yugenphoenix

I I made it up Astral Monk 😊 based on personal practice and a lot of reading.

Gerard, I was born in Feb 14 1971, the Year of the Metal Pig (is that true first of all?). Do you have any info on my birth year from an energy, cultivation, chi kung perspective, and/or can you point me towards any info sources to further explore this for myself. I used to scoff at astrology, but have been doing a lot of reading lately on Western Alchemy, looking at it at first for a contract/compare with Taoist Alchemy but finding a real interest in for itself. Currently exploring it through "The Secret Teachings of All Ages," and its mind blowing the origin/connections of current religions practices with past beliefs and rituals. Very eye opening and at the same time gives me peace to not worry so much about a specific religion (I grew up in a strict Catholic home, have lots of left over quilt I'm working through for not having Jesus Christ as my savior), but just focus on simple beliefs in the foundation of spiritual thought. Thanks for any pointers on the Chinese Zodiac you can give me bro and thanks for the info in general you bring here. I practice bagua too but without a teacher...I'm hoping now that I've cleaned up my energy system over the last few years that old aphorism maybe true about a teacher appearing when I'm ready. Still very far to go though its like an onion when you work on your Self, I'm finding out the work is just beginning when I felt like I made some strides, especially on the emotional level (lots of gunk and obstruction in there once you start clearing away the pieces). Have a good day.

I have found this to be true as well. Masturbation is very depleting to me but loving sex with my wife makes me feel relaxed and energized afterwards. But for me anyway I only emit every 3-4 days, that seems to be the balance point for my personal energetic system. Others may have to do it less, if they feel weak and drain after sex with jing loss. And if they are young and healthy can probably be more often.

I practice Chu Eternal Spring Chi Kung and Nei Kung. I've learned some Bagua (only from books and videos). Yet to have an in person teacher, hoping that aphorism is true now that I cleared away some rubble from my life and am ready for him to appear.

I get up now at 0415 every morning just about and do about 90 minutes of chi kung and standing meditation. I only skip when I don't sleep well at night (which is rare these days, I used to suffer from constant insomnia, I found great sleep is another bonus side effect of the external exercise I do, running, weight lifting, calisthenics, etc. ). But the days I do miss I am truly less patience and l feel just "off," so great feedback to make this a daily practice to begin my day and something that helps me throughout all aspects of my life. But thank you for the tip, always appreciated.

Spotless, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I am totally at a point based on feeling and advice from more advanced practitioners like you to just do the practice and really not focus or worry too much about things. Like you said the dropping away of meat and alcohol and things. Felt that happen to me too. I used to drink a lot and eat meat predominantly it seemed but as I got "healthier" just lost an interest in eating meat (the alcohol was a struggle at first I had a problem but don't anymore thank god). I was hopeless addicted to porn and masturbation as well and just the drive and desire for it and the emptiness of it just evaporated as my focus shifted higher i guess. I most do standing meditation but have felt the desire to start sitting meditation but like all life find it hard to find quiet time in my busy schedule (have four girls 2, 6, 10, 12). Again though I'm not worried just feel the beginnings of pull to do it and when its time I will have all kinds of time when they grow and start there own lives. You are an inspiration to have achieved so much as a householder and not a yogi meditating in a snowy cave. I think anything is possible if its meant for this time and incarnation. Just want to thank you and let you know how much your posts on here are appreciated by me personally. I have lurked on this forum since about 2010 but really only came out of the shadows after starting to finally establish a practice 2.5 years ago and now feel like I'm making some progress. Your posts have always kept the level of things here "serious" and informative. Thank you sir.

Spotless, I have found as well that this is just enough, and with chi kung opening my channels, just sit back and let it flow. But I read a lot (that's the problem there right? ) and also feel the "sexual sensations" build up and want to go to my tan tian and then I feel an opening below at huiyin when they seem "ready" and just want to flow down there and back to my spine. My first question to you is how do you deal with the build up of sexual sensations? Do you retain your Jing? I "conserve" but still emit at a level that seems to be right for my particular energetic character. But in between the feeling is there and builds up and if I take it to my tan tian and then downward, they seem to go away. (changing Jing to chi?) No only do I not emit my Jing away, I feel this helps my cultivation by conserving my Jing. Thank you sir for any insight you might be willing to provide.

Spotless is spot on as always! What a brilliant answer to such basic questions. Truly he has not lost "beginner's mind." Hats off sir and thank you!

I found your video to be very informative, thank you sir. The alchemy you describe would it be the wind or water path and not fire, since you talk of the converted chi rising up the the front channel, as opposed to it seems most sources having it travel downward and up to the spine. Can you contrast and compare the two in your experience? I feel my energy wants to go downward, not in the since of sexual release, as I draw that sexual sensation into my tan tian and unite it with my breath, then have both with my intention travel down to the huiyin and then up my back. I have now tried the rising the energy up my conception channel and then back down to my tan tian with exhalation and it feels good as well. I'm sure the methods are not mutually exclusive, but find it interesting you didn't at all mention the so called "fire path." Thank you for taking the time to provide further insight if your time allows.

I just wanted to point out this is a great insight for me personally. To shine a light on it for others to peer at. I have veered away in my last few years from wanting something mystical and supernatural so badly to not believing there is anything but that which is the "physical world." Love how it is stated here, "the divine IN the whole of nature rather than apart from it, or "beyond it." I currently embrace simplicity and the plain truth of that which is. Thank you for this sir.

Opening of the channels/clearing of obstructions -Chi Kung, external exercise Integration of sky/earth -Zhan Zhuang and circle walking Concentration in center (Dan Tian) -Heart/Mind (let the Yi tame the Xin) -Core strength allowing the coming alive of all the visceral and ligament, etc connection to dan tian -Reduction in Food (we need so much less than we think we do, the less I eat the better I feel and am able to feel my center easier and able to utilize energy from air (still somewhat impure but less so) and Jing (most pure essence source). -Conservation of Jing (have found not the absolute denial of emitting Jing but finding a personal balance) this is so simple but is the foundation of all I do just didn't realize so succinctly until this thread. Thank you Trunk!

Trunk, I think you hit on a key connection between the Six Yogas and Secret of the Golden Flower. Can't wait to dig into that meaty bit. I practice Chu Nei kung and definitely feel the 3 areas of your general path in it. I also do a lot of body weight exercise, specifically core work that I think is hugely important in increasing the energy and musculature of the abdomen to assist in the deep dan tian breathing. At least for me personally having a very developed core has made me "feel" my dan tian easier. I dabble in bagua as well, and see it as an inexhaustible well that Gerard does as well, but I'm just fooling about in the weeds with it so far. Great thread here, simple and deep.

CT, Loved your post on the red and white drops, provided a lot insight that I was unable to obtain from my readings thus far, thank you! Of course your knowledge is from the strength of a lineage and thus is real knowledge, not my wanderings in the forest. I love how this thread ended so far on the co-mingling/confluence of Taoism and Buddhism (specifically its most potent yogic appearance in Tibetan Tummo/Six Yogas). That is my main area of interest the intersection of traditions. Can you point me in the direction though of any specific translations or texts you referenced in the above quote. I have the following: Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines, Introduction to Tantra, Awakening of the Sacred Body, The Six Yogas of Naropa, The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep, and the Bliss of Inner Fire. Thank you for this unique information and insight.

Hey all, Been practicing chi kung/nei kung for about 3 years now (teachings of C.K. Chu). Have felt a few different things with movement of energy throughout my body and relaxation (mostly in my legs) with a total increase in overall energy and well being. I get up daily at 0430 to practice for about an hour and 15 minutes most days. I have lately begun to think about sitting mediation. I am drawn to "Tao of Mediation" by Tsung Hwa Jou. I don't really do a separate sitting session but when I feel the sexual energy buildup I try to sublimate it I guess, as it happens throughout the day. I feel the sexual energy begin in my penis (is that the "secret chakra" of Tummo?) and per the book's instructions can feel the drawing up of it into my tan tian on inhalation, then I pause and hold my breath and push the combined sexual energy and breath down into my perineum from my tan tian. I can feel it go through and up to about lower to mid back right before it reaches what I would guess is the second gate (Mingmen, The Door of Life?) I then relax completely and exhale let the energy return to my tan tian. It seems at this point this is as far as it will go, so again no forcing it just letting my body open as it wants and is ready to. I predominately use reverse breathing, it feels most natural, but I don't force it, sometimes use so called Buddhist breathing just feels like the thing to do, I go with it and don't force anything. Though I know I should not hold my breath, it just started happening on its own, so again I don't force it, just let my body do what it seems to want. And it does seem to work, the sexual feelings go away and I'm not really left feeling much of anything (has the jing changed to chi?). I do have a distinct feeling of my tan tien in general and many times through my chi kung and just in general throughout the day breathe into it and focus on my tan tian. I have been reading also about Tummo and the Six Yogas and it seems that they also teach to use the sexual energy drawn up from the penis, into the tan tian, but then it appears that it travels in the opposite direction to travel to the brain. I know this is way over simplification of two very complex and different traditions, but wanted to maybe have someone more knowledgeable provide some insight into why the direction is opposite. I'm very drawn to The Six Yogas and inner heat in general but don't want to cross beams and cause problems. I'm happy with what I'm doing with the "Tao of Meditation" but don't want to get tied to a "tradition" per se, I want to find a natural, general way of cultivation. I appreciate anyone who take the time to comment and provide insight. p.s I'm getting to believe the only thing I really need to do is continue my chi kung, letting my channels open, and just focus on the tan tian and let the energy do what it will, as it truly knows best.

I don't post a lot, but do you have any insights to share on my topic Star Jumper? You seem to have a lot of experience from your posts.

Damn that typo in the title, didn't see it till I submitted, but alas so is the way of life. :))

I smell some bullshit with that then...

Just wondering what you all recommend, I usually lift weights, do cardio at night, just wondering if I should skip it the day I get an acupuncture treatment. Thank you all.

Thanks all, my TCM doctor told me just to not exercise, perhaps just a short walk, mostly rest and drink plenty of water. Thanks for all your insightful replies though.

Did you learn from Park Bok Nam's lineage or him personally? I have two of his books and those drills sound familiar from it.

Just wanted to bump this, what a great thread. So many gems and inspirations in there. Hoping to rekindle the fire

Anyone know I really miss his posts

Any videos of the prostrations and advice how to do, how many, etc. Many thanks.

Thank you everyone for all your insightful replies, much to mull over now that I'm back from vacation. I am very grateful for you taking the time. I do believe I will starting with Jenny Lamb's DVD and see where it takes me.

Hey Green Tiger, What ever happened to the interview? I use his first DVD Qigong Flow and love it. Kinda pedestrian "generic" qigong but it works for me right now. Would love to read the interview if you ever did it. Peace brother.