Phoenixrising

Hi seniors, I started Taichi 6mths ago, in a Taichi school. I am keen to cultivate and increase my 'internal' store of chi. Apparently, I am 'leaking' chi, often causing my hands and body to get cold and clammy. My teacher is very concerned with my progress, which went downhill a few months back after I resumed my career as a therapist, working mainly with frail elderlies, cancer patients, and those with vague pain disorders. I was previously able to do at least 10-30mins of the Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation). Now I only last a few minutes. So I have ditched the Zhan Zhuang and opted for a half lotus sitting breathing meditation. I can barely feel energy flow down my 'kua'/pelvis. When I did sitting and lying meditation 10yrs ago, I could feel energy flowing freely to every leg. I know that when I work, I give energy freely. I cant stop myself. My teacher asks me to stop working until I am strong enough to withstand the daily energy loss, but my heart goes out to the ill people I so wish to make better. It is in my blood, to eventually be a healer. And to be a martial artist. I have this yearning my whole life. And I have chosen Taichi as The Way to achieve both. Please share your insights on how to help myself along this path. Esp on energy cultivation practices. Ps. Apart from Sitting meditation and Taichi External Forms, I have also been taught a 'detox' technique to rid my body of the sticky dirty energy I tend to pick up (I am an empath, a touch 'feeler', and was told I easily absorb bad energy, even as I am giving away healing energy). Thank you for yr input.

Hee hee. Thanks. We love to read.

Stillness, thank you so much for your sharing. I will try to source the materials. Wu wei Qigong sounds interesting. Now I am learning the Jade Emperor Embryonic Breathing, which is my first lower dantien development practise. I am feeling so much stronger now that my LDT is developing, even though I know I have a long long way to go. I have taken all advices to guard from energy loss and to mentally create an energetic shield which prevents bad energy transfer from ppl around me. Thanks to all for your advice and info.

Oh yea, coz I tend to fall asleep while doing sitting meditations, so alternating sitting-standing fixes that for me.

I've just started Taichi 6mths ago. I do zhanzhuang alternating with sitting meditations, as I cant last long in the standing posture. Alternating standing with sitting, and moving (Taichi) meditations help me to be able to practice longer, achieve deeper relaxation, and stillness. I am still learning the best way to cultivate my energies. So far this combo has worked well for me.

Taomeow, thanks for your explanation on how to develop the zhanzhuang practice and why it is important to push the limits. Its something I am working on right now. And you are right, sometimes when I can push through the discomfort (aching quads)... It gets to a stage when it becomes effortless. Like a runner's high. The energy just flows through the body....

Spotless >> Becoming "high" is nothing - high in the head is the norm and those who have difficulty - real difficulty even trying to remove themselves from the high are often at the mercy of beings that would like to keep the party and higher out-of-control vibrations going.... Wow. Really hit the spot there, Spotless. And in a good way. I was there, high in that place. And the 'party' was starting to spiral..... Somebody came by, sensed the imbalance in my practice, then gave me a verbal smack. And set me on LDT work + Taiji. Not supposed to focus on higher chakras only. Thank God for the good people who cross my path. I stay grounded now. Tqvm.

Nice sharing, ChiForce. I am a christian too (non-practicing), learning & practicing Taichi, and recently learning to live in the flow of Dao as well. Thank you for the reading recommendations. Agree with you that Dao exists as Chi. Leaening to appreciate this bit.

Woohooo!!! Cheya, we have found our support buddies. Thanks for the explanation, Oldchi. Hello, Amazon!!

Yea, Brian. That book will be in my reading list.

Hmm... Now I do understand why. My teacher speaks in a cryptic way. Like Yoda. Not much in terms of explanation. It is my mistake not to take his words seriously. I only half-believed him. I didnt believe in chinese medicine or post-delivery confinement practices (oh shit!). I think THAT is the root cause the lower half of my body has energy blockages (at the 'kua'/pelvis) level. As for using my personal energy for healing - i dont actually do energy healing. I do western medicine-based soft tissue massages and lymphatic drainage. QUESTION : I often work with my hands on the patients and having a strong intention to heal them while I am working. Or I will bump into a stressed friend and instinctively want to give them a neck/shoulder rub. Will that lead to my personal energy being used up? I have my shifu and a spiritual healer tell me that I cannot do ANY massages for anybody, not even for my husband (he has the occassional backache). So, is it sufficient if I can modify my intention/mindset, as recommended by Spotless?? I am still figuring out how to set up a mental barrier/personal boundary too. Ps. I have already reduced doing hands-on work whenever I can. My taiji foundation is slowly building up. And yes, sitting meditation has helped me a lot to regain my health and balance - am learning from a proper Dao teacher now. So much safer to have guidance! Inner check - Why didnt I believe in chinese medicine and practices? It is because Western medicine and christian practices is all that I know. Oh wow. So now, it falls onto me to study deeper into chinese (and other) medicine practices, and the nature of chi (as I am serious in going level up in Taiji). Courage!!!

Thank you for the elaborate explanations, Spotless & Oldchi. Grateful for the pointers.

Oh, just one thing. I dont get the part about 'celibacy'. Heard my husband mention it before, but... Whats the explanation behind it??

I get it now - Just becausse my intentions is good, it doesnt make it right. I see now why my teacher asked me to practice 'Detachment'. Previously I thought that being detached seems selfish. Now I understand that it means respect, for my Self, and for others. I have started reading up on Daoism too. I like the explanations by Robert J Coons. Currently learning the Embryonic Breathing System, and in just two days, I am already feeling 'flow' and happiness when I meditate. Such is the simplicity of it.

Wow, Spotless. You just expanded my mind in more ways than one. It hits deep and TRUE. You have just explained to me what it means to be a TRUE healer. I appreciate it a lot. Taking note ...: Work on neutrality. No effort. No imposing on others. Be grounded and full of light. Thanks the tips, Arramu. Yes, having a bit of sunlight do work wonders for me!! I am also doing grounding on a daily basis now.

I am sorry, Oldchi. I dont mean to be an ass. In fact, half the reason I posted on the matter because I wasn't sure if the notion of 'absorbing bad chi' is true. I was brought up in strict Catholic tradition and studied western medicine. My sifu and the ppl who told me about 'absorbing other people's chi' are obviously brought up in the traditional chinese tradition. So it is all TRUE??!!!!! *Oh,no, I am so shit!!* I know many of you are longtime practitioners and well-versed in the knowledge of such matters. I also wanted to hear if there are differing views. I am a bit conflicted in my belief, but for the most part, my head agrees with you. My heart needs to listen to my head. I am already learning and applying 'detachment', having read some Tao short articles related to my Taiji practice. And I will follow-up on your advice to protect myself and learn more on how to do all this safely. *going off to detox...*

Very intrigued with your info, senior Dwai. I will work hard to perfect my Forms (I am doing the 42 form Yang style Taiji). Hoping to learn more later on this Condensing Breath technique.

Dear all, I just found this website today. I read the discussion topic on 'sealing the chi', and liked depth and variety in the responses to the post. I am looking forward to learning more. I am a novice in meditation, having practiced it on my own, on/off for nearly 15yrs (it's impossible to find a Teacher, so I was fumbling along all these years). I have some limited experience in martial arts, and joined a Taichi school 6mths ago. It was during the learning of the (external) Taichi Forms that I discovered myself hopelessly drawn to the Internal practice of chi-gong. I am hoping to learn more from this website members' sharings and insights. Tq.