zen-bear

Sifu Garry, Yes, schools of western hermetic philosophy such the Order of the Rosy Cross, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, O.T.O (Ordo Templi Orientis = "Order of Oriental Templars") utilize iconic symbols, and yantric patterns such as the black-and-white chessboard floor--along with many other more familiar symbols and patterns that are also used in eastern alchemy: pentagrams, hexagrams, heptagrams and even the Tree of Life or "holy sepheroth" of Kaballah. Pentagrams are used in western alchemy for all sorts of rituals--white and black,invoking and banishing, as are hexagrams. But the most common and universal pattern found East, Middle East and West is the regular hexagram known as the Star of David, which represents the exact same natural process as the Tai Chi Tu (yin yang diagram. I realized this early on because I did so much Tai Chi. But Yin-Yang diagram and Star of David ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME THING: both represent interpenetrating cones of infinite energy. The Star of David is a sectioned view from the side, thus the cones look flat and 2-D. the Yin Yang diagram is a flattened perspective from the infinite base of one cone penetrated by the infinite apex of the other cone. To use the star of David/Yin-Yang Diagram directly in qigong meditation, get Aleister Crowley's "Book of Lies." there is a very clear chapter in it about the importance of the Star of David/Yin-Yang Diagram to all meditation and spiritual work. I always tell my advanced students that the identicalness of the Star of David to the Tai Chi Diagram is the second most important reason why Jewish people and Chinese people are so similar. The the first reason is that both like Chinese food!! The Yin Yang diagram, of course, is used in every movement in Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan. Hence, one of the early names of Chen style TC is "diagram boxing". I learned some Chen style in 1983-5 from John Fey and today i still teach Chen style exercises (for warm-ups)that use a short staff (reaching to tan tien level) planted in front of the right foot in a bow stance with the right hand placed on top of the staff with either palm-touching or knife-edge of hand touching resting on staff . Then the entire body traces the yin-yang pattern horizontally over and over and over and over, shifting the body through bowstance and rear sit-stance with every turning position in between. (Do same thing in left bow stance, with left palm on staff, staff planted in front of left toe. After doing this Tai Chi Diagram Boxing for 25 years, I can tell you that I can visualize any path of movement on that diagram as a pathway on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. Also for the best and most clear and concise presentation of alchemic symbols and tools and rituals, get "Book 4" by Aleister Crowley, 120 pages published by Samuel Weiser Books. It also contains one of the very best explanations of eastern Yogas ever written by a westerner. I highly recommend this, given your interest in western alchemy. And for a pretty complete encyclopedia of western alchemic symbols and rituals, you can get Israel Regardie's "The Golden Dawn." published by Llewellyn. It is an incredible tome, and quite affordable. And ingeniusly compiled, as the true rituals of the Order of the Golden Dawn are presented in fragments--a chunk of one here, tied to a chunk there tied to another chunk there; about 1,000+ rituals are combined like one huge, enormous--but solvable--multi-layered, 3-dimensional, jigsaw puzzle. almost every oracle used in western alchemy is covered--tarot, numerology, astrology,flashing tablets,pentagram rituals, hexagram rituals, octogram, decagram, enneagram, other talismans,elemental weapons, Enochian magick... Have Fun! Terry Dunn P.S. you think GM Doo Wai gets a bad rap?--wait til you read about the life of Aleister Crowley--called by his Victorian English peers "the most wicked man in the world" and a "black magician" --hee hee-- Crowley was a towering spiritual genius who streaked through the highest ranks of the Society of the Golden Dawn in his 20's. He was one of the very first westerners to master eastern yogas and then he blended these methods with western alchemy. Later in life, once he reached his full powers, he gave himself the moniker, "The Beast, 666" and then dealt with everyone who came to him attracted by that. Now THAT, Sifu Garry, is POWER. There is still widespread belief in the slander about his drug-taking and sexual operations, and that he was a black magician, etc.--but he was a white magician of the highest order, who never took an iota free will away from any being--and who's credo/watchphrase from his Law of Thelema was "Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law." If you get Book 4, read Page 81 to the bottom, and you'll understand the true Crowley. Around 2002, I think, there was a poll taken in England, which asked the population to vote for the 100 most important Brits in their entire history. Aleister Crowley was voted No. 72 out of 100. I'm glad that the Brits came around to appreciate one of their own as one of their very best. ***To bring the conversation back to Flying Phoenix and Chinese arts: Crowley also wrote a unique and brilliant translation of the Tao Te Ching--based on his remembered past life of Ko Hsuan,a student of Lao Tzu, and the author of Classic on Purity. which, combined with my study of the Tao Te Ching translated from classical Chinese,greatly expanded my understanding. I started training with GM Doo Wai in late 1990 and met my teacher/mentor in western alchemy in 1994. The powerful kung fu and Qigong that I learned from DM Doo Wai made it possible for me to learn alchemy like putting on a perfectly-fitting coat.

Sifu Terry Dunn

P.S. I'VE elaborated ON some of my most profound martial experiences above in order to lend some perspective on "supernormal" vs."supernatural" powers developed through qigong on one hand, and through qigong PLUS spiritualism on the other. And furthermore to explain the absolute necessity for the tradition of secrecy in Chinese martial arts and in all authentic and COMPLETE yogic arts of the world, that has been in place for thousands of years. Because mastery of these arts means that one EFFECTIVELY realizes that the laws of physics are on the plane of mental control, the higher knowledge in every martial art is always meted slowly and in fragments over a long period of time; quite often, the entire art is not transmitted to the next generation if the particular master doesn't find his disciple(s) trustworthy enough to receive the whole Truth. (It is true that a part of the Chinese martial arts dies with each generation; many great arts have been entirely lost.) The final installment of higher teachings within any system, as recorded in all the Taoist, Buddhist, and Christian chronicles and canons, is always "a teaching beyond words" given to student(s) who are developed-cultivated-evolved enough to receive it. Done sometimes using symbols, sometimes oral teachings, and sometimes entirely telepathically. It is NEVER recorded entirely in writing...and certainly never on a video! But for advanced students to receive a teaching telepathetically, they have to had trained properly in the physical aspects of the art for years with enough meditation concentration to become attuned to the psychic wavelength that the master chooses to operate on. No beginner can do this--unless he an incredibly gifted young prodigy and young avatar, but which I have not seen nor heard of in my life so far. There are some masters like GM Doo Wai who advertise and promote their skills in more sensational and controversial ways than most (whether out of pride for and love of their art, or perhaps even due to financial duress and the need to make a living). Such masters naturally attract both students fascinated with the possibility of supernormal feats and also critics and skeptics of a certain rigid Aristotelian mindset that just don't allow for that possibility. To the latter, I have nothing to say...that's their belief system and they construct and filter their experience of the world by that belief system, and I have no desire to change their worldview in anyway. But for beginning students and adepts who are interested in exploring Chinese holistic arts to their fullest potential, they MUST acquaint themselves with the traditions of Chinese martial culture if they hope to learn any bit of the true art (and that includes how to pour tea for the master at the first meeting; to how to address the ancestral altar in a kung-fu school, to how visit other kung-fu schools and pay respect to other instructors, and especially, to understand and respect the tradition of secrecy--which most often translates into the necessity for students to just exhibit humility and not ask or demand anything of the teacher that they are not ready for--to bide their time, do their kung-fu until it reaches a level of excellence where worlds of higher knowledge are opened to them by their master or other masters. The watchphrase for all students (and masters as well) on the path is this: "When you are ready, the Knowledge will be made available to you." And it's not a tradition of absolute, total secrecy. This tradition of secrecy also has its character and charm that's a function of each master's personality and his particular tradition--it's like a great puzzle set out for students, where the masters follow the adage, "never show to plainly." But if students are in ignor-ance or disregard of the Chinese tradition of respect for the Sifu and of secrecy to protect the art, won't get even to square one. The third line of the very first verse of the Tao Te Ching is translated by Aleister Crowley as: To understand this Mystery, one must be fulfilling one's will.** If one is not thus free, one will but gain a smattering of it. **"fulfilling one's will" he beautiful explains in a footnote as: "In a moral state therefore, without desire, frictionless." Finally, to re-emphasize this same sentiment: the sacred Chinese martial and healing arts were created to serve and better mankind. If that's not part of one's motivation, then one should take up something else. The great philosopher Mencius put it in most practical terms in Chinese (and it translates into something like this): "Do not seek in your vitality (i.e., your vital exercises, martial arts, etc.) what you do not find in your heart."

That's a huge and broad question that I can write several books about. but here's my basic reponse for starters: While the symbols and language in the two systems are as different as East and West, the process of communing with God and allying with spiritual entities is the same general process governed by the same (spiritual) laws because human potential for developing spirituality and capacity to practice spiritualism is the same. There are many common alchemic threads between western alchemy and taoist/buddhist alchemy...they are just symbolized and codified (made secret) very differently by their respective cultures. Both western alchemy, middle eastern alchemy, and Tibetan/Chinese/taoist/buddhist alchemy share the same fundamental realization/perception of the nature of the Universe and relationship between man and God. e.g., one hint of this is the fact that the Star and David and Tai Chi Tu (yin yang diagram) represent the exact same physical and metaphysical process: two interpenetrating conically-shaped fields of energy.

Sifu Garry, I don't understand your first question: Tell me in the 7 years, who was your BFP teachers and what are your learning from video? Is that directed at me? If it is, the answer is: I studied with GM Doo Wai directly from 1990 until 1996. His senior students that he brought alone to help teach us were: Kevin Ulmer and Bob Eberhardt. News came to me in 1997 or 98 that Bob Eberhardt had died on a street in San Diego (cause unknown). Regarding your research matter, take your time, ask me about it any time. I'll help if I can. Regards, Terry Dunn

oops, forgot to sign this long one. It's me, Sifu Terry

P.S. BTW, Garry -- and all you taobums contributing to this thread and others lurking out there beyond our fringes: This documentary, narrated by James Shigeta will be airing later today on PBS, March 17, I'm told: A nicely produced introduction for the West. But the documentary is based on a very broad, general definition of "qigong"--one that equates it with "yogic art"; the history it gives about the evolution of qigong as the predecessor of martial arts such as Tai Chi is not correct. Qigong is a vast codex of esoteric yogas that empowers Chinese martial, yogic, healing and spiritual arts, but it is not one generic form that encompasses all these disciplines. The sad fact is that starting in the early 70's, the PRC started printing and disseminating tens of millions of pamphlets teaching very basic qigong exercises from broken traditions--with the primary purpose of pacifying its masses, and western hucksters started translating and publishing these pedestrian forms of qigong in books and videos. Real Qigong is taught at the very end of one's training in Chinese martial and healing arts--not at the beginning. What Qigong is taught at the beginning is the "open secret" of the Universe that no one (except for the exceptionally gifted--i.e., a spiritual prodigy) can make use of to any good effect. For one cannot cultivate a super-abundance of internal energy (qi) until one has developed a strong infrastructure (cleaned one's "pipes") through years of martial, yogic or spiritual training. I greatly fear that the popularizing of Qigong--especially if its funded by corporate interests the India yoga has popularized-- will dilute its true meaning, and cause an over-commercialization in the West of the same weak, downstream bunkum created by post-cultural revolution bureaucrats China. My honest opinion is that Qigong should remain esoteric and not be subjected to the same trend of McDonalds-ization that has commercialized Indian yoga over the past 25 years n the West. To much public exposure of a traditionally sacred art that imbues one with supernormal powers and/or opens the gateway to developing supernatural power is prone to make it the object of ambition of the profane.

Hi Sifu Garry, No problem, take your time. I know that comparing breathing sequences is detail work that takes time and concentration. And contact me through PM as you find appropriate. I just wanted to lay out what I've already published (2003). Best, Terry Dunn

Hi Billb, I just answered you questions in response to your later posting. then I backed up the thread and read how much I've missed over the past week+ as I've been so busy with work i haven't been online at all. Anyway, the exercise of Vol. 3 "Wind Through Treetops" and "Moonbeam..." and the Long Form Standing Med of Volume 4 will benefit the kidney orb in balance with all other bodily orbs. write me again if you have further questions. Best, Terry Dunn

Hello Bill, During which meditation in volume 2 did you start feeling intense pulsing in the 3rd eye area? I've not encountered reactions such as that since I've been teaching the system since 1995. How's your nervous energy and nervous system these days? Third eye is triple warmer in TLC and qigong therapy. Regarding your question about exercise to help the kidneys. All the FP exercises are holistic and work to bring all the organ functions under the regulation of the subconscious mind--that is the key workings of FP Qigong and how it imparts health benefits. That said, all organ systems will be strengthened and healed in a balanced, steady manner...but the standing moving meditations in Vol. 3 and Vol. 4 will provide more healing effect on the kidneys. But you have to do these moving meditations very, very slowly and relaxedly as per the DVD instruction. (I believe that GM Doo Wai would agree with this assessment.) But do continue to do the stationery standing in Vol. 1and the seated med's of Vol. 2. Also, I would advise that you consult with your doctor/renal expert and actually show him or her what actual FP exercises you are doing a lot. It doesn't hurt to get a second opinion from someone working with the western scientific/medical model of health. Best, Terry Dunn

Sifu Garry, Actually, Garry, I realized it would OK and to the benefit of the Tao Bums reading this thread to tell you what is contained in my Chi Kung For Health DVD series. So here they are with the breath control sequences that we've already discussed on this thread: Volume One, Five Basic Standing Meditations: 1) Monk Holding Pearl (50, 40, 30, 20, 10) 2) Monk Gazing At Moon (60, 40, 20)- the only med in entire system done with eyes open 3) Monk Holding Peach (I created this name) - (90, 50, 40, 20, 10) legs are straight with knees locked; feet 2+ shoulder widths apart; hands held in a "funnel" in front of heart. forearms parallel to ground. 4) Bending the Bows (I created the name): done in square horse. (70, 50, 40, 30, 10) Part A- arms circle in horizontally at throat level; Part B- arms raise to Monk gazing at Moon; part C- palms come together, thumbs touch and lower down center line. 5) Wind Above the Clouds (50, 40, 30) - arms in wide wuchi circle, bring hands to throat; stretches down to right, shifts to stretch over left, back to right, the squares up to holding ball left over right; forearms swing forward, right palm turns down. Volume Two, 6 basic seated Meditations, "Monk Serves Wine" 1) warm-up med #1: 50, 30, 10.. Half lotus/arms move up and down certain way. 2) warm-up med #2: 50, 10, 50...Half lotus/arms held a certain way just above knees. 3) warm-up med #3: 5, 60, 80, 40, 30 - Half lotus/ arms kinda like Monk gazing at moon but with eyes closed. 4) Monk Serves Wine #1: (80, 50, 40, 30 10)- 4 symmetrical movements of arms 5) Monk Serves Wine #2: (50, 40, 30, 10)- about 9 symmetrical movements of arms, depending on how you count. 6) Monk Serves Wine #3: (90, 80,50, 20) - 5 symmetrical movements of arms. This one is the WAKER UPPER. No matter how tired you might be, this will meditation will keep you up for 6 hours extra. Volume Three, 2 Intermediate Standing Exercises: 1) Wind Through the Treetops (80, 50, 30) 2) Moonbeam Splashes On Water (90, 60, 50, 20) **both of these are moving meditations, done 3x slower than "normal" (if there is such a thing) Tai Chi form speed. Volume Four: Long Form Standing Meditation (90, 60, 5, 40, 30) ****GM Doo Wai told us that this was long form med the capstone of the entire FP system. He called this form thee "Flying Phoenix Heavenly Healing Chi Meditation" (singular). (I interchanged the word "Celestial" for "Heavenly" to describe the entire FP system) After we had practiced all the preceding meditations in the above general order (not rigidly...but that's the order in which he taught us, so why not follow it, given that the med's individually are so powerful)****\ He taught us that once we learned this, if we didn't have time, we could simply just do this FPHHCM Form and not have to do all the preceding standing ones. I still do all of them and teach all of them, but it is TRUE: one round of the FPCHCM (which takes 15-20 minutes) has the energizing effect of practicing all the basic med's for 2 hours. Volume Five: Five Advanced, 90-second "Flash" Meditations. Each of these meds take 90 seconds to do and are done only once after the breath control sequence (no reps). 1) 90, 80, 30, 50 ,40 2) 80, 40, 50, 20, 10 3) 90, 50, 40, 20 - 5 symmetrical movements 4) 70, 40, 30, 20 - non-symmetrical movements with each hand holding and releasing mudra (thumb-index finger). 5) 80, 70, 50, 40,30 - Basic meditation from "Eight Sections of Energy Combined." * * I didn't disclose this on the DVD program, but this last advanced meditation on Vol. 5 is actually one of the basic med's of Bat Din Gum, the Buddhist Art that cultivates a HEAVY energy that transmits tangibly through any organic matter like wood or cloth. (I stuck one in at the very end just to spice things up for those who were serious enough about FP to work through to this fifth DVD) the energy that this med cultivates is totally different--almost opposite from the FP energy--because it is martial qigong. Who says teaching isn't fun??!!! >>>>>>>and there are more Advanced FP Meditations. But the one's I published on DVD convey the gist of the system. Anyway, Garry, I went through this 25+ minute typing exercise just to prove to myself (and you) that I know these meditation's by heart. KNOWING them by heart and doing them with the breath control sequences memorized--FOR ALL YOU BEGINNERS OUT THERE-- is part of the training (so taught GM Doo Wai) and it makes for smoother, more powerful meditation. It's a lot of work...a lot of practice and discipline--both mental and physical--for a long, long time. (I've going on 15 years now with the complete system) but the results are well worth the investment.) Good Health to All, Sifu Terry Dunn P.S. *** btw, since this is a public forum and I foresee many people ultimately reading this thread: Reminder that the all the breath-control sequences to the Flying Phoenix Celestial Healing Chi Kung system as well as the exercises themselves, their sequencing, and style of presentation as seen in my Chi Kung For Health dvd series are under copyright protection.

Hi Sifu Garry, How are you? I was out of the taobums loop for 2 weeks because of travel for work, then a week of fixing my website when I transferred to a new webhost. But all is back in good form. I also started a new Qigong class on Wednesday evenings, 7-9pm, PST, for students who have strong foundation in Tai Chi Chuan or kung-fu. During each session, I am teaching both Flying Phoenix (80%) and the Tao Tan Pai Basic 31 (20%). I've been wanting to follow-up with you and ask if you wanted to compare notes on what higher levels of Flying Phoenix we each know. I'll send you a PM with the breath sequences of certain med's with a description of their basic postures, and see if you recognize them. Sound like a plan? Should be fun and interesting. Best Regards, Terry

Hello themjay and everyone waiting for Flying Phoenix Qigong DVD's: Well, it took four more days than anticipated, but my website, www.taichimania.com, where you can purchase the Chi Kung For Health series teaching the Flying Phoenix Celestial Healing Qigong system in 6 volumes, is back online. I changed web-hosts and encountered innumerable problems in transferring the files. But for now, the Homepage and the two DVD catalog pages are working. Best, Terry Dunn

Hi billb: Sorry for the inconvenience, my website just went offline last night due to a problem with the ISP. It should be back up by Monday morning, P.S.T (Los Angeles). Possibly tomorrow, March 7. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding the Flying Phoenix Qigong or my Tai Chi for Health dvd's feel free to ask here or thru my personal email address, [email protected]. Also if you are really in a hurry to order DVD's and don't want to wait til Monday, just give me your order here or through a Private Message, and I can quote you the cost plus shipping and then send you a Paypal money request. Thank you for your interest. And again, sorry for the temporary inconvenience of my website being down. Regards, Terry Dunn

Hi themjay: Sorry for the inconvenience, my website just went offline last night due to a problem with the ISP. It should be back up by Monday morning, P.S.T (Los Angeles). In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding the Flying Phoenix Qigong or my Tai Chi for Health dvd's feel free to ask here or thru my personal website, [email protected]. Also if you are really in a hurry to order DVD's and don't want to wait til Monday, just give me your order here or through a Private Message, and I can quote you the cost plus shipping and then send you a Paypal money request. Thank you for your interest. And again, sorry for the temporary inconvenience of my website being down. Regards, Terry Dunn

Hi Bill, As you said and as I wrote previously, the two internal systems (GM Share Lew's Tao Tan Pai and GM Doo Wai's Bai Fu Pai) are completely different in almost every way, so the similarity in the "L" postures is only on the visual level...a superficial resemblance. How each system works that posture is totally different. The TTP seated "L" exercise--the last of the 31, or the 4th exercise in the abbreviated "Power Yoga" involves breathe retention five times with each retention lasting as long as one can manage. In contrast, none of the Flying Phoenix Qigong uses breath retention. There are numerous BFP meditations that utilize the seated "L" posture (also with no breathe retention), and they have very different breath sequences, upper body postures and mudras, and therefore very different energy effects. 'Really cannot compare the two systems because they cultivate energy very differently, they effect healing very differently, and they apply martial energy (i.e., undo life systems) somewhat differently. Best to all, Terry Dunn

Thanks, Sifu Garry, I look forward to your note. Yes, there are some BFP meditations that are done in half-lotus, some in chair, and some seated in "L" position with legs extended forward perpendicular to torso. And they all have different effects. Best, Terry

Hi Bill, Thanks for you positive feedback on the Flying Phoenix Qigong practice. Regarding seated med's: Try to do them in the half-lotus if at all possible. it may take hard work...such as stretching extensively to make the half-lotus more comfortable. While in 1/2-lotus,lean your torso over left knee; then swing over to the right knee; swing back to leaning over the left knee; repeat slowly many times. That said, if 1/2-lotus is inmpossible for you to do, then you can try the FP seated med's in a chair. I've told many older students with stiff legs to do this only after they've exhausted all attempts to get comfortable with the half-lotus position. When you're beginning to learn the FP Qigong, do each "Monk Serves Wine" exercise for 7 repetitions. If you want to do another set of 7 reps, take 3 breaths, come out of meditation. Then start anew with another breath control sequence. It's best to balance teh seated FP meditations with the standing ones, which are more powerful (although many people feel more tangible energy circulating when they do the seated meditations). Glad you're enjoying the practice. Sifu Terry Dunn

You're very welcome. I hope to produce more how-to programs in the future. The success of the Flying Phoenix Qigong DVD's is due to the quality of this wonderful art. I just teach the art on-camera in the exact same way that I was taught. Feel free to ask more questions through this forum. Best, Terry Dunn

Bakuakid, Interesting question. You're really putting me to the task here... --and here's my answer: Both GM Doo Wai's internal systems under the White Tiger Kung-fu banner and Master Share K. Lew's Tan Tan Pai neigong system are both extremely powerful and COMPLETE internal schools and both provide profound anti-aging benefits and impart longevity. Longevity, however, is only a side effect. One can't really compare and rate the effects of GMDW's Qigong against SKL's qigong because the latter is a monastic tradition that started during the Tang Dynasty and with it goes the monastic lifestyle that changes everything if one were to adhere to it; while GMDW's arts were reportedly developed or distilled to their present form in the 1600's by Feng Tao Teh. the history of these Feng Tao Teh's internal arts before 1600 is unknown. Regarding longevity: in the early 1980's, Master Lew was receiving by letter nuanced modifications to one of the advanced TTP Yogas called the "9 Forms" from his teacher in southern China who was residing in a cave and was 128 years old. GMDW's father was not alive at the time for he had long passed of unnatural causes. So there is no way to say which system is more effective in terms of imparting longevity by seeing how long their source practitioners lived. Around 1984 there was an L.A.Times article about a Chinese farmer who was verified to be 140 years old and still leading an active life. There was a photo ofhim. the article said that he still had nice hair and had grown in his THIRD set of teeth. Chinese historians who questioned him said that they verified everything that he experienced as a young child in the 1850's. When asked what he attributed his longevity to, he said "being a vegetarian all his life, never touching a drop of alchohol all his life, and practicing Tai Chi and Qigong since the age of six." What type of Qigong, the article didn't say. So lifestyle plus Tai Chi/Qigong can make all the difference. My experience: both TTP and BFP systems are complete and powerful schools of Yoga* that can create the structural sensitivity and psychic power to experience and literally "see" all life as an energy process, and both systems when completed will empower the practitioner with at least three times the energy level that one is born with and carries into adult life--thus empowering both healing art and martial art to that much greater potency. They are completely different methods of alchemy--that is, formulas to coordinate the functions of eyes, mind, movement and breath to energize the body and mind and purify the spirit. The TTP system is highly structured to train and develop Taoist priests...who can perform spiritual operations as well as masterfully heal and fight with energy. (This is reflected in Tao Tan Pai's subtitle.) TTP is a highly refined system in that it has specific yogas to empower specific physiological functions. For example, one of the advanced TTP neigung exercises completely changes how one sees and hears. All Master Lew said at the time he taught it was, "this is good for your eyes." (LOL) GMDW's tradition develops the same capacity to perceive and deal with spiritual entities but using a totally different alchemic yoga. Its cultivation of mental and psychic powers is profound and of a very different "flavor" than the TTP method. On one occasion, GMDW had me and a fellow classmate, a good friend, practice the same meditation at the same time but 5 miles apart from each other. That night, we both had dreams, except the modality (format) of the dream was completely switched. I had my friend's style/format/type of dream which I had never before experienced in my life; he had my type/format of dream, which he had never experienced in his entire life. The content of each dream "belonged" to the other person, but each of us understood what the dream subject was and what it meant. Now that is what I call YOGA. UNION. GMDW told me throughout my training with him that "healing was the most important thing." While most of the students who gravitated towards him during his life were more--if not exclusively--interested in getting his incredibly potent martial arts,I found that by practicing the healing arts, my martial art got that much better. And I hope I live that much longer as a result! And with that. I will leave you to redouble your practice. Whatever system you have access to that is complete and authentic, I hope you just do it. Best, Terry Dunn P.S. *btw, I use the term "Yoga" in the greatest sense of the word, as used by W.Y.Evans-Wentz in his 1935 masterpiece tome, "Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines"--and DONT' mean the weak, tepid, downstream, over-commercialized Indian-yoga derivatives in America that is truly next to useless (in that it doesn't even bring any lasting relaxation to practitioners) and that continues to spread like a really bad fad throughout society. Indian yoga practice should return to its mode in the 1960's--an exclusive endeavor under real guru's and not under any tom, dick, or jane who practices for 18 months and decides to open a yoga studio.

Bakuakid, Every person must gauge and regulate their sexual activity so that they do not deplete themselves. That said, The Flying Phoenix Celestial Healing Qigong will dramatically ignite the natural healing processes of the body. I taught it with good effect to the nursing staff of the Cardio-thoracic Surgery Dept. of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Bev. Hills in 1999-2000, who taught it to its acute-care post-operative patients (i.e., people who had their chests majorly re-plumbed) to accelerate healing without the use of pain-killing drugs (which cause all kinds of side-effects and slows down healing). While I can't know your condition that you describe as "very poor" energetically in terms of Xiantian and Houtian without seeing you in person, I do know that practicing FP Qigong absolutely cannot hurt you. that is, you have everything to gain. So if you care, to, just give it stab. Just the basic one, Monk Holding Pearl, with % exhalations of 50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 (after 3 full breaths, and with a full breath in between each % exhalation), can be done standing, seated or supine. I've used this qigong exercise from the strongest of the strong--athletes like the entire L.A. Laker team (year was 2000) to people on their deathbeds--including my own mother in 2005. The nature of teh FP system is that once it is put into practice on a daily basis (i.e., one is eventually doing all the exercises in the DVD series for about 5-6 months), there is no need to curtail sexual activity. Terry Dunn

Dear Jinjujitsu, Sorry to take so long to reply...I've been off the site for 10+ days busy with extremely busy teaching schedule. You just have to practice more until you get the hang of the percentage breath controls and feel more comfortable with it. Once you get comfortable and feel some results, you'll feel more confident of what you're doing. Try first mentally calibrating your normal breath (which you take each time with the 3 priming breathes at the start) into 10 parts. Mentally count from 1 to 10 with each normal breath you take--no matter how fast you have to count in the beginning. Once you establish those 10 counts, then use those counts to exhale whatever %'s the particular FP exercise calls for. All the breath controls are based on your normal breath cycle. It is RELATIVE--but it is not arbitrary. NOTE: make sure you don't hold your breath at any point in the sequences. There is no retention (holding of the breath) in beginning levels of the FP system. Good luck. Terry Dunn

Hi Sifu Garry, I think it's amazing that I could discover another student of GM Doo Wai through this website--and my recent introduction to it by an enthusistic student and supporter of Flying Phoenix Qigong, "Fu_Dog". [Thanks again, Fu Dog!] You can continue to PM here thru this site, or contact me by my general business email, which appears on my DVD products: [email protected] or [email protected]. I look forward to our continuing correspondence. Best Regards, Terry