Entering the Demon - Cause and Prevention

[Yue]

Does anyone know how one becomes "bewitched" by entering the demon, and how to prevent it? That is the one element of small circulation I do not understand.

[Dvivid]

Short answer: Don't lead qi into your brain. Don't focus your attention on the tricky gates. Don't let your mind wander during practice. Don't let any susperstitious ideas or preconceived notions influence your meditation experience. The practice should be simple, relaxing, and enjoyable. Don't worry. Once you understand the theory in the book, you can practice without concern and focus on turning your attention inward.

This thread has more info:
http://www.ymaa.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1608

[Yue]

Don't lead qi into the brain? But what about the Xi Sui Jing training? Isn't that leading qi into the brain?

[Dvivid]

The idea though is to develop your small circulation to be very strong before you ever move on to that...

Your question pertained to Small Circulation...yes, later when you're ready, you may move on to Xi Sui Jing...or maybe decide not to...

[Yue]

Oh, I understand now. Thank you.

[yeniseri]

Not letting qi into the brain does not make sense because we are surrounded by qi and we get it from the nutrition we take in.

"Devil running fire" refers to adverse symptoms that one experiences when participating in qigong and based on the chinese language references, said reference is as if the devil got into the person so it is figurative language at best, and /or non recognition of mental or psychiatric disorders that may not be diagnosed.
In its simple stage, it is easily tolerable but left alone to proliferate, it can grow into something more serious!

This can pertain to small or large circulation so do not hurry training and take it easy!

[gnoqis]

Not letting qi into the brain does not make sense

The point is about not leading Qi into the brain. Leading and letting are not the same thing.

[Dvivid]

Exactly. Our brain is full of Qi. Every living cell in your body is full of Qi.

But, energy follows consciousness. The Yi leads the Qi.

Wherever you focus your attention Qi accumulates.

Don't lead Qi through the spine into the brain. Don't lead Qi through any of the acupuncture points of the head into the brain.

[joeblast]

I had a weird experience last night...I've been working on small circulation in my nightly meditation, and I was sitting there pretty still...felt qi going up my back in waves of sorts from roughly GV8/9 to 13/14 or so...times like that when I do pulling down heavens I feel staticky all over my torso & arms. Every so often I am still reminding myself to return yi to ldt. Anyway, a while after that I had a pretty odd head trip, almost like my midbrain/thalamus (tough to pinpoint exactly, but it was center) was pulsating a bit. The sensation grew almost in a Y shape as if it traveled upwards and out the left & right hemispheres, but once it reached that extent it felt remotely dizzying - but I didnt feel like I was going to tip over...just an odd sensation that's tough to describe...like the feeling that I was turning my head back and forth a couple degrees, almost a remote feeling of...torsion? (not tension though) As if the lobes were gently rotating opposite spins....remotely like the 'rolling' you experience when you've had too much to drink in that you feel movement of sorts but there is none, only it wasnt painful, unpleasant, or disturbing. Interestingly, I was completely still the whole time and the sensation was all brain. I didnt get disturbed by it or anything, my level of awareness stayed the same, yet it felt like my level of consciousness went...deeper, in an ambiguous way. (all observations/recollections after the fact.)

I didnt intentionally do all of that...but about that time I did intentionally bring my attention back to the ldt - after a short while the brain sensation left calmly, I continued breathing for a time, then did my post meditation stuff. (massage, healing sounds)
*shrugs* I feel fine today...though I have been slightly 'out of sorts,' as it were, for most of the week. I havent really tried to discern any meaning from that...quirk, of sorts?

I have been reading a lot about the brain recently, though...in the 700 page zen & the brain book I bought a few weeks ago. Massively complex, addictively interesting...I havent been 'trying' anything though...just keeping my focus on the basics of small circulation...not that there is a 'try' but perhaps since my subconscious has a lot of...itself? in parsing lately, it might have welled from there.

That experience isnt like one I had a month or two ago, though. I got my breaths very long, about 40 seconds for a complete breath, and I felt some ridiculous stillness to the point where I almost felt like I disappeared, didnt even feel like I was breathing even though I was. After a while of 'trying to do that again' I remembered that you cant wish such states upon yourself...but that was one of the coolest things I've experienced so far.

[Yue]

"In its simple stage, it is easily tolerable but left alone to proliferate, it can grow into something more serious!"

What do you mean? How does this happen?

[joeblast]

...as in overloading your brain too much can burn stuff out and cause dissociative mental states, on the extreme. on the minor side, some headaches.

[Yue]

So as long as I don't lead too much qi into the brain I should be fine?

[joeblast]

That's what everyone just said about it

[Yue]

Just making sure.

[Dvivid]

Don't LEAD any Qi to the brain.

When you focus your attention inside the spine (thrusting vessel - chong mai) or inside the brain, it is very risky.

Instead, relax the mind, allow the thoughts to settle and gather in the center, and hold your attention instead either in the real lower dan tian or in the small circulation. Don't let your thoughts wander.

This thread is leading too much Qi to my brain!

[Dvivid]

http://www.ymaa.com/publishing/dvd/new