Old Man Contradiction

This is very true. I'd like to mention that I've been on the receiving end of the type of "fa jin" that michael phillips is doing, but it was from a fellow student of mine that's only been training for 6 yrs. So it's not that impressive for somebody that's been teaching since the 70's.

Unless your teacher wants you to fast I wouldn't. My two teachers believe in food supplying your body with the nutrients and minerals that it needs to grow. They also believe that some food hurts you. So I have just started cutting out all of the harmful foods, which happen to be the same that my TCM doctor told me to cut out. No wheat, gluten, dairy, fried foods, or sugar. A healthy diet and lots of training will give you everything you need and want. Fasting might not be good for what you are trying to do.

Just as a principle, it's usually better to look weak and unskilled.

the book "Original Tao : Nei Yeh" or something of the like has great information about the beginning and divergence of both types of taoism.

I have been having chronic headaches and chronic tonsilitis for a while now. The only option my western doctor gave me was to have a tonsilectomy. So one of my teachers in kung-fu referred me to a TCM/Naturopath doctor. She observed my pulse. Checked my tongue. May have been looking in my eyes as we were talking. She asked me questions. The resulting diagnosis was a weak kidney system, and it's tendency to be oversensitive of food allergies. Of many, she emphasized wheat/gluten, dairy, and sugar as possible foods that my body is intolerant of. This is why my immune system is so weak, and I believe could also be why I have lots of fear and anxiety... my body-mind's self-defense mechanisms are weak. So she did acupuncture on me. Points on the feet, hands, back of the neck. Maybe a few more I'm missing. This plus the breathing made my limbs feel vibrant, warm, and fuzzy. I was feeling very fluid. Then she did some massage-type work on my neck. She did a motion as if she was trying to snap it, and the motion cracked the neck muscles and felt good. She also worked on my jaw, as these muscles are very tight and could be related to the headaches as well. After the treatment, she prescribed a tea mix for my immune system, as well as echinacea, and some kind of flower/leaf. The appointment plus the medicine all together costed 26$. I feel the doctor was very good, her food guidelines, and treatment were all very thorough and skillful. I have another appointment in 3 weeks and I'm really looking forward to it. By the way, I've never said that about my conventional doctor of western medicine. PS. What do you know about the tonsils? My father and I argue about this because I want to keep my body parts, avoid surgery, and try to balance out my body inorder to heal naturally. But he just wants me to get my tonsils cut out. Secretly I refuse to do this.

Yeah tell me about, it's with a non-profit organization. The fee is on a sliding scale, and since I have no income they are very generous. I am confident that her diagnosis is correct. She also came highly recommended by someone who's been involved in TCM for a long time. I'm glad to hear a common story. I look forward to healing, and next time I talk to my dad about this I will use your story as an example success story. Yes 26$ is awesome, I'm really thankful. Unfortunately, even at that rate I can't afford weekly visits. Also she is a very busy doctor, so the nearest appointment I could get isn't until January. I'd probably be doing so good if I could get in every week. Nevertheless, within a few months I'm sure she's going to have me sittin sweet.

I know Chunyi Lin knows Tai Chi, but does he teach it?

For right now, you'll probably benefit more from standing. It will give you the base of consciousness that sitting will, but also clean out your body and build strength/power. Also to be aware of, standing incorrectly can be harmful. If you are learning from a book, like Lam Kam Chuen's, be sure to take the precautions seriously. Often overlooked is diet, which may hinder or enhance your progress.

I was wondering if you've heard any stories, or rumors, regarding why masters withhold secrets from students? Grandmaster Wang Xiangzhai was kind of on the forefront of freeing knowledge to the public, but yet his influence only extended into his students, who later taught with the same philosophy (hopefully). Anyway, do you know why some masters keep secrets?

It makes me happy

I know that it's not pretty much impossible to distinguish between mind-created signs from the real ones. There is a vivid difference, at least in my experience. Also, the reason many people believe they are experiencing qi (for example), is because the book or their teacher said so. The way I have been taught, is in a way that I am not necessarily looking to do qigong. This way my experience speaks for itself, in and of itself.

What is the kidneys' role according to TCM? I know good qigong for kidneys but I am not sure what kind of energy the kidneys relate to. also, what could be the cause of social anxiety? I'm going to go see a TCM doctor next week about my social anxiety and chronic tonsilitis, and I was just curious and wanted to start a topic about this.

I'll pay attention to the underlying thoughts. Is Timmy a charisma arts guy? I'm 19, so bars and clubs aren't really an option for me. Plus, my last girlfriend partied all day long, I think I'm looking to meet some girls with slightly different energy.

hell yeah dude Juggler is rad! I just got out of a two year relationship, in which time I found out about him so I haven't really tried to internalize his approach, which I think is very down to earth and very cool. and about the mindfulness, they say that yiquan practice is a standing zen. When the anxiety came on, I became aware of it without taking a mental position about it, and I just payed attention to it like I pay attention to my body when I practice Yiquan. Soon after is when it flooded away.

My training is helping, and since I started I've noticed that the anxiety is less stuck... like it will flood my body and then it will flow away and there will only be traces of nervous tension left. As opposed to before training when it would flood my body, and it would stay there, my heart would be racing, I'd be sweating, etc... I have changed my diet in the last month. No bread, sugar, salt, dairy, or fried foods. High fiber and protein. Mostly vegetables, fruit, and meat. My training style is yiquan/tai chi/hsing-I, so I am developing root. For my age (19) I don't have a very high level of energy. In other words i'm boring and not charismatic. I'm not too sharp. So my main focus right now is waking up my energy and breathing right to supply enough oxygen to sustain that high energy. It sounds like all of these things in addition to the TCM doctor will do good for me. must go, will post back later. Happy thanksgiving everyone!

I like both. Not necessarily accumulating energy though. I like opening up my body's flow, but also waking up my energy. Vividly alive.

I believing in questioning yourself and your teacher's teaching, and independantly thinking about what you are doing and ways to improve. Whether you are taught "secrets" or not, this is required to become an extraordinary martial artist or "cultivator".

good posts. I believe that people that are willing to work hard, are the ones that deserve to hear the teachings that lay the path to higher skill. But it makes no sense to me when masters keep secrets, even when a student works hard enough and has the skill to make the teaching his own, and then pass it on to future generations. It seems to me that making sure the art does not die, in quality or in existence, would be the prime directive of a teacher. I do not believe in trying to teach to people who don't want to listen. I especially don't believe in trying to change a person against his/her will. Nevertheless I think that a teacher can intelligently choose to teach new students in a progressive manner, allowing them to achieve extraordinary skill, as well as shortening the students learning curve. (given that the student has the spirit for it)

I want to address a topic that I believe isn't discussed enough here. When I first became interested in qigong, I spent a few months with some popular qigong systems that are sold in the west, for example, Mantak Chia's. Then I sought out a teacher and I benefited quickly from that decision. It seems as if many qigong systems are incomplete by nature. A fundamental concept to being human, or taoist, is that the mind and body are one. A real system will challenge you both mentally and physically. This causes you to grow. Another important truth that a lot of qigong systems are missing is the "act of waking up". If you want your energy to wake up, your mind needs to be alert, alive, and focused. Tai chi that's too soft, allowing the mind to lay mundanely and the muscles to grow weak. Sitting qigong, that visualizes energy instead of actually using energy. Moving qigong that is easy for the body and dormant for the mind. Karate forms that stiffen the body and stress the heart. Isn't there a way to practice that is both yin and yang?

I don't see the power in him that I am talking about. He seems about normal for the taiji masters of today, which don't really compare (according to Wang Xiangzhai) to the masters of older times. Yeah, I'll ask to learn bagua from my current teacher at some point. I've done a little bit of pre-heaven palm with him, but my tai chi and xingyi forms need a lot of work, and my focus on I-Chuan is really shortening my learning curve in the 3 internal arts so I'll continue to work hard in zhan zhuang and test of power. You misread me Stigweard, my perception is that Taiji is supposed to be a balanced discipline, but that a lot of the Taiji I see is just a really watered down, easy version, of what Taiji can be. I agree with you. Especially about a system not being necessary. Right now I believe that Taiji is more consistently taught by unqualified teachers than any other of the internal martial arts. This seems to be making a lot of students naive. Not much more I can say besides hope to god you find a good teacher. Also, it's a good sign if your teacher can joke and doesn't take himself too seriously.

I want to open an honest discussion. Why do you believe in qi? or why do you not believe in qi? I do not believe in qi, nor do I believe that qi does not exist. I am unaccustomed to traditional theory, as well as unaccustomed to western science. I do know that there is a mastery level of the internal martial arts that is achievable without qi theory. So I am left inconclusive... plz discuss

Yes, that seems right. Relaxed muscles and strong tendons. I have to say we do a lot of bodyweight exercise a la western boxing and kung fu at my school, so we do gain a lot of muscular strength and endurance. I'd like to highlight your statement "Without the tendon power, Tai Chi is mostly just a health exercise.", and add that if somebody is only interested in gaining health, that they still need to train for the martial aspect of Tai Chi. To train to fight with tai chi develops your maximum energy. Later in life, this is what you'll need to stay healthy and fight off disease. Just doing inauthentic taiji for health may not give you the energy you need to benefit your health when you really need it to. I can't say I've heard the term Nei Kung. But from what I've read in your post it's an integral part of the fundamental level of my training. With the nei kung using the internal muscles for all movements, the 6 directions, and connecting up the body. As for the horse, I'm doing night training tonight. It'll be in there.

Looking back at this thread, I did a really poor job. Energy is simple. My energy is changing, and so my life situation is changing. Energy is also very clear in a social atmosphere. Also, in my self, and outwards of my intention. My original thought to start this thread, was less about qi, and more about the misuse of the idea of qi. This is commonly found with charlatans, but also just people that want a better life and/or are misinformed. I'm going to start a new thread with this in mind.