thelerner

I think its fine. With 2 caveats. One don't over do it, take it slow. Working up to 15, 20 or 30 minutes is great and should take some time. While you're building up, see if there are any Tai Chi, chi gung even yoga or martial art people who have experience and can give you pointers to how you stand. 2nd, Some people are very energy sensitive. They'll get more sensations, heat and movement faster and harder then an average beginner. The good news is they can go far and fast with an experienced teacher. The bad new is they are way more likely to suffer bad effects from working without regular instruction. Most people don't fall into this category and if you do and there's no teacher around you can imo still practice but keep it short, do lots of grounding (long walks, exercise, seated emptiness meditation). Don't push hard until you've got good instruction and feedback.

A warm welcome to the site. A woman in my writers group has an autistic child. Its been a hard fought battle, but she's gotten him into some first rate programs. Don't hesitate to post questions, but always remember to take the various answers with due caution. You will now be able to post freely in the forum but before getting started we ask that you take a look at the two posts pinned at the top of the Lobby and read the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.co...um-terms-rules/ This covers all that you need be aware of when getting started. Yours Michael

great link source.

and this reminds me of Healing Tao's Ocean Breathing practice. Stand, arms down, hands a few inches from lower dan tien like they're gently cupping it. As one breathe in: from lower dan tien imagine water expanding from infintesimal point larger and larger til it becomes like an ocean. Your arms move out, floating as the water increases until they are nearly shoulder high. As breath reaches its fullest you slightly rise on your toes, feeling your body floating in a sea of chi. hold there for a moment. Then as the breath goes out, your arms slowly return down til they're a few inches from your center. The ocean of chi returns until it is an infinitesimal point. Repeat. Nice simple gi gung practice. Its the beginning of a Michael Winn Fundamental series I like. You can probably find better descriptions of this online somewhere.

Welcome EFS. There should be many things on the board to interest you. I'd direct you to the Healing subsection in the General forum. A good source for advice, but as always with the internet, check things out through professional sources. You will be able to post freely now but we ask that you read the two posts pinned at the top of the Lobby and take a look at the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.co...um-terms-rules/ This covers all that you need be aware of when getting started. Good luck and best wishes, thelerner

Glad to have you onboard. Time to become a poster and discusser . Please tell us a little more about yourself. Any of your practices and interests. You will be able to post freely now but we ask that you read the two posts pinned at the top of the Lobby and take a look at the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.co...um-terms-rules/ This covers all that you need be aware of when getting started. Good luck and best wishes, thelerner

Welcome to the Tao Bums. Its always nice to have experienced Tai Chi players onboard. You will be able to post freely now but we ask that you read the two posts pinned at the top of the Lobby and take a look at the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.co...um-terms-rules/ This covers all that you need be aware of when getting started. Good luck and best wishes, thelerner

Hello and welcome to the forum. Sorry we took a while to give the okay. I fully understand not giving personal information, but would you care to talk a little bit about any practices or interests you have? Please take the time to read the two posts pinned at the top of the lobby and take a look at the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.co...um-terms-rules/ This covers all that you need be aware of. Good luck and best wishes, Michael

I guess it depends on what brought the misfortune on. If it was caused by foolishness not so great. But if was due to taking a calculated risk, striving for something good, taking on a hard task and failing, that's not so bad. That's the stuff that makes you stronger. There's a third category. The shit happens through no fault of your own. Will it make you stronger or weaker, that all depends on how you allow it to effect you. Are you mentally and spiritually tough enough to take it and keep going?

For all the minor bickering, this has been a worthwhile discussion.

Nice.

I like what de_paradise wrote. Writing out and recording hypnotic scripts is good. There are examples on the internet. Sometimes its called wide awake hypnosis. This is a bit of a tangent, but training yourself to write without self editing is a way to look into the subconscious. It may not program it, like self hypnosis, but it reveals inner content. The process is simple, just write out 2 pages each morning (This is writer's Julia Cameron's technique). Write without stopping, just do mental dump. It takes a while to get rid of the editor who plans and corrects, but once you do, you can re-read your stuff and analyze how crazy the writer is. See there hang ups and problems.

True, but there's also synergy. Where 1 + 1 is 3. We're stronger and better with the other.

When you find a system that clicks with you and provides personal growth.. its a beautiful thing. Welcome aboard.

I'd say something like 'You seem like quite a traditionalist. On the Tao Bums we're mostly philosophic taoists (if that). What do we lose by not going a more traditional route? What lessons did you get from Taoists priests that we aren't exposed to on the secular side?

Mod Message: Tempted fate and Fate one, Captain 0. Currently suspended for mass spamming of site. Future status under consideration.

Otis, great to see you here. Its been a while and you've been missed. Thanks for the link.

My recollection is that this is like forum operates like a cafeteria, no privilege for teachers comes down from Sean. He created this site, kept it alive, spent countless hours on it and its become if not a huge success, a pretty good one. Ultimately this site is Seans house, we merely play in it. We can make suggestions, but need to respect his rules.

I'm a fan of your PPF. I'm sorry you've erased some dynamic analysis of Mo Pai. I'd rather have someone post a single line to a thread that says, 'Newbies beware, caveat emptor..etc.,' then have people post multiple troll-like comments.

I'll create a thread on this in the Office section. Possible pitfalls of energy practice, practitioner beware, practically every statement should be preferenced w/ In My Opinion but isn't. We can check what we say to new members now and discuss new Warnings wording etc., Maybe if people get into the habit of posting to the initial Warning post, it'll come off as less confrontation.

{Not posting as mod} Interesting that this appears on a thread that includes how teachers leave due to trolls. You've taken a post from SoG's PPF and rewritten the same argument you posted there. I think thats a little trolly. Maybe you've got a point and he should post a warning every now and then, but its his thread, his system, his thinking. If you don't agree with it. You can post a warning, then leave it alone and let him do his thing and you do yours. Personally I think SoG is a man with experience and some deep knowledge. I like his posts. Its interesting to learn about and try new techniques sometimes.

Links are good. Here is the methodology from the article: THE BASIC QIGONG WALK by Dr Amir Farid Isahak The Anti-Cancer Qigong There are many variations of the Qigong Walk, each with certain benefits for different organ systems. They are all modifications of the basic walk ( also called ‘natural walk’ ), which is itself actually an extension of the basic Qigong stance. There are five parts of the walk that are different from our usual walk, and these changes ensure that the mind is always aware of all the actions ( movements and breathing ) during the walk, and qi flow is enhanced. 1) THE FOOTSTEP When we walk, most of us do so almost in a flat-footed manner, with the front part of the foot only minimally inclined upwards as we take each step. Some are actually flat-footed while others drag their feet. In the Qigong walk, we deliberately step on our heel, with the foot inclined about 30 degrees upwards as we take each step. Doing so is particularly good for qi flow in the kidney meridian channels, which is essential for general health. Note that the legs are always relaxed and slightly bent at the knees. If you straighten and stiffen your legs, and do the Qigong step, you will be walking Nazi-style. 2) THE ARM SWING In our usual walk, we swing the opposite arm forward as we take each step. This swing is automatic. Nobody walks normally without moving the arms. In the Qigong Walk, the arms are swung to the front of the body instead, with the hands coming near the lower main energy centre ( Dan Tien ) which is situated about three fingerbreadths below the navel ( and about the same distance internally ). On the backswing, the hands come beside the buttocks but not as far back as in the usual walk. There are differences in the hand position for those with health problems. For healthy people, the palms face the body, whereas they face the ground or upwards for different diseases. For some diseases, the fingers point downwards. 3) MODIFIED BREATHING When we walk, our breathing is so spontaneous that we hardly think about it. In the Qigong Walk, the breathing is made mindful by modifying the inhalation. We inhale twice ( two sniffs ) and then exhale as usual. It is possible to do so only with conscious-breathing. Breathing is through the nose, with the tongue always touching the upper palate. The breathing is coordinated with the footstep, and since the latter is coordinated with the arm-swing, all three components are therefore consciously coordinated. In the basic walk, the inhalation is simultaneous with the foot that takes the first step. Males start with the left foot, and females with the right. As explained previously, there are differences in the Yin and Yang ( female and male ) qi. 4) SIDEWAYS BODY SWING In our usual walk, we actually swing the body very slightly to balance it as we lift each leg alternately to step forward. This is necessary since the centre of gravity is shifted as we lift each leg. In the Qigong Walk, the swing is exaggerated, and becomes obvious if the walk is done slowly. 5) HEAD TURNING In the basic Qigong Walk, we turn the head about 60 degrees sideways every 2,4,6 or 8 steps ( usually 4 ). This is coordinated with the feet, with the head always turning towards the side of the foot that is in front. This will facilitate the incorporation of modifications when the variations of the Qigong Walk are learned later. During the Qigong Walk, look into the distant horizon and not at your feet. Initially, walk at whatever pace is comfortable for you. Different paces are recommended for different diseases. The proper starting stance is unique but will not be described here. It will certainly be taught if you learn from an instructor. This basic Qigong Walk is an excellent exercise for everyone to increase qi quickly. Twenty minutes of walking with inhalation on one foot, followed by another 20 minutes with inhalation on the other foot ( a short standing exercise with arm movements is done in between ) is the minimum exercise recommended. Another 20 minutes of stationary or other walking exercises will complete the required 1 hour of Qigong daily that is necessary to maintain optimum health. Those with serious illnesses and cancers have to do up to 4 hours a day to reverse their diseases. This is usually split into morning and evening sessions, with plenty of rest in between each exercise. If they are too weak, they start with whatever they can cope with and increase the duration gradually. Those who are bed-ridden or immobile can start with the stationary exercises first ( standing, sitting or even lying down ). It is not difficult to do the various Qigong Walks for longer durations because you do not get tired if you walk correctly, and you do not get bored if you walk among the fresh air, trees and interesting sceneries found in the parks and lake gardens. You will feel refreshed and charged-up with health-giving internal energy after each session. It is truly amazing that just modifying the components of our usual walk has made it possible to reverse serious and terminal diseases. In Malaysia alone, every Sunday morning, many terminal-cancer survivors and several hundred non-terminal-cancer survivors do the Qigong Walk in the various parks all over the country. And there are many more cancer patients diligently practising in the hope of defeating the disease. Every week scores of cancer patients are joining these groups after hearing about what Qigong can do for them. However, you should not wait until you get cancer to start practising Qigong. Prevention is better than cure, and you will gain health, vitality, rejuvenation and longevity in the process. Dr Amir Farid Isahak Is this similar to what you consider qi walking? If not how is it different? The picture from the site makes it look a bit dancelike. I know Glenn Morris had a version that was a bit apelike with arms moving w/ the same leg, unlike conventional walking. Also I'm assuming in most qi gong walking the forward foot comes down lightly w/ no weight on it, then the weight transfers. Thanks Michael

I was hoping this was the case. We are lucky to have a man of your experience here. I collect guided meditation and I really enjoy listening to Master Chen's voice. {see but do not see. know but do not know.}

What's UMB? B=Breath.. ? U = Unsullied M = R Martin

Thank you both. There's much truth to both viewpoints. You want to encourage learning and adventure as well as warn of the shucksterism and pit falls. I've enjoyed the blog and audio CD's from Master Chen at Wudangtao (http://wudangtao.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=52&Itemid=163), but as far as authenticity, I don't know.. I like'em, but I'm from another culture, 2,000 miles away. He could be a kid in a basement. Still I like'em and I've learned from them.