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Greetings and good day to all,
I have a question regarding material in Master Wong's books and was hoping someone could help me clear things up. First a little history. I have been studying various meditation and chi gung techniques for the past few years. I started by learning some movements from the tai chi chuan form, which would always leave me feeling fresh and relaxed. As I learned about tai chi chuan, I also found many books on chi gung and Taoist yoga. Some of these exercises were good for me, and some caused discomfort. I was out of my excitement trying Taoist yoga from books that claimed it was very simple and gentle. Abdominal breathing, reverse breathing, raising jing up the spine, microcosmic orbit...infinity. After a while of trying different things, I developed tremendous heat in my body, tense shoulders, tense solar plexus, and overall irritability.
There is just so much material out there it seems almost impossible to find a path to follow. I was actually feeling better when I would not practice. So after much thought and study, I feel that Zen Buddhism is just right for me. It expresses the rich culture of the Orient, and is based on the ancient traditions of India. It also includes one of my favorite activities, Kung Fu.
So, after my long-winded introduction, here is my question. I recently purchased "The Complete Book of Zen". I had a question about two of the exercises. One is Self-Manifested Chi Movement. I was looking through The Art Of Shaolin Kung Fu and found a Self-Manifested Chi Movement set of three exercises that include Buddha holding something, and kicking oranges or something, I know I've got the names wrong so please don't laugh. I tried them at home and felt very cool and relaxed after, although I did not have movements after.
Anyway, I got this new book "The Complete Book of Zen", and when introducing a different set of Self-Manifested Chi Movement chi gung, Master Wong gives the reader a warning about trying these exercises without a teacher. He also gives this warning in regards to Abdominal Breathing. I unfortunately do not have a teacher or master to study with, and realize that only so much can be learned from a book. Should I never try these exercises?
Or at what stage can I try them? Master Wong states that these exercises be practiced with a teacher, but then goes on to explain how to perform them. Also on page 183 (pitfalls and encouraging signs) he says that (about over-training)
"Never the less, you will be given adequate warning in the form of pain, tiredness, or great discomfort. If you heed the warning, and perform appropriate
remedial exercises like Self-Manifested Chi Movement, your harmful side effects can be eliminated." I am very excited to begin practicing Master Wong's Shaolin and chi gung arts, but this point has me a bit confused. Is it o.k. to do the Self-Manifested Chi Movement chi gung? At what stage might this be appropriate? I am hesitant to try Abdominal Breathing due to past experience, but am wondering if it is safe to try in stages the way Master Wong describes in this book? I realize that the best thing would be to do a seminar, however I live in California, and my resources limit me to book learning, ahh but I do my best...
Any help or advice that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you…Junbo
I have a question regarding material in Master Wong's books and was hoping someone could help me clear things up. First a little history. I have been studying various meditation and chi gung techniques for the past few years. I started by learning some movements from the tai chi chuan form, which would always leave me feeling fresh and relaxed. As I learned about tai chi chuan, I also found many books on chi gung and Taoist yoga. Some of these exercises were good for me, and some caused discomfort. I was out of my excitement trying Taoist yoga from books that claimed it was very simple and gentle. Abdominal breathing, reverse breathing, raising jing up the spine, microcosmic orbit...infinity. After a while of trying different things, I developed tremendous heat in my body, tense shoulders, tense solar plexus, and overall irritability.
There is just so much material out there it seems almost impossible to find a path to follow. I was actually feeling better when I would not practice. So after much thought and study, I feel that Zen Buddhism is just right for me. It expresses the rich culture of the Orient, and is based on the ancient traditions of India. It also includes one of my favorite activities, Kung Fu.
So, after my long-winded introduction, here is my question. I recently purchased "The Complete Book of Zen". I had a question about two of the exercises. One is Self-Manifested Chi Movement. I was looking through The Art Of Shaolin Kung Fu and found a Self-Manifested Chi Movement set of three exercises that include Buddha holding something, and kicking oranges or something, I know I've got the names wrong so please don't laugh. I tried them at home and felt very cool and relaxed after, although I did not have movements after.
Anyway, I got this new book "The Complete Book of Zen", and when introducing a different set of Self-Manifested Chi Movement chi gung, Master Wong gives the reader a warning about trying these exercises without a teacher. He also gives this warning in regards to Abdominal Breathing. I unfortunately do not have a teacher or master to study with, and realize that only so much can be learned from a book. Should I never try these exercises?
Or at what stage can I try them? Master Wong states that these exercises be practiced with a teacher, but then goes on to explain how to perform them. Also on page 183 (pitfalls and encouraging signs) he says that (about over-training)
"Never the less, you will be given adequate warning in the form of pain, tiredness, or great discomfort. If you heed the warning, and perform appropriate
remedial exercises like Self-Manifested Chi Movement, your harmful side effects can be eliminated." I am very excited to begin practicing Master Wong's Shaolin and chi gung arts, but this point has me a bit confused. Is it o.k. to do the Self-Manifested Chi Movement chi gung? At what stage might this be appropriate? I am hesitant to try Abdominal Breathing due to past experience, but am wondering if it is safe to try in stages the way Master Wong describes in this book? I realize that the best thing would be to do a seminar, however I live in California, and my resources limit me to book learning, ahh but I do my best...
Any help or advice that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you…Junbo
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