ancienthealth

Reading the first half of your post, it's funny, I thought... wow i've experienced the same exact thing, and it was so wonderful, and to see you say it was horrible is very interesting. One thing I've noticed, is I haven't gone back into this state really, and though, not a conscious choice, I definitely stopped the practices that were giving "me" the "success" -- I think my ego got scared of dying. However, I think it's time to get back on that path. When I tasted this "void," upon coming back I knew that nothing else mattered, but not in a bleak way, but with the most joy -- it confirmed that all of this spiritual searching and obsessiveness really did lead to something real and true, something dependable.

Cool, I will check it out. I understand that the intent of the creator need not be a factor in the practice - but something about the intent of TacFit and my intent seem very different, and that puts me off. But I will look into it. What is Stand Still Be Fit? I am quite hesitant with standing meditation only because I fear learning it incorrectly, and therefore wasting my time or worse hurting myself. I have done a bit of Zhan Zhaung though, and I do find it verrrry powerful! :-) Five tibetans are great... If none of this other stuff that Im investigating really clicks, I'm going to fall back on them, and really commit. I've always liked them as long as they are done slowly and thoughtfully. I also forgot to comment on my expeirnece with Spring Forest Qigong. Granted, i've only practiced it maybe 20 times, so my opinion doesn't have much weight, but I did have experiences -- here they are. Granted, I also have done other practices, etc. so it's hard to say what's what -- this is just my intution- ---Increased psychic abilities - Sensed many entities in my house very clearly, even saw a ghost with my eyes - this was also after smoking marijuana (which I do NOT condone, it was a slip in behavior -- each time I do it -- about twice a year, I learn much more how damaging it really can be to the energy system) -- it seems that opened up the chakras in kind of a vulnerable way ---Ability to heal others - energetically - This was my favorite thing about it.. but I had this ability a bit before doing too much of any practice. SFQ just refined it. One night I healed my grandfather's energy pathway's from a distance of about 10 feet. I watched him transfrom over about 20 minutes from slouched over, low energy, blockages, to the most energetic I saw him all thanksgiving! I know this is not anything groundbreaking around here ;-), but it made an impression on me, because after doing some SFQ it feels so natural to heal the energy systems of others. Once we learn about our own energy system, we understand other's very easily! While this ability is valuable to me and perhaps my biggest attachment SFQ, I imagine that yoga would nourish this ability also, as long as that intent is maintained. This healing ability is probably the main reason to do SFQ, as Chunyi even says it's the focus of it. I have not gained such a healing awareness from traditional meditation methods - SFQ is special tuned for healing. I seem to have noticed a distinction between heart healing, and energy healing. Chunyi says that the energy we use to heal is love, but that isn't what my intuition has told me (although you could argue "all is love").. It seems SFQ exercises healing using chi, which is simply life energy running through the system -- but yoga and religious practices (prayer, forgiveness, pratikraman) seem to facilitate what I would experience more as love healing. This is ultimately more interesting to me. Healing the bound karmas of hurt that prevent free flowing love. Obviously this is all related in the end, but I see chi and love energy is two distinct different things (though related). I could be very wrong, I do not really have an idea. It just seems one kind of healing happens in relationship between two people due to an open heart chakra and shedding of karma, and the other (SFQ) is a more quasi - physical working with energy. The SFQ kind is more health oriented while love healing is more about emotions/relationships. -very balanced flow of energy. With yoga I feel an ecstatic energy going straight up my spine into upper chakras. almost an orgasmic kind of feeling sometimes -- with qigong, it is much more balanced, grounding (and frankly a bit more boring to me -- that ecstasy is very useful for making art). It feels like SFQ may be a more balanced approach to health and releasing blockages but perhaps not the one that really suits me best. -physical weakening - since the only physical art i was practicing at this stretch was SFQ, i definitely got a bit weaker (although I also had a sickness). I have felt this with SFQ in the past. It is simply not very good exercise. If you have a normal build, or a large build, SFQ loosens the joints etc and does the job of "exercise." but I am extremely small and the lack of muscular exercise (asanas are enough) has made the upper boddy feel a bit weak. The legs gained strength though, from standing 20-30 minutes at a stretch while doing the SFQ -emotional detox - some difficult emotions running through, just like any other meditation practices. There is a slightly different quality about SFQ I can't really put my finger on. It feels more like the emotions are in my whole body as opposed to focused in one location maybe -increased energy and health

Thanks for responding everyone. Multiquote is a great feature! What I think i'm looking for (I could be wrong however, sometimes physical exercise has been the ticket) Is more of an energetically driven exercises with a physical component, as opposed to a physical exercise with an energetic component, which is what this seems to be. I've tried something like this before, and I liked it for a bit, but eventually it ended up being too much tension in my muscles and it cut off the energy flow (perhaps I did it incorrectly). Also it may just not be the best thing to serve my goals... I'd rather just take a walk or something If I'm going to get pure physical exercise, then I can kind of explore and unwind, as opposed to be locked into yet another system. Maybe you can comment on your experience with it? I find his advertising page was impossible to decipher (and that kind of put me off). Yea I checked out Robert Peng, he's the only master I could find through my own research. Way too expensive for me.. :-\ I've found this in myself, as well. I have difficulty with routine. Thanks for making me aware with that. It does help my mind find peace to have one thing I can rely on.. One little routine. But that does help --- I don't have to give up SFQ just because I can't do it every day. My mind can be very rigid -- "if you can't commit, stop altogether." It may just not be my natural flow. I seem to alternate between a yoga mindset and a qigong mindset. Physical exercise definitely can help, but i've found as a mainstay practice, it's not needed for me. As long as I get a couple of good walks a weak, and work my muscles a bit, I'm cool. Have a sinus infection in the moment, so won't be doing any of that quite yet ;-) Asanas are great, and I continue to practice them in some form, whether the five tibetans, the SRF stuff, a standard sivananda type routine, etc. However, I haven't found it to be enough. I'm looking for something a bit more along the lines of what Tibetan_Ice was describing -- Lessening the need for sleep, etc. Something with more psychic potential. That's what Asana + Pranayam is probably the answer. But I know it's wise to start very slow with pranayama and I don't really have anyone to guide me.. that's one reason I posted here. Perhaps the Energization Exercises that Tibetan_Ice recommended will be the ticket.. I will try them first for sure, it resonates the most --- Found this ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYslYfZlxio

Hey sorry about that last post, I am mobile-stupid and now I don't know how to delete on phone. There are prayers of devotion, and prayers designed to strengthen the awareness of separation between pure soul and mind/body complex- There is the practice of pratikraman to clear karma of hurt very quickly There is introspection to find where the awareness was dim and bring awareness to it An most importantly there are the five principles (pm me because just like kriya it is under wraps) which are very simple (but the best practices seem to be simple) to maintain the awareness of separation. There are other aspects as well but these are most important. It has

As I already have some meditation disciplines I decided to practice them for long stretches in full lotus now, as i've read about how that cultivates energy. I have a very weak constitution and immune system, cold limbs, lack of energy, low appetite. Maybe full lotus can help this? And this would work great since i already have a routine... However I was wondering (especially considering my specific "symptoms") If there was a set of movement exercises to also help to stretch and spread energy.. maybe something that doesn't take more than 20 minutes so i can focus on my sitting practices? There is a lot of info and types of Qi Gong out there, and i am very attracted to it but also very new. I have heard of Ba Duan JIn, and that is kind of thing i'm looking for - but just wondering what else is out there, what's recommended.. etc. Thankyou for your help, this is a wonderful forum!

I bought good condition used Needak for $100... haha Thanks for the inspiration guys. What's the best way to use it?

great thread guys! Last night i did some really intense burpees and plank holding, and pullups. I think it's what i need. I neglected to say, but you guys could probably infer that I am very physically weak as well. I weigh 110 pounds (which is my normal weight - always have) but I am a 20 year old male. Rebounding looks cool but i travel a lot and I don't have a rebounder as of yet. Just 10 minutes of really intense exercise last night made me feel warm, got my digestive system going, cleared my head, and then made the yoga I did afterwards much more effective. So I imagine 15 minutes of (very intense) exercise 4 times a week or so might make a huge difference. Then with time management in mind, my other physical practice for now is yin yoga (because i can listen to recordings of my favorite spiritual teacher while breathing and relaxing) Seems to work as a combo - I feel better than in a while!

Hmm. Yes! Thanks - it's very common sense i should need more physical exercise.. Seems i was looking for a way to avoid that conclusion ;-). Whenever i start i end up stopping within a week but I don't know if I realized how important it could be to my health.. It might be the key thing I'm missing. As far as the internal organs, I might try Yin Yoga (which i read about on here) for now, simply because it is very relaxing to stay in a posture for that long.

Cool - I'll check out all of those, I looked at Dragon and Tiger, sounds great. I think the main factors are Health/Energy (as i said i have low immune, cold limbs, low appetite, high sensitivity to food, low energy sometimes), and Time, which i would prefer something under 20 mins or so.

I came here for alternative health help (qi Gong, diet) etc... I will be making posts soon and hopefully contributing other places in the board. I've been a reader for a while and appreciate the level of expertise on this site.