dawei

I think this may be giving too much power and position to the mind; it now controls the immaterial world? IMO, It's not the mind which returns us into the immaterial world.

I tend to just avoid using the 'power' word if I can and might even say vibrational energy at times. I think I can see the point being made but don't agree with the general premise and dichotomy of higher and root power. I like how you said the universe doesn't have a problem with our problems; and when you said we have the power to distroy ourselves, that is a good way of putting the self-sabotage syndrome too. We develop these patterns and what emerges, naturally, is our doing (and undoing).

To me, most of his Qigong books (writing style) seems to be a little more like a collection of information than an organized 'how to'. I have five of his books and tend to refer to them in order: 1. Chi Kung: Health and Martial Arts 2. Chinese Qigong Massage 3. The Root of Chinese Qigong 4. The Essence of Tai Chi Chi Kung : Health and Martial Arts 5. Embryonic Breathing If I could only have one, it may be The Root of Chinese Qigong as a good, broad informational book; but the first one is the smallest but I think his best if one wants more like practice material (the fourth is also good for some forms). Each has something in it I really like. The EB book has the various translations which I like.

I would call it a Divine Presence; Power seems to give too much to the idea of volition. We are only limited by our awareness and connection. If we only think in physical terms (right, wrong, take, get, etc), I think we miss the boat on this.

There is one word yet it has many meanings. Their meanings combine to show the power of oneness; the one word (in romanized form) is so powerful it becomes incomprehensible. He wanted to show that one 'thing' (事-shi, so a self-explained riddle) is what this is all about; yet it it not enough to use one sense (listen) to comprehend; one needs the whole of senses to get the whole of meaning (you need to be able to see the words, not just listen).

The western five elements are not really analogous to the Chinese five phases (which is a better term since they are transforming and changing). So, on a certain level ALL Five Phases are ONE transforming/changing process, but they are shown in five stages of generation. There are a few cycles and they are bi-directional but the most common cycle is the Sheng Cycle: Wood > Fire > Earth > Metal > Water > Wood >> [start again] By the idea of "correspondence", each phase is associated to numerous characteristics (directions, emotions, color, taste, etc).

The three treasures in Qigong are Jing, Qi, and Shen. All three are energies. The body is a kind of bio-electromagnetic field; the cells contain magnetism and the bones are piezoelectric. So we are capable to generate a kind of energy or force. So I agree with what fizix said in a more brief way. Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming has a nice section on this in his The Root of Chinese Qigong. He raises an interesting thought: If electricity requires a electromagnet force (EMF) to move, how does the mind become an EMF (thoughts transform to a force or energy)? My impression of what John Chang did was to completely merge Yin and Yang energies into his lower dan tian (although I think he says it occurs in the lower perineum--bottom of the Tai Ji Pole); his practice allowed him to store it in some sort of depolarized form, as one; then he is able to generate it as if using a dial (ie: generates a certain percent of Yin vs Yang, depending on what the application is). I think whether it is truly an 'energy' or not is difficult to say since it seems it cannot be measured on volt or amp meters; also in his book there are examples where it appears to defy the laws of thermodynamics. So it may be some force form we have never defined or can account for on some level (maybe because some of what he does incorporates the Shen). At the sake of appearing to possess morbid curiosity, I experimented while flying on business trips; I reasoned that maybe at 33,000 feet the Yang Qi was a little stronger than being on the ground, so I "tested" some meditative ideas which I thought might generate a "shock"; yes.. I tried to shock myself

You can strengthen/increase the Jing through practice, diet, and herbs. Usually one strengthens the kidneys and lungs since that primarily affects the Qi, blood, and jing. The kidney's are the foundation for the entire house (body); so it is worthwhile to maintain a good level and not become jing deficient (which will naturally occur with age--think a lost of sex drive or performance). See below for the important role of the kidney energy: http://www.articlealley.com/article_731756_17.html When talking from a TCM and/or Qigong energy perspective, a word like "Kidney" actually includes the urogenital and adrenal glad. (While the pancreas is in that same proximity, it is put together with the "Spleen".) I don't think the endocrine system has an equivalent in TCM; some try to associate the "Triple Burner" to it but seems better to see the "Kidney" as influencing it. Thus, strengthening Jing has a positive effect on the endocrine system. Also, I think it's better to say that the Qi stagnation/imbalance causes the hormonal imbalances. Also see here: http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/exam/specialties_menopause_herbs.html You said you want to transform Jing to Qi to Shen, but have not said for what purpose? And this is just transformation of energies. Such practice should include to nourish/strengthen Shen, house/protect/calm Shen, and regulate/integrate Shen with the Body/mind/emotions. As R_V said, find a system which suits your goals.

This character for chicken appears to be MWD B only. The characters appear as: MWD A: 溪 (xi = creek / rivulet) MWD B: 雞 (fowl / chicken) Fu Yi, Heshang Gong, Wang Bi: 谿 (xi = creek / rivulet) One can see the same character part throughout. --- While support for MWD B is weak given all translations follow "Xi"; The sentence makes no sense as rivers or creek or steams. Thus, the MWD B use of "ji" (chicken) actually makes sense. Once again. THANKS!

Daode. I realized later I posed some of my thoughts not as I really wanted but you answered as I wanted. Thanks for the post. I like your points.

I often refer to Lin Yutang's translation and commentary book. In your case, 散 is the first character of an absent compound in the text; yet it follows 樸 (which you evidently don't want to modify) and before 則, which is a contrast clause which it can't modify. I can only surmise you imply 散 to be short-hand for a compound that doesn't exist in the text and you have no Qin or Pre-Han examples of. The earlist commentaries have no comment. The first commentary I find a comment is 200 BC, Heshang Gong says: "All the myriad things derive from the cutting of the uncarved block, as then you create utensils with various functions. But if the Way is never cut, it forms a single guiding light, streaming out as the sun and moon, dividing up as the Five Elements." I am not against your very interesting idea IF you could show some usage somewhere other than an online compound reference. I'd just like to see an early usage of the compound.

Sounds good. Just give an example from the old texts. In a search of Pre-Qin and Han text, I don't find that useage: http://ctext.org/pre-qin-and-han?searchu=%E5%99%A8 UncarvABLE? I don't agree since Lao Zi already negates that idea with: 樸 散 則 為 器 This shows that some will cut (divide) it up. I see it as he means: what is uncarved (nature's way), do not carve up (man's way). Leave it to it's nature (the great way).

That was my point. Maybe not enough reading between my [and LZ] lines. It is actually [at least] three realms, but who is counting.

Try both ways. Which one is more natural? If you want to try the one less natural to your energy flow, you need much more than a forum question to get it right. I think Forest Gump had a quote about this kind of thing...

I would be interested to hear your impression of the book. While the guy is not really into eastern energy practices or issues, he touches on points which those in Qigong immediately said "duh" to... feeling that it simply validated what has been taught for thousands of years. On an advanced Qigong level, it essentially reveals the true potential for the path from Nei Gong to Shen Gong. It may not be obvious but it would be interesting to talk about if some more read it. Don't want to distract from your original post anymore. Hope you enjoy it.

A few links: http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?/topic/9205-reverse-breathing-dangerious/ http://www.chionline.com/taiji/reverseb.htm I only use it for a certain small circulation (a particular micro-cosmic orbit). We were taught to start with 15 minutes and work up to 1 hour. But like any practice, you need to clearly understand what your doing. The first link mentions Dr. Yang Jwing Ming. I have many of his books. He mentions talks about it in a few. --- I see that you mentioned TaiJi. I think I would never use it for TaiJi. It just feels unnatural with the slow movements (Yang style). In TaiJi, your breath should easily reveal a natural course.

Not aware of any downloads. I've read the book and am listen to the audio CD now. There is some stuff on Youtube. I now see that it is at www.scribd.com. If your a member, you can download it. From his website: http://www.brucelipton.com/ The Biology of Belief is a groundbreaking work in the field of New Biology. Author Dr. Bruce Lipton is a former medical school professor and research scientist. His experiments, and that of other leading edge scientists, have examined in great detail the processes by which cells receive information. The implications of this research radically change our understanding of life. It shows that genes and DNA do not control our biology; that instead DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages emanating from our positive and negative thoughts. Dr. Lipton’s profoundly hopeful synthesis of the latest and best research in cell biology and quantum physics is being hailed as a major breakthrough showing that our bodies can be changed as we retrain our thinking.

Have you read, The Biology of Belief? Forget DNA; It is mostly about your thought patterns.

I can't agree with that since Taoism is not very visibly an influence in life (compared to Taiwan). It is a part of the psyche at best but not as a general practice or worship. I think there are other influences that bring about materialism there but there are influences which also suppress the stampede.

You may be describing mankind in general but the chinese are not the poster child for that argument. I wouldn't use the Taiwanese example. They are equal or even more concerned than mainland Chinese with economic success. Taiwan is a highly "westernised" (especially from the US perspective) country. It is still traditional in many regards, but Taiwanese people are obsessed with Japanese pop-culture and the American dream and values. For Taiwan, I was referring to the influence (and role) of Daoism, not Hedonism. But I agree in part with your points about Taiwan.

There was 'measurement' in a loose sense but one can't think in terms of a valued reading but an energetic reading. Unless your into energy 'measurements', this is maybe just too hard to explain or give convincing examples. But one has to see Qigong as a much more spiritual/energetic/vibrational practice. Although a general person may be able to read themself, with more training you can easily read another. This then gets into what we call in modern day, Medical Qigong.

You have a lot of opinions for never being there. How are they formed? I've been there 11 times, so I might have a few thoughts but it seems that it always takes too much time to change western thinking which already has a set thought in place. What does morality have to do with any of it? Political and individual freedoms? You should read up on 6000 years of history to understand more about what they see as essential to survival and how freedom is extended under such conditions. I would say this, and I know others who agree who have been to china: There is a certain level of freedom they experience much greater than the west. There is no amount of explanation to convince someone other than just going there. Taoism does not stand alone; it is part of the socio-philosophical-cultural mindset, just as Confucianism and Buddhism are. Read the Neo-Confucian movement about 1000 years ago when the 'three sat as one'. There is an apt saying that chinese are confucian by day and daoism by night. For a strong influence, you should look at Taiwan which is much, much smaller in population and where temples play a more integral role to people's lives.

Gaminess aside, the answer is still YES. Most don't realize that Gigong does not necessarily follow TCM through and through. I would NOT put Gigong under TCM but under a branch of Daoism which has many branches; another which is TCM. There is overlap but they are not 100% compatible in their systems. I should clarify that I am talking about the most ancient forms of Qigong, one more familiar is Dao Yin, and which evolved to inner alchemy and eventually to Medical Gigong which is more powerful than TCM in curing some issues. Shamanistic roots here just for a read: http://www.chikung-unlimited.com/Shamanic.html

We should look at the last section together, which is preceded by opposites which should be kept together. The preceding sections end with: WU: And return again to Primal Simplicity English/Feng: Return to the state of the uncarved block. While I often like simplicity, I see using the explicit 'uncarved block' is not just a pun but the literal meaning of the entire section. Final lines after the 'return': 樸 散 則 為 器 Uncarved Block Divided [contrast previous thought] acts tools 聖 人 用 之 Sage Uses 則 為 官 長 [contrast previous thought] acts Head Official 故 大 制 不 割 Thus Great System Not Cut Apart I would read the ending as: The uncarved block once divided becomes mere tools Yet in the [original] use by a Sage He becomes a head official Thus, great governing systems do not cut (or divide) themselves up. I personally think that what is mis-conveyed by omission is the double contrast. The section just spoke throughout as to NOT divide opposites and return to the "UNCARVED" block. The first CONTRAST: If it is divided, it is just tools. The second CONTRAST puts it BACK to an UNCARVED state: A Sage uses it in it's original form; Thus governing should be that way. Aside from that meaning, Derek's is next best approach IMO. He, like most, just don't treat the double contrast.

For those of us who do care about such things... It may be further more interesting to note that neither appears to be in the oracle bones. The earliest I find is the bronze script and they both appear to have a mouth At some point, 'left' was changed to work.