Ruthless

Sifu Terry, I just started doing Vol III a week ago and did WTTT twice a day. Today I added MSOW. They do not take much time compared to VI and VII. Should I just do these 2 for a while before doing VI & VII again? Andy

Hi Lloyd, When I was doing the TDP QiGung I would do an hour in the AM and an hour in the PM and if I taught classes and other hour or two during the day and another hour each night. On Saturdays I would do up to 8 hours of Chi Kung in one form or another. When first learning a new set one would go through a clearing of the new energy channels being worked. This would almost certianly bring up emotions that needed to be cleared. This would often happen after the set completed during the following hours. Upon completion of the set everyone would feel calm and relaxed. Later was when the emotions would come. The more you did the more would come up until the cleaning process was done. Then a new set was taught. An so on. I did each for at least 6 months then learned a new set. It was compared to living in you house with 60 watt light bulbs, then when you did the Chi Kung you had 200 watt bulbs in your house. You could see all the dirt and clutter that needed to be delt with. The 31 was a nice 2 hour calm set. The Nui Kung would fry you legs, grounded and pushed your breathing. The Shen worked the third eye and could really open it up to see things. There was both standing and seated in the set. The Sars was rather mild for me. The Flowers open up my chest and caused it to break out and smell bad during the complete 6 months I did it. I stopped for a week and the chest stuff went away. When I started it again it came back the first day. The Dragons was 7 weeks of celibacy. 1 week before learning the first of the 5 exercises and 1 week for each new one learned and 1 week doing all of them together. I passed on that one. The Ruler just fryed my legs and pushed my lungs. The way I was taught it was 60 inhales and 60 exhales in 1 hour doing the knee bends. I liked it. It was a super charger. That was the reason I contacted Sifu Terry in 2009. To relearn the Ruler but he suggest the FP. I am not concerned about the leg shakes. I expect that for a while. I always feel calm and relaxed after doing either Vol 1 or Vol 2. I was just checking to see if the FP was similar in this aspect that I experienced with thhe TDP Chi Kung (how we eused to spell it). Thanks Andy

For the past couple of weeks I have been doing only the seated. Either Earth Meditation (Vol 1 #4 seated in the AM for about 20-30 minutes) or all of Vol 2. I have been a bit anxious about stuff in general. Today I decided not to do the Earth Med. and had a feeling I should do Vol 1 instead. About 4 minutes into #1 my legs started to shake a little. OK after 2 weeks my legs must be out of shape. I thought. #2 and legs were shakey. #3 not so much as they is no movement. #4 my legs started violently shaking up and down while doing the breathing. The past few times I have done #4 my chest gets hot and sweaty even though I am in a 50 degree room. At those times my legs did not shake much or at all. Today I started to sweat all over and my legs went cazy. My legs get a little shakey if I have not done Vol 1 Vol 1 regularty. Not a big deal. They will calm down in a day or so. These days I do not do any forms to work my legs. They are strong, just not Martial Arts Strong. What I was supprised to feel after I was done, was that all my anxiousness was gone and I was calm. I've been that way all day. This sort of thing reminds me of the days of the Tao Dan Pi Qi Gung. Too much Shen, Stars or Flowers and not enough Nui Gung or Ruler to gound it out one could sort of spin off the planet. I knew one guy who only did the Shen. After 3 weeks he was afraid to walk done the street as things were always jumping out of the bushes at him, things no one else could see. I started hiim on the nui Gung to ground him out. The TDP Nui gung is all standing with the first 1/2 hour in a medium low square horse. I like MSW in Vol 2. It feels good but is it a little ungrounding? As for todays experience it seems like I should be doing Vol 1 more. Anyone else come across this? Andy

Charlie, Glad to hear you back at it. On ones face for a long time seems to me to suck big time. Sounds like you have the meat well under control. My mother in law now 101 was raised on a ranch in Denver area. All her brothers and sisters lived long lives as well. Oldest was 105 I think. All ate meat but they raised it themselves. Maybe that's the trick. Grow your own. In any case I am not against meat. There are days a good old burger looks real good. At 62 the vegan thing feels pretty goods to me, so I will keep it up for now. Maybe later I'll go back to meat. Things change. Enjoy Andy

Hi ShivaShakti, It was suggested to me to heat my neromuscular discomfort in my back in the morning and ice it at night. We have heat packs and ice packs which I have been uning for 20 minutes of heat and ice. You can exceed heat for more than 20 minutes but ice should stay at 20 minutes, no more. My wife is a chiropractor and is real clear about icing times. It seems to be helping a lot. I am going to start the Vol 2 seated either tonight or first thing in the AM. I've been missing it. You might want to try it and see if it helps you. Andy

My last post about food. No this is not from vegan books. Board Certified Physician http://www.drfuhrman.com/ask/default.aspx

Eugene, The reason my wife and I went Vegan is it is anti inflamitory. All disease comes from inflamation. Eating animal products creates inflamition in the body. There are no calorie restructions when eating Vegan. Why, there are very little calories in vegetables. What you propose above will make you fat. What do they feed cows to make them fat? Grains. If caloric intake is restricted the body goes into famin mode and stores fat. If you want to lose weight and get healthy, go vegan. Research Dr. Fuhrman for more info. Andy

My 2 cents on food. When I as doing the FP in 2009 (Vol 1 & Vol 2) my legs would burn doing the Vol 1. I never got past it. I was eating animal products at that time. July 2012 my wife and I started to eat vegan. A couple of months later I went to the gym to pump some steel, which I had not done for a long time, I thought I would very sore the next day. Surprise!!! No lactic acid burn. No sore muscles. When I started the FP again in Nov 2012 My legs would shake and just recently they stopped shaking but never burned not even the next day. Surprise!!! No lactic acid burn. No sore muscles. Dropped 15lbs and I am at 10-15% BMI Muscle tone is good. Strength is good. Nice 6 pack. If you eat animal products you produce lactic acid causing the muscle burn I go to the Whole Foods food bar once or twice a week, they charge b the pound. I end up with 2lbs + of food each time. I can eat tons of food and not gain any weight. My wife signed up with Dr Fuhrman and we get 3-4 vegan receipes a week. She picks one or two to make each week. From pizza to chocolate desserts. Good stuff. I'm 62, look in my forties. Good genes but that is only about 30% of one's health. What you do with it is the other 70% Since starting the FP again I get by on 6 hours sleep. A little known fact about protein. You don't need much at all. Mother milk is only about 4% protient. You would think the little guys would need a ton of it to grow but that is not true. Now that you are grown you need even less. We get our protien from beans. Andy

I ran across this in my stuff this and it was a reminder of my focus. Sometimes I forget. On the way to work I decided to post this. It might seem a bit off topic at first however it is completely relevent to what we are doing here. Twelve Point Synopsis of Abraham-Hicks’ Teachings 1. You are a Physical Extension of that which is Non-physical. All-That-Is, or God, is not finished and waiting for you to catch up. You are the leading edge of thought, here seeking more: more of all that feels good to you, more of that which is fresh and gloriously uplifting. (You are, in essence, bringing heaven to earth.) 2. You are here in this body because you chose to be here. You wanted the opportunity to experience this delicious contrast in time and space, and with great anticipation you came to co-create with other joy-seeking beings, to fine-tune the process of deliberate thought. (What, where, when and with whom are your choices, too.) 3. The basis of your life is Freedom; the purpose of your life is Joy. You are free to choose to discover new avenues for joy. In your joy you will grow, and in your joyous growth you will add to the growth experience of All-That-Is. (However, you are also free to choose bondage or pain.) 4. You are a creator; you create with your every thought. You often create by default, for you are getting what you are giving your attention to wanted or unwanted but you know by how it feels if what you are getting (creating) is what you are wanting or if it is not what you are wanting. (Where is your attention focused?) 5. Anything that you can imagine is yours to be or do or have. As you ask yourself why you want it, the essence of your desire is activated, and the Universe begins to bring it to you. The more intense your positive feelings, the faster it is coming to you. (It is as easy to create a castle as a button.) 6. You are choosing your creations as you are choosing your thoughts. Your loving, Inner Being offers guidance in the form of emotion. Entertain a wanted or unwanted thought and you feel a wanted or unwanted emotion. Choose to change the thought and you’ve changed the emotion and the creation. (Make more choices in every day.) 7. The Universe adores you; for it knows your broadest intentions. You have come to earth with great intentions, and the Universe constantly guides you on your chosen path. When you are feeling good, you are, in that moment, allowing more of that which you have intended from your broader perspective. (You are Spirit Incarnate.) 8. Relax into your natural Well-being. All is well. (Really it is!) The essence of all that you appreciate is constantly flowing into your reality. As you find more things to appreciate, your state of appreciation opens more avenues to more to feel appreciation for. (As you think you vibrate. As you vibrate you attract.) 9. You are a creator of thoughtways on your unique path of joy. No one can limit where you can direct your thought. There are no limits to your joyous journeys to experience. On the path to your happiness you will discover all that you want to be or do or have. (Allowing others their experiences allows you yours.) 10. Actions to be taken and money to be exchanged are by-products of your focus on joy. On your deliberately joyous journey your actions will be inspired, your resources will be abundant and you will know by the way you feel that you are fulfilling your reason for life. (Most have this one backwards, therefore most feel little joy in their actions or their possessions.) 11. You may appropriately depart your body without illness or pain. You need not attract illness or pain as an excuse to leave. Your natural state coming, remaining or leaving is that of health and of Well-being. (You are free to choose otherwise.) 12. You can not die; you are Everlasting Life. In grace, you may choose to relax and allow your gentle transition back into your Non-physical state of pure, positive Energy. Your natural state is that of Foreverness. (Have fun with all of this. Lighten up! You can’t get it wrong.) P.S. It is not necessary for even one other person to understand the Laws of the Universe or the processes that we are offering here in order for you to have a wonderful, happy, productive Life Experience for you are the attractor of your experience. Just you! All quotes are copyright Abraham-Hicks Publications. Visit the official Abraham site at: www.abraham-hicks.com/ Abraham-Hicks Publications P.O. Box 690070 San Antonio, TX 78269 Andy

ShivaShakti, Thanks. I do all 5 standing (Vol 1) in one session that takes me about 30 to 45 minutes. All 6 of Vol 2 takes me about 45-1 1/4 hr. With all the talk of mixing MSW I get confused about what to do. I will stay with my plan of doing Vol1 & 2 for a year before moving on to any other FP. I started doing them again in November. I learned them back in 2009 but was not fully motivated to do them. I had to push myself. This time I really like doing them. As to my back discomfort it is clearly Neuromuscular. It was suggested to put a heat pack on in the AM and ice pack in the evening. I'll see how that works. I put the heat pack on and then do Vol 1 #4 seated for 20-30 minutes then a little later do all 5 of the standnig. I am looking forward to using my Christmas present again that my wife got me this year. A samadhi bean bag meditation pillow and mat. It feels really good. I can sit half lotus on them for an hour + without discomfort. Excluding this small inconvience of the Neuromuscular thing. Enjoy Andy

ShivaShaktiWhen you do Vol 2 MSW #2 is that the only one you do at that time?

Sifu Terry, If I am understanding this, and I may not, that MSW are the most healing of the FP? At present I am doing all of Vol 1 in the AM 5-10 minutes each of the 4. I have laid off Vol 2. Doing Vol 2 I had a muscle in my back next to the right side of the spine near the kidney get irritated making it very hard to focus. This as been going on of a few weeks.Not a major discomfort during the day but is very distracting during MSW. If I do any seated I use a pillow as a back support so as not to irritate it further. Just enough to keep my back straight and have some support on the sore area. To heal up some old stuff, at 62 no grey hair, would it be better to start learning the Vol 7 MSW? Sore heal for serveral months, tinnitus and that sort of thing. I had thought of doing vol 1 & 2 for a year beofer moving to another vol. Maybe I should change now. Andy

There is a document I received from Sifu Terry about the does and don'ts for the FP. I was under the impression that all received this when they got there DVDs. It is also on Sifu's web site. http://www.taichimania.com/essentialguidelines.html #3 caught my eye as to the sauna item Guidelines For Practice Welcome to Chi Kung For Health. You are about to use a most wonderful yogic discipline to discover and develop the internal energy (ch'i) of your body. The Flying Phoenix Heavenly Healing Chi Meditations is a medical chi kung system developed more than 400 years ago by a legendary Taoist alchemist and healer, Feng Tao Teh of Ehrmei Mountain in the Szechuan province of China. The ancient techniques contained in this video instruction have been impeccably preserved by six generations of a Taoist martial and healing arts lineage. The Flying Phoenix Qigong exercises are presented in this video series exactly as they have been taught and practiced through the ages. By simply following the instructions presented in this program, you will experience the energy cultivation process known as chi-kung. Moreover, you will experience the unique healing effects of the Flying Phoenix Celestial Energy that is rapidly induced by these exercises. The energizing and rejuvenating effects brought about by this practice have been described by students as profound and ineffable. Each individual practitioner has his or her own unique experience of this alchemic process. All who have properly practiced these exercises on a regular basis discover that the energizing effects and health benefits of this Chi Kung practice are repeatable and verifiable. For best results in practicing the Flying Phoenix Meditations, follow these important guidelines: Do not eat within 30 minutes before training. Practice in a quiet and secluded environment with good ventilation that is free from disturbances and interruptions. It is absolutely essential that you practice in a private space where you will not be bumped or physically disturbed in any way. Beginners should practice indoors. If you must practice outdoors, do so only in fair weather. Do not practice if exposed to strong wind, dampness, or excessive heat. Do not practice near telephones, machinery or household appliances that can emit unexpected noise. Follow the instructions for each meditation precisely as they are presented. Practice to the videotape until you have memorized the posture and movements of each exercise. Once you have an exercise memorized, practice it with the eyes closed. Except for the standing meditation, "Monk Gazes At Moon," all the Flying Phoenix exercises are done with the eyes closed. Eventually, also memorize the breath-control sequence at the start of each exercise. Then practice the entire exercise--breathing sequence coupled with posture and movements--with your eyes closed. Remember that you do the breath-control sequence only once at the beginning of each exercise. Once this initial breathing sequence is completed, breath naturally and evenly as you do the rest of the exercise. Do not hold your breath or strain your breathing! All breathing is done through the nose with the mouth closed and tongue touching the roof of the mouth. For each Flying Phoenix exercise that involves movements, do the movements as slowly as possible. If you are familiar with the art of t'ai chi ch'uan, visualize the speed at which slow form practice is done-and then practice your Flying Phoenix exercise at one-third of this t'ai chi rate of movement. Each standing Flying Phoenix meditation should be practiced for a minimum of five (5) minutes. If you can manage, each exercise can be practiced for fifteen minutes or more for greater benefits Each of the seated Flying Phoenix meditations collectively called "Monk Serves Wine" series are done in sets of seven repetitions. There is no danger in practicing any of the Flying Phoenix meditations for long durations. It is totally up to you as to how long you can practice any of these exercises. Typically, students in Terry Dunn's classes and workshops spend three to four weeks of daily practice on one exercise before progressing to a new exercise. If you want an intensive introduction, follow the training schedule that follows. Practice one exercise at a time in the order in which they are presented on the videos. They are presented in increasing order of complexity and energizing effect. Do not alter the breath-control sequences or the movements of any of these exercises. Do not alter or re-arrange the pairing of breathe-control sequence to the physical movements of any of the exercises--lest you reduce the effect of the exercise, or worse. Do not proceed with the posture and movements of a meditation if you know you have performed the breath-control sequence improperly. If you make a mistake in doing the initial breathing sequence of an exercise, stop immediately and take three deep breathes. Then begin again. Do not do the movements and postures of an exercise without the preliminary breathe-control sequence, as this will dampen the effect of future practice. If you feel a pleasant light-headedness, "rushes" and "flows' of energy in the back, neck, and particularly the head area, do not be alarmed. This is a normal energy effect/relaxation response commonly felt by practitioners. If however, you experience loss of equilibrium, stop immediately. Consult your physician before continuing. Begin and end each of the exercises with three deep breathes. The brilliant alchemy contained in these Taoist exercises effects mind-body integration very rapidly and very tangibly and viscerally. With every exercise, you have the potential--or rather the likelihood--of entering into a very deep, altered state of mind. The three full breathes before the initial breath control sequence provides a comfortable transition from waking state-of-mind to the meditative state of mind, and the three full breathes at the end of each meditation provides a safe and comfortable transition from a meditative state of mind to the normal waking state. Remember: relax, do not rush your practice. Go slowly and enjoy the exercises. Qigong training is a gentle, long-term process. Energy (ch'i) cultivation cannot be forced; it is induced. Do not make Qigong an object of obsession. For best results, maintain a healthy and balanced daily routine of work, diet, recreation and sleep. After a few months of practicing just one or two exercises, many practitioners notice higher energy levels and deeper and more restful sleep. Some think that they can get by with less sleep. Be careful not allow the energizing effects of the meditations to compromise your normal quantity of sleep. Do more work with your new energy, but get enough rest.

I think I know the answer to this but I am compelled to ask. I have been going Vol 1 or Vol 2 everyday for the past 3 months. Some days I do both, maybe once a week. I sometimes, have to take a break between the seated for a minute or two and stretch my back as I get a muscle pain close to my spine about T10 & T12 on the right side and it is very distracting from the meditation. I also have developed a pain in my left shoulder, bicipital tendon is tender and causes a click or sorness when reaching up and some discomfort in my left hip joint or SI joint. I am not aware that I did anything to cause this but think it is old stuff working it’s way out. I also considered that I am just falling apart at 62. No, I’m not buying that one. I can still squat on my heals, 20 pushups & 100 crunches, touch my palms to the floor with no effort, yoga pigeon pose. So it can’t be getting old. Must be old stuff clearing out. Anyone else confirm this sort of thing?

Only if you fall down. Sorry I just couldn't resist it. In truth I have no idea.