Today I tweaked the last practice I described (maximizing top-down energy flow). Instead of trying to constantly increase the intensity, I'm trying to maintain the intensity at a particular (higher-than-normal but not maxed-out) level. So the focus is on stabilizing myself at a higher level, rather than burning through (and then probably crashing/retreating). It seems like this will be more effective in establishing a new normal. So intensity isn't the only criterion; sustainability (or stability) is too.