Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Spring Forest Qigong SFQ Retreat or Classes in Southern California?

I started SFQ Level I since July 06, have practiced Active Exercises and Small Universe Meditation on a daily basis (but missing a few days here and there). I just ordered Level II yesterday.

I am not new to Qigong. I have practiced another form of Qigong (off and on and regretfully not on a daily basis) for the past 2 years. I love the easier SFQ exercises and have progressed nicely in just 3 months compared to the older forms of Qigong which I went through the motions without knowing why certain exercises were done this and that way. I've started to actually feeling "the Qi energy," which I've never able to feel before, perhaps b/c I had previously looked for something solid and tangible.

Being an already sensitive person, since practicing SQF, I have experienced more intensive sensitivity. I have felt positive as well as some strong negative energy from people I daily deal with. And not being sure if I am ready for Level II but I feel that I should start looking into Level II to find ways to shield myself from being affected by negative Qi. It would be nice to be able to turn those negative Qi to positive Qi and while doing that, helping those that always surround themselves with negativity w/o knowing it.

I've read many posts in this forum (and still have approx. some 50 pages that I haven't read) and have learned so much from all of the forum contributors/posters. This is such a nice, friendly forum with gentle, wonderful people.

I have a few questions and would appreciate answers from you.

1. Is it recommended to take Level I and/or Level II from Master Lin and his associates in person, or would home study courses be good enough, and then learn Level III in person when the time comes? Would practicing Level I and II diligently and patiently good enough, or would I miss anything doing it myself?

2. Will there be classes and/or retreats in California that I can look forward to? Or the only way to take classes is to travel to the East Coast?

3. I have tried to do Self Concentration meditation lying down a couple of times, what is the correct position for hands and feet? Would the palms be facing down, up, sideway?

Thank you. May the good Qi always be with you.

LFK, if you've been doing sitting and active meditations (almost) everyday for three months, then you have a good practice. Congratulations. Regular practice is one of the six keys to success and one of the easiest to achieve but for the pop-a-pill and fix it mentality it's the one that's neglected.

The standard answer for when to progress to level II, is when you've noticed some improvements in yourself. I personally think that here is much you (and I) can learn and benefit from in level I. Remember the techniques are only a part of qigong, and the mental attitude is more important.

That said, I don't think there is harm in learning any of the levels but how much you practice they become is something you must trust yours and your master's guidance. I would say order the course, go through it and then decide how much of each you will do. Because, it's not a stop level I, now do level II material. I still do level I material most of the time. In fact, I've recently have been doing the self-concentration with an entirely different approach.

In the level III material Master Lin mentions that in SFQ you build your energy foundation like a pyramid. The large broad base in the lower dan tien, the less broad at the middle dan tien, and the peak at the upper dan tien. He says he has people rush to develop their energy to open their third eye only to find that third foundation could not support it, and so it collapses and they must begin rebuilding again.

I believe you can open your third eye at any time, than you can help people at any time, that you can support your own help at any time. However, to be more effective at any of these a solid practice (or foundation) is your best path. Since being involved in SFQ I've spoken with more and more people about their energetic and spiritual experiences and stories they've heard. Some of them are not nice stories, some of them have much fear wrapped in them. I think that if you follow Master Lin's advice of building a pyramid, you will be so wrapped in love that you will see the energy for what and where it is, and deal with it appropriately. (working hard not to slip and say negative energy... no such thing)


As for taking the course in person or at home. It is always nice to learn directly from the master, but the home study course allows you to review the material again and again. Both would be the best. I have done both level I, and II by home study, and attended a level III retreat. And if you've read all but 50 pages of this forum, you've read quite a few of those tales. (I'm not sure everything is still here... I think much was lost when forum changed a couple years ago. I still can't find everything I know was posted using that search engine)


I can't answer number 2 but so far the classes have only been in Minesota.

I don't think there is a right or a wrong way to do the lying meditations. First I think you should be comfortable. I have two positions I typically use. Both are flat on my back, legs straight but not touching. In one my arms are like at the start of the active exercise with palms down. The other my hands rest comfortably on my torso, in a position close to forming yin and yang. I think that comfortable is good, straight spine is better and best for me will have to be what I am moved (guided) to do.


As for seeing "negative" energy around people. I know that some people deal with energy that is not healthy for me, but I don't fear it. I merely send blessing and qi that is more healthy for them.

For protection I've only come across the thumb to side of fore-finger (stop you energy from being drawn away), and the golden sphere visualization. Level II is mainly about increasing your capacity to help others.


You are perfection.
Iam2

Thank you, Iam2, for your response.

I really appreciate that you take the time reading my questions and giving such valuable advice. I have enjoyed reading your postings as well as others in this forum. Most posts offered a lot of insights into the different aspects of SFQ and you all have given so much of yourself in time, kindness, patience, and love as well as sense of humor. Since I’ve been lurking in this forum in recent months doing research on SFQ, attempting to learn from the experienced, I’ve felt a connection with everyone here. We all learn from the same master, Master Lin, and while learning and practicing, we all share the same common goals: attaining well being spitually, emotionally, and physically.

Thank you for giving me a peek into Level III material, the part about building the pyramid, start with a solid foundation at the lower dan tien to provide a firm support for the middle and upper dan tien. That makes a lot of sense.

In the Normandale College website for SFQ, there's a description for Level II: "You'll learn to develop physic energy and defend against negative energy as well as protect your energy from being drained or stolen." Reading that lead me to think that Level II would teach me ways to defend against negative energy, if I ever encounter any. The term negative energy I use is very loosely and lightheartedly. Not like “black magic” or anything wicked or evil.
You mentioned “golden sphere visualization.” Sound interesting and I am curious of what that is. But I would refrain myself from asking, there’re so much to learn and I’ll learn it when the time comes. I will take it slowly but surely to first build a solid foundation.

A few years ago I researched about acupuncture and found out about Qigong through Google search engine. I became interested in learning Qigong. I silently asked to meet one day a great Master from whom I can learn from. Of course there exist many Qigong masters but how to find a teacher that one can feel comfortable to learn from is not easy and simple.

It all started when I had a stiff neck developed from sitting in an awkward position in front of the PC monitor for a prolonged period of time. After months trying different treatments, I went to an acupuncturist who eventually cured my stiff neck. By chance, I looked at the back of her business card and saw that she’s a Qigong practitioner. I asked her to teach the Qigong class at a community college and attended the class. She made a cassette tape teaching students how to follow the Qigong steps to practice after the course. The tape was done amateurishly and made stretchy noises at intervals which made it very hard to concentrate while doing the exercises. That was my introduction to Qigong! Despite the challenging condition of the tape, and not knowing fully what I was doing -- at times I felt like speaking a foreign language while only knowing a very limited vocabulary -- I did however gain benefits from Qigong b/c I never got sick and always have good health.

I believe that the Master I asked for is Master Lin. I’ll take your advice and learn Level I and II until I am ready for Level III and by then, I will learn this level directly from him in person.

Thanks again, Iam2, for your kind advice.

Love, Forgiveness, Kindness