Conscious Connected Breathing

Conscious Connected Breathing is a system of conscious breathing that invigorates the body with life force while transmuting emotions and clarifying consciousness.  Through deep connected-breathing, we break through our mind/body armor and release self-limiting emotions and karmic and muscular patterns.  This process balances and harmonizes body, mind, and soul, helping us in regaining our true Self and vitality as we open ourselves to joy and freedom.

Conscious Breathing has been a fundamental part of the yogic science of pranayama and the Taoist practices of T’ai Chi and Tantric Qigong for millennia. As long ago as 2700 B.C., The Yellow Emperor (Huang Ti) allegedly practiced a form of Qigong called Tao Yin to increase his vitality and life span. Fundamental to this practice was the way in which the movements were coordinated with and empowered by the breath.

In the 1920s Paramahansa Yogananda brought the ancient science of Kriya Yoga and Conscious Breathing (pranayama) to the United States. In pranayama, breath is regulated to build an energetic charge which assists in the release of stress and increases the health of the practitioner of yoga.  Furthermore, Yogananda states that “Yoga works primarily with the energy in the body, through the science of pranayama, or energy-control.  Prana means also ‘breath.’ Yoga teaches how, through breath-control, to still the mind and attain higher states of awareness. The higher teachings of yoga take one beyond techniques, and show the yogi, or yoga practitioner, how to direct his concentration in such a way as not only to harmonize human with Divine consciousness, but to merge his consciousness in the Infinite.”  -Yogananda, The Essence of Self-Realization

It wasn’t until the 1930s that the West had its own bona fide breath guru, Wilhelm Reich. Wilhelm Reich, a student of Freud, created a style of therapy which focused on somatic as well as verbal analysis. Reich developed the theory of character armor i.e., persistent patterns of muscle tension and restricted breathing which repressed emotions from conscious attention by blocking their awareness and expression. Muscular armoring is chronic muscular tension that blocks the unimpeded flow of life force through the body. Today this is commonly and simplistically called “stress.” It is now commonly accepted that stress and the repression / restriction of life force can result in both emotional stagnation and in physical disease.

Reich, along with another of Freud’s students, Otto Rank, traced the genesis of muscular armoring and restricted breathing all the way back to our first breath at birth. He thought that the trauma of birth catalyzed a compensatory response characterized by limiting the breath. We learn to minimize our perception of emotional pain and fear by restraining the breath, although this also limits our ability to experience our emotions and our selves fully and authentically. Reich used breath to energetically charge the body with life-force, which he called Orgone (Chi, Qi, Ki, Prana) resulting in the freeing of blocked emotional energy and chronic muscular tension.

Perhaps the most famous of Reich’s students was Alexander Lowen.  Lowen devised a process he termed “Bioenergetics,” which consisted of both analysis and exercises to free physical, emotional, and energetic blockages. In 1971, he published The Language of the Body (originally published in 1958 as Physical Dynamics of Character Structure) which led to the coining of the popular term “body language.”

In the mid-1970s, I had the opportunity to study with one of Lowen’s students. I found Bioenergetic Analysis to be dynamic, challenging, and deeply profound in its ability to open physical-emotional blockages in a well grounded manner. This work led directly to my study and practice of T’ai Chi Chuan and Qigong with Master Yung-ko Chou. These gentle Taoist arts accelerated my progress with Bioenergetics helping me to ground and integrate higher energetic states more easily.

It was around this time that the work of Reich, Lowen, and Yogananda was co-opted and popularized as the Rebirthing movement and also led to the work of Stanislav Grof. Grof originated the term “holotropic” to describe modes of consciousness or psychic states which aim toward the experience of wholeness and the totality of existence. Grof asserts that the holotropic is characteristic of non-ordinary states of consciousness such as the meditative and mystical.

In his book, The Cosmic Game - Explorations of the Frontiers of Human Consciousness, Grof says “In the last few decades, it has become increasingly clear that humanity is facing a crisis of unprecedented proportions. Modern science has developed effective measures that could solve most of the urgent problems in today’s world–combat the majority of diseases, eliminate hunger and poverty, reduce the amount of industrial waste, and replace destructive fossil fuels by renewable sources of clean energy. The problems that stand in the way are not of economical or technological nature. The deepest sources of the global crisis lie inside the human personality and reflect the level of consciousness evolution of our species.”

Following this line of thought leads one to conclude that saving the planet requires that we first save ourselves. We must clarify our consciousness, transcend the separate, individual, illusory self, and unify our Mind, Body, Emotions, and Spirit. We must Awaken to who we really Are. © 2010 Keith e. Hall. All rights reserved.

Workshop: July 31, Olney MD: Info & Online Registration

The Art of Conscious Breathing

Instruction & Coaching Contact us for info on instruction info@inner-tranquility.com

Breath Coaching on CD

More Testimonials

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Learn Tantric Qigong™:

Introduction to Qigong

Discover how to improve your health and well being in as little as 10 minutes!

Boost immunity, get grounded, empowered, accelerate Self-Mastery & spiritual evolution!

Find out why millions of people have practiced qigon for thousands of years. Easier, gentler than T’ai Chi, Qigong consists of conscious breathing & gentle meditative movements that generate and circulate life force and consciousness. Appropriate for anyone who can breathe and move his / her arms!

The 8 Treasures system of Tantric Qigong can be learned by almost anyone, regardless of physical condition. Practicing these simple exercises results in increased vitality, flexibility, mental focus, and alertness. Tantric Qigong will noticeably reduce stress levels, and is a gentle non-impact aerobics routine for cardiac and respiratory health. Tuition: $35 Discount for early registration.

Weekly Tantric Qigong Classes start Sunday, July 18 at Olney Yoga, 12:30 PM.

Meditation & Conscious Breathing

Breath is Life! The quality of your breathing directly influences the quality of your life, and odds are your breathing is not nearly as efficient as it could be. The experience of routine stress, anxiety, injury, developmental or other traumatic events, even birth, can create deep holding patterns in the body which limit life-force and dampen your spirit.

Conscious Breathing derives its techniques from ancient Yogic and Taoist systems such as Pranayama, T’ai Chi, and Qi Gong breathing and shares some similarities with systems such as Rebirthing. This course will introduce us to methods that will:

• Reverse the effects of accumulated stress and trauma.

• Begin to remove obstructions in the flow of one’s vital energy.

• Increase life-force by drawing on the energy (Chi, Prana) surrounding us at all times.

• Improve meditation, integration, well being, peace of mind, and mind-body mastery.

Increase your ability to contend with life’s challenges & fully enjoy its delights. Tuition: $35 Discount for early registration.

The Art of Being Present

Learn to make the most of each moment in your life!

Do you admire those who say “carpe diem” & reach for all the gusto that life presents? Wonder how to extract more enjoyment from life?

We live in anticipation of the future & are attached to our past. We shuttle back & forth between past & future, robbing ourselves of our life & re-creating old patterns of being. Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over & over again & expecting a different result!” Through the Presencing Process^SM we can release

patterns that no longer serve us & create our lives with joy & fulfillment, exactly the way we wish to!

Who can benefit from this course:

· Busy professionals who find it difficult to unwind, Anyone who feels “stuck in a rut”.

· Meditators & Yoga practitioners who want to deepen their practice.

· Persons w/ anxiety, frustration, difficulty stilling the mind, therapists wishing an approach to mind-body holism. ·Bodyworkers, energy workers, persons wishing clarity & creativity in their personal/professional lives.

In this experiential workshop we will:

· Learn to create better communication & greater connection in our relationships, Open ourselves fully to our present experience.

· Use sensation, emotion, cognition to guide ourselves to our truth, Release negative emotion while opening to joy & serenity.

· Use breath to inspire creativity, vitality, & enjoyment of our lives, learn how being present in the moment can create fulfillment.

· Heal past wounding & manifest success in all aspects of our being. 3 CEUs Available!. Tuition: $59 Early registration discount.

Email us for more information, or call 301-774-196

Tantric Qigong for Self-Mastery

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Qigong, T’ai Chi, and Menopause

Menopause is a natural change in a woman’s life cycle that afflicts all women at some time. And the men that annoy them. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “The symptoms of menopause are caused by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. The ovaries make less of these hormones over time. The specific symptoms and how significant (mild, moderate, or severe) they are varies from woman to woman…A gradual decrease of estrogen generally allows your body to slowly adjust to the hormonal changes. Hot flashes and sweats are at their worst for the first 1 - 2 years. Menopause may last 5 or more years…As a result of the fall in hormone levels, changes occur in the entire female reproductive system. The vaginal walls become less elastic and thinner. The vagina becomes shorter. Lubricating secretions from the vagina become watery. The outside genital tissue thins. This is called atrophy of the labia.”*

Symptoms
“In some women, menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. More commonly, it slowly stops over time. During this time, the menstrual periods generally become either more closely or more widely spaced. This irregularity may last for 1 - 3 years before menstruation finally ends completely. Before this the cycle length may shorten to as little as every 3 weeks.

Common symptoms of menopause include:
- Heart pounding or racing
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Skin flushing
- Sleeping problems (insomnia)

Other symptoms of menopause may include:
- Decreased interest in sex, possibly decreased response to sexual stimulation
- Forgetfulness (in some women)
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety
- Urine leakage
- Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse
- Vaginal infections
- Joint aches and pains
- Irregular heartbeat.

Lifestyle Changes
Women taking hormone Replacement therapy (HRT) see some benefits. But they also increase their risk for breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. The good news is that you can take many steps to reduce your symptoms without taking hormones:

- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods
- Dress lightly and in layers
- Eat soy foods
- Get adequate calcium and vitamin D in food and/or supplements
- Get plenty of exercise
- Perform Kegel exercises daily to strengthen the muscles of your vagina and   pelvis. (The Taoist and Tantric  versions of these exercises are more developed and so potentially even more helpful.)
- Practice deep conscious breathing whenever a hot flash starts to come on (try taking six breaths per  minute)
- Remain sexually active (the extended love making techniques of Tantra and Taoist sexology undoubtedly help)
- See an acupuncture specialist
- Try relaxation techniques such as yoga, tai chi, or meditation. Dr. Herbert Benson, author of “The  Relaxation Response,” suggests that Tai Chi is “…vitally important in PMS, infertility, hot flashes,  insomnia,…”**   He also says that “Repetition is key to creating the response.”***
- Use water-based lubricants during sexual intercourse.”*

Qigong for Abating Menopause Symptoms
While for most women menopause can be a difficult time, the Taoists consider menopause to be a “Second Spring” of life. It is certainly an opportunity to renew and deepen your T’ai Chi and Tantric Qigong practice.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the symptoms associated with menopause are caused due to the body’s chi being disturbed. By practicing Qigong and T’ai Chi, this disrupted chi can be more evenly distributed and some of the uncomfortable symptoms can be ameliorated.

Regular practice of qigong and T’ai Chi can alleviate the irritability and stress associated with menopause by creating pelvic health and balancing emotional and hormonal swings.  It has also found to help increase the bone density in women, thus reducing the chance of post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Qigong may restore a woman’s sex drive, which can be decreased during in menopause. The regular practice of qigong tends to increases the levels of sex hormones thus restoring a healthy sex drive. One study showed that after a year of qigong practice, hormones were restored to near normal levels.****

A study published in the Oxford Journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine on eighteen women measured the effects of regular Qigong practice on chromic fatigue symptoms and the menopausal symptoms of night sweats, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea. The results showed improvement in the areas of sleep, energy and well-being. Qigong improved these symptoms of sleep disturbances after three months of practice.*****

Bone loss of up to 2% per year in women may occur after menopause. Prevention of includes optimizing the intake of calcium and vitamin D, exercise, and the optimization of normal menstruation. Stretching, strengthening, impact, and balance exercises are effective. As Qigong raises estrogen levels in women, this can reduce osteoporosis and heart disease. Tai Chi Chuan has proved to be successful in decreasing falls, and may restore bone density.

Kenneth Cohen states that “A wealth of anecdotal evidence suggest that Qigong tends to delay menopause and can extend the years of fertility.” He notes that female qigong masters have even been known to conceive during their sixties.******  One woman in her 50’s began practicing Qigong and after about 10 days  said, “I was amazed that my period reappeared…I celebrated it as a clear indication of rejuvenation.”*******

Instruction and Coaching

Presencing: The Art of Being Present

References:
*www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000894.htm
**my.webmd.com/content/article/25/1728_57992.htm.
***http://www.webmd.com/news/20000530/mysterious-medication-of-meditation
****Ye Ming, et al. Relationship among erythrocyte superoxide dismustase activity, plasma sexual hormones (T, E2), aging and qigong exercise. Proceedings, Third International Symposium on Qigong, Shanghai, China.. 1990:28-32
*****Naropa J. Mike Craske, Warren Turner, Joseph Zammit-Maempe and Myeong Soo Lee. “Qigong Ameliorates Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue: A Pilot Uncontrolled Study.” Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Advance Access published online on August 1, 2007
****** Cohen, Kenneth S. The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing p33
******* B.G., Los Gatos, CA qinway.org/qigong_testimonial.htm

Meditation / Stress Management CDs and MP3 Audio Programs
De-stress & train yourself to use meditation and visualization for Health, Longevity, and Serenity! Some of our meditation and stress management programs contain Theta Brainwave Entrainment technology. Our programs are available on CD or download.

Relax! Journey to the Primal Sea

Guided Relaxation and Meditation

Relax, let go of the stress, anxiety, and frustration sapping your energy and peace of mind. Enjoy a session of deep breathing, full body relaxation and a journey to a relaxing ocean environment. Experience being at One with yourself and your world.

This CD contains soothing music, ocean waves, and instructions for reducing stress and deeply relaxing the body. It can be used as a stress break to recharge yourself during the day, as an extended meditation, or a non-drug alternative for insomnia.

1. Preparation
2. Conscious Breathing
3. Guided Relaxation
4. The Primal Sea - Meditations on Unity Consciousness
5. Awaken Alert and Alive.

Download here

Relax! At the Beach: Manage Stress at Work and Home

Those who attain balance and freedom from stress lead healthier and more joyful lives. Isn’t it time you joined them? Come, let us lead you to your own secret, glittering strand of beach between Heaven and the Eternal Sea…

Contains soothing music, ocean waves, and a series of short techniques that anyone can use for reducing stress & visualizing a serene, rejuvenated, empowered center within yourself.

1. 1 Minute Relaxation
2. 1 Minute Stress Manager
3. 5 Minute Relaxation
4. At the Beach
5. Progressive Relaxation
6. At the Beach
7. Bonus Track: Ocean Waves

Download here

Relax!  Ocean Surf

Ambient Ocean Wave Sounds for Relaxation and Meditation
With Theta Brainwave Entrainment
Recorded on the coast of beautiful Assateague Island, this audio program contains ambient ocean wave sounds and wind on the beach.  The powerful sounds of the Atlantic Ocean wash over you, cleansing away your stress and soothing mind, body, and spirit.  There are two tracks, both approximately 32 1/2 minutes in length. Track 1 simply contains the natural sounds of the dynamic Atlantic Ocean breakers and ocean wind combing the island shore.  Track 2 contains the same wave and wind sounds and also includes a Theta Entrainment track.

Track 1: Ocean Surf 32:30 Can be used as soothing background sound or white noise at work or home. Set this track to repeat if you wish. Adjust volume, treble, and bass as you desire.

Track 2 Ocean Surf with Theta Entrainment 32:30 This track uses Theta Brainwave Entrainment to slow your brainwaves to the Theta threshold, allowing you to experience deep relaxation and the ability to meditate like a Zen monk, even if you are a beginner. Theta states can help you attain deep sleep, meditate, induce hypnosis, reduce stress, improve ESP and intuition, and facilitate learning, creativity, and higher states of consciousness.

Download here

Relax!   The Cosmic Journey

Guided Meditation for Empowerment and Cosmic Consciousness

This audio program contains meditations to activate Cosmic Consciousness & personal power, soothing music, & a Theta Brainwave Entrainment track. There are both daytime and evening versions included. Theta entrainment enables even beginners to relax and achieve deep meditation and/or overcome insomnia.

The daytime version includes instructions for relaxing the body, expanding consciousness, & affirmations for empowerment. The evening version is similar, but is focused more on achieving a deep meditative state with the aid of a Theta Brainwave track. This technology uses low frequency sound waves to encourage your brainwaves to slow to the Theta Threshold, a deeply relaxed state achieved by advanced meditators. With Theta Entrainment, you can achieve deep meditation equivalent to years of meditation training.

Using this Audio Program: Daytime Version with Affirmations
This version includes instructions for relaxing the body, expanding consciousness, & affirmations for awakening empowerment. It is not intended to relax you to the point of sleep.

Evening Version with Theta Entrainment
This version is focused on achieving a deep meditative state with the aid of a Theta Brainwave track. This technology uses low frequency sound waves that encourage your brain to slow down to the Theta Threshold, a deeply relaxed state achieved by advanced meditators. You may hear a slight pulsing sound in the background, you might want to adjust the volume so you hear this. With Theta Entrainment, you can achieve deep meditation equivalent to years of meditation training.

Daytime Version Tracks
1.  Prelude - Soft music 1:00
2.  Relaxing the Body - Guided Relaxation & Music 13:04
3.  Afterglow - Soft Music 0:56
4.  Ascension - Music 1:00
5.  The Cosmic Journey - Daytime Guided Meditation & Music 15:16
6.  Universal Power - Affirmations 0:29
7.  Arise Empowered - Affirmations 0:16

Evening Version Tracks
8.   Prelude - Soft music 1:00
9.   Relaxing the Body - Guided Relaxation, Music, & Theta 13:01
10. Afterglow - Soft Music & Theta Entrainment 1:00
11. Ascension - Music & Theta Entrainment 1:00
12. The Cosmic Journey - Guided Meditation & Theta Entrainment 15:00
13. Bonus Track: Flightpath - Space Music with Theta Entrainment 9:25

Download here

1 Minute Stress Manager

This is an MP3 track from our “Relax! At the Beach: Manage Stress at Work and Home” CD. Learn to meditate, reduce your stress, calm your emotions, and increase your energy within seconds.

This audio program will help relieve your stress and get you meditating in only 1 minute, no previous experience with meditation is necessary, just download the 1 Minute audio file and follow the instructions.

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These programs are available for download or on CD ($15 + $3 shipping) Payment can be made with PayPal, Check, or Money Order.
To send a payment via mail, send your Check, or Money Order to:
Jade Garden, PO Box 581, Olney MD 20830
PayPal: Send your payment to: khall94433@aol.com or download here.

For ordering information, email info@inner-tranquility.com wholesale ordering available

Comparison Chart

…………………… Journey to the Primal Sea … At the Beach Cosmic Journey Ocean Surf
Good for insomnia:…………………….Yes……………………………Yes………………Yes………………..Yes
Breath coaching:………………………Yes…………………………..Some…………….Some………………No
1 minute relaxation:……………………No……………………………..Yes………………No…………………No
1 minute stress manager:……………No……………………………..Yes………………No…………………No
5 minute Relaxation:………………….No………………………………Yes………………No…………………No
Extended Relaxation:…………………Yes……………………………No……………….Yes…………………No
Virtual Vacation:…………………………No……………………………..Yes………………No………………..No
Ocean Waves:…………………………..Yes…………………………….Yes……………….No………………..Yes
Soothing music:…………………………Yes……………………………..Yes………………Yes……………….No
Ocean Bonus Track:………………….No…………………………….Yes……………….No…………………N/A
Unity Meditation:………………………..Yes……………………………..No……………….No………………..No
Beginners or Advanced:…………..Both………………………….Both……………..Both…………….Both
Theta Brainwave Entrainment……..No………………………….No…………………Yes……………….Yes
Available on CD & Download………Yes…………………………….Yes………………Yes……………..Yes

Rev. Keith Hall has taught T’ai Chi, Qi Gong, Tantra, and meditation for 30 years & has published many articles on the Eastern arts. For info on products, workshops, and a free e-newsletter, email to: info@inner-tranquility.com © 2006 Keith E. Hall.

What is Presencing ™ ?

Learn Tantric Qigong

1 Minute Meditation and Stress Manager Audio Program

Ever want to learn how to meditate but felt frustrated by trying and re-trying to still your mind? Perhaps you have done some meditation, but continue to feel stressed at work or at home.  Or maybe you feel that you don’t have enough time to learn?

We have the answer! This audio program will help relieve your stress and get you meditating in only 1 minute, no previous experience with meditation is necessary, just download the 1 Minute audio file and follow the instructions.

Some hints:
– Headphones are recommended.
– Sit up straight or lie down.
– Loosen your waist, belt, etc.
– Close your eyes.
– Take a few deep, slow breaths, and begin.

Download the meditation here.

You are licensed to download and burn 1 copy to CD and install 1 copy on your computer or portable device.

“Be the change you want to see in the world!”
–Mahatma Gandhi

© 2003 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Learn Tantric Qigong:

Presencing™: Growth, Meditation, Manifestation

Presencing™ is a method of self-inquiry that scans the body, mind, and emotions for what is Present at that time. What is present is often the tip of the iceberg, a barely recognizable “feeler” put out by your higher self to try and get your attention. Your higher self tries to get you to notice something, some resistance, some karmic / emotional / physical pattern that requires release before your evolution / understanding / manifestation can proceed smoothly.

What appears as something minor, can often be a significant guide to your healing and mental / emotional / spiritual progress. The small self tends to defend against this knowledge and self-responsibility, repressing self-knowledge and projecting responsibility externally. Until we are fully self-aware and claim responsibility for, and mastery of our thoughts and emotions, our progress will be slowed. Allowing the unimpeded flow of what needs to shift, heal, and be recognized within ourselves creates a profound and simple process of self-knowledge and emotional freedom. The energy trapped in subconscious repression and external projection is then freed to create empowerment, joy, and creativity.

Meditation
Often the agenda of meditation is represented as developing the ability to still the mind. Let’s be honest, the mind resists this. The brain is designed to process information for survival and growth and is loathe to let go of this function. Many people learning or practicing meditation are curious as to why their minds often seem noisier when they sit for meditation than in their daily lives! It would seem counter-intuitive, but meditation retreats can be just as “noisy” as a football game. Its just that it is all internal. This can be somewhat frustrating at times. Combine this emotional / mental content with physical discomfort or distraction, and meditation can be a bit of a challenge. The very process of “stilling the mind” can become an active repression of coded information valuable to a more highly efficient process of self-knowledge. No amount of “stilling” will negate the noise until its message is received and integrated.  Presencing™ allows these messages / feelings / distractions to reveal their hidden wisdom. For some, the Presencing Process(sm) is so efficient that within a few minutes a person can achieve deeper states of meditation, peace, and joy than they thought possible.

Therapy / Communication Skills
As a therapeutic modality, Presencing™ presents a palette of mind – body tools to create a more holistic approach to healing. One of the difficulties with verbal therapy is that, well, we lie! Even when we think we are telling the truth, we tend to edit, rationalize, and project i.e., we have defense mechanisms. Talk therapy can be like Talk Radio: we all want to be a righteous Rush Limbaugh, defending our paradigm from too much scrutiny. Not that this is entirely a conscious decision. We have “sleeper cells” deep within us that press our subconscious agenda.

The mind and the mouth can lie, but this is not so with the body. The body is always broadcasting our truth. Therapies based on the work of Reich, Lowen, et al recognize this and turn to the body for greater truth. Presencing™ is a simple and more gentle path to the same end. No stress, strain, or catharsis is required. Truth and freedom from past trauma can be achieved through attention, recognition and validation of both mental / emotional and somatic content.

Manifestation
One reason we often find it difficult to create what we want is that we are always praying for what we don’t. Affirmations often are inefficient in manifesting because we tend to broadcast affirmations mainly with the conscious mind. Our subconscious mind / emotions may be broadcasting antithetical requests sequentially or simultaneously. We are both asking for what we want and what we don’t. No wonder Universal Mind is confused! Perhaps we have delivered to us a mix of both. What we ask for can be partially negated by subconscious thought processes / emotions. One example: we want to manifest something, but fear that we cannot. Which desire is stronger? If equal, they tend to cancel each other.

The Law of Attraction states that you attract what is similar to yourself. This is not a new concept in metaphysics or religion. Thousands of years ago the Old Testament gave us a heads-up: “As ye sow, so shall ye reap”; (T-5.VI.6:1; Galatians 6:7, 2 Corin 9:6). So, to effectively attract what we want, we must clear ourselves of the subconscious resistances and counter messages we are broadcasting. Simply put: the Presencing Process(sm) helps us sow the right seed. © 2009 Keith E. Hall and Inner-tranquility.com. All rights reserved.

Rev. Keith Hall has synthesized the seminal aspects of Breathwork, Bioenergetics, Neo-Reichian, Tantric, Taoist, and Buddhist practices to create the Presencing Process(sm). Presencing(sm) facilitates deep healing, joy, empowerment, and freedom from past limitations so we can manifest clearly what we desire in life.  Presencing(sm) is a simple, yet profoundly powerful process for creating our lives the way we wish to.

The Presencing Process for Enlightenment and Freedom(sm) - Aug. 14, October 2, 2010 email info@inner-tranquility.com for info & registration.

The Art of Being Present – release old patterns, create joy & fulfillment – Now!

Please consider joining us for this simple yet profound process for Awakening!

The Presencing™ Process

The Art of Being Present

Poems to Bring You Present

Coaching and Instruction

The Art of Being Present

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly. –Buddha

What moment do we have other than this?

The past is an illusion long gone. The future is not yet made manifest.

Each moment of our lives lands as a dew drop upon the lotus. Delicate, unique, irreplaceable. To look upon it with full attention and unfettered gaze reveals its precious and inimitable perfection. This magic moment, a crack between past and future, is an Infinity of existence; never seen before, and never to be seen again.

Can we not Be as the lotus enveloping the drop?
Does the lotus analyze and compare?
Is the lotus anticipating the dew drops yet to be?
Or does it embrace this diamond - liquid, delicate, and evanescent, and open its petals to experience the All?

Can you recall in your life a sudden revelation of beauty, deep serenity, a spontaneous awakening to Unity, excitement, joy, and vibrancy that stilled your mind and opened your heart? Ever ponder how you were able to perceive this flash of Shangri-La secreted between your history and your expectations? What is the Secret to reentering this often all too brief state of acceptance and Bliss?

Flow with whatever is happening and let your mind be free. –Chuang Tzu

The key is to both embrace and let go of each moment simultaneously. To participate and witness at the same time. In doing this, it is perfectly possible to create a Zen-like process of attentiveness to, and reverence for, your everyday experience. Being Present to the experience of our life, moment by moment, can help awaken our capacity for extraordinary joy, freedom, compassion, and creativity.

All authentic spiritual traditions have as part of their process a centering of consciousness on the power of Now. The practices of Yoga, Taoism, Buddhism, and Tantra all involve meditation, attention, and conscious breathing. Just like the dance of breath, of both inhaling and exhaling without vacillation, we must balance will and surrender, yin and yang, Intention and letting go.

There is a way between voice and presence
where information flows.  –Rumi
This process of freeing ourselves from our patterns, habits, compulsions, and unconscious drives is often referred to as “burning karma.”  Our karma is the result of our actions, experiences, thoughts, emotions, and expectations. Our personal history is comprised of habits and subconscious drives which shape and maintain the prison of the small self in which we reside. We are at once the architects, wardens, and inmates of this institution. Unless we pardon ourselves for the crimes of complacency and inattention to our Higher Self, we will impose a life sentence upon ourselves.

Deliverance from the prison of our karmic patterning is an essential process for achieving the mastery of true emotional freedom and self-realization. In freeing ourselves from these self-imposed strictures, we develop the skills to create anew, rather than re-create over and over again what no longer serves the growth of our spirit. This freedom from karmic patterning results in self-knowledge, wisdom, and being Present with the Sublime.

We get to choose each moment and how we want to live in it. How do you want it? Realize that every moment is IT…It all comes down to Presence. Being present in the moment…And Love. -Bhagavan Das

Find an object – a burning candle, a flower, a dew bespeckled spider’s web. Still your mind and observe. What do you perceive? Use all your senses. Maybe write down your observations. Give yourself lots of time, don’t rush about with mental questing. Open yourself to the experience and to your observations. What do you notice? Take a deep, conscious breath and observe again. Pay attention with your mind. Assimilate with your body. What do you feel?

Through this process of stilling the mind, calming the emotions, and opening the doors of perception, you may become able, as Blake said, “To see a world in a grain of sand…heaven in a wild flower, (and) hold Infinity in the palm of your hand…” © 2009 Keith E. Hall and www.Inner-tranquility.com . All rights reserved.

Coaching and Instruction

The Presencing Process™

What is Presencing™?

Poems to Bring You Present

How does Tantric Qigong™ work?

It can be said that Qigong works by uniting heavenly and earthly energies. While Western science does not yet have a full explanation of how Qigong does this, it most likely that it works by amplifying your personal Chi (Qi, life force, vitality, Ki) by drawing in earthly and atmospheric / solar ionic energy to supplement your existing vitality. This is attained through gentle movement, breath control, mental focus, Intention, and the most efficient grounding technology yet known.

Although it may appear that many systems of meditation and yoga aspire to similar effects, in practice and effect they are quite different.

Hatha Yoga has a general objective that is comparable to that of Qigong and achieves its ends through breathing, concentration, and stretching.  Yoga tends to lower somatic resistance, which allows energy to be freed up and diffused in a general way throughout the physical and emotional bodies.

Meditation attempts to unify these polar energies through mental control and creating inner peace. Most forms of meditation reduce mental disorder; thus indirectly allowing the body to relax its resistance to a certain degree. The effects are felt most strongly in the mental and emotional bodies. Both meditation and Hatha Yoga can create some of the same effects as Qigong, but may take longer to achieve it.

Forms of Kundalini Yoga, Kriya, and pranayama quickly push energy into the body and chakras through aggressive breathing techniques and movement. The relative bioenergetic charge thus created can vary quite a bit depending on that tradition and teacher. These systems generally lack a comprehensive and efficient grounding component, which can make their practice somewhat tricky for those persons wishing to remain in the world. Forms of Kundalini practice can create dramatic physical, emotional, and mental side effects and should not be undertaken without a teacher. Preferably in an ashram, under supervision 24/7.

I have met many students and teachers of these arts that have applied them in an extremely yang fashion and none of them have seemed grounded and balanced to me. Although they do experience a lot of energy, the energy meets the resistance of their body, mind, and karmic history. This creates a lot of unnecessary drama and significant side effects. This seems to be a result of too much energy meeting too much resistance and with too little grounding. Gurus who achieve spiritual power in this manner are very much a mixed blessing.

With Qigong, both the practice and the effects are quite different. Unlike the yogic paradigm, which asserts that the first chakra is the perineal / coccygeal area, Qigong knows that the first chakra is located in the bottoms of the feet. This is the way that nature intended earthly life force (kundalini, chi) to be conducted into the body. There are built in safeguards and processes of energetic transformation that makes this raw power easier to deal with and to apply to the body, mind, and emotions in a purely positive way.

The movements of Qigong are very gentle (virtually no energy is consumed by strenuous work) and coordinated with deep breathing, supreme mental focus, and proper bioenergetic alignment of the body. The effect is to amplify one’s vitality while simultaneously reducing internal somatic, emotional, and mental resistance, all in a grounded and balanced fashion. This Taoist approach generates a lot of Chi safely and quickly, often within a few seconds. Mastery may take somewhat longer.

It has been said that Qigong supercharges the body with a balance of earthly and atmospheric ionic energy. This energy suffuses the body, mind, and spirit. The Chi that is birthed in this fashion can be used to invigorate tissues, blood, lymph, bone, and the central nervous system; purifying, soothing, and healing along the way.

Tantric Qigong™ is to regular Qigong as a Lexus on the Autobahn is to an oxcart in a muddy field. They will both get you to your destination, but differ quite a bit in speed, efficacy, and comfort. While Qigong is supreme at creating the benefits mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, the traditional Taoist process of creating personal freedom and spiritual liberation through burning karma is less well defined. The Taoist approach to chakra activation and transmuting negative emotional patterns is convoluted and obscure at best. In contrast, with Tantric Qigong™ we avail ourselves of esoteric Taoist, Tantric Kriya, Kundalini Yoga, and Tibetan techniques not yet generally known in the west to simplify and enhance our process of self mastery and liberation.

There are five basic levels of Tantric Qigong™ training that begin with elementary Qigong and culminate in powerful and efficacious practices rarely taught publicly. We employ principles of Bioenergetics, Chakra, Kriya, and Kundalini yoga, Emotional Freedom, Karma burning, Tibetan Tantra, and Tumo in a safe, balanced structure that requires only a few minutes each day to perform. © 2009 Keith E. Hall Inner-tranquility.com. All rights reserved.

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Books, Art & Music

These are resources for quality books, art, and music that we recommend for your consideration. Preference is given to artists and artisans that have one or more of these qualities: Spiritual connection, Taoist, Tantra, Eastern (Hindu, Tantric, general Oriental) sensibilities. This section will be updated and grow regularly, so check back!

I consider Sexual Secrets to be the finest, most comprehensive book on Tantra ever written. Sexual Secrets is the definitive guide to sex and mysticism, revealing the wisdom of the sages of India, Nepal, Tibet, China, and Japan whose teachings on sexuality unveil how physical love can be the pathway to spiritual liberation. Containing more than 600 illustrations–the most comprehensive collection of images expressing the erotic sentiment–and with more than one million copies sold in more than 19 languages, Sexual Secrets unlocks for everyone the experience of ecstasy once sealed in the ancient texts and art of the East. Click below and take a look!

Jitterbug Perfume - A tale of Immortality, Perfume and Tantra. An outrageously funny and touching recipe for Eternal Life through dance, hot soaks, Tantric Sex, and of course, beets!

The Dharma Bums, published a year after On the Road made Jack Kerouac a celebrity and a spokesperson for the Beat Generation. Sparked by his contagious zest for life, the novel relates the adventures of a group of Beatnik seeker - friends in a wild exploration of Buddhism, life on the road, and the search for Truth. By far his best novel and a must read for Zen Dharma Bums and spiritual seekers everywhere. Also in Hardcover.

Work in the 21st Century

Chakra Sounds: Trance like toning to vibrate and strengthen each of the 7 main Chakras. The pitch increases as we ascend through the Chakras. Music by Karunesh. I often use this CD in Tantric Qigong and Chakra workshops. Very soothing and activating.

ShamanicDream: Trance-like with good, solid bass drums. I have used this a lot in the past 15 years, especially for Tantric Qigong. The bass is very good for opening and stimulating the chakras and nerve endings in the feet. Very grounding. Highly recommended!

Music to Disappear in II is one of the finest music collections for Tantra, yoga, and movement. The transcultural trance-dances of Music to Disappear in II exemplify Raphael’s creative spirit. Click and have a listen.

Tantric Sexuality: Excellent CD for Tantric lovemaking. A slow trance-like groove, moderate & steady bass, and subtle breath sounds will extend & transform your lovemaking. Particularly good for pelvic exercises and learning mulabandha. I have used this in many Tantric Qigong and Tantra workshops. Click below to listen.

El Hadra: Long Trance form, zither, tabla, keyboards and synth. Good for Tantra, Trance Dance, massage and movement. I have used this is many Tantra, Qigong, and T’ai Chi classes.

Angel Love: Two long, pure ambiences that float you on billows of slow, sweet synth and violin, heightened in places by tender piano, faraway voice & chimes. Pastel and cloud-like, like a slow-motion sunrise, Heart opening. I have used this extensively for heart chakra work.

ChakraDancer: 8 tracks to stimulate the chakras by a series of rhythms using crystal bowls and samplers. Good for chakra massage / meditation, giving you 7+ minutes per chakra.

And the Stars Go With You: Deep Space Music with a special languid minimalism. The timbres and textures are surreal and warm, inviting you to go on a ride to the stars. A space music essential. Good for meditation, relaxing, and of course astral space travel.

Click here to view some beautiful spiritual posters & prints

Click here for more resources and products updated weekly.

The Art of the Nude: Fine Photography for the those with discernment!

Not yet a practitioner of Tantric Qigong, T’ai Chi or Yoga? Here are some simple suggestions:

– Get extra sleep. The hectic holidays, traveling, and associated stress place additional demands on your body. If you are sleep-deprived, your body and emotions react more poorly to stress. This can trigger depression and viral illnesses such as colds, flu, cold sores, etc. It is best to get 8 hours of sleep timed so your circadian rhythm is in sync with the daylight hours, i.e., waking up at dawn.

– Drink lots of water. Central heating tends to dry out the air, which in turn dries out your mucous membranes. This can result in nosebleeds, sinus conditions, and leave the nasal passages more vulnerable to attack by respiratory viruses. Hydrating will help you to keep your mucous membranes healthy and resistant to viruses. A humidifier may be helpful also.

– Get a minimum of 30 - 60 minutes of outdoor activity in natural light every day. Gentle, non-fatiguing exercise, sunlight, and breathing fresh air will build your vitality and resistance to winter diseases. You should not exhaust yourself with exercise, as this will steal vital energy from your immune system. T’ai Chi, Tantric Qigong, and Yoga are ideal, but you can substitute walking for up to an hour every day if you don’t know these other exercises. Exercising in full sunlight is an excellent treatment for seasonal affective disorder.

– Other treatments for SAD include light boxes that use intense illumination that provide at least 10,000 lux. Exposure to this bright artificial light has about an 85% success rate if used for 30-60 minutes daily. Some improvement is usually noticed within a week, but it can take a few weeks for full improvement to occur. Here is a good light box that will help, click on the link for more information:

– Do some gentle stretching. Stretching will improve circulation and help remove toxins. Better blood and lymph circulation can improve immune response. You can do this indoors or out. Out of doors has the additional benefits outlined above, but you need to make sure your clothing is adequately warm to minimize Chi loss in the cold. Often jogging trails at the park will have some stations set up for stretching.

– Take some vitamins. When under stress, some water-soluble vitamins can be leached from your system so replenishing these vitamins with a basic multivitamin may be helpful. Additional amounts of vitamin C and zinc can stimulate immune response. B vitamins help with stress, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia, and may improve attention deficit. There is some evidence that even senile dementia may be related to a B12 deficiency.* Beta-carotene and Vitamin A fortify the mucous membranes against pollutants, microbes and carcinogens, and strengthen the thymus gland, which produces T cells.

– Eat yogurt. A good brand of yogurt can have a spectrum of friendly lactobacilli that may prevent you gastrointestinal tract from being colonized by pathogens.

– Take some herbs. Astragalus, Echinacea, and similar herbs may help foster immunocompetence. Ginseng is an adaptogen, building your ability to deal with stress. Red Ginseng may increase your vital fire.

– Breathe. Atmospheric Chi contains solar energy and you can absorb this power with various Taoist and Yogic techniques. A very simple one is to do 10 deep breaths. Inhale deeply for count of 5 or 6, then exhale slowly while focusing on relaxing your body and mind and letting go of any negative emotions. Relaxing will help encourage your Chi to circulate in a more unimpeded manner, strengthening your body energetically.

– Have some good sex. Even if you don’t have a partner. Regular sexual activity can be helpful, stimulating the hypothalamus and pineal gland in particular, and the endocrine system in general. This balances the emotions and strengthens the immune system. During the winter season, the Taoists recommend less ejaculation for both men and women.

– Make sure you eat well. Eat a variety of vegetables of different colors. This time of year the denser vegetables are better than leafy or watery vegetables and fruits. Vegetable soups and stews can be warming and fortifying, as can hot oatmeal.

* Hamilton, et.al, Nutrition Concepts & Controversies, 5th Ed., West Publishing, St. Paul, 1991
(c) 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

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