Pretty new here and very low energy and sick.

[middle_path]

Hey bums! Glad to be here, everyone seems so kind and loving. I really appreciate that. 

 

So for a long time now I have suffered from depression. It also took me a while to realize that's what the issue was. I have made strides to change my diet, exercise more, meditate, and do everything I can to keep my emotions from controlling me. 

 

I have recently (over a week ago) switched to the keto diet. I have done low-carb before, but this is a whole different ride. I like the diet, but for a few days now I have been sick. Head cold, stuffy nose. I have also had at minimum the sniffles for most of 2017. It's been very frustrating and it prevents me from exercising. 

 

I know energy is lost during masturbation and I have tried to lessen my addiction. I maybe do it a few times a week instead of daily. Ideally I would like to have more sex, but my wife has really been uninterested for a while. She tries, but for some reason she is just not turned on....ever. It's an issue we have talked about and are working through. 

 

Anyway, I don't know what to do. I want to feel good and vibrant. I'm approaching 30 and I really don't feel old yet, but I have felt quite depleted for most of my adult life. 

 

Any suggestions would help. Much love, middle. 

[C T]

Hi & welcome, Middle Path. 

 

To feel good & vibrant, you need to set yourself up with the right conditions to bring that about. Look at the lifestyle choices you are making now, and ask yourself some serious questions if these choices are being primed to set you on the right track towards your goal. If not, you might want to do some serious reevaluation pronto.

[cold]

Stop worrying.

Take action to improving your life in general and health in particular.

Again concern is ok, worry is not.

[middle_path]

Thanks to both of you. I have been making changes over the years, this past year I have really shaken things up. I'm a new father and that has really set a fire under my ass to do better. I will admit I often spend more time screwing around on my phone than I should.

[Vajra Fist]

I was in a similar boat to you a couple of years back (I'm 32 now). New dad and all the toll that can have on your energy levels and relationship expectations.

 

If I were you I wouldn't demand so much of yourself. Make one small change and stick with it for 21 days. Then add another.

 

Perhaps you'd like to learn shamanic tiger qigong by Wu Zhongxian, which is excellent for strengthening energy levels and a modest workout in itself. Maybe the next month swap out your breakfast for a green smoothie. Maybe after that commit to reciting one mala (108 repetitions) of 'om mani padme hum' every morning, or a 20 minute meditation practice.

 

Gradually you'll see your energy levels and quality of life improve.

 

It's admirable you're jumping in with a keto diet straight away, but it could be too radical a change and the fact you felt sick is a sign of that.

 

Especially with a young family and all the tiredness and stress that can sometimes bring, it's sometimes important to be kind to yourself and make gradual improvements.

 

Best of luck with it all bro

[RiverSnake]

Eliminate ejaculation all together, maybe once every 2 months is a good metric. You accomplish this by learning to sublimate sexual energy via internal methods. 

 

Practice Karezza with your wife, it's a different kind of love-making which does not emphasize being hot and heavy (this will likely cure your desire for porn and wringing your noodle)....but a kind of cool heart centered connection, thus being aroused is not necessary. Cupid's Poisoned Arrow is a good book for this.  

 

On a weekend your free.....do a 3 day water fast. It will be tiring and detoxing as shit but will kick the cold out of your system. 

 

[thelerner]

I like the Karezza idea, but beware too much strangeness with diet.  If you're low energy and sick I'd beware of doing a 3 day water fast.  Use your own judgment but some diets don't work for people and what they assume is detox is the body saying 'stop'. 

 

Finding a good qi gong routine would be good.  I like Pangu, Stillness Movement qi gong, beginning sequences from Michael Winn's basics- short simple ones.  See if there are any classes near you, even yoga or martial arts can provide a lift.  During long pregnancies (my wifes) I enjoyed the oft painful touches from Aikido.

 

  Even the simple things like starting a standing meditation practice like zhan Zhuang is good to increase energy.  You can do searches here and on the web and find out more, see what connects to you.  Or see what is close

 

We're all different.  Often times working on the basics, sleep, healthy diet (not extreme), exercise, perhaps a tonic especially during the winter (I like pine pollen tincture).  Get the basics down before moving towards the esoteric.

 

Good luck.  Your energy may be low now, but you're looking around, trying new things.. on the path and that is good.   

 

 

Addon> Free and online... let me add.  I'll do zhan zhang while listening to Rawn Clark Archaeous series, 15 minute lessons on the elements in the 'energy' body, here's a link scroll down to find Archaeous http://www.abardoncompanion.de/MP3-Links.html .  I like most of Rawn's stuff... influenced by Franz Bardon and on the practical side of Hermetic magic. 

[middle_path]

Thanks again for the replies. Is there a beginner course online for qigong? I just want to try it out.

 

I know there is a aikido class in my area, but I'm not sure it will work with my schedule.

[Brian]

Thanks again for the replies. Is there a beginner course online for qigong? I just want to try it out.

 

I know there is a aikido class in my area, but I'm not sure it will work with my schedule.

I like the introductory qigong DVD for the Stillness-Movement system.

[RiverSnake]

Thanks again for the replies. Is there a beginner course online for qigong? I just want to try it out.

 

I know there is a aikido class in my area, but I'm not sure it will work with my schedule.

 

Practice daily. 

 

[Gerard]

1. Can you learn an Internal Martial Art in your area?

 

2. Can you visit a TCM doctor for herbal therapy to make you strong again (herbs you'll boil in water, no pills)?

 

Both will heal you and put you back in track.

 

Best!

[AussieTrees]

Thanks again for the replies. Is there a beginner course online for qigong? I just want to try it out.

I know there is a aikido class in my area, but I'm not sure it will work with my schedule.

 

You could try ;http://www.qigonginstitute.org/docs/EightExtraordinaryMeridians-Qigong.pdf

 

It's free and gives a history as well as some exercises.

 

If tired rest,hungry eat,thirsty drink,moderation avoids extremes,fasting can also increase energy,abstaining from sexual practice is also energising.

The above text to read and grasp some understanding should take a few weeks at least more likely years.

Best wishes,we all live in the present moment.

[middle_path]

Thank you, AussieTrees. Is there a .mobi version of this document? I think it would be easier for me to read this on my kindle. Otherwise, I may just print it out. 

[Brian]

Another simple and accessible qigong set you might try is the Ba Duan Jin.

[AussieTrees]

Thank you, AussieTrees. Is there a .mobi version of this document? I think it would be easier for me to read this on my kindle. Otherwise, I may just print it out.

 

Works on iPad,should work with any device,maybe bit hard to read on mobile phone.

[Shad282]

I would suggest to learn to relax and do meditation where you relax each part of the body. masturbation is fine, if not excessively made and there is no guilt feeling or so. you don't have to force yourself. because what is causing the masturbation could be related to some problems and after they are resolved your body will manage itself concerning sexual energy. 

 

not sure about energy is lost during masturbation, because energy is infinite and everywhere, you are it, and everything is energy. you won't deplete yourself of energy but it would lead issues to arises which will lead to blockage to arises and would make the flow of energy not steady. same will happen after a long time not masturbating. Good luck  

[Vincent B.]

On 3/15/2017 at 11:40 PM, StormHealer said:

Eliminate ejaculation all together, maybe once every 2 months is a good metric. You accomplish this by learning to sublimate sexual energy via internal methods. 

 

Practice Karezza with your wife, it's a different kind of love-making which does not emphasize being hot and heavy (this will likely cure your desire for porn and wringing your noodle)....but a kind of cool heart centered connection, thus being aroused is not necessary. Cupid's Poisoned Arrow is a good book for this.  

 

On a weekend your free.....do a 3 day water fast. It will be tiring and detoxing as shit but will kick the cold out of your system. 

 

 

thanks for the book recommendation, it's very interesting

[rideforever]

I find that doing Michael Winn's 5 Animals Qigong, 3 times a day, totally changes my feelings about sex .... and I would consider a lot of masturbation coming from a low energy state and not a sexual need.   This might not be obvious.
The other thing is that masturbation is not really sexual .... it is a negative fantasy playing out in the imagination, mostly happens in the head.
Sexual, is the sharing of energy between male and female, which can happen also in conversation and then at some point that energy sharing becomes closer.

[Maddie]

I'll speak from an acupuncture and TCM perspective since I am an acupuncturist. I would suggest both you and your wife would benefit from acupuncture and herbs. The most likely cause of your wife's low libido is Kidney yang deficiency and  herbs can be especially helpful in this regard. As far as feeling addicted to masturbation I think mindfulness helps a lot. When you feel the urge to self pleasure observe the urge, be aware of the feeling at least for a little while before indulging.