Interesting Sensations and Experience thus far…what do they mean?

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to post an update on my experience thus far. It has been a wonderful program so far, and the alignments are helping a great deal. I have practiced meditation and qi kung for a while now, almost a year, and wanted to share some interesting things that are happening, both in standing and in sitting. The most distinct is when I do the Taoist full breath, into belly/kidneys/back etc…wether seated or standing I get a distinct sense of inner movement of my body seeming to expand and contract with the whole breath. I think the closest I can compare this to is like a bellows, the air inflating on an in breath and moving outward on the out breath with a sense of expansion and contraction through my whole being. It arises of it’s own accord, and seems to happen regularly, especially once I have sat/stood for about 10-15 minutes and the mind and body have had the chance to truly quiet down.

I have also felt/sensed other things as well, like inner heat that sometimes get quite hot and others mild, deep in the belly, during practice and at random times of the day as well. Always it is around the navel either at or slightly above/below this area traditionally seen as the lower “dan tien”. Also I have been “seeing” a small sort of sphere of energy deep inside. When I breath it seems to sort of be “fired” by the bellows of the breath like in a crucible furnace or something. Also other things like gentle feelings of rocking either back and forward, or side to side or even spiraling. I’m not sure what all this means…or if it is even important, but it’s just what I’ve felt and I hope I can get a clear answer on some of it so I figured I would throw it up here and see what people think. I would love to hear from paul on this to see his opinion too, his videos are wonderful thus far.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hi Mike, I’m glad to hear the practices are work well for you. The sensation of heat in the lower belly is normal when you do these practices. It means some qi is being generated, so carry on.

As for the rocking, swaying or swirling energies, check that you’re not generating this from physical motion. If not, my teacher says that 99% of all experiences are just the ways that the mind tries to interpret the movement and releasing of qi in the body. Also, unless you’re doing standing/sinking qi/dissolving, keep your eyes open during practice and stay in your body.  In other words, stay present to, feel and be aware of your physical body.

Hope this helps!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Paul!

It’s good to know all these are normal sensations, I try not to mind them too much, and when they happen I just sit and experience. I’ve heard with the eyes from one of my other teachers that keeping them open is more yang, and closing the eyes in practice is more yin. Half open is sort of in between. So, by keeping eyes open unless doing sinking/standing dissolving practice would be to keep me centered more in my body correct?

Also, should I close them or open them when doing seated meditation? For me this actually composes the greater majority of my practice. I always like to close them. Sometimes I open them briefly during meditation, but I try and avoid it as I have a strong inclination to not move or disturb the chi through moving the body when sitting.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

When you let the eyes rest in the half-open position, it too often allows people to slip into a state of visualisation and spacing out. Therefore, in our school, we strongly recommend you don’t do this as all Taoist practices are very pragmatic and based on staying present to your physical body. Of course, in the beginning phases of sitting meditation (as well as in standing), you keep your eyes closed. But, once you’ve overcome the hurddle of being able to go inside to feel and contact what exists deep in your system and not be distracted by what’s happening outside of you, then all Taoist practices are done with the eyes open.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, that is the best and clearest answer to this that I have ever had on this particular topic and it makes perfect sense now. So i could start a meditation eyes closed, and when I feel I have centered awareness enough in my body, I can then open my eyes and stay there as long as I am able to stay present and not be distracted. Thank you again for the wonderful insight.

[Anonymous]

To be clear, when I say “in the beginning phases”, I’m referring to the Taoist training progression of beginning, intermediate and advanced practice. Each of these stages are seen as requiring 10 years of development. So, into the conceivable future, I would recommend keeping your eyes closed for the entirety of your sitting or standing practice.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for Clarifying, and that makes sense to me. I knew when I got into this that it would be a lifetime commitment, even multiple life times depending on what you believe, if I truly wanted to get anything out of it worth while. Thank you for the advice and I will keep working on it.

I’m just starting this out really, and with only about a year behind me, it’s like I’m still at the starting line so to speak. I do worry sometimes if I started to late, I’m 33 so i’m still young sort of, but at the same time, this isn’t a race nor does it really seem to have a goal other than keep on working with the practice and it will continue to enhance your life for the better.

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