Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Spring Forest Qigong Need Guidance from Master

I'm 47 yrs. old. I've been practicing QiGong for about 6 years now (microcosmic
circulations, standing external exercises). Recently started Dao-In exercises also. I've had a chronic illnes (25 years) that in the last several years has become nearly a non-existent issue. My story goes like this.

Two years ago I came back from a climbing trip and was totally exhausted. I never recovered my strength after that. Than last year I learned I had a spleen issue. That was simply treated with accupuncture, and in the last several months I've been studying TCM and have managed to continue conditioning my spleen/meridian to varying degrees of success. I've be able to treat my chronic condition further. And I've
also been able to get hair to start growing back in a bald spot that has appear with the fatigue.

But it's been frustrating that I no long feel much chi. ALthough I am getting better, I still sense that there are
issues. For awhile I'm great, then all of a sudden my energy drops. Note I also watch the energetics of my diet. Recently my energy drastically dropped and all I can see that changed was the weather.

There are no QiGong Masters in my vicinity and expect I'll have to travel to talk with one. I'm familiar with Chunyi Lin's Lever I training. I was wondering if I attended
one of the weekend retreats, is there much opportunity to ask Chunyi Lin
specific questions; to have him assess my practice? I really need some guidance. Which Level Retreat should I go to if there is opportunity to talk about issues that may be beyond the scope of the retreat?

Thanks,
Bill in Nebraska

I think it is admirable that you have taken responsibility for your health, and are practicing qigong. If you stay on your path regarding this, you will continually make gains. There may be periods of seemingly less progress, but stick with it and you will keep getting better.
I want to tell you that qigong systems vary greatly. There are common connecting practices, like the microcosmic circulations, but , even those are done with little differences. From a healing standpoint, I have found SFQ to be more effective than other systems. It has such a clear focus of one's physical and spiritual health in mind. I had practiced orbit meditations before, but didn't have concrete results, until I did Master Lin's approach. The way he uses sound, and brings in spiritual energy is different than anything I had done before. I also like the visualization regarding breathing much better. How you breath , where it is coming from , how it comes in, and where it is going, etc...
If you take a weekend retreat for level I, I am sure you would have the opportunity to ask some specific questions. The main gain would be starting Spring Forest Qigong. I am about your age and have been exposed to several systems in my life to date. I have never seen one comparable to SFQ regarding health, healing, and transformation. It is very possible to be practicing valid systems of qigong, and not get the benefits you are specifically looking for. They all have different preferences or purposes. I don't know about Master Lin specifically assessing your current practice. He focuses on SFQ, and doesn't spend class time looking at people's other qigong practices. Try it and make your own choices. You will understand the common language, and hopefully experience how complete the program is. I think you would be submerged in a new experience in taking a class/retreat, have the opportunity to ask some questions about your specific health concerns or condition, recieve some healing energy, and go home with a wealth of new information and a fresh push regarding your self healing.

I am a bit unclear, as I reread your post, whether you are already practicing level I, or just familiar with it in content and doing something else. If you already are doing it, I would suggest a level II retreat as being the most beneficial. The combo of I and II would give you alot to work with regarding your self healing. You can still ask Master Lin specific questions, if you don't already get answers to things just being there.

Thanks for the replies. I have practiced SFQ I only to some extent. It was always difficult to decide which style to pursue. I tended to stick to my methods.

Let me present the question in another way. If I change my QiGong routine to SFQ I standard methods. Would that practice be compatible with Dao-In, and could I still practice Tai Chi? Or would the energetics be in someway in conflict?

I think going to the retreats would be great. I've always wanted to do that - just a matter of finding a date that works with my work schedule and life responsibilities.

Aloha Bill,

There tends to be some time to ask private questions on breaks during a retreat setting. There's a lot of information to go through, and Master Lin stays on task during the class time. Another nice thing about his classes and retreats is that he's constantly sending you healing energy.

Much love, Shawn

I appreciate your concerns. You don't have to worry about incompatibility with Tai Chi. There are always lots of posts concerning mixing things, you might want to check out past posts. Just keep them separate, maybe different times during the day, at least 30 minutes apart. I am not familiar with the specifics of Dao-In. The same rule applies, but the greater concern is making real progress in one qigong system, or diluting your practice by duplication and/or wasting energy constantly adjusting to different energy patterns. You have the leeway to try it out, but long term, you should choose, and focus.(regarding qigong exercise) This is the best way to make progress. Perhaps at some point, ask yourself why you practice qigong, and what your goals are. Self healing, healing work, spiritual transformation, teaching, martial arts, etc... Use your purpose here or goals to help discern your choices and commitments. (I might add that your body remembers the systems you learn, even if you leave them for quite awhile.) Unless you are a very high level, I would commit to something specific, long enough to get an idea of what it is. Practicing something to "some extent", might not reveal a higher level experience with the material involved.

What goal is SFQ I suited for?

Level I has two aspects to it: Active and inactive exercise.
I would say the active exercise is about healing self and overall balance. I experience it as a very pure form of qigong regarding this. I have seen alot of brocades, or reeling silk exercise sets, that don't seem as complete, or balanced in comparison. Also not as pure, in the sense of what the exercises connect to. The active exercises are about physical transformation and regeneration. As with the inactive exercises, I also see them as a doorway to an opening that is not limited. You can experience them on different levels. I also like the neutrality of the movement. It is universal, with no martial reference.

The inactive exercises , or meditation, begins one(or supports one) on a path of spiritual transformation, increased wisdom and awareness, greater understanding, etc. As I said before, I like Master Lin's approach to meditation. Some aspects of it are very structured, and some more free form , that allows for specific personal experience and growth. Again, as I said before, the basic stucture may duplicate some of your current practice, but the approach is different, by my experience, and what the exercises connect to, via Master Lin, is very pure,loving, and generous.
The idea of what something connects to is very important. This includes the teachers energy. If a warrior taught you tai chi, or a healer, you could experience two different things with the same material. This, of course, continues through to what the teacher is connected to, and so on.
Level I, healing, balance, spiritual and physical transformation, foundations...