Iskote

Although there may be corresponding chemical actions (for example actions in the endocrine systems) in the body that relate to 'jing', I believe jing is something much more than that. There is a non physical aspect to jing that can't be analyzed or measured with physical instruments. [Note added later:] I think the physical aspect of jing that relates to the essential fluids in the body like saliva, blood, hormones, sexual fluids, etc. is referred to as 'yin jing', and the non physical aspect is the essential life force vitality within us that gives us life is referred to as 'yang jing'. However, as many people have probably noticed, various texts and teachers seem to use these terms in different ways, so I think that is why there is a fair bit of confusion about these concepts. As for qi, although there is a close parallel to the concept of physical energy, such as electrical energy for example, qi is certainly not at all physical like the physical forms of energy. Although qi is non physical, that is not to say that a skilled qigong practitioner couldn't produce physical effects by manipulating qi such as producing measurable heat changes in a physical object, or lighting a light emitting diode as John Chang demonstrated in the video made of him. If qi was electricity (or electromagnetic energy as some people describe it) then it should be measurable with the appropriate measuring equipment. Any electrical or electromagnetic effects that have been measured seem to be related to effects of qi, rather than a measurement of qi itself. Likewise, shen is not light photons, since it does not seem to give off a physical light except maybe as described above in cases where it is more a side effect or artifact, rather than shen itself. It is natural for the rational mind to want to put everything in neat little boxes that are easier to deal with, but sometimes doing that takes us further away from what we are trying to understand rather than bringing us closer to true understanding. The rational mind is designed for dealing with and making sense of the physical world so that we can function in it in a productive way. If we try to use the rational mind to analyze that which is outside of time and space then we will likely only lead ourselves astray. Beyond the realms of time and space a whole other type of cognition must be developed, or so various respected masters through the ages have indicated. Concepts of jing, qi, and shen help us to get at least some sort of grasp of certain concepts, but if we try to take these concepts and analysis too far I think that is where we will most likely start to go astray. I think the notion that the rational mind cannot ever grasp what is outside of time and space is what was being hinted at in the Tao Te Ching, but that's just my take on it, of course... Best wishes...

Qi takes many forms, just as with our concept of energy. The qi contained in our body, is further divided into various types or forms as well such as yin qi, yang qi, protective qi, true qi, nourishing qi, etc. Again, these are all just concepts to help us understand and communicate the various ways that qi can behave, or forms that qi can take, in the body. Observing the different ways qi can behave, or the different forms it can take, still does not tell us what qi is, just as in science we can classify the different forms of energy and how it behaves, but it still doesn't really tell us ultimately what energy is. Just as science has come to the conclusion that all matter is made up of energy and this energy can take many forms, so it seems it is with qi. Qi can flow or be stored in the body in different forms, but also, at a deeper level, everything is made up of qi as well. Maybe we can say, 'qi' is how 'tao' expresses itself in all the myriad forms whether they be substantial or insubstantial. If you are just limiting yourself to qi as it exists in various forms in the body, or in other things, then you are limting yourself to only certain forms of qi. In the end, it still doesn't 'explain' what qi is, just as looking at all the forms of energy in science still doesn't really tell us what energy is. That's apparently why the wise ones tell us to meditate if we really want to understand. The mind is limited in what it can grasp through reasoning and observation. Best wishes...

"Qi is NOT Energy, What is it?" Nice question. Consider this. Is it any easier to answer this question: What is energy? We can use the definition from physical science and say that energy is the capacity to do work. That's nice and simple and neat, but is that all there is to it? It is also said that energy can take various forms or it has various sub-classifications such as potential, kinetic, heat, light, electric, mechanical, etc. Einstein further complicated things by showing that all matter is really a form of energy as well in his equation E=MC^2. Not only is all matter energy, but we also know energy can traverse a vacuum. For example, the sun radiates electromagnetic energy to the Earth at various frequencies, including in the light spectrum, through the vacuum of space, and we can comunicate via radio to spacecraft in deep space as well. So not only is all matter energy, but energy can 'pass through' a vacuum where no matter exists, so it is seemingly not dependent on matter. The concept of qi may be much deeper than the concept of energy as viewed in physcal science, yet there are certainly strong parallels. Like energy, Qi is described as taking many different forms such as primordial qi, yang qi, yin qi, heaven qi, sun qi, earth qi, moon qi, etc., and is also described as something which is contained in all things. That sort of sounds similar in many ways to how we use the term energy, does it not? What we know of energy is mainly based on observation of its effects and then piecing our concept together as best we can based on our observations or 'experience' with it. Likewise we can try to piece together a concept of qi based on our observations or 'experience' with it, although the concept of qi is not limited strictly to its physical expression as it is in physical science. 'Energy' is a concept that helps us conceptualize certain observed phenomena, and likewise for the concept of 'qi'. Ultimately concepts are limited but serve the purpose of helping us to make some degree of sense of our experience, and also allow us to communicate with others about our experience in some sort of meaningful way. If we keep in mind that such concepts are limited, and even in science many such concepts are often revised again and again over time as our understanding grows, then we allow room for moving into further understanding. I guess I could have said all this more simply by just saying 'qi' is a concept that helps us to try to make sense out of certain aspects of our experience. Someone else perhaps offered some good advice when they said we should not try to over analyze such things. Best wishes...

If, like me, you are interested in how different teachers from different traditions and backgrounds teach and view practices such as qigong, meditation, and the internal martial arts and related, here is a list of some of the many articles that can be found on Master Shou Yu Liang's website on these topics. Master Shou Yu Liang is a teacher of Wu Shu, Qigong, and Meditation. The complete list of articles on his website can be found at: Articles The posting of this list is not meant as an endorsement of all or any the practices listed. I am just posting the links for the sake of interest. The articles are listed on the website in the chronological order they were posted, instead of by subject. This list here groups many of them by subject for easier browsing. Many of the articles are quite brief and very basic, but some are more in depth. There are more articles on the web page listed above that are not listed here. Contributing authors to the articles listed here are: Master Liang Shou-Yu Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming Master Wu Wen-Ching Tony Bujas Melanie Wee Here's links to the some of the articles, sorted roughly by topic: Qigong - General An Introduction to Qigong The Energy Concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Stress - The Underlying Cause of Disease The Roots of Illness Part 1 - Jing, Qi, and Shen The Roots of Illness Part 2 - Jing, Qi, and Shen Qi, Health, and Martial Arts Qigong Training Approaches Relaxation Techniques - Fangsong Gong Relaxing the Body and Calming the Mind - Song Jing Jianshen Gong Breathe for Energy Qi Permeating Technique - Quan Qi Fa Absorbing Qi from the Sun Getting More From Your Qigong/Meditation Difficulties Visualizing in Qigong Practice Lying Down and Walking Qigong Part 1 Lying Down and Walking Qigong Part 2 Qigong - For Strengthening and balancing the Qi of the Internal Organs Kidney Qigong Part 1 - Elevating the Kidneys Kidney Qigong Part 2 - Strengthening the Kidneys Lung Qigong Lung Qigong - Strengthening the Lungs Liver Qigong - Part 1 of 2 Liver Qigong - Part 2 of 2 Heart Qigong Stomach and Spleen Qigong - Massaging the Abdomen Triple Burner Administering Qigong Six Healing Sounds Qigong Six Healing Sounds for Nourishing Life Vocalization of Sounds (MP3 sound file clips) Chui Sound to Ensure Kidney Health Si Sound for Nourishing the Lungs Xu Sound to Calm the Liver Ke Sound To Ease the Heart Fire Xi Sound to Regulate the Triple Burner Hu Sound to Strengthen the Stomach and Spleen Taoist Qigong Daoist (Taoist) Qigong - Introduction Daoist Qigong - Daoist Philosophy and Training Concepts Daoist Qigong - Daoist School of Thought Daoist Qigong - Daoist Religion and Philosophy Daoist Qigong - Daoist View of the Cosmos and Spirit Daoist Qigong - Daoist Cultivation and Training Concepts Daoist Qigong - Training Approaches and Steps A Taoist Kidney Qigong - Bu Lo Fa Extraordinary Vessel Circulation - A Daoist Qigong Method Buddhist Qigong Buddhist Qigong - Buddhist Philosophy and Training Concepts A Buddhist Protection Qigong Method - "Pi Ja Fu Sen Fa" Buddhist Qigong - Tantric Buddhist Philosophy and Training Concepts Buddhist Qigong - Cultivating the Esoteric Abilities of the Body Buddhist Qigong - Cultivating the Esoteric Abilities of Speech - Mantra chanting Buddhist Qigong - Cultivating the Esoteric Abilities of the Mind The Seven Keys for Sitting Meditation - in Tantric Buddhist Qigong Philosophy and Theory The Concept of Yin and Yang Yin-Yang Theory The Yin-Yang and Five Element Theories Morality of Deed - Wu De Martial Morality (Wude) (Part 1 of 5) - Humility (Qian Xu) Martial Morality (Wude) (Part 2 of 5) - Respect (Zun Jing) Martial Morality (Wude) (Part 3 of 5) - Righteousness (Zheng Yi) Martial Morality (Wude) (Part 4 of 5) - Trust (Xin Yong) Martial Morality (Wude) (Part 5 of 5) - Loyalty (Zhong Cheng) Morality of the Mind - Pin De Morality of the Mind Part 1 - Will (Yi Zhi) Morality of the Mind Part 2 - Endurance, Perseverance, and Patience (Ren Nai, Yi Li, Heng Xin) Morality of the Mind Part 3 - Courage (Yong Gan) Martial Arts A Clarification on Chinese Martial Arts Kinship - How to address teachers and fellow students in Martial Arts The Four Major Chinese Internal Martial Arts Popular Chinese Internal Martial Arts Differences Between Internal and External Styles Taijiquan A Brief History of Tai Chi Chuan Part 1 A Brief History of Tai Chi Chuan Part 2 Top 10 Guidelines for Taijiquan Practice Guidelines for Breathing in Tai Chi Guidelines for Directing Your Mind (Yi) and Balancing Your Energy (Qi) in Taiji Playing the Air Baguazhang What is Bagua? And From BaGua I Learn "Change" Ba Gua Eight Trigrams - Reference Diagrams The Essence of Baguazhang - Intro The Essence of Baguazhang - Translation of Ancient Secrets - Total Song of Baguazhang The Essence of Baguazhang - Translation of Ancient Secrets - The Real Theory of Baguazhang The Essence of Baguazhang - Translation of Ancient Secrets - Baguazhang Thirty-Six and Forty-Eight Secret Songs Bagua Turning-Spinning Qigong - Part 1 Bagua Turning-Spinning Qigong Movements - Part 2, Preparation and Nourish Elixer Postures Bagua Turning-Spinning Qigong Movements - Part 3, Push Mill Posture Bagua Turning-Spinning Qigong Movements - Part 4, Rotate Palm Posture Bagua Turning-Spinning Qigong Movements - Part 5 - Spiral and Rotate Posture Bagua Turning-Spinning Qigong Movements - Part 6 - Twist Turning Posture Bagua Turning-Spinning Qigong Movements - Part 7 - Bore and Turn Posture Bagua Turning-Spinning Qigong Movements - Part 8 - Closing Gong Posture Xing Yi Quan What is Xing Yi Quan? History of Xing Yi Quan Training Tips For Xing Yi Quan The Five Phases in Xing Yi - a Reference Best wishes...

We all just have to go with what feels right and resonates with us. There is lots of info available on the internet and in books these days, but keep in mind that just because something is written down with an air of authority, it doesn't mean that what is written is good. Much information that is out there is really nonsense, or could even be harmful. It is good to refer to some of the more widely respected sources for guidance such as the Buddhist Sutras, or the Dao De Jing and Zhuang Zi for the Taoist perspective, or the Hindu Scriptures, etc. Once you find something that resonates with you, you can do further research into it. Yoga and the internal martial arts have both a health side and a cultivation side to them, and attending classes can help one to start building up more self discipline and motivation as well, as you have the encouragement of the teacher and other class members. It is good to just take it very slowly and not try to overdo things, so as not to overwhelm yourself. You can always look into and try a few different things to see what resonates with you. Regarding seeking advice in internet forums or anywhere else, it is always advisable to keep in mind the story of the blind leading the blind. Many people are more than happy to lead anyone down the garden path with them if you are foolish enough to follow. You've heard the expression that misery loves company; well, so does does foolishness. Use your best discretion. If something doesn't seem right, or doesn't seem to be taking you in a good direction, then you may want to do more research into it first or just move on to something else. That's my take on it anyway. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.... Best wishes... P.S. Some translations of Buddhist texts: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/index.htm Some translations of Taoist texts: http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/index.htm Some translations of Hindu Texts: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/index.htm

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Hi Leon. In my experience you don't have to deliberately try to maintain a blank mind or anything like that. That's probably not possible for most people anyway. Just relax and if your mind starts to wander off into a daydream or the like, just gently pull it back to just keeping passively aware of what you are doing. If you find it hard to just stand and relax, some people use the technique of counting breaths (you can count in breaths or out breaths), up to 10 or maybe 100, and then start over. This may help to keep the mind from wandering too much if a person finds it hard to just relax and stay passively aware. Hope that helps... Best wishes...

Hi Leon. Which standing posture are you doing? A few more thoughts. You only need to bend the knees just a little to start, i.e., just letting them out maybe an inch or two from the fully locked in position is good enough. Once you get comfortable with that position you can maybe let the knees out a little bit more if you want, but do not extend the knees beyond the tips of the toes. I have found that just letting out the kness a little bit is already quite adequate for getting good results. Also no need to push yourself beyond minor discomfort. If it feels too uncomfortable, you can always stop and do some more later. If it is just somewhat uncomfortable then that is OK, as it takes some time for your body to get used to the posture. If you were to ever start feeling effects that are somewhat more than small discomfort then you might want to consider consulting with an experienced teacher or other experienced practitioners. You should not ever have any overt ill effects from doing the practice other than minor discomforts and aches and the like as your body gets used to the standing. These minor discomforts can come and go as your body opens up more and goes through different 'stages'. Overt ill effects however are not normal and likely indicate that one is practicing wrong in some way. If you remind yourself often to keep it relaxed and natural, and don't focus on sensations or effects and keep the mind relaxed and passive as best you can, I think it is much less likely that you would ever experience any bad effects. Anyway, you haven't described anything so far that sounds problematic. If sometimes you are having problems settling your mind, you can always stop for a while and try again later. Best wishes...

Hi mouse. Thanks for the info on Fu Nei Tai Chi. Different styles of internal martial arts sometimes take different approaches, yet they are all classified as internal martial arts. I think one should be careful not to judge the style by the practitioner. Different practitioners levels of skill and understanding vary. Also sometimes something is different than what we are familiar with so we may be inclined to think it is inferior, but it may be that we just don''t recognize the value since the approach is different. Best wishes...

Here's a few more interesting tai chi videos: Old Master of Chen Style: Lesser known style: Funei (Imperial) Yang Style - Wisdom Fist Form - by Li Zheng Nice soft flowing style. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdscFyAZurI& Here's an example of other Funei Yang forms (some very different moves in here) - by Li Zheng Not sure of the exact history of these forms. Best wishes...

Hi bgk. I'm not sure I understand exactly what you are looking for. Yu Yong Nian wrote his book in Chinese and it was translated into English by others. I believe the book you are referring to is: Title: 大成拳站桩与求物 Translates as: Da Cheng Quan Zhan Zhuang and the Search for Substance (Wu) Author's name in Chinese: 于永年 Yu Yong Nian I'm not sure what happened to the website where they were selling the English translation in PDF format, but the domain is still valid (http://yiquan.chinamartialarts.net). The website may just be down temporarily but I don't know. If you are looking for the English translation PDF file, you can try contacting the website contact person at: chingsouling (at) yahoo (dot) com. I don't know if that email is still valid though. I have the translation, but the book seems very boring and dry to me going into much detail about physiology and body mechanics and alignment and that sort of thing. Because of that I haven't read the book. Just browsed through it. There seems to be much attempt to explain the whole process in terms of science and physiology specifically. Very, very, dry... Maybe that is what you are looking for though. I find wuji standing meditation more than adequate. That is of course an understatement. I think Yu Yong Nian has another book as well called 站桩 (zhan zhuang). I don't know what is in that book. He may have other books as well. I don't know. See: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/302290460&amp...r=brief_results and http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/300184863&amp...r=brief_results and http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3A%22Y...p;qt=hot_author Best wishes...

Hi Leon. You may feel various kinds of sensations when doing standing meditation or when practicing other types of qigong as well. This is normal and is nothing to worry about. Such sensations can give us some feedback that something is going on, but one should try not to focus on the sensations, as focusing on them will disrupt our practice. Over time it is possible that all kinds of sensations will come and go. Some people feel all kinds of sensations while other people do not feel anything much unusual at all. One's progress is not dependent on sensations, so whether one feels sensations or not, one should just relax and continue with their practice. Regarding the practice, as you have probably noticed, people will often say conflicting things about what one should and shouldn't do in standing meditation or in qigong in general. As I have mentioned previously one really just needs to stand in any of the standing postures described previously and relax the mind and body as much as one is able. In my experience there is no need to use any visualization, or special focus, or music, or anything else other than just standing and relaxing your mind and body as much as you can. If you are relaxing your mind and body such things are really not necessary. You will be able to relax more and more over time with regular practice. You may feel various sensations that come and go. There is no need to focus on them or anything else, although one can keep a passive awareness of the lower dantian area while practicing, but do not focus strongly on it or on any other point or sensation that may arise. The idea here is passive awareness. You are aware, but not focusing on anything in particular. Try to remain as relaxed and natural as you can. That's it. People always want to add other things such as visualization, special breathing, special concentration, etc., because many people have the idea, especially in the West, that something that is more complicated or intricate must be better. In my view, adding of other things to the practice are actually really not necessary at all and in some cases could actually be a hindrance or could potentially lead to problems, such as the case where people are trying to strongly focus on certain points or centers, or deliberately trying to direct or lead energy with the idea that they need to do so in order to open certain centers or channels, etc. Again, in my view this is not necessary at all, and could lead to problems or imbalances. The wuji standing posture is already such that it will allow/promote cultivation and free circulation and balancing of one's energy in a very natural and healthy way. Energy centers and channels and what not will start opening on their own and balancing naturally without any special concentration or mental direction, if one just relaxes and practices regularly. So why add other things to a system that is already complete and balanced and allows progress to occur naturally? Perhaps some people feel the need to add extra things to the practice because they just can't wrap their heads around the idea that by relaxing and 'doing nothing' that much can be accomplished. Surely if one adds visualizations, special breathing, or special concentrations, etc., it will be better?... Well, in my experience I would say no, it is not better at all. IMO, if one could practice the wuji standing posture daily for at least 15 to 20 minutes a day, one can already potentailly go quite far in their practice; and if over time one can slowly and naturally increase their overall practice time, one will continue to progress further and further. IMO, this is a secret that many qigong teachers may not want their students to know, as it is hard to continue making money off students if they really only need to learn one simple posture and be given some basic guidelines on how to practice for them to already have the means to be able to go a long way in their practice. It is good to have a teacher available in case one has questions regarding their practice or experiences and the like, but I do think one can potentialy make good progress by just practicing on their own regularly, as long as they maintain the basic principles of keeping the practice and breathing natural and relaxed and they do not try to consciously intervene in what is going on in the practice; i.e., one just keeps a passive, relaxed awareness and does not try to focus strongly on any points or centers, or try to consciously direct the energy. Depending on one's previous experience, it may be necessary to get guidance and assistance from a teacher at the beginning, and from time to time, to help correct/check one's posture and to get reassurance that one is progressing in a good way, and some teachers may even be able to assist in other ways to help with one's progress, but once one understands the basic posture and principles I think it is really just a matter of keeping up regular practice. Again, that's all just my view, based on my own personal experience. I have no doubt that others may and will disagree. We each have to make our own decisions and way based on what feels right to us at the time. Best wishes...

Hi Leon. Yes, you can also do the 'embracing the tree' posture with your palms at the approximate height of your navel. You can also do the wuji posture, which is like the embracing the tree posture, except you can hang your hands down naturally by your sides, or rest your hands lightly on the sides of your legs. The wuji posture is a great and simple way to build up energy and improve health. You asked if standing meditation is a good way to build up qi. In my experience it is the one of the best ways I have ever come across to build up qi, and to balance the qi in the body as well. Just three months practice of 10 to 20 minutes a day should be enough to start really noticing a difference, for many people anyway. If you are doing the embrace the tree posture, make sure you keep your arms and shoulders as relaxed as possible. The shoulders should be relaxed right down naturally (you can practice lifting and dropping your shoulders a bit to get the feeling of what the difference is), and the elbows should also be dropped naturally as well. You can also practice lifting and dropping the elbows as well to feel the difference. Really just practicing the wuji posture or the embracing the tree postures is enough to go a long way in qigong cultivation, if a person can keep with it with regular practice. A person could go two or three years easy just practicing that. People are always looking for something complicated, with the idea that the more complicated something is the better it must be, but sometimes the simplest practices are actually the more superior practices, if people could just let go of their preconceptions and relax their minds and just keep practicing. By the way, breathing naturally, softly, slowly and deeply through the nose, is the way to breath when practicing, with the emphasis on keeping the breathing natural. In my experince, no special breathing or visualizing or the like is required. Just relax the mind and body as best you can and don't force the practice beyond what you can do without straining. Progress will come in due time. That's my view on it anyway. Best wishes...

Someday I would like to be able to read more texts in Chinese, but there is only limited time for studying Chinese. Maybe someday I will get there. I think Zhao does explain the reason he recommends starting off by focusing on the original cavity of the spirit until one sees its glow. The reason given was that so one can be able to clearly distinguish its glow from the light given off from circulating the microcosmic orbit. As described in the book, at a specific stage one must be able to clearly recognize and distinguish the original cavity otherwise one could make a mistake that could lead to problems or failure. Well I believe Zhao's book is meant more as a guide to help guide students in their practice, and I think Zhao states in the book more than once that a student should seek out a good teacher. Zhao even spends time pointing out how to help distinguish a true teacher from the many frauds. Apparently even in his day there were many fraudulent or 'misguided' teachers out there. Personally I think the main value of Zhao's book is it can be used as a guide to a sincere seeker of 'tao' in seeking out a real and accomplished teacher. Without sone sort of guideline on what are legitimate practices and what are false practices one would be searching pretty much in the dark. Based on some people's interpretations of what is written in Zhao's book, I think that reading the book is no guarantee that a person will be any further along in being able to recognize true teachings from false teachings, and a true teacher from a false one, but it at least it may help some people in that respect. To be clear on my point of view, I personally don't think it would be wise for anyone to seriously attempt internal alchemy meditation practice without the guidance and assistance of an accomplished teacher. I do think people can lay the foundation on their own such as opening the microcosmic and macrocosmic orbit, but there are potential problems in doing just that and having the guidance of good teacher can help one avoid problems, or to overcome problems if they run into some along the way. Anyway, I do think that most people can do a lot to help their health through practicing simple quiet sitting or standing meditation and various types of qigong and internal martial arts, and that is more than enough for most folks purposes it seems to me. One can seek out a good teacher, but what one can achieve is limited by their capacity, character, and determination. If we look at history, it seems it is really only the few that have the capacity to go really far in practices such as internal alchemy or other serious forms of meditation, and it seems to me, most people are not really interested in such practices anyway. To each their own. We all have our own purposes and goals in our lives... Best wishes...

Hi John. I suspect from what you have written here that you already have a pretty good idea of what the benefits are to conserving jing. Jing is our life essence. When jing is full, we are apt to be healthy and strong and youthful, and as jing is depleted we will grow weaker and become more prone to illness, and we will age quicker. How far one wants to go with jing conservation is really dependent on each person, and what their goals are. If you just want to maintain good health and vitality, and slow down the aging process, then moderation in sex will do. One Chinese guideline I came across for ejaculation frequency for men (likely of Taoist origin) is as follows, based on age: Twenties - not more than once per week Thirties - not more than once in two weeks Fourties - not more than once per month Fifties - not more than once in two months Sixties - none at all after age sixty four Moderation although quite helpful in itself, is much more effective if one also practices qigong and other internal practices such as tai chi or bagua and meditation to increase the process of transforming jing into qi, and qi into shen. Such practices are said to be more effective the more one can control one's worldly desires and attachments to worldly things. For those whose thoughts are frequently on sex, then the best approach is probably just to use moderation as best as they can manage. For those who are less attached to sexual desires and worldly attachments in general, it is not a problem to reduce sex to a much lower frequency, or to even become fully celibate. Such people might also be drawn to doing more practices such as qigong and meditation and related practices that will allow them to transform the extra conserved essence into qi and shen. Really though, celibacy or even going for prolonged periods without sexual release should not be practiced by those who can't keep their minds off sex. Such people need to work on moderation first. So again, it really depends on the person and where their focus is, and what their goals are, and what they can realistically manage. Thus, going for three months or more without sex might be no problem at all for some, but might be problematic for others. Such things should not be forced, as that will likely only lead to problems. Some may suggest otherwise, but in my experience these theories clearly hold true. Ultimately though, we each have have to walk our own path. Best wishes from Iskote... [A few notes added later:] The sexual frequency numbers suggested above are a guideline for the average person and individuals will have to adjust to their own constitution and purposes. If one seriously wants to cultivate health and longevity , and for more serious spiritual development purposes, one would reduce the frequency somewhat more than the maximums suggested in the guidelines above. One should also note that just because someone practices energy practices and/or energy healing of some sort or other and still has fairly frequent sex, this does not invalidate the above theories. Some types of energy work draw/use energy from outside the self and this energy can be used for healing others and the self to some extent. However, in my experience the theories regarding jing conservation still hold true, and one just needs to observe where such people who ignore such theories are at once they reach 65 or 70 years old or so. One will clearly see the difference of where their bodies are at once this age period is reached. Some people may be able to keep their energy levels up somewhat using certain qigong practices up to that age range, but the wear and tear on their bodies will be undeniable by the time they reach 65 or so, regardless. Such theories may not sit so well with some, but this is valid based on my own experience and observation anyway. Regarding, sexual practices that involve semen retention, a former taoist meditation teacher of mine commented that such practices produce a lot of 'steam', and may give the impression of giving results in the short term, but that is all. For those sincerely seeking to cultivate longevity and spirituality, the guidelines above should not be taken lightly. That is my view anyway. Best wishes to all, and may all your thoughts be good ones...

Thank you exorcist. I will need to go over the chinese characters and your english translations for the two poems in more detail to get a better feel for how it translates. It will obviously take a lot of study to be able to read Chinese well, expecially the older peoetry and writings. Thanks again for posting them. Best wishes...

It seems at least some people in China are not happy with the commercialization trend and other policies of Shaolin Temple in recent years. Apparently a bogus letter was posted on the official Shaolin Temple website by hackers, which claimed to be a letter of apology from Shi Yongxin, the Abbot of Shaolin, for many transgressions. The Shaolin website www.shaolin.org.cn is now currently offline. Here's the news story on the Wall Street Journal Chine Real Time Report website: http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2009/11...-hacker-attack/ This sure is one wacky world we live in... Best wishes...

Hi exorcist. What is the translation for the first poem you posted? Best wishes...