What is Qigong?

Qigong (Chi Kung) is a system of Taoist exercise and meditation developed at least 4000 years ago in China. Some attribute the Yellow Emperor and / or his teacher, Qi Bo, with the discovery of the principles underlying qigong practice. The word “qigong” perhaps can be best translated as “energy mastery.” It is a method of balancing mind, body, emotions, and spirit through a series of external and internal movements with mental concentration. These movements, along with certain stances and biomechanical body alignment, are coordinated with the breathing and the mind.

There are many forms of qigong and associated practices such as jing dong, dong gong, zuo gong, wushu gong, nei kung, etc. T’ai Chi, often translated as “supreme ultimate” or “supreme ultimate energy,” can be regarded as a particularly evolved form of moving qigong. For our purposes here, we will consider any of these various forms of Taoist energy exercises and meditations as a form of qigong.

One can consider qigong to be a kind of Taoist form of moving yoga, though qigong postures tend to be less strenuous than many yoga asanas. With some adaptation, qigong can be performed by virtually anyone, regardless of physical condition, as long as the practitioner is able to concentrate mentally.

Sometimes qigong is divided into subcategories depending on its application. So there are medical qigongs, martial qigongs, health qigongs, and spiritual qigongs. Qigong can also be classified by the direction and intention of the energy generated. External qigong generates life force internally and broadcasts this energy externally. So, martial qigong could be considered a form of external qigong, as could medical qigong. In medical qigong, the qigong master generates the chi and directs it toward a patient who needs healing. This is akin to a sort of “laying on of hands” in the western traditions of spiritual healing.

Qigong on the Mountain

Internal qigong generates energy and circulates it within the practitioner. One application of this form is internal self-healing, where one circulates energy to remove physical blockages or imbalances. This form, along with medical qigong, is somewhat related to the disciplines of Oriental Medicine such as acupuncture and herbology, which seek to balance a patient’s life force. Another application of internal qigong is for spiritual development. Here, spiritual power is generated and circulated internally through energy channels and the chakras for the purpose of clearing karmic effect, attaining self-knowledge, expanding or dissolving ego boundaries, and direct spiritual experience.

In terms of karmic intention, martial qigong could be considered to be the lowest form of qigong, as its intention is to control or harm others. Medical and health related qigong would have a higher intention, as they work to relieve suffering and generate health. Spiritual qigong has the highest intention, as it concerns itself with self-realization, expanded or mystical awareness, and enlightenment, which this planet needs so desperately at this time.

Qigong can be characterized as a gentle form of non-impact aerobic exercise and stretching suitable for warming up for more strenuous exercise. An example of this would be Tiger Woods, who reputedly has practiced qigong. Qigong can be used as a stand-alone form of gentle physical maintenance as well. It is also a highly effective form of stress management when used to calm the emotions and center oneself. Qigong as a spiritual discipline is a moving meditation particularly well adapted for restless western minds and active, stressed, and time-challenged lifestyles. © 2006 Keith E. Hall and Inner-tranquility.com. All rights reserved.

Rev. Hall has taught Tai Chi, Qigong, Tantra, & body / mind modalities for 30 years & is a senior student of Prof. Yung-ko Chou, with permission to teach. He has studied at East West Schools across the world & with Dhyanyogi Madhusudandas, S. Saraswati & others. He practices Bioenergetics, Bagua, Tumo, Vipassana, Zen, Spiritual Bodywork, various Yogas, & other East West disciplines. He has published articles on Tantra & Taoist arts in numerous journals & is the Founder of Jade Garden Tantra and www.inner-tranquility.com

Instruction & Coaching

Tantric Qi Gong: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Tantric Qigong?
A. Tantric Qigong (or Chi Kung, Chi Gong) draws on traditional techniques of Taoist, Tantra, and Yogic practices. These practices, which have remained secret for millennia, have been revised to make them more accessible and efficacious for today’s world.

Q. Do I need any special equipment?
A. Not really. Loose clothing such a sweat suit or yoga pants are desirable, as is a floor mat or blanket.

Q. I feel that I am so busy that I don’t have the time to incorporate anything new in my life.
A. Once learned, the 8 Treasures Tantric Qi Gong exercises can be performed in as little as 10 minutes.

Q. How long are the classes?
A. Beginner classes can meet for 60 to 90 minutes for 7 to 8 sessions. Intensive workshops can be presented in a 1/2 or 1 day format.

Q. When is the best time to practice?
A. Traditional times are in the morning and in the evening. For today’s harried professionals, a few minutes at lunchtime can make a big difference in one’s workday.

Q. Do I need a special place to perform the exercises?
A. No. Almost any place indoors or out will do. On average, a 3 foot by 6 foot space will be sufficient.

Q. Are the exercises aerobic?
A. Tantric Qi Gong can be characterized as “non-impact” aerobic exercise. There are strong cardiovascular benefits with little risk of injury. The 8 Treasures use the mind to effect positive physical and emotional changes, in this system there is no need to stress the body to achieve these benefits.

Q. I play a competitive sport, is it worth my while to incorporate these exercises in my training?
A. Yes! Tantric Qi Gong is a good warm up and cool down for more strenuous exercise. The exercises increase circulation, respiratory capacity, and oxygenation of the muscular and nervous systems, yet are not fatiguing at all. In addition, Tantric Qigong presents a forum for mental discipline similar to Zen (Zen tennis, Zen Golf, Zen archery, Zen basketball, etc.) increasing mental acuity, focus, and overall awareness. It has been said that Tiger Woods practices qigong.

Q. I am under quite a bit of stress, can Tantric Qi Gong help?
A. Stress, whether at work or at home, is a complex “parfait” of emotions under pressure. Regardless of their origins, Tantric Qi Gong helps the mind and body let go of these destructive reactions and creates a more calm, centered, alert, and efficient mind set.

Q. The advent of terrorism, rise in urban violence, and economic recession have made me much more anxious than in the past, what can this system do to help me feel more secure?
A. The sense of personal security is a balance of external and internal factors. Tantric Qigong begins by creating an awareness of internal balance in our bodies, minds, and emotions. We then extend this awareness through our senses to the external world. This sphere of heightened discernment and personal empowerment produces greater physical and emotional security. The reality is that we are much more likely to be harmed by a degenerative disease associated with chronic stress than any other external factor. Powerfully increasing our internal poise and self control reduces both the false perception of a threat, and the concomitant anxiety / stress reaction.

Q. I work in an office, and my work does not require physical exertion, yet after a few hours I feel fatigued and lethargic. Just having a cup of coffee no longer seems to work as well as it used to. How can this be counteracted?

A. It is well known that the combination of sedentary (desk bound) work habits, fluorescent lighting, stress, and computer radiation has a deleterious effect. In Qigong, we say that you are suffering from a depletion of energy or Chi (Qi). A few minutes of Eight Treasures Tantric Qigong will restore your energy without the aftereffects of caffeine. You can also use our 1 Minute Stress Manager and Relax! At the Beach: Manage Stress at Work and Home programs on CD or for download.

Q. I have a medical condition, is it wise to take this class?
A. Of course, one should always check with their physician before starting any exercise program. The exercises themselves are very gentle, yet invigorating.

Q. I have allergies, will this program help relieve them?
A. Allergies are often exacerbated by stress, so it is likely that these easy exercises could ameliorate such conditions, check with your physician.

Q. I am in therapy and I am wondering if Tantric Qi Gong could be a good adjunct to my treatment plan?
A. Tantric Qigong uses the body and breath to effect a calm mental and emotional state, so yes; it would seem to be helpful. Check with your therapist or counselor.

Q. Is this just another system of New Age psychobabble?
A. No. Qi Gong is an ancient, traditional Chinese discipline. At the height of China’s world influence, it was customarily taught to the military and medical professions, among others.

Q. I have a friend who would like to learn Qigong, but is confined to a wheel chair.
A. The exercises can be modified so that they can be performed while sitting.

Q. A relative of mine is elderly and mentally a little sluggish, can they learn Tantric Qi Gong and would it be of benefit?
A. Yes! Often the elderly have immediate noticeable benefits. A caregiver (staff member if institutionalized) can be trained to lead the exercises daily. Routine daily performance of the exercises leads to long term benefits.

Q. Is this type of exercise suitable for children?
A. Anyone who is able and willing to follow directions can perform these gentle exercises.

Q. I wish to improve my sex life and I have heard that this may help.
A. First, have your physician rule out any organic etiology. If there are no detrimental effects due to disease, accident, or drug side effects, then Qi Gong can be highly effective. It increases vital energy while teaching one how to concentrate and control it. In addition, Tantric Qigong may also help one open to greater intimacy with one’s partner.

Q. I do physical therapy and massage therapy, are there advantages for myself or my clients?
A. For the caregiver and massage therapist, Tantric Qi Gong creates and distributes more vital life force. Body alignment allows your energy to flow unimpeded through your body. You will experience less fatigue, biomechanical or mental stress, and your clients will notice a superior quality to your treatments.

Q. I wonder if learning this discipline would conflict with my strict religious beliefs?
A. Though many people feel Tantric Qigong has a spiritual component, it is not a religion any more than jogging or swimming is. Copyright 2002-2009 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

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What Is qigong?

T’ai Chi & Qigong Instruction available in the Baltimore Wshington, DC area.

Q. Jeff asks: I have plantar fasciitis in both feet due to my tight tendons. My right heel is pretty sore from walking around barefoot during both Yoga and Tai Chi class. I wonder if I can wear any kind of soft shoe during either class?

A. Heel spur / plantar fasciitis (also sometimes spelled “fascitis”) is a condition where the bottom of the heel is extremely painful. A heel spur is a bony overgrowth and is usually a result of an inflamed plantar ligament on the bottom of the foot attaching to the heel. Constant pulling of this ligament irritates the heel and a bone spur overgrows as a protective mechanism. There is usually pain with the first step in the morning, some relief after activity, but pain returns after long periods of weight bearing activity. The plantar fascia is a tough structure, but can only stretch about 102% of its length before tearing. Its relative inflexibility incurs the absorption of tremendous force in the fascia every time the foot hits the ground

This type of condition is not well understood medically. It seems to be associated with obesity, poor shoe design, alignment of the heel, gout, pronation, and arthritis. According to Dr. Gabe Mirkin, “Doctors have no medications that help heal the plantar fascia. Surgery to cut the plantar, called fasciotomy, is usually ineffective and may even prevent healing.”

Plantar fasciitis also seems to be present in a number of individuals with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition of painful, stiff muscles and connective tissue whose medical etiology may involve auto-immune, central nervous system, and psychological or perceptual components. There is no medical cure for this condition, and patients are usually dissatisfied with their treatment options.

From an Eastern (both Taoist and yogic) perspective, the deeper causes may relate to a bioenergetic imbalance. There can be an underlying karmic imbalance within and between the first 4 chakras. This imbalance is further shaped and expressed through genetic and environmental factors. There is also the feedback loop of hypersensitivity to discomfort creating anxiety and emotional resistance, which in turn increases the perception of threat and pain and perhaps an involuntary subconscious tightening of the musculature which can further inhibit the flexibility of the affected area.

The systems of T’ai Chi and Tantric Qigong that I teach are ideal for intervention in this process.

Consistent T’ai Chi & Qigong practice will:
- Improve biomechanical alignment and efficiency.
- Increase healing life force.
- Transmute underlying emotional issues.
- Improve flexibility and blood flow through gentle, conscious, weight bearing stretching.
- Increase empowerment, decrease anxiety and emotional resistance.

Here are some suggestions to improve Plantar Fasciitis (fascitis):
- Take a warm hip-bath before class to relax foot, leg, and hip muscles.
- Keep these muscles warm when traveling to class.
- Slowly, gently, & Consciously “step into” the stiffness and pain.
- Relax your body and mind.
- Breathe deeply.

In regards to a shoe, though I prefer that you go barefoot to maximize pedal flexibility and groundedness, it would be OK to wear something with a soft sole and arch support. In addition to the cushioning support, some beneficial warming of the sole may occur. A T’ai Chi ( or Kung Fu) shoe with a rubber sole and a thin orthotic insert would be ideal. You can purchase these shoes via the Internet or try them on at a martial arts studio. My students can get a discount at the Flying Dragon. They have Chinese sizes, so unless you know what your size is you might have to try them on. Also some reflexology and foot massage might be helpful.

With committed, daily T’ai Chi and Qigong practice (more than once a day would be better,) you will soon experience some improvement. Though there can be some discomfort and resistance at first, the student who perseveres will notice definite progress. Copyright 2005, Keith E. Hall. all rights reserved.

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Qigong & Fibromyalgia: From the Arthritis Care and Research study

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T’ai Chi & Qigong Instruction available in the Baltimore Washington, DC area.

A Woman’s Response Re: Ejaculation Control, part 4: Peng Zu

This is a continuation of the discussion in Ejaculation & Mental, Spiritual, & Physical Health Part 4: Peng Zu

Q. Julie: Your article was saying how we become healthier and more balanced WITH a partner and without we are also targets for demons…what (can) a person without a partner…do to protect themselves and to also be more in balance and healthier. I can’t just pick some random guy to balance myself with…lol… so what can I do? Thanks for the information.

A. I believe the quotation from Peng Zu (Peng Tsu, Peng Zu) that your are referring to is:

“To be solitary and long for intercourse shortens a man’s life and allows a hundred ailments.
Ghosts and Demons will take advantage of such a man to copulate with him”

First, you have to be aware that the proto-Taoist traditions of some 4-6,000 years ago contained both practical spiritual wisdom and also some superstition. Over the millennia, it has become more apparent which is which.

What Peng Zu refers to are nocturnal emissions. Obviously, he is talking about men, so I don’t think this going to be much of a problem for you unless, of course, your boyfriend has them every night! A woman’s “demons” are usually more emotional than ejaculatory in nature. Unless you are a woman with a high degree of female ejaculation skill. And prone to narcolepsy.

It is possible that some highly eroticised women endowed with some degree of Tantric skill might have such vivid sexual dreams that a genital orgasm could occur, but this is much more likely to be a more diffuse sexual charge than strictly genitocentric. Men however, produce semen continuously, and as will be discussed further in this series of articles, it is not entirely healthy to never ejaculate. If too long a time elapses between ejaculation, the body may tend to take control with the cooperation of the subconscious, hence the nocturnal emissions that gave the ancient Taoists such concern.

Forbidden Planet, Karmic Monsters from your Id

Doc Ostrow: …”the Krell forgot one thing.”
Commander Adams: “Yes, what?”
Doc Ostrow: “Monsters, John. Monsters from the Id.”
–Forbidden Planet

Awakening with the obvious evidence of some nocturnal sexual process could be confusing to a simple Yaoist living at the dawn of recorded history. Add to that the great length that Taoists go to avoid loss of semen through ejaculation control, and one can see how a superstition of demonic erotic possession aka “Monsters from the Id” could, well, “arise”.

In the Catholic Christian lineage, this loss of control over sexual fantasies and the resultant nocturnal emissions experienced by celibate monks is externalized as a succubus; a demon in the form of a seductive woman who visits a monk in a dream state. These demons were thought to arouse the sexual energy ( Jing, Shakti) of the celibate, then feed off the life force, much like a vampire. According to the Malleus Maleficarum, published in 1487 by the Inquisitors Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, a succubus would collect semen from men they had sex with and impregnate women with it for evil metaphysical purposes.

I, however, prefer my succubi to be incarnate in flesh rather than being ephemeral dream demons.
Just a personal preference.

The quote from Shang-ku-san-tai,

“Man and woman mutually complete each other, just like Heaven and Earth gave birth to each other. Tao nourishes the vital force (chi) in order that man may not lose his harmony.”

The Tantric Dakini Goddess Mae West

relates to the great energizing and balancing of life force that can occur through High Tantric Sex, and especially with lovers who are willing to sexually and emotionally surrender to each other on a significantly deep level. So, on the one hand, “some random guy” might not serve this process, however you might also consider reading some of what the great Dakini and early feminist Mae West had to say on this subject. Here was a woman truly empowered by her sexuality at a time when this was not supported at all by our “polite” society at the turn of the century (her play entitled “Sex” resulted in a morals charge and imprisonment in 1927.)

Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation - the other eight are unimportant.
–Henry Miller

Energetic balance ( polarity) can occur with or without a partner, you don’t need to wait for the perfect partner to get started. In fact, you are much more likely to attract a higher quality partner if you are willing to begin to use Tantric and Taoist forms to clarify your energy and burn your karma. Often Like attracts Like, so, to paraphrase Gandhi: “Be the lover you want to attract in the world…”

I am also reminded of the time that Teri Hatcher of Desperate Housewives fame appeared on the Jay Leno show with a Tantric Revelation: She was talking about catalogue shopping and mentions that she bought 5 (that’s right, five!) Kegel Exercisers.

Jay Leno: So, um, can you lift more than you used to…or….?

Teri Hatcher: I now have a very strong kitty cat.

Jay Leno: (!!!!!!)

Teri Hatcher: All the other ‘desperate housewives’ are married and stuff, but, like, when I get a boyfriend, he’s gonna hit the jackpot!

You gotta admire Ms. Hatcher’s commitment to personal growth. Like Mae West, she seems gratified by taking charge of her own sexuality.

Of course, in ancient pre-battery operated times, The Taoists and Tantriks developed a high sexual and spiritual technology. The Tantric Qigong (sm) exercises “Wag the Tail” and “Raise on the Toes” open the pelvis and stimulate the kidney meridian.

Wag the Tail (c) 1997 Keith E. Hall

raise on the Toes

Tantric Qigong (sm) , T’ai Chi, and some forms of Yoga are the best all around exercises for increasing, balancing, and applying one’s life force for karma burning and other spiritual purposes, with or without a partner.
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The yogic asanas known as The Goddess pose and The Butterfly pose also burn pelvic karma and resistance to your own Goddess Power while indirectly stimulating the kidney energy.

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Here is an exercise from our 10 Minutes to a Healthier You! (sm) and our Tantric Transformation (sm) courses that you can do on your own:

The Energy Pump

1. Contract and pump the anal sphincter and the muscles of the vaginal wall, pulling upwards. If possible, make this a relatively fast contraction and release (2-3 contractions per second.)

2. After you get the hang of this, begin a pattern of deep breathing through the mouth where you are exhaling while you contract the muscles, and inhaling as you relax the muscles.

3. Imagine that the fast, deep breathing and contractions are like a bellows fanning the fire of your life force. This can also be done with pelvic rocking or thrusting.

Doing a few minutes or more of this each day will increase your life force (Chi, Qi, Ki), sexual power (Shakti, Jing), and ability to receive pleasure while also toning the PC muscle (pubococcygeal muscle) and vaginal muscles.

There is a variation of this that is known to increase one’s sexual magnetism to an almost hypnotic level. I have seen men sweat and begin to lose control of their power to focus in the presence of a woman adept at this. Some pheromones don’t hurt either….

In summary:
–You don’t need to worry about demons or nocturnal emissions.
–There are exercises you can do on your own to increase your life force and sexual magnetism.
– You are The Goddess. © 2008 Keith E. Hall. all rights reserved.

Instruction & Coaching

Taoist & Yogic Practices.

Tantric Qigong
Tantric qigong (chi kung)  can be so ideal in the winter. Even though the earth is cold and hibernating, one can draw on the Earth’s deep Yin while willfully stimulating the Heavenly Yang.  Tantric Qigong includes gentle movement, conscious breathing, and stretching. It takes only 10 minutes and can be practiced either indoors, or outside in the natural light for additional benefit. In the winter, Tantric qigong helps you to fire up your Heavenly Chi while drawing on the deep stability and steadfastness of the Earth’s Yin.

Here are some tips for practicing  Tantric Qigong in wintertime:

–Increase the number of repetitions of the 8 Treasures.
–Focus on directing the chi inward. Pay particular attention to Chakras 2, 3a, 3c, 4 and 6.
–Do “Raise and Lower Hands Alternately” to stimulate and balance the immune system while drawing in and balancing the Heavenly and Earthly Qi.

Tantric Qigong: Raise Hands alternately

Here are some additional exercises from the Advanced Tantric Qigong curriculum that may be helpful. Some of these 8 Treasures Tantric qigong forms balance yin and yang, some permeate the body with energy, some balance the pineal gland. If you’ve taken the courses, you know which does what.

–Golden Serpent (Tantric Qigong Level 2)
–Heavenly Chakra Qi Gong (Tantric Qigong Level 3)
–Transmuting Breath (Tantric Qigong Level 4, part 1)
–Transmuting Breath 2 (Tantric Qigong Level 4, part 2)
–Heart Breath 3 (Tantric Qigong Level 5, part 3)
–Tumo meditation (Tantric Qigong Level 5, part 4)

See also: Winter Meditation for Collecting Life Force

Qigong and Immunity

Qigong, Immunity, and Influenza

© 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved. Part 3: Some simple suggestions

Presencing™

See how the change of the seasons affects your Qi and Life Force:Tantric Taoist Sexology & The Seasons.

Learn Tantric Qigong™:

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Instruction & Coaching

Winterize Yourself!

From December until February the days are shortest and coldest of the year and there is a serious shortage of the Solar Principle or Heavenly Chi. Most people run on “autopilot” in terms of energy production, passively and unconsciously absorbing and converting the chi around them. This time of year, with less Heavenly Chi interacting with the Earthly Chi, there is a reduction in, or sluggishness of, our life force. It is time to seriously intervene to “winterize” ourselves

The challenges we face during winter are not solely a result of the cold temperatures, though that is part of it. Much is a result of the reduced hours and intensity of sunlight. I can envision a time in the not too distant future when winter temperatures have globally warmed, yet many symptoms of the winter doldrums persist. You might have experienced a hint of this principle if you have taken a winter trip to a subtropical climate north of the equator (this applies to the Southern Hemisphere also during their winter). Though it is warmer, there is still a deficit in sunlight and under these conditions, travelers can still become tired or even ill. Warmth alone is not the full answer here, otherwise everyone with central heating would be impervious to these winter blues.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is an example of one of the conditions that has a link to reduced sunlight and the concomitant reduction in stimulation of the pineal gland (third eye). The reduced duration and intensity of natural light in winter affects many people strongly, resulting in lethargy and depression. Mentally we can be unfocused, finding it more difficult to stay on task.

Symptoms can include..

• Excessive Tiredness
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Irritability
• Carbohydrate Cravings
• Weight Gain
• Social Withdrawal
• Depressed Mood
• Decreased Libido

Where the clinical boundary is for the diagnosis of SAD is often not entirely clear. Many people are affected to some degree, though some deal with this much more successfully than others. Dr. Norman Rosenthal estimates the prevalence of SAD among adults in the US varies between 1.4% in Florida and 9.7% in New Hampshire.* See below for information on light boxes to treat SAD.

Beyond the tendency towards being emotionally depressed, our lower reserves of chi can lead us to be easily stressed, which can result in having a “short fuse” or sometimes a strong desire to withdraw into a state of hibernation.

Physically the cold temperatures and the contractive nature of winter’s yin energy can result in stiff, tight muscles, aching or jammed up joints, arthritis, bursitis, etc. We can be more prone to injury due to contracted muscles and connective tissue. This contracted yin state can also result in congested, and thickened mucous membranes, especially noticeable in the nasal passages and lungs, low vitality, reduced sexual vigor, and lowered immunity.

The number of new drugs invented in the past 20 years to treat some of these symptoms is amazing. Taking a drug is easy, though temporary. Self-mastery might require a little discipline. So here are a few suggestions to students of the arts of self-realization for winterizing yourself through your Taoist or Yogic practices. © 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 2: Taoist & Yogic practices.

Instruction & Coaching

* Norman Rosenthal, MD, Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder

Here is a light box to treat the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This light box delivers 10,000 lux of full spectrum light to ward off the effects of the winter doldrums, such as: excessive sleep, social withdrawal, weight-loss and melancholic depression. Proven to be effective in elevating mood, increasing energy and restoring one’s inner body clock. Made from all metal and U.V. shielded and portable. Made in the USA.

Kriyas, Resistance, and Sexual Arousal

DP asks: My query has to do with the…Kriya phenomena…it seems to spontaneously occur when kissing, etc. a date…but, I can imagine that they probably seem either weird and/or overly enticing to male friends. Is it normal for Kriyas to occur when sexually excited?…the kriyas (don’t) feel particularly sensual to me…I am used to sexual feelings…quite distinct from the somewhat abrupt Kriyas. Is this just a phase to go through while the energy overcomes resistance?…seems like there is a big difference between waves of sensual undulation and the kriyas which are more like a jack hammer….My whole reason for taking Tantra is to free up all of my considerable energy. This is happening. I do not want to stifle this process…

Rev. Hall: Yes it is desirable to have these tremors when sexually excited, It is a sign of your vital life force overcoming resistance. Sex energy is an expression of your life force. The neat thing about sex is that it can also stimulate life force in a kind of “feedback” process. More life force results more ecstatic sex and surrender to intimacy. More sex and surrender creates more life force, more freedom and vitality. This is what makes Tantric practices so energizing, healing, and enlightening. We are activating and transmuting our primal life force.

There is a balance needed between the activation and flow of sex energy, of prana and Kundalini, and our resistance to it. Resistance has at its root fear. We can also be quite stubborn about our resistance, and there are many socially supported rationalizations for not being free and flowing with our energy. The reason that it seems that at times the energy is jarring or slightly unpleasant is your anxiety about letting go of your resistance: your fear, your karmic patterns.

Most people do not experience kriyas because their resistance is higher than their available life force. A popular subconscious ploy to avoid knowing oneself and experiencing the power and bliss of who you truly are is to keep stubbornly resisting, and if that begins to fail, dump the excess energy. © 2006, Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved

Part 2: Resistance and Energy Consumption

Instruction & Coaching

Kundalini, Kali, Shaktipat, Deeksha, Indra Jaal

Q. Does anyone one of the gurus in your gathering know how to raise Kali and other deities on people? Also, do they know the art of the Indra Jaal? Can they raise the kundalini?

Kundalini, Karma, and Shaktipat
For those of you who are beginners, Kundalini is a form of one’s primal life force typically envisioned as a serpent wound around the base of the spine- in the coccygeal / sacrum (sacred bone) area. Kundalini in most normal people is usually spoken of as dormant. It’s not, of course. If your Kundalini were inactive, you would be dead. The energy is just at a low level due to our physical and emotional resistance, our fears and our defensive reaction to our fears. Waking our Kundalini necessitates a certain amount of freeing ourselves from this resistance. As our resistance decreases, our life force increases. The life force can then be enrolled in further eliminating resistances e.g., fear, pain, anger. Various Taoist and Yogic practices are helpful in this process, some being more efficient than others for individual ego types.

Chakras and Kundalini

There are some teachers who purport to be able to awaken one’s Kundalini and burn or liberate one from one’s karma, one’s patterns of limited perception, and negative emotional states and behaviors. This is both true and not true.

The practice of energy transference is usually taught or experienced in a “healing” context, such as “laying on of hands,” which has been around for millennia. Once again becoming popular, there are schools that teach various forms of the transfer of subtle energy, usually with some kind of “healing” intention. My own experience with this is that the energy, at the hands of a TRUE master, is anything but subtle.

As a young man, I consented to receive shaktipat ( sometimes known as deeksha, diksha ) from a Yogic saint. I had been doing yogic, qigong, T’ai chi, and Bioenergetic practices daily for some years and felt that I might be prepared enough to receive this blessing. I kind of expected it to be subtle, most yogis and meditators talking about it in these terms. Upon physical contact with my guru, and within seconds, I was transported into another realm, so I have to say that for me, shaktipat was about a subtle as a freight train.

Now, in my opinion, many unscrupulous “teachers” will then interject some self-promotion and tell you they are burning your karma for you. This sort of “teacher” or “priest,” no matter what tradition they are involved with, is looking to create a dependency in you. This codependency is antithetical to freedom. There is a spectrum of malformed intent here, from the subconscious to the consciously manipulative. In my experience, this is very common, more so than the opposite - the purely altruistic avatar.

Of course, the true masters never say this, because, well, it is not true, not possible. The state of shaktipat transference is much like a psychotropic. It is like a preview of coming attractions. Just like a movie trailer, it is a little taste of spiritual ecstasy. If you want to see, to live, to be the whole movie of liberation, of divine bliss, you have to earn your spiritual currency. You need to get your butt out and buy the ticket and sit yourself down in the cosmic cinema yourself. No one can do this for you. Everyone is responsible for their own inner work.

There are no shortcuts. You can’t skip any steps anymore than one could build a house and start with the roof. It just won’t work safely. A foundation and walls are a good idea. That said, it IS possible to speed up the process if you are committed to living a more joyous, liberated, and conscious life.

Tantra and a visit from Kali
For those choosing to live in the world, Taoist Tantra is perhaps the fastest path to enlightenment. Not necessarily the easiest, but definitely fast and interesting. Kundalini that is activated is to a normal person’s consciousness as fire is to cold wood. Tantra is to Kundalini as gasoline is to fire. In other words, if you are practicing TRUE Tantra, i.e., Tantric Kundalini activation, your are going to have one toasty campfire, one speedy route to liberation!

Among dedicated Tantrikas, Kali is a favorite energy to invoke. Known as the Dark Goddess of Destruction, Kali’s function is to quickly separate one from one’s ego. Often depicted with one or more swords, Kali wears a necklace of severed heads. These “dead heads” represent the self-limiting aspects of the ego. Fear, pain, hatred, envy, judgment, violence, and so forth. Like the Phoenix, Kali slashes and burns every aspect of the limited self. From the ashes, the Tumo fire of destruction, rebirth into the higher self occurs. Awakening and freedom is the result.

Aspects of Kali

Some years ago I participated in an advanced Tantric ritual where we did various Tantric practices and purifications for a couple of weeks prior to the Puja to prepare ourselves. Everyone there had some years of experience and were fairly comfortable with the various Tantric energies. This temple we were at was out in the jungle, light years from the normal American reality.

The Puja was scheduled to run all day, counting preparation and sanctification of the space, maybe 18 hours. About 12 hours into the process, one of the other teachers decided to invoke Kali.

This did cause me to pause. Kali can really be a bit pushy, a bit of a drama queen. Part of me considered leaving, just walking out the door into the jungle. Of course the mosquitoes in that area were truly impressive. They had a really voracious bloodlust, not at all like our timid American variety. Local rumor had it that they were like vampires, you would swoon from blood loss before you were aware of what was happening.

So, there I was, caught between Kali and Dracula, between exsanguination and enlightenment. What’s a poor Shiva to do? Well, I took a deep breath and decided to hang in there. After all, some years before, I had worked extensively with the Kali energy and dancing with Kali in her most alluring form might be better than a night alone in the jungle dodging vampires. Of course, my previous Kali sadhana was a grounded, well-structured daily practice during which we were Brahmacharya. This was a “puja on fire” at this point, and the Tantric “gasoline” was being poured on.

As the Puja progressed into the wee hours, I noticed successive layers of fear and resistance melting away. My body became light and highly energized. My expectations relaxed, my heart opened. I experienced layer upon layer of ecstasy, building to an almost out of body, highly energized bliss state, resulting finally in a deep serene sense of union, a transpersonal state of awareness beyond the sense of time or place. Bliss rolled over me like a great river, deep and abiding. I was so transformed by this that I wouldn’t go back to the states, just couldn’t bear coming back our culture’s vibration of acquisition and competition, of fear and anger. For the next month I wandered through the jungle, integrating my experience, meditating, practicing Tantric qigong, visiting temples, and sleeping on beaches like some Tantric Dharma bum.

In a sense, Kali is the most assertive personification of the Kundalini energy, the initial agenda of which is to cleanse that which is not pure from the psyche and soma. Fear, pain, anger, judgment, these patterns must be released before spiritual rebirth can occur. For the world in which we currently live, it is best to activate Kundalini gradually while increasing one’s ability to let go of the past fearlessly, to integrate, and to be grounded. So, I would say, be careful with Kali, she might chop off your “death head” and force you to experience timeless Bliss! Don’t try this on your own at home, boys and girls. Be prepared and have teachers who know what they are doing. Copyright 2006, Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part2: Indra Jaal, Magic, and Siddhis

Instruction & Coaching

Storing Life Force
What makes the third chakra and its emotions and agendas so powerful is, well, power. Power in the sense of the pure life force stored in this area. The third chakra is like a battery; life force is stored as potential. This energy is rarely stored as true potential, in the electrical sense. A battery can sit and store its electricity for a long period of time. People however are dynamic living bioelectrical systems. Human life force is a power that is active; it needs somewhere to flow to, something to do. Whether your karmic agenda is anger and manipulation, or self-healing and enlightenment, vast quantities of bioenergy are needed.

The Third Chakra

One basic function of Tantric and Taoist practices is to generate and store in the third chakra the energy needed to walk your own spiritual path with freedom and courage, whether or not your friends, family, or culture supports this. Primates, including humans, have invested millions of years in creating social structures that maximize safety and survival. The “herd instinct” is to limit the amount of freedom an individual can have. This is a sort of default brain stem reaction born of fear of potential harm to the group, and what is born in fear blossoms into judgment, stubbornness, resistance, anger, hatred, manipulation, and violence. This ancient, and virtually autonomic, limbic reaction is grossly maladaptive for how we as a species need to evolve. The energy bound by the imprints of these dark emotions needs to be extracted and recycled at the third chakra. If we can let go of our insistence on pain, fear, and anger, we can reprogram these lower chakras to deliver the life force necessary to ascend into self-realization, thus insuring our survival as a species into the next millennium.

The Anatomy of Power
The third chakra is relatively large in size. Apparently, in its function as a storage area for the power that all action requires, it needs somatic mass. At its lower border, the third chakra is referred to by the Taoists as the lower Tan Tien, sometimes called the Field Of Elixir, or the Hara in Japanese. Anatomically close to the sexual energies of the first two chakras, this is the point that all martial arts training uses to collect power. Perhaps its physical closeness to the chakras mediating sex energy is one reason we seem to mix together elements of sexuality, power, and even violence.

Included in this energetic family are the sub-chakras of the navel. The uppermost border of the third chakra is the solar plexus. © 2008 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 4: The Mystery of the Solar Plexus

The 3rd Chakra and the Spiritual Purpose of Power Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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Tantric Qigong™

Presencing™

Qigong and Fibromyalgia

Q: A.M. writes: I am a Fibromyalgia sufferer for 7 years now and I have been practicing qigong (not as regularly as I would like, but…) for the last 3 years. However I find that the most useful technique for coping with my fibromyalgia is meditation. It targets the pain directly and allowed me to stop taking marijuana for the ever-present nerve pain. Just knowing that I had some control over the situation was a tremendous weight off of my chest and it helped to end the vicious emotional cycle caused by feeling powerless. Now I have developed somewhat of a routine where I periodically use marijuana in conjunction with my qigong (because I find it twice or three times as powerful that way). I have all but cured myself but for some minor lingering pain. Right now I practice sporadically and my progress is relative slow but steady. Anyway, I am curious to hear any of your thoughts on the subject.

A: Yes, the combination of qigong and meditation can be quite effective, as the results in the original research project indicate. (see: Qigong & Fibromyalgia: From the Arthritis Care and Research study)
I believe that fibromyalgia is characterized by a sort of energetic “congestion” that afflicts the muscles and nerves, and the noticeable symptoms are pain, fatigue, and stiffness. It seems to me that there are two categories of possible intervention here: treating the pain, and treating the underlying energetic congestion.

Blocking Pain
Interventions include the use of pharmaceutical analgesics, hypnosis, and meditation and visualization. The use of drugs in treating this condition is best discussed in a medical forum, however I will comment of the use of hypnosis and meditation.

The utilization of techniques such as hypnosis and meditation, particularly meditation that includes visualization, has been effective for numerous conditions, including pain reduction. While these modes of non-pharmacological analgesia provide a valuable alternative, especially where narcotics might be medically indicated, I would also like to observe that they do not necessarily treat underlying causation. Blocking pain is not always restorative, and can sometimes mask an ongoing disease process. It is difficult to make generalizations, since there are many forms and applications of these modalities. I would say however, that if one’s meditation is oriented solely towards pain relief, it is likely to be more palliative than curative.

Relieving Underlying Energetic Congestion
Qigong, as well as T’ai Chi Chuan, is a form of “Taoism in Action,” concerned with flow and balance. Just as the yin yang symbol intimates, there is a dynamic equilibrium between polarities, and from this derives all personal, social, and natural manifestations. Any disparity between these energies will automatically initiate a correction. The more severe the imbalance, the more rigorous and dramatic the adjustment. Since our American culture does not fully support deep, impartial inquiries into cause and effect, we often blindly intervene without any intuitive sense of the consequences. This leads to a certain ignorance in not only health issues, but personal, social, environmental, and political endeavors.

When I use the term “energetic congestion,” I do so in the sense of imbalance and inhibition of flow. This disruption of our natural state of grace results in all forms of dis-ease, physical and emotional; individual and social; in nature and in humankind. In addition to qigong, modalities that facilitate an efficient return to balance include T’ai Chi, acupuncture, Bioenergetics, and certain forms of Tantra and Kundalini Yoga.

Marijuana, though it has increasing medical applications, may not be the best treatment choice. Marijuana has little analgesic effect in a strict sense. It’s effectiveness may be due to its gentle sedative and muscle relaxant qualities. This certainly could decrease the aggravation of neuromuscular pain. One of the drawbacks to this approach is that marijuana tends to have a rebound effect as a relaxant. Just like pharmaceutical muscle relaxants, it has a propensity to have the opposite effect a period of time after it is metabolized, that is, it tends to tighten the muscles afterward. Progressive relaxation ( Journey to the primal Sea, At the Beach) is a technique with no rebound or side effects, and thus may be more efficacious in the longer term, at least as a muscle relaxant.

There are many forms of qigong. The system of qigong and energy yoga that I teach has a physical and emotional balancing effect that can be achieved in as little as ten minutes of practice each day, though longer practice may result in deeper benefits. This style of energy mastery is a balance of internal and external approaches. There is a meditative aspect and a more physical outer element. Gently stretching the muscles in coordination with the mind and breath, and without irritation or fatigue, allows one’s vital energy to move unimpeded in a balanced manner. This combination of gentle movement, attentiveness, and judicious activation of one’s life-force can alleviate energy blockages, and effect improvement on physical, mental, and emotional levels.

Note: Though the classes and seminars that I present are effective for a broad spectrum of persons, those with a specific acute or chronic physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual condition may need personal evaluation and enhancement of the standard training program. This is best effected, at least initially, through personalized consultation. (c) 2004 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Instruction & Coaching email for info on instruction

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