Zhan Zhuang and Lin Kong Jing

[Kam]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and just wanted some advice...

Bought a book a while back by Paul Dong called Powerful Empty Force, or Lin Kong Jing. It was basically an introduction into standing meditiation postures with a view to building up martial Chi.

One of the end results of this training was said to be an ability to project Chi to effect an opponent at distance. I wasn't too interested in that aspect, just in the standing postures themselves as i was led to believe that this type of training was excellent for Chi development in general, as well as posture, grounding, stances etc...

I've since come across several articles on the net, in other forums etc... where Lin Kong Jing is trashed a little as a methodology and that the book itself that I bought may not be sufficient to even begin a study into standing postures and the like....

....which leads me into the advice I need; Is Lin Kong Jing a viable method for Chi cultivation. Also the primary posture that is tought - Feet shoulder width, arms forward at a 45 degree angle, palms down (as if resting on a table mid-torso height) - is vastly different from the 'clutching a large beach-ball' posture that has been mentioned on this site several times.

Thanks,

Kam.

[PhDPeddler]

Depends on you. If it works good for you ( the info out of the book) then keep it at that. Don't worry about the trash talk, thats all it is.

[Kam]

OK, I guess what I'm really looking for is people who have practiced Lin Kong Jing (or something similar) to offer their opinions on it's effectiveness.

Also I'm looking from other Chi Gung practitioners to offer their views on successful or valid postures for beginning standing on stake exercise....

Kam.

[fallen_milkman]

I have two useful bits of info for you, but I know nothing of the book you mentioned.

1. Chi gung is hard to learn effectively without an instructor to guide you.

2. If you can't find an instructor, I'd look up a website or a book on a set of chi gung exercises known as The Eight Pieces of Brocade. It is relatively easy to learn, even on your own, and is supposed to be very good for your health. We do this in my kuntao classes, but I haven't been doing it long enough to say whether there has been a positve change. My teacher is crazy about its effectivness, and I trust his judegement.

[kiba no chi]

if the book you read said lkj is a good start for beginers... i sell it, it might have some info but lkj is primarily an advanced tec.

[Threads of Fate]

Yes, but then again the writer might be a fake.

[Empty Flower]

Chi exists - ways to develope it exist.

Chi is within you and around you all the time.

Just use your imagination and experiment for yourself. Thats the best way to learn at the start. Do not worry too much about whether a book is 'fake' or not. Just experiment and you will discover what is true !

Using the 'beach ball' of energy is good a exercise- so is the 'Micro Cosmic Orbit' The key is when you can actually 'feel' the Chi - thats when the real learning starts. It's not as difficult as you may think!!

You will just have to put up with other peoples scepticism. Some times Chi sounds too esoteric for many and thier apparent failure at it's cultivation leads to a negative view. You must know your own mind and follow your inclinations.

Hope this helps.

[Kam]

Thanks for the advice.

One last clarification: I am an advocate of Chi/Ki and am not looking for a discussion on the nature or reality of it's existence. I am aware that there are several tried and tested 'standing stake' type methods for Chi development - I'm looking to learn some.

One thing I'd like to know is has anyone tried the LKJ technique I described in my first post?

Secondly can anyone offer another standing posture I could try (with direction) that is known as a good chi developer.

Just for further information - I currently study Aikido and am looking into Kyusho-Jitsu at the moment, I was recently made aware of the possibility that the founder of Aikido practiced very specific Chi development exercises, that helped him develop his internal power. These techniques are not widely taught in Aikido schools so I'm looking to do some personal training.

[dtstiachi]

try Zhan Zhuang training. Stand with your feet 1 1/2 shoulder widths apart, keep your butt tucked in, back straight, knees over your toes, headtop suspended, shoulders draped. and breathe deeply into your belly. then raise your hands up to shoulder level and hold your palms as if you are holding a ball. There are several different postures in which one can stand to aid in chi cultivation. as for being able to project chi and choot chi at people. Save it for the movies. Zhan Zhuang will not give you "force powers" but it will aid you in what you are looking to do. Be patient, it takes time to build up your Chi to high levels. (Try holding your pose for 1 hour, then let me know how you feel.) Keep practicing and let us know how you are doing. If we can help, let us know.

[sei1234]

thanks to all of you, i think the book "empty force" by paul dong will do it for me

greetings