henro

I've been self-studying Chinese language for a decade I've used Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, and for TCM concepts Nigel Wisemans books - Chinese Medical Characters. You might also look at Duo Lingo, but its simplified characters only.

I've seen the infomercial and it literally broke my heart. How could anyone promote this thing... As an aside, I'm a licensed acupuncturist, and currently enrolled in a doctoral program. When I see another acupuncturist calling themselves "Dr." I'm usually curious, and look for their credentials, especially when they use the title of PhD. In most cases when someone has done the work they usually include education in their bio. Cheng does not... The Chinese medicine doctoral programs in the U.S. use the term DAOM. To my knowledge there are only a few schools with accredited PhD programs in Chinese medicine and most are in conjunction with universities in China. With these PhD programs, they are actually post doctoral degrees, meaning you need a Masters, and DAOM before pursuing the PhD. Only after checking Linkedin did I see Dr. Cheng's education, he received his PhD from a degree mill with dubious accreditation.

Michael Sasso has some things to say about ordination..... https://michaelsaso.org/daoist-ordination-buddhist-abhisekha/

Acupuncturists in California are required to have a masters degree in TCM from an accredited school. The curriculum must include TCM theory, acupuncture, herbs, and western medicine. They also must pass the CA board exam, which is the hardest exam in the country. Given all of that, there are still some flakey people out there Best bet is personal recommendations, but you still may need to bounce around a bit until you meet someone that you resonate with. Most acupuncturists should have a bio on the website. I would look for someone with post-masters degree training, hospital or clinic time in China, and a personal qigong or taiji practice.

This is a pic from my 2006 trip to Huashan during the descent from North Peak. --not sure how to resize this, but if you click on the pic you get a larger version--

Looks like a great book!!!!! I've been to Huashan many times, and it is truly a magical place.

Unfortunately, the wild asparagus that is traditionally used in many Chinese formulas, including many of DH's formulas is simply wild asparagus tuber, and is not the same as Red Asparagus. Completely different properties, though tian men dong is extremely useful for many other things - nourishing kidney yin clearing heat, and generating fluids. Haven't tried the Red Asparagus you've pictured. I'll try to track down some details….

Red asparagus? Not sure, we're constantly on the hunt, and can't find it reliably. I've tried quite a few reishi varieties. I like the Purple Reishi the most as a single herb for it's meditative effects, and dream quality enhancement. You might also try Albizia flowers. Calms the heart, but is also very uplifting.

The Pichtford book "Healing with Whole Foods" is one of the recommended text in TCM master degree programs. You could also look at "Tao of Nutrition" by Maoshing Ni, "Chinese Natural Cures" by Henry C. Lu, and "The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity" by Dan Reid. Those are the 4 in my library that I often turn to outside general TCM textbooks... You might also check out Cosmic Nutrition. I'm paging through it now and it looks pretty cool.

Apparently the hot herb for dreaming is Chinese Red Asparagus, but it's really hard to come by. Otherwise you're totally on the right track with two above. I regularly take Supreme Shen before my meditations.

Because the things they are teaching interest me, not sure where the 6 Flags part comes in….

If I could go anywhere right now it would be here: http://fiveimmortals.com

good food good sleep positive thoughts/attitude meditation/qigong time in nature a supportive partner

From a Daoist perspective, longterm health is the result of good diet and nutrition, meditation, and exercise. Herbs can be a part of that as evidenced by people like Li Qing Yun who is said to have eaten gou qi zi every day, and consume a soup of ginseng and he shou wu regularly.

That's a great question, and it comes up often. We have licensed acupuncturists on staff who all have a masters degree in TCM. One also has a phd in Chinese Medicine, and several are currently in doctoral programs as well. The company offers free herbal consultations either by phone or in person at the retail stores. We do a full TCM intake with complete medical history, and family history, along with current concerns, lifestyle, etc. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of these herbal consultations, and many of the herbalists have developed long term relationships with their customers. We regularly review customer programs, and I think most importantly no one works on commission. We definitely have customers that just order over the internet without ever talking to us, but everyone here encourages customers to have at least one consultation at some point.

I've been on daobums for a number of years, but in the interest of full disclosure, I am now working at Dragon Herbs... I got hired at the end of March after I graduated with my masters in TCM. I haven't tried Microcosmic Orbit yet but it's at the top of my list. My regular program is Frame Builder, He Shou Wu, Diamond Mind, and either Supreme Shen or Albizzia Flower drops. I'll do Tonic Alchemy once in a while, usually during periods of heavy training and calorie restriction.

The history of pitch and tuning to A=440 https://www.piano-tuners.org/history/pitch.html Tuning A to 432 is less than a 1/4 tone, it would be perceived as a bit flatter but would probably not significantly increase overall frequency response within a given piece. Tension in music is usually created with harmony (multiple notes), tempo, and tone (think of the Psycho theme). Not sure how you could relate the overall tuning of music to beneficial results. Everyone's body is different, everyone's hearing mechanism is skewed based on the size and shape of their head, and ears, and everyone's environment is different. If we're basing the benefits on resonant frequency, than everyone's body, and organ size is unique, therefore the most beneficial tuning would be completely unique to their system.

Great post Aetherous!!! "Psychic energy", does not always correlate with "full" jing. It could be scattered shen, and a host of other things. If you're transforming/reabsorbing the sexual energy and fluids correctly you should feel calm, but full of energy, not stagnated.

Congrats!!!!! I just graduated…. It's a long road, study hard, maintain balance, eat healthy, find mentors, and maintain your life practice. Good luck!!

I agree with Leif….. If every organ, every body, etc. has a resonant frequency than those frequencies would be completely unique to the individual. How can a woman who is 5'2" have the same resonant frequency as a guy who is 6'4"? if you chant enough your voice will settle into a range that is comfortable to you. Forcing your voice into a frequency range that may be uncomfortable will not be soothing or healing.

Are you doing the other foundation practices that Michael teaches - Oceanic Breathing, Deep Earth Pulsing, and Inner Smile? If not I would suggest you add those into your daily routine...

I agree with Ish, sounds like you're in your head too much. Moving practices could help, give your mind something else to concentrate on - tai ji or bagua would be my suggestions.

I would agree… Michael Winn does not suggest getting into his system through sexuality. and in the 9 years I've been practicing with him we have barely spoken of those practices. He knows that people often get into this because of the allure of the sexual practices, that is why he is adamant about the foundation courses.

I've trained with Michael since my first trip to China with him in 2006. I've since taken a couple Primordial Qigong workshops, Fundamentals 1-4, Fusion of 5 Elements 1-3, a second trip to China, and he was the officiant at my wedding…. So I'm pretty biased. The practices he teaches in the seminars I've taken are present in many of the other systems I've had experience with. 6 healing sounds, microcosmic orbit, 5 Animals Frolic, etc. are common practices, and are the fundamental practices of Winn and Chia's system. Michael is adamant about solidifying this foundation before moving on to anything else, and that the advanced practices should be practiced under the guidance of a teacher. I have often seen complaints on these and other forums from people who jumped right into some pretty advanced stuff too quickly, and without guidance. Now whether these practices, especially the advanced ones, should ever have been introduced to the public at large is a different discussion. And perhaps the deviations we've seen (as in the posts above) would have happened to those practitioners in another system as well. But my experience, and the experiences of the 100 or so people I have seen practice with Michael, have all been 100% positive. He presents the material honestly, and practically, and is always available for questions, and conversations about the work. If you go to Trunk's external link above, specifically the posts regarding Iron Shirt, they state this is an advanced practice, rarely taught anymore, and that the method itself is valid. They also state very clearly that the advanced practices should only be undertaken under the guidance of an advanced teacher. The other link describes qigong deviations that can occur with any practice, and again it says as much in the link. The other link regarding sexual practices offers the same advice, again the system is valid but should only be attempted with proper instruction and a solid foundation. I'm not sure throwing the entire system out based on these links is warranted.

I agree with dawei and others, plan a trip for a couple weeks to an area that looks interesting and check it out. I wouldn't move there blind... You might look at some organized trips structured around tai chi or qigong - Michael Winn, Solala Towler, or maybe one of the Chinese teachers that offers retreats. I did 2 trips with Winn, and it was eye opening. Gave me a wide view of the country, made some introductions, and has helped me negotiate the rest of my travels there. I go almost every year now, sometimes 2 or 3 times per year to visit people and teachers I've met on his trips.