Hi Miriam,
In qigong, it is the mind that moves the energy, and SFQ is signal healing. How you think, signals sent, inner messages, are powerful. Ideas are yin, and physical manifestations relative to the ideas are the yang aspect. Taking away the idea, the yin aspect, begins to break down the physical manifestation of the idea. Specific messages or ideas, support specific manifestations,,,,,like, " You have Lupus". Or, " I have Lupus". In SFQ, this or other specifics/diagnosed illness's, are termed more neutrally, as a blockage, and a blockage is just extra energy, neither good or bad, more so, out of place, energy you don't need, or energy not good for you. Any thoughts carrying this Lupus message/charge, are not good for you. When doing the exercises, your mind is given a focus, or you employ positive visualizations. You take time in which the 'I have this', or 'you have that', has no place. The mind is given a positive focus, and the body is given some time and space to heal itself. Again, the mind moves the energy. In terms of qigong as a lifestyle practice, you can start to extend your 'mindfulness', outside your practice session. Pay attention to how you think, or what you are thinking. If a thought arises, and you notice it, in the sense of a self aware moment, look at the thought. Was it good for you , or not. Positive or negative energy in regards to what you want to manifest regarding your health. Most thoughts are just extra energy that you don't need. If you find you've had a thought that is not supportive to your well being, release it, just as you do blockages as smoke. Staying diligent, is a practice of mindfulness, and that can extend to all your waking time. If you spend an hour doing qigong, or 'reluctantly' doing qigong, :-)
, and then return to a lack of self awareness in terms what you are thinking, the healing process is burdened, or partially undone. Blockages can come back. When you do a session of qigong, you clear yourself. You have no blockages, you 'are' clear. You do that in a single session. "Completely clear". You may view your internal organs , vibrantly, relative to five element colors. You are in a tender state at that point of clearing yourself. You have undermined the blockage, taken away the idea and put in positive messages/signals. Your time inbetween sessions is just as vital as the session, in regards to thinking. Your subsequent sessions, you undermine it more, or again. Frequency of practice facilitates you staying clear, as well as mindfulness inbetween sessions, which can be called practice too. It is easier hold clearity in a session of qigong exercise, than when wandering around through your day. Sort of like the person spinning plates on sticks. You give it a spin, it goes for awhile, then starts to wobble.
Master Lin teaches a few different mudras, or hand positions. One of them is specific to strengthening the immune system. Instead of the index finger touching the thumb, touch the fourth finger/ring finger to the thumb. If you find yourself sitting around, or waiting somewhere, try making the hand. It works by just doing one hand or both. Very light contact between the finger tips. He said, " just enough to keep a pin from falling, if you were holding one between your fingers". You may feel a tingle right away in your fingers, or hand/arm. You effect a few meridians, so the feeling may track inward. I bet, even if you are watching TV, if you make this hand, you will be more self aware while you do it. You will be watching tv, or less so, and experiencing this hand and more self aware. Simple technique like this can help connect the dots between practice sessions, give you heightened times of self awareness,,,,an opportunity to put in a postive message. Don't substitute this mudra into your level I meditation practice. Do them as given. Lifestyle, awareness...postive signals, positive manifesting....less time lost in thought,,,more present. a minute or two of reverse breathing...etc. Giving yourself a day off becomes an interesting idea relative to what I've said! Perhaps, not such a great gift to give yourself!!
It is self 'work', but the work is very positive with wonderful results. Please forgive me if I've said things you already are aware of . You seem very sensitive and responsive to the practice. I've found that really sensitive people sometimes do very well by the meat and potato parts of the system. Parts that may interest them least, but parts that really help ground them, or help their physical bodies. Like active exercise and lower dan tien focus.
love,
gallen
