Photos from the Nepal retreat 2013

[Vitalii]

Photos from the Nepal retreat 2013

[konchog uma]

Gorgeous

[thelerner]

Great photos. Can you tell us a little about the retreat?

[Vitalii]

Great photos. Can you tell us a little about the retreat?

 

At first, we arrived to Katmandu, where we had 2 days of excursions in Katmandu and Bhaktapur. Then we went to the monastery in the mountains were the retreat took place.

 

We had the following daily timetable during 9 days:

 

3.45 a.m. - wake up

from 4.00 a.m. until 6.00 a.m. - Zhan Zhuan

7.00 a.m. - 9.00 a.m. - breakfast

9.00 a.m. - 12.00 a.m. - practice of inner alchemy

12.00 - 12.45 - discussing of the Daoist theory and philosophy

1.00 - 3.00 p.m. - lunch and free time

3.00 - 6.00 p.m. - practice of inner alchemy

6.00 - 6.45 p.m. - discussing of the Daoist theory and philosophy

7.00 - 8.00 p.m. - dinner and free time

8.00 - 10.00 p.m. - reading, studying and discussing of ancient Daoist texts

 

Sometimes we also practiced Dao Yin and dynamic Qigong practices.

 

The retreat program was held in accordance with traditional instructions created by the Founders of the School Zhen Dao Pai – Lu Dongbin, Wang Chong Yang, Ma Dangyang.

 

During the retreat, detailed recommendations for cultivation of Minggong (Vitality force) and Xinggong (Inner Heart Nature) were given.

 

Attention was given to the following practices:

• ”Art of a Proper Entry into the mountains”;
• How to improve properly in the mountain forests;
• How to use the help of the spirits of a place when practicing;
• Methods allowing to realize the process of “purification of the Heart-Mind” more effectively;
• ”Building the foundation” [筑基] and “Refine the self” [炼己] methods;
• how to speed up the process of formation of the Small Elixir;
• and much more.

[ChiDragon]

“Refine the self” [炼己]

炼己: Self cultivation; self discipline.

[thelerner]

 

 

At first, we arrived to Katmandu, where we had 2 days of excursions in Katmandu and Bhaktapur. Then we went to the monastery in the mountains were the retreat took place.

 

We had the following daily timetable during 9 days:

 

3.45 a.m. - wake up

from 4.00 a.m. until 6.00 a.m. - Zhan Zhuan

7.00 a.m. - 9.00 a.m. - breakfast

9.00 a.m. - 12.00 a.m. - practice of inner alchemy

12.00 - 12.45 - discussing of the Daoist theory and philosophy

1.00 - 3.00 p.m. - lunch and free time

3.00 - 6.00 p.m. - practice of inner alchemy

6.00 - 6.45 p.m. - discussing of the Daoist theory and philosophy

7.00 - 8.00 p.m. - dinner and free time

8.00 - 10.00 p.m. - reading, studying and discussing of ancient Daoist texts

Attention was given to the following practices:

• ”Art of a Proper Entry into the mountains”;
• How to improve properly in the mountain forests;
• How to use the help of the spirits of a place when practicing;
• Methods allowing to realize the process of “purification of the Heart-Mind” more effectively;
• ”Building the foundation” [筑基] and “Refine the self” [炼己] methods;
• how to speed up the process of formation of the Small Elixir;
• and much more.

Hard core

You had me at 2 hours of Zhan Zhan from 4 to 6 am.

 

If I may ask, what is Art of a Proper Entry into the mountains?

 

Thanks

Michael

Edited October 17, 2013 by thelerner

[Vitalii]

Hard core

You had me at 2 hours of Zhan Zhan from 4 to 6 am.

 

If I may ask, what is Art of a Proper Entry into the mountains?

 

Thanks

Michael

 

"Art of a Proper Entry into the mountains" is an art, which helps a person to connect inner Qi and Shen (spirit) with Qi and Spirit of mountains, as well as to understand how to use the help of spirits of a place when practicing.

 

This art was mentioned in Inner Chapter 17 of Baopuzi, by Ge Hong:

然不知入山法者, 多遇祸害 - "Those who don't know the methods of entry into the mountains, often meet many disasters and misfortunes"

[thelerner]

Vitali: What kind of preparation is needed to get the most out of a retreat like that? For example what should be practiced, what level of expertise needed?

 

Thanks

[Vitalii]

Vitali: What kind of preparation is needed to get the most out of a retreat like that? For example what should be practiced, what level of expertise needed?

 

Thanks

 

Basic skills needed:

 

1. to be able to sit with legs crossed, the longer the better.

2. to be able practice Zhan Zhuan for 30 minutes or more.

3. to know abdominal breathing and the method "Five Gates Breathing".

 

Best skills:

1. to know the "methods of building the foundation", which consider basic Qigong, basic breathing techniques, Dao Yin and other methods, which can help to improve the circulation of Qi. These techniques are learnt during a seminar on the 1st level in the Daoist School Zhen Dao Pai.

 

2. to know the method of transformation from usual dantian into alchemical dantian; how to make dantian integral and structurised; to accumulate usual [Post-Heaven] Qi, and find and feel original [Pre-Heaven] Qi etc.

 

3. to know basic methods of cultivation of the Heart Nature (Xing) and how to cultivate Xing in Minggong practice. This is a very important aspect of a right self-improvement!

 

I also can say, even though a person doesn't have the best skills, he/she can still catch up with methods and fundamental theory on a retreat. For example, during this retreat there was one man, who had never practiced Zhan Zhuan before, but on the second day he practiced it for two hours already. He also had no problems with obtaining other necessary skills.

 

Of Course, if a person has the best skills, he/she can get the most of benefits from a retreat. If a person doesn't know something, retreats can help one to enhance ones skills considerably anyway, in comparison to ordinary trainings. Thus, in any case, retreats are able to boost skills and help to achieve more significant results for any person who has a wish to do it.

 

The next retreat will be held in April in the Wudang Mountains in China.