I want to understand the superstition you mentioned, with your friend's mother. Is she afraid that since your grandmother had died, you might be bringing death to their house?
It's interesting to hear the beliefs of people from other cultures about death. In the novels that Tony Hillerman has written, he tells of the beliefs of the Navajo Indians, in the southwestern U.S. In their traditional belief, when somebody died in the house, the family moved out of the house and built another one! Of course, there was plenty of space to do that, out in the desert. I don't think that is followed today.
People's beliefs are very strong. If you believe something strongly enough, you can become sick when that belief is tested in a severe way. It is possible to change your beliefs too. But if somebody comes in and says that your belief is "stupid," that might not be welcome to you, or to your friend's mom either.
Usually, if I am in someone's home, I try to observe what they wish in their home. For instance, removing my shoes at the door when I'm in Japan. That's the custom there.
I haven't really answered your question, which was, 'What would chi gong practitioners say about this?' Master Lin says that there are many types of qi gong. He has streamlined some of the exercises. To me, that means there are different ways to approach something. So the 100 days you mentioned earlier really could be changed to a different number, if the person were willing to change. BUT you would want to be respectful in mentioning it. Master Lin is also very big on respect
Master Lin is also an expert in Feng Shui. When there is a problem in the environment, there are usually several ways to get around the problem. You don't necessarily have to move out of your house, but can do something with mirrors or other changes in the space. So, if you surfed porn on your PC, you don't have to get rid of the PC! It's a matter of changing your thinking, maybe cleaning up your act in the future. Things like that.
Best of luck in your life and your qi gong studies!
- - Anita
