How do neigong masters stay safe in the jungle

[chaosbananaman]

uh.. might be a silly question but i've been reading that neigong and neidan masters go on periodic retreat in the jungles to meditate.

 

There's like dangerous animals and shit so how do these people even stay safe  when they say they are meditating away from civilization, they aren't actually living in caves right?

 

I saw a video by Damo where you can hear monkey noises in the background and the man said "don't mind the noise, i am in the jungle" and he looked like he was in a fairly decent building. But on the other hand, i read stories of neigong masters in books and they make it sound like they are picking literal berries and living in caves. Ofc, there is the image of the yogi that lives in the mountains of Himalaya too 

 

This is a serious question btw

 

 

[Master Logray]

19 minutes ago, chaosbananaman said:

uh.. might be a silly question but i've been reading that neigong and neidan masters go on periodic retreat in the jungles to meditate.

 

There's like dangerous animals and shit so how do these people even stay safe  when they say they are meditating away from civilization, they aren't actually living in caves right?

 

I saw a video by Damo where you can hear monkey noises in the background and the man said "don't mind the noise, i am in the jungle" and he looked like he was in a fairly decent building. But on the other hand, i read stories of neigong masters in books and they make it sound like they are picking literal berries and living in caves. Ofc, there is the image of the yogi that lives in the mountains of Himalaya too 

 

This is a serious question btw

 

 

 

They usually lived in caves.  But there were a lot of ground work before doing that, not in terms of cultivation.  Taoist usually needed to master Kung Fu, with weaponry, medicine, knowledge on the herb, bones setting, fortune telling to select the location with Chi, weather and safety, some magicks/techniques to ward off ghost, spirits, insects and animals.   And they didn't really always stay in deep mountains, but a very seclude spot of sacred mountains like the back of Wudang or HuaShan.  They could have visitors or trade with villagers. It is not entirely same as the notion of a Yogi or Tibetan monk living in a case with a cloth and only meditate 7x24.   And when they are successful in the end, they could leave and return to the world, or migrate to another realm, not stuck there forever. 

 

BTW, the term should be Taoist Masters, Neidan Master or other names.  Neigong master is a kind of Kung Fu masters you find in cities.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 14 by Master Logray

[Jenn]

It's also easier when it is a region you are familiar with. For example, if I got on a plane and went to the jungle to live in a cave, even if close to a town and only a few nights, I would probably be not all that safe - because I don't have any experience in the jungle. I don't know what is dangerous or how to avoid them, or what to do if I encounter a jungle predator. But I am very safe doing the same thing back home despite living in grizzly, cougar, and wolf country, because I know how to minimize the risk of encounters with predators where I am and what to do when the inevitable happens, it's part of the culture here. It would be similar growing up near a jungle, you learn what to do and not do when you venture out of the city into the jungle.

 

In terms of protection from wildlife you just need to know the natural laws of the region you are in, follow and respect them. Wild animals and creatures just want to eat you or protect themselves from you - so don't let them see you as food and don't make them feel threatened. You need to know how the predators / dangerous creatures hunt, what they hunt, where they are found, and their behaviors, then adjust accordingly.

 

Honestly, I am more nervous of encountering people when solo in the backcountry, they are more unpredictable because their motivations are not so transparent...

[chaosbananaman]

On 2/14/2025 at 11:46 PM, Jenn said:

It's also easier when it is a region you are familiar with. For example, if I got on a plane and went to the jungle to live in a cave, even if close to a town and only a few nights, I would probably be not all that safe - because I don't have any experience in the jungle. I don't know what is dangerous or how to avoid them, or what to do if I encounter a jungle predator. But I am very safe doing the same thing back home despite living in grizzly, cougar, and wolf country, because I know how to minimize the risk of encounters with predators where I am and what to do when the inevitable happens, it's part of the culture here. It would be similar growing up near a jungle, you learn what to do and not do when you venture out of the city into the jungle.

 

In terms of protection from wildlife you just need to know the natural laws of the region you are in, follow and respect them. Wild animals and creatures just want to eat you or protect themselves from you - so don't let them see you as food and don't make them feel threatened. You need to know how the predators / dangerous creatures hunt, what they hunt, where they are found, and their behaviors, then adjust accordingly.

 

Honestly, I am more nervous of encountering people when solo in the backcountry, they are more unpredictable because their motivations are not so transparent...

 

That's true but i don't know if i would personally feel safe if i go live in a mountain near my place where it's riddled with bears even if i know what to look for unless i have bear spray or rifle 

[markern]

I once talked to a woman from Thailand that had spent three months in a monastery on retreat. She said she had been skeptical of all claims of anything supernatural. But once in meditation she felt like some benign spirit that was watching over her was trying to get her attention and notify her of something dangerous approaching and she opened her eyes and saw a dangerous snake approaching. So maybe they stay safe by having spirits take the role as lookouts:)