Just joined the circle, 2 questions/goals and my hopes as to what to get out of this.

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I just joined the circle today, and thought I would post 2 questions that have been on my mind for a while. I joined this group in the hopes it can provide the method to actively embody these 2 questions/ goals which are related to all 3 aspects of this circle, tai chi, qi gong, and meditation.

The 2 are as follows.

What is the most effective way to quickly bring awareness/energy/qi into the lower dan tien and “get it working” more efficiently?

How to go about building a solid foundation for later “higher” energy work within a reasonable amount of time, in the midst of a busy day, one unfortunately spent attending to the “10,000 things/agendas” and distractions that the foolishness which has become the modern world demands of us and we can not completely ignore. Ie, work, family, educations etc…

If I can only get these 2 things solved and integrated into my life at the end of the first 6 months I would be happy. For me, committing to this circle is a big choice in terms of finance and time investment. I may not even be able to remain a part of it, there are better places I think I could be putting this money…but I have to at least try. Hopefully before the end of the first month, I will have an answer to the above questions and have begun to weave them into my life in a practical way. I’ve been trying to do so for the past year or so, and have at times been more successful than others. It has also been a confusing journey, but one I continue none the less.

Any opinions/ideas about the above 2 questions would be great and welcome.

[Anonymous]

I think the practice Bruce recommends for people just starting out is standing in the neutral posture (arms at your sides) and sinking chi from the crown of the head down to the feet.

This will help you accomplish your first goal and also lay a foundation your second. The Energy Gates book explains this practice in detail.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I am aware of basic standing. I have been working with energy arts and other practices for a little over a year now. Having gone through the videos for the first month I do like them and learned several new things. I will see how long I can afford the program and how far I can or need to take it. I have a feeling it may just be for the short duration but we will see. Thanks for the insight .

[Anonymous]

Hi Mike,

One of the most basic ways is to simply finish your practice session by bringing your awareness to the area of the lower dantien and just keep your attention on that area, feeling what is there to the best of your ability and letting any energy you feel smooth out. I’m sure Bruce will be approaching this in more detail throughout the training.

Here are a few suggestions to help you find time to practice.

In the beginning, I would start with a very modest goal – say 10 minutes a day for the first week. Find a very regular time for it, and stick to it as much as possible. For example, 10 min when you first get up in the morning, on your lunch break, or before bed…whatever works best for you. If you feel like doing a little more, great, but make the consistency your 1st priority, then you can add more time when it’s comfortable to.

If your day is really jammed, ask what you can do without – “trimming the fat”, so to speak. Watching a little less tv, or getting up 15 or 20 minutes earlier are good ways to make small sacrifices in order to have a consistent practice. It’s better to do 10 minutes a day than to miss grandiose practice plans for the week, and try to make up for it by trying to frantically practice for hours on the weekend.

And be careful not to go at it in such a way that you start to resent or dislike practicing. While some of it is good old fashioned hard work, if you feel like you are forcing or starting to have resistance to your practice time, it’s a good idea to rethink your game plan.

If you really want to do it, you will find time for it somewhere! Good luck – I hope this helps some.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the insight, this is helpful to know. Sometimes it feels like some parts of this practice is very lofty, and out of reach, while other parts feel very simple and down to earth to me. Still, I have managed to go at it consistently for about a year and a half now, so I know I’m in this to stay, it’s a part of my life already. Most mornings I already get up to meditate, and if not in the morning I do it in the afternoon after work. Also, during random moments of the day I will use various practices out of the blue when I have a spare minute or two. Thanks for the advice and I’ll just keep at it.

[Anonymous]

Just picking up on one little detail you mention:
“Sometimes it feels like some parts of this practice is very lofty, and out of reach, while other parts feel very simple and down to earth to me.”

Take that which you can grasp (the simple and down to earth) as your starting point and work from there. As you become more and more accustomed to it and make it your own the “lofty” things will come closer and one after another in grasping distance.
We learn to walk before we run, likewise as we get accustomed with the simple things we prepare to take the next step in more complex realms. It is not a race against time or other practitioners. In the end we tend to learn better and quicker when not pushing to be better and faster than xyz.

[Anonymous]

Mike, I’ve been doing this for over 17 years, and I still feel the same way. Some parts of the practice feel out of reach, and some feel simple… So you are definitely on the right track. As long as you practice consistently and enjoy the process, you’ll find how worth it it is to stick with it. Grabbing moments in your day here and there is a great way to practice as well. Standing in line at the bank or coffee shop are good places to do a little!

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