Ryan McCoole

Funny thing, I never even looked at your challenge yesterday but started the Zhan zhuang "holding the tree/balloon" and wuji stance for the first time in months. It must be Jodo, the will of heaven. I'm in! That puts us at January 25th, 2011. I started ZZ in London when reading Lam Kam Chuen's Way of Energy. It hurt a lot to even hold 5 minutes. Yesterday I could hold comfortably for 20 minutes even though I hadn't done it in a while because I think I learned how to *relax* and channel the pain/pleasure one feels. It's wonderful to have a lasting base. Goals: 20-25 minutes of Holding the Balloon stance every day 20 min of the "standing in the river" (arms out at sides) Sitting meditation to solidify the yang chi (without overly hardening it) Refraining from orgasm and ejaculation. Go team! Great idea.

Vortex: I appreciate the encouragement, it's good to know the vibrating is a good sign! When I first started reading about Nei-Kung/basic Taoist applications, I never really knew if it was for real 100% you know? So it's *great* when actual things/signs start happening to you. Your and effilang's words are great guideposts. Yeah I'm with you on the times...I could do 4 times a day but what if tomorrow morning I do 2 hours or something equivalent? Best always, Ryan

effilang: I have some reading to do! This looks *great*, and I will definitely honor the authors. Now you've got my question-mind going: are the hours you list for meditation (i.e. 5-7) the times of day you should practice? and is it standing/ embracing the tree while focusing on the Dan tien? Thanks alot again. This evening has been an unexpected stumbling into a new resolve. Like it!

effilang: I have never heard the 100-days explained so consciously. Thank you. As soon as I read I i immediately thought of Ancestor Lu's 100-Character Tablet, and the first two lines: "Nurturing energy, forget talk and fixation Conquer the mind, do non-doing" I made the connection in my head and something just clicked. *bows* Thanks again Also I'm right there with vortex. How much time *is* generally needed? Right now I do "embracing the tree" for about 20 minutes a day (working to 30), and about 30 minutes of sitting-meditation (with a new particular focus on the Dan Tien now Alot of the stuff people talk about on this forum is good, but alot of it can be vague, hazy or feel wrong unless verified/experienced by the individual. Something you said made sense to me, so I'll share if you'll indulge. I know there's a billion different views on this, but I feel that masturbation with orgasm/sex with orgasm *does* set me back in my practice. However, my biggest obstacle has been "staying the course": putting in the meditation, "feeding my dan tien nothing", as you say, and sticking with it for more than a week. But here's my point:: the furthest I've gotten on that path was about 30 days with the meditation and no orgasm. At that time, I remember focusing on my Dan Tien one night and feeling a *very* distinctive vibration there that I never felt before. Then I cracked, had an orgasm, and stopped the meditation. That was a year ago. I didn't know I *might* have been on to something until I read your response about how just focusing on the Dan Tien is great/natural, and the rest will take care of it self "spill over". I have to say I am filled with new resolve in trying this. It really helps when someone *else* confirms what you felt, just a good booster for the Shen. Does that even make sense? Also I can't seem to find the attached course, but I'll check again. (edit: Ah ha THERE is is. Awesome, thanks brother).

Thanks for the response. First 100 days...how do you define a day? Storing up Jing and doing "embracing the tree" for 100 days or...doing the Microcosmic Orbit for 100 days or...? I have read the traditional "100 days" is so many places/books...but what does it mean in layman's terms? Also, what should we be looking for with yin chi? With yang it feels hot, wants to rise, and is associated with sexuality. But what should we be looking for with yin chi? Thanks again. Great image the main points/ micro-cosmic orbit...although I have no idea how to effectively practice the MCO. (mostly Zhan Zhuang here, but always willing to do new things Thanks again

That is a great question. John Chang's student -Kosta Danaos- talks about yin energy representing (among many many other things) sleep, water, metal and in a broader sense, our reptilian-brain connection to the "collective unconscious" or underlying hum of the universe. I remember in one of the books he talks about seated-meditation in a cave. He says both the close location to the iron-rich earth and the nearby water helps access the yin energy. Higher minds will weigh-in here, I hope. Still going by Kosta (and therefore Mo-Pai) he does say the yin center is the hui-yin, basically the scrotum. Now I'm wondering the same thing you are here. Most of what he talks about is how to "store" up yang chi in the Dan Tien. But he never makes a reference to "storing" anything with yin energy. In my interpretation (which is dangerous) it seems like yin is more about connecting to that subtle "river" and strengthening how it flows through you. I have no idea how to do that and hope more people post! I also seem to remember somewhere that having direct contact between the hui-yin and the ground is necessary. Again, great question. -Ryan

I do agree, though: Luk's book does seem more of a DIRECT translation rather than an adaptation to English readers. It's kind of like reading a word for word of the Dao De Jing rather than reading Stephen Mitchell's English interpretation. thoughts?

I have the "Pillars of Bliss" on order, sounds like an excellent read. Question though: does this also require/detail sexual energy transformation in such traditions as Mo Pai? I'd be curious how much of a crossover there is, or a smilarity? I mean, other Bums here have made points to discuss/ even see Adyashanti, who said in one of his videos that "everyday life IS the practice?" Not to take away from nei-gong or Kulun, but what is the relationship here? I mean, I've read qi-gong authors say "Zen prepares the mind very well to do Qi Gong". So...are people like Adyashanti missing out? I rememeber Adya said "It's not the blue pearl or the golden dragon or whatever the hell it is. If that happens, your Oneness is what percieves that, but it's not the Oneness itself." I even e-mailed his site asking what physical activity he does and they responded, "I think that aspect has dropped away." Conenction to Kulun? Significance? This practice looks good and I'll be working on "taking it all in" Best, ryan

I have the "Pillars of Bliss" on order, sounds like an excellent read. Question though: does this also require/detail sexual energy transformation in such traditions as Mo Pai? I'd be curious how much of a crossover there is, or a smilarity? I mean, other Bums here have made points to discuss/ even see Adyashanti, who said in one of his videos that "everyday life IS the practice?" Not to take away from nei-gong or Kulun, but what is the relationship here? I mean, I've read qi-gong authors say "Zen prepares the mind very well to do Qi Gong". So...are people like Adyashanti missing out? I rememeber Adya said "It's not the blue pearl or the golden dragon or whatever the hell it is. If that happens, your Oneness is what percieves that, but it's not the Oneness itself." I even e-mailed his site asking what physical activity he does and they responded, "I think that aspect has dropped away." Conenction to Kulun? Significance? This practice looks good and I'll be working on "taking it all in" Best, ryan

I just graduated too, and am applying for every radio job in the state...so I know what you're going through. Could you elaborate on the Eat Rice and Train, theory? I am curious... Be well, Alex

Hey Pony and all, I was in this exact same situation...oh...yesterday! I can usually go about a week before my body starts telling me that ejaculation would be th ebest thing. But right after, I feel I "lost" something, I am surrounded by waves of "you'll never attain enlightenment, your weak", and other dualistic attachments. I practice still zazen and shadowboxing. I also am constantly flowing with my Dan Tien, breathing all the way from the center, etc. So, would any fishoil supplements work from the health section in Meijer? Any you'd recommend? Thanks, and Pony, I totally know what your talking about. SO two weeks is the normal cycle for you?

Hello all, I've been at the Bums for quite some time, great posts, but I just had to throw this one out there. Here's a quote from "The Secret of the Golden Flower" translated and explained by Richard Wilhelm, discussing 'the seed' or Jing: "“ An ancient adept said: ‘Formerly, every school knew this jewel, only fools did not know it wholly.’ If we reflect on this we see that the ancients really attained long life by the help of the seed-energy present in their own bodies, and did not lengthen their years by swallowing this or that sort of elixir. But the worldly people lost the roots and clung to the treetops.” So, what are some experiences you have with utilizing and conserving Jing? Do herbs and ‘elixirs’ help (physically as well as spiritually) with walking down your path, whatever that may be? Just some musings…thanks. -Ryan McCoole- Tao learner.

mbanu, excellent resource...I shall be returning to them in the future for reference I'd wager. Yes I agree. 6-7 days is the max for me. After that my mind is so consumed with the urge that my practice swivels and sways. I am learning temperence as well...excellent point. Not to much, not to little. It really IS like the 70%. We're not at optimal efficiency is we breathe in 100% lung capacity...that will hurt. But with 70% we can go further, faster.

yeah..for me that obsessive point hits at 6 days...doesgetting to that point really help with energy generation even if you keep it in?? After about 6 days I gotta release...is that a psychological barrier? are there other ways to mentally erase the duality I have with "release" vs. "non-release"? Bums?

oh ye Bums! In the name of psychology, the Dao and the link between Light and Darkness, let me know what ye think: http://www.sangraal.com/library/rtc6.htm (seriously, I thought the Jungian concepts were great, applicable to our varied practices) Be ye well, -Ryan

Has anyone ever found that meditation/their own practice can bring about "negative" or dark feelings?

I was thinking, if darkness is that which passes away, then "Light" could just be another word for Reality, the Dao? So, not a dualistic Light Vs. Dark, but a Reality vs. the lack of a perception of Reality? Also it talks in the article about psychology and states of mind. My question to you: In Reality, do all of the various qi-gong and tai chi practices, in the end, give us ways to raise our electro magnetic brain waves, open up our minds, and expose our psyche to areas where we can unearth our "dark" psychological problems? In other words, is the "Light" in the article simply a psychological mindset we slip into in practice and cultivation in day to day? be well,

Very nice article, but yeah some reservations there. I'll keep this in mind the next time I'm jaunting somewhere

Wow what a question.... Do you feel maybe that you won't be as effective or calm in your everyday life if your constantly using energy to merge with the Void? Is it an energy and time issue as well? For me, it's almost like the less I try the more the Dao comes to me. Surprise surprise! haha. But I know where your coming from, because there were times when I said, "Well hell, it'd be better for me if I did..such and such...instead of worrying about the Void constantly. Also to all the bums, isn't the Void the final goal in alchemy as well? Jing->Qi->Shen->Void?

Long story short, walking across Chicago all day has given my left foot (why not right?) a very bad blister, so much so that for the past week it has been almost interrupting my qi-gong practice. I'm just thinking of popping it and rubbing antibiotic cream on it aterwards. Any similar experiences from you bums? Any way of dealing with this blistering problem...haaa...that was so punny. get it...? Ahem, sorry, lack of coffee... Be well,

I'll give it a shot Spectrum! Concider my Umbrella officially treading...

I have not myself (yet!), but I'd really be interested as well to hear some experiences... be well,

Todd, THE HUI MING CHING "The Book of Consciousness and Life" Translated by Richard Wilhelm and rendered into English by Cary F. Baynes 1. Cessation of Outflowing "The illustration found here in the Chinese text shows the body of a man. In the middle of the lower half of the body is drawn a germ cell by which the gateway of life is separated from the gateway of consciousness. In between, leading to the outside world, is the canal through which the vital fluids flow out." The whole translation is available here: http://shapeless.org/huimingching.html The break analogy makes sense...too often do I FORCE myself to "be relaxed" enlightened, or receptive...all of which are meaningless unless I really let my mind go and simply be. Simply flow with the chaos. Could you elaborate on your "breaking down"? I too have set out on paths, only end up not satisfied or too caught up with a greed for enlightenment...its one of the risks of what all us Bums pusrue, I'd wager. Yes indeed, be well Todd "Life is far too an important thing to be taken seriously." -Oscar Wilde ...sometimes, ike you said, we need to ease up and relax