Chi Energy and the Binge Zone

by Don E. Brown II, MSIS
Certified Instructor; The School of Chi Energy

When I first began training with Sifu Jones, he gave me a heads-up as to the upcoming “binges” I would experience during the chi building process.  Please note: the early phases of the bioenergy training were “yang” principles, not the current “yin” method.

I soon became intimately aware of “The Binge”.  In order to make sense of and compensate for the increased energy throughput and internal pressure, my body began physical cravings at hyper-levels of the extreme.  Others training with us at the time felt the same urges, and [sadly] we grew comfortable with the cycles.

Upon switching over to the “yin” method of training, although the binges decreased by an order of magnitude, they did not desist.   In fact, at the time of writing this article, I am aware that I am at the tail end of such a binge [note the “lowercase “b”].  At this juncture of my training, I can certainly make sense of the reasons why: my chi forms are coming in with increased clarity for longer periods of time and my energy throughput is at an all-time high.  Furthermore, increases in energy require a recalibration of tones and temperature.  The level of repetitive mindfulness is akin to running athletic drills in an attempt to develop muscle memory; the goal here is that these attributes become the standard, a “baseline” if you will, so no additional thought is required.

And therein lies the challenge.

As discussed in the article “People Can Exercise Only So Much Self-control”, it turns out humans have a finite amount of energy which we can lend towards self-control/willpower.  In fact, it was the opening sentence that grabbed my attention and spoke truth to me:

“People who overtax their self-control may find they have less in reserve for later, suggests an intriguing new study that may have implications for people trying to lose weight or make other behavioral changes.”

During the 2011 season of Lent, coupled with the exponential increases in energy I am currently recalibrating, my resolve broke; I began a binge that, if not for the yin method, could have easily turned into a big ugly Binge, with serious ramifications.  Or, more eloquently stated by Kathleen Vohs of the University of Minnesota: “people have a diminishable supply of energy that the body and mind use in self-control”.

The nature of Sifu Jones’ chi training is an extreme regimen.  It is very specific and although the side effects promote a healthier mind and body, the training itself is mentally demanding: keep the energy cool; keep the energy euphoric; do not allow the form to “morph”; move the energy/form through the body in a soft, gentle manner; see the form; do not “feel” the form…  The intricacies and complexity of instruction increase accordingly as we progress to the upper echelons of energy work.

When reading this, the takeaway is that we should not beat ourselves up when we find that we fall short of a goal.  We should, instead, mindfully prioritize our goals, and focus our energies on what is truly important.  In my case, I’d much rather make sure that my energy is cool/euphoric and that my tones are soothing as opposed to berating myself over a value meal at Wendy’s.

V/r

Don E. Brown II, MSIS

[certified instructor]  The School of Chi Energy

To Learn More: A Chi Energy Student’s First Year of Training