Direction

This has been touched on before but never gone into in depth.

Any one been told to practice facing a specific direction? Even better, any one got any genuine reasons for this?

I'm particularly interested in why it would be better to face south east for certain practices. I don't mind if the reason requires 'an open mind' - so long as it's consistent and genuine.

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High mountains are a feeling
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I remember a teacher that got into electromagnetic flow across the planet and being in the flow instead of against it. I don't think there is enough effect to make any real difference but it is an interesting idea with a foundation of semi science.

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I have read about facing a certain way in the mornings, and another way in the evenings, during practice. Can't remember if it was one of Dr. Yang's books or not. And another author says not to face directly east when doing chi gong. Still another says that to strengthen the eyes, stare at the rising sun just as it comes up, for about a minute.

None of them explained why, exactly.

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"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

No, never.

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yang definitely talks about the magnettic pull of the earth. I cant remember anything about direction. I have only read 2 of his books though. Qigong basics, and white crane

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The earths magnetic field line go from north to south. If moving an object across the line you create small amounts of electricity. So facing east puts you across the field lines. So when you move across during Chi Kung practise you will generating more enery.

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I was taught to face eastward while practiceing all chi kung and corresponding meditations.

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However a lot of eastern methods are esoteric and there is such a focus on the awe of the master that what is said is often not questioned.

I wonder, does facing Mecca really bring you closer to Allah?

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You are not where you have been and you are not where you are going you are only here.

I'm familiar with facing north from Indian systems (abode of the Gods traditionally, north pole for those rationalising it) and facing east from Indian and Chinese (sun).

South east is new to me - it is from a practice with esoteric elements, although the exercises all make simple physical sense and match the 'standard' slightly 'esoteric' definitions. I'd be happy with an explanation consistent with the esoteric aspect of the practice - if I could get one in English I can understand

__________________
Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you
High mountains are a feeling
I don't need to sell my soul, he's already in me

Esotoric....many directions are in connection with a principal figure or place that is embedded in the belief of the system or a constant act of nature. The moon rise the sun rise etc.. Islam faces Mecca ( I wasn't kidding).

Between the energy flow patterns described in Chinese and Tibetian beliefs and the places of origin some can get confusing.


<<interested in why it would be better to face south east for certain practices>>

You could ask if directions are the same on both sides of the equator if storms change direction and flushing toilets change direction should you?

Then there are the conditions of direction an example is Feng shui a building should have mountians or high ground at its back and water at its front.

Some just face the home land or place of origin. Many arts will explain the reason and often the reason is that simple.

Each system has a form of logic or reason behind even if it makes no sense.

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You are not where you have been and you are not where you are going you are only here.