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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A  Taste  of  Tantra™

An evening of Tantric Bliss, joy, & rediscovering our essential selves.

“Tantra” means weaving together the Earthly and the Divine. By expanding our
consciousness, we stretch the boundaries of our self-definition & so discover our higher nature.

Jade Garden Tantra is a complete and systematic course in Taoist Tantric Kriya Yoga and an accelerated path toward mastery of emotional, physical, mental & spiritual energies. Experience a small taste of this powerful, joyful practice! Unite your sensual and spiritual selves!

This is both an introduction for beginners and sadhana for initiates.

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- Learn how you can Play your Way to Enlightenment!
- Learn techniques for generating & transmuting energy.
- Unfold the Divine in yourself & transform your relationships into Divine Communion.
- Open your heart to Infinite Love.
- Be introduced to powerful techniques for Evolution,  Empowerment and Spiritual Bliss.
- Experience serenity, & the joy of connecting your heart & soul with others.
- Use your primal energy to improve your physical, emotional, and spiritual well being

This workshop is for singles and couples and you will learn techniques that you can do at home. Non sexual.

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Extended Orgasm, Tantra, & Spiritual Awakening

Yab Yum is used to prevent premature ejaculation and to raise Kundalini

In Western Neo-Tantra, orgasm extension (or tantric orgasm, extended orgasm, expanded orgasm, or multiple orgasms) is represented mainly as a tool for increasing and prolonging pleasure, preventing premature ejaculation, etc. This obviously has benefit individually and on a social level, especially if your society has deep puritanical roots and ambivalence toward receiving pleasure. While this negative judgment of the value of pleasure may not seem so apparent to those immersed in it, it is a very strong societal and religious judgment, both culturally and in the individual’s subconscious.

A Cultural Rorschach Test:
Which do you find more objectionable?
1. The glorification of violence on the gridiron
2. Janet Jackson’s nipple

To a culture that represses sexual life force (Shakti Kundalini, Jing) and the creative expression and reception of pleasure, while focusing on denial, judgment, and violence, anything which promotes one’s hedonic surrender to pleasure and acceptance is desirable and healthy.

Ego, Karma, and Freedom
In authentic Tantra, the agenda goes far beyond the Pleasure Principle towards that of Awakening and Enlightenment. What keeps us asleep in the spiritual sense, is our stubborn resistance and defensiveness. As a function of ego and experience (Karma), these forces keep our perception of ourselves and our personal freedom small and limited, thus reducing our ability to perceive and encompass that which we identify as the larger external world. In fact, this barrier (Duality) between the egoistic self and the universe is artificial and perceptual. But we do insist on it.

A certain amount of ego is necessary for self-preservation, but to anyone who has had a deep experience of the mystical, it is obvious that we overuse the ego’s defensive nature and therefore limit what we can perceive, what and who we can Be. It is the function of any type of Kundalini work, whether Taoist, Tibetan, or Tantric, to increase energy and consciousness, burn karma, and set ourselves free. This goes beyond the mere extension of pleasure or the prevention of the leakage of semen.

To achieve freedom and this larger experience of Self, karma must be burnt. In a way, karmic patterns are just crappy emotional, mental and physical habits that block life force and consciousness.

But we have grown very attached to these habits.

They have become so ingratiated into our thoughts, perceptions, feelings, actions, and our very subconscious definition of Self (ego), that it seems that that these patterns are truly part of us, instead of the operational software that they really are. To alter or let go of these habits is very threatening to the ego’s sense of self survival and is resisted and defended against as if spiritual growth were a life threatening condition. That is why authentic personal growth is so unlikely, or so glacially slow.

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Shakti Kundalini and Personal Growth
Through enrolling the Shakti Kundalini, the sexual energy (Jing, Ching)), in ascending physically within the body, Tantra adds a powerful ally to the process of personal growth and evolution. If not spent through ejaculation and uncontrolled apana, this energy can rise and begin to erase karmic habits and self-limitations. This can happen in a general way through the application of delay techniques with a pure (spiritual) Intention, but can be made much more powerful by applying certain secret techniques, and directing the Shakti Kundalini through specific channels and centers.

Raising Shakti Kundalini with Yab Yum can result in Higher Consciousness and Enlightenment

Not all orgasm delay techniques are valuable for these purposes. For instance, the commonly cited technique for men, squeezing the glans as ejaculation is imminent, does little to redirect Shakti Kundalini. Neither does mentally making a shopping list, reciting sports statistics, or reviewing stock market averages.

Tantric Kundalini Techniques for Spiritual Awakening
Basic Tantric Kundalini techniques for redirecting orgasmic energy for spiritual evolution and Enlightenment include:

The Perineal Press and the Testicle Stretch in the Tantric Transformation series, part 6
Root Lock: and Prana Mudra: Tantric Transformation part 1
Transmuting to the Heart: Tantric Transformation Part 2
Belly / Chest Breath: Tantric Transformation Part 3
Sexual Hong Sau: Tantric Transformation Part 4
Sexual Surrender: Tantric Transformation Part 5

Of course, some of these techniques for raising, directing, and transmuting Kundalini energy can be done without the sexual component. In fact, for most people it will be easier and safer to learn and master these Tantric Kundalini techniques non-sexually through individual practice. © 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

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Kundalini or Heart Attack?

This article relates to: Orgasmic Kundalini Rush, Tantric Taoist Awakening

Q. Heather42 asks: Just checking, but you do realize these are similar to symptoms of heart attack? Some preliminary heart attack events do not necessarily involve chest pain, and/or the person can be asleep during the chest pain phase. The time frame of early morning, abdominal tingling, and immobility, especially of arms, are all classic symptoms associated with heart attack. Has Scott had his heart checked lately?

A. Rev. Hall: Thank you for your concern. I am sure that Scott appreciates it. Perhaps at his next physical, an EKG could be run to rule out any atypical cardiac abnormalities. Though it seems unlikely, it would do no harm to have a test run. I am not a physician, so I cannot speak to whether there is a rare cardiac symptomatology that would match the experience Scott is having. The experiences Scott is having are rather common for those who are having quasi - Kundalini or Shakti Prana experiences, but seem rather atypical for cardiac problems. To further delineate:

1. No Pain: Typically, though not always, a cardiac event will entail angina often radiating down the left arm. Though there are cases of cardiac events where patients do not recall any pain, Scott claims numerous Kundalini experiences, distinctly remembered, never with any angina or arm pain.

2. Pleasure: Scott recounts how these events are quite pleasurable to him. This is quite common among meditators who are moving Shakti Prana ( Shakti Kundalini ) and have low fear and karmic resistance to this bioenergy movement. The pleasurable sensations also can become distinctly Tantric in nature for some people. I have never heard of any cardiac events described this way.

3. Creativity: Scott says “When I wake up I feel different, slightly energized, slightly creative.” This state of feeling quietly energized and creative is routinely reported by practitioners of Kriya Kundalini techniques, especially with Tumo and Cobra Breath. It seems to be one of the hallmarks of Shakti Prana as the energy moves into the higher Chakras, especially Ajna ( the Third Eye. )

4. Paralysis: Scott: “I am a sleep or half asleep when it happens 4:30 to 6:00 (AM)…it is never painful but pleasurable, I have tried to move my arm to share it with my wife, but generally can’t move (my) arm, except once, I am awake at this point trying to enjoy and understand it. ”

As I understand Scott’s description of this aspect of his experience, it is likely that he is having what sleep researchers call “sleep paralysis”, a state often linked to lucid dreaming and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. When it occurs in REM sleep it is called REM atonia. This state is characterized by paralysis shortly after waking up (hypnopompic paralysis) or, shortly before falling asleep (hypnagogic paralysis). This happens when the sleeper is awakened from an REM state into a fully awake state, causing the person to be aware, but unable to move.

In the yogic tradition, this state is thought to be the “dream body” separating from the physical body, where out-of-body travel might occur. It is thought that one of the stages of the journey to enlightenment is “witnessing sleep,” being lucid and in a state of Witness Consciousness while asleep. A variation of this is present when you are in an authentic state of Yoga Nidra. Not the “Yoga Nidra” class you are taking with 10 other people, but the real deal, the Yoga Nidra Theta states familiar to Yoga Masters.

There is also a Hindu mythos that Rakshasas (Hindu demons) attack persons in this state to hinder their progress towards enlightenment. This pertains to those who experience a fear reaction in this state and is, in my opinion, an anthropomorphic external projection of the internal experience. That is, we create an external threat out of our internal fear. This can seem quite real.

5. Tantric and sexual in nature: Scott has stated: “It is very intense when it happens, it feels like an orgasm but different.”

Scott is experiencing a mild variant of the “full body orgasm” first discovered in the West by Wilhelm Reich. As we are able to let go of our neuroses, (our fears, frustrations, physical tensions, stress, our karma) and activate our life force ( Qi, Chi, Ki, or in this case Shakti Kundalini ), we can attain a highly charged energetic state of non genital full body orgasm which floods the entire body and psyche. In a kind of feedback loop, the orgasm itself then continues to release old neuromuscular tensions in the body (somatic karmic patterns).

This is cultivated in Tantra and is predicated on one’s ability to both charge the body with life force AND surrender to its flow. In Scott’s case, it is happening spontaneously after being relaxed by a full nights sleep, which lowers psychic and somatic karmic resistance. For many men, morning is a time when Tantric sexual energy can peak due to elevated testosterone, and a relaxed, rested state. Being able to share this with a partner in an awakened Tantric or Kundalini state (somatically and spiritually), can amplify the experience and one can attain ecstatic, transpersonal, often mystical states of awareness while speeding your liberation from your karmic patterns ( karma burning ).

Taoist Tantra training will enhance this process. This will, at minimum, improve your physical and mental well being, personal power, and creativity. If one attains an enlightened Bodhisattva consciousness, what began as personal accrual of bliss may radiate outward as a boon to humanity in general. (c) 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

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References:
Reich, Wilhelm The Function of the Orgasm: Discovery of the Orgone, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1986.

Conesa, J. (2002). Isolated Sleep Paralysis and Lucid Dreaming: Ten-year longitudinal case study and related dream frequencies, types, and categories. Sleep and Hypnosis, 4, (4), 132-143.

Schneck JM. Sleep paralysis and microsomatognosia with special reference to hypnotherapy . The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 1977; XXV:72-77.

Takeuchi T, Miyasita A, Sasaki Y, Inugami M, Fukuda K. Isolated sleep paralysis elicited by sleep interruption. American Sleep Disorders Association and Sleep Research Society, 1992; 15: 217-225.

Ohayon MM, Zulley J, Guilleminault C, Smirne, S. Prevalence and pathologic associations of sleep paralysis in the general population. Neurology, 1999; 52:1194-1200.

Taoism, Kundalini Yoga, and Tantra

Q. Athalsteinn writes: How do you resolve the conflicting practices and problem of circulating Prana in Kundalini Yoga while also being a practitioner of Taoist arts where Chi is circulated through the microcosmic orbit instead of stored in the head chakras?

A. Thank you for your excellent question. Yoga and Taoist practices share many similar techniques and paradigms while also having both subtle and dramatic differences. Each is a master system for human evolution abundant with complex subtleties that have developed over millennia. To try to concisely compare these practices is difficult because of the immense diversity and history of both the Hindu and Taoist theology, sociology, and methodology.

There have been many academics, e.g. Joseph Campbell, who have written a tonnage on the subject, though ultimately an analysis of that which is beyond the rational is fraught with difficulty, if not doomed to failure. However, I will endeavor to succinctly contrast these two cosmologies below.

By “Energy Yoga” I mean those yogic systems that deal with the mastery of life force, consciousness, and subtle energies, e.g. Kundalini Yoga, Tantra Yoga, etc. The “Taoism” I refer to is not just the philosophical precepts (I Ching, Tao Te Ching, etc.) but the concrete and pragmatic applications, e.g. Qigong, Nei Kung, T’ai Chi, Tantric Chi Kung, etc.

Comparison of Intention and Technique of Energy Yoga and Taoist practices

Intention
Energy Yoga: Return to Godhead.

...Kundalini & Tantra Intention & Technique: Ascension

Energy Yoga seeks Mystical union with God and this agenda informs yoga technology and practice. All religions have this desire in some form, more or less. Health and longevity are seen as necessary for a long enough life to accrue the needed mastery of technique and wisdom to apply it in an ethical and karmically beneficial manner.

Taoism: Creation of harmony, empowerment, longevity / immortality
Taoism is more concerned with achieving inner and outer harmony, personal power, optimization of health, and achieving longevity or immortality; though there are esoteric sects that have a Buddhist or other religious and / or spiritual nature. Study of Qigong, T’ai Chi, the I Ching, and Tao Te Ching are spiritual pathways to attaining health, harmony, and spiritual power.

Attainment of great mystical power (siddhis) is a phenomenon shared by both Yoga and Taoism, and those practitioners without true Masters are inevitably lured by this detour on the path of pure intent.

Spiritual Technique
Energy Yoga: Ascension
Energy Yoga’s desire to achieve Divine Unity is expressed in orthodox schools through techniques that increase consciousness and raise life force through the body in various ways. In it’s most zealous forms, ascetic yogis seek to “park” the body so that the consciousness of the aspirant may leave its confines to seek unity with God. More unorthodox schools (left hand path), e.g., Tantra Yoga, may raise, lower, and circulate energies ( ci, Qi, Ki, Prana, Kundalini) for numerous rationales, one of which is the axiom that “The Kingdom of Heaven is within.” i.e., The Divine meets the human within the temple of the body. (See the discussion of Red and White Tantra)

Taoism: Circulation

Taoist Tantric Intention & Technique: Circulation....

What is considered a “left hand” path in Yoga is more orthodox in Taoist practice. Much practice is invested in a multitude of techniques for generating and circulating life force (Chi, Qi, Ki), personal power, healing the body, creating personal and social balance (harmony). Mystical experiences that are not centered in the body are less interesting to many Taoists.

The Middle Path
Surveys show that 80% of Americans feel that religion plays an important part in their lives. Yet we remain a highly materialistic, competitive, violent culture. Certainly our approach to institutional religion is highly dogmatic and sometimes extraordinarily judgmental. America is not alone in this. Throughout history, cultures have been shaped, and wars instigated, by religious zealots. Is this spiritual hubris a cause or consequence of personal and social arrogance and rigteousness, or is it both?

Tantric Taoist Tree: Heaven & Earth, Yin & Yang.

Of course, both Chinese culture and that of the Indian subcontinent have aspects of this also. Due to caste doctrine, Brahmins could only practice Tantra in secret. The great wisdom of the Tao was often utilized for pugilism (there are actually T’ai Chi and Qi Gong competitions!) It is just that it is more difficult to see and extract oneself from the psychosocial-religious ideology that one was born into and imprinted by.

Ideally, a middle approach includes a balance of earthly and spiritual intents restorative to mind, body, and spirit. A congruence of strength and compassion, expression and tolerance, freedom and temperance, ascension and embodiment, physical pleasure and transcendental bliss. Tantric Qigong is such a method. Its Taoist and Yogic elements promote health, harmony, empowerment, composure, personal freedom and, if one desires, a foundation for spiritual evolution, ethos and enlightenment.

10 Minutes to A Healthier You!(sm) is a highly efficient system of Tantric Qigong adjusted to the lifestyle and mindset of contemporary Westerners. © 2002 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

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Red Tantra, White Tantra
Q: Bamise writes: I have a couple of questions. I am not very ‘deep’ in Tantra, so I know that there are many things I do not know about Tantra–could you explain what is White and Red Tantra?

A: The short answer is that Red Tantra is focused on sensuality and sexuality, while White Tantra is more oriented towards a spiritual approach. There is also Black Tantra which is obsessed with power and its permutations, e.g., siddhis, manipulation, control, etc.

White Tantra

White Tantric Tara

White Tantra evolved in a disciplined way from the more ascetic yogic traditions. Like many other yogas, White Tantra endeavors to transcend the ego through disciplined mental and physical practices under the guidance of a teacher. While containing aspects of many standard Yogic asanas, Pranayama, and doctrine, White Tantric traditions are often characterized by an accelerated approach. In essence, the practice of White Tantric Kundalini Yoga, Kriya Yoga, etc., is rather pushy and fast. “Evolution now!” might be its motto. This is attractive to Westerners, particularly Americans, as our world seems to be continually speeding up. On the other hand, this approach can also create a lot of arrogance, students and teachers being sure they are on the express train to enlightenment, and some pain and confusion as our egos are quickly challenged. In the East, this is counterbalanced by teachers and students surrendering to their Gurus and lineage, accepting the wisdom of the sages and consenting to be “mentored” by them. The difficulty in the U.S. is that we really don’t wish to surrender to anyone!

Red Tantra

Red Tantra evolved as the “bad boy” of the Yogas. Seeing that yogic and even White Tantric approaches could create their own spiritual materialism, Red Tantra was created as a kind of yogic “shock therapy”. Having something in common with the Dionysian traditions of Greece, Red Tantra was the antidote to strict Hindu caste structure. Pujas often were orgiastic in nature, utilizing, among other techniques, sex, drugs, and wild dancing (Doesn’t this sound a little like our contemporary Bacchanals: Dead concerts and Raves?).

Red Tantric Tara

Often one was forbidden to practice the sexual techniques with one’s own spouse, or even with another of the same caste. Ritualistically challenging one’s persona, social and ethical values, prejudices, expectations, resulted in the stripping away of one’s “comfort zone”, our usual ways of perception, intellection, and judgment. This could result in a state of Transcendence and Presence and an innate realization that we are more than our collection of socially conditioned responses, perceptions, prejudices, rules, and preferences. Like White Tantra, this approach has a certain built in aggressiveness and does require surrender to the teacher’s guidance to be safe and effective.

Tantra is a Maha Yoga or Master Tradition. It is very ancient and many practitioners have conflicting judgments on what Tantra is. Of course, this is because each practitioner has only a partial experience, perceptions, or concept of Tantra. Teachers will teach from their experience, which is shaped by their perceptions and comfort level. It can be interesting to look at this in terms of the Chakra System and how we tend to get “stuck” or fixated at certain Chakra levels. As in most things, there are two sides to each Chakra. I will list here each Chakra’s issues (which can be a sort of wounding) and the compensatory desires associated with each. Starting with the lower 3 Chakras:

Chakra imbalance—————————-attachments, what we seek:

First chakra: fear of death ——————— courage, abundance or money
Second chakra: emotional pain—————- pleasure, ecstatic sex and sensuality
Third chakra: anger, violence, manipulation——–siddhis, power(self control)

The Higher Chakras are presumed to be the more “spiritual” Chakras. Perhaps this is a little more complicated than it may seem. We can easily become fixated at these higher Chakras as an escape from the world and our unresolved issues of the lower Chakras. Starting with the throat Chakra (5th):

Chakra imbalance—————————-attachments, what we seek:

Fifth Chakra: poor expression———————- creative self-expression, bliss, purity
Sixth Chakra: psychosis, cerebral escape—psychic powers, harmony, intelligence, mental yogas
Seventh Chakra: atheism, disbelief, dogmatism, dilettantism–transcendence, out of body travel, asceticism

Both the lower and upper 3 Chakras naturally seek to balance their closed and open (yin and yang, dark and light) aspects and also desire full balance or alignment with each other. In other words, evolution requires each energy center to be in balance within itself and with the others. Being fixated in the lower 3 Chakras means we are lost in the world. Fixation in the higher Chakras often means a rejection of the world. Neither is complete. Of course, this is just a summary and there can be an almost rococo complexity as the Chakras interact with each other and their imbalances and agendas.

By now, some of you may have noticed that we skipped a major Chakra. This is a case of perhaps saving the best for last. The Fourth Chakra, the Heart.

The Heart is the center where it can be most easy to combine and integrate upper and lower energies. The Earthly and Heavenly, World and Spirit, Transcendence and Acceptance. In my experience, this Chakra has its own unique balance within itself and in its relationship to the other high and low centers. The heart concerns itself with Unconditional Love, acceptance, forgiveness, and gratitude. This is a direct mixing of our human nature and our experience of the Divine. The heart is a sweet space in that it holds no judgements, gratefully accepts and forgives ourselves and others, and creates connection and loving support.

When not fully ready to open, the issue of the heart is “yearning“. Yearning for connection and Unconditional Love, on a human and Divine level. This yearning is a hunger so deep that we often throw ourselves into a search for its satiation or to be distracted from its persistent (though at times subconscious) desire. Since we have so little experience with Unconditional Love, we often mistake this yearning for other things and may cast about searching for them. Examples of “substitute yearning” can include sex, perfect partnership, intellectual and artistic distractions, money, power, obsession with success and our careers, spiritual dilettantism and dogmatism. We can also simply react with pain, fear, anger, depression, violence, self loathing, judgment and prejudice and a host of other distractions. On some reflection one can see that our social world really has many more of these other energies moving through it than true Unconditional Love. When our heart’s desire is frustrated or denied in some way, it seems we can easily perceive a lack of unconditional support for our precious hearts, and we quickly retreat to the agendas of the lower Chakras or the higher, or both!

We can read about archetypes of Unconditional Love in traditional scriptures (the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Tara, born of the tears shed by the Buddha in compassion, etc), and we can see some contemporary examples e.g., Mother Teresa, yet how can be manifest this principle within ourselves? Can we create through intellection and philosophy? Good works, right action, traditional spiritual practices, faith? Or is their another way? We invite your feedback.Copyright 1997-2009, Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

If you have a question on Tantra or the Spiritual Path in general that you would like to have answered, please email us your question. All questions submitted and answers given become the property of Jade Garden Tantra and Inner Tranquility, and are copyrighted by Rev. Keith E. Hall

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“Love alone is capable of uniting human beings in such a way as to complete and fulfill them, for it takes them and joins them by what is deepest in themselves.” -Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

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A woman’s Orgasmic Rush, Kriyas, & Arousal

Q. Elizabeth: Just wanted to let you know that I found this exchange ( Orgasmic Kundalini Rush, Tantric Taoist Awakening ) incredibly interesting and enlightening. I occasionally have similar experiences, always either directly upon awakening or when in a completely relaxed state…I have always simply attributed it to some of the best orgasms I have ever had - an incredible gift! Never really spent much time trying to analyze the experiences, just appreciate when it happens and hope like hell I will be blessed with another one again soon! What has always struck me as strange about the whole thing is that I am not aware of sexual dreams/thoughts or feelings prior to or while it happens.

I have learned over time how to lengthen the experience once it starts, but for the most part it runs the show all by itself. It has always been clear to me that while some part of it may indeed be rooted in sexuality, it seems to be generated completely in and/or through the mind…I have learned that sometimes I can “help” to lengthen the experience…the description given by this gentleman described my experiences very closely…

Rev. Hall: So, is this experience associated with or related to any sexual activity, directly or indirectly? Prior to or after?

Elizabeth: Perhaps indirectly, who knows? … But not directly in any way that I am aware of…I do know that there is absolutely no comparison to these occurrences and any orgasm I have ever experienced previously. These are so much more whole and encompassing and involve so much more of my complete self.

Rev. Hall: So, would you say there is no sexual arousal at this time?

Elizabeth: Most definitely incredible sexual arousal, completely different than anything I have ever experienced before. AND - it never begins with sexual arousal; rather, always leads to it as one of the end results. The other end results are feeling completely sated unlike anything ever experienced before, and at the same time completely at peace in every way possible - all is right and harmonic in my little piece of the world, if only for a brief time.

Rev. Hall: Would you say that relaxing into, or surrendering to the experience is a component of how you “help” lengthen it?

Elizabeth: Absolutely - I have learned that it requires a complete surrender of both mind and body - as I said earlier, it seems to assume a total control all by itself if I let it. Just takes me away for a brief time - kind of like a mini-vacation to some unknown destination. There is no sense of time. It has never scared me or seemed negative in any way, as powerful as it may be.

Rev. Hall: Once the experience begins, would you characterize it as sexual in the genital sense, sexual in a more diffuse “all over the body” sense, or non sexually pleasurable energy “flows”?

Elizabeth: Most definitely the entire body…both sexual energy AND energy flows throughout every part of my body and, just as importantly, in my mind. The end result obviously consists of genital pleasure, but that is almost a “side-effect” of the whole body experience. I never have to touch myself in any way, although I always end up completely undulating in some strange fashion - sometimes it’s hard to remember afterward exactly how my body did respond, I just remember smooth, rhythmic and steady movement - which is definitely one of the things that increases the length of the experience. That is one of the aspects of it that has always amazed me - the fact that I do NOT have to touch myself in anyway, but simply surrender to the movements of my body. All I know is that I will be eternally grateful if I continue to occasionally receive what I have come to know is an amazing gift.

Rev. Hall: The parts of your experience that I would like to comment on are your being present with surrender, relaxing, trust, and a sense of harmony and unification of mind and body.

Part 2: Relaxing, Surrender, and Trust

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Grounding & Can I get via the Internet?

Scott: Can I have your thoughts on this (unnamed website’s) grounding section?

Rev. Hall: I do not recommend trying anything of this sort via the Internet or books. It is hubris to think that one can safely and efficiently teach people one has never met these potentially life changing Kundalini meditations via a webpage. There is a value to websites that teach very simple techniques for relaxation and basic beginner’s meditation, but Kundalini work needs to be done personally with a guide who has “gone before.” No authentic and ethical teacher would hand out powerful techniques via the Internet or books in general circulation.

Let me make an analogy here. Let’s say you wanted to learn about brain surgery. You could go online and search for information, maybe even buy a medical text on this topic. If you were very attentive, you might be able to memorize the various techniques, and the order in which they might be done.

At this point we might begin to realize some difficulties. We need the tools, supplies and some experience to safely apply the technique. Where are you going to get the surgical tools, blood, drugs, and experienced guidance?

Now to make this metaphor even more ludicrous, remember we are trying to do the brain surgery on ourselves! Of course, no one in their right mind would attempt this. It would be stupid, arrogant, and unlikely to have a good outcome. We understand that this is silly because any modern adult has some basic understanding of what brain surgery is, who should be performing it (board certified surgeon), what kind of school should teach it (medical college), and what kind of environment it should occur in (hospital operating room).

My point is that, in contrast to our general familiarity with the concept of brain surgery, very few people in the West have an accurate perception of what Kundalini Awakening is, what it’s purpose is, and how to support it efficiently and safely. Within those cultures that have been familiar with this sort of Awakening for millennia, no one would try to do this on their own, anymore than any westerner would attempt brain surgery on themselves.

Anyone who thinks they can teach grounding or Kundalini activation solely through visualization is mistaken. Mental visualization is the least important aspect, and is generally not used at all in many schools of Taoist training. Though I use some visualization in training of students, this is a small part, and generally not the most efficient; though it can make the mind feel occupied and “safe.”

Other more efficient and dynamic aspects to this training include:

– Proper internal muscle control.
– Bioenergetic alignment and your “agreement” with gravity.
– Removal of muscular armoring.
– Emotional release / transmutation.
– Coordination of intent, visualization, muscular and energetic movement, and breath.

Ask any teacher who is competent and deeply experienced, and they will tell you that one cannot skip these steps, serious imbalance can result. It can be like trying to push too much voltage through too high a resistance, a short circuit and meltdown can occur. Conversely, it the resistance is vastly higher than one’s level of free life force, maybe nothing, or hardly anything, of an authentic energetic and evolutionary nature may occur.

If you master these rather simple aspects listed above, you can expect to experience:
– Increased awareness and intelligence.
– A noticeable improvement in your ability to open deeply to pleasure.
– Self responsibility and empowerment.
– Higher emotional “intelligence” and understanding.
– A gradual unifying of your disparate physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual selves.
and much, much more….

You need to be in the physical presence of an authentic teacher in my opinion. Cyber fantasy just won’t cut it…. © 2006 Keith E. Hall, All rights reserved.

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With proper training, The various Tantric and Taoist forms of energy awakening will:
– Promote better sex and relationships.
– Heal and rejuvenate the body.
– Improve creativity and productivity.
– Banish fear through personal empowerment.
– Facilitate inner and outer harmony.
– Unite Mind, Body, and Spirit for a Joyful Life!

I would suggest:

1. Seek out some Tantric Taoist Kundalini training. Though your experience is not Kundalini, strictly speaking, it could intensify and lead to an abrupt Kundalini Awakening. This can be spiritually auspicious, but very, very tricky.
2. Other systems that are familiar with these energies are Tantric Qigong, T’ai Chi, and Bioenergetic Analysis. The first two are ancient Taoist disciplines, Bioenergetic Analysis is a body oriented psychotherapy derived from the work of Dr. Wilhelm Reich and his student Alexander Lowen. These systems have a powerful, truly grounding aspect not present in a balanced way in other systems.

3. I am very familiar with this expression of life force that you are experiencing. If you cannot find a teacher in your area, I would be happy to work with you. Balance is what is needed to allow this expression of psyche and soma to continue to blossom easily, safely, and joyfully. © 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights Reserved.

Part 4: Grounding & Can I get via the Internet?

Instruction & Coaching

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Shakti Prana, Resistance, & Freedom

Shakti Prana is an expression of earthly chi and is often one of the first signs that one’s life force and spirit is seeking actualization, or liberation. It is characterized by uncontrolled, spontaneous movements of a mildly convulsive, undulating, or vibrating quality. It may happen in a sexual or nonsexual context, awake or asleep. It is called streaming, kriyas, and body orgasm by many. Those who call it Kundalini are ill informed as true Kundalini, though sharing some of these qualities, is different, and very powerful, potentially dangerous.

Shakti Prana becomes more apparent when this energy overcomes our resident resistance. Ordinarily we have enough energy to run our minds, bodies, emotions at a certain level. Either by increasing our life force, or decreasing our resistance, there will then be a surplus of energy available. You are experiencing this surplus as an energized pleasure and enhanced creativity. This is a very normal experience in this state.

Resistance tends to keep our energy “locked down,” allowing just enough life force so we may participate in the dream of the herd, our social consensual reality. Resistance is mostly fear. It can have a touch of sadness or anger or many subtle variants, but the main force that keeps our energy low is simply fear. Anxiety. Stress. Being ill at ease. Call it whatever you want, fear is the glue that holds us to our illusions.

Freedom involves giving up our “death wish,” our dream of fear and suffering. Few people authentically do this, though we may pretend to. We are supremely resistant to accepting the power, joy, and pleasure that is our birthright, preferring the mild amusements, silent desperation, and secret yearnings of our materially obsessed world. This resistance is not only of the mind, it is very present and deeply stored within the body. We may fool ourselves and others, but our bodies are always telling us the truth, if we could but listen.

When these sort of energy events begin to occur, whether spontaneously, or because of diligent training and practice, it is always an important signpost on the evolutionary highway. The expression or form that the energy takes may vary greatly and depends on the ego fixation and the ratio of energy to resistance of the individual in this present time. Some people experience great pleasure or bliss, others may experience some confusion or other expression of the shadow side at first.

Energy free and strong enough to move the physical body spontaneously can heal and set you free! © 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 3: Suggestions

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