Secrets Of Longevity

The Kidneys in TCM include more than just the kidney (without a capital) organ itself. The Kidneys (with a capital) refers to the kidneys, bladder, adrenals, bone marrow, bones, much of the endocrine system, ears and genes! They mostly just refer to the kidney and bladder but the other areas listed all fall under the category of being a part of or storing the Jing energy. If you think about it, all those things listed ARE foundational to our health as we know it (except maybe the ears ).

I have found my experience with using affirmations beneficial. My recommendation if you are going to use them to counter bad habits is that you don't focus on the bad habit, instead cultivate it's opposite. For example if you have a chronic hunched over posture, use an affirmation such as "I maintain an erect posture throughout the day" instead of saying to yourself "I no longer slouch... etc".

You mentioned you're looking to practice "finding stillness". Taoism calls meditation "ching-jing wu-wei" which literally translates as "sit still and do nothing". This, in my opinion, should be the foundation of everyone's internal practice. I would highly recommend do this practice for a at least two months daily before adding what I refer to as "meditation with content". This would be any type of meditation, qi-gong or yoga practice that involves visualization or using any technique. so literally ching-jing wu-wei is meditation with no technique. This allows your mind to get used to settling down. Once you can settle your mind with greater ease, you will have much more success and less distractions in your qi-gong or other practices. Here's a mini meditation instructional that I have written: Beginners (and advanced) meditation tips It's interesting to note that every traditional system of cultivation more or less used this exercise. It's used in Tibetan Buddhism, Zen, Hindu practices and Chan Buddhism to name a few.

Caves are generally much quieter than "open" nature. People in modern housing and urban/rural areas often think of nature as quiet and serene. This is not so, although the sounds are natural and usually "peaceful", they would still be distracting to someone wanting to go very deep into stillness. Plus all sorts of bugs and other animals might wander along and sniff or even try to munch on you. Another distraction... Caves generally have less of these, unless it's a really damp, deep cave with other inhabitants of course. I agree with all the above responses as well! Many reasons for living in a cave. You would also possibly have beneficial earth energies coming up through dragon veins (ley lines) which might be more exposed in a cave?...

The Li family qi-gong practices work with the orbit while standing and even circle walking. The Li family were a lineage of martial artists in China who worked as bodyguards for a living. They used and refined their qi-gong exercises for the purpose of improving their health for faster healing and increasing longevity. I don't see why working with the MCO while standing or walking would pose any problems unless you're trying to force something to happen sooner then it's meant too. Prepare the "vessel" (entire body) properly and the contents you hold in them (qi) will stay pure.

Greetings to everyone on this forum. I am excited to begin contributing to the discussions in this fascinating community!