My Connection to Qigong (2)

How Qigong Entered my Life 

After mom and I went back home from her Qigong class, I watched how easy it was for her to climb the stairs, and she could eat lots of food she could not in the past because of her severe food allergies. Though I felt better after morning Qigong practice with her, I was still a little bit unsure until I saw with a big surprise that my older brother had shut a bedroom door and started to practice Qigong quietly. Later, I asked him why did he practice? It was very much my brother's style. He explained it felt good and he heard Qigong would help young people to develop their potential. My brother was famous for his naughtiness/cleverness as a child, and as a kid he could not remain still for three minutes, so you can imagine how surprised I was to see that he had apparently found a new mission and practiced diligently. After I witnessed the obvious health benefits for my family, I joined the Qigong practice with them and the used-to-be sick house, became a healthy Qi house.

The winter break was over, and I went back to school. I had already built up a Qigong practice as part of my morning routine and tasted the benefits of a good sense of well-being and increased energy. Unfortunately, I could not find any private space to practice either in the dorm or on campus. For teens on campus, there were many popular things such as pop music and Karaoke--Qigong was definitely not one of them. I realized that at that time, mom was indeed a pioneer in the Qigong field. Qigong was not very popular then as it became later.

When I returned home during Summer break, I experienced more surprises.

Firstly, our home had been completely remodeled with a new Maroon carpet and a beautiful hanging crystal light.  At that time, China was just starting to open up to free trade, because mom was connected to many hospitals, and the dental department (in China, dental service is provided by medical hospitals) was in need of high quality dental drills. Mom was taking an English class every night, and had imported those expensive and high quality little dental drills from Western countries. Suddenly energy was flowing in all aspects. We were not hungry anymore. Besides that I could really see how a person's potential can be, mom was an engineer in an airplane company owned by the government, and then she turned herself into a successful international entrepreneur.

Those hot nights in China were very memorable for me. Because I had a couple of itchy spots, it was even harder for me to fall asleep. Mom saw me tossing and turning restlessly, and asked me to sit straight and offered to help me solve the problem. Frankly, I was laughing inwardly for I thought she was kidding. But because of the unbearable itch, I was willing to try anything. Before I told her where the spots were, she quickly pointed out to me exactly where the itchy spots were on my body, and not long after I nodded my head to confirm her accuracy, the itch had completely stopped. I was super impressed, and totally believed in the healing power of Qi.

Another important weekend night came as both mom and dad were about to go out, I had no clue what they were doing. They both seemed very busy with night classes and Qigong teaching, along with practice for themselves. They were holding a super big watermelon, for at that time watermelon was one of the most popular presents to give friends when visiting their homes. It is funny when looking back: But both of my parents were each riding a bicycle, so no one could hold the large and round watermelon by themselves. Finally, they asked me if I could sit in the back of the bike and hold the watermelon. I asked them where we were going, and they said to meet a Qigong master from whom my mom had learned how to do healing for others. I got interested and so decided to go with them, since at that time, the main transportation in China was by bicycle, there were no cars or taxis.

I was about to meet and connect with the Qigong Master who would influence my whole life in the most positive way....

My connection to Qigong (1)

How Qigong Entered my Life 

Is it a destiny? I am not sure, but it has surely been a blessing.

I had a normal childhood in China like everyone in my age group; experienced hunger, lack of nutrition, and sickness; that was during Cultural Revolution. When I was thirteen, I decided to go to a boarding school. 

I can always remember the change in my home after I returned during the first school break. Before I left home, there were all kinds of medicine bottles and packages, and herbs in paper bags all over the counter top; the whole house always smelled like a drug store, herbs were cooking on the stove top constantly. But when I entered home that time, I did not see any meds or herbs. The first thought I had was: "Oh, my parents must have put them away in drawers, so the house would look nicer and organized." So I opened all the drawers to look for the medicines, but absolutely could not find any. The house did not smell like a herbal store anymore, but was filled with fresh and clean air. When my parents came home from work, I could not believe how well they looked, so healthy, energetic and happy.

"What's going on?" " Where the meds you guys were taking?" All the neighbors and friends knew our whole family had a reputation for sickness and weak physical constitution. They even said that there were four people in our household, there were four sick buns (not sure what does that mean). My mom only weighed 88 ibs at her  5"6'' height. Her friend joked that she could be easily blown away by wind. She was constantly in and out hospital for surgery and other severe health problems. Imagine how surprising I was to see how they changed into  different people. "We don't need meds or herbs anymore. We are practicing Qigong!" My parents explained. I had no clue what Qigong was, and my role as the most healthiest one in my family was tumbling. My parents further explained: "You need to do it too; see we don't even get colds anymore, so you are the sicker one now."  Indeed I was bringing a cold home from school.

Next morning, when I peeked in window to see what they were doing after raising so early in the cold weather, I was more than embarrassed (people who have taken Taoist Light Qigong class would understand what I mean). My mom was moving all over the place in different positions, while my dad simply stood there doing nothing.

Mother told me she was going to teach a Qigong class, I decided to go with her. My, there was a huge open field and a large crowd waiting ... men and women, young and old. I just could not believe that my used to be sick mom was so healthy and even taught others to be healthy again. 

When I observed how she stood there in front of all the people guiding the Qigong movements, she indeed had empowered herself and many others.

(Please note, Chiyan's parents stopped medicine and herbs because after the short term of Qigong practice, they simply did not need any more at that time. If your body still needs meds and herbs, please follow the advise of your physician.)

Taoist Light External Qi Healing

Isn't it wonderful if you can develop some skills to help a friend/family when needed? Such as when a friend is in pain, we can help them to ease it; and when a family is in trouble, we can do something on our part so we won't be just worried.

I started to become an external Qigong healer when I was living in a dorm with many other girls. At that time I was often woken up by others in the middle of the night to help with this or that girl's abdominal pain. At that time all the girls were entering adolescence, so what I helped with the most were PMS, toothache, headaches, sport injuries, and so on. When I was ready to leave China for the U.S, I went to my professor's house to say good-bye. He told me that his wife who was also my teacher had such a painful knee that she could not walk out to greet me, so I offered to go into her bedroom and thanked them both for being so open-minded. After a few minutes of Qi healing, she told me with smile that she felt warm Qi flowing like spring water through her knee area and that she had no pain anymore. (Later after I left China, she became a student of my mother).

Some of my friends still talked about that one day when we were all at a friend's wedding, but the bridegroom did not show up for a long time, and all the guests were waiting anxiously. One of the friends came out asking me for help. I went to the back room and saw that the bridegroom was on the floor because his leg was in spasm and he could not get up. His face was so very pale from the pain. I performed external Qi healing, and he could walk out with me and eventually complete his important day with ease.

There are many other stories that if I did not witness with my own eyes, I might be skeptical too. Such as when my mom moved her hands up and down, a blind man who was standing in front her suddenly had tears in his eyes and said: "I can see, I can see what is hanging on the wall." It was moving for me to see the new spark of hope in his eyes.

Qigong is definitely not magic, but it works for real. Internal Qi means to cultivate for ourselves and within us, while external Qi is to share and give, helping others to heal. These stories are only meant to let you know that External Qi Healing is an ordinary ability not an extra-ordinary one, and many people can do it. It is like a person can use his mouth holding a brush to do calligraphy, the skill was developed by training. With correct practice and right guidance, you can do external Qi healing too, especially if you have an open mind and the willingness to learn and a heart to help others.

After all, Qi is a natural force: everyone has it; if we don't have it, we won't be living in this world. Qi healing is natural, either to heal ourselves or others.

Parallel Healing

One of the main points of Taoist philosophy is the middle way: being mutual and finding the balance between yin and yang. In the process of obtaining the middle way, firstly one needs clear understanding on these two polarities, and then deep cultivation/healing work on two opposites: Light (yang) energy and dark (yin) energy. As a human being, we all have these two and cannot avoid one or the other.

If one is drawn to light energy with attachment/or obsession, it may be seemingly better than for example substance abuse/obsession. But what will happen is that the underlining dark energy is pushed away for a prolonged time and builds up inside, eventually it will bounce back. One will fall apart mentally, emotionally, and even physically. It is like the Sun, when the Sun is brighter in noontime, the shadow/darkness is more intense and sharper.

The parallel healing means we walk on two tracks of the healing path (like walking smoothly with two feet). The light path includes any correct spiritual practice such as Taoist Light Qigong, receiving the light energy, empowerments, and bliss; while the dark track is working on the underlining dark energy: negative thoughts (doubts, confusion, and obsessive thoughts) and feelings (anger, sadness, and fear), bringing deep healing to the painful memory that the mind and even physical body still remembers or reacts to.

Qigong practice can bring the dark energy out  to surface for healing. When the dark energy surfaces, we observe it consciously and dissolve internally; or with support through people who will not be affected by it, also remember the practice of endurance so it will not become out of control and even a negative force to others nearby. When it comes out, it is the time to see it clearly and work on it, so the pressure/suppressing energy can be released and dissolved. The result of this will be: the person will become more healed and authentic (inside and outside maintain the same energy frequency, otherwise outside appears calm, but inside is turmoil), and become a whole being.

Practice

Once in ancient times, a very old Qigong master lay on his bed ready for his passage while all his disciples were sitting quietly around him. It was all serene and filled with light. Suddenly, the master looked around with his wise eyes, and tried to move his lips. A senior disciple sensed some joyful feelings, he announced: "Master must want to share with us something very important." All the disciples moved closer him, ready to hear the last teaching. The Master whispered his final word: "Practice." And then he exhaled his last breath.

Practice is the foundation of Qigong for self-healing and self-realization. It is like a rechargeable battery that needs to be recharged for a certain period of time. The human body also needs a steady and regular re-charge of the Qi/vital energy, so it can be rejuvenated and restored.

Everyone is busy in this modern society; How can people make time for at least 30 minutes of Qigong practice a day?  Firstly, we prioritize, remembering that if one gets sick, how much time might we miss at work while suffering the physical and mental pain, what no other person can take on for us. So keeping a healthy state is the priority, then one can accomplish more of what is needed to be done. Secondly, if you practice Qigong or Taoist Light Medical Qigong (which only takes a few minutes) in the morning, you will set a peaceful yet energetic tone for the whole day. When mind is calm and clear, the rest of day will go much smoother and more efficiently.  If one really does not have time, I often suggest taking a half hour or one hour out from sleeping time, especially in the early morning: Get up one hour or half hour earlier for a peaceful practice which is more beneficial with a better quality than sleep.

We often hear: "Practice makes it better." We will also need to be aware that: "Right practice makes it better." Which means follow the correct instructions and not practice Qigong in a rush or when thousands of thoughts and doubts are racing though the mind.

So practice, and by that I mean "Right practice," makes it perfect.

Taoist Light Qigong Healer and Instructor Training Program

The purpose of this program is for committed students to learn more on Qi healing for themselves, family members and others, as well as for attaining certification as a Taoist Light Qigong Instructor to carry this powerful and pure lineage to the world. You are invited to consider this opportunity of joining the very first group of Taoist Light Qigong instructors in this training program.

Classes will be held in Summerland Cottage, meet 3 hours/session on Saturdays 1:30-4:30pm.

This is an 100 hour training program focused on understanding various health conditions and how to heal from them, how to read other's energy, and how to protect self energy in healing sessions. After the training, participants will become an effective Qigong healer and certified Taoist Light Qigong instructor to the public.

This  traning is limited to five participants, and there is only one space left.

For the best of your well-being, 

Chiyan

Choose a right teacher, not a famous teacher

In Chinese, the character "famous" and "wise" share the same pronunciation, though the meanings are very different. There is a saying in Chinese: "Choose a wise teacher, not a famous teacher." It can be also about a good teacher-student connection, and "when students are ready, teacher will appear".

It might take one a long way to get where he wants to go on his own, including many detours and blind twists and turns; but with a teacher's guidance, the way is shortened, since the teacher has already found the short-cuts and direct routes. The teacher brightens the darkness so we can see better. At many times, someone might say, "No one has told me so." Yes, with a wise teacher we will be told and become aware. So a wise teacher will not only give gentle encouragement when on the right path, but will also point out to the student when he deviates.

 My first Qigong teacher was my mom, when a "regular" mom developed a skill which like a doctor could take away illnesses and discomforts quickly and miraculously for kids , I was very impressed to learn what she learned from Master Zhou Shitai. At that time Master Zhou was not famous, I often went to his tiny apartment to receive teachings and guidance. I learned the most was from that time, I always remember that he smiled at me and said " Ha, my girl is back." Later, when I was in college, I took long train ride, traveled more than 1000 miles to his retreat center. At that time, it was not possible to get one on one sessions, since his class room was often filled with thousands of people. Gratefully, he gave me the permission to call him, which was a privilege and we stayed connected where-ever I was. After I came to the U.S., one day I met a young girl client who was suffering severe depression, so I decided to look for another teacher, who could explain this emotion disorder from the perspective of Western psychology. Then it all came together, I rode on the same camel with a woman in the Gobi desert, she commented: "That boy who is leading our camel is my teacher."  I knew immediately I have found another true teacher, this woman who was riding on the same camel with me. What I saw was not only her humbleness and her peaceful, "cool" way to deal all kinds of "emotional disturbing" situation; but also acknowledged her strong background in psychology. I had studied with her for more than ten years, some times three sessions a week.

When I visited my family in China, I stayed in a city in southern China for two years. I intended to meet some new masters in my life .... soon I realized that the famous masters there often have big advertisements and are not the ones I was looking for. But the ones who I connected with and touched me by their quiet way of living. I found them through such surprises by realizing that their energy is simply clear and their wisdom shines.

I try to always remember what I have learned before: "Just cultivating Qi but not virtue, one might easily become delusional; and just cultivating virtue but not Qi, one will find such effort was all in vain as one ages." This means that although one has a good character/is a great being, one loses the vital Qi such that when one gets older, all their efforts might fail and their health falls apart. But a person who only cultivates Qi but not virtue can carry huge energy but their mind can be misled by ego thoughts and easily become delusional. It is like a car and a driver: the car is the Qi/ moving force, and the driver with a clear brain and eye-sight are virtues. Without a good car, the driver cannot go too far; but without a good driver, the car can be driven to a ditch. Here we come back to Taoist and Virtue Light Qigong (the full name of Taoist Light Qigong) We will certainly need to cultivate both: the Qi and virtue,  and you will find the true Master/healer within yourselves.

I also use this as a guideline when looking for a great teacher who will appear not only with a powerful Qi body but also as a wise, humble, and compassionate being. 

Less is more

Some people might have a trait we could call the “three minute passion,” referring to people who like to learn different things in a short time, but will not dedicate themselves to one skill long enough to make substantial progress. For example, a person finds painting interesting, locates a teacher to study for months, then changes to carpentry, and months later switches to music playing: These are all the wonderful skills, but in the end the student might not master any.

It is the same for Qigong. It is better to focus on one and practice consistently and diligently. "Gong" means a cultivation through time with consistency. For Qigong practice, “less is more” and “simpler is better.”

If a person switches from painting to carpentry, at least no harm is done; but if a person switches among different forms of Qigong back and forth, or mixes multiple Qigong forms up, it might cause the Qi to become scattered and dispersed. This does not include beginners who is still trying out different Qigong forms, or Qigong academic researchers who need to study different Qigong styles for their studies. 

Basically, there are two levels of the practice or cultivation: the "basic level" is to get more, trying all different things without a clear direction, while the "advanced Level" is to let go but with a clear purpose.

Surely, everyone can be his/her own master and decide what to do with their practice, but there is one simple guidance universal in the Qigong field, and that is "less is more."