Aloha Bluesky,
Thank you for your post.
You'll find Master Lin talking about "your illness being your master," rather than something to hate, run away from, get rid of, or fix.
quote:
I just would have preferred some sort of instruction on the tape to this effect as in most of the actual quided exercises the empahasis seems to be doing and not enough time to just being. I quess I just what reassurance that in SFQ practice there is a recognition of the importance of getting to a point of trusting in the balancing power of the universe and getting the mind out of the way !
At some point you'll smile at the above. Thank you again for posting.
The mind is looking for mental direction to "just be", and is behind the "reassurance" piece too.
Thanks to Gallen for always looking to sharing from an experiencial perspective, while still addressing the constructs of poster's minds.
Another friend of mine just gave a talk to the Spring Forest Qigong International Guild a couple weeks ago regarding this. It was well done and mirrored much of what I share with people who call in for coaching regarding this exercise and Spring Forest Qigong in general.
Although most students tend to look past the Self Concentration exercise in lieu of the Small Universe that is emphasized for its powerful healing qualities–they'll find the core of Spring Forest Qigong, nicely packed into it.
During the Self Concentration Exercise, students are simply and wonderfully led though a relaxing of the body, opening of blockages, and removal of excess energy. Then they’re guided to connect with that "goodness" within, and while in that soul connection, he allows them to...just be.
It is there that one can open their heart. It is there that one can step beyond the ego and experience the harmony of the universe.
Since most of us need guidance for our auditory, kinesthetic, and visual senses in the beginning stages of our practice, the level I and II practice is geared to support that.
But he goes and gives us an opportunity anyway–right there in Level I, to step into the emptiness at a different level. It’s our minds that get in the way, still needing that direction/distraction.
If he had given any more direction at that point in the meditation, it would have just muddied up the intent and possibilities.
So you can tuck the mind into bed, and have it rest assured that getting into the emptiness, or truly just being, is the focus of Spring Forest Qigong practice. It’s in that space that you heal at all levels. It’s in that space of being connected to the harmony of the universe that you cannot help but act virtuously.
Once you are there, the CD's coaching, the exercie's movements, and the visulizations fall aside and you are are in the emptiness. Enjoy.
Much Love and happy Chinese New Year,
Shawn
