Trunk

I've been doing some review of du & ren in Deadman's Manual of Acupuncture. If you're really into this stuff, consider buying that - or some other hard core - book on acupuncture. Of the caliber that they use in schools. I find it to be a valuable reference. Anyway, the trajectories of ren (and du) are significantly different than is presented in pop-Taoism. A couple of other references.

Inspired by the video below, I’ve made some effective strides on ren and the whole abdominal region. She instructs along the line of belly dancing … I modify the breathing towards a more Daoist orientation. The tip: 1. Put your finger on any acupoint (indendation) along the abdominal section of ren (below the sternum and above the pubic bone). Whether you place your finger firmly, lightly, or not quite touching at all - will emphasize physical ~ subtle engagement (all good). 2. Do a slow smooth inhale ~ exhale from the center at finger-level. Basically, doing dan tien breathing at the level of the finger. Slowly, so that the layers of tissues gently separate during the (inhale oops!) exhale, often including a gentle tug-pull from the inside at the acupoint. Just 1 to several breaths, then… 3. Next acupoint, repeat 1&2. All up n’ down. I find that this extremely simple tip: - Helps to locate areas of the abdomen that are … unfamiliar, inarticulate, physically, and getting the sensitivity and muscular articulation online. - extraordinarily effective in activating acupoints along ren - overlaps + complements other kinds of deep abdominal work - Trunk

@Euhen, Welcome! - Trunk

@PathOfbeansGod, Welcome! You might find the links in my signature to be helpful. - Trunk

It occurs to me that these two practices (below) contain an especially effective duo (in the context of well rounded etc) for addressing the typical (male) jing cultivation difficulties.

@yang107, Welcome! - Trunk

@lionkin72, Welcome! - Trunk

@SteamingTea, Welcome! - Trunk

@MaximusIA, Welcome! - Trunk

@Kdd, Welcome! - Trunk

@surrogate corpse Welcome! Trunk

Thank you. You've prompted my interest back into self-acupressure. I go with "groovy freestyle" self-acupressure, where I massaged gently along a channel (which are in the grooves between muscles) and spend extra time where ever I find pain to resolve, or good stuff. The liver channel especially made a big hit this way, as it's so helpful in resolving stagnation in the lower jiao and very convenient to massage, especially along the lower leg. Pulling out some old pictures.

btw, talking about the navel (that’s not a lead-in that I often use, lol) anyway, My orientation is that “embryonic breathing” is a key concept. (various practices might go in that direction). The beginning, the physically foundational nourishment all came in through that pumping. There are times when lung-breathing minimizes and the belly activates in a deeply integral way. If we want to access and cultivate our most physical foundations, imho, “embryonic breathing” is an idea to have around.

There's a variations of the microcosmic orbit thread in the Daoism section, which comments on, inspired me towards ... this broader topic of "Beginnings". I think that there is a wide variety of aspirants here, with a wide variety of background ... hopefully mostly anectotal (we might touch on classical complete perfection, but I'm not obsessing on it)... and this might vary widely depending on tradition and specific internal path, goal. When you "started", was there some broad orientation/one piece maybe/method/teaching that you received that was especially helpful? (or, on the other hand, led to trouble?) ... and if you were to give some very short piece of advice, (doesn't have to cover all the bases or anything) for beginning?

@liminal_luke, I’ve been going straight down ren, and so‘ve included the navel itself as an (exceptionally special) acupoint. I’ve seen a variety of people do things with their bellies, and I’m always impressed. Those sorts of methods (often) just look *healthy*. Historically, this has not been an easy area for me … many of us have had our smash-up-derbies of one kind or another, and I’ve had mine … I didn’t expect this practice to work so well. It’s not like I’ve never‘ve tried methods, modalities. - When I started this method, I had more than one spot that was painful, dumb, inarticulate etc. This has moved through stages *really* readily. - Currently: This practice continues to progress rapidly, has become stronger, more fluent, enjoyable. The feeling of strength has a quality of soothing flexibility. blabbing, Trunk

Very cool.

This method is highlighting a difference for me … You know when a method just works. vs doing something for years that kinda works and almost but and if I just worked harder and had better character and I just have to practice this for the rest of my life and it’ll never be perfect??? … but I really should do it and it’s the right thing? and oh poor me, lol and then there’s things like the above method. I wake up in the morning, or I’m lounging on the couch and I just notice that I’m breathing with a depth and ease that is remarkable. or I go to do morning standing and the flows that this would supposedly promote are just flowing, like *wow*, not endless struggle for partial frustrating results and abraded self esteem … just, results, right away - and in the days following practice. This is one of those. and super simple p.s. And how soon did I start to feel results with this method? The first time I tried it, in session, the first point, within a few breaths. So far, it’s been like that. … and there’s been a recognizable arc of progressive changes. curious to see how this plays out .. and - Has it produced a sense of tension?, struggle? No. On the contrary, I find it emotionally nourishing (something about the acupoints and local alchemy), and soothing.

Welcome @alexis karpouzos, - Trunk

I was a rafting guide on the South Fork of the American River in the early 80’s for a year+. First through the Davis campus, then weekend job through the summer. SO much fun. The BEST food, tritips every saturday night, fresh picked blackberries in morning pancakes … ! what an idyllic time…

welcome @Pai Mei, - Trunk

welcome @majoranxietycase, - Trunk

Welcome @Rvel, - Trunk

welcome @Milasko - Trunk

welcome @Wugong57!, - Trunk

@oattao, Welcome. - Trunk