Spiritual Cultivation and Movement
How do gentle and vigorous breathing practices differ?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Gentle fire and vigorous fire differ in breathing rhythm. Gentle fire means slowly inhaling and exhaling; vigorous fire is faster and involves larger breaths. Discussing vigorous fire, I mentioned practices used by earlier practitioners in cold surroundings.
Some beginners in spontaneous spiritual movement breathe rapidly and irregularly and soon tire. Learning smooth, stable breathing helps sustain practice. Linking animated breathing techniques with the five phases, I thought it worth studying, not an established method ready to teach. Clarify practices and methods first; these few words are not instructions for intense breathing on your own.