Hi Iam2,
Glad to hear you're getting better. I hope you can start jogging soon.
I also love jogging. I ran a couple of 5K events for various charity orgs. Running can be addictive because it makes you feel so happy. Running produces various happy chemicals -- serotonins, endorphins, etc. -- in the brain to alter your mood and maximize state of well being. It feels nice to run with the sound of the wind in your ears and your mind is so clear of thoughts! I haven't run for a while and opted for walking instead. Being in Southern California, with the good weather almost year around and not too far from the ocean, doing daily (almost) walks while breathing in the fresh air the Qigong way is a real treat. Unlike biking, when one stop doing it for years and can resume the activity without any difficulty, running is not like that, once you stop doing it on a regular basis, it's hard to get back to the same pace.
I thought that hearing the sounds "Ooom" "Mooo" and others while meditating helps to go into the emptiness quicker and stay there longer. I must confess that I have not been able to go into the emptiness, except a few times when instead of going into the emptiness, I think I fell asleep. It's hard to sit as the beginner in Level I to go into the emptiness.
I received the Level II package, listened to a few CDs, watched the DVD. Now I started to do the sitting meditations in the easiest pose of lotus. My legs continually get numb after 10-15' and I kept on moving around. So, I have a lot to go before being able to get into the real meditated stage. Too many challenges! I don't think I am ready for Level II due to the fact that I can't feel anything with my hands/palms. I can feel (or should I say "imagine," "visualize") the "Qi" in my mind, however, my hands can't feel anything during active exercises. For me, I conceptualize "Qi" as something like a rush of air, therefore, to be able to feel "Qi" with my palms/hands meaning my hands/palms must feel something physical and tangible like that. Because of this, how can I feel anything such as blockages, let alone trying to help heal anyone? Meanwhile, I need to keep on practicing, and hope that one day, I will actually be able to feel strongly the "Qi" with my hands?
Master Lin says have faith, confidence, and keep on practicing. I know SFQ works as my physical health is better with Qigong practice, I have more energy, I have become kinder, much more considerate, more patient than before.
Thanks again for all the kind guidance in your posts.
LFK
