Trunk

The complimentary context of - other moving practices that circulate, open channels & tissues, develop alchemy - standing positions .. using your own radar to sus out what works. Also related: if you've kinesthetically trained for strength via typical exercise & weights ... the Daoist path of developing power is the opposite of it, in some ways, the *feel* of it. Opening the joints, developing the fascia. Makes me review Sifu Matsuo's standing postures "3 dragons of kunlun". There's joint opening and flowing movement built into it, along w/ the heaven ~ earth integration Fragments of thoughts.. - Keith

a contrary perspective worth considering ... I've not fully absorbed it, gonna take some time. I don't feel that I can comment confidently on my perspective, not fully baked, and I respect Damo Mitchell's perspective a lot. Taking time to take this in. (and I've hidden my recent zz essay) Certainly is in the (perhaps oversimplified) territory of the problematic balance of: stagnation <//> developing power. .. material for discussion.

29Gathering, Welcome! to TDBs. regards, Trunk

Hey there, Waylander, Welcome to TDBs! Take a look around, jump in. If you have questions re: getting acquainted w/ TDBs layout, give me a shout. I’m not much of a conversationalist these days, but happy to be a getting-started tour guide (if needed). - Trunk

Zen emphasizes simplicity, stillness. (and sometimes goes to excess in that way) Daoism emphasizes energetic work. (and sometimes goes to excess in that way) Some people say, ”To strengthen your qigong (Daoism), practice Zen. To strengthen your Zen, practice qigong.” cheers, and welcome.

I do find that w/ hands' qi sphere, if practiced w/ the right tips, gets to palpable qi quickly. Qi Sphere: Beginning

I wrote a little free essay, Zhan Zhuang: Getting Started It's a primer, assumes no knowledge, gets you started, familiarizes w/ common terms and includes some key tips that I've picked up over ... several decades. cheers, Trunk

My attempt at a 'free: getting started' site, https://johndaoproductions.wordpress.com/ especially https://johndaoproductions.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/three-generic-fundamentals/ best of luck, Trunk The deepening of simple fundamentals, consistently over time, is what brings development. Fireworks are misdirection, imho.

yeah, I dug it too. .. made a few minor adjustments, because I'm just that anal.

I went to google, searched “zhan zhuang”, and the AI overview was astonishingly good (scary good, actually). I suggest you check that out, as well as the linked article https://balancehealth.com.hk/zhan-zhuang-tai-chi-exercise/

I've been thinking about you. Some ideas: 1. Look up "zhan zhuang" ("standing post", "still standing", "standing meditation" on youtube. 2. Similarly, "meditation following the breath" Watch a few free videos, then (if you like) perhaps start a thread here on TDBs asking others about it. Others who have some experience will likely dialog and share. That's free fundamental material, and good conversation. best of luck, Trunk

p.s. I'd say, additionally, that ... the long haul ... the people that enjoy and stick with this, and what provides and leads to development over time ... is that you simply enjoy the process of conscious integration.

A number of essential foundational practices you can find for free: 0. “Following the Breath” - unifying comfortably deep breathing and attention - this gets applied to *every*thing, *all* internal arts practices - foundational: sitting meditation, and still standing (see next) 1. zhan zhuang, aka “standing post”, aka “still standing” - look it up. it sound like nothing (just standing), but it is foundational in every Daoist system. Super simple. Essential. There are foundational essentials around that are absolutely free .. that any more sophisticated system would assume that you have experience with anyway. best of luck, Trunk

Soaring, Welcome! I wasn't familiar w/ those terms, looked 'em up. This short essay, internal arts: common fundamentals, gives a brief introduction to bedrock principles common to (nearly) any system. Then follow your own sensitivities, to whichever system/methods resonate for you. You're all set up here at TDBs. Again, welcome. - Trunk

Hey Dylan! Welcome! that’s relevant, lol Take a look around, lemme know if you need help finding anything. - Keith

WhyQQ, Welcome! - Trunk

Giacomond, Welcome! - Trunk p.s. - Gurdjieff, serious read. - compact overview.

jgd, Welcome! - Trunk

AverageUser1234, Welcome! - Trunk

HeronChip, Welcome! - Trunk

jeffrey1, Welcome! - Trunk

ParagonZen, Welcome! - Trunk

Tao Light, Welcome! - Trunk

Tao KC, Welcome! - Trunk

Smee, Welcome! - Trunk