Rara

I have often seen it said that we transform Jing to Qi and Qi to Shen. I want to focus on the first part in this thread. I used to use my terms loosely, so for example, if I was feeling eratic or anxious, I would say my "qi is all over the place" I am now starting to think that the correct term is "jing". Although I've seen it described as "sexual energy", surely it relates to any form of energy that can have great detrimental effect if not controlled? i.e Anything from compulsive masturbation/sex to panic attacks. When we meditate, we foucus on the lower dan tien to send the jing there, and store/convert it into qi. Am I right in this first part of the theory? Thanks all

I have heard of Jason Gregory before but I never watched a video. Someone put this in front of me and found it to be alright. What do you think? Questions about morality often haunt westerners, and in all honesty, when surrounded by folk back here and having to accept or tolerate or whatever the word is, everyone's "holier than thou" attitudes, it is useful to play along and be agreeable to an extent. Well, if one wants to coninue to humour their friends or keep a good relationship in the work place... One of my teachers told me that with a calm mind, I will know myself what the right thing to do in any situation is. How do you handle questions on morality? Do you play along with the debate? Humour people? Avoid it altogether? Edit: Skip the beginning and switch off around half way as he waffles.

Subscribes. When I find time to watch the videos, I'll be back

Half-lotus good, full-lotus better but no rush to get there!

These guys pretty much kicked off my spirit quest.

The short answer is yes. If I say any more right now, I'll open up a can of worms haha.

It sounds like you need a class and community to belong to because what you are effectively after is consistent practice (for health, purposes?) which compliments your understanding of the texts. Out of curiosity, which style of Tai Chi were you learning, and was this in person locally, or were you following videos? I know what you mean about the sea of information, so if I can help you narrow everything down, then I will

What is it in particular you're wanting to learn? Because there is always something useful that can be done solo while you try and find a teacher. Some people I know are miles away from accredited schools so they learn one thing in the space of a couple of months and go away to practice it until they're ready to go back. Some of the most basic things take years to work on anyway!

It really is priceless. Even just a teacher with a trusted lineage will be good. If you find a "family tai chi" style, you might just find someone competent. Yes, exactly. Wudang's Sanfeng Pai, for example, do a really elaborate version while there are various, much simpler ones around. There is no problem with the latter at all, it still does the trick and perfect foundational stuff. I'm all about solid foundations

You could try Zhan Zhuang and also baduanjin. These would be good starting points for what you're looking to build up to.

I'm looking for advice for someone that I befriend. I took on telephone help for lonely people back in summer, I guess like a Daoist pledge of some sort. He is 3/4 blind and hasn't left his flat in months. He has bad lung health in particular, but he's losing mobility just from being stationary for too long. I want to give him something to do to keep him occupied. I mean, something fun, as he doesn't want to leave the flat, which is fair enough. A friend has already suggested meditation and breathing exercises, especially walking meditation which is fine, but it's not like he's that way inclined. Are there any puzzles or something out there for this sort of thing? He can't do anything like crosswords, I'm thinking something sensory 🤔 Edit: Quite an important thing to note is that he's elderly and has no computer/internet.

Nice to cross paths again, Anand. Thank you...I have already made a start on this as my practice always becomes a talking point. Since his last chest infection, he stopped smoking so little by little he'll edge towards a better way. I just think he needs to keep his brain busy by using his hands as well.

I was thinking about wooden puzzles! I have a mensa one... ...I haven't solved it 😂

Thanks for all this, I'll take a look through the list. I should have mentioned he's 74, doesn't use a computer and generally has quite a defeatist mentality, so I'd like to find something fairly basic.

Edit: Damn, he got me 😂

I spent years and years training martial arts to help build confidence and eliminate fear, yet last night, I froze when asked to make the salmon roles. To experience anything that throws us out of our "norm" can induce fear but I always think our training at least helps if we try to apply it to everything. My hat off to you for the way you handled it...the most important thing is that no one got hurt. Also for your profession, it's very admirable

I don't think Zhuangzi approves 😜

Yeah, situational is the best way to describe it. I've always found that the opportunity to push effectively is rarely there. If you're in range to do that, you might as well punch them in the head. Situational, of course. This is only in the event of one being attacked/being an act of self-defence. I must keep that disclaimer there haha.

Yes, and actually, I always say superior grappling > superior striking. So of you can get a takedown, happy days

Would you say fajin is more appropriate for the strike? I get using pushing for demonstration purposes, but any skilled fighter won't bother pushing you.

Yep. I've experienced this first hand many times.

Literally wrote about this in my PPJ last night

Ah. But "Daoist" is a later construct of ideas that already floated around. Bear in mind this philosophy (i.e Yin and Yang) is still "Daoist" in principle because of the symbol's meaning, even if it derived from something else. Being one with Dao pre-dates "Daoism".

Yes, although not many temples here and chanting to gods that don't really mean anything here would be a bit weird. But in Asia, anyone will say that we don't need anything more than the DDJ and respect for Laozi.

I'm curious to know what you noticed.... So basically, you can be Daoist without Qigong, meditation etc. but they are heavily advised for good health. It goes without saying that you attain more with regular (and regulated) practice. My teacher always talked about Kung Fu being very good for you and if you replaced it with drinking alcohol all the time, your life health would be pretty shit. I think most religions would say the same (minus the Kung Fu bit, but would still advise living the beat possible life in accordance to your heart) The fundamental principles do lie in the DDJ, yes. You can't exactly practice Daoist religion without that as a foundation.