Flying Phoenix Chi Kung

[zen-bear]

Thank You Sifu Dunn: I apprecite the comments. You know the old saying, It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks LOL. but it can be done. Due to a hip injury I can no longer sit in lotus. Is there a problem doing the meditation from a chair and again Thank You

 

 

Aki-Dan,

 

You're welcome.

There's also the saying, "It's never too late..."

 

If you cannot assume 1/2 lotus position, doing the Monk Serves Wine seated meditations while seated in a chair is OK and will suffice.

 

It's become quite a long thread now, but there's a lot of past postings about doing the seated FP Meditations in alternative seated positions.

 

Best,

 

Sifu Terry

[Shen555]

Thank you Sifu Terry, I appreciate your take on astral projection, those are some ideas I believe I certainly should look into. I've actually been speaking with Da Le, I have found him to be quite an interesting fellow to say the least, his knowledge on religion and spirituality is really quite fascinating. My training begins later this month and I "WILL" order the first 2 DVD's of your Chi Kung for Health series on the 11th, a little later then planned but you know the old saying, better late than never. This should be quite an experience.

[zen-bear]

It helps when explanations are given behind the movements, after that its up to student to comprehend and research what they are doing!

 

My 2cents worth!

 

 

'Just came upon Sifu Garry's advice here for the first time.

This is very good observation that has powerful implications--in its simplicity in extolling kung-fu students to probe deeper into the movements beyond how their teachers explained them to them. There is always the opportunity and potential for that rare student's intuitive genius to refine his art to a level that surpasses even his/her teacher.

 

e.g.: I remember back in the 1980's, Master Benjamin Lo in San Francisco (senior student of Cheng Man-Ching along with masters Abraham Liu and William C.C.Chen) had numerous gifted Tai Chi students in San Francisco who were excellent in Push-Hands. One of the best in Push Hands was named Terry Lee, and I heard Ben Lo tell a group of us one day that "Terry Lee has a special skill, something I don't have."

Edited April 5, 2011 by zen-bear

[Sillum]

Great and positive posts! Below is an interesting Buddhist qigong practice that GM Doo Wai and I talked about years ago.

 

 

[Fu_dog]

Welcome back Sifu Terry.... I know you have a plate full with your legal battles (I hope they are going well), so I really very much appreciate your time to visit this site.

 

Your comments are always insightful. Even when you are explaining things that have been discussed before, you often add a twist that is valuable to insight.

 

So, I also want to go back to an earlier discussion on the *nature* of the energy cultivated by FP qigong.

 

Early in the life of this Flying Phoenix thread, I asked about good and evil energy. On some level I believe we concluded that these exist.

 

That said, it also seemed to me, if I interpreted correctly, that the energy cultivated by FP is a neutral energy. Not good or evil.

 

Flying Phoenix is definitely a powerful healing energy.

 

Assuming I am correct so far, then my question is this: Isn't an energy that is healing in nature inherently good?

 

As always, Sifu, I appreciate your insights / comments.

 

Thanks,

 

Fu dog

[Shen555]

Just ordered the first 2 of your DVD's from your website Sifu Terry. Earlier than my original projected date but I found a financial opening to acquire them and took it. Should be interesting to see what ground I can gain in practicing this, I really look forward to this practice. Hope your legal battle goes well, all the best to you in your monumental struggle.

 

Warmest Regards,

 

Shen

[bodyoflight]

Dear Lloyd,

 

Congrats. You've answered your own question correctly simply by practicing Monk Holding Pearl regularly for long enough a time.

 

You can choose to (a) mentally focus on the tan tien and natal breathing or ( not to focus at all.

 

As I stated very early in this thread, once you complete the breath-control sequence at the start of each of the Flying Phoenix Meditations and do the posture/movements with proper form and relaxation, the FP Energy cultivation will take place regardless of how you focus your mind. And if you choose to completely not-focus, and find that refreshing (most people do), then you've found an optimal state of self-healing.

 

I repeat: while doing the FP Meditations, you can think about absolutely anything (--that isn't negative, morbid, evil, or destructive, of course) and still get profoundly energizing, healing, and rejuvenating results.

 

Happy New Year!

 

Regards,

 

Sifu Terry

 

P.S. Tip: if one is spiritually inclined, the FP meditative state is a fine vehicle to deliver one's prayers to the One God--be it called Jehovah, Allah, Ahura Mazda, the Holy Tao, the Buddha, the Baby Buddha, or the Great Syrian Sage.

 

 

Hey Sifu Terry,

 

A few questions here.

 

1) What are the results for a celibate person practicing FP qigong as compared to a sexually active person practicing FP? I know you said there is no need to abstain from sex but I need to know if one will progress faster on the path if one is sexually celibate?

 

2) What are the results for a person practicing FP qigong (most notably the seated FP qigong meditations) while doing the Mantak Chia's Microcosmic Orbit visualizations of moving the kundalini energy up the back of your spine and down the front of your body channel? And also spinning your chakras at the same time?

 

3) What are the results for a person practicing FP qigong (Seated or Standing) while in the state of empty awareness?

 

4) As there are too many exercises from those 7 DVDs, which seated or standing exercises are the most powerful/efficient/effective exercises? Especially in terms of activating one siddhi's powers and curing one health's problems? Say one only has 30 minutes of time each day.

 

Looking forward to your answers.

[Aki-Dan]

Fu-Dog: Hi, I started my fp practice. Only 15-20 min in the morning. I fiqure it will take some time to build up so I am not pushing it. I have found that my sleep is not as good as it was. I read the doing MSW2 and MSW4 on vol 7 might help. Have you done these and if so would you sugguest doing them in the morning or in the evening? I am sure this is just a tempory thing but fiqured I ask. Thanks Aki-Dan

[Fu_dog]

Hi Aki-Dan -

 

Congrats on beginning Flying Phoenix Qigong....I wish you well on your path!

 

If you have the same experience I had when I first started, you definitely feel there is a different (in a very good way) type of energy associated with the FP mediations.

 

20 min is a good start, however, you will eventually want to work up to the point where you are getting about 45 minutes per day minimum. That's Sifu's recommendation and I have found that to be good advice. I find when you do the FP exercises one after the other, each one feels stronger than the proceeding. On one of his video's Sifu Terry mentions the energy is "cumulative" and I believe that's what he's talking about.

 

As far as having trouble sleeping, I am not sure about the cause, however I am guessing it will be a temporary thing. I had a little issue with sleeping when I first started FP, but only if I practiced at night (which I often do).

 

That said, I can comment on some of the FP meditations with respect to sleep.

 

I found FP Basic Seated #2 (50 30 10) to be good for sleep when done in the night, within an hour or so of going to bed.

 

Also, the first exercise on the Vol 7 Advanced Seated DVD (50 20 10) is really good for sleep, especially when practiced in the evening. This has been confirmed by a number of people.

 

Note the similarity of percentage breath sequences on these two exercises.

 

On the other hand, I found out from experience that the FP Basic Seated Meditation #6 (90 80 50 20) if done at night is like drinking a double expresso! It will definitely keep you awake. When I asked, Sifu Terry validated this (probably with a slight smile as he typed.) So that's a better FP mediation for the morning as a wake-me-up.

 

A good routine is to practice FP twice per day, once in the morning, once at night. Sifu suggests Standing FP in the AM, Seated FP in the PM. That definitely works for me. That said, quite often I only have time for a single session (I try to get an hour of practice in) and I do Standing followed by Seated.

 

Aki-Dan, responding to your post has just motivated me to get going, so I am going to stop typing and start my FP practice on this fine Sunday morning.

 

All the best with your FP practice!

 

Fu dog

[Da Le]

Sifu Terry wrote:

 

P.S. No doubt that contributor "Dale" has such a predilection as he explained in a posting not too long ago that he had been communing with Puxian (patron saint of Ehrmeishan) in meditation, and then a few weeks later discovered for the first time the DVD series teaching Flying Phoenix and this discussion thread. :excl:

 

 

Hi Sifu Terry!

 

It was actually just one week later.

 

Thanks once again for continuing to share the fundamentals and fine points of Flying Phoenix with all of us, garnered over so many years of studying and teaching. We'd be floundering without you!

 

Dale

[Fu_dog]

Dale - just curious....how's your FP practice going?

[Fu_dog]

Sifu Terry -

 

I'll throw this question out there, though I know you can only occasionally respond these days. This question is also a bit tangential.

 

I have always heard there is different qi quality in different physical locations. For example, in general, the quality of the qi is better outdoors than indoors. Better in an area clean and neat, worse in an area dirty and messy. The quality of qi is better near the water, worse near a garbage dump, etc. Also, I have always heard it's better to practice qigong in an area where there is a good quality of qi, for example outdoors in a peaceful setting.

 

So, to my point:

 

I travel quite a bit and usually spend 2 nights per week in a hotel (typically a Hilton). I have always felt that the quality of qi inside a hotel room is pretty low. I don't think I will get much argument from anyone who travels often.

 

That said, I practice Flying Phoenix in my hotel room at night time when I am traveling, and I feel the Flying Phoenix energy very strong. So strong that I am not sure that it matters where FP is practiced, so long as it's not a negative energy area. Can you please weigh in on this?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Fu dog

[Aki-Dan]

Fu-Dog: This is going to sound like one of those stupid questions but, It seems everytime I start to get into the zone a sound will come from outside, inside, phone you name it. Anyhow have you ever tried the meds with head phones on. Listening to some mood music? just something so you can get a good 20 min or more in? Or is tabo to listen to music while practicing. Thanks

[Fu_dog]

Aki-Dan -

 

I have experienced that same problem because while practicing FP when you get in that "zone" then sounds, any sounds, seem like they become 3x louder. I remember a couple months ago, I was practicing FP one evening indoors. One room adjacent to where I was doing my FP, my wife was finishing up doing the dishes, and was stacking the dishes in the rack. Under normal circumstances the sound of the dishes being stacked in a rack to dry is an everyday sound you hear around the household. You probably would not even hear it. However during that particular evening the sound of the dishes being stacked seemed *incredibly loud*. It sounded like someone was clanging symbols in my ear! I have concluded that during the practice of FP, the sense of hearing can be sharpened to an amazing level, so that even the slightest sound seems greatly amplified. (Ironically, this does not happen *every* time I practice, but it does occur most of the time.)

 

Regarding your question about playing ambient music during the practice of FP, yes, I find this works very well. In fact there are some pieces of ambient music that for me seem to be on the same wavelength of the FP energy and it enhances my practice. Also, I have one music track with about 30 minutes of a repeated "Om" chant, and that one really has quite a positive effect on my FP exercises.

 

I have not tried practicing with headphones, however, I have a boom box that I adjust to an optimal sound level for playing ambient music. I see where you are headed with this though....there are noise canceling headphones. Sifu Terry did say that the practice of Flying Phoenix is *not* bothered by jewelry such as rings, necklaces, wrist watches, etc., so perhaps the headphones would not be any problem. Why don't you give it a try and let us know your experience?

 

Back to ambient music...net-net I would say find the right ambient music and it can do two things for your practice: (1) it can serve to soften the random sounds of a household that can bother your practice and (2) If the ambient music is at the right vibrational level, it can possibly enhance your practice.

 

I wish you continued success with your practice Aki Dan!

 

Best wishes always,

 

Fu dog

[zen-bear]

Aki-Dan -

 

I have experienced that same problem because while practicing FP when you get in that "zone" then sounds, any sounds, seem like they become 3x louder. I remember a couple months ago, I was practicing FP one evening indoors. One room adjacent to where I was doing my FP, my wife was finishing up doing the dishes, and was stacking the dishes in the rack. Under normal circumstances the sound of the dishes being stacked in a rack to dry is an everyday sound you hear around the household. You probably would not even hear it. However during that particular evening the sound of the dishes being stacked seemed *incredibly loud*. It sounded like someone was clanging symbols in my ear! I have concluded that during the practice of FP, the sense of hearing can be sharpened to an amazing level, so that even the slightest sound seems greatly amplified. (Ironically, this does not happen *every* time I practice, but it does occur most of the time.)

 

Regarding your question about playing ambient music during the practice of FP, yes, I find this works very well. In fact there are some pieces of ambient music that for me seem to be on the same wavelength of the FP energy and it enhances my practice. Also, I have one music track with about 30 minutes of a repeated "Om" chant, and that one really has quite a positive effect on my FP exercises.

 

I have not tried practicing with headphones, however, I have a boom box that I adjust to an optimal sound level for playing ambient music. I see where you are headed with this though....there are noise canceling headphones. Sifu Terry did say that the practice of Flying Phoenix is *not* bothered by jewelry such as rings, necklaces, wrist watches, etc., so perhaps the headphones would not be any problem. Why don't you give it a try and let us know your experience?

 

Back to ambient music...net-net I would say find the right ambient music and it can do two things for your practice: (1) it can serve to soften the random sounds of a household that can bother your practice and (2) If the ambient music is at the right vibrational level, it can possibly enhance your practice.

 

I wish you continued success with your practice Aki Dan!

 

Best wishes always,

 

Fu dog

 

 

Hi Fu-Dog and Aki-Dan,

 

I'm glad that you both have discovered the "amplified hearing" effects of the FP Qigong practice. FP Practice heightens and tonifies other senses as well because it works through the central nervous system which conducts the information from all of the body's sensory organs/apparatus to the brain. Playing ambient music and using noise-cancelling headphones are fine to do down the road; but I would recommend that when you start the FP Qigong training, you first practice a good stretch of at least 6 months with no artificial audio input or removal. Just do the meditations with ambient noise and light--naturally with no sensory aids. As stated in the guidelines on the DVD's, it's preferrable to practice in a quiet, secluded, clean, level, windless, warm-enough environment that's free from any types of disturbances.

 

Just "work through" the heightened states of hearing where everything sounds 3x or 4x louder than normal. Don't consciously try to "protect" and shield that more acute and sensitized state of perception. Just go with it under the same external conditions. This will allow you to become more aware of what other sensory channels besides hearing the FP Qigong practice is affecting.

 

As Allan Watts said in one of his lectures back in the 70's, "The secret of the Universe is letting it come to you."

 

--and the Flying Phoenix Qigong lets It come in a big way.

 

Enjoy.

 

Terry Dunn

http://www.taichimania.com/chikung_catalog.html

Edited April 17, 2011 by zen-bear

[Aki-Dan]

Sifu Terry:I read somewhere on this post plus it is stated on you dvd's that if you are distracted while doing the med's to stop and take 3 deep breaths. My problem is when I get comfortable in the med stance and start enjoying the med, then I hear a thump, a car horn or a gun shot. I suddenly open my eyes to see what just happened. I understand this will pass with time and practces but for now it is a pain in the butt and I also read that not doing the med's correctly might cause problems and I don't want that.I don't no what the results of these med's will be.Are they going to make me feel healthier, happier or more relaxed, I no the answer will come in time but I surly don't want them to do the wrong thing because my concentration was lax at the begining. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

[turkish]

Hi Fu-Dog and Aki-Dan,

 

I'm glad that you both have discovered the "amplified hearing" effects of the FP Qigong practice. FP Practice heightens and tonifies other senses as well because it works through the central nervous system which conducts the information from all of the body's sensory organs/apparatus to the brain. Playing ambient music and using noise-cancelling headphones are fine to do down the road; but I would recommend that when you start the FP Qigong training, you first practice a good stretch of at least 6 months with no artificial audio input or removal. Just do the meditations with ambient noise and light--naturally with no sensory aids. As stated in the guidelines on the DVD's, it's preferrable to practice in a quiet, secluded, clean, level, windless, warm-enough environment that's free from any types of disturbances.

 

Just "work through" the heightened states of hearing where everything sounds 3x or 4x louder than normal. Don't consciously try to "protect" and shield that more acute and sensitized state of perception. Just go with it under the same external conditions. This will allow you to become more aware of what other sensory channels besides hearing the FP Qigong practice is affecting.

 

As Allan Watts said in one of his lectures back in the 70's, "The secret of the Universe is letting it come to you."

 

--and the Flying Phoenix Qigong lets It come in a big way.

 

Enjoy.

 

Terry Dunn

http://www.taichimania.com/chikung_catalog.html

 

Shifu Terry,

I will be in LA this weekend, i was wondering if i could see you. I have been doing FP for sometime now, and simply love it.

[zen-bear]

Sifu Terry:I read somewhere on this post plus it is stated on you dvd's that if you are distracted while doing the med's to stop and take 3 deep breaths. My problem is when I get comfortable in the med stance and start enjoying the med, then I hear a thump, a car horn or a gun shot. I suddenly open my eyes to see what just happened. I understand this will pass with time and practces but for now it is a pain in the butt and I also read that not doing the med's correctly might cause problems and I don't want that.I don't no what the results of these med's will be.Are they going to make me feel healthier, happier or more relaxed, I no the answer will come in time but I surly don't want them to do the wrong thing because my concentration was lax at the beginning. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

 

 

Hello Aki-Dan, The general instruction in FP Qigong practice is to take 3 deep breathes to stop the meditation whenever you have to stop to attend to other matters. If you are practicing in an environment with lots of loud noise, and you are constantly being distracted by noises that cause you to open your eyes, then it's fine to and use protective, noise-cancelling earphones. For noises as loud as a gunshot that kicks-in one's survival instincts would be very disruptive of the FP Qi cultivation.

 

I think that most practitioners can attest that practicing Flying Phoenix Qigong makes one healthier, much more relaxed, integrated, and cultivates higher consciousness starting with comfortable awareness of one's own energy (Qi) and the distinct Flying Phoenix healing energy. While the truly wonderful experience of feeling the FP energy for the first time and then continually cultivating it with the meditations might make one blissful or happy, long-term happiness ultimately depends on how you live your life--not on what qigong exercises you do.

 

As stated early on in this thread, the Flying Phoenix Qigong meditations are very safe to do and are pretty hard to screw up. As long as you do the correct breath-control sequence in the beginning and assume the proper posture, do the movements naturally and relaxed, and are not in a practice situation where you can be physically bumped or run into while in the middle of a meditation, you will get very positive results--i.e., the benefits that contributors to this thread have written about. ("Fu_Dog" over the course of this thread has been very helpful with his clear articulation of the benefits he has thus far experienced from the FP practice.)

 

Good Luck,

 

Sifu Terry Dunn

[zen-bear]

Shifu Terry,

I will be in LA this weekend, i was wondering if i could see you. I have been doing FP for sometime now, and simply love it.

 

 

Hello Turkish,

Yes, I can see you in LA this weekend. I teach a Saturday morning class 10:30 - 12:30 that is mix of Tai Chi, Qigong and kung-fu. If you are interested in a private lesson, please contact me at [email protected] to arrange.

 

Regards,

 

Sifu Terry Dunn

Edited May 3, 2011 by zen-bear

[zen-bear]

Sifu Terry -

 

I'll throw this question out there, though I know you can only occasionally respond these days. This question is also a bit tangential.

 

I have always heard there is different qi quality in different physical locations. For example, in general, the quality of the qi is better outdoors than indoors. Better in an area clean and neat, worse in an area dirty and messy. The quality of qi is better near the water, worse near a garbage dump, etc. Also, I have always heard it's better to practice qigong in an area where there is a good quality of qi, for example outdoors in a peaceful setting.

 

So, to my point:

 

I travel quite a bit and usually spend 2 nights per week in a hotel (typically a Hilton). I have always felt that the quality of qi inside a hotel room is pretty low. I don't think I will get much argument from anyone who travels often.

 

That said, I practice Flying Phoenix in my hotel room at night time when I am traveling, and I feel the Flying Phoenix energy very strong. So strong that I am not sure that it matters where FP is practiced, so long as it's not a negative energy area. Can you please weigh in on this?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Fu dog

 

 

Hi Fu dog,

 

Trust your instincts and common sense. It sounds like they are working for you properly in discerning negative from positive environments. Clean, bright, sunny, temperate, neat, dry, quiet is of course much better for meditation than dirty, dark, cold, messy, wet, smelly, and noisy! Since you travel a lot, you have a lot of varied experience to figure out what environments are more optimal for meditation in general and for FP Qigong practice in particular...and refine your instinctive sense of feng-shui.

 

Yes, hotel rooms are very often have low-quality energy because they accumulate all the lingering and vented-off energies of every inhabitant. But a hotel room can be easily cleared if one knows how. (And i don't mean lighting incense or smudging a room by walking around with a bundle of lit sage, which are very superficial measures--that only shift the energies around but do not remove the negative energies. Hint: if you use one of the 5 Elements to exorcise, you better use one more Element.)

 

FP Qigong practice, depending on a person's interests, will develop a natural sense of feng-shui (geomancy) in one's body that will instinctively tell one whether one is in a healthy environment or unhealthy one. Eventually, mastery of any high yoga will enable one to literally see the macrocosmic flows of energy in the earth and atmosphere, what Feng-shui masters call "dragon lines" and what Castaneda described in his books as "luminous fibers". FP practice and any complete system of Qigong will enable some beginners to get a rudimentary "feel" for these lines of energy.

 

To further this development of feng-shui instincts, it wouldn't hurt to read up on the basic principles of Feng-shui (some schools of feng-shui that are based on 5 Element Theory combined with Yin-Yang Theory, which are important foundations for practicing any Taoist art) as you practice FPQ. I favor the books written by Eva Wong.

 

In general, the Flying Phoenix Qigong system can be practiced anywhere humans choose to live--as long as one is not directly exposed to harsh elements: strong wind, water and rain, extreme cold, extreme heat, and foul or noxious odors.

 

Outside of beautiful and healthful spots in nature, I visit certain houses of worship and centers of academia to meditate, especially when I'm traveling overseas. But I always do this when they are empty and no congregation is present.

 

Finally, a very important safeguard for all Qigong practitioners is to NOT practice in places that have the reputation for being spiritually active.

 

Regards,

 

Sifu Terry

 

P.S. Then again, practicing in spiritually active locales is up to each individual and the strength of his or her spirit. I remember during a trip to England in the early 90's, while visiting a historic town north of London called Hempstead, I walked by a cemetery where a young man--with skin tone that was a whiter shade of pale--was casually sun-bathing between the headstones. I said to myself, "Oh, those fun-loving Brits!"

Edited April 25, 2011 by zen-bear

[Aki-Dan]

Sifu Dunn: Thank You for the info. I know your time is limited and just want you to no that I am greatful. I hope not to bother you in the future.....Akidan

[Fu_dog]

Sifu Terry -

 

Thanks for your thoughtful response regarding place of practice. This was helpful.

 

I glean from your response that first choice when traveling is to get to a peaceful place outdoors. If one can't then perhaps finding a local Buddhist temple. Last, (and this is most common given my hours), practice in the hotel room. I'm not really aware of how to clear the space energetically, however, I will take you up on your suggestion to read some feng shui.

 

As always, I and the board appreciates your comment and insight.

 

All the best,

 

Fu dog

[zen-bear]

Shifu Terry,

I will be in LA this weekend, i was wondering if i could see you. I have been doing FP for sometime now, and simply love it.

 

 

 

Hello Turkish,

 

'didn't hear from you over this past weekend. It was quite busy for an Easter weekend.

Taobum contributor Sanjay Raj came out from Princeton, NJ with his family to spend a long weekend at Disneyland in Anaheim. He took a break and came up to L.A. for a private lesson in Flying Phoenix on Saturday afternoon. There was a "whole lotta shakin' going on" during his lesson.

 

Let me know whenever you're in Los Angeles and want a lesson.

 

Regards,

 

Sifu Terry

[ralis]

Hello Turkish,

 

'didn't hear from you over this past weekend. It was quite busy for an Easter weekend.

Taobum contributor Sanjay Raj came out from Princeton, NJ with his family to spend a long weekend at Disneyland in Anaheim. He took a break and came up to L.A. for a private lesson in Flying Phoenix on Saturday afternoon. There was a "whole lotta shakin' going on" during his lesson.

 

Let me know whenever you're in Los Angeles and want a lesson.

 

Regards,

 

Sifu Terry

 

Sifu Terry,

 

I have sent you two emails with several questions and after three weeks I have not received a reply.

[Fu_dog]

Sifu Terry -

 

I have a question about FP Qigong and Tai Chi.

 

Standing Flying Phoenix meditations and tai chi seem complimentary practices.

 

When doing both in a session, do you recommend doing the FP first, or the tai chi first? Or, does it matter?

 

Also, can one move from one straight to the other, of should there be a little break in between?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Fu dog