Q's...ONLY Teachers may Answer.

[thelerner]

This idea popped into my head. Instead of an open discussion, make a topic for people to ask a question and have one of our onboard teachers answer, if they choose. No discussion beyond a follow up question and no comments or 'advice' from non teachers. <lets see if this matures or not>

 

Dear TB teachers <teacher=teaching students > 1 year>, <even humble Taijiquan'ers>

What are 3 simple things we can do to improve our cultivation.

Thank you

Michael

Edited February 15, 2013 by thelerner

[Gerard]

.

Edited September 13, 2013 by Gerard

[Stigweard]

This idea popped into my head. Instead of an open discussion, make a topic for people to ask a question and have one of our onboard teachers answer, if they choose. No discussion beyond a follow up question and no comments or 'advice' from non teachers. <lets see if this matures or not>

 

Dear TB teachers

What are 3 simple things we can do to improve our cultivation.

Thank you

Michael

 

I would only be able to speak as a Taijiquan teacher ... would this qualify ??

[林愛偉]

This idea popped into my head. Instead of an open discussion, make a topic for people to ask a question and have one of our onboard teachers answer, if they choose. No discussion beyond a follow up question and no comments or 'advice' from non teachers. <lets see if this matures or not>

 

Dear TB teachers

What are 3 simple things we can do to improve our cultivation.

Thank you

Michael

 

 

Hi Michael!

 

Gerard has good advice.

 

May I offer some?

 

1. Contemplative Application of the mind ( applying concentration on) turning the hearing inwards.

2. changing bad habits of the mind in thinking, habits of the eyes in grasping, habits of the wanting in hearing, tasting, smelling and touching.

3. Doing the above (practice), and utilizing it within the daily practices one already has undertaken.

 

Contemplative application of the mind allows one to contemplate the meanings of classic texts leading to wisdom and or sutras. turning the hearing inwards allows one to break through the obstructions of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind, thus hearing one's inherent wisdom, illuminating the 5 obstructions and the mind, like the "untying of knots" on a rope.

 

Changing bad habits of 2nd aspect allows one to gradually clear the mind of attachments to things which held them down, or better yet, created outflows which took one's energy and wasted their concentration power. With stronger concentration power, the stronger the mind, and less "afflicted" one will be. Thus resulting in a more "cleaner" vessel for higher energetic cultivation, and more so for attaining the state of realized wisdom.

 

Lastly, applying the above into one's practice of other things. One must DO what is required if they take on cultivation, and thus they can attain the fruit of their efforts.

[Stigweard]

This idea popped into my head. Instead of an open discussion, make a topic for people to ask a question and have one of our onboard teachers answer, if they choose. No discussion beyond a follow up question and no comments or 'advice' from non teachers. <lets see if this matures or not>

 

Dear TB teachers <even humble Taijiquan'ers>

What are 3 simple things we can do to improve our cultivation.

Thank you

Michael

 

 

1. Study what you believe in ... meaning be knowledgeable about the belief or practice system. Understand where it came from, understand the context and culture that conceived it. Understand the theory, understand the purpose.

 

2. Practice what you believe in ... don't just be content with superficial conceptual understanding. Practice and explore your belief/practice so that it emanates from the marrow of your bones.

 

3. Never assume you know it ... life is ever-evolving. What is right is relative and could be wrong tomorrow. Life is mysterious and there are many layers of subtlety within any act of knowing.

 

[林愛偉]

What happened to all the teachers on this board? All insight is always helpful. I think it would be great to have a teacher's section where cultivators of the way can request from specific teachers, that may be willing, and here, for guidance.

[Azad]

This idea popped into my head. Instead of an open discussion, make a topic for people to ask a question and have one of our onboard teachers answer, if they choose. No discussion beyond a follow up question and no comments or 'advice' from non teachers. <lets see if this matures or not>

 

Dear TB teachers <even humble Taijiquan'ers>

What are 3 simple things we can do to improve our cultivation.

Thank you

Michael

 

1. Do what your practice is daily. You have to practice it daily and daily.

 

2. Do not have expectations about your practice. Doing practice is enough. Don't think about what you get a result. Results come when you don't think.

 

3. When you are practicing first you get too much time to remember the practice well. On next months everything comes like same. and you passed the remembering. But againg you have an obstacle. Routine. You have to keep yourself every practice like a beginner. Your mind must be fresh as you do first time.

 

I spent 14 years practicing without these rules. I became an good practioner. Not an adept. After I learned everyting changed.

 

With my best wishes.

[thelerner]

Thank you for your answers. Interesting how teachers advice tended toward practice diligently and know thyself.

 

Here is another question, Teachers Only, no discussion except by said teachers: <anyone can ask a question ofcourse>

 

What breathing exercises <if any> would you recommend for a beginner? How about for a more senior practitioner?

 

Thanks.

[Azad]

I began to breath works after 2.5 year hard physical and mental process. Like what?

Daily Yi Jin Jing, weekly Xing Shen Zhuang Fa, in every 2 months I was on retreats. And we practice daily 2 times Yi Jin Jing plus XSZF. And some other works becomes more and more.

Why because we need to strengthen nerveous system, body and spine.

After them I can say that breath works comes better.
Btw just watch how you breath. This can be a good begining. How is your chest, stomach, shoulders? Just watch your body when you are breathing regularly.

[mYTHmAKER]

Breathing exercises depend on what you are practicing.

For taiji beginners breathe naturally, relax - the form will regulate your breath

Put a lite focus on your tan tien and your breath will follow.

[Stigweard]

Breathing exercises depend on what you are practicing.

For taiji beginners breathe naturally, relax - the form will regulate your breath

Put a lite focus on your tan tien and your breath will follow.

 

This would be my advice also ... if you do the form "properly" it teaches you how to breathe. Too much focus on "special" breathing can be an artificial practice.

 

[Aetherous]

I am not one of those teachers that charge for learning things, but I do teach in some ways, so I'll share my three ideas (which may have come from other teachers)...

1) Use only what helps you and drop what isn't working, if only at least temporarily. Just because something is said to be 'the best practice since sliced bread' doesn't mean it's necessary, or even worth doing. You don't use a shovel to clean your kitchen counter...know the right tool for what you need individually in the current moment. Know what you want from your practice, and ask yourself if what you're doing is actually working.

2) "Cultivation" means that you are focusing on certain things purposefully, which has the effect of increasing those things in your life...for spirituality, it's in regards to all great qualities of character. Virtue. Decide who you want to become and focus on those things. Notice the way you already are, some of the ways which you would rather change, and stop cultivating those things in your life, or channel it in another direction. "Do for others what you want them to do for you."

3) Consider teachers as your advisers, rather than your masters...and at the same time, you must be humble - be master of no one else but yourself. If you can even manage that.

Edited February 6, 2013 by turtle shell

[Harmonious Emptiness]

Thanks for responding people.

 

If I may>>

 

What were some of your most lasting and effective "sudden realizations" while learning Tai Chi movement (about TC movement, or otherwise)?

Edited February 7, 2013 by Harmonious Emptiness

[timelessness]

If somebody has been trying to practice brahmacharya/semen retention for a while, what is the one most simple semen sublimation method you would recommend? By simple, I really mean simple: something a lay person could perform, without too many complications.

[林愛偉]

If somebody has been trying to practice brahmacharya/semen retention for a while, what is the one most simple semen sublimation method you would recommend? By simple, I really mean simple: something a lay person could perform, without too many complications.

 

Inhale from the tip of the penis, up through the spine to the crown, and then back down to the dan tian, on exhale keep focus at dan tian.This can be done whenever the desire arises, and also throughout the day, for a constant "saving" of the sexual energy instead of letting it disperse on its own.

 

You can also direct the energy not just to the crown, but also to the 3rd eye (pineal gland), or to the heart center, and even on the inhale you can choose to bring it up to the crown down to the dantian, and around to the mingmen, then on exhale hold focus at the mingmen. (Just a few options to play with.)

 

if one chooses to sit in meditation for this practice, do it for 15-30 minutes 2x's a day for as long as the retention practice is ...practiced. It can be done standing, lying and walking as well.

 

 

During sexual stimulation, do not ejaculate, but upon the orgasm, inhale it to the crown, and into the dantian. On exhale, keep focus at dan tian. Throughout the whole entire practice, keep the tongue to the roof of the mouth.

 

 

Even something more simple than that, chant OM and direct the vibrations you make with your molars right to the genitals, and then, when you feel charge up in that area, direct that sensation right up the spine to the crown and right back down to the dantian. You can place that vibration also to any other chakra you wish. On the inhale, hold focus at that center.

 

That's as simple as I can make it, without any loss of sexual energy, and without any harm.

 

Enjoy!

 

Lin

Edited February 8, 2013 by 林愛偉

[林愛偉]

Thanks for responding people.

 

If I may>>

 

What were some of your most lasting and effective "sudden realizations" while learning Tai Chi movement (about TC movement, or otherwise)?

 

there were a great many. But I will name one:

 

The sky and the ground maintained an equal pull: up and down. Then pressing into the root, with light press at the feet from the hips, further strengthened that pull, thus caneling out it self (the up and down pull), and made it easier to neutralize on incoming force, slip under another's root and even press into their root from above.

Edited February 8, 2013 by 林愛偉

[thelerner]

If somebody has been trying to practice brahmacharya/semen retention for a while, what is the one most simple semen sublimation method you would recommend? By simple, I really mean simple: something a lay person could perform, without too many complications.

This is from Teacher Dao Zhen. Much wisdom here, I probably quote this twice a year. Some things he recommends are simple, but simple is..relative

 

By Dao Zhen On Sexuality and retention

 

I think for serious students, this is a big hurdle to overcome.

It is best to not get into the habit of gaining depression when an emission happens in sleep.

It is natural, and go slow and do not force anything, nor become obsessed with "saving" jing.

Keep practice, follow solid methods and guidelines.

With time, all will become secure quite naturally.

I have found the following to be a help for me in my practice.

Yet this is by no means advise from an expert, as I have very little experience.

In the tradition I am learning, it is generally accepted that a serious student is celibate.

 

- Points to help prevent emission during sleep -

 

 

1. Change conditioned habits and patterns in regards to viewing and interacting with women - on the street, and in the manner we speak and deal with them in public situations -

 

If we flirt, and have playful interaction with women, it may stir things up quite a bit, and cause trouble during sleep.

 

Honor and respect women as your sisters in Tao, yet do not view them as sexual objects, nor project sexual fantasy on women.

 

1-a. Do not view pornography video, magazine, or sexual movies.

 

2. Diet. Do not over eat, and do not go to bed while full. I have found it best to eat the last meal of the day around 5pm or so. Also in the tradition I am learning, it is thought best to follow a simple vegetarian diet, with no spice, garlic, onion, scallion, chives, and cilantro.

 

3. Do not have very heavy blankets on the body that will create too much heat when sleeping.

 

4. Do not sleep on the stomach. Sleep on the back with one leg crossed over the other – hands resting below the navel, or on the right side with one leg tucked behind the bottom leg at the knee level – right palm cupping the ear – left palm below navel area.

 

5. The most important point I have found that helps is to sit for 1 - 2.5 hours or so in proper seated meditation practice before sleep. This is perhaps the most important point, and will yield the most results.

 

In this tradition, we have a method to transfer Jing to Qi that is taught.

 

It is termed - "Lighting a Fire", or "Burning a Soft Fire".

It is very effective, and yields the effect of the Jing being transformed to Qi, and really is like something burns away and evaporates.

 

There is great warmth generated in the Lower Dantian area that moves, and steams upward during the process in a manner that is very pleasurable and uplifting.

 

One is left with a feeling of great expansion, and the sign that the Jing has been completely transformed, and it is safe to sleep is one has a feeling like a vast, expansive, clear blue sky.

 

The sign that one has made some gain in transformation of Jing over a period of time, is generally one will stop to have dream activity.

 

There is a great stillness in the sleep state, and no real strong dream activity.

This is also related to the pattern of the Metal conquering Wood; Or the Po suppressing the Hun during the night.

 

When the Hun is suppressed by the Po, it wanders away from the sphere of the liver, and the resulting experience is dreams.

 

As Jing is transformed into Qi, and the Hun is strengthened, there is less and less dream activity during the sleep state.

 

One sign I have also come to notice is that if I was lazy and just lie down for sleep without practice, there will be a feeling of something stirring in the lower Dantian, like a movement, or maybe even a worm or something is really moving and stirring.

 

This is a sign that one will experience an emission during sleep, and it is important to have a strong will power, and sit up and cross the legs and sit to Burn the Soft Fire.

 

It is also a good idea to get into the habit of getting up from sleep at any time in the night when you awake and there is a stirring in the sexual organ, or a strong erection.

 

Just sit up, cross the legs, and lightly gaze over the Lower Dantian area and sit in stillness.

 

In this system, they also teach a standing method of body movement, contraction and breathe retention in the first stages to strengthen the lower gate, to help prevent the emission during sleep.

 

This stage does not last forever.

 

It is as if the body and being is at first in a habit to let the liquid flow out, and loose the essence.

Yet with slow and steady practice, the body and being learns another way.

It becomes the natural state to preserve the essence, and no loss is experienced.

 

It is an investment of time.

 

So it takes a strong and steady will power.

Constant and steady daily practice over a period of time.

Persevere.

Edited February 9, 2013 by thelerner

[林愛偉]

This is so very very good!

 

 

This is from Teacher Dao Zhen. Much wisdom here, I probably quote this twice a year. Somethings he recommends about are simple, but simple is..relative

 

By Dao Zhen On Sexuality and retention

I think for serious students, this is a big hurdle to overcome.
It is best to not get into the habit of gaining depression when an emission happens in sleep.
It is natural, and go slow and do not force anything, nor become obsessed with "saving" jing.
Keep practice, follow solid methods and guidelines.
With time, all will become secure quite naturally.
I have found the following to be a help for me in my practice.
Yet this is by no means advise from an expert, as I have very little experience.
In the tradition I am learning, it is generally accepted that a serious student is celibate.

- Points to help prevent emission during sleep -

1. Change conditioned habits and patterns in regards to viewing and interacting with women - on the street, and in the manner we speak and deal with them in public situations -

If we flirt, and have playful interaction with women, it may stir things up quite a bit, and cause trouble during sleep.

Honor and respect women as your sisters in Tao, yet do not view them as sexual objects, nor project sexual fantasy on women.

1-a. Do not view pornography video, magazine, or sexual movies.

2. Diet. Do not over eat, and do not go to bed while full. I have found it best to eat the last meal of the day around 5pm or so. Also in the tradition I am learning, it is thought best to follow a simple vegetarian diet, with no spice, garlic, onion, scallion, chives, and cilantro.

3. Do not have very heavy blankets on the body that will create too much heat when sleeping.

4. Do not sleep on the stomach. Sleep on the back with one leg crossed over the other – hands resting below the navel, or on the right side with one leg tucked behind the bottom leg at the knee level – right palm cupping the ear – left palm below navel area.

5. The most important point I have found that helps is to sit for 1 - 2.5 hours or so in proper seated meditation practice before sleep. This is perhaps the most important point, and will yield the most results.

In this tradition, we have a method to transfer Jing to Qi that is taught.

It is termed - "Lighting a Fire", or "Burning a Soft Fire".
It is very effective, and yields the effect of the Jing being transformed to Qi, and really is like something burns away and evaporates.

There is great warmth generated in the Lower Dantian area that moves, and steams upward during the process in a manner that is very pleasurable and uplifting.

One is left with a feeling of great expansion, and the sign that the Jing has been completely transformed, and it is safe to sleep is one has a feeling like a vast, expansive, clear blue sky.

The sign that one has made some gain in transformation of Jing over a period of time, is generally one will stop to have dream activity.

There is a great stillness in the sleep state, and no real strong dream activity.
This is also related to the pattern of the Metal conquering Wood; Or the Po suppressing the Hun during the night.

When the Hun is suppressed by the Po, it wanders away from the sphere of the liver, and the resulting experience is dreams.

As Jing is transformed into Qi, and the Hun is strengthened, there is less and less dream activity during the sleep state.

One sign I have also come to notice is that if I was lazy and just lie down for sleep without practice, there will be a feeling of something stirring in the lower Dantian, like a movement, or maybe even a worm or something is really moving and stirring.

This is a sign that one will experience an emission during sleep, and it is important to have a strong will power, and sit up and cross the legs and sit to Burn the Soft Fire.

It is also a good idea to get into the habit of getting up from sleep at any time in the night when you awake and there is a stirring in the sexual organ, or a strong erection.

Just sit up, cross the legs, and lightly gaze over the Lower Dantian area and sit in stillness.

In this system, they also teach a standing method of body movement, contraction and breathe retention in the first stages to strengthen the lower gate, to help prevent the emission during sleep.

This stage does not last forever.

It is as if the body and being is at first in a habit to let the liquid flow out, and loose the essence.
Yet with slow and steady practice, the body and being learns another way.
It becomes the natural state to preserve the essence, and no loss is experienced.

It is an investment of time.

So it takes a strong and steady will power.
Constant and steady daily practice over a period of time.
Persevere.

[timelessness]

Thank you, thelerner, for sharing that piece. I have a feeling that I had read that already somewhere on this forum. But a good read though.

 

I used to practice something similar to what you recommended, Lin. I used to inhale from testicles, up through the spine to the top of my head... never all the way to the dan tien. I am going to follow your advice and do what you recommended and see if I feel any different.

[Ya Mu]

Master Wang's 3 things necessary in order to advance in qigong which I have found to be absolutely true:

1) Calmness

2) Be a good & moral person

3) Daily practice

 

Other lists could include:

1) Balance in your life. If you like to garden do that. If you like to play music, do that, etc. Balance is needed.

2) Laugh and enjoy yourself. We only spend, in the overall scheme of things, scant nano-seconds (no, actually less than that), here on Earth in a life. Get the most out of it.

3) Live each moment in appreciation of every thing that you are doing at that moment and be in the moment. In other words, when you eat an orange EAT The ORANGE instead of eating it while you are engaged in anything else. Apply this to EVERYTHING.

[Stosh]

What-Who , is not a potential teacher ?

What -who is Not a student ?

[Mark Saltveit]

Dear TB teachers <even humble Taijiquan'ers>

What are 3 simple things we can do to improve our cultivation.

 

I taught a humble Access database class today, so 3 simple principles of data cultivation:

 

1) Honor each datum. Don't repeat or duplicate it, but rather point to it relationally.

2) Separate your front end (the manifestations) from your back end data (the source.) Back each up diligently, but focus especially on the source.

3) Remember that your software and data are not machines. They are the distilled spirits of many people, so treat them as the living essences that they are, and do not cleanse them of personality.

[Reed]

Inhale from the tip of the penis, up through the spine to the crown, and then back down to the dan tian, on exhale keep focus at dan tian.This can be done whenever the desire arises, and also throughout the day, for a constant "saving" of the sexual energy instead of letting it disperse on its own.

 

You can also direct the energy not just to the crown, but also to the 3rd eye (pineal gland), or to the heart center, and even on the inhale you can choose to bring it up to the crown down to the dantian, and around to the mingmen, then on exhale hold focus at the mingmen. (Just a few options to play with.)

 

if one chooses to sit in meditation for this practice, do it for 15-30 minutes 2x's a day for as long as the retention practice is ...practiced. It can be done standing, lying and walking as well.

 

I hope it's all right to ask a question or two

 

One question I've been wondering is about energy techniques like the above and also things like MCO and BKF's dissolving etc with respect to a lying down posture. Is there a specific posture one needs to adopt when lying down and doing this kind of energy work, or can you be lying in any pose eg on your back, on your side, scrunched up in a foetal position, arms and legs all over the place etc?

[林愛偉]

I hope it's all right to ask a question or two

 

One question I've been wondering is about energy techniques like the above and also things like MCO and BKF's dissolving etc with respect to a lying down posture. Is there a specific posture one needs to adopt when lying down and doing this kind of energy work, or can you be lying in any pose eg on your back, on your side, scrunched up in a foetal position, arms and legs all over the place etc?

 

Wonderful question!

 

Do it in any position. Why? Because the mind doesn't change shape, and it is with the mind that you contemplate the method and apply concentration with. If you are hindered by the position of the body, just realize the body is a product of thought, of mind, and emotion, and thus not in "control" of your mind.

 

Any "energy" practice, any Qigong canbe as simple as breathing regularly, and just concentrating on it, and or in any position from walking, to showering, to sitting on the toilet, to doing anything at all.

 

As long as you feel physically comfortable in whatever position you like...go for it.

[Reed]

Thanks, that's very helpful