Fu_doggy

pitisukha - I am not sure I understand your last question. Could you please ask again in a different way?

pitisukha - That is a really good practice schedule....nice work! As for the muscle fatigue, that is something that in the beginning we all have to work through. The good news is over time the legs become quite strong. As far as Monk Holds Peach, Sifu Terry can weigh in, but I do not lock my knees completely. While my legs are straight I leave the slightest bend and the knees. This in turn allows a more comfortable hip position, and I believe a better flow of qi. Regarding how close you hold the Monk Holds Peach hand position to the chest, you can hold it really close. You should be able to feel the difference as your hand position gets closer in proximity to your heart area. As a final comment, your very next meditation and Volume 2 will be the first seated Monk Serves Wine meditation. At that point, at least for me, things started to get interesting. I still find that very first seated Monk Serves Wine meditation to be quite powerful....I did that one just last night and enjoyed the energetic effects immensely. Please keep us posted with your progress!

Bubbles - You are absolutely correct. As Sifu Garry often says, slow and steady is the way....and that's what I try to do. Considering the Flying Phoenix meditations, I feel there is much more to be realized if I simply do a better job of simply practicing what I know. After the two year mark, I was fortunate to have had some extraordinary experiences while practicing FP. Experiences that Sifu Terry may refer to as super-normal. But I do not have these super-normal experiences consistently, and this tells me that the limitation is not the number of meditations that I practice, but rather the limitations are with me. I am confident that if I practice with enough consistency and sincerity that there is much more that I can gain from the FP meditations. Speaking of FP meditations, it is now 9:30 PM in Orlando, and it's time to go practice. Cheers!

That vid brings new meaning to "slow" and steady. ;-)

Nice video Sifu Garry....thanks for posting. That slow speed of movement seems to be common to both SYG and FP. Very cool!

ridingtheox - have you finished your 100 day gong? If yes, how did it go? Thanks!

Leif - I've had the same experience with extremely old memories that have resurfaced since doing FP. One as recently as a week ago, which was a memory from my very early childhood. I think you'll find this is not an uncommon occurrence as you progress in your practice of Flying Phoenix.

Crunchy - there is some good info on lineage on the first four pages of this thread, though it doesn't answer your question on the BF name.

Steve - good story... the Big Sleeper will do the trick! Also I have found if my time is limited at night, either 50 30 10 or the very first MSW meditation really smooths my energy, calms my mind and helps me sleep soundly. Those two are not as effective as the Big Sleeper, but for me they still work pretty well.

BTW - There is a section at the very end of JAJ's book called Understanding Alchemical Training (Overview). There is pretty interesting stuff in there. Very interesting. I will admit I read that section first and am now going to the beginning.

Great pic.... Yah, I mean like that!

Just got mine. It's absolutely loaded with info....very detailed. I'm starting at the front and will slowly work my way through it. Will post any interesting observations as I come to them.

Glad the scientists are just figuring out what everyone else has known intrinsically since the Beginning. Science is always so amusing.

To the OP: Good one. Your point at the end transcending all...your vision of nirvana?

I made it a point to do Flying Phoenix last night during the time of the big, bright "super moon". I started at 11 PM. I must say the energetic effects of FP were greatly magnified. Especially (as the name of the position would have it) when holding Monk Gazes at Moon. Anyone else?

pitisukha - sounds like you are off to a great start! The tingling sensations in your hands are a sign of progress. The fatigue and tension in your shoulders is normal when you are first starting and should eventually lessen and go away. Regarding the percentage breathing and the tension you feel at the top of inhalations/exhalations, that's also not unusual for a person just starting. Simply stay with the practice and over time you will begin to find yourself become very comfortable with the percentage breathing. You had asked two additional questions that I can answer here. First, is Flying Phoenix compatible with samatha and vipassana? The answer is yes, no problems doing either of those meditations either before or after the practice of FP. In fact, if you practice either of them after finishing FP (especially the seated) you may find your mind can come to stillness with extraordinary clarity. Regarding your question about any Flying Phoenix masters in Europe, I am not aware of any. That said, the DVD's are very well done, and Sifu Terry Dunn has always made himself available when I have needed to consult with him, and I am sure he would do the same for any serious student. Good practicing and please keep us posted with your progress! Edited for clarity.

Sifu Garry - that's downright profound...though I'm not sure how many will get it. He who has eyes, let him see.

Sifu Garry - I really appreciate your points regarding the importance of improving our spirituality as a necessary step on our path of cultivation. You have given me reason to pause and reflect on my own life, and to consider things I can do to improve myself. For this I am grateful. This reminds me of another story regarding Grandmaster Chan Poi. There was an incident that happened when I was heavily into the practice of Wah Lum kung fu, in the early 1990's. One day a crazed man came to Grandmaster Chan's kung fu school and took out a blunt object and began to strike and deface the two fu dogs located at the front door of his kung fu school. He was screaming profanities and disparaging things about Wah Lum kung fu, and he challenged Grandmaster Chan to a fight. He claimed to be a formidable martial artist and fighter and was there to pick a fight. Protocol would have it that the crazy man would have to defeat Grandmaster Chan's senior students first, before he would get a shot at the Grandmaster himself. Let me say this: The senior students at that school were formidable, fearless and deadly. I would put them up against the best fighters anywhere. They were not sport fighters, but were trained to do what true kung fu teaches...to maim or kill. Several of theses students were there and were ready to engage with the crazy man to protect the reputation of the Grandmaster Chan and the Wah Lum tradition. And I can promise Grandmaster Chan was an absolutely phenomenal martial artist who could do things that awed even his most advanced senior students. (And btw, he still is!) So what happened? Did one of the senior students take out this crazy man? Just how far did this incident escalate? To my great surprise Grandmaster Chan urged complete restraint. And nothing happened. The crazy man left after 10 minutes of ranting. The fu dogs were replaced a few weeks later. And all returned to normal, as if it never happened. At the time it happened I was flabbergasted. But much later I came to understand. Though Grandmaster Chan is the lineage holder of a deadly martial art, he chose peace. And that is the Way. Edited to add paragraph breaks, which did not take from my iPad.

Eugene - yes, I understand there is a paradox associated with the Chinese energetic arts. For years I practiced Wah Lum Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, taught by Grandmaster Chan Poi in Orlando, Florida. The art is graceful and beautiful, and is also chock full of killing techniques. Interesting, but Grandmaster Chan was taught Wah Lum at a temple in China many years ago. The monks at the temple also taught ethics, morals, correct behavior, healing arts and espoused a peaceful way of life. So the tradition of Chinese arts include both the yin and the yang, and at least for me both are to be embraced.

pitishukha - welcome to the thread! To answer your question the DVD's do a great job of providing step by step insteuction on how to do each Flying Phoenix meditation exercise. Some of the meditations are done static (no movement) while most are done with movement. Some are done standing, others seated. The Flying Phoenix energy cultivated by the practice of the meditations is a cumulative, healing energy. Initially the FP energy will heal the practitioner. Over time and with enough practice, the energy will build to the point that one can heal others. Best bet is to purchase the DVD titled "Flying Phoenix Chi Kung Volume One: Five Basic Standing Meditations" and discover the practice for yourself. There are seven DVD volumes in all, btw. You can find them on Sifu Terry Dunn's website or Amazon. HTH.

Sifu Garry - nice vid and very good info on your website... thanks for posting!

I'll second the suggestion that you may wish to ask the advice of Sifu Garry Hearfield (Warrior Body Buddha Mind). Whatever he says you can take to the bank.

Sifu Terry - thanks for the background on the flash meditations. They have some juice! Which is just one more reason I have come to believe *none* of the FP exercises are "basic"....they all have strong energetic effects.

Tensing muscles is good thing, as Harry Wong teaches. Recommended. That said, some on the board are suggesting there are a different set of qigong techniques done in a completely relaxed manner that can help build jing.

rsalazar - I learned in opposite order from you. I learned the standing 90-sec flash meditations at the very end of all others. In fact, only in the past couple months have I put focus on them. For the past week I have been on vacation and have had time to practice the flash meditations every day, and I can attest to the fact that they rock! So to your point, though they are short in duration when I go through the entire set I find they are highly energizing. And they seem to get a little more powerful every day when doing them on consecutive days. Or maybe better said I have not topped them out yet. Charlie (ridingtheox) has had a focus on the long standing form with good results. I am considering putting some focus on the flash meditations to observe the effect (while at the same time rotating through all the others).