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Hi all. I watched this last night and thought it was very good. I've been practicing for three and a half years and over the curse, have identified how Taoist the martial art's philosophy is. This documentary explains it all... I see that there are a lot of Bagua and Tai Chi practitioners on here but not many talk about Wing Chun. I'm quite interested in learning more from the Bagua and Tai Chi philosophies too to draw on similarities more than anything. So anyone with anything to say on any Taoist martial arts, please go ahead

Hello all, i too am new to this site.. Ive been hoping to learn and practice as much about developing and using my internal chi energies, or Nei Kung as ive heard its called.. The only problem however is that there are alot of people out in this world who will give false teachings/training that will get you nowhere.. As much information and help with a newbie like me would be most appreciated.. I would like to get started as soon as possible!! Just need to know the correct and true authentic, proven ways though.. Ive read that meditation is the main way and there are specific techniques and exercises that produce certain results. I would like to mainly learn how to awaken and develop my yin and yang chi's to be a stronger person all around. Only allowed practices though please. I dont want to dis-respect anyone or their closed door traditions by practicing there techniques if im not allowed to. Thanks!!

Hi Taobums Community ~ I was wondering if anyone out there has experienced this or heard about it... In my qigong practice, I’ve been working with postural daoyin training working with rooting into the earth and allowing the free-flow of Qi through my body, & exploring optimal balance of my structure (physically and energetically). I’ve been working a lot also with beating and drumming the Qi, and also the microcosmic orbit. The two experiences that I’m wondering if anyone has heard about (I’m an acupuncturist and this isn't really the way the Ren and Du meridians are described in the textbooks... well, the Du meridian is, somewhat, but not exactly in this way): Focusing on the area above the perineum causes the Ren meridian to light up along the surface of the body. If I then focus on the area above the perineum and fill it with energy, the Ren meridian will go in an arc upward, from area just above the perineum out away from the body in a half circle, pouring into the third eye, filling the upper dantien with energy. In wuji posture, if I pull my head back a little while looking slightly down, so that my sinuses move into the field of the taiji pole (I’ve been a student of Jerry Alan Johnson’s system, and he talks of the taiji pole… not sure if it’s in other systems), and if I focus on stretching Du-16, it will create a circle of energy that runs from Du-20 (the vertex of the head) through the sinuses, back to Du-16 (where neck meets occiput) and back up to Du-20, circling around and around, filling the upper dantien with energy. Curious if anyone knows about this… These things are not in my textbooks and my qigong teacher didn’t seem to know much about it either. Maybe it’s just the way my energy is shifting as I explore my own healing process, but I’m wondering if anyone else has heard of these things. Please share if you have experienced this, or if you’ve heard of this ~ perhaps a qigong system or teacher talks about this? Thanks so much everyone!

Hi all, We all know about the principle of relaxation in meditative and chi-cultivating disciplines. We've all felt the profound benefits of relaxation. However, although many of us are learning from masters who are advanced in age, a lot of us are young and full of energy, vigor, and speed. So I want to get some opinions on this: how do you resolve the contradictory disciplines of relaxed power and peak performance (demanding as much as you can from yourself, getting high performance in your life overall, not just physically but mentally, working long hours, pushing yourself to achieve goals, etc) ? For example, I love the "ideal" of going to bed early and waking up several hours before dawn to practice my chi kung, forms, and meditation. It seems extremely sensible to sync my sleep schedule with the sun. But often when I wake early and have a great day, I've gotten so much momentum that I'm still amped come sundown, and I realize I could work (or play) for 12 more hours. But this goes against the precepts of just taking it easy, and this is tough for me, because we live in a world where the 70% rule doesn't really cut it. For most of us we have to rolling out the 110% power. Any suggestions? I'd love to hear how other peak performance people synthesize these seemingly opposite ideas.

and NAZIRI doesn't count!!

Hi all, I just had a private lesson with the son of a very famous tai chi master in NYC. He seemed completely bored as he did the movements; the whole thing was conducted like he was teaching me how to wash windows. This seems to be a recurring theme - I understand the taoist ideal of humility, simplicity, and a total lack of ostentatious or excessive movement. Still, this is throwing me. Chi training to me is the most amazing thing in the world. It's literally cultivating energy from the cosmos - I can feel it deeply, and it changes my consciousness in an immense way to practice for even a few minutes. So what's the deal? Watching videos of Cheng Man Ching, it's the same thing. I know that great tai chi masters don't need to "do the form" because they already have immense chi, but it just seems so dull, like they don't have any passion or interest at all in what they're doing at all. I want to keep taking lessons, and practicing, but the vibe I keep encountering with so many of these people really throws me off. I'd love to hear some comments and perspective on this.

Hi Everybody, I am new here. I have been reading here threads on Nei Kung and Tao practices and I found here the most useful information than somewhere else which skyrocketed my progress.

I just registered and would like to say a respectful hello to everyone. I so often end up here on the Tao Bums fora when I google qigong topics that I thought I might as well register, and maybe even contribute where I can.

After watching John Chang on YouTube recently and then reading the Magus Of Java I decided to do some research about him and send sms to my Chinese Indonesian wife's family in Indo to see if they had heard of him. I received 2 replys that said they have never heard of him But I did not give up, I sent the YouTube video to one of my wife's uncle's who watched da video and sent me an sms back saying he knows John Chang but he is known by another name. Chinese Indonesians have their Indo names but also go by their Chinese names when with other Chinese. The uncle advised me that John Chang had been to his place on a number of occasions to work on my wife's Grandfather, (Kungkung) and da uncle I was in touch with. It turns out that my wife is related to John Chang by marriage and John Chang's niece staying with me in Melbourne last year and will be coming again to visit at the end of this year. I was married in Indo, lived and worked their for more than a year and I can speak Indo. As I visit Indonesia once a year and have stayed in John Chang's city on numerous occasions staying with the uncle, my next visit I will set up a consultation with the man known to the west as The Magus Of Java ; Dynamo Jack ; John Chang... BTW my mother is a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor and I have been studying Philosophy for the last 13 years. My favourite though is Taoism.

Hello Taobums, I feel honoured to have joined such an interesting community of likeminded individuals. I''ve been reading different topics for some time now and I thought it was about time I joined and shared in the discussions with some of my Taoist experiences...

Hey dudes, I've read enough frustrating threads where there are big misunderstandings because people use old cryptic terms like "jing", "shen", "yin", "yang", "yuan chi", "immortality" and so on. In different schools and lineagues there are different understandings of these terms which eventually lead to strong misunderstandings and this prevents a mutual understanding and a fruitful discussion that could further a deeper understanding of the truth that lies behind the goals and methods of those old traditions which are occupied with achieving "immortality". Some guys even just want to mesmerise other people by indulging in cryptic terms and statements, which only prevents any progress at all. Therefore I want to "cut the crap" in this thread and want to try to analyse with you guys/gals the goals of and the methods that lead to immortality of the different traditions from a modern pov, in modern terms and with logical understanding to carve out the similaries of these different traditions to be able to conclude a synthesis which explains logical in modern terms what immortality is and how it can be achieved. ("Cryptic" terms can be used in this discussion, but please make sure to explain them appropriately, so everyone can understand what you mean! This thread is thought to lead to further and deepen understanding, not to spread mysticism!) Let me try first: 1) What does the traditions mean with "immortality"? Immortality means the survival of the conscious functioning personality forever and beyond bodily death. So this seems not to be a given in the theories of these traditions compared to the theories in the abrahamic religions for example! This goal means either that the personality survives in some sort of stable personal energy field that will "hold it together" or that the person's body doesn't die or that the person even transform its body into energy and includes this energy to create "a stable energy field". Other traditions claim that the conscious personality could "endure" when it fuses with a greater energy energy field that permeates the universe ("tao"). 3) What happens to people who don't achieve that goal? Their conscious personalities cease to exist, one way or another. This is the end result of a life-long leaking out or wearing down of the person's energy and usually happens at the point of bodily death. Some traditions claim that the conscious personality simply goes out like a flame (which could be compared to the dominating opinion of modern science) or that their energy scatters completely and therefore their structure get's destroyed, others claim that they get born again as other persons or animals with a wiped out memory. Other traditions claim that only a "downgraded" version of the personality survives death as a "ghost" who is very limited in its cognitive functions. 2) Why and how do the traditional methods actually work or are supposed to work? The "energy" of a person is thought to be limited and to leak out via sexual activities, mind activities and simply all activities in life. Therefore the traditions have developed their theories of how to stop the leaking out (via methods of "consolitation" of energy) and of how to refill or restore the stock of energy a person has to the level of a newborn or even beyond. "Consolitation" of energy would mean for example to store energy in a closed room (like "tantien") or to fuse different volatile energies which tend to "evaporize" or "leak out" to a more stable energy ("the fusion of shen and jing", "kan & li") or to a primal precurser source energy of these energies. "Refilling" or "restoring" energy can include "reversing" the energy flow from out to in to bring in outside energies into the personal energy field or by the transfering of matter into energy and infusing it into the personal energy field or stock. Please share your own insights and opinions! The more these are thought through and explained in modern terms, the more helpful and understandable these will be for the other participants of the thread!

The process of Taoist Alchemy as described by Waysun Liao's student and front man of the spiritual "new school way" of Temple Style Taichi, Master Gregory James. He posted this essay in his forum publically in 2011 and I think it's precious knowledge that everybody should have! Enjoy!

We all know that non-violence is the key... but what if we are put in a situation where we must fight? Is having the knowledge of martial arts beneficiary to our karma when in need or no? Basically what I am saying: Should we fight back if necessary? Namaste, Mateo

I have realized that IMA (internal martial arts) folks are reifying Jin (power) in the same way as many Taoist folks reify Tao. By this I mean that they are trying make it a concrete "thing". You hear terms like ... emitting Jin ... or shooting Jin ... sending out Jin. It is the same error when people think that Tao is a "thing" that can be the "object" of worship. It is also synonymous that, just as Tao is not a "thing", Jin is also not a "thing", and just as Tao is more of a "way" or pattern of things, Jin is more of a "power". Also synonymous is that folks try and make both Tao and Jin something "special", meaning that it is something above or beyond mundane reality. Read more... http://www.tai-chi-wizard.com/the-tao-of-jin-in-tai-chi-chuan.html

Just like the title says. I'm trying to figure out if I've said something to offend him, or if he's... well, passed on. At any rate, I haven't heard from him in a long time, and as I don't know his family or anything, I have no way of knowing what's going on with him. Does anyone here know anything?

Hello to one and all. Let me start by saying a little bit about myself, and why I signed up for this forum. As to the former, I'm a 25 year old male, and a bum indeed. While I'm not a renunciate, with the career opportunities available to a guy with a B.A. in philosophy, I may as well be. As to the latter, I joined because there seems to be an abnormal amount of literature and opinions on nei gong/kung. It's as simple as that, really. Anyways, I've recently been disenfranchised. Suffice to say, my teacher isn't talking to me anymore. Why is this so? you might be thinking. Did he do something terrible? Did he say something he shouldn't have? You're guess is as good as mine, although to clarify, I don't believe I've done anything terrible. Does anybody have the scoop on Jim McMillan? When last I spoke to him, he was not doing that well, with regards to his health. Now that I haven't heard from him in a while, I'm starting to get worried. I'm level 1 now, and I have no idea what to do. I don't even know if my teacher is still alive. If any one has any advice, or better yet, would take pity on me and tell the instructions for level 2a and b, I would be eternally grateful. I have to say in advance, I can't pay you. I have no money. However, in a few months, I'll be living in China, so if you need a place to stay while you're over there, I could repay you thusly. Peace be with you, Tim

Is there a Qigong exercise or massage (or whatever) that helps eliminate pain in the soles of one's feet?

My name is Aziz. I've been practicing qi gong more than 15 years. I started them with Mantak Chia's inner smile. Today I'm practicing 3 different Daoist Sect's Nei Gong practices. On lvl 1. I learned Xing Shen Zhuang Fa from David Verdesi on 2002. And in last 2 years I began to practice Da Mo Pai's Nei Gong step 1 and Mo Pai's Nei Gong Step 1. Pai as you know means "school". Also I'm practicin and teaching Yi Jin Jing. The formal method of Da Mo Pai which the school of Bodhidharma or DaMo. I mostly practiced traditional forms of qi gong. I met with an "immortal", "sage" on these years. Yes I saw with my eyes he got really exciting powers. After all these years spending on qi gong I started to realize a different path. I'm mostly practicing ZaZen meditations now. All the qi gongs are helping my meditations. I'm here to learn different stages of meditations and traditional paths. Practices that I learned and still using: Xing Shen Zhuang Fa Xİng Gong Ba Gua Yi Jin Jing Stillness Meditation Shen Zhen Gong Nei Gong - Part 1, Step 1. Fullfilling the lower dantien with yang qi. Regards Aziz

Hey i'm Xandre im new here just introducing myself. I am a student of Wing Chun, Krav maga and tai chi. I am currentely in the search for a perfect (or what i perceive to be perfect) internal martial art as well as a good master in the these arts Mo Pai, Ba Gua, Tai Chi, Chi Kung

Hey, Nice to have stumbled across this. Probably won't be here often, but good to know it exists. The more I practice, the more it reveals itself to me from the simplest decisions I make to the responses I receive from clients. Peace out.

Anyone read this book? http://www.amazon.com/Five-Levels-Taijiquan-Chen-Xiaowang/dp/184819093X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3ATB9C53AOSU1&coliid=I1ERBRT6L5GX9Y It's a little pricey which is why I've been hesitant to pick it up. Not only that but there's only two reviews for it on Amazon.

OK here is part of the list of the DVDs I can currently access: Qi Gong for Beginners and Qi Gong for Stress Relief By: Garripoli Tai Chi for Fitness By: David Chang AM Chi, Lower Body Chi, PM Chi, Tai Chi Beginning Practice, Tai Chi Daily Practice By: David-Dorian Ross Energy Exercises for Emotional Vitality, Energy Exercises for The Beginner, Energy Exercieses for The Intermediate By: Discovering Chi (series) Tai Chi for Beginners By: Samual Barnes Tai Chi Inner-Wave By: Joey Bond Tai Chi Fundamentals By Tricia Wu Which of these, if any, should I use? If any of these are not something you would recommend, why exactly? For example, in another thread I started on another subject. Matthew Cohen's Fire and Water Qi Gong came up. The person that said the exercises were bad gave a couple of reasons, among them things like Mr. Cohen is flexing his muscles when they are supposed to be relaxed. What I am looking for are energy gathering/purifying exercises, preferably in Qi Gong (AKA Chi Kung). I like the side effects of good muscle flexibility among other things. I always liked Cohen's workout because I could use that after a really hard day of work where I was stiff and sore and I always felt better. I could also use it after a draining day and feel energized. Furthermore I can "see" the flame at my center, even meditating on this now, and I know when it is blinding bright and full of energy or when it is dim with little energy. The amount of energy I see there is directly releated to what I experience in my body. So I am looking to, in essence, recharge myself. I should also mention that it appears I am linked in some way to the earth or earth energy. I now see vines that come up and either connect to roots I put down from my feet or the vines just enter my body. This is all in my minds eye of course. Be kinda freaky to have vines come out of the ground into your physical body Anyhow this is symbolic, to me, of energy from the earth, while a sort of system or web or whatever of light rays or shoots - whatever you want to call them, connect to the energy of the sun/sky. Anyhow there is shamanic, magician and other energtic stuff going on here, and this should be considered in any DVD you recommend. Yeah I know I'm weird OK, as for length 10 minutes is awesome, 20 is OK, 30 is bearable, 40+ is "YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!!" So somewhere between 10-40 minutes is best for me. Also the exercises/moves should be very well narrated, as in Cohen's DVD, so I can easily see and feel how my body should be placed, and know I have it in the right position. Whatever else you can say about Cohen, you can certainly easily follow the audio of his DVD most of the time. Any DVD that depends on the video to explain everything is not as useful to me. Because I can carry around and use an audio file with me. But I can't work that way with a video file. Free is awesome, if any such creature exists. You give me the names of good teachers I'll gladly hunt around YouTube. Otherwise I will see what I can dig up at the library. Have a bunch of material there, something in it has to be of good quality. As always your help is appreciated. I would really like to get it right this time, hope I don't have to unlearn anything Cohen taught wrongly. - DreamBliss P.S. PLEASE NOTE! DO NOT RECOMMEND A CLASS OR ANYTHING THAT COSTS MONEY TO ME! I have no money to buy anything, so I have YouTube and the library. Of course I also have a birthday coming up on the 11th... Hint... Hint... Right now on my birthday/Christmas list are Josephine McCarthy's "The Excorsit's Handbook" and Magical Knowledge books II and III, Shalia Catherine's "Focused and Fearless" and "Wisdom Wide and Deep." Prentice Mulford's "Thought AreThings," Franz Bardon's "Initiation Into Hermetics" and, last but not least, the "Kybalion" by the Three Initiates.

This paper was originally written for our students. We thought it might benefit the Taijiquan, Qigong, Kung Fu and Nei Dan community so we are sharing it as a free PDF download. The Science of Qi Healing A Survey of the Research and Benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong Practices by Ted Nawalinski, Sc.D. Available as a PDF, free download

Here is a page with video teachings by Michael Tse covering a wide range of topics including Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation, and Taoism Tse Qigong Centre videos- http://www.qimagazine.com/video.html

I hope this is the right place to post this... I'm new here (a Taoist/Christian wandering along), and need a little help. I have trained Tai Chi (Wu style) for around 20 years. I had a great teacher, who poured as much as he could into me with the time we had. After training under him for around 8 years, I had to move away. By that time I was teaching my own classes for beginners. But since that time I have been on my own. Now I find myself in a small town with no resources for me. The local tai chi classes are taught by a Hard Stylist (which is going to be zero help for internal energy work), and he doesn't even do Qigong. I am looking for some help on working with my Chi, as well as some question as to Mindfulness Meditation. There are so many people in the Personal Practice area, I am guessing someone could be of help, but how do you know? So I guess this is me casting my net to see what swims in. Any help anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated!!!