took over. Others will have a different process, of course. Thanks for the 'little correction'

Would be great to keep this focused on the Bushman Spontaneous movement practice... and how other practices (such as kunlun) relate to it. Rather than turn this into another kunlun-focused topic.

I wanted to add - that what the San people (as well as kunlun people) do is not 'shaking practice'. That's like saying that what a poet does is 'typing practice' - the shaking happens spontaneously. That's very important. First comes the N\om then comes the shaking (which happens as a result of energy moving, circulating). You can shake all you like, but without the N\om activated it's just 'typing'.

Good to bring up the emotional part... because this 'emotional weather' is a feminine characteristic - it's universal - it's a part of you too. Notice I say "Don't get scared and uncomfortable when she is being all chaotic and emotional" - 'when' - not 'if'. Your point of view assumes that emotional and chaotic is 'bad', 'unbalanced' etc. But it just is. Just like an actual storm is not good or bad - it just is. I don't mean that as a man you should help 'sort it out'. There's no 'sorting it out' - emotions happen in the moment - they're not logical - and of course we have all kinds of reasons for them and stories surrounding them - and the masculine impulse is to focus on that - the stories and reasons - because it's the most stable, logical part of an emotion... but it's actually the bit that is pretty much irrelevant. By 'be present' and 'there for her' I don't mean that you should necessarily get involved in it, give suggestions, solutions etc - I mean be stable, embodied and centred... whilst it passes through her. Don't take it personally, don't get lost in the story or drama - because then both of you will be lost. Be in your body and in the moment and a witness to the emotion coming up and going down - that's what I've found is the most valuable contribution you can make to someone in the midst of powerful emotions... and this doesn't mean being static and detached... you can certainly empathise, feel some of the emotion yourself, but remain strong and rooted at the same time - and you'll see the effect this has. (especially on your sex-life ) The image that comes to mind is a lighthouse in a stormy sea. Very much there, in the midst of it all, but unshaken and deeply rooted. It's a very masculine image - a stone phallus with the constantly moving, undulating, powerful feminine sea raging around it. (bare in mind the microcosm and macrocosm of this - you have an emotional, feminine essence in you too - this advice applies in both the micro and the macro - inside and outside)

Yup - and rather effeminate too. I've bumped into him and he was charming and eccentric. He doesn't seem to do it to impress - more to have fun - seems to be authentic, 'vulnerable' and unpredictable - all likeable qualities... so no surprise that the ladies are big fans (I'm sure fame and looks help too). I feel like I live in a different world to Non, Vortex and crew... It's like you guys live in some war-torn alternate universe... with 'women' out there to corrupt your innocent, delicate egos. Firstly it feels weird talking about 'women' and 'men'... it's so generalised, so objectified... If we must generalise, I find that women - and indeed my own feminine side - rarely place importance on 'good' and 'bad'... that seems to be a masculine concern... Strength is a very attractive aspect - of course in Non and crew's alternate universe this has everything to do with violence and competition and alphas and betas and all kinds of survival stuff... In my world it means being unapologetic, unashamed, authentic and courageous. Not in an effort-full, contrived way, but in a laid back, solid way. Be vulnerable without hiding. Be sexual without being ashamed. Accomplish things without becoming obsessed with the outcome. Be present and in your body. Love freely without holding back. Don't get scared and uncomfortable when she is being all chaotic and emotional - but be present and there for her. And of course there are just as many individual characteristics that 'women' like or dislike... some like outgoing guys, some like quiet ones, some like intellectual, others physical etc etc. Just seems so weird that some of you think you have to be ultra confident, aggressive, oppressive, arrogant, muscular etc to attract a mate... it's like girls thinking they have to be blond, slim, tanned, huge tits, long legs and wear miniskirts and low necklines... it's just simply not true - it's a grotesque caricature of 'what men like'.

Thank you Markern, Trunk and Vaj. Trunk, "it is not only a matter of running energy through sushumna but concentrating and refining it at the special locations where sushumna intersects the centers" I have a problem with this - in fact its based on something you mention later - "The central channel has special dynamics that has to do with it's special connection to Big Non-Stuff." When I'm at the 'depth' of the central channel - 'doing' anything (wanting a particular outcome) becomes meaningless... things do 'happen', but in no way am I able to direct them... all I can do (on a good day) is go there and find out what happens. I spontaneously drop into the core channel - there's a profound shift in how awareness and focus work at that depth - the normal 'rules' don't apply there... There are two experiences - one of 'core channel and I' and one of 'I am core channel' so there's a core channel state, and a core channel structure... do others find this? Affecting the core channel always happens indirectly. Affecting it in specific ways whilst in the core channel state is impossible (like trying to build a cube in a two dimensional world)... do others find this? I'm very interested in opinions based on direct experience. If you do have something to add that is based on a book or someone else's experience that's also useful, but please let us know. thanks

Great stuff, thank you. Temperature changes... spontaneous songs and music... skull popping and cracking etc... this all sounds very similar to what I and many others following our practice have experienced. I practice Kunlun - you may have heard of it The transmission we receive from Max, along with the practices given aim to activate this 'downwards flow'... and it's very refreshing to hear of very similar experiences from someone following a, culturally, rather different path. Thank you for the book recommendation - I'll definitely have a look... You said that Muktananda claims that it's rare to have the energy start at the crown and move down... does he say anything else on this?

Thank you. My practice involves this downward flow. It's rare to hear of it, so I'm always interested. The 'walking space' and light but penetrating bliss state is familiar (although rare for me at this point) sensation. And of course the lights in the head... Spontaneous kriyas are also a big part of my practice. What else does Muktananda say about this? what's 'Sahasarara'? did you experience any changes in temperature? any songs/tunes/melodies ever spontaneously arise? any physical or sensory changes in the head? This happened to you spontaneously? Sorry for all the questions - but for me it's so unusual of someone outside of my 'school' to speak of this particular path. So all you have to say on the subject is greatly appreciated.