Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Spring Forest Qigong looking to come back

I'm looking to come back to Spring Forest qigong after a nine month layoff. I purchased the level 1 set a year ago, used it, and then lost the materials during a move. No problem I can purchase them again.

I found SFQ to be a very powerful system that affected me right away. The only complaints I have are the following:
1. theory is neglected. I don't know why. Basic aspects of the chinese tradition(sealing the lower gates as explained in Daniel Reid's books) are not really explained.

2. cultivators are told not to practice other qigong systems. While I agree there are different types of qigong including those used for chinese martial arts. And there are auxilliary methods(like sexual kung fu as taught by Mantak Chia) that don't really constitute a qigong method by themselves. I think Daniel Reid is better for that anyway but you get the idea.

Perhaps at higher levels of SFQ this is different. I did notice that chunyi Lin has a microcosmic orbit meditation CD out and I'm glad to see it.

It's a very powerful method though and I would say the most powerful method at first. I don't ant to mix it with other cultivation systems, but not every qigong is a cultivation system. And I want everything I do to be informed by certain elements of qigong theory.

What do you think? And where are levels 3 & 4 of SFQ? Are they forthcoming or only available in person?

Aloha orange_soda,

Welcome back and I’m glad you found your course –I’m also unpacking things from a move back in July!

No need to miss out on sexual kung fu
Chunyi isn't saying not to do those other forms of qigong mentioned. He is saying not to mix them. If lets say you wish to continue with a martial-focused form you’ve learned, make sure to allow 30 minutes before and after SFQ as the intention and quality of the energy is very different.

He does talk about not running out and taking a bunch of qigong classes from various systems right away, but choose one where the teacher does the work and resonates with you. Sticking with this system for a long time allows one to ground into an understanding and knowledge from which they can better relate to and appreciate another. In a martial example, one who is busy learning as many katas as they can may have more tools in his/her box to choose from, but the person who took the time to master one of them can truly use it.

Theory
You'll find your level I course deeply steeped and connected with TCM and the roots of qigong. You'll find the same in his other classes as well. You'll also find that he makes it level appropriate, by not dragging in the heady study where it does not need to make a difference in the person's healing. It's all there and connected. At that level it's doesn't serve to address a lot of it. There are plenty of thick books out there for people to grab at a B&N if they want a lot of meditation variations, theory, and exercises.

Chunyi spends a lot of time getting people out of their heads and into actually doing the work -there are a lot of good qigong scholars out there walking around with blockages that need to spend more time doing the work.

Level III and IV
These are available in classes or retreat format. There is a lot of meditation work done where Chunyi assists you in opening channels, your third eye, and purifying your energy.

Small Universe Meditation
You’ll find this included in a 30 minute format in your level one course. It doesn’t matter if one's at level I or XX, they will be coming back to this one. I think you’ll find it is a very powerful orbit meditation.

Much Love, Shawn

Shawn,
What a great answer to a question that comes to all of us now and then! Thanks also to Orange Soda (neat handle:-)) for posing the question.
maura

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Originally posted by Shawn_Grim:
Aloha orange_soda,

No need to miss out on sexual kung fu
Chunyi isn't saying not to do those other forms of qigong mentioned. He is saying not to mix them. If lets say you wish to continue with a martial-focused form you’ve learned, make sure to allow 30 minutes before and after SFQ as the intention and quality of the energy is very different...He does talk about not running out and taking a bunch of qigong classes from various systems right away, but choose one where the teacher does the work and resonates with you. Sticking with this system for a long time allows one to ground into an understanding and knowledge from which they can better relate to and appreciate another.

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OK. I misunderstood as I thought he was saying don't do anything else. I agree with your point of view Shawn - one must find a cultivation system where the teacher is high-level and stick with that system as the core of one's development. And I believe Chunyi Lin is such a high-level teacher. That's one of the reasons why I'm coming back to SFQ. With SFQ I'm walking on a path cleared by Chunyi Lin and I benefit from his energy by following his method. That was clear to me the first time I did SFQ. That's why people need authentic teachers and also why you shouldn't judge a qigong form by the movements alone - the teacher is very important.

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Theory
You'll find your level I course deeply steeped and connected with TCM and the roots of qigong. You'll find the same in his other classes as well. You'll also find that he makes it level appropriate, by not dragging in the heady study where it does not need to make a difference in the person's healing. It's all there and connected. At that level it's doesn't serve to address a lot of it. There are plenty of thick books out there for people to grab at a B&N if they want a lot of meditation variations, theory, and exercises...

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I agree that SFQ gets people started on a real cultivation practice and yes this is the most important thing. Maybe I've just read too much - I would always recommend anything by Daniel Reid as well as Primordial Breath vol 1 & 2 available from redwingbooks.com for background.

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Level III and IV
These are available in classes or retreat format. There is a lot of meditation work done where Chunyi assists you in opening channels, your third eye, and purifying your energy.

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I would like to come out for these but I need the level 1 & 2 workshops first.

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Small Universe Meditation
...It doesn’t matter if one's at level I or XX, they will be coming back to this one. I think you’ll find it is a very powerful orbit meditation.

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I remember that the sitting meditation from the level 1 home learning pack was very powerful but I can't remember if that included microcosmic orbit. The whole system is very powerful from the beginning and in general I agree that you must begin with standing meditation and then move to sitting meditation. That's the way it's done in all authentic systems I have seen. Another reason why I like SFQ.

I just ordered the level 1 for health DVD and next week I'll get the level 1 manual and sitting meditation CD.

This is what I want to dedicate myself to in terms of a main qigong system for personal cultivation.