RiverSnake

You may want to develop a relationship with spiders. Imbuing some of that "vibe" into your practice may be rewarding. From a magical perspective my understanding is that they are related with space, time, energetic cords/connections (universal lay lines between all beings), secrecy, subtly and cunning.

First off, you shouldn't knock a practice before you've tried it, so take your head out of your bung hole. Second off, I am not Chinese, but even I found that your usage of the phrase Culutral Revolution Qigong very offensive. One of the founders and lineage holders of S-M was in a concentration camp for something like 20 years (not sure about the exact number) and was tortured every day, the only thing he could do to remain sane was to stay steeped in his Neigong. 3rd off, in my understanding many Qigong Lineages held within families were threatened with death to there entire family by the government if they didn't reveal the practices and make them open to the public. Did this water down a lot of the Chinese Qigong methods? Perhaps, I've certainly seen plenty of Qigong DVDs that talk about it as a simple stretch. But that doesn't change the fact that they should be judged on a case by case basis, not with blatant generalizations. Ironically, you also talk about the these Chinese Martial arts as if they exist in a vacuum and we're not effected by the said historical events. My understanding is that martial arts masters were put under a similar pressure as qigong masters of the time.

Jon Snow death reaction videos. Gotta love it.

Two articles you may find helpful, many more of them and also videos in their FAQ section: 1. http://www.kundaliniawakeningprocess.com/blog/powerful-daily-health-practices-that-also-prevent-and-alleviate-kundalini-syndrome/ 2. http://www.kundaliniawakeningprocess.com/blog/using-diet-to-address-exisiting-imbalances-that-can-distort-into-kundalini-syndrome-when-kundalini-is-active/

My guess is that the sexual energy from celibacy is hitting all kinds of blockages In your body and thus causing imbalances. It's likely that these imbalances are being reflected outward in your auric body. Here's a basic Qigong exercise for self healing and circulating energy. See what results you get. With time and daily practice it can help you dissolve through many internal obstacles. Hope you find this information helpful. Many blessings on your path. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MhhYrGqfQxo

I have noted that many devotional traditions focus very strongly on the heart chakra. Was wondering if anyone doubled share there thoughts on this and the role the heart center plays?

Sketchbo0k, if "drive" is what you find lacking in your practice then it may be beneficial to look at your usage of sexual energy. If you manage it properly, IME there will be no lacking in your will or desire to push forward in your spiritual practices. Also, you said you are from Kuwait, I am therefore assuming that you are Islamic. In addition to Qigong you may find it of interest to look into Sufism. My understanding is that Sufis have a very strong background in Devotional work and extensive systems of magick. Hope some of these suggestions may be useful to you. Many blessings on your path.

Here's a qigong exercise that will help with a healthier mind and body: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v_1sPDntOTs In terms of martial arts, not sure if you can learn from a DVD. Others perhaps can suggest a source of learning in that area. What country do you live in? Also I dissagree with Nikolai that you have to read many books before you can pratice these arts or need some kind of belief. These practices work because they work and experience is the best teacher.

Practicing Qigong daily is one of the best ways to study the Dao. Welcome to TTB.

Just saw this movie Spy. Pretty hilarious.

To add one more point, I think this is why women tend to grasp energetics easier. They know how to be soft and receptive, generally speaking. While men tend to try and "force" things through strength and usually think that more stress and struggle equals better results. You get better results when you are relaxed and in an open state....this applies to most things, even outside of esoterica.

When I first started out in my practice I handled energy in a very crass way....and it worked....although crude....but as you alchemize oneself and become more attuned to the subtle....then the subtle aspects of ones practice opens up. New worlds of depth and subtle energetics open up and you become more efficient in your usage of energetics. This is a natural result of diligent practice...and a process that most practitioners go through....IMO. Stronger concentration works, but not very well, it's a clunky tool that is eventually discarded when approaching the subtler layers of ones discipline.....IMO.

Can't say I'm familiar with a many Buddhists texts. Not sure about Bardon or Bruce. Best of luck in your adventuring.

Manipulation of chi is a subtle art. Relax and be gentle...its not like hammering a screw. Also i do not recommend Mantak Chia, his methods can be a bit dicey...IMO.

We've all heard the term "Compulsive lier", "Compulsive drinker", and "Compulsive Eater". Any habit that we develop which becomes so engrained in us that we are no longer free and thus our past karma or programming is allowed to repeat itself over and over again without conscious thought on our part. I was thinking about this recently and its relations to the spiritual path, specifically relating to ascension. Specifically for men, the most powerful form of compulsive behavior that we have is our desire for procreation. From an energetic standpoint this is the sinking of vital force into the loins, a sensation most our readily familiar with. This is plain knowledge amongst most male practitioners and its a form of compulsiveness that we strive to bring awareness too in order to harness that energy for cultivation. However, something that i have noticed within myself and other male cultivators is that there is an equally powerful compulsive behavior that can take hold of our lives and that can blind us from the true joy of living: Mysticism By Mysticism i am referring internally to the opposite of compulsive procreation. I am referring to the opposite of the sinking of energy into the loins, but the shooting of chi up to the crown and beyond. Generally this is considered very beneficial as it is a very powerful and primal drive which pushes us to surmount all obstacles to our dissolution into nothingness. The desire for sex is fundamentally a drive to "Create" and the desire for ascension is fundamentally for "Dissolution". My purpose in writing this post is to make the subtle point that both of these energetic pathways within the body are potentially compulsive and limiting behavior. They both can potentially take you away from experiencing life as fully and as joyfully as possible. Any compulsive or unconscious behavior whether its for creation or dissolution is IME antithetical to what i feel is spiritual maturity. Each pathway has its time and place and it is best to understand both, yet remain centered in the heart. These are my thoughts as of late. Would like to hear your thoughts and feelings on this as well. Hope this post is useful to many. Blessings

An interesting technique for rooting. I think i may try it. Thanks. Many great insights. Your commenting on the 3 main centers has given me insight into my own practice. Heart as the General, a very useful metaphor. Thanks.

I recommend you see a professional healer. PM me if you'd like a couple sources.

Yes, i think there is some kind of similar dynamic there that continually perpetuates. Very interesting insights. Just as an add on....Trees are a lot of fun to practice with . Looking back, now that i think about, one of the key ways to bypass a lot of these problems is to look at the cultivation system that your working in and ask whether it is addressing the system as a whole or is it potentially creating imbalances by emphasizing certain patterns over others. IME, the Taoists due tend towards a more wholesome and balanced approach in there systems....but that's just in my limited experiences. Still don't understand this very deeply. Indeed, when the intensity and the bliss hits i thinks its important to have the level of self understanding and clarity to say: "K, that was a nice experience, lets keep walking." Versus becoming addicted to intensity and losing touch with life. Indeed, it's a popular trend. It' s been my observation that as soon as males learn about cultivation and the benefits of this practice....they quickly jump into wanting to be a hermit and venture off spending the rest of there lives in a cave. That can be very beneficial....but the intent at the beginning of the journey influences the outcome. Is this something being done with awareness or is it another way of living an addictive and compulsive life.

Welcome!

Additionally i'd like to say that IME, this kind of forced and imbalanced expression of spirituality is not necessarily just a matter of "point of view" or "perspective". But in my case was a matter of blockages and filters in the body that had to be dissolved through time and effort. The thing with these patterns is you don't usually see them with clarity until after the fact. Opening the heart definitely seems important in this area of insight.

This is a great book on psychic self defense, practice shielding during the day and as you go to sleep: http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Psychic-Self-Defense-Home-Office-ebook/dp/B009LNGIF8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436477236&sr=8-1&keywords=Psychic+self+defense+for+home+and+office Play these mantras see what kind of reaction you feel to them:

Welcome to TTB.

I chose to specifically focus this post on men because i have noticed the tendency within myself and other male practitioners. The tendency to disown everything else in life except spiritual practice and to make that the exclusive focus, this is a typical pattern of that particular flow. It is almost as if one addiction or compulsive behavior is exchanged for another. There's nothing wrong with energetically shooting up or down....but if your doing it unconsciously then your living a false freedom. I feel that it is this pattern of energetic flow that influences more conservative forms of spiritual practice. Extreme asceticism, seeing the world as inherently sinful and a place to be escaped. To be honest i don't think there is anything more important in heaven than there is on earth...being present with oneself at the "heart" of things. Perhaps some women can share there experiences in this area.