rsalazar

Hello Sifu Dunn and Sifu Hearfield, Many thanks for all the great information - I just got the dvds and I have a lot to learn - I look forward to learning and practicing FP. All the best, R

Hello Sifu Dunn, Many thanks for all the fascinating information on this system - I was especially interested on the effects on body luminosity that is a side effect of the Flying Phoenix system. Has anyone documented this on video or with any instruments? That would be very cool to doc this - I was also wondering if you could comment on the differences between the Flying Phoenix system and the taichi ruler system. All the best, Rene'

Hi Drew, Yeah, the base technique is really one of the simplest things I've seen - I think the recent upsurge in marketing their stress monitor has obscured the fact that the tech itself is very simple - they do have some other interesting applications, such as their designer music,which augments the effects from the meditation, although I must confess I don't really enjoy it - also interesting that BT designs his music to elicit physiological brain changes (or at least he tries, check out his "This Binary Universe" for some very relaxing stuff) - going back to the Heartmath technique, to register changes within such a short period of time (as opposed of hours ) is still hard for me to accept, but they have the data (EEG, heart rate variability, DHEA levels), I can pass on some collected papers to anyone interested - The tech is very similar to Buddhist contemplation of compassion, here is their stripped down version: 1. Focus attention on the heart area 2. Pretend or viz breathing energy in and out of this area 3. As you continue to breath, become aware of anything that elicits feelings of gratitude At this point, you can continue like this or you can try and access any intuitive feelings by asking your heart if it has anything it wants to say. This basic tech can be done at any time throughout the day, especially as a pause when experiencing stressful situations - data indicates that just shift of focus to the heart area has almost immediate effects on physiology - although one may not reach more sublime heights of samadhi from this tech, it certainly is not a bad tech to use as training wheels to gain greater control of the physical body - I believe that this is probably one of the best techs for those of us that don't time to do extensive sitting, multiple short sessions of practice throughout the day may add up to something that still has benefits - this also repeatedly engages your own self-awareness, forcing you to observe yourself constantly, which is also a form of cultivation. I'd be very interested in hearing for anyone that has practiced any of the Heartmath techs. All the best for the New Year and cheers, Rene'

Actually, if you read the website, they give you the basic technique, which is just focusing attention on the heart, using imagination to viz breathing out of the heart region - the book gives variations on this tech, but I must say, this group has some interesting research, more than most groups in the West (with the possible exception of Tiller's group) - Heartmath has published articles in Circulation, which is a well-regarded journal in physiology research circles. The other thing that impresses me about their research is that they can register stress level reductions (as measured by heart rate variability) with seconds of using their viz protocols. If nothing else, if you gain better opening of energy circulation in the heart area, you will help prevent a lot of energy blockages along the way, IMHO. R

I had always thought that standing practices were used to help circulate energy that is cultivated in the sitting practices. On a more physical level, I notice (at least in my superficial experience) that my body feels much more integrated when I include regular standing. Can anyone elaborate? R

Drew, Thanks for posting your interesting experiences - I was wondering if Chunyi Lin has commented on your "O's at a Ds"? It seems to me that there is a risk in indulging this type of activity, something that will only further your attachment to your ego and sex in general - is this the reason behind the general warning against "crushes"? Cheers, R ---------------------------- Most importantly I was innocent -- I didn't realize that this training would turn me into a chick-magnet. I didn't realize that electromagnetic energy was the secret to mutual climaxes.

I hear ya on this - unfortunately, depending on how clear transmission has been, there is a lot of noise that sometimes needs to be filtered out - kind of like the telephone game - in the end, I agree that each individual needs to think on things and make decisions based on what makes sense for them . . .

Hey Enouch, Very cool article, I had not seen this, interesting to see how many developments may take time to reach widespread use - here's another interesting article on a fairly simple oil and its potential role in HIV therapeutics: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/article10526.pdf Cheers, R

Hi Baguakid, That is *really* interesting! How long would he have to practice in order to see some of this waste come out his feet? Did you ever see this with your own practice? Any recommended resources for this detoxification art? Did he ever use his art in conjunction with herbal detox regimes? Cheers, R

Double true that Ninpo Some of the best players I've seen, especially angoleiros, almost appear like they are stumbling around, while controlling the game the whole time. Capoeira is capoeira, I also agree. I think some people forget that it is an art and game first, it evolved to give an oppressed people an outlet and keep their spirit alive - capoeira is not just about the movements and isn't complete until you also learn singing, playing the instruments, as well as all the other formalities. Movement and beauty. Of course, I'm in this art to have fun and keep myself agile, not to become a soldier. There are offshoots that have tried to make this about "fighting" (the really good players can make a lot of the moves work, but if they are taken down, it's all about grappling), but this is not what it's about - I've been around some ugly rodas where fighting has erupted, this is when people let their emotions get the best of them (forgetting this is a game) and it devolved into simple human violence, which is never pretty. R PS Daochild, keep in mind this thread was started as a light hearted joke

Yep, I view this art as just a way of body conditioning and can certainly add to your movement repertoire - some of the most interesting groundwork I've seen has been with capoeira angola (first 2 clips I posted are examples), the players usually spend most of their time on all fours, which in itself is a great workout. Some of the best examples of longevity and optimization of physical potential I've also seen in older players (such as Nestor Capoeira, in his 70's, other teachers in their 40's and 50's that can still do gymnastic moves), all without any neigong, just physical conditioning - you can also see this in dancers. Although the art has deeper spiritual aspects, these are mostly spiritual practices, such as candomble, which involve connection with deities such as the Orishas. Not all players necessarily participate in these aspects. R

At the minimum, this art can be a great adjunct to any agility program, expanding a lot of possibilities while having a lot of fun. Keep in mind, in the roda, all movement is improvised, flow is where it's at. For some real capoeira (the actual art), check these clips: Cabello and Glauber - a beautiful game Cabello and Noa Cambridge roda http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/v...p?v=35587226225 Lateef Crowder and Tony Jaa - no improvisation here, but still very entertaining choreography http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW0nEHEWGdA Cheers, R

Hi Yoda, Yeah, you also see this in African traditions frequently, where the ancestral link is the closest to our plane and therefore the channel with the strongest signal - The influence of the ancestors, from my superficial view, seems almost like a type of ethereal genetic code, their energetic link seems to be a feedback loop where they can influence us and we also can help them, which also helps us. R

Hello, Very interesting discussion - I'm assuming because the internal (neigong) schools use no overt external sources for energy that this is the reason this protective ability may take a bit longer to cultivate than other schools that use external sources - I've heard stories of practitioners in other schools (African) that use energy (presumably a type of yin power) from the dead to give them their protection from physical threats - I remember talking to a younger initiate who had a fairly strong connection in this regard, another person was thrown against a wall when the initiate was being accosted, but I was not there to see this. Cheers, Rene'

Cool thread If push comes to shove and I just want to get the effect, I'll just cut off a chunk of ginger, shave off the skin, then chew it quickly and down it with a lot of water - I'll usually do this if I'm not too lazy before breakfast and it always keeps my stomach running smoothly. R

Funny story Ya Mu I started going grey in my 20's, it's a genetic thing since my mother had the same experience - I have used the tonic drink (Shou Wu Chih that you can get in most Asian markets) over the years and notice that after taking this at around 2 shots per day for 1-2 months the appearance of half black, half white hairs (with a black root), nothing dramatic but enough to take note, since the only time I saw this was when drinking the shou wu chih - Unfortunately, I was never consistent with the usage, but I suspect that I might see more visible changes if I would take this over a much longer period of time, like at least a year. I'm currently giving this a go. Cheers, R

After hearing some of the stories about Robert Peng I managed to attend a seminar of his in June 2007. He did a few interesting demos, but he didn't "zap" anyone at the seminar. I have seen quite a few teachers over the years, and have even been told fairly interesting info, but I've never had the undeniable, even almost painful experience where I knew I wasn't just dreaming. This was not just my imagination. After over six months on a waiting list, I got a call from Robert at the last minute that he had an opening in January 2008. The guy was booked solid and he otherwise could not take any new clients. I figured this might be my only chance to see him, so there I was in a 4th floor office on the upper east side of Manhattan on a rainy, dreary day. After filling out the requisite patient questionaire, he led me into a room with a table. Robert is a very unassuming guy, wearing an orange tee and slacks and looks like any other average person, nothing unusual. We chatted for a minute about my possible problem areas, then I lay on my back on the table. After a couple of passes which resembled what you'd see some reiki practitioners do, I was wondering if I would actually feel the electric zapping that others have told me about. He then unobtrusively and lightly put his finger between my eyes. POP! POP! POP! I had the unmistakable sensation of an electrical current going between my eyes and I could "feel" a feathering of electricity covering halfway over my eyes. The "electrical" pulses lasted for 2-3 seconds, and this was good because the sensation was bordering on the painful. No, this was not my imagination. I was awake and it was intense, almost like a jackhammer in my skull. The pulses reminded me of the crackling you hear near a power line or a taser. Pressure waves seemed to coincide with the popping sounds. He put his fingers by my temples. Again, the popping sound was unmistakable and, fortunately, not as intense as the third eye area. When treating some points on the side of my nose, I felt the pulses travel down to the roots of my teeth. This was not painful, but the pressure I felt was again intense. I had my eyes closed during most of the head treatment. I was curious if these pulses might fire off any visually generated symptoms, but I saw no colors or anything other than a general blackness. He treated a few points in the trapezius and, just like in the Blair video of John Chang, my trapezius as well as neck muscles contracted. The contraction also happened when treating points in my arm. It's interesting that the contraction did not happen in all areas. For example, no facial muscles contracted when treating these areas, nor in the fingers when these were treated, despite the feeling that the pulse was of the same intensity as other areas. I watched closely as he put one of his middle fingers on my hand to zap through some meridians. He only lightly touched my finger tips as I felt the intense "electrical" pulse travel about halfway down the first phalange. I saw no spark or light that you might associate with a regular electric shock. It did, though, have a similar feeling to sticking your finger into an electric outlet, but without the pain. While treating points at the top of my head, I could feel pulses at the bottom of my heels, although this was less intense. He pointed out to me a general protocol that anyone could use to promote good energy flow would be to stimulate Hoku (LI4), zusanli (St36) and Bubbling Well (K1) twice a day. It was interesting to see his optimal way of stimulating St36, which was by chopping at the point with the side of the hand. Robert told me that he met John Blair a while back and zapped him after Blair requested this. Blair had been treated by Chang and wanted to compare the sensations. Afterwards, he said Blair stated this was the same sensation he had in Indonesia. While the shocks were pretty dramatic at the time, I left his office with no lingering sensations, no bliss, etc. Of course everyone will have a different experience depending on their individual condition at the time. For me, it was a very eye-opening experience, to say the least.

Although always better to learn something from a teacher, I must say Geoff Pikes "The Power of Chi" is a great resource on a set of Eight Brocades he learned from a teacher in the Phililpines when he was undergoing radiotherapy, he credits this practice as helping him to recover faster from the radiation - Also interesting that the original edition also mentions some interesting stories that are not included in later editions, very interesting - I would also recommend Stuart Olson's "Teachings of a taoist immortal" for another version of the Eight Brocades (Eight Silken Forms) which are connected with Li Chun Yin, a variation that is done in a seated position, which also incorporated hitting and slapping as a warm up to "loosen" the channels before the actual qigong. I'm hoping some of the bums with more experience can comment on these 2 works, since at least in my small experience, these simple practices have had a profound experience with me over the years, I find myself going back to these practices as time goes on. Cheers, Rene'

Hello, From what I've heard of wafu, this is the art of using "fu" or talismans for healing - if this is what you seek, there is a Taoist teacher who specializes in this, check out Mak Tin Si's site, www.daoismworld.com Cheers, Rene'

Hello Trunk, Many thanks for the reminder, this is exactly what I experienced and helps answer a lot of questions. Kudos for maintaining your site, valuable information here. Cheers, R

Just wanted to add my 2 cents to the thread: I did get negative side effects from the packing breathing, so I would caution everyone to be very careful with this - I realize that a lot of this had to do with me and how internally clogged up I was at the time, but nevertheless, I was told by someone back in 1994 at an HT retreat that packing was no longer being emphasized because people were either straining too much or otherwise putting excessive effort into this and hurting themselves - I personally was doing the packing breathing in Embracing the Tree every day until I had the distinct feeling that I was not getting enough breath into my lungs, it was the most peculiar thing, like I was constantly short of breath no matter what, these symptoms started quite suddenly - the alarm bells went off and I stopped the packing practice shortly thereafter - symptoms quickly went away after this. In the end, we all have different constitutions and we will naturally get different effects from different practices, much in my opinion has to do with how "clean" our engine is to begin with - exercise your bodily awareness constantly so you can monitor any ongoing changes, be alert to anything that might signal the start of a problem. Be well.

Hello froggie, Very cool info, reminds me of how tien chi ginseng/ yunnan baiyao was used during the Vietnam War for the treatment of injuries - do you know of any patent meds that use this particular ginseng? Cheers, Rene'

Hello Ape, One good resource for this (as far as I've seen) is Terence Dukes' "Chinese Hand Analysis", there are some other pubs on hand reading from Japan Publications that are of note - on another perspective, Benham's book on hand reading is one of the singular most extensive works on the subject that I've returned to again and again over the years. Cheers, R

Hello Tactile, Interesting note about the antinutrients, this was also a concern of mine in the beginning as well, but it may actually be the opposite - Campbell addresses this common objection and notes that most studies on this seem to show better absorption overall, which seems counterintuitive - Check out The China Study for more here: http://books.google.com/books?id=FIRLLcLjy...YG4GczQSDmZTOBA Cheers, R