pilot

Agreed about how will can tax us from first-hand experience, not just for practice but in everyday life tasks, though I'm less certain about its effects on the kidneys. I can't say one element over another: Hun, will-power, routine/habit, negative reinforcement, logic, self-esteem, inner drive... To me what matters more is that it works. Bhakti is a broad enough term that encompasses all that in practical terms while creating positive feedback with your practice or way of life.

Hi. like minds indeed.

From my experience, 2 people in similar (though not as extreme) situations, both left to live independently, both much better off. Was it hard? Did it seem impossible? Yes. Did they succeed? Yes. I for the most part agree with Gauss and others who have addressed these questions. Disentangle yourself from a relationship with them even if, as you say, are forced to respond. You can go through the social routines but without having to 'be there' to give them the attention and emotional energy they feed off of. Again, disentangle yourself. If your situation is as hopeless as you say it is, you are in no position to "seek justice for all the wrongs." Project an image of yourself of how you would like things to be, make it a positive one, realistic but without self-imposed limitations (entanglements) and aim for it. Treat disappointments as reminders to focus on this positive image, and double you efforts towards it. Admit to yourself the reality of the situation you are in right now, let go of the victim mentality, make your goals clear, affirm to yourself that change is possible. When you are free and independent to live your life as you see fit, I am sure you will find opportunities to do something positive for someone, and to reassert your image positively. If these don't help, or any of the other advice already given to you from the other topics, then look back on your priorities and needs, and try to be more clear about them. Good luck.

everyday life in my experience is not exactly filled with people who inspire, support, or surpass your bhakti, least of all in a positive sense, or who share an endless drive to test, seek out, and achieve their full potential beyond their human and self-imposed limitations, who are at terms with the nature of impermanence, illusion, strain, suffering, oppression, true meaning and true identity... to put it in practice, to be a genuine living expression of...

Thanks for the source, I will check it out if I come across it. However fractal or at what level, I will keep to the original higher level-anatomy as described (presumably by people so skilled as to feel it and its effects directly) as it relates to traditional Qigong. I think what is more concerning and practical is how different people respond to different Qigong methods by way of inherent (minor) natural variations; this I believe to be addressed by trying different methods and customizing them to fit your own higher-level anatomy. So, it is hard to invalidate different forms of qigong in hopes of synthesizing that which is most effective (or discontinuing that which is entirely redundant or inert) without first accounting for that minor natural variation. I'm still experimenting with different things myself, but theory is sometimes helpful to avoid completely frying yourself or wasting your energy and time in nonsense.

I look forward to your post, and in what way you mean non-linear, as well as to the source of your information. I find it a worthwhile question even if I anticipate it to be short-lived.

a question worth applying repeatedly and to more than just qigong. in my limited experience, I agree with what basic principles I came across (breath, Yi, Qi, state of Shen, relaxing, posture) and the order in which they happen to operate efficiently. so in that limited sense, their form is valid. some have martial application, others apparently employ the vessels and cavities inherent in the human form towards specific ends. I imagine they also illustrate basic principles of nature. to this and among different styles and appropriateness, I too wonder.

I don't think zhan zhuang will help you. I can't say anything about 'healing tao' since I stay away from it. If you focus on the "gates" healing tao recommends, Yang Jwing-Ming says this will only stagnate them with Qi. (Someone correct me if I'm missing something, but I'm pretty sure I can quote him on this from QM:small circulation). He writes that if you Qi is not led properly past the 3rd tricky gate (one of the cavities), it will enter the brain. I've been having a mild but definite pressure in the left hemisphere of my head which started a few days ago and I attribute it with 70% confidence to the deepening of my zhan zhaung I've been doing daily for about half a year now. It too does not go away with sleep which otherwise cures all of my headaches no matter how bad. Suffice to say I stopped it entirely (it was very enjoyable), even regular qigong standing aggravates it. Zhan Zhuang definitely raises a type of pressure in the head, and I have followed Lam Kam Chuen's advice and schedule to the last detail (except I warmed up with only part of the baduanjin until I learned the rest). The only modification was deep breathing, setting the plumb line, and mildly trying to start the fire at Qihai occasionally. regular taiji sets helps, and so does jogging. I anticipate it will go away gradually, and I might modify zhan zhuang if it is still viable for me. crashing and burning are part of developing our own practice I figure, at least for those who are mostly self-taught.

None really. Though among the many that are inspirational, I can relate to Waking Life for my lucid dreaming, and star trek for everything else. Unleash your inner fox-spirit

Hi Jenn, thank you for sharing a bit of your life story. It does sound very hard what you have gone through, and I imagine that any outside perspective would have a hard time really understanding it, as with all unique situations, to the point of offering something meaningful and insightful to you. There is a healing circle topic on the forum, but in any case, I wish you well in finding the answers and clarity you seek. welcome!

Jou, Tsung Hwa Tao of Taijiquan or Wong Kiw Kit Complete book of Taijiquan. I started with those and do not regret it. But they are more for adjusting your form than teaching it directly. Another vote for YMAA material, but keep in mind it is very hard to extract the new among the repetition (almost as if each book is its own standalone volume). 8 Simple Qigong exercises for health (Ba Duan Jin) is practical and easier to learn while his other taijiqigong do better when paired with videos. Qigong small circulation is most comprehensive and well presented and will cover most of his main theory (and spares you excessive internal advertisement of "wanna know more, too bad, see my other book" since it is, finally, an 'advanced' book). of course there is always Zhan Zhuang from Lam Kam Chuen for standing Qigong, easy to learn and very worthwhile along with his version of baduanjin.

Could not help but notice that I was reading one of your earlier posts from 17 December 2009 after a google search of book translations where you mention the "Wuzhen pian "("悟真篇")

I can relate with the part about stumbling across sites that talk about PK and ESP, and then discovering books on AP or OBE at the library under the non-fiction section of all places. I read JJ's books after coming across Wilhelm and Cleary's translations and after more reading discovered that (in my opinion) kundalini is indeed part of nei gong and not necessarily a misguided linear (incomplete) spinoff as I believed previously. with your attitude, I doubt you will try it only in part. as they say, you become what you do, or, once you start, there is no looking back. but you knew that

hello, I see a "white flower" too when I run a bit too fast and enter a forested area of my path. In my case it is not a hallucination but instead possibly due to low oxygen going to my eyes and the change in illumination. JJ Semple does have an audio instruction for his breathing method as well. What got you interested in his book?

His narrative highlights the practical significance of one important element, among many others, running through the classics of Secret of the Golden Flower (Wilhelm), Eva Wong's translations, and Tsung Hwa Jou. His experience has been inspirational and insightful.

Hi, NJ's a nice place, been there once and I pass through it on visits south. I am a big fan of YJM. He is an excellent author (sparing the overlapping and redundancy) who openly shares an all-embracing and coherent perspective without being bound by it.

I find tai chi is a great way to combine a lot of basic principles that apply to almost any other discipline. Hello from the East

Hello circlework, some are more fortunate than others to have excellent teachers and affordable workshops around. I too have been doing my best reading as much as possible and setting up a routine practice on the basics and it helps even if my dojo at times leaves me less than satisfied. see you around *edit: deleted quote

In some ways, undoubtedly, and in others, it remains to be seen. It's hard to give a precise and short answer, it's only been a few months since I started zhan zhuang, and I'm still experimenting with variations. My taiji and qigong have not been routine, and undergo lots of changes and experimentation too. The way Kam Lam Chuen from Way of Energy explains the practice has certainly helped guide my former standing meditation I did part of Qigong, and also how I approach Neijia overall. ZZ is part of taiji to begin with after all (see Tsung Hwa Jou). With regular ZZ, I have not felt out of practice when suddenly starting my Taiji routine, and this used to be a big problem. I have tried pairing a nearly full ZZ session right before Neijia a number of times, and it is clear that ZZ exercises your body and mind fully so that any more is excessive (and likely not beneficial). I do more short bursts of Wuji and standing pole between sets instead, and otherwise separate ZZ and Neijia into different sessions. The one thing that I attribute to ZZ directly is the inner relaxation/steadiness/strength of mind and the 'potential energy' especially in the legs. Sure, taiji and qigong have that same effect, except ZZ does so directly and leaves me feeling empowered and not out of breath (I believe to be a sign of excessive Yi and strained Shen). This is exactly what is described in Way of Energy and the source of my realization to the importance of ZZ in its own right. I can also say that without my struggling with Taiji, ZZ wouldn't be where it is for me now. I have done Qigong standing from when I began Neijia, and it felt nothing like the ZZ I do now. So truly they go and work together.

the next step is writing a mirror image of the statements. and then, as they say, a tree is a tree, and after, a tree is a tree.

When I started Zhan Zhuang I did it because I thought it could address the shortcomings of my taijiquan as explained by the author in Way of Energy. It became enjoyable and an expectation of my body at the same time each evening irrespective of my desire. Miss it for two or more days (such as due to a cold) and you could say it has its own withdrawal symptoms, much like jogging.

Harmonious Emptiness: YJM is working on Grand Circulation, the third of his meditation series. his website is ymaa.com it is too bad his retreats are way in California and quite pricey

wtm: I see. I too find there is a lot of different ways of standing still and the books can't go in that level of detail. Only a teacher could account for body type, skill level, type of focus and so on. Each session of mine so far differs widely from the previous depending on what mind set I go in with even if I try for consistency. In any case, I'll stick with the first book then and see where that goes.

Montreal's a nice city. A lot of great books have come out even in the last 5 years, and authors like Jwing-Ming Yang are even doing their best as we speak trying to obtain rare editions for translation/interpretation. Welcome!