寒月 Hanyue

Ch'an master Hakuin, after years of ascetic practice, healed himself and finally awakened into enlightnment while studying under the Daoist hermit Hakuyu. Hakuin has since become somewhat of a poster boy for Ch'an practice, "Hakuin is so famous and important that all Rinzai Zen masters today trace their lineage through Hakuin". This is quite interesting given the blend of the previous Ch'an with the Daoist methods. In fact there are so many instances where famous figures of either Ch'an or Daoism studied the other, that historians often cannot separate when or where, or how they influenced each other. In fact, even methods such as the yijin jing ('tendon'- changing classic) ascribed to Da Mo, were in fact from a Daoist priest and author. There is also the Wu-Liu pai, TianDao qigong, even Bruce Frantzis' 'Water' tradition teacher first taught him Ch'an practices. Doc Morris practiced Zen for years before working with qigong. According to Hakuin himself; "This treatment was first devised by Shakamuni Buddha. In the middle ages it came down through the Tendai school, where it was used widely as a treatment for extreme exhaustion. Yet seldom in this degenerate age do we hear of this miraculous treatment. How sad that people today seldom gain knowledge of this Way. When I was in my middle years I heard of it from the hermit Hakuyu, who maintained that the speed of its efficacy lay only in the degree to which the practitioner endeavored. If one is not laggard one may obtain long life. Don’t say that Hakuin has become senile and is teaching old-woman’s Ch'an. Perhaps if you just get to know it, you will clap your hands and laugh out loud. Why? ‘Unless you have seen disorders, you do not know the virtues of an honest minister; unless you have accumulated wealth, you do not know the determination of an honest man.’" I was once trying to help someone with excessive rising yangqi, they were in immense pain and struggling. I tried to help lower, sink and dissolve their qi, drawing it to their feet. But it wasn't coming down. One of my teachers helped. The person literally melted. It was like all the bones in their body disappeared. Later they described that it had felt like an egg on their head had cracked and everything sank and released downards. They did not know of Hakuin's 'butter' egg meditation, yet the description was so close it couldn't be ignored. It gave me a greater appreciation of the implications of this meditation. I never did ask my teacher exactly what they had done to help. Best, Below are two versions, a 'modern' and condensed version and a more 'traditional' version, which should allow greater appreciation as you see two angles. Hakuin's Healing Egg (a condensed version from Hoshin Dao qigong) Above your head sits a glowing white egg of pure healing energy. As you focus on it, it begins to melt and flow down through your body, cleansing your lungs and spine. It flows into your kidneys and down through your stomach, spleen, kidneys, liver and digestive tract. As you continue to focus on it, the energy flows down through the entire body cleansing the legs and pouring out the feet. As the last of the cleansing energy leaves your body, the glowing egg releases its soothing, healing medicines. Fragrant elixirs pour out of it and flood the entire body, healing all of the organs and channels and soaking deep into the bones. The entire body is soothed and relieved. Excess is moderated, deficiency is made up, heat is cooled, cold is warmed. All is balanced, calmed and nourished. Hakuin's Butter Pill Meditation “There is a remedy especially efficacious for debili­tated people. Its properties for relieving exhaustion of the vital breath are particularly wondrous. It counteracts a rush of blood to the head, warms the legs, settles the bowels, brightens the eye, augments good wisdom, and is effective in casting aside all evil thoughts. The recipe for one dose of the soft butter pill is as follows: one part of the "real aspect of all things,” one part each of “the self and all things,” and the “realization that these are false,” three parts of the “immediate realization of Nirvana,” two parts of “no desires,” two or three parts of the “non­duality of activity and quietude,” one and a half parts of sponge­gourd skin, and one part of “the discarding of all delusions.” Steep these seven ingredients in the juice of patience for one night, dry in the shade and then mash. Season with a dash of the six perfections (1) then shape everything into a ball the size of a duck's egg and set it securely on your head. Practitioners who are just beginning their study should not concern themselves with the properties of the medicine nor amount used, but should merely contemplate the fact that a delicately scented soft butter-like object the size of a duck's egg is suddenly on their heads. When a sick person wishes to sue this remedy he (or she) should spread for himself a thick cushion, hold his back straight, adjust his eyes, and sit in a correct posture. He should then shift gently to position himself properly, and set about meditating. Repeat three times the words: ‘Of the essentials of preserving life, nourishing the breath has no peer. When the breath is exhausted the body dies.’(2) By doing so, one can truly carry out this con­templation. Those who have this duck egg with the consistency of soft butter on their heads feel a strange sensation as the whole head becomes moist. Gradually this feeling flows downward. The shoulders, elbow, chest, diaphragm, lungs, liver, stomach, backbone, and buttocks all gradually become damp. At this time the various accumulations in the chest, and those of lower back pain, stiffness and constipation all drop down at will, like water flowing naturally to a low place. This sensation is felt throughout the body, and it circulates moving downward, warming the legs, until it reaches the soles of the feet, where it stops. The practitioner should then repeat the same contemplation. The overflow that penetrates downward sinks in and accumulates until it steeps the body in warmth, just as a good physician gathers together various aro­matic herbs, brews them, and pours the concoction into the bath. The practitioner feels that his body from the navel down is steeped in this moisture. When this contemplation is being practiced, because it is induced only by mental activity, the sense of smell becomes aware of exotic odors, the sense of touch becomes wondrously acute, and the body and mind become attuned. Suddenly the accumulations dissolve, the bowels and stomach are harmonized, the skin becomes radiant, and the energies increase greatly. If this contemplation is conscientiously brought to maturation, what disease cannot be cured, what magical art cannot be performed? This is indeed the secret method for maintaining health, the wondrous art of longevity." 1 The six “perfections” are: charity, mainte­nance of the commandments, patience, perseverance, meditation and wisdom 2 Paraphrasing Lao Zi ["Golden Butter" is used as a term in some schools to represent the golden light from heaven that is used for alchemical purposes. I am unsure of this is also why Hakuin describes the pill/egg as 'Butter'. It may simply be due to the ease of seeing/feeling butter melt through the body.]

I know this is old, but still Zdorovye did not exist before Sonnon. Love him or hate him, Sonnon did not get his stuff from Zdorovye, he formulated Zdorovye from what he'd learned in Russia. It was his way of organising and marketting it. Dr Cobb learned Zdorovye from Sonnon, and worked with him to create Z-Health. They split Cobb went his way, and Sonnon his. From the horses mouth; "As for the name, I get asked that a lot! There are really three reasons. The first is that Z-Health's foundations ? both academic and personal ? come from the influence of many fields of study and many individuals. As a result, I've always believed the system was bigger than simply "The Cobb Method". I wanted a name that reflected that fact. Secondly, because Z was heavily influenced in its early stages by Russian and Eastern European practices, we wanted to "pay homage" to those traditions. Zdorovye is the Russian word for health, as well as the name that Sonnon gave to his original system when he returned to the states. In looking for a name that was short, sweet and easy to remember, the "Z" just kind of stuck. Finally, I try to remind people that the full name of our company is Z-Health Performance Solutions. This was carefully chosen because we wanted our name to demonstrate two important components of our company philosophy: We work and teach in two distinct arenas ? health improvement AND performance enhancement. And, That health should always come before performance!" Dr Cobb Best,

Hi, If you want "authentic" mikkyo practices, you will have to go to a Mikkyo school. It is that simple. Kuji is simply one aspect of a traditions teaching, it is not the whole thing. If you look at the schools that contain "kuji" then it is clear that it is simply one of the practices taught. Yet many seem to want to sell it as stand alone. There is a Shugendo line that was trying to move outside of Japan. Yet even the Shugendo of today is hardly the Shugendo of ancient Japan. I have no idea how much it is a foreigner money marketting thing? (these things happen). http://www.koryu-shugen.com/?page_id=288 But there have been issue, mainly due to your 'friendly neighbourhood 80's Ninja' being an asshat; http://shugendo.org/node/18 You could try contacting the guy from the above blog and ask him. But, apart from going to a Buddhist, Shugendo, or Daoist lineage that contains the kuji rites and learning it with in that tradition, you are simply left with those that are teaching it separately regardless of where they allegedly got their practice from. Best,

It really depends on what you want to learn and why, doesn't it always Michael Lomax does a distance course if you're interested in neigong. He's a great teacher and highly skilled. He posts he as Ya Mu and I'm sure would be open to questions about his course and what he does. http://qigongamerica.com/ The Stillness-Movement neigong course is a way to learn this neigong long distance. You use the book and DVD's as a supplement, and practice on arranged days to co-ordinate with the teacher and other students. Your energy=body and dantian is worked on to raise your energy-body vibration (and other things). There is a second session mid-week, where the group sits together. You are given tasks and asked questions to do in the week in between sessions. And you can interact with Michael, senoir students and fellow course participants via a forum. Since this has been brought up and has been asked... I met Bill several years ago, and have trained with him. Bill Ryan is lovely guy and also an excellent teacher with a light hearted sense of humour. This comes though in the course. Dragon & Tiger is a 'meridian system' Qigong method. The D&T course is designed for beginners (though more advanced people would probably benefit from much of the content) and is very comprehensive. The D&T course is a step by step program designed to take a beginner into engaging with, feeling, and moving their qi, clearing out their meridian system, and their etheric field, opening the body, and other things. It is a follow along video format intended to cover 10 weeks. There is a Q7A forum. The courses are in my opinion, completely different in format, aim and purpose, so bear that in mind. Hope this helps,

I haven't seen a thread for this book yet, and the search engine didn't find one. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qHgGkwVJIMkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=ten+heavenly+methods&hl=en&sa=X&ei=E6OvUryGE4OUhQfW0ICABw&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=ten%20heavenly%20methods&f=false I am actually going through a reformed bibliophile phase at the moment, which means I've cut done and actually didn't read a book for close to 6 months. I mean, I dipped into textbooks for work and occasionally for study when needed. But in terms of actually reading full chapters or a book cover to cover, nope. I had been aware of this title for a while, I think Alex sent me an e-mail when he first published it through Line of INtent. Now Singing Dragon have re-released it. I loved this book. If you are after actual methods, then you will be disappointed. But as a kind of contemporary Iron & Silk travalogue with endearing people and stories, I found its charm hooked me. It is a small book, and there are insights dotted throughout that many will find of interest. An utterly enjoyable read All the best,

Better late than never I suppose. I completely forgot I hadn't repsonded with a suitable thank you for passing on the article. Thank you I found it very helpful and a most elucidating read. Best,

A sad state of affairs indeed. My wife who has studied with Sabine speaks highly of her; https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/nurt ... e-medicine Donations can be made to her cause and are rewarded with her time, or with publications. It isn't for everyone, granted. -- "My name is Sabine Wilms, and I am a writer, teacher, and translator, in addition to applying the spirit of "nurturing life" as a happy goat farmer in my time off. I recently founded Happy Goat Productions as a platform to facilitate the translation, teaching, and book production work that is the focus of my professional life. Ever since my PhD dissertation on medieval Chinese gynecology, I have found great pleasure in making the wisdom from the ancient classical writings on Chinese medicine (defined here as the art of harmonizing the microcosm of the human body with the macrocosm of the universe) accessible to modern Chinese medicine practitioners and others. I firmly believe that these texts on "nurturing life" (yang sheng 養生) have much to teach us today and that there is an urgency in getting their message in front of a larger audience. I love to translate classical Chinese. I am one of a handful of people in the world with the obscure skill to read, understand, and communicate classical Chinese medical literature into modern English. Except for rare circumstances, I don't get paid to produce such translations, especially book-length texts, which can take literally thousands of hours and years of research to complete. I do it because I believe in the importance of this work and because of the response I receive from practitioners who apply their insights in their medical practices and personal lives. I am an idealistic academic and a writer, and I just want to see my work out there, available to anybody who wants or needs it. Last November, Happy Goat Productions with great pride and love published our first book, Venerating the Root I, a translation by myself of a 7th century text on pediatrics. Shortly thereafter, the publisher of three previous books of mine, Jonathan Schell and The Chinese Medicine Database, sued me out of the blue for $200,000 in damages, claiming ownership of this translation. In my eyes, this is a frivolous lawsuit because I never received any money from him for this work, I did not sign the contract he presented to me, and Mr. Schell told me clearly 1.5 years prior to my publication date that he was no longer interested in publishing the book. This lawsuit is facilitated by the fact that Mr. Schell's father is a senior partner in the law firm he is using to sue me. For perspective, The Chinese Medicine Database, which published my translation of the writings on gynecology by the same 7th century author in 2008, is selling that book for $200 per copy, has no presence that I can discern in the international market, has not issued a revision even though I have made Mr. Schell aware of potentially fatal errors in the current edition, and is refusing to drop the price or create a cheaper paperback edition. As a result, sales are currently less than a copy a month. Mr. Schell has thereby put this book out of the reach of most interested practitioners, while at the same time prohibiting me from retranslating or republishing this material, thereby holding this important and potentially life-saving information hostage...." Read the whole story at the link above. Best,

Yes.

I checked, and I know the guy in question, he's a really nice guy. We became aquainted while studying under the same medical teachers, though his overall knowledge and experience in medicine far outweighs mine. I can't vouch for what he is teaching ( only because I haven't learned from him), but it was obvious when we did the daoyin related work he knew a thing or too. His background his extensive, and unlike some others is legit and can be checked in China. He is also dedicated but humble and doesn't make a big deal of things. You can't know for sure until you go see him, but I would say he is most definiately worth checking out. All the best,

My post wasn't in relation to anything you've written. In all fairness I have no idea what it is you guys do, and I am perfectly willing to accept that, and that what you do is not what I've been taught. I know that unless I come to Russia(?) and join the school I will never know for sure, and that is okay too. I feel the world is a big enough place, and in all paths there has, historically speaking been many differing ideas regarding the aim, point, strategies, and methods. Why would Daoism be any different? My point in mentioning the yogo was simply that there are cultivation methods that have no concept of "dantian", that cultivate the same things as other schools that do describe the process using the concept of "dantian". To me this is evidence of the "work" taking precedence over the map or conceptual tools used to help an adept along in the process. They have their language, a Daoist might see what they do using another language. What changes? Not the work, just the language. Now whether or not the concept of dantian as used in the above mentioned schools fits, is the same, or is completely different to your school, is a very different question, and as mentioned certainly not one that I can answer (and certainly was not in my mind when I posted), since I don't know your schools methods or concepts. But in all fairness neither can you, for the very same reasons. But to cover myself, and to potentially save a headache later on. I am NOT saying everything that the yogic line (I am referring to a specific one I have had dealings with, not yoga in general, and certainly not 'yoga' as is common in these days) does or practices is the same, or vice versa. Not at all. Best,

The Shaolin and Daoist systems often differ considerably, both in model and in method. Doesn't mean either aren't effective in their respective aims etc. On a side, but related note, Himalayan Yogic methods (the ones I've been exposed to) often develop the dantian in an eerily similar way to the Daoist methods, and yet they conceptualise no such thing. Go figure Best,

Don't experiment, follow. Bruce lays out very specific and easy to follow exercises that build on each other. Longevity Breathing (LB) is not Dissolving (D). Don't consider them as related, it'll be easier. So are you working on LB or on D? They are different neigong components, so make it clear what you want to do. Focus solely on one component for a period of time, or attempt to work with two concurrently. If you decide to try to work with both, fine, but do so in separate practice sessions and keep things clear for yourself. LB has many aspects, in RIYB LB is being applied to laying a foundation for meditation work. In the neigong books LB is about developing whole-body breathing, and later subtle breath work. Don't confuse them. Stick with one progression from one program and work that. Tongue is always on the roof, in neigong or meditation. No you don't combine breathing with dissolving. Dissolving is neigong not qigong. Breath naturally. If you also/later practice LB then the 'natural' breath will have been improved. When learning the dissolving process, just work on that. Read what Bruce has written, listen to what he says if you have the cd set. Follow those to the best of your ability and then appreciate things can take time to learn, to experience and to figure out. You do not want to be trying to split your awareness to start with. Its too hard for the majority of people. So no, no dantian awareness, just the dissolving and releasing downward. Later things change. But take the step infront of you, not the one across the room okay. Please note, the the stages of practice in Bruce's 1st edition of OEGB are simpler, but it seems people wanted more, and so the 2nd edition adds things, including a section on LB that wasn't in the original book. Bruce address length of time in all his books. You dissolve until it clears or until you feel it isn't going to dissolve/release any further even if you stayed there for years. A full head to toe scan can take a LONG time, or can be done quite quickly. My advice is simple, follow the plan in the book OEGB, Bruce lays out a detailed way to work with this stuff, more detailed than many teachers give. Sometimes the detail helps, sometimes not. But if you want to work with his method, follow his plan, it is that simple. Good luck and happy practice General note, Yes other systems talk about or state things differently to the above, but the above is how it is taught in Bruce's system, and that is what the questions are about. Best,

Thanks, I know your school doesn't like giving out lineage info, I've asked before. So I appreciate the information. I have no idea if they considered themselves "Wu-Liu", since all the lines coming from them state them as Longmen pai and give that lineage/generation. However, more often than not (in the public records) they get equated with Wu-Liu pai and so it is easy to conflate the two. Best,

Interesting. I know three different lines of practice that trace back to him, though they credit him as Longmen not "Wu-Liu". What about his 'brother', who features in Liu Huayang's text asking questions? Where does he fit in? Thanks in advance,

You mean like this guy? I thought Liao Kong was one of the main transmitters of Wu-Liu pai in the early 20th C? Genuinely curious...

My DVD's been ordered.

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Bruce uses old Ch'an methods as a foundation for stabilising the mind and thoughts, these are breath focused and layed out in his book "Relaxing into your being". The same lessons, and more appear in CD form if you'd prefer audio. This is the Daoist breathing CD. Emotions are addressed via dissolving, although some of this is touched on in the above book, his later book on Daoist meditation "Tao of letting go", is probably the most accessible for this. If you haven't read either and are interested in Bruce's work, get it from the horses mouth. If you then want personal experience or opinion you can get that from those who've worked with it. Best,

Sam is one of the nicest and humblest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and learning from. A teacher with genuine internal gong fu ability, and a willingness to show, explain and teach it to those who visit with him. This is expressed further in the abilities of his students. He is on the top of my list when it comes to neijiaquan. I hope all those that attend enjoy the seminar. Best,

Chinese medicine, like all things Chinese, due to the pragmatic belief system, is inclusive not exclusive. "Doing whatever is required or needed to help your patient IS chinese medicine." This is what my classical Chinese medicine teacher teachers. The bodywork, needles, herbs etc are simply the time tested therapeutic applications most often used. Kevin is correct in the ststement that the standardisation and stripping of superstition from medicine has been an ongoing and long process, not just a recent thing. However I do disagree that modern TCM teaches the classics in the way that is implied in his post. Yes random quotations are often used to support the theories or views within TCM, but even in China people are not taught from the classics. They are taught from textbooks. In the past the classics WERE the textbooks. Now, is the situation simple and straightforward? No, cumon, is it ever !? But the TCM i was taught and have experienced, and that of my missus, both in China and in the West is quite a different animal to the Classical Chinese medicine we've been taught. And yet, why is it that the CCM of three teachers supports and constantly echoes each other, not in method, but in theory and perspective? In line with my teacher, I do not denigrate TCM, I see it as a "school" of Chinese medicine, it will have the same spectrum of good and bad teachers, or practitioners, and or ideas, methods etc that ANY other line or approach of medicine will have. The "classical" label is becoming increasingly popular, I predict more will start using it, like "qigong" teachers suddenly using "neigong" . Well it's all the same anyway... No it's not.

The Mawang Dui stuff is reconstructed from the daoyin paintings, it is the Chinese equivalent of say Nordic revival rituals based on existing materials, an odd project of, at best, experimental archaeology. It is NOT and should not be viewed as a consistent line of dao yin through history. It's benefits? That will depend on who did the reconstruction and their knowledge. As for the others, can't comment.

There is no direct equivalent, not in a conceptual sense. As Hundun says there is no, "now store/focus in the lower dantian". I am lucky, my friend is the inheritor of a little known yogic line. I have discussed this with him. They do not conceive of a lower dantian in the way Daoists do. That being said, it does not mean they do not develop or cultivate the lower dantian. They do. So what does that say? It confirms Lao Zi's base teaching, the method and the time put in matters more than the words or labels. Best,

He's been called on it several times before. I've been giving him the benefit of the doubt for years. On the other hand, maybe I should just get his address and send my teachers over, it seems they need to be re-educated as they have it all wrong Best,

I wouldn't speak to an ethnocentric bigot in the pub, nor invite one to chat over tea, so I am reluctant to engage with one on the net either. I have hoped that over the years of your time on this forum interacting with people of different cultures and backgrounds (something a forum like this is for), that your views of 'only the Chinese can understand' might change. Your recent posts show this not to be the case. I am not saying you shouldn't be on the forum, and I'm not against you posting your opinions, that is what an open forum is for. For sharing ideas and thoughts, as well as teachings and practices. I just find your insistance that all Chinese believe what you do (sorry they don't), and that all Daoists beleive what you do (sorry, again they don't), and that everyone else is wrong, especially if they are not Chinese, in very bad taste. Sure the sentiments are not as direct or strong as in your older posts, but they are still very much there and appear to be a major motivator in your posts. I wouldn't give someone with your attitude the time of day in person, as I said, such bigoted outdated and unnecessary views I can't stomach, I don't care where they are from or who they are, and I'll call anyone out on it in person or on here. You can say it is all in our minds, and thats okay. Your posts speak for themselves. BKA 11 pages is quite good for da Bums' no? Best, P.S Definitions just for ChiDragon, incase they aren't in his dictionary either. Bigot: One who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance a person who is intolerant of any ideas other than his or her own. Ethnocentrism: Belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group. Characterized by or based on the attitude that one's own group is superior

What, that you appear to be racist? Yes