As I have written a little about, I was asked to sit on a panel discussion for Donna Karan’s inaugural Urban Zen Initiative, which was developed to provide a vehicle for raising awareness about alternative methods of providing health care. The panel subject I was involved in was the topic of Eastern medicine and how it can be integrated with Western medicine to bring a more well-rounded and holistic methodology to modern medical practices.
In addition, I had the opportunity to present a qigong class. The class was extremely well received and I was asked to come teach again.
I have become more interested in regular qigong practice, in particular as I get closer to 40 years of age and with the massive energy expenditure involved with such freqent international travel. It keeps me fresh. With the guidance of my teacher, Kao San-Lun, I will be making more and more information available about qigong practice in the forms of books, manuals and DVD instructionals.
So, with this post, I want to begin the education process so that you can realize the immense value that qigong practice offers to a vital life.
First of all, a definition of terms is appropriate here.
What is qigong?
Qi is a Chinese term that translates as breath or energy and Gong means work or skillful ability. Therefore qigong refers to the practice of breathing skill or energy mastery.
Describing meaning is easy enough. What is less simple, is understanding the mechanism and finding a teacher who really understands the needs of the student.
So, here the next question is:
What does qigong offer to you in terms of health, wellness and vitality?
The best way to answer this is to relate a discussion that Master Kao had with myself and his other students the last time I went to study with him in Florida.
After several hours of kung fu training, Master Kao invited us into his home for some food that his wife prepared. After some general pleasantries, the conversation turned to the importance of educating the public about the values of qigong practice. I began asking questions about how to best explain and relate this informtion to people that have no formal instruction and lack a qualified teacher.
In this conversation, Master Kao gave the most clear and comprehensive explanation I have ever heard.
Master Kao began to expound on the proper relationship between external exercise, qi gong and meditation. On this occasion he used the analogy of an automobile.
In his fashion he described the results of external exercise to body of a car. When you are driving a new, clean and shiny car, you feel good. People notice you, and this makes you feel good also. However, he made the point that this was only true if you could actually drive the car. If the shiny car did not work and could only sit in the driveway it was of little value. Again he analogized this to when you put on a quality suit that fits well. You look good and you feel good. You are confidant, relaxed and thus you perform well.
All cars are clean and shiny when new, just like a baby. However, without proper maintenance the shiny new car will soon wear down. Even the best car, if abused and not maintained will eventually break down and no longer be suitable for transportation. Even if it still looks new, clean and shiny.
Master Kao spoke of how the practice of qi gong was the same as performing the under the hood maintenance on our car. Toxins are expunged when we change oil. Brake fluids are flushed. Coolants are replaced. Fuel injectors are cleaned. Filters cleaned or replaced.
Generally we make repairs to the drive train, fluid lines and electrical wiring when through use or trauma they have been damaged. Some people have the knowledge and tools to perform this routine and corrective maintenance themselves. Others however, must take their car to a mechanic for maintenance and repairs because they don’t have the wisdom or time to take corrective action themselves. This basic maintenance is the regular practice of qi gong. The outside of the body may look good but if the inside of the motor is eaten up with rust it is foolish to invest time polishing the paint and not repairing the defective part.
As a mode of transportation the car must run properly and should look good as well.
Master Kao then turned the discussion to the driver of the car. They should be alert, competent and know the route to the destination. He discussed how even if the car ran well, even if the body was clean, strong and shiny without a competent driver it could be dangerous thing.
This was the role of meditation and mental exercise. The mind of the body is the driver of our car. The examples are obvious. Regardless of the condition of the car, a competent and focused driver is preferred to one inexperienced and impaired by toxins.
Just as with a good meal, only with a proper balance of spices is the whole greater then the sum of its parts.
That is why we balance our practice within the Chang Hung Xi Sui Gong Kung Fu Association.
To learn more about qigong as presented in the traditional Taoist lineage of the Little Nine Heaven system, visit:
www.xisuigong.com
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