Skepticism Shook by Sensing Chi in Yoga Nidra

[sooryasadayam]

Hey Everyone, 

I'm an enthusiastic explorer of the mind-body link. I'm a Hindu by upbringing and a curious inquirer into the nature of things. I'm a control systems engineer currently working in systems biology and was always interested about prana/chi. Recently I had a weird first person experience during the practice of yoga nidra. It's the practice of deeply relaxing but holding clarity and focus of mind simultaneously, in the supine position, and moving the the focus of awareness through different parts of the body one by one. 

Mostly I have experienced a sensation of tingling and vague throbbing sensation seemingly correlated with the pulse throb. But I that day the relaxation was particularly strong and I was almost in a hypnagogic state where I felt the "sensation of tingling" coalesce into a narrow region approximately half the width of a finger tip. Sharpness of the sensation was new and almost felt like a clear but mild electric current. It followed my attention and I attempted to move it throw my left arm. It felt as if a charged thin thread was moving through the upper flesh, just beneath the skin, tracing a path that felt like it was already there.

I lost control of the "droplet" near my shoulder and it moved straight into my heart region automatically as if it was slipping towards it creating a sharp but mild pain which startled me out of the relaxation state. The pain was clear and sharp. I tried to recreate this experience but I have not had success in doing so yet. Mainly because of the extent of relaxation without dullness of mind that it seems to require. I have started practicing shamatha (mindfulness of breathing) to get a hang of this. I found Alan Wallace's material on concentration development to be the most erudite and practical. Please do offer suggestions on finding authentic teachers and practitioners in Tai Chi/Qi gong. 

[Fa Xin]

Hello, sooryasadayam, 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.

 

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Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you,

 

Fa Xin and the TDB team

 

Hi soory,

 

Exciting, the first time you feel a little qi!  Exciting journey it is.  Relaxing is the key. Welcome to the forum

 

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

 

May you enjoy your time here.

 

Fa Xin

[cheya]

Hi soory,

 

That first time recognizing chi is quite the rush!

And it can be the beginning of a fascinating journey....

 

Welcome!

[sooryasadayam]

Thanks people 

[Zen Pig]

Greetings Sooryasadayam

Have had similar experiences, only with what folks call Kundalini kriya movements and energy.  And you are correct in that this cannot be reproduced in a skeptical experiment (as far as I know).

Lots of research into mind/body connection and energy, but the problem with proof or finding the mechanism for these events is elusive at best and does not mesh well with western objective proof.

All I can suggest is to keep your open inquiring mind.  For me, one of the best things I have learned in zen is to say, "I don't know".  good luck and above all have fun.