Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Spring Forest Qigong Basics

Hi,
I listened in on a phone healing from Master Lin, connected to an upcoming retreat by LS, and there were a few basic concepts that have stayed with me for a few days since, and I wanted to share them.
Often, my SFQ techniques are 'imprinted', from initial exposure to learning them, and I tend to lock onto that rendition in my practice , going forward. During this phone session, Master Lin did some basic things I was familiar with, slightly differently, and the difference turned out to be good regarding my own self practice. Maybe specifically in relation to me shifting around with this, but I will share it none the less, in hopes that someone else may benefit.
1) Visualization of lengthening the spine:
I trace back my practice of this to the self concentration tape. I haven't heard it for a few years or more, but if I recall, visualizing your spine lengthening is in it.
I have employed, essentially the same thing, in my qigong practice prior to SFQ study. It is more commonly referred to as 'suspending the crown', which can lead this lengthening alignment. In this healing session, Master Lin did the spine in sections. Lower, middle, upper, and neck. I felt each section so substantially lengthen, I continue to revisit it. It is a effective way to 'lengthen the spine'. Easy to see and feel, and has an obvious physical manifestation that aligns your physical posture. A healing and energetic aspect, and a physical shift. I would suggest trying it, if you haven't. Whether it is better, or not, is not the point. For me, it restimulated the basic concept, and gets me deeper into it.
2) In many posts, usually regarding pain felt, or discomfort, from blockages, in initiating a qigong practice, I have suggested putting the sun in the area of discomfort, and focusing on the intense light, and also, experiencing the discomfort as healing, not blockage, all as my recollection of Master Lin's guidance. Again, in this phone session, he mentioned 'feeling' heat in the area of a blockage. Also, bright colors coming to help open the area. 'Seeing' and 'feeling', are slightly different senses, to initiate a process of bringing energy to a place. I liked 'feeling' heat in an area, as a change from putting an 'image' of the sun there. Both are good, and both could certainly happen together, but this subtle difference of them by themselves, me doing the heat thing, was, and still is , different, and has been a nice change in experience. If I sit in a longer meditation, discomfort starts to creep in. I found it useful to concentrate heat in the area of discomfort, and that, allowing for me to visualize smoke, easier. For some reason, 'feeling' the heat and then, 'seeing' smoke leaving, was easier for me than both seeing light and seeing smoke. The feeling my body had, brought this sequence into reality more effectively for me. There seemed to be a more yang aspect in the actual physical feeling of heat, then seeing the yin smoke leave. As opposed to two more yin visualizations.
3) Everything is energy. Words are energy.
The use of the word 'open', is very powerful.
I had forgotten this. Whenever I used to do level I active, at the end, I would see all the beautiful colors of my organs, and sort of looking down inside me, I would make the statement, " Completely Open ". This word can really be 'charged' with intention. Master Lin, in the session, repeated it three times, when applying it somewhere. Often, if I say it out loud, I can actually feel a tingle and result to the word. It is a good way to end your exercises or meditations. It puts a seal on it, or period on the sentence.
love,
gallen

I was invited to attend the phone session and did so this week.

The session is an hour later for me than gallen and so I did a half hour of small universe and then the moon meditation before calling in.

I also felt the opening and lengthening of the back very strongly. I however listen to the self-concentration or the euphoria version of self-concentration fairly often so the open, open, open, completely open and its variations is more recently planted in the memory patterns. It is neat that I only use completely open when I'm doing it.

Again things seem to line-up for me. Because in my schedule of reading I'm doing the level III manual. The day after the call-in I read the sections on distance healing and water charging. I read the qigong material in small pieces and digest it a day at a time. Anyways, I memtion this because of gallen's comment on the heat. I didn't have any experience of heat during the call-in, but have on other occassions, and I didn't very strongly when charging water at home for my family (a la taste testing).

I've also had a phone healing with Master Lin before, and the sessions group phone healing was different and a different experience. Partly because, this time I went straight to sleep instead of meditating afterwards.

Getting back to gallen's post, I usually go through the spine straightening, although not usually as Master Lin conducts it. It not something I consciously check off, it's just something that usually comes to mind and I work on as I prepare for the main part of the meditation,.... or even during the meditation

Just had to pipe in, as usual.

You are perfection.
Iam2

Hi Iam2,
I just wanted to clearify, that I didn't have an 'experience' of heat, in the sense of it appearing due to the phone session. Heat, or warmth, for me is a constant with qiqong exercise. I was in a sitting position, which for me generates warmth. Master Lin's guidance, allowed me to focus on what was there, and amplify it, or draw and focus it to a place, just like bringing all ones energy work to the lower dan tien , spinning it, and closing. This warmth , for me, doesn't have to be created, it is already there, hence my newer perspective of utilizing that, and how well I felt its connection to smoke. What's that saying,,,,where there's smoke , there's fire?? something like that!!
love,
gallen

Thanks for the clarification gallen. I don't experience everything that is stated during a meditation, or during a group exercise. Sometimes when I don't a little voice peeps up "you're doing it wrong, you're not at this level yet". I usually smile at this limiting belief and let it go by reminding myself that I am experiencing exactly the right thing for me, for my during, for my development. By reminding myself that I am one with the universe and that I am learn how to mentally reconnect with this awareness. That doesn't stop the occasional few seconds of self-doubt from sneaking into my thoughts. I have notice that it happens less and less often, and for shorter and shorter periods.

Oh, and to skip back to your original post, where you talk about your closing to a meditation. I often just visualize myself filled to overflowing (or is that overglowing) with golden light.

A bit related to this visualization. Sometimes when taking a walk at night and listening to Master Lin (lecture not meditations) I'll switch to some meditation music. I will have been doing abdominal breathing all along, but with the music I do a light hearted meditation. Something along the lines of a self-concentration. Starting with a connecting and a simple and quick whole body opening. Then I just wandering in happy reverie. During these reveries I have sometimes visualized drawing qi into my upper dan tien. Most of the time I do this I have an incredibly powerful experience with qi.

I realized that this is the first time I've mentioned this particular experience. I also realized it's because I've been judging the experience. I've felt a little shame towards it. You see, the visualization is actually one of self-empowerment (okay self-aggrandizement or self-flattery). The drawing in of energy is exactly as I would in a meditations, but it's with a visualization of an open arm posture to the heavens. A drawing in of the energy to perform wonderous things. My hands are actually just swinging by my sides.

My post above states I should just accept the experience as what I need, as what is best for me. I once described an energetic experience to Master Lin and did he explain things to me? No. He just reminded me that I didn't understand what was going on or why. Of course my walking experience is the same, as are all my experiences. I don't understand the what or why. I am just becoming familiar with the how. I should not be judging any of my experiences, must merely accepting them and trusting in their value for myself (sounds like building faith to me).

Again, this post like most of my post are more for me that others. Oh, maybe I help sometimes help others but these changes to try and help others, like SFQ practice, help me at least as much.

You are perfection.
Iam2

Hi Iam2,
Your visualization of open arms towards heaven is very powerful, and a beautiful gesture. Perhaps, my favorite. It is 'one hand' in 10,000 hands. It is also within the harmony of the universe. It is a a way to connect to, and receive heaven, the great spirit, or however one calls it. I have a simple suggestion that can give this visualization great healing purpose, that goes past self. If you ground yourself in Mother Earth, as you receive this energy, you also bring it to her, and ground it here, on the earth. It can continue to radiate out from Mother Earth to all things on the earth. I would ground yourself , then open your arms, and bring the energy to your heart center, then see this great connection, bringing heaven and earth together, through you. You receive, the earth receives, everything receives. What you are doing is good. It doesn't take much to make it great. I do this myself, probably more than any other exericise/visualization. For me, it has an incredible charge of receiving love. As I said, I find it, in a few of the active exercises, and can express it there. Let energy flow through you, don't hold it , seeing it flow out to others , or grounding it in the earth, and radiating out to everything. You can preform wonderous things at that moment.
I like what you are doing in your self work.
love,
gallen

Iam2,
I wanted to make sure that you knew my intentions with some of our conversations! I am not trying to shape or direct your experiences. Saying, " This is where, what you are doing should go, or is going. Or even, this is what you are experiencing", like I am an authority on it!..I am another individual coming to this place and sharing. Some of your experiences have me recalling related aspects of things I have worked on in my own self growth process. It is, of course , yours to create, and there are so many positive choices and directions to go. Aside from this more creative selfwork , I ground myself in a balanced traditional practice, like SFQ. That is essential, to any creative work, or exploration. It is another form of grounding. I know your practice is grounded in that sense.
love,
gallen

Never worry that I will take things the wrong way gallen. I'm very happy I had a chance to meet with you. To get to know so much more about you. I took away many gifts that day and I hold them all with reverence.

I appreciate all of your sharing. Please do not limit you voice. I know that everytime I speak here I gain, so long as I come from the right place and with the right intention. Which makes sense, everything is energy as my words and thoughts directed with love, kindness and forgiveness (so far the only forgiveness I've experienced on the forum is towards myself) is a form of practicing SFQ. Which is probably why I feel so much of my growth comes from sharing here.

You are perfection.
Iam2