Fu_dog

Master Yap Soon-Yeong discusses the relationship between qi and karma in his book "Energy Medicine in CFQ Healing". I don't practice his qigong, however, I found his discussion on this topic fascinating.

NYC - Yes, I have tried many types of Qigong, however, I have gravitated to Dr. Stephen T. Chang's qigong as baseline exercises. Specifcally my foundation qigong is made up of two programs. The first is Dr. Chang's Deer exercise, Crane breathing and Turtle breathing (which is particularly powerful). Dr. Chang's qigong is really excellent for "building qi", and you can feel tangible benefits almost immediately. These can be found in his book "The Complete System of Self Healing". Dr. Chang's qigong, though powerful, uses only small movements. So I follow that with more moving, vigorous qigong exercises as these also benefit muscle tone. What I use for the second foundation is Master C. K. Chu's Eternal Spring Qigong. It only takes about 10 minutes to go through this routine, and the benefits are very good. Master Chu has a book with this program titled, "Eternal Spring Chi Kung". Then I finish my daily routine with "Carefree Walking of the Taoists" as described in Master Lam Kamchuen's book, "Walking Chi Kung". This is a deceptively simple, yet very beneficial exercise. I found this to be an excellent daily routine, which takes about 45 minutes. I do this every morning with very good benefits. This routine builds qi and energy with each session, which has lots of benefits. That said (and not to thread jack), my interest in Spring Forest Qigong is that it is a very different type of qigong. As per my questions above, I am quite interested in getting some feedback on expectations from long term practice. I would not stop my morning routine as discussed above, however, I may consider SFQ as an evening qigong.

Drew - you stated: "This means that the focus of healing in http://springforestqigong.com does not focus necessarily on increasing internal energy as much as it focuses on emptying out the internal electrochemical and even electromagnetic blockages so that the mind-body returns back to pure consciousness as emptiness." I have practiced SFQ, and I did not feel it's focus was on "building Qi", but rather on "smoothing Qi" that was already there and opening Qi channels. Is this your experience? To be honest, I have not emphasized the practice because there are other forms of Qigong that have more focus on "building Qi", which have tangible effects. Also you seem to take this a step further saying SFQ "empties", leading one towards the ultimate Emptiness. Very interesting. This would imply that the effects of Master Chunyi Lin's practice are more subtle, yet potentially more beneficial in the long run. For people taking up SFQ, what can you say the practitioner can expect after, say, 6 months of concerted practice (minimum 1 hour per day)? After 2 years of practice? Thanks...

The biggest challenges to cultivation? One is external. The other internal. Externally, so many of us are wrapped up in the work of the world. For me it is a demanding sales management position that requires heavy travel, very long days, operational problems and constant people related challenges. This results in stress and fatigue. And, if one is not careful, it becomes so easy to get wrapped up in it all, developing strong attachment to outcomes. Also, externally, we all have to deal with our personal situations in life, many of which are not easy. Internally, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." We fall from the path of virtue. Over and over. I suppose given the two above challenges, the frustration for me is, I feel what I do as cultivation practice is "necessary, but not sufficient." I am honestly not sure if I will ever rise above my current level. Still I practice. That was a stream of consciousness. Hopefully it makes some sense.

You may want to add 1 - 2 hours on your poll.

Mal - I've practiced Lifting Sky and Carry the Moon for several years now to begin my qigong practice sessions. These are excellent, and I have never been able to get away from them. Also, these two exercises seem to blend well with the other forms of qigong I have practiced.

To those who have truly attempted unconditional love, it is a daunting challenge requiring great spiritual strength. To have tried is a great gesture. To have failed is human. To have succeeded is Divine. Only a few who have walked this earth have truly achieved unconditional love. Over the past century, Ghandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Teresa come to mind as people who have come close. To the outside world they seem to have achieved unconditional love. However, when you read their writings, in their hearts they don't believe the got there; they believe there are levels that they did not achieve. I once asked a Christian minister how a person could get there spiritually. He replied honestly that he believed you must be born with a special spiritual capacity, and only a few are so fortunate. To attempt unconditional love is a goal that one understands going into it will not be fully attained. However, I believe this is perhaps the highest and most worthwhile of all ambitions.

Lin - Your post was excellent. And I believe your observation goes to the heart of the matter.

Master Hua-Ching Ni discusses an after sex (loss of jing) recovery qigong in one of his books. It works well to restore qi to the dan tien.

Interesting comments regarding epilepsy. In his book, "The Idiot", Dostoevsky describes the experience of an epilectic seizure as a state of "escstasy". Dostoevsky was epilectic himself, and knew this from experience.

xx

It's very interesting that thoughts of a physical (sensual) love resulted from meditation. The love experienced during mediation is spiritual, with no relevance to male/female. Your question,however, was regarding a "side effect" of meditation, and so perhaps a clearer mind simply sees things in all aspects as they really are. It's always beneficial any time you see things more clearly, or have a realization of reality that wasn't there before.

So, I must introduce myself before I can post on the main board? Ok, as for my introduction, there's not much to tell. I practice a little qigong and meditation. Now, am I qualified? Cheers, Fu dog