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Hi - I just received Spring Forest Qigong last week and reviewed the materials this weekend....but I have a question...

Instructions say not to shower/bathe within 30 minutes after doing the exercises....does this apply to the "sitting meditation" or just the "active exercises"?

I want to do the sitting meditation first thing in the morning, but I would need to get in the shower (and eat/drink) very soon after doing the meditation.

Any suggestions?

Sheila



Well, first welcome to the Spring Forest!

And second, this is a great question and I am very interested in more definitive answer. I too often have a similar dilemna. I think it applies to both.

However, one of the things I like about Spring Forest Qigong and Chunyi Lin's whole approach is how forgiving it is. It is what first attracted me to this form after years of doing others and what keeps me enthused and inspired.

So, remember the basic principle of "there is no bad way to do SFQ: there is only 'good, better best'!"

This is so important because so much of the time, so many of us an so much of our culture always says "we must be the best", "we must do our best" etc. And sometimes we think that to " do our best", must mean that if we can't do what we know to be best, then either we should even try or we feel discouraged etc.

What has been helping me with issues such as your question, is I just remember, "good, better, best". So, it might be best to have that half hour window after practice before showering, eating, going to the bathroom etc. But it is still good (enough) to still have a consistent practice every day and then have to shower, go to the bathroom, eat right after. It generally will not hurt you, but the benefit will be somewhat lessened. And it can even be better (i.e than just "good") to at least wait 10 minutes or 5 or or 15 or whatever you can afford.

And this is what I love about Master Lin's approach: it is so forgiving and flexible. And as in so many success modalities, one can still have a goal or desired outcome to improve at some point ( a 6 month goal, a 1 year goal a 10 year goal etc) and get closer to "best".

Hope that helps a bit.

In any case, I look forward to a more precise answer from Shawn or someone "senior" to me (I have only been practicing SFQ for two years).

I look forward to sharing our success and progress in the future.

We are indeed all "born healers" (thanks Master Lin)!

How cool is that!?!

blessings,

Steve