Thanks gallen.
You couldn't have said it better: "slow down and enjoy."
Actually, what you are suggesting is what I've been doing and enjoying every bit of it. Sometimes I'll slow down the breathing with the movements, and with the merging of the visualizations the effects are great: sort of like a slow dance of merging with nature and life. Yes, I'm truly amazed at the depth and breath of the effects of these simple execises. I've never discounted the power of the Level I exercises either: they are truly complete in and of themselves; and, their life changing effects are part of my experiential-knowledge. The Leve II exercises are great; and, I'm still learning ways of going into the silence with them, while keeping the intergrity of the movements. The meditation technique, small universe, is a fantastic meditation tool; and, one I find I can 'run with it'and don't want to stop - really great. This coming from long time teacher of mediation and a student of several advanced meditation techniques, etc.
You are very perceptive, gallen, and I appreciate this quality. My seveal years with yoga, different energy modalities, Eastern religions and philosophies and looking into the larger areas of complimentary medicine is what drives me to learn more. What do I mean by this statement? Apart from the Active Exercises, the Meditation Techniques, and the Healing Techniques, I have learned a lot from the Level I and Level II study materials. Little things that Chunyi Lin glossed over during the course materials had significant meaning and application for me: these were sort of the threads that helped to tie and clarify other concepts and techniques outside of Qigong; these seeming trivialities opened a larger vista of understanding and comprehension for me with respect to the broader understanding of life, spirituality and the ancient wisdoms. I really don't want to get too arcane, philosophical or technical because true value and greatness lies in SIMPLICITY; but, believe me there is a wealth of wisdom in the 'tib bits' of the material of both courses, and ancilliary to the main topics or points. It is the yearning for more of this deeper wisdom and unity of understanding (if I may label it such) why I am interested in going further to the other levels. Technique wise, I have enough techniques to last several lifetimes, and then some. However, the understanding and wisdom that allows one to share, help or heal (not merely physically, but more so mentally and spiritually) another person is the force that drives me on.
Simply stated, I've gone too far to stop now. When life calls, you answer; when the door opens, you enter; when understanding dawns, you AWAKEN.
And, I have not forgotten, thank you very much for your kind advise.
