- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
Well, since I didn’t know your exact situation, I just thought I’d throw some things out to see if anything helped. I know it can be doubly frustrating when you have a strong motivation, but genuinely don’t have the time. I hope things shift a little, so you can have the time to practice as you would like. I miss being able to practice outdoors, too! Hang in there.
Hello Catherine,
I really do appreciate you taking the time to offer suggestions; actually, I was just reflecting on how much Energy Arts including everyone I come in contact with on-line contributes to my motivation to practice.
Ive yet to train with a teacher yet my motivation and interest in these practices seem to be growing continuously.
Much Gratitude,
Kevin
I have enrolled but have not been practicing the meditations yet, as I have also been in the Ba Gua program and got the Hsing-I, Dragon & Tiger and Energy Gates materials as well. Only so much time!
My plan is to build a more solid, less distracting physical and energy base (so I can readily feel energy with ease) from which to work before embarking on the meditation work, which is even more subtle. I am willing to go slow at this point, as I have gotten ahead of myself (more head knowledge than ability) more than once.
I have several years experience with other forms of meditation and want to feel ready to resume a regular practice, so it bears fruit and is not a waste of time, when remedial work is still needed.
In general, I find Bruce’s materials to be very humbling, as there is so much he talks about that I cannot do or I know I cannot feel or that I have not experienced!!! After many years of study with other teachers and systems (and diligent practices), I feel I largely have only the intellectual knowledge, and not the real ability.
Hi, James. Yes, I know what you mean about the depth and breadth of the material Bruce teaches. The nice thing about the material in this meditation circle is that it starts way back at the beginning and lays a really strong foundation. I find it complements the ba gua program very well. I think a moving practice and a sitting practice to well together. The Qigong that worked best for me to feel chi was Energy Gates. Dragon and Tiger is also very good for both feeling chi and getting healthy. There certainly is a lot to do!
Anyway, welcome to the circle and good luck with your practice.
best, matthew
Thanks, Matthew!
I agree moving (Yang) and sitting (Yin) practices are a nice complement.I also think the Energy Gates work is a prerequisite to really getting all that is possible out of all the internal arts practices and clears the way for a great start with the straight-up meditation practices Bruce is teaching.
I have browsed through this forum and find really insightful and helpful comments. It’s nice to have a connection with people who get what you’re doing!
Now that we are nearing the 14 months that belonged to the original package for the Meditation Circle, is everyone continuing on with a monthly fee starting in June. I expect to continue because it provides an incentive to continue on with what we have started learning.
I’m finding myself more sensitive to what is happening in my surroundings. I’ve noticed that I am more easily startled by some noises and interruptions than I used to be. Anybody else experiencing anything similar.
Joan – Even though I know it will happen, I hadn’t thought about the course ending. I’ll be sad when it is done. I’ve received so much from this training. I now have a strong daily meditation practice that I’m convinced I will do for the rest of my life. Many positive impacts from this practice in my life and they will only continue to grow.
I never thought I would be able to effectively meditate. I could do boat loads of tai chi and qigong but not sit or stand in stillness and presence for any length of time without becoming agitated or distracted. I had tried numerous times but quickly gave up because I couldn’t see the point. I could sit with a light machine or a subliminal recording but never without this kind of outside input. And besides, those experiences were more like a relaxation session not meditation.
When the Energy Arts meditation circle was announced I was skeptical that it could help me. I now believe if this program is followed anyone will get an effective foundation for meditation. The meditation circle was perfectly paced for me. If you just do what Bruce tells you to do in the monthly instructions and don’t press, remembering the 70% rule, I’m convinced anyone can effectively meditate. I don’t mean just relax, I mean really meditate. Have I reached nirvana? Of course not but it has given me the tools to sit or stand in stillness with a growing presence and a daily practice that I will continue to build on.
Hi, Joan. I think the original package included 16 months, so I assume you’re correct that in June we’ll have completed that. I’m not what they have planned for the circle after that point. I’ve found this group to be really, really useful. Bruce’s audio tracks have been great and the forum is also a wonderful resource. I know Bruce hasn’t been active in the forum, and it would be great if he were, but I understand there’s only so much he can do. I personally would love to see him continue the circle into the inner dissolving process. I know he has books and other audio (I have them), but the carefully paced and well organized flow of these past 13 months has been really great. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes. I’ll probably stick with it, too.
Yeah, it was 16 months of material. I totally agree – really like the way this group was set up, and it has been both inspiring and humbling to go back to all the preliminaries! In fact, I know that I would benefit from going back to month 1 and starting all over again after the 16 months are up. I’m sure Bruce will be busy with the meditation workshop this summer, but I’m hopeful too that he might consider doing another meditation series. If we do end up getting the chance to do a more advanced TMC, I agree that it would be great if Bruce were to moderate the forum once and a while. It’s been really helpful to hear of everyone else’s experiences during the course, but from time to time it would be nice to get some extra help to make sure we’re headed in the right direction.
So when this course ends, maybe all who are interested in another meditation circle could let Energy Arts know, we’re more likely to see it if Bruce knows that there is an interest.
I’m only on month 9 now, but have been able to practice pretty consistently this winter, so I’m moving along. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes next!
I looked at my original notes when I signed up for this Meditation Circle. I found that for $8 a month after the original 16 months the Circle would continue. I hope that is that case, since I have kept going with daily practice because of this commitment. I feel very fortunate to have found this group of interested people and enjoy hearing from others with this learning process.
Wow, thanks Joan, I just realized that I totally misunderstood that originally. I guess I thought there was an initial $87, and the $8 per month was for the next 15 months. (I obviously don’t check my credit card bills too closely) But you’re right. By the way, if anyone wants to go back and read the fine print, just log out before you go back into ‘groups’. Anybody up for a “Taoist Meditation Circle Revisited” after the 16 is over?? Plus, I’ve been listneing to the tracks through the website, but assume we have the option of downloading all the audios before the group closes, right? So we would essentially be paying the extra $8 a month for continued access to the forum…?
Catherine,
I have downloaded all the MP3’s to my computer. That way they are easier to find and select for listening whenever I want to without being online.
I hope Bruce continues to make MP3’s for the months after this first sixteen are finished.
Count me in to Meditation Circle Revisited.
Me too. I don’t want it to end.
This is an archived forum (read only). Go to our active forum where you can post and discuss in real time.