Norwegian city offers qigong to all citizens for free

[markern]

l

Edited September 10, 2013 by markern

[effilang]

Internet and free Qigong! - I'm moving to Norway : )

[markern]

l

Edited September 10, 2013 by markern

[metal dog]

I just spent three weeks on the coast and sailing in Kristiansand this summer for vacation.

Nice place. I like it much more than the capital city of Oslo.

 

If you can establish a necessity for a health service you have training in, even alternative, and can show that there is public interest and present positive testimonials from those who benefit, the government will actually give you funds to assist you in setting up your operations.

 

I have lived in Norway for five years now and ten written testimonials by Norwegian clients were helpful in my getting thousands of dollars granted to me for opening a practice and business in bodywork. As a foreigner, I am also given some tax relief for the first couple years of my business operation to assist in making it a success.

 

Chi gong has started popping up here and there probably by those getting similar assistance. This is what happens when you have a thriving surplus economy with a lot of money in reserves due to a small population and good profits from oil and natural gas spilling over into public health and welfare services. This is what Americans should be getting back home in all areas of life. There is no reason why they should not other than corruption in corporate owned government and greed.

 

This why I chose to come to and raise a family. I had learned back in 1998 that the U.S. economy and real estate was going to tank in the upcoming decade. The problem is much worse than most realize or is talked about in the news. Rather than write my politicians or protest against U.S. foreign policy, domestic anti-terrorism laws robbing my freedom, wiretapping citizens, international torture operations, etc., which wouldn't change a thing, I thought I would do the ultimate protest and withdraw my tax dollars from financing such a beast. It isn't a matter of not being patriotic, giving up on American or even fear. Those are the accusations others will throw at me that just don't understand my ethics and modus operandi in life.

 

Norway is not perfect so don't believe all the hype one may find on the internet about it.

The people have a lot of work to do on themselves in many areas, but must be made to see and be motivated to do a self-inventory of their tendencies toward propped-up grandiose, and at the same time small-minded, attitudes. They tend to inflate themselves a bit too much and think they are better than they really are. A typical Western-inspired attitude coupled with nouvo-riche of an oil-based economy.

There are exceptions of course.

[hagar]

Typical example of the watering down of the secrets of qigong.

What's next? They teach you in school?

And who's paying for this?

 

h

[hagar]

I just spent three weeks on the coast and sailing in Kristiansand this summer for vacation.

Nice place. I like it much more than the capital city of Oslo.

 

Norway is not perfect so don't believe all the hype one may find on the internet about it.

The people have a lot of work to do on themselves in many areas, but must be made to see and be motivated to do a self-inventory of their tendencies toward propped-up grandiose, and at the same time small-minded, attitudes. They tend to inflate themselves a bit too much and think they are better than they really are. A typical Western-inspired attitude coupled with nouvo-riche of an oil-based economy.

There are exceptions of course.

 

Pretty much summed it up, but you left out the nationalist strands in public media.

 

h

Edited September 6, 2010 by hagar

[metal dog]

Nationalist strands in public media.

 

I am not sure what this means.

Could you elaborate?

 

If I were to assume what you mean it is that the media portrays Norway in a much exaggerated positive light and avoids any negative, yet valid, real criticisms of its society. Like the ostrich burying its head in the sand? And absent those criticisms, the ability to examine them and the desire to improve upon them, maintains a status quo of non-change relegated to an excuse or abuse of the false claim of holding onto "tradition" (but actually to the detriment of actual self-development and positive evolution). And what kind of smartphone you have, fashion you wear, or car you drive is not an indicator of evolution I am speaking of.

 

I try not to be harsh and question my observations often, but then the evidences to support them become so overwhelming that I must suspend...niceties.

 

There is a profound unworldliness and naivety to the people in Norway and I attribute my criticisms regarding their outward demeanors-attitudes as a compensation for this naivety. Almost a subtle insecurity or fear. Like children in some respects. But this can have its positive side as well.

 

This watered-down chi gong will become the new fad as everyone will want to be seen in public waving their arms up and down, set up a few accessory boutiques, establish their social hierarchies, puff themselves up with a false sense of superiority and then head out for pub night, pickup some snus and pølse like always.

 

I see you are based in Oslo.

Are you a native, one of the "brødskive" peoples?

Edited September 6, 2010 by metal dog

[rain]

Nationalist strands in public media.

 

I am not sure what this means.

Could you elaborate?

 

If I were to assume what you mean it is that the media portrays Norway in a much exaggerated positive light and avoids any negative, yet valid, real criticisms of its society. Like the ostrich burying its head in the sand? And absent those criticisms, the ability to examine them and the desire to improve upon them, maintains a status quo of non-change relegated to an excuse or abuse of the false claim of holding onto "tradition" (but actually to the detriment of actual self-development and positive evolution). And what kind of smartphone you have, fashion you wear, or car you drive is not an indicator of evolution I am speaking of.

 

I try not to be harsh and question my observations often, but then the evidences to support them become so overwhelming that I must suspend...niceties.

 

There is a profound unworldliness and naivety to the people in Norway and I attribute my criticisms regarding their outward demeanors-attitudes as a compensation for this naivety. Almost a subtle insecurity or fear. Like children in some respects. But this can have its positive side as well.

 

This watered-down chi gong will become the new fad as everyone will want to be seen in public waving their arms up and down, set up a few accessory boutiques, establish their social hierarchies, puff themselves up with a false sense of superiority and then head out for pub night, pickup some snus and pølse like always.

 

I see you are based in Oslo.

Are you a native, one of the "brødskive" peoples?

 

y e s

 

(grandiose naive display)

 

great post btw. the description of your own feelings about watered down info is just sweet. I so relate to that paranoia. and, like you I am totally convinced we're on to the bitter truth.

Edited September 6, 2010 by rain

[gendao]

I just spent three weeks on the coast and sailing in Kristiansand this summer for vacation.

Nice place. I like it much more than the capital city of Oslo.

 

If you can establish a necessity for a health service you have training in, even alternative, and can show that there is public interest and present positive testimonials from those who benefit, the government will actually give you funds to assist you in setting up your operations.

 

I have lived in Norway for five years now and ten written testimonials by Norwegian clients were helpful in my getting thousands of dollars granted to me for opening a practice and business in bodywork. As a foreigner, I am also given some tax relief for the first couple years of my business operation to assist in making it a success.

 

Chi gong has started popping up here and there probably by those getting similar assistance. This is what happens when you have a thriving surplus economy with a lot of money in reserves due to a small population and good profits from oil and natural gas spilling over into public health and welfare services. This is what Americans should be getting back home in all areas of life. There is no reason why they should not other than corruption in corporate owned government and greed.

 

This why I chose to come to and raise a family. I had learned back in 1998 that the U.S. economy and real estate was going to tank in the upcoming decade. The problem is much worse than most realize or is talked about in the news. Rather than write my politicians or protest against U.S. foreign policy, domestic anti-terrorism laws robbing my freedom, wiretapping citizens, international torture operations, etc., which wouldn't change a thing, I thought I would do the ultimate protest and withdraw my tax dollars from financing such a beast. It isn't a matter of not being patriotic, giving up on American or even fear. Those are the accusations others will throw at me that just don't understand my ethics and modus operandi in life.

 

Norway is not perfect so don't believe all the hype one may find on the internet about it.

The people have a lot of work to do on themselves in many areas, but must be made to see and be motivated to do a self-inventory of their tendencies toward propped-up grandiose, and at the same time small-minded, attitudes. They tend to inflate themselves a bit too much and think they are better than they really are. A typical Western-inspired attitude coupled with nouvo-riche of an oil-based economy.

There are exceptions of course.

Great points! That is how the US SHOULD be if it were run properly (wisely & realistically). Unfortunately, you're right - it's pretty much a lost cause here now. This place is headed into becoming the next Brazil due to decades of liberal & neocon Baby Boomer policies that squandered our wealth waging hegemonic wars and rewarding failure at home. But they don't care, because they will be dead (or have fled the country) just as the government coffers run dry. It is the next generations who will then have to pay the full price for all their sinful excesses:

[vsaluki]

This is what happens when you have a thriving surplus economy with a lot of money in reserves due to a small population and good profits from oil and natural gas spilling over into public health and welfare services. This is what Americans should be getting back home in all areas of life. There is no reason why they should not other than corruption in corporate owned government and greed.

 

We don't have a surplus of gas and oil like Norway. We have a shortage. Norway's population is smaller than New York city. And their oil and gas sales are huge. So judging their economic model as a success is not possible. How would their model work without the surplus gas and oil.

 

They tend to inflate themselves a bit too much and think they are better than they really are. A typical Western-inspired attitude coupled with nouvo-riche of an oil-based economy.

There are exceptions of course.

 

How is this attitude "western inspired"? Do you find such attitudes in the East? I don't think the average Easterner is a Lao Tzu.

[Encephalon]

http://robhu.livejournal.com/529325.html

[hagar]

Nationalist strands in public media.

 

I am not sure what this means.

Could you elaborate?

 

If I were to assume what you mean it is that the media portrays Norway in a much exaggerated positive light and avoids any negative, yet valid, real criticisms of its society. Like the ostrich burying its head in the sand? And absent those criticisms, the ability to examine them and the desire to improve upon them, maintains a status quo of non-change relegated to an excuse or abuse of the false claim of holding onto "tradition" (but actually to the detriment of actual self-development and positive evolution). And what kind of smartphone you have, fashion you wear, or car you drive is not an indicator of evolution I am speaking of.

 

I try not to be harsh and question my observations often, but then the evidences to support them become so overwhelming that I must suspend...niceties.

 

There is a profound unworldliness and naivety to the people in Norway and I attribute my criticisms regarding their outward demeanors-attitudes as a compensation for this naivety. Almost a subtle insecurity or fear. Like children in some respects. But this can have its positive side as well.

 

This watered-down chi gong will become the new fad as everyone will want to be seen in public waving their arms up and down, set up a few accessory boutiques, establish their social hierarchies, puff themselves up with a false sense of superiority and then head out for pub night, pickup some snus and pølse like always.

 

I see you are based in Oslo.

Are you a native, one of the "brødskive" peoples?

 

Yup.

I can second pretty much all of what you say.

There is really to much abundance to have any cultural criticism with any bite in this country. Especially if the population is well educated, fed, conventional, etc etc. And lo and behold, if Qigong gets to be popular here it will be something absurd, with alot of Brødskive-eating in between. But maybe that's how things are going...

I don't have time to go into it, but I feel I live in the best and the most digusting country in the world.

Dont get me wrong; being a father, I bring my son up in a culture that hails Nature, have a free and well functioning welfare systems and public schooling (well almost) and the list just goes on.

 

But being a foreigner, you get a fresh eye on things. So I'd guess these things become pretty evident.

 

Deep down things here are abit different, and ugly. As everywhere else.

 

I think Rain, who is an artist, can connect with old Edvard Munch who painted The Scream with the evening sky of Oslo as a backdrop.

 

h

Edited September 6, 2010 by hagar

[metal dog]

y e s

 

(grandiose naive display)

 

It is not so much an external display of grandiosity but one of reserved pomposity.

Unless you have been drinking or are from Bergen.

 

Like dealing with a primped, yet reserved, thoroughbred horse.

Or the other extreme outside of the city of metro-sexuals and into the realm of the redneck mountain trolls.

 

great post btw. the description of your own feelings about watered down info is just sweet. I so relate to that paranoia. and, like you I am totally convinced we're on to the bitter truth

 

If you consider how great the service is in just about any industry in Norway (particularly restaurants and trades) and chi gong classes follow that trend due to the same attitudes...you can begin to see the downward spiral before all the instructors start calling in fake-sick or wasting thirty minutes every morning drinking coffee, eating cake and talking about last nights episode of "Big Brother" before doing "hold the ball at the dan tien".

Edited September 6, 2010 by metal dog

[metal dog]

We don't have a surplus of gas and oil like Norway. We have a shortage. Norway's population is smaller than New York city. And their oil and gas sales are huge. So judging their economic model as a success is not possible. How would their model work without the surplus gas and oil.

 

Norway was very poor before they struck oil in 1970.

 

And it took ten years of their future oil profits to pay back what it took to finance the infrastructure to take oil out of the ground. So real profit did not occur until 1980. Hence nouvo riche.

And Norway's population is 4.8 million, very small.

There success was luck that they found oil in land that was actually given to them by Sweden. Had Sweden kept this Norway would not have rights to it. Lucky again.

 

But they have taken their good fortune and planned for the future somewhat with frugality. They know the oil won't last and something will have to take its place. Alternative energy technology development and manufacturing may be that future...but who knows?

 

In this respect and how they offer certain considerations for public welfare with their wealth is what I meant by it being a success.

 

But to compare it to a nation of over 300 million is quite different...yes it is.

 

I did not mean this success as a comparison for America with oil and gas supplies.

But the U.S. not having their backbone of success in a manufacturing base which is now outsourced and their future piddled away by the wild speculations of bankers dealing with their criminal friend's ponzi schemes on the Wall Street casino.

That type of thing is does not fit the Norwegian model.

They do a lot to protect worker's rights and wages.

 

Without this selling out and bankrupting of America...it would be able to thrive and offer all of its legal citizens a good lifestyle as a functioning country living up to its full potential. Which it is now not able to do so. That is what I meant.

[metal dog]

How is this attitude "western inspired"? Do you find such attitudes in the East? I don't think the average Easterner is a Lao Tzu.

 

Perhaps I should have been more specific with this as it meant they look to and model quite a bit of American pop culture into their consciousness and comically so at times. That is more specific relating to..."the West". But Scandinavia has a fetish for "Uber-Euro-Tech-Le Chique Le Cool" which is even more severe than American's.

(And not to the total exclusion that much in the east has not been influenced by the same. As this was not my point)

 

But most people from the middle east and asia notice it and can relate with me regarding it as well.

It's an experiential thing with many hues...hard to define in words...but obvious to the wary.

 

I grew up as a kid in a black neighborhood and went to school that was eighty percent black.

Then crack hit the neighborhoods and all went to sh#t.

So I know real "hood" life. And what a white azz cracka' boy needs to do to survive in low socio-economic hotbed of suburban survival.

 

But when I see a bunch of middle school kids, who know no such reality or strife in Norway, wearing black american ghetto inspired fashions walking around with primate-like swaggers emulating their favorite U.S. rap star videos from television with sh#tty attitudes, it gives me an extra kick because they are so far removed from this reality and divided from knowing anything about it by the Atlantic ocean and a totally different culture. There is no American black culture here at all, just a small number African immigrants light years different than Americans in every way.

 

That swagger is really used so you look tough and dominant so don't get your azz handed to you in the real situation back home in the hood. These people here don't have..."situations".

 

And here, when you see it, in an all white area of a huge middle-class foreign country...its smacks of rebel without a f#cking clue in the most extreme expression.

 

There are other examples of this, in different age groups and in different expressions, but I don't have the time to indulge you with my many illustrations.

 

Should you have further questions or doubts...I must leave you with those at this time.

Edited September 6, 2010 by metal dog

[metal dog]

My final comments will be that it is good that Norway is opening up to the exotic.

It is desperately needed in many ways.

And they will only grow and develop from it if they keep it honest and take it with a dash of seriousness and reverence.

 

But this kind of thing lingers in the background and mostly gives me a chuckle.

 

Not really vital to give it too much attention or energy.

 

I enjoy living here and appreciate all it has to offer and have good acquaintances with many good people I have met over the years. My wife being one of them.

 

Just an expansion on the topic.

There is an sense of emergence happening here when it comes to health.

Perhaps they will experience a similar health culture hit like the U.S. back in the 1980s.

 

And perhaps some good qualified people with excellent methods will be made to feel welcomed in a land that has a history of being isolated culturally and wary of newcomers.

 

Very funny link blasto.

And thanks to Hagar for the insights and confirmations.

Edited September 6, 2010 by metal dog

[VCraigP]

 

Or the other extreme outside of the city of metro-sexuals and into the realm of the redneck mountain trolls.

 

 

Hold on,

I thought you were talking about Oregon for a minute....

[VCraigP]

We don't have a surplus of gas and oil like Norway. We have a shortage. Norway's population is smaller than New York city.

 

Maybe true statement about USA at present.

 

One thing you can say is there has never been any sharing of profit from the nation's resources, like oil, with the public as you see evidenced in Norway. This would be unthinkably Socialist and therefore EVIL!!!!!

 

haha.

[Mal]

[Gerard]

.

Edited September 21, 2010 by durkhrod chogori

[rain]

I just spent three weeks on the coast and sailing in Kristiansand this summer for vacation.

Nice place. I like it much more than the capital city of Oslo.

 

If you can establish a necessity for a health service you have training in, even alternative, and can show that there is public interest and present positive testimonials from those who benefit, the government will actually give you funds to assist you in setting up your operations.

 

I have lived in Norway for five years now and ten written testimonials by Norwegian clients were helpful in my getting thousands of dollars granted to me for opening a practice and business in bodywork. As a foreigner, I am also given some tax relief for the first couple years of my business operation to assist in making it a success.

 

Chi gong has started popping up here and there probably by those getting similar assistance. This is what happens when you have a thriving surplus economy with a lot of money in reserves due to a small population and good profits from oil and natural gas spilling over into public health and welfare services. This is what Americans should be getting back home in all areas of life. There is no reason why they should not other than corruption in corporate owned government and greed.

 

This why I chose to come to and raise a family. I had learned back in 1998 that the U.S. economy and real estate was going to tank in the upcoming decade. The problem is much worse than most realize or is talked about in the news. Rather than write my politicians or protest against U.S. foreign policy, domestic anti-terrorism laws robbing my freedom, wiretapping citizens, international torture operations, etc., which wouldn't change a thing, I thought I would do the ultimate protest and withdraw my tax dollars from financing such a beast. It isn't a matter of not being patriotic, giving up on American or even fear. Those are the accusations others will throw at me that just don't understand my ethics and modus operandi in life.

 

Norway is not perfect so don't believe all the hype one may find on the internet about it.

The people have a lot of work to do on themselves in many areas, but must be made to see and be motivated to do a self-inventory of their tendencies toward propped-up grandiose, and at the same time small-minded, attitudes. They tend to inflate themselves a bit too much and think they are better than they really are. A typical Western-inspired attitude coupled with nouvo-riche of an oil-based economy.

There are exceptions of course.

 

This is it in black & white.

you actually admit that you after a mere five years already have succeeded to get money from the state (because you can)

that the state assists youin trying to make a successful business.

this mentality..I will NOT tell you what I think of it but let you guess for yourself

[rain]

[Brian]

...

[joeblast]

Maybe true statement about USA at present.

 

One thing you can say is there has never been any sharing of profit from the nation's resources, like oil, with the public as you see evidenced in Norway. This would be unthinkably Socialist and therefore EVIL!!!!!

 

haha.

Craig, that's because for the most part, this falls to the individual states - take a look north and you'll see oil revenue helping the state out

[metal dog]

This is it in black & white.

you actually admit that you after a mere five years already have succeeded to get money from the state (because you can)

that the state assists youin trying to make a successful business.

this mentality..I will NOT tell you what I think of it but let you guess for yourself

 

What you describe as "...actually admit" in a tone of utter condemnation is what I call "Not being ashamed to speak the truth in all things, no matter how ignorant of the matter others may be who rush to judgment".

 

What you describe as "...this mentality" is your judgmental and condescending tone coming from someone who doesn't know shit about shit and finds the distance and anonymity of an internet forum to be their soapbox, upon which they can easily sit and vomit their spew.

 

I know what you think of it...

 

You love it...

Because you know full well that things in Norway cost three to five times more than in the U.S. and that Norway is the most expensive place in the world to live...beating out Japan. Thus any foreigners setting up a business will face building, labor or renovation costs that are going to be a huge disparity over what it would cost for them to setup a business in their own home country. And, should they want an employee or two, they won't be paying them $7-8$ bucks an hour, but over four times that much at around $30/hour.

 

You love it...

Because you know full well the $10,000 dollars I received was exactly how much it took just to cover the extensive cost to officially incorporate my business in the expensive Norwegian system, whereas back home in the U.S. it would cost me only $300. Another huge disparity and reason why the money is available to a foreigner to assist in starting a business. Especially if they decide they need you here. None of that money went toward establishing the physical business itself, just the legal corporate entity on paper. For this high fee, back in the U.S., I could have set up thirty corporate bodies. A 1 to 30 disparity in expense.

 

You love it...

Because you know full well that a foreigner here having to learn a new language, business and tax laws is at a serious business disadvantage for the first three years until they somewhat become a master of the system on all levels. Lest you be shunned into business failure thinking speaking English will be acceptable by the populace, especially with such a personalized health service like I provide. The personal funds shelled out on education and course costs for business and law for basic business needs was well over the amount granted to me by the state.

 

You love it...

Because you know full well that the service I provide is rare and valuable to the community where I live who benefit greatly regarding maintenance of their health.

 

And that by coming to see me for stress reduction and injury prevention the total amount of money saved by the state for out-of-work back and neck related pain in sick pay and welfare benefits is above and beyond the $10,000 granted to me. All within the first six months of my initial operations. Which I proved to them would be the case with years of data I have kept with my corporate accounts and group rates. This money saved by the state is well over a hundred times more than the $10,000 granted to me just to cover incorporation costs.

 

You love it...

Because you know that the likelihood of a self-owned and rurally located business with a small population has a tremendous likelihood to overcome which is going out of business within the first year. No matter your business plan and no matter how good and professional your intentions and preparations. I am used to working in an area of 5 million potential customers within a two city area of Miami and Fort Lauderdale back in Florida. There are only 4.8 million in Norway total. Another disparity that will sink you quick in many a business venture.

 

You love it...

Because you know so many people native to Norway do their best to get a cushy, comfortable, safe, secure "state" job within the system with all the welfare benefits and thus the lack of stimulus for private business ownership and entrepreneurial ventures, and being responsible for yourself is low.

And that this, in the long run, becomes even more of a drain off the public welfare system and draws people into a complacent non-competitive state of mind. And that lack of competitiveness creates a dulled zombie not capable of critical or progressive thinking and developments.

 

I am so successful now, even against all the disparities and challenges, that a new client has to wait eight weeks to get an appointment.

 

But for you...sweetie pie...you can wait twelve weeks.

 

No wait, let me rephrase that.

 

If you were bruised and bleeding rolling around half-witted in a gutter moaning for my assistance to help you to your feet...I would let you lie in the damp cockroach laden filth of your own soiled underwear before ever lifting a finger to help someone the likes of you.

 

(As I would not want to adopt the mentality that you may actually need my assistance...no...no...no. You would get a swift kick in your crusty ass as I tell you to, "Get a job"..."You go getter you!" And thus you would be content writhing in your own filth...as you know the universe was being fair to you and giving back what you give out.)

Edited September 7, 2010 by metal dog