Hello - Where does one start?

[Jim540]

Hello all.

 

I'm a 27 year old male from England and am looking to start practicing the internal arts.

 

I've read quite a few posts dotted around this forum looking for a place to start. Many of them seem to advise against certain practises and it's left me confused with where to start first.

 

I'm looking for a simple practise to begin with as I don't currently have access to a teacher in the area I live.

 

Thanks.

[Marblehead]

Hello Jim540, and welcome.

 

Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go.

 

Please take the time to read the two posts pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum terms and rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started.

 

For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day.

 

Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you,

 

Marblehead and the TDB team

 

 

Hi Jim,

 

Where to begin?  At the beginning, of course.  Define your goals.  Lots of info here.  Yes, some is contradictory.  Gain knowledge and experience.  Lots of knowledge here.  Test and try before you buy. 

 

You are welcome to jump right in ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forms to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started.

 

May you enjoy your time here.

 

Marblehead

[cold]

Welcome and best wishes.

[Jim540]

Thanks guys

[thelerner]

Welcome.  Lots of benefits and critics(!) of most arts mentioned here.  One direction I'd suggest is standing meditation, formally zhan zhuang.  It has many of the benefits of sitting meditation but builds up more energy, works a little more on structure.  Its a part of some internal arts.  It can be as simple or complicated as you'd like. 

 

Personally I'll do it listening to Rawn Clarks Archaeous series audio's, which gives me 15 minutes of standing along with a hermetic elemental stacking system.  (strange, but its what I do).  There are a couple of good simple systems for zhan zhuang out there. 

 

You can search here, on youtubes (master Lam) or web in general.  Only caveat, take it slow and steady. 

[Mo Tzu]

Hi Jim. I live in the UK too. Dr Stephen T. Chang has done a wonderful system for home practice. I have been using it for 10= yrs.

www.northstarmeditation.co.uk

www.thegreattao.com

Happy to answer any questions on the subject of his work.

All the best on you journey:)

Edited March 5, 2017 by Mo Tzu

[Gerard]

Try asking here as well as Internal Martial Arts (especially Bagua and Xingyi) are better at removing deep blockages of the mind and also all the social brainwash and manipulation you have been subjected to from your early childhood:

 

http://rumsoakedfist.org/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=53a1485bb32121c253e9e9b9aaf8ecf1

 

Good luck!

[roger]

Hello all.

 

I'm a 27 year old male from England and am looking to start practicing the internal arts.

 

I've read quite a few posts dotted around this forum looking for a place to start. Many of them seem to advise against certain practises and it's left me confused with where to start first.

 

I'm looking for a simple practise to begin with as I don't currently have access to a teacher in the area I live.

 

Thanks.

 

I recommend Spring Forest Qigong.

 

springforestqigong.com is the website.

 

If you're new to meditation, try mindfulness of the breath and the "just be" meditation.

 

For mindfulness of the breath, just bring your attention back to the breath whenever your mind wanders. Don't force it. It should be natural.

 

For the "just be" meditation, just sit there and be. Let thoughts come and go naturally without effort.

 

Good luck and I hope you enjoy interacting here.