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