Regular Practice Options

Here we have representatives of different disciplines. I primarily practice Qigong, or at least I do Qigong exercises daily. Other members may have another form of practice, be it some form of meditation, making offerings, the Middle Pillar, LBRP, etc. It requires self discipline and motivation to begin or to maintain. There are armchair magicians of course, but this is considered somewhat insulting to be called an armchair magician. Practicing regularly and building up practical experience is a key part of developing as a master or adept. Yes, some people are naturally gifted but it only takes you so far, sorry. You still have to practice. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dumbells.gif)


What I was thinking is that we post some tips about what works for you. Tell us how you began a regular practice (if you do so), and how you manage to maintain it. You might want to post something that inspired you to continue or to start. I am hoping that there will be some constructive suggestions that will be useful to others. I will add my two cents, but I thought I would let someone start off; how do you do it? What works for you?

In sorcery I was taught meditation is key to controlling the mind, and by extension magickal prowess. The first thing I leaned was single point awareness and even now I can focus for hours. It started simply, just a few moments when ever I had a chance, in some months it was minutes, then latter hours. Much more difficult is letting all thoughts go allowing them to play out to the end. I still have trouble with this. The mind collects a lot of junk as you live and it takes maintenance to keep it under control. So part of my daily practice is to let a single thought play out until completion. This has the rather practical result of me worrying less.

I'd like to learn more about what sort of meditation you do, and also:

I had for some time been practicing esoteric Taoism for the gross manifestation it offered

What sort of manifestation do you refer to here?