Hi Strategist,
-If you are asking if the home study courses are effective, or any good, on their own, the answer is yes. I know that, because I know qigong. Your questions tell me that you might not have experience with qigong, or know what you are questioning. Do you know what the content of the home study courses are? Do you know what qigong exercise is? Anything about Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)? Five element theory? These are in the content of the home study course. Working with a master's energy or merging with the universe,,,,spiritual and universal qi? Whether or not people report in about their qigong healing experiences , is not a measure of the effectiveness , or more to the point, the authenticity of the qigong technique and method imparted through the home study courses.
I can't address the paraliminal offerings. I suspect that programs arise, as there is a need, or request. I was blessed with will power. I have noticed in my own wanderings with people enaged with qigong, that many don't have the will power to exercise daily. In a traditional setting, these people could have been disregarded or passed over by the master,,,,or perhaps thrown out over the temple wall! Reminds me of our school system. My daughter teaches kids with learning disabilities. A rapidly growing area in education. The system used to fail these students. Now, they have special programs and technique for them, to help them engage with the material. I trust these paraliminals are sort of like that. Some extra help for people who require it.
love,
gallen
ps I engage with SFQ as a healthy person.
