JohnC

I'm going to email him to ask about mixing yin and yang and xian tian.... as I understand it the xian tian is microcosmic orbit right?

The technicality of Damo's understanding is awesome. From the highlighted quote above, he talks about mixing yin and yang, versus the microcosmic orbit (xian tian) of alchemy. ... I would love him to talk a lot more about all of that. I imagine he will soon in his books.

Highlights: Those studying Daoism have a great challenge ahead of them as they are trying to silence the acquired nature and contact their true consciousness whilst living in a world which is essentially run and directed towards strengthening the acquired mind. In order to effectively go deep into our practice we have to be able to see beyond the shackles of our own society and not allow it to form who we are. I think that if more and more people are able to do this then Daoism will have a bright future. If people are not able to do this then we will see an increasing movement towards schools which resemble McDonalds in their approach to teaching. --- In the next stage the student should aim to move the lower Dan Tien so that it begins to ‘wake up’. At this point we are starting to generate a rotation in the lower abdomen. Many schools of both Qi Gong and Taiji actually have practices for this contained within them but people are unaware of their purpose leaving them with empty movements. When the Dan Tien turns it causes the lower abdomen to shake and twitch a bit. It is also common for the lower abdomen and waist to temporarily make sudden physical jerks to the left and right which can look like a strong twitch to an onlooker. This is the energy body and the physical body starting to learn how to work as a unit. It should take place during your practice for a few months only and then begin to settle down. When it is fully rotating it is visibly moving beneath the muscles of your lower abdomen and when another person places their hand upon your body they can feel it moving. This stage takes a little longer but it is not actually very difficult, it just requires patience. The functions at this stage involve efficient circulation of information around the body but at this stage it is still Hou Tian post Heaven Qi which is shifting. After this you have the divide in practice. Do you A: try and bring Yin and Yang to this point and get them to combine, or do you B: rotate the energy to open the Mai and then move on to the Xian Tian practices as in the alchemical schools? This is partly personal preference and partly due to which teachings you can get access to! ---

Awwwweeeesoooome.

Buckle Up. My 10-day experience was like a concentration camp. Everything was beautiful, the food great.... but man it was difficult for me. I loved it though. John

Yea I was going to say... I usually just go and practice next to the tree, and I very quickly feel the energy body of the tree expand and connect with me. Usually feels awesome. John

Why did you remove your post? Friend's reply was awesome... but I'm not sure what it's about.

Awesome, thanks for the reply. I've noticed some of this, definitely the energizing effects. John

Wow... awesome that he does 4 month long retreats... I'd love to be able to do that. Some day soon... John

Awesome... dig his books.

Hey guys, What is the difference between chan, and zen? Then further what is the difference between those two and taoism? I'm just curious as it seems like chan is zen with energy work? Or at least more emphasis on energy in the body? But both are focused on the mind, and taoism focuses more on the body? John

It looks like he is to me. I'm seeing pulling and pushing with intent and it occurs like a field..

Man... this looks awesome. I could use a barber like that right about now.

Weight training and qi gong are just training different aspects of your mind and body, and they are a total compliment. In weight training, the only thing I would stress is alignment... so you don't hurt yourself. Beyond that any training is beneficial for you. There are ways that target your whole body and create integral strength and there are ways that build muscle in different areas. How you life though is largely determined by your intent. Don't sweat lactic acid build up, as your body will naturally process it out as long as you stay hydrated. If it becomes to much of an issue, take an L-citrulline or eat some watermelon. The acidic buildup is not a problem. Just eat healthy, stretch, and practice. If you do have old injuries, seeing someone to help out with those is huuugely beneficial, and qi gong will support that as well. Preferably someone trained in energy healing, and someone trained in physical rehab/healing. John

I dig it.

And I was adding that it fits for the seasons, and has been my experience.

Awesome for the seasons. Wood - spring - Liver - Anger - Green stuff Fire - summer - Heart - Joy/mania - Red stuff Earth - Late summer - spleen/stomach - Worry - Brownish stuff Autumn - Metal - Lungs - Grief - White stuff Winter - Water - Kidneys - Fear - Blue/purplish stuff

I would change this question to "Has anything been lost?", without assuming something has been lost. Then I agree with it.

Awesome guys thanks for all the replies.... and please keep the discussion going. I'm finding it very interesting.

It doesn't matter.

Great.. then pick a number everyone decides on and label them a certified teacher. The point is indicating someone has experience, and understanding.

Have a 'certified teacher' label maybe.. with some mod powers in their own threads. That the mod team approves. (teacher for 5-10 years.. or whatever required) Most of the problem though is immaturity, and a lack of respect for different people's opinions on the nature of the universe. This is most of the harassment posts we see of, "NO THAT ISN'T HOW THIS IS IN THE WORLD, IT'S ACTUALLY LIKE THIS!' Same issue amongst different religion/bible groups. How to solve that? Not sure... ban the shit out of anyone that even hints at a lack of respect for another persons belief? John

I don't omit anything. If anything I make sure to be very inclusive of my whole body and spine. It sounds like your trying to avoid lighting up your kundalini... in which case yea you would have to be careful with your spine. Do you have anything to ground yourself out (just sitting?, zhan zhuang?)? John

Yea, I'd love to hear it. Up on soundcloud? John

To chime in, Don't sweat it, you'll be fine. Standing practice can only help. If you were develop to that point, you'd have developed to the degree that you would also understand your energy so you would know what not to do. Aka with power comes understanding as you practice. Your going to spend a time shedding and releasing sick chi. So enjoy, and relax. John