fiveelementtao

Also... Do not do the practice between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m. The sun is too hot and thick at this time. The best time to do this is at night. If done in the early morning pre-dawn hours, there is a better chance to commune with ancestral teachers...

You can do it outdoors as long as you are not chilled and there are not any strong breezes. If in doubt... It is better to be warm than cold. If you get heated up during practice, make sure that when you close down that you put on any clothing necessary to keep from getting chilled. Thanks for the questions, Mike

All we can is our best. Nothing more is required. I haven't analyzed the practice for specific health benefits. So, I would only be guessing. Some of my older students who had arthritis reported that the practice helped with pain and mobility issues. Others have reported anti-aging benefits from the practice. Others have reported physical cleansing. My experience with the practice has shown me that the energy created can be used for manifesting. If someone has a particular health issue, I would recommend that as you are closing down from the practice, direct the energy created to heal or strengthen any physical, emotional issues. It is also a very good practice for aligning oneself to their life purpose. So, as I said, I have not done a specific study of the benefits... Thanks for the questions Mike

Ralis, my friend... If you honestly think that with my earlier suggestions that I am bringing "guilt, fear and exclusivity to a set of teachings" Then,... I am definitely the WRONG teacher for you and CNK is definitely the wrong practice for you. If what I have shared here doesn't sit well with you, then I completely support your assessment that you should go somewhere else... I admire you for sticking to your principles. So, since we have determined that this is the wrong practice for you and you are no longer interested in the DVDs.. nothing personal, but I would like to get back to others' questions... Just to avoid further derailing of this thread, I'm going to put you on ignored users status... Thanks for understanding and best of luck to you in whatever you do.

Ralis... Please review the topic of this thread... I would like to stay on topic. This thread is for those who have honest questions for me about CNK as I teach it and are currently practicing or are planning on practicing CNK as I teach it. Since apparently you are not my student and apparently are not interested in becoming my student or getting the DVDs, then why not spend your valuable time on other threads with those who will gladly engage in intellectual hair splitting with you about the nature of the Universe... Thanks for your understanding. I appreciate it.

Thanks for the question. It is not dumb... Whenever someone consciously uses the energy to control, manipulate, dominate, punish or attack others, that is what i am referring to when I use the word abuse. I have seen people use the martial energy from the practices to bully and control others and I have seen those same peoples' lives and sanity destroyed. I am also talking about people who have tried to gain fame and fortune by showing off their powers. This power should never be used to gain attention. If someone gains abilities from this practice, I strongly recommend that they not ever try to take credit for what they can do. Because, this power is a gift and can be taken away at any time. If one simply seeks to align themselves with their highest divinity and seek to use their power to help others, then the Universe will bless them. But it is not about being perfect. We are still human. As I have demonstrated on this forum repeatedly, I am still a very imperfect human and I make mistakes all the time. I am not talking about that. I am talking about someone who is consciously using this power to control, take revenge, gain fame or hurt others. If you practice this and are doing your best to be a "good" person. that is all that matters... Thanks for the good question... Mike

Celestial Nei Kung videos are now available on instant download. Level 1 can be found HERE http://www.filmbaby.com/films/4990 Level 2 download is now on amazon HERE http://www.amazon.com/Celestial-Qigong-Level-Uniting-Heaven/dp/B004XSSNHC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-video&qid=1304017595&sr=8-1 Thanks for all the great feedback I have been getting lately. Honest questions welcome... Mike

I agree Cat, Sitting is the practice, Life is the meditation. The meditation begins when one gets up from the practice...The meditation ends when one leaves this earthly life....THEN I suppose one could evaluate their meditative progress...

How do you measure progress in meditation? The more you want to measure your progress, the less you have progressed. The less that you want to measure your progress the more you have progressed. But by the time you don't care anymore, you realize that the idea of progression in meditation is an illusion... So, why not save time and just meditate and forget about the idea of progress. In fact, why not meditate on the uselessness of wanting to progress in meditation...

If you are doing them together, then you can do the closing after you are done with both... (assuming that they are compatible together)

Oh! CNG is Celestial Nei Gung.... I didn't understand that before.... Yes. IME, it is very helpful for emptiness meditation. I do emptiness meditation during my closedown...

Hi Rene, I am not familiar with practice you mention so I can't give educated advice. The celestial nei Gung is compatible with alot of qigong. So, give it a try and see how it feels. Usually when I am doing another practice in tandem with the Celestial Qigong, I will do the Celestial first. The reason being is that the Celestial usually will enhance the power of anything else you do. In my experience other forms of qigong (as long as they are not forced or fire types) will then help to absorb and circulate the Celestial energies deeper into the tissues. For example Tai Chi. I will sometimes do my celestial qigong and then do a Tai Chi form to help circulate the energies and absorb them into the tendons and organs. If you are unsure, then separate the practices by at least 8 hours. If in doubt, do your other practices in the morning and do the Celestial in the evening. The Celestial Qigong is more powerful in the evening anyways. DO NOT do the celestial Qigong during the hours of 1 and 3 p.m. The power of the sun is too thick at that time. The main types of energy work that will not mix well are strong fire types of qigong. Especially hard martial qigong. The Celestial is based on a specific type of spirit fighting energy that must be done very relaxedly and naturally. If it is forced, you can blow out a circuit! Other types of energy work that is not compatible is forced breathing like Yogic breath of fire. It is always good to err on the side of caution. The exceptions to this are the Heaven Earth Qigong Meditation, The energy balancing movement and the Earth Breath meditation. These are very safe and very grounding practices and should work well as a grounding practice for any other energy work. That's why I put those practices in there. If you are feeling any energetic imbalance for any reason, those two practices are very good at overall healing and balancing. I hope that helps. Mike

Hi Dagon, You share some great experiences, but I would prefer to keep the focus of this thread on the original topic which is questions or experiences as they relate directly to the practices on the Celestial Nei Kung DVDs. If you are not practicing the exercises on the DVDs... While your own personal experiences and insights with your own practices are interesting, they may be better served on another thread. Thanks for understanding, Mike

Hi Cat Pillar, I can't give you an answer on how fast. everyone is different... Keeping a practice journal is a good idea. In terms of what to watch out for... Because of the power of the practices, it is good to know when to back off or take a break... Quality here is not necessarily quantity... Thanks for the interest. I hope your practice with the DVD goes well. Mike

Lao Tzu was not one man but more likely a pseudonym used by many writers who compiled the Tao Te Ching over many years. So, that in itself makes it more likely that at least some of the writers of the Tao Te Ching were martial Artists. We all want to identify with sages. If one is not a martial artist, then it makes sense that one would instinctively want to see the sages as we are. If we are martial artists, then we will instinctively want to project onto Lao Tzu that he must be a martial artist like me... So, my question is, Why do you care? How does that fact change anything? Do you believe that martial arts is violence and therefore "unspiritual"? IF so, then naturally one would not want to think that a sage like Lao Tzu was an unspiritual violent person. As a martial artist myself, I can attest that IME, the highest form of martial arts is to fight spiritual negativity within oneself. by that definition, any sage is a martial artist regardless of whether or not it is applied to physical fighting. It is also important to remember the historical and cultural context in which the TTC was written. Life was considerably more dangerous for the average person on the street than it is nowadays. There was no such thing as guns and most people had some form of weapon on their person for self-defense. Each village had it's own secret style of martial arts because there always bands of bandits roaming around, and frequent regional wars were not uncommon. If people did not know martial arts, there is a very good chance they would not survive. It is also very likely that the writers of the TTC were cultured men from well to do families. To be considered educated in China in those days, one would study many different disciplines. Martial Arts would always be one of those disciplines. Whereas in today's society, martial arts is considered an optional "hobby." Back then, it was a part of everyday life, so people did not go around identifying as martial artists. But, what is most important to me about the TTC is that it is a scripture. What do I mean by scripture? I mean that it is a timeless holographic text that speaks to every aspect of life. So, regardless of what one's focus is, the TTC will speak to it. If one applies the principles of the TTC to whatever aspect of life you choose, it will enhance it. Martial Arts, like everything else is merely a limited reflection of universal physics and as such will reflect any truth including those espoused by the TTC.

Seth asked... Hi Seth, My answers are rather long and directed to everyone, so bear with me if it it does not apply to you in some instances... 1) The Shamanic element is not something I teach on the DVD as a specific technique as the teachers decide who they want to work with. The exercises are pretty straightforward. In fact, the exercises on the DVD are even simpler than many other styles of qigong. The difference is in the type of energy they produce. Depending on what disciplines you have practiced, the quality of the energy may feel different than some other forms of qigong. IME, after doing the exercises, I find that my energy is primed for deeper meditation and shamanic traveling. So, I guess I am saying that the frequency of the vibration produced by these techniques is such that it makes the energy body more able to connect with the ancestral teachers. So, if someone has inherent shamanic abilities, they will manifest more quickly through these practices. Now, I can't guarantee anything. This has been my experience and I have seen that it is the experience of my students. When I first learned this style. I knew nothing about other Taoist lineages, nor did I know anything about Shamanism. It wasn't until after I had been training in this style for a while and had compared it with other more well known styles of qigong that I did some research on the Shang Ch'ing sect and discovered that it was more of a shamanic style of Taoism. Then it made sense to me why my experiences were so unique in comparison to the other styles I investigated. The energy will increase any healing or shamanic abilities of the practitioner, and it also has the quality of warrior shamanic energy. It is very good for battling and transforming negativity. I was trained as a spirit warrior. I am sure that there are other styles of shamanism within the Shang Ch'ing sect. I was trained as a spirit warrior. At the higher levels as I teach it, the next level of shamanic work comes from learning the internal martial art forms. On one level, they are powerful internal martial arts forms, but the higher level of training is learning them as shamanic martial dances that call down the celestial powers for cleansing of negativity. In my experience, I have not experienced anything more powerful than the energy that is produced from these forms... IME, These forms will also exponentially increase any other energy practices and intensify any other spiritual gifts one has... The exercises on the DVD while very simple are derived from this warrior shaman practice and will give the aura a vibrational quality that will drive away ghosts and other nasties. So, it is a good practice for those who may have entity issues. But, as I have said to many others, entities are attracted to unresolved emotional issues, so the first thing that will happen is that the practices will produce emotional and psychological cleansing. This is often too uncomfortable and people will drop the practices. But, if one can survive the cleansing process, the root cause of the entity issue will change and the energy produced goes into the person's aura and then entities will run away just at the sight of the person... It is my belief based on my experience that this style of energy work is best suited to those who have a calling to work with the ancestral masters and those who have been called to be spiritual protectors. It is also my experience in teaching this style that if someone is not destined for it, that while they may sense the power of it, they will be driven away. The energy is very powerful but it also tends to increase the intensity of personal transformation. So, one has to be willing to endure emotional and spiritual cleansing. I have also seen that if someone is able to harness the energy and they abuse it, the karmic backlash is swift and very unpleasant... 2) I assume you are referring to the "North Star Qigong Meditation" That is actually a very safe practice and IME is a very good all around practice. To answer your question, No it is not necessary to see the North Star. It can be done at any time of day or night. Thanks for the interest, I hope that answers your questions... Mike

Hi Bums, The Spirit Tao Celestial Qigong/Neigong DVDs are now available on Amazon.com. I have reduced the price on the DVDs. Level 1 available HERE Level 2 DVD Available HERE Video preview available HERE Here is a description from the DVD jacket: The Shang Ch'ing Taoist tradition is known as the most mystical and powerful of the Taoist sects. For many years, the Shang Ch'ing initiates were know as wizards and sorcerers and were feared even by other famous Taoist sects. In the Shang Ch'ing Taoist tradition, it is believed that the vast majority of Qigong is "layman" style energy work. The Shang Ch'ing energy work was primarily internal and was considered to be advanced energy work taught only to the highest monks and priests in the order. Celestial Qigong DVDs are a distillation of some of the most powerful Shang Ch'ing Taoist internal energy exercises and meditations ever taught. Do not be deceived by the simplicity of these exercises. One of the hidden secrets of the Shang Ch'ing masters is that the most powerful energy work is the easiest to learn. Exercises Included in this DVD are:... Level I Yin Yang hands. This short form is the basis of all Shang Ch'ing energy work, spiritual philosophy and internal martial arts. Everything else in the Shang Ch'ing system is to help you understand the Yin Yang Hands form. If you can master this simple form, you will master all of Shang Ch'ing energy work... Level I Earth Meditation and Healing breath. In This meditation and breath is very good for grounding the energy and can be used to help heal any energy imbalance. This breathing method was written about in the 5th century A.D. by a Shang Ch'ing Master named Tao Hong Jing who is well known as one of the patriarchs of Taoist Healing. What many don't know is that the Six healing sounds were originally taught as silent breaths. IME, the most powerful healing from using these sounds is to do them silently and slowly... Pyramid Meditation This meditation and mudra allows the individual to create a energy pyramid around the body which seals the energy within the body while simultaneously protecting the aura from negativity. Other exercises include, Gathering Energy, Activating Energy , Balancing Energy and more... Honest questions and inquiries always welcome. Email me from my TTBs profile. Blessings, Mike

Seth, Sorry for the misunderstanding, As I said, I have had some history on this forum so I can be overly defensive at times. Seth and Zero, I moved your questions and my answer to them to the other Celestial Nei Kung Thread... Mike

Hi Craig, You are correct in your assessment. I purposely designed the DVD so that people would not have to follow any strict regimen. So, yes, someone could arrange their workout based on the practices that they are attracted to as long as they ground afterward with the Earth breath and closedown... As you said the only requirement I strongly suggest is that someone ground the energies afterward. The Earth Breath meditation is sort of an entry level version of the HUUL breath meditation that I now teach freely on the website. In the second DVD I teach a "Heaven Earth qigong meditation" that sort of does everything and ground as well. This way, if someone just does the Heaven Earth Qigong meditation, they are already grounded. In terms of healing. I am not a healing practitioner either. I have done healings, too. So the energy is quite healing. My focus when I was learning was martial application. So, I cannot really give "official" advice on healing. But, my experience and the experience of my students is that these exercises have helped their healing abilities also... I feel a very strong healing presence with this energy. But, there is a slight difference. For those familiar with Hindu deities, the Shang Ch'ing energies are healing in a Shiva way (transformation/purification through destruction) as opposed to the Vishnu way (Healing through preservation). I hope that makes sense... Thanks for the questions... Mike

Hi Sundragon, Thanks for the feedback. I am glad the postures are working for you... It sounds like your mantra practice and meditation will work well with the exercises. Some mantras are different than others in their energy or function, so it is good to make sure that when someone mixes different energy practices that one tests to make sure that the energies are compatible. I used to send a warning notice for people not to mix practices. But, I myself do mix different traditions together, but I do my best to make sure that the energies are compatible. Some are not. And as I said, the Shang Ch'ing practices, IME, tend to increase the power of any other exercise. So, just keep an eye on your energy levels. If you are feeling more peace and meditative serenity, that is a good sign. If you start to feel ungrounded, cranky, headachy or sleepless, those are signs that the energy is too intense and you may need to back off on something or stop one of the practices... Sounds like you doing OK, though... Yes, these practices are not exactly like some other qigong where one needs to build up the energy. This practice is more about releasing the potential energy within and at the higher levels is more of a shamanic practice where one opens up to the ancestral and celestial energies and let them flow through you. That is my experience anyway... IME, the energy is of a very high frequency. "Shang Ch'ing" is sometimes translated as Great Purity, but my favorite translation is "The Realm of Pure Energy" meaning the heaven of Shang Ch'ing is itself a repository of heavenly Chi... This is what it feels like to me when I do the practices... Thanks again for the feedback. Mike

You make some good points sloppy. I've said my peace and I'm done... My intent was to see if any current practitioners of the DVDs wanted to start a TTB's thread with questions concerning the practices. If I have to wade through unrelated stuff from those who have not practiced the exercises... Well, I have better things to do with my time... So, any current students interested in discussing the practices is welcome to join the Thunderwizard forum on the thunderwizardwebsite. I have absorbed my Shang Ch'ing Teachings into that discipline anyways... Any one else with honest questions for me can email me... Gotta go. Private student at the door...

Never mind...

The "right" way?...Sorry guys, I can't give you any proof or verification on anything. I am claiming to have trained in the Shang Ch'ing sect. If you are interested in who they were, then do google search on "Shang Ch'ing" or "Shang Qing" or "Shang Ch'ing Taoism" But, what will that prove? Nothing. It won't prove that I have trained in Shang Ch'ing methods. I personally don't care what sect this stuff comes from. What I care about is that it WORKS. I have not solicited any of the comments you read here. That is their personal experience based solely on their practice of the methods I am teaching... If we are done with typical passive aggressive Tao bums diversion tactics and slander, maybe we can get this thread back onto it's original track which is peoples' personal experiences with the practices in the DVDs.

Thanks Sundragon for your kind words... I'm glad you are enjoying the practices... Yes, In my experience, the Shang Ch'ing exercises tend to exponentially increase the power of any other energy work you are doing. So, please be careful with mantra japa. I am also a mantra yogi and I have found that mantra work becomes hundreds of times more powerful after Celestial Qigong. While this is encouraging, it can also be dangerous. I have blown a couple of circuits in my day. So, please, be aware of your energy levels and if you notice the energy getting too strong, please either reduce your mantra repetitions or be sure to separate the Celestial Qigong and mantra practices.... Everyone is different, so just keep an eye on what happens and err on the side of caution... Thanks again sundragon for your interest and your feedback... I have been getting alot of good feedback lately from people practicing these DVDs and the Teutonic Shamanism practices. So if anyone else has had good experience with these practices, you are welcome to share them with us on TTb's. If other practitioners have questions, I am willing to start a thread on TTB's concerning questions about the practices on the DVD or the ThunderWizard practices... Blessings, Mike

In order to crack this nut, it is important to go beyond book knowledge, surface symbols, beyond cultural limitations and find the Universal application and look at this phenomenon holographically, IMO, if these sciences are not Universally applicable, they are just intellectual ideas... Those who have experienced the power of the Elements or phases know firsthand these are not just intellectual ideas... But to make the connection one must go beyond the symbolism and explore the functions of these processes in order to see the correlation between Western (Which includes Vedic/East Indian Elements)... To find their universal application outside of their cultural definitions, one must be willing to think Universally and holographically... making cursory comparisons based on book knowledge will not solve the questions.. Just because the Chinese refer to the Elements also as "phases" does not negate their universal connection to what is referred to in Western terms as Elements. "Phases" is another description of the holographic function of the Elements. Another aspect of Elements is their function in terms of energy manifestors. Wood/Ether - Expanding Energy Metal/Air - Contracting Energy Fire - Rising Energy Water - Descending Earth - Condensing Energy Wood is Liver and Hun souls, the highest of earthly energies. Liver is connected to the planet Jupiter which is expansive in Nature in both Taoist and Hindu thought. Inhalation is done through expansion of lungs and energizes the body. But, too much expansion is not good, so Metal counteracts it with Contraction. The Exhalation releases toxins while energizing the Wei Chi/ Aura through the contraction of the lungs. Metal is connected to Lungs, so there is the connection of metal to the Air Element. the connections of Fire, water and earth are pretty recognizable, so there is little confusion there. The only confusion is the confusion of TERMS Metal with Air and Wood and Ether. Once one can see the similarities in FUNCTION rather than symbolic terms, the Universal connection is pretty clear...