Sloppy Zhang

Yeah, but my concern isn't so much of purposefully doing it outside so that people see me. It's doing it when I need to do it and people seeing me by accident. The first time (and only time) I did the mudra in public was because I hadn't done any practice for a while and wanted to get stuff done, because I knew as soon as I got home I'd have to do homework then get to bed for the next day. That was my only time to practice. Then I was seen by accident and was worried about it. Being noticed was not part of the plan. I don't know if it was exactly an ego thing, but it was just a concern I had, on top of the different feeling that accompanied it.

Thanks for the insights everyone there have been many great responses that have revealed things that never even crossed my mind! If anyone else has something they'd like to share, feel free to do so as well I never thought to think of it that way, thanks scotty Both great points. So if I didn't care that people are watching, if I were "sealed" in my practice, and if I wasn't doing it so other people would take notice, then it wouldn't matter if I did it in public?

I'm good at visualizing. Since I was a kid I have been able to create entire settings, using all five senses, all in my head. It helped me run scenarios, practice telling jokes, go over speeches I had to give, imagine meeting new people. Terrible for running energy. It was like the mental process went on top of the energy, and pretty much squashed it. Now, that's just for me. Relaxation for me is most important. I've always been a "mellow" person, so I found that relaxation techniques are right up my alley. And relaxation, I feel, leads to other things. When you relax and let go of everything, you can naturally focus on one thing (stay attentive). Not because you are focused on one thing, but because you have let go of everything else, so that only the thing you want remains. I will agree with what other people have said- visualization is really about intent. The word visualization suggests a definition which is a little bit different from what most people mean when they say "visualize" (at least I think). What they mean is closer to "intent", but it is also like a feeling. I guess if you ever take Japanese martial arts from a Japanese instructor, a lot of times they will do a technique and say, "it's done with this type of feeling." They are trying to say the same thing, I think, as westerners when we say "visualize" or "imagine". So if a technique is done by avoiding the attack, but sticking to the opponent, a westerner might say, "imagine that you are like water", or "imagine that you are like air, and can easily breeze past a strike while staying close". But a Japanese might say, "water conforms to a vessel, and air constantly stays in contact, but doesn't stop movement, the technique is done with this type of feeling." In energetic practices one might say, "visualize/imagine energy spiraling through your body." Or, as a Japanese might say, "energy spirals through the body, it's that kind of feeling". It's an experience. And it's that experience that you seek to bring into your practice. Which is your intent. But it's also not just the intent that's like, "I want to cross the street." It's something you do with your being. If that makes sense.

Be sure to close, let go of any energy that is attached to you after the practice. Also, aside from qigong, try to do at least some basic stretches and exercises. Check your diet, try to eat healthier. The thing with qigong is that, on top of getting new energy, it allows you to perceive things that are already there- and sometimes the energy that is already there is stagnant, unhealthy. We realize how poorly we take care of ourselves. Since I've started qigong, I've realized how bad my posture is, how certain foods make me physically sick to eat, while other foods powerfully energize me, what parts of my body are weak and in need of exercise or stretching, etc. All of this stuff was already there, I just wasn't aware of it.

I dunno, I hate to be the one to bring up the "K" word, but on the kunlunbliss website there is that story of Kan having a spinal cord injury healing by holding "embrace the ball" hand posture.... while he laid in bed and watched tv no less! Don't know about the veracity of the claim, but it seems to me like in some cases we over-complicate a problem, thinking we can't do something when, in fact, we probably could. But I don't have that many healing stories of my own to share so... yeah.

Orgasm and ejaculation are two separate processes, with different muscles and stuff involved in each action. It's been a while since I did my research on this, but look around the net and study the human anatomy involved in the process if you want to know the names of the specific muscles and functions involved. Basically, ejaculation is usually triggered by orgasm. But you can reach a point where you orgasm, then "calm down" as it were- you still have the sensation of orgasm, but without the ejaculation. Best way to do this would be to work on that "plateau" area. Get arouse to the point or orgasm/ejaculation, then stop, wait a while, then start again, get to the point of no return, then stop. Pretty much work on lengthening the time it takes to get to the "point of no return", then work on lengthening the amount of time you can stay at the point of no return without ejaculating. Eventually you will reach a point where you work yourself up, have an orgasm, but don't ejaculate. From that point, it's a matter of heightening those feelings so you can get a full orgasm without ejaculating. It all comes down to practice The best tip for success is relax, especially at that point of no return. If you suddenly tense up, then you are going to ejaculate. It's just how it works. Eventually you will have a very distinct feelings of all the muscles that are involved, and can actually control when you want to ejaculate and when you don't. You can even ejaculate without having an orgasm, it's just a matter of being able to control the muscles when you need to. However, about semen absorption and stuff. Even if you do not arouse yourself, the body produces semen. After a while, once you are filled up, and if you still don't ejaculate, the semen starts to break down, and be reabsorbed by the body. You don't have to arouse yourself and then "retain". If you don't arouse yourself you are keeping in all the nutrients, or all the energy, or whatever it is you want to retain, but without some risks of the more "arousing" methods, which have been gone over again and again on this site. Unless you are having super frequent sex, or super frequent masturbation, worrying about orgasm without ejaculation isn't a big deal (in my humble opinion) as far as energy/spiritual cultivation, but it does have nice effects when it comes to the duration of your sexual performance, which is still a great benefit. But again, unless you are super sexually active, I don't think it's a big deal to worry about. As long as you aren't blowing your load every couple of hours, your body will keep everything it needs to where it needs to for as long as it needs to.

Yes, this is a big issue for me. It's very hard to find people who will teach a technique, but not get too detailed into the kind of results it produces. On the one hand, it's good to have markers to know when you are making progress. On the other, it's hard to know if these bits of knowledge are defining your experiences. I like to learn a technique, save the writing or teaching somewhere, do it for a while, then go back and read later sections of it. This is also one of the reasons why I avoid certain topics, like astral projection. When I get around to astral projecting myself, I want to have my own experiences and keep them as independent from others as I can possibly get. But at the same time, I need to learn a bit about the topic before I get started (or do I....? another question for another topic ) so I gotta pick and choose which info to risk it on. When I am sharing methods with other people, I am very careful to just share the method, and not talk too much about my own personal experiences, unless directly asked or if it comes up in a conversation based on them sharing theirs, simply because I want them to experience stuff on their own. HOWEVER, at the same time, it is very possible to CAUSE certain effects simply through repetition. Franz Bardon's system in particular focuses on this particular bit of "universal law". By performing a certain ritual or visualization intently enough for a long enough time, you build up a certain amount of "force" behind it, and that force helps gives enough energy to the magical operation to cause the desired effect. For beginners it takes a long time to get used to working with willpower like this, but for an advanced practitioner it's quite easy. But then it leads us back to the original question: is there ANYTHING outside of this universe that ISN'T within the realms of our expectations? "When layer is put upon layer, when all is a facade, within a web of deception; the truth is what you make it." -R.A. Salvatore So, ya know, stuff to think about I guess.

Well seeing as how everyone says psychic powers are connected to the third eye, if you can open your third eye then I assume you have some sort of distinct psychic awareness.

My fault actually, I went back and edited in the second half, because I realized I had forgotten to address your post Well if it's too debilitating, then I agree you should probably cut out some of the more gruesome headlines. I also don't think you should take on more than you can handle, which is why I think z00se had some good advice- as SOON AS IT STARTS practice letting go. Have you read any of B.K. Frantzis' stuff? He teaches a method of dissolving and letting go which I think is perfect for this situation. It encourages you to examine the feeling, and really focus on it, and focus on how it affects you, while at the same time allowing you to release whatever it is- it's helped me a lot in a lot of situations. It is pretty much the application of the "water eroding a rock" metaphor. Gentle, and if it gets too much for you, you can always take a step (or ten steps) back and try whenever you feel more comfortable. I would also suggest learning to "open up" other parts of your body. Maybe part of the problem is that it is too centralized. You get so much energy in the heart region, it can't go anywhere. But if you can find a way to open up the rest of your body, and let that energy circulate, you might be able to handle it better. Increase the "surface area" of the impact, as it were, to lessen the blow As for feeling revulsion.... try to find and feel more happy things. Try to connect with people, have fun, enjoy it, relax, do whatever you enjoy doing. Try to connect with people, maybe get into a relationship, or if you are already in one, try deepening that. Try to find the inner light and compassion within yourself (even if it gives you problems occasionally), then try to see that light in everyone else. If all you see and feel are dark, depressing things, it is going to give you a pretty bad worldview (that doesn't change the fact that there are a lot of bad things in the world), it's just, there are lots of good things in the world too, don't miss out on them

I'm sorry.... but..... what? I think there has has been some inappropriate equating of meanings here.... since when is the path of the tao "easy"? Since when is running away from a problem part of the tao? I think there has been some confusion about "effortless effort", "paths of least resistance" (the way water flows), and things of that nature.... If you want to deal with something or overcome it, you are going to have to face it. Water eroding a rock doesn't avoid the rock.... it goes around it, over it, both of which, at least in English (quite regrettably) seem to connote "avoidance"... but keep in mind that all the while water is in constant contact with the rock on all sides. Constantly flows over it. It doesn't avoid the rock- it continually strikes it for years. It doesn't get hung up on the rock, but the rock doesn't get off easy. Just because it is big and rough and water goes around, rather than through, doesn't mean the rock isn't eroded after a period of time. And let's not forget how outright destructive "water" paths can be, or have you forgotten the super strong tsunamis of the past? Sorry if it feels like I'm singling you out, I'm not, I just feel very uncomfortable with some of the words in your post. Phoenix- if you want to address this problem, you are in for some serious self reflection, and going deep inside yourself, something I feel you have already started to do. Good job on examining other parts of your body. Also, something to think about- we live in a very "closed" society. People don't even really "feel" much anymore. It's not a requirement for being "successful" in society (as far as society's definition is concerned), and for the people who can feel, most of them are discouraged from doing so. So perhaps rather than feeling too much, you are just plain starting to feel. But it is new and making you feel uncomfortable. There are a lot of sad things in the world, and I don't think many of us react appropriately. Sure a lot of us go, "oh wow, that's so sad." But how many of us are actually sad? How many of us truly question the world we live in, and why we are here, and why things are the way they are, based on what they have seen in the news? There is so much in our society that is just appearance. It's all about whether you "look" sad. But when you actually ARE sad... well, that's not productive to society, and in many cases, it's time for therapy to get you "work ready". Not to be all dark clouds, there are lots of happy things in the world too best not to feel too much of one thing, but don't stop feeling things just because they are sad, in my humble opinion.

Who's to say you don't already have various entities, thought forms, and other "creatures" sucking your chi, or feeding off your emotions, compulsive habits, behaviors, etc etc already, but you just haven't realized it? I'd rather know.

Drove right out through the front?

Yeah, I agree with this. It's surprising how many high level people are here, how many people who've been with meditation/qigong for years are how, and how many book authors that are here, and are ready and willing to discuss their ideas. I think it's kind of lame how people who don't agree with these guys come across quite rudely, in my humble opinion. If you don't like a practice or think something should be done in another way, there are plenty of ways to phrase it more politely, and actually have a conversation to share information and swap opinions. Or, if you don't want to do that, just don't say anything. If people get the idea that this place is hostile, they are going to quit posting and everyone will suffer.

I totally agree with you (in case you didn't see my thread, I'm all about psychic powers ).... But if you want to be a marathon runner, you have to start with stuff you can safely do. Being able to open and close stuff comes with having good control over the energy, a skill that is built over time by the right practice. I don't know about the word or phrase he used in Chinese, and whether it conveys the proper meaning, but saying "force open the third eye" implies that you don't necessarily have the control to open it in the normal way, so you run the risk of putting energy through something you can't control. But again that could be a translation issue

Psychic powers. Impatience, ignorance of the consequences, overestimating one's own abilities, and overall immaturity.

I agree it looks simple, but one of the first steps after setting the whole thing up is, "force open your third eye". So unless you can do that, and know you can do that, then the rest of the exercise, as simple as it is, will be pointless. You need to at least have a way to force open your third eye before you even start the practice.

Yeah, I agree.

Well qi follows yi, and if you focus enough intent on a certain location, energy is going to flow their. If you are focusing properly on the third eye, then you will direct more energy there than would naturally be there, "forcing" it open.... though I assume the amount of "force" depends on the type of practice you are doing and the amount of energy you are working with. But the way he uses the phrase in the video sort of assumes that you can already do it.

Putting the tongue to the roof of the mouth is how you connect the two main paths of the microcosmic orbit- one going up the back and around the top of the head, and the other going down the front of the chest. Having your tongue in that position ensures that the energy can freely and safely flow through the full circuit. And as you get to higher levels and start handling more energy, yeah, having everything flow smoothly is pretty important.

To get psychic powers.

Pretty cool clip, but I wonder about some of the throws- a few of them seemed a little wide, and the camera angles in a few places seemed pretty fishy. As much as it's called "fight science", I don't think they want to embarrass any martial artists on the show, and then alienate the rest.

Meditation is hard, spiritual cultivation is hard, life in general is hard.... I'm not that worried about it.

Great post blasto!

All right, so I have found that really good dan tien breathing is a mixture of a few things, which you pretty much put into effect simultaneously: 1) Feel energy go down your throat past your lungs and into the dantien. You can start by feeling the air, but even more important is feeling the subtle energy that is carried by the air, and it's THAT which is drawn into the dantien. 2) Try feeling your dantien as a lung, as in, when you breath, focus on expanding the dantien and allowing air to flow into it (while again, feeling the energy from point 1) 3) Relax, and rather than "breathing air into you", relax, expand your lungs and your belly, and allow the air to come into you naturally. Things go where there is a void, and as your lungs expand, air rushes in to fill that space, it's how breathing works. Using your belly to breathe helps clear more space for your lungs to expand, thus getting you more air. So don't think so much about "drawing in breath", but on "allowing breath".

I would say to keep up with Frantzis' stuff, even if you continue doing other methods. The thing with Frantzis is that, in the beginning dissolving stages, he really discourages visualization, and puts an emphasis on feeling. So when you get to a deep meditative state, and a memory comes up, or an emotion comes up, try not to categorize it, don't get all caught up in what element it falls under, or how it relates. Instead, turn off your "monkey mind" and just feel. What does it feel like? How does it change you physiologically? (like does your breath change, do certain small muscles start twitching, etc) Does there seem to be a corresponding area of tension somewhere in your body that you are drawn to whenever you feel that? Then home in on that, and work on dissolving. I only have the books, and the only things he covers in the books are physical, qi, and emotional. So focus on where the body is tensing with a certain emotion, and relax that. Try to feel how that emotion messes up your "energy", and try and stabilize that through dissolving. Then work on getting down into how that emotion causes other emotional/mental tension, and work on clearing that up. Sometimes after you have completely released the physical or the qi, as soon as some memory or emotion comes up, it will cause new tension in the previous levels, which can be frustrating, but it means you are making progress, it means you are getting to the deep stuff that you normally aren't ever aware of, and which is very hard to access just by "thinking about it." The thing I really like about Frantzis' methods is that they really take you inside, deep inside. You hear a lot of talk about internal space, and how there is an infinitely large universe inside (the microcosm) as there is on the outside (macrocosm), and Frantzis' stuff will really take you there