QA with Bruce

[Anonymous]

In ‘step back repulse monkey’ the foot rotates on the heel to align with the direction of the palm strike. Previously, I’ve been taught to rotate on the ball of the foot (similar to Chen style?). Each way changes the width of stance and the timing/expression of the sense of energy coming up from the bubbling well. What is the rationale for rotating on the heel?

[Anonymous]

Hello Colin, I may have misunderstood (if so, my regrets), but I think the issue is that it is the-very-end of the punch (as Bruce says)..
so in motion they don’t look that way until the end, as the rear (in this case, right arm) is slightly to the diagonal left (as you say),
although I don’t think it is fully to the “diagonal” rather between fwd and to the corner, as to L-corner diag I think would make right forearm at 45 degree from your hip… rather than more like right forearm should be more 25-30?)

, so that the two lines cross.. but only at the end of that punch.. so only shown for moments on the videos. (rather than held-frozen pose.. also all the video frames of that are to the side, rather than directly on.. very much as would be shown-seen if there in person.. sort of need to 3D absorb it)..
and as the left arm is moving from left side inward and across to right (as pushing across you as a blocking, as body is slightly turning to the left, and the right arm is poking across.. so moments before, the Left arm and right arm look almost parallel, but as if they are hug-pressing between the2palms..

[ At the very end of this video it is shown tai-chi-session-23-6 “Postural Pts of FistUnderElbow” -(and some others, Bruce is holding Kurts Left-higher arm with one-hand, and Right-beneath arm with the other- right below each other.. which is dependent upon the elbow being down.. and only at that last-moment…
(and as Video 24, comparison to other Yang styles- Bruce mentions most other new-Yang styles don’t complete that move, but it is a cross-wrapping vector, right arm ‘hugs” to the left and yet still fwd.. (not Right is directly fwd like Beng-Chuan) -again if this was seen, and isn’t your question… I wonder if the issue of center of wrist joint being on a line with elbow jt, not being the “outer-left” corner of the elbow is confusing..

as a note- I find the posture and alignments of this movement the same as the punch in the first-section seq “Step Fwd Parry and punch” (but staying rear-right ft weighted, vs shift fwd onto-lead-left ft.. – the same line up of the two wrists to the rear shoulder-hip.. (although being rear-fted, “fist under elbow” is closer-in, and wrist- down forearm, lower wrist are therefore closer-in at

—I think it is like the Bagua Zhang palm-change-reversal (some of the PalmChanges from Liu have a fist under elbow, with that-other wrist-hand above elbow (and other hand). ~pointing away from the center, before the 180 degree rotation back to face the center.. if that adds anything to any readers..

[Anonymous]

Hello Colin, just thought to add a thought- I’m not sure if you’ve reviewed the first couple of months of the OldYang training circle.. this topic is touched a few times as I recall- like the Peng (single-hand and then double-hand.. and deng-jyau… and how rotation changes.. espec in the Yang contrasted with Wu style.. (as the Wustyle as Bruce teaches, smaller frame- thus smaller stance, is rotated on ball of foot).

just in case that adds.. (also think in terms of the “Twisting”- where that rotation/’turning” of the leg twists – in kwa as well as in/from yong-quan or heel pt)… reference the Qigong sections (Heaven&Earth set) how standing upon either of those pts either gets the chi to drop or raise accordingly ..
[thus a handful of things at once] -and you may be implying something other than this, but perhaps your question is revealed if you go back and review the videos and/or your notes of (oft I ‘see’ new things in material after a bit ). -luck

[Anonymous]

I’ve been having a difficult time meditating. I feel this is indicative of having to do more qi work in order to arrive at the happy accident of meditation but I wanted your advice on whether this is a correct intuition?
I feel I’m doing the best I can, it’s just hard to live up to my initial experience with meditation, which leads me to believe it has to do with qi work rather than meditation technique.
This also comes from my experience practicing the old yang style we’ve learned thus far and the mini form of the wu style, in that, I feel I get more from the old yang than the wu, at present, as if there’s more content available to me and, rather than try to force it, I feel the wu form will reveal its content eventually.
Thanks
Cody

[Anonymous]

Best wishes Cody- I just wanted to respond (I know your question wasn’t directed at me to answer.. but in case it adds/boosts your journey, or any others reading-this that are likewise feeling stuck? (if that’s the correct term)).. I wonder, check yourself-this may not apply, if this is a “newness” issue.
-both the conceptual level of new/novelty, clashing with known/familiar.. but also on the physiological level also.. the sense of newness can connect with overwhelm/uncertainty (if it isn’t working).. but if is is “working” than there is the other sense of new connections/discovery.. (neural-paths avail).

.. once the exploration sense occurs, then the sense of grinding.. of “literally” like a drill- pushing into depth, driving below the surface.. literally-Boring in. (both boring.. but also like a drill bores into)
The blahs- also

to reference something you might have heard/read Bruce say- if you dont’ want to be too down don’t get too up.. (feel to happy, in an active sense, usually waves into a low after).. if stay stable- then more even.. otherwise can either high-low, or just Ugh- dull feeling.
(and touch on releasing energetic structures is like the water one is “floating in” shifts, and thus the waves and “passing boats” creating a wake- disturbing your balance, and the sense of else shifting…

(or last thought, the Bruce quote about when you go inside, you only find what is in there.. although the thought of that can ‘add ugh’… part of the Meditation is stirring the muck, and so the suppressed gunk that was submerged below the surface- out of sight (out of mind).. stir and release that gunk and it “floats to the surface”.. (it was in our “mind” just was sunk before.. now it is up, and floating on the surface.. in the beginning oft the easier nicer stuff rises, as the mind won’t let-go of the deeper ick).. so that could relate.

best wishes

[Anonymous]

Funny you should mention the don’t feel too good if you don’t want to feel too bad aphorism. I felt an experiment was in order so I practiced the hell out of the mini wu form and lo! and behold I started feeling more depressed (of course other life factors might be influential). Now, this wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t impede my practice, but it definitely saps my will to practice.
So, I feel my intuition is justified along with its aphorism or advice, do what comes easy first. However this is the year of big risks and big rewards, so, I’m kinda stumped. Is it more of a risk to take the path of ease (the risk being not doing enough) or to risk not practicing at all and being debilitated by all the gunk that gets stirred up?
Definitely boosted the old journey. Thanks, Taokua.

[Anonymous]

Most welcome- (thx for the apprec and response).. luck in your journey, another thought I might add: it could be seen as what to practice and what not to.. but more so the internal-distinctions
(how you react, and process, to what occurs to you.. both in exper, as well as what occurs or rises-up in your practice)…

ie even if funk rises up, that “material” can be depressing, but if you allow your-self (mind-thoughts and/or physiology) to ‘respond’ by getting/taking-on depressed to it.. that is another layer..
Just like if you do a practice, your energy level can rise and feel-uppy-zippy.. but you can notice and feel that but not add to it.. or you can ‘get swept-up in it’.. (the later of those boosts the cycle)

so to touch on the septic tank reference in my prior post- if you stir the surface, and some ick floats up to the surface of the water (as repressed can rise up in the Mind/meditation.. let alone releasing from Deep-Tissue twisting/lengthening/sinking etc.).. is was there (even what repressed) but now “in-your-face” .. but how is the rest of your system reacting…
ie. if a spider is seen on the floor, or even you notice one is crawling on your leg.. the sensation of the spider’s touch- and seeing it move- is one thing.. if you “Jump-out-of-your-skin” (as some might .. heart is racing.. and all thoughts and mood shift.. that isn’t from the spider (although reaction was triggered from)..

[and recall that establishing internal change via NeiGung- whether stabilizing an internal-connection, or releasing fully via dissolving… once is is fully “resolved” that issue doesn’t resolve, and many things adjust– if it keeps recurring, then the practice hasn’t worked-upon it yet… many ways of practicing seem to be “busy” and much time&effort goes by.. but little actually changes and develops…]

etc. I hope that might relate to other possibilities of what you mention.

<>
another perspective is that feeling-awareness (in your mind, as well as in your body), feeling and reacting to tension (either adding or ‘releasing’ it).. and moving in certain ways- These we do constantly- even while asleep… but we will move (or hold a posture) whether practicing or not..
so.. one viewpt- isn’t not a matter of practice or not (as that is a label that says yes or no), but rather in what way work with/work upon these things?

reminds me of the concept would be great to have the perspective we all hope to develop over-time- and then look back and interpret/guide our path…. “If I only knew then, what I know now…” as the saying goes… (thus the idea of a Mentor.. which isn’t a Coach, and both Mentor and Coach are guides in the way that an Instructor isn’t.. but to have someone that can relate to your place&state… not through analysis and assumption, but Non-verbally just standing next to someone, one (who’s done these arts) comes to sense/interpret (“understanding energy” ~ from ‘listening jin’)… and thus they can help you attune what and how.. (thus my other posts regarding this, making a contact with practitioners, and see ‘if’ one can find one that has developed in the direction you hope to go.. even those very “Experience” if they haven’t developed “in the way you hope to” then they can’t best give you guidance on where/how to practice…
but general points can help– the above question is good to have in the back of your mind (and perhaps regularly explicitly return to it.. too-much or not enough? -or more a matter of OnTrack, or OffBase? (how can I Tweak the manner I am practicing? —- often in the aspects we think are irrelevant, are the impact of the finer-distinctions.. what qualities can be adjusted, and how..?

[Anonymous]

Just to comment on what I’ve experienced in regards to a coach or mentor or instructor, I feel you shouldn’t rush into working with one, I feel like what is said in the water method, that it happens. Whether that means the motivation arises or that a coach/mentor, etc. just happens into your life, I believe this is the best method, but also simply my opinion. I feel if you force this on someone, though it might be ideal to have a mentor, it can cause more harm than help. For instance, I understand why it is important to go to a live event, whether with Bruce or one of his instructors, however, for me personally, it just doesn’t seem right yet. I hear everyone going on about how it takes decades or years off the process but I’m dubious, in that, I don’t believe it is something that you force but something that when the moment is right you have that to look forward to. Maybe I’m just being a baby or stubborn but do you want it right or do you want it right now?
In this way I am over the moon about all the online content, especially this phase of the training circle, but I’m skeptical as to the cure-all potential of a mentor or live events.
For me, some lessons cannot be taught and no matter how great your mentor or how many live events you attend I feel it doesn’t replace the efficacy of learning something for yourself.
To put it another way, if these are arts, I know of plenty of people who are self-taught artists.
I’m not trying to downplay live events or mentors but encourage others who are in the same boat. Give it time.

[Anonymous]

Hi, Bruce. This a great program. My question is: do you think it’s realistic for anyone who doesn’t have direct contact with you to make real and significant progress in inner dissolving?

Thanks again, and best wishes,
Matthew

[Anonymous]

Hey Bruce,
Two questions:
What is the difference between energetic vampirism and using energy from the environment?
Also, in this year of the fire monkey, and, in addition to the great advice you gave in the state of the Tao, what are some other good ways to stay grounded? Such as emphasis of movements in qigong or tai chi or any particular qigong set? I’ve heard earthing mats are supposed to be pretty good, just to put that out there, haven’t tried one myself.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Another question, if I might:
I’ve been doing Tibetan Buddhist practices for the uninitiated through fpmt.org headed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and I’m wondering if this is contraindicative with water method Taoism? Things like Medicine Buddha sadhana and recitations of the Golden Light sutra. As you point out in the state of the Tao ’16 they dovetail at the end but I’m wondering if this might not lead to contraindications with the preliminary practices of both?
Just want to make sure I’m getting the most out of my practice rather than shoot myself in the foot with Tibetan Buddism, so to speak.
Thanks again

[Anonymous]

Hi Bruce,

A friend of mine suffers from osteoarthritis. How effective is the Marriage of Heaven and Earth set (or simply the pulsing of the joints) in treating the condition?

Is it possible to completely alleviate the condition with time and practice, or would it more likely be the case that practicing the Marriage of Heaven and Earth would simply be a way of managing the condition?

Any thoughts or experiences on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you also for making this amazing material publicly available.

Russell

[Anonymous]

Hello Bruce
I have a question about orgonite and its benefits with regard to practice.
If you haven’t heard of it it is based off of the work of Wilhelm Reich, and purports to transform negative energy into positive energy, as well as generate energy in its own right. I’ve yet to clearly feel chi yet so, aside from wondering if it even does that, I’m curious as to its efficacy with the energy arts, seeing as quite a few people involved in orgonite believe lizard people run the world.
So, to distill the question, does orgonite have any efficacy in practicing energy arts?
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi Bruce
I think I remember you saying that giving reiki depletes energy or isn’t the channeling of energy that they say it is, though I might be getting that wrong.
What is the energy arts take on reiki?
For me, it feels like qigong or an energy practice with the benefit of healing others and self. But I’ve also heard you say something about 1/4th of the time spent doing something like reiki should be spent doing qigong or the like.
If that is so, what in particular is beneficial for replenishment?
However, again, I can’t help but feel like it is like qigong and restorative and not draining, sort of a plus sum game/win-win.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hello Cody, Just to comment on this (as Bruce commented once a long time back, just to add before he gets a chance to respond to this in the Answers. which I haven’t seen in a bit)..

back at that time, his view perhaps could have changed, he said (in regards to Orgonite, or Magnetic structures, or even crystals, setup to enhance chi/energy), that first it depends on how it setup (sometimes it does and other times very little), one has to feel it, which is tricky… and then as one gains the ability to diagnose, one is likely learning ChiGung/NeiGong practice. Then once one has learned an effective ChiGung system (as many systems also vary on how powerful they are, as well as how effective they are for a certain individual)… but say the systems he teaches (like Marriage of Heaven and Earth), once they are ‘rolling’ and you can get a chi flow, the amount of chi one can generate sort of swamps they sort of devices (ie at that point they wont really add much)… so it is sort of a little (depending on each one, per each indivs situation), but then add little, once the growth begins..

[sort of like “adding 5 pts to a score’… if the base-score is 3 pts (, that could be a lot, or even 9 pts (14) but once you have a base score of 150 (155) or 500 (505)… just as a model and relate to some game systems] and then any affects/distortions to your chi flow, would still be there .. (key would be becoming able to feel your chi flow, and any alterations to it, then you could compare live… and/or finding someone that could help guide your practice likewise as you did so) -just two sense.. luck in your practice

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Do, have you, used any such structure? -what kind? or just an intellectual curiosity/not actually physically held one?

[Author]

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