As regards Confucian/Taoist approaches to qi cultivation:
The Confucian approaches seem to correspond to the qi of the upper burner, the "righteous" qi, while those of the Taoists seem to correspond to the lower burner, the source qi.
The Confucian rectification of the heart and the cultivation of brightness, ming, IMHO presuppose the availability and conservation of the source qi. Hence, for someone entering the world of qi cultivation, is it best to have the Taoist practices precede the Confucian ones? Do you think they should go on to Confucian practices? Might the Buddhist 'middle way' practices also correspond to 'upper burner', righteous qi? I'm looking for experience/information on this part.
Until the qi is preserved from wastage and nourished by appropriate diet, meditation, and exercise, the practices of the Confucians will not be attractive, and might even be counter productive, i think. Anyhow, just a question, as i don't know much regarding Confucianism...
...don't even know if it makes sense!