JohnC

Isn't zhan zhuang one of the most universal foundations of taoist practice? And isn't it really powerful but really simple? Why isn't this more talked about, better documented, or... anything. It's like this amazing thing that people overlook. Is it it's own system? I've heard that it is a complete one, but extremely complex? Correct me if I'm wrong... Thanks, John

Teachers that have their third eye open, also claim the dantien is behind the navel, like Master Lin from Spring Forest Qigong.

Master Lin would likely recommend that you dedicate yourself to a lineage and teacher rather than mix and match, because you are developing according to the intent of the lineage and mixing can delay your growth because the different development intentions don't always align. Once you have developed far enough, you can pick whatever you have a lot more flexibility in practice, but till then to maximize your growth pick one.

I've generally heard that norther schools focus on the upper dantien, and southern lower, although don't have anything to support that. It does seem like spiritual schools focus quickly on the upper dantien, examples being Yan Xin, Chun Yi Lin, Yuan Ming Zhang.

Master Lin was trained by Master Zhang. He has talked about it in his book, and in some of his videos. I'd be surprised to hear any copying or plagiarism, as the karmic impact would be dire. Master Zhang seems to me to be a VERY qualified master.

I've seen a few systems that follow this route. Thanks for the share @beijaflor!

I'm surprised to hear you all have had little to no effect with Zhineng. I had some very powerful effects and found it to be an amazing and high quality practice. It was the first qigong I've ever practiced and had some blockage openings and very strong qi sensations practicing. Was one of the first eye opening experiences that all this was very cool. Speculatively, it seems like they lean on the group to strengthen the qi field to support results. It was visually difficult for me at the beginning as well, and as well felt mentally exhausting. As I've developed in the practice, it is now energizing.... and feels great. Hope you all find practices that align with and are effective for you.

To share a different opinion, Master Lin of SFQG says qigong is great for kids, and because they are young and still developing. Also if they have accumulated any blockages they work them out very quickly. He also said, they tend to develop very quickly because of those points as well.

Look dude, if you want input you are going to have to ask your questions, and hope you get some quality answers. There are serious seekers here, but they are only going to waste their time so much with someone who wants them to jump through your hoop.

Every suggestion so far has been stellar. Big bump to Masters Adam, Damo and Liao. I've heard nothing but quality from all three of those.

It is both. Complicated and not. Some lineages are VERY specific in the things they do and the steps for progress. While I've been a part of a lineage, that you kick off the practice and let things go and it takes care of everything. I think the lineage, and practice matter more.

Thorne SF-722 Thorne Undecyn

Zhan zhuang is great for foundation. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjtDblJralUDcVXdysISHpA

My recommendations for you: Nathan Brine Damo Mitchell Chun Yi lin All are online, although at some point you will want to visit them. What is it that you think restoring yuan qi will get you? I would most recommend that you find a lineage because restoring yuan qi and other things will be taken care of as you progress in a long lineage. Good luck.

Interesting analysis from a Portland acupuncturist: http://www.tigersplayastrology.com/tigers-play/re-establishing-the-foundation-qi-in-the-year-of-the-yin-metal-ox-xin-chou-year-20214719

What do you agree and disagree with?

I'm talking about learning. 99% of the lineages I've listed provide distance learning. I've had personal experience of dream training with some of them. As you develop, devote yourself and tune into the master and lineage you will receive the transmission of the lineage if it is quality. At some point you will want to see them in person, and a lot(maybe all) can be done at a distance. I say maybe, because the internet and telecommunication is a recent invention, and a lot of the masters are experimenting with what they can do over distance, that was traditionally an in person only affair.

For a high quality lineage they can transmit from afar. You don't need to be in person, although it can help. For more martial lineages, being in person is more valuable as they can physically manipulate you.

I would never include mo pai as a lineage to practice, for new comers or otherwise. It is a closed school to westerners and I've heard of more people having issues practicing, or attempting to practice that lineage than all the other lineages combined. The results of mopai seem to be very specific, and most of what people are looking for are available in other lineages. Not to mention that the physical requirements are far beyond most people. For the vast vast majority of students, I recommend reaching a degree of proficiency in an open ended lineage like SFQG, where you can then go on and train in a lineage you feel drawn to, with capacity to understand deeper layers. Ultimately, I have a high respect for the lineage, and they've asked to be left alone.

What is interesting for me, is that I find a tremendous amount of overlap the deeper I get in these respective lineages. Emei Qigong from the Emei mountains is also called Linji(rinzai) Emei Qigong, and is a system of Chan qigong. https://www.emeiqigong.com/what-makes-linji-emei-qigong-special I'm not sure about the differences of the end goal, but the accomplishment along the way seems very similar, although their Chan orientation seems to hold a high preference towards heart cleansing.

What I would recommend is that you get clear on what you are looking for, then pick a lineage that provides that. Whether that is healing, spiritual development, martial skill, etc. Building a ldt, and then clearing channels, is a developmental component for almost all lineages. The question to steer you from me would be, what then? You can tell the results of a lineage by looking at the senior students, and what they have accomplished, as well as the teacher. Not all lineages are for everyone! Ideally explore each one for at least a month, then move on if you want to. And have fun! Quality medical/spiritual lineages that I am familiar with: Spring Forest qigong https://www.springforestqigong.com/ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsachefMZa0 Facebook with Daily practice: https://www.facebook.com/SpringForestQigong/ Zhineng/Chi Lel/Wisdom healing qigong https://www.chilelwellness.com/ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg6E-gZQ4Xk Emei Qigong https://www.emeiqigong.com/ Flying Phoenix qigong http://www.taichimania.com/chikung_catalog.html Stillness Movement https://stillnessmovement.com/ Wild Goose qigong https://www.wildcoastqigong.com Fragrant Qigong http://www.qigongchinesehealth.com/dvd-fqg1 Sheng Zhen https://shengzhen.org/ NeiDan lineage: Wang Li Ping Long men pai https://nathanbrine.com/ Lineages I know of (but don't know well): Lotus Nei gong: https://damomitchell.com/ Golden Shield Qigong: http://goldenshieldqigong.com/

Lol. You can do it!

Heads up everybody: https://fb.watch/2tQqs39goS/

I'm not sure on the technical, although my experience of it is that it is intelligent. It seems to have preferences..... Part of my work as I've developed has been to develop a better relationship with it and the universe.

I agree that your understanding does unfold as you develop in capacity and capability. I'm also saying that the practice he is presenting is the one that he practices. Which is what he says, and continues to reiterate when people come to him and ask for the secret hidden practices. There are additional supplementary practices, to bring in different energies of planets and such, but those are introduced as you are ready and need them. And you should always go back to the core practice. The practice he teaches publicly, is the core and engine of the lineage. No hiding.