Going Deeper into Qi Cultivation & Martial Arts

[ShaolinThunder]

Hello everyone! I've been reading these forums for a couple years already, but have only now become a member. Thanks to recommendations I found here in regards to teachers/systems/practices, I have made good progress in my self cultivation. Perhaps now that I have a bit more experience & knowledge, I can participate fully in discussions.

 

As you can probably tell from my username, I got into all this from Shaolin kung fu. The "thunder" part symbolizes power and transformation through energy.

 

My main reason for practicing martial arts was for a greater connection with the mind, body, and spirit - which I found lacking in everyday modern society. The most popular mind-body-spirit training would be yoga, but I prefer something more interactive.. Combative even. Not to mention, it's rather awkward taking yoga/meditation classes as the only guy in the whole studio.

 

Therefore, I tried karate and taekwondo. However,  I still felt I was missing something. And that something was the qigong I later discovered through Shaolin kung fu. Since then, I've looked into other Chinese martial arts which include internal training - particularly xingyi quan, baguazhang, and taiji quan. And these three, as well as the Shaolin tradition despite being Buddhist, all seem to be greatly influenced by Daoism.

 

Now, I know this isn't a martial arts forum, but I found Daoist cultivation to be quite complementary to it. And so, here I am - studying these practices to improve in all aspects.

[Welcomer]

Welcome to the Tao Bums.  A wonderful forum to learn, discuss and cultivate.  Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations.  Before you join give them a read. 

 

Most of it boils down to being respectful.  No name calling or trolling.  Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder.  Discussion and arguments are what the board is about.  Keep it civil, don't get personal.  Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. 

 

We're here for good conversation and make some friend along the way, to be a community.  Jump right in, start threads asking questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. 

 

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,

 

Michael and the TDB team

 

Read and review Our Rules:

 

 

Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it

 

TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil.

 

 

I love threads on martial arts.  I think they're a gateway to various cultivation methods.