finding my master

[klr]

Hi all!

I recently bumped into this site and am thoroughly impressed by the knowledge around.

So maybe you can help!

I have my mind firmly set on becoming a Qi Gong master myself. After not too much success with teachers in Europe, I learnt some Chinese and will go to China this July. The idea is to stay until I have achieved my aim.

But how to find the right teacher(s)? I haven't got a clue. Searching the net didn't help. Then all this stuff about some great masters placed under house arrest ... I was in touch briefly with one interesting guy who invited me to come "over the summer". But when I asked for his address so that I could start looking around for accommodation, he went silent.

Any interesting ideas anyone?

[BaguaKicksAss]

Try the chinafrominside site and the people there.

[Yascra]

Hello klr,

and welcome to The Tao Bums

Sorry, personally I can't help you, but I hope you'll find someone in here who might have some good advice :/

Your introductory post has been approved and you'll be able to post on the forum now. Please keep our Terms and Rules in mind when participating here.

 

 

Good luck and all the best,

 

Yascra

[Wu Ming Jen]

Possibly spend some time On Wudang Mountain. You pick what forms to learn, 7 hrs a day training, Thursdays off to explore. Many Schools to choose from, I will refrain from promoting my school. With an invitation from the school you can get your visa up to 3 months the first time in China. Completing your chi gung sets and demonstrating skill you will get a certificate.Lodging with training and 3 meals a day are available. Lots of Masters on the mountain depending on what your major is. Good luck

[thelerner]

Lin Aiwei posts here. He seems pretty knowledgeable about China, chi gung and classical learning. Still I tend to think its better to aim to learn fundamentals then find a master. China can be a good place for that too. If you learn the fundamentals you'll gain connections and know what you're looking for.

[GrandmasterP]

Hello klr.

Welcome to TTB.

Maybe Taiwan might be a better place to look.

Or even begin looking where you are now as there are some super QiGong teachers all over the world.

Non approved QiGong teaching is proscribed in China.

This is the only official QiGong body.

http://jsqg.sport.org.cn/en/

Anyone not licensed to teach QiGong in an approved manner and who is caught teaching in China could possibly face serious consequences.

Edited April 10, 2014 by GrandmasterP

[BaguaKicksAss]

Here's a thread which covers a bit of the reality of China and training

 

http://thetaobums.com/topic/24924-a-month-in-china/

 

I don't mean to put you off, more like help you avoid the far too many scams just waiting for starry eyed tourists looking for qigong and etc.

[GrandmasterP]

I still fancy one of those 'Great Wall' mini vans.

Still not on sale in the UK and I've still got the old Matiz.

[Wu Ming Jen]

I read thru the link provided by Bagua, all fair observations from outsiders and short term people that visit Wudang. Over 130,000 people will visit during the spring festival alone.

 

Taiwan is where many masters fled to during the cultural revolution as well as all over the world. What can seem like a bad thing (cultural Revolution) is a blessing to the world. The same thing happened when the Ming dynasty ended. The Taoist no longer had the emperor's mandate,sending masters out into the world, leaving the mountain and spreading the numerous arts we know today.

 

Great efforts were made to ensure Wudang arts would be preserved at the risk of death or life imprisonment during the revolution, I have met a few formally from Taiwan on Wudang.

 

Wudang will always be the mountain of the immortals. What is hidden and not apparent is still present. It may seem at first that to become an insider is impossible but for those who stay at least 3 months, insider information and statis becomes available. sooo many magical places with no tourist, that is easy.

 

Student instructors that teach short term students have been training since they were young kids practising 7++ hours a day so your skill level needs to be amazing to get any attention at all and to be introduced to a Master that specializes in your own personal interest. Wudang is a very relaxed atmosphere the drive and dedication has to come from oneself. If you seek to become a perfected warrior, it is far from easy.

[thelerner]

 

Student instructors that teach short term students have been training since they were young kids practising 7++ hours a day so your skill level needs to be amazing to get any attention at all and to be introduced to a Master that specializes in your own personal interest.

Thought this need repeating.

[RiverSnake]

Hey kit. Don't know if its necessary to go to China. Here's a thread with some useful resources for many styles of Ch Kung available in the USA.

 

My 2 cents, Peace

Edited April 11, 2014 by OldChi

[Spotless]

I study with a 6th Generation Shaolin Temple Grand Master monk here in Alameda California.

 

He is an actual monk who lives modestly and teaches often.

 

I have been taking 4 classes a week now for several years and am just now moving to his inner circle of two ( including myself).

 

It will be no different in China - but by all means go there and enjoy - pick a place with good air.

 

I will try to help you with contacts there - I know of several long time American students over there. They are obviously very well taught and I would not hesitate to connect you with them.

 

When they visit here and teach it is clear that they have been studying with the elite.

 

At the same time, one of the students here is of such a high caliber in Kung Fu and Qi Gong that I assumed he was from China but he learned everything from one of the monks that came over here with my master.

 

His master is in Vancouver Canada teaching there - also a monk. He used to be here in the Bay Area.

 

I too like the idea of full immersion and I like China. My first visit there was in 1984 - I was given full run of the Potala Palace up in Tibet with some 300 monks.

 

All the best to you!

[GrandmasterP]

I read thru the link provided by Bagua, all fair observations from outsiders and short term people that visit Wudang. Over 130,000 people will visit during the spring festival alone.Taiwan is where many masters fled to during the cultural revolution as well as all over the world. What can seem like a bad thing (cultural Revolution) is a blessing to the world. The same thing happened when the Ming dynasty ended. The Taoist no longer had the emperor's mandate,sending masters out into the world, leaving the mountain and spreading the numerous arts we know today.Great efforts were made to ensure Wudang arts would be preserved at the risk of death or life imprisonment during the revolution, I have met a few formally from Taiwan on Wudang.Wudang will always be the mountain of the immortals. What is hidden and not apparent is still present. It may seem at first that to become an insider is impossible but for those who stay at least 3 months, insider information and statis becomes available. sooo many magical places with no tourist, that is easy.Student instructors that teach short term students have been training since they were young kids practising 7++ hours a day so your skill level needs to be amazing to get any attention at all and to be introduced to a Master that specializes in your own personal interest. Wudang is a very relaxed atmosphere the drive and dedication has to come from oneself. If you seek to become a perfected warrior, it is far from easy.

With all due respect I beg to differ.

Wudang is Dao Disneyland.

A tourist destination of choice with all the hucksterism associated with well organised mass tourism.

Shows to see and merchandise to buy.

If anyone from the west believes that a protracted sojourn on Wudang might lead to them becoming an 'insider' then one would direct their pre- reading to David Chadwick's book ' Thank you and OK'.

A fluent Japanese speaker , ordained and living/ working in Japan over a number of years as an ordained officiant of a working Temple community and part time English teacher.

Chadwick has a Japanese driving licence, he marries his ( American) wife in Japan.

When not about his temple duties he lives in a Japanese suburb socialising with Japanese neighbours.

For all that effort and all those years he is integrated as 'belonging' not one single jot and admits as much in the text.

Wudang is just about the last place for any westerner to learn anything beyond what it is to be smiled at whilst being royally fleeced.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step hence, if one cannot find effective encultured cultivation close to home; it will never be found in foreign climes.

No one is ever as smart in a second language.

No tourist, howsoever extended their tour and notwithstanding the robes they are sold to wear whilst 'abroad' is ever anything beyond the tourist, spiritual or otherwise; that they were and always shall be.

The act and the fact of seeking 'enlightenment' far from home negates the efficacy of that laudable impulse.

If valid cultivation cannot be 'here and now' then it cannot be anywhere else either.

Edited April 12, 2014 by GrandmasterP

[Wu Ming Jen]

With all due respect I beg to differ.

Wudang is Dao Disneyland.

A tourist destination of choice with all the hucksterism associated with well organised mass tourism.

Shows to see and merchandise to buy.

If anyone from the west believes that a protracted sojourn on Wudang might lead to them becoming an 'insider' then one would direct their pre- reading to David Chadwick's book ' Thank you and OK'.

A fluent Japanese speaker , ordained and living/ working in Japan over a number of years as an ordained officiant of a working Temple community and part time English teacher.

Chadwick has a Japanese driving licence, he marries his ( American) wife in Japan.

When not about his temple duties he lives in a Japanese suburb socialising with Japanese neighbours.

For all that effort and all those years he is integrated as 'belonging' not one single jot and admits as much in the text.

Wudang is just about the last place for any westerner to learn anything beyond what it is to be smiled at whilst being royally fleeced.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step hence, if one cannot find effective encultured cultivation close to home; it will never be found in foreign climes.

No one is ever as smart in a second language.

No tourist, howsoever extended their tour and notwithstanding the robes they are sold to wear whilst 'abroad' is ever anything beyond the tourist, spiritual or otherwise; that they were and always shall be.

The act and the fact of seeking 'enlightenment' far from home negates the efficacy of that laudable impulse.

If valid cultivation cannot be 'here and now' then it cannot be anywhere else either.

Hey its all good, we are all entitled to or own perspective. point / counter point is an very open minded approach to learn of topics. The tourist are just that they do not belong to a school or it is a personal pilgrimage during special festivals. Never give up the near for the far is right on.

 

My experience is much different then the tourist or short term student. When people arrive with so much head knowledge but physical not able to keep up I have to question there actual abilities in these arts because they come of as a novice. When we are proving philosophical content to our selves in the physical world the mind stuff is weak with nothing to show for it or no practical application achieving balance and harmony with all things and the ability of truly living a rich and fulfilled life.

 

If you have skill in a subject and you go to a seminar you learn more then a beginner will. Same with Wudang If you want a master degree from an ivy league school pick one. If you want a master degree in Taoist Arts Wudang is one of those. It is fine to beat up on Harvard or Yale, Wudang or Shaolin but we are talking about Ivy League schools here with a history like no other.

 

Enlightenment, stay on the mountain and do nothing you will see why last year there was 3 million visitors.

[thelerner]

Hey its all good, we are all entitled to or own perspective. point / counter point is an very open minded approach to learn of topics.

Thank you both. There's much truth to both viewpoints. You want to encourage learning and adventure as well as warn of the shucksterism and pit falls.

 

I've enjoyed the blog and audio CD's from Master Chen at Wudangtao (http://wudangtao.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=52&Itemid=163), but as far as authenticity, I don't know.. I like'em, but I'm from another culture, 2,000 miles away. He could be a kid in a basement. Still I like'em and I've learned from them.

[SonOfTheGods]

This is a GREAT thread in the LOBBY!

[Wu Ming Jen]

Thank you both. There's much truth to both viewpoints. You want to encourage learning and adventure as well as warn of the shucksterism and pit falls.

 

I've enjoyed the blog and audio CD's from Master Chen at Wudangtao (http://wudangtao.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=52&Itemid=163), but as far as authenticity, I don't know.. I like'em, but I'm from another culture, 2,000 miles away. He could be a kid in a basement. Still I like'em and I've learned from them.

Thanks, I know Master Chen personally, His teacher was the famous nun that would not leave Wudang during the cultural revolution.The female alchemy was passed onto him as well. He is a linage holder and returns to the mountain yearly. Master Chen's Chi cultivation and healing is high level.

 

Many from his generation were very discourage with the tourism and the cable cars to the top. Master Chen grew up on the mountain.

[thelerner]

Thanks, I know Master Chen personally, His teacher was the famous nun that would not leave Wudang during the cultural revolution.The female alchemy was passed onto him as well. He is a linage holder and returns to the mountain yearly. Master Chen's Chi cultivation and healing is high level.

 

Many from his generation were very discourage with the tourism and the cable cars to the top. Master Chen grew up on the mountain.

I was hoping this was the case.

We are lucky to have a man of your experience here.

I collect guided meditation and I really enjoy listening to Master Chen's voice. {see but do not see. know but do not know.}

[Spotless]

 

 

The first person in this video is the teacher up in Vancouver - everyone I know talks very highly of him and his students here are extraordinary. He is a monk from Shaolin Temple.

 

He came over here with two of my teachers - all from Shaolin.

Master Yan is the youngest of the 3 and is not a monk - he comes on at the end of this video. He is also a very good teacher and a pleasure to work with. I have taken Tai Chi from him. He was considered among the very best in all of China.

Edited April 13, 2014 by Spotless

[RiverSnake]

Hey kit. Don't know if its necessary to go to China. Here's a thread with some useful resources for many styles of Ch Kung available in the USA.

 

My 2 cents, Peace

Hey klr. Sorry, just realized the link was a missing. A good resource for a variety of Chi Kung styles: http://thetaobums.com/topic/27757-what-is-the-best-qigong-lineage-to-start-out-with/?hl=lineage

 

My 2 cents, Peace

[maheosphet]

The is this saying that "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear,” - I have found this to be true.

 

Perhaps it doesn't need to even appear physically, if you are ready of course.

[iradie]

"I have my mind firmly set on becoming a Qi Gong master myself. After not too much success with teachers in Europe, I learnt some Chinese and will go to China this July. I will just ad a few words and repeat in an other way what has already been said."

 

 

Many of us look for some high quality teachers and it is difficult to find. But not for the reason we think.

 

Nearly every time I met a teacher I found he/she was a very good teacher. But when I finally met my actual teacher, I understood, all I had learnt until there was like brocken bricks, and I had to start everything over again.

 

 

It took me many years to find my actual teacher. But if I had not studied with several others before him, I would not have been able to follow his teaching. I have often presented him to other people but only one has gone on following his courses. They cannot see he is a fabulous teacher and his knowledge is rare and his teaching skills excellent.

 

In Europe there are some very good teachers, but they do not all teach qi gong. They teach martial arts, and qi gong is part of it. They give what people are able to understand and see. Because they are used to westeners, they don't want to exaust themwelves teaching people who do not work, who do not search, who do not have respect for their words. But they continue training, searching, and exchanging with those who also do so.

Becoming a qi gong master can be done with very little in the beginning. Find a few movements and pratice 10 years. Search for yourself, what works or not, create a form, work with some good teachers while you search for a skilled master.

 

In fact I think we have too many good masters who know a lot for too many students who are not able or ready to learn very much. A student should be able to become better than his master. Today it is rare. As westeners we must learn to become very humble and work hard and regularly. I wish you a lot of plaesure and courage to find your teacher.

Edited April 24, 2014 by iradie

[Captain Mar-Vell]

...

Edited April 25, 2014 by Captain Mar-Vell

[iradie]

I also read through the link provided by baguaKA and the contributions of Grand Master P and Wu Ming Jen and wanted to participate with my little experience.

When I went there as a tourist two years ago for a week, I had a mixed impression and would have a lot to say. But I will try to make it short.

I met several young people (and less youg) chinese and westeners who had come to train tai qi and learn more. They were really dedicate and serious and kind and it meant a lot to them to be there. For some, it was their lifeway, for others a meaningfull break in an otherwise busy life. Anyway they had come for meaning and created it being there.

 

When I left, I had a strong experience in the train back to Wuhan. I had a long talk (several hours) with a young 25years old girl, her father and a friend. They told me about their trip to Wudangshan, showed me the fotos. Real tourists. and I was impressed by the feeling of what a rich experience it had been for them, seing the temples, reading the scriptures on the templefronts which they translated for me and tried to explain to me. Being there together had a kind of unsaid quality.

Because I have been with a Chinese friend in other places, I know many chinese go in the mountains when they need to think, or make an important decision. Behind what seems a mass of tourists, there are people who are eager to find meaning, or to dream of other dimensions or to show their fotos back home or sometimes all of it. And we are part of this mass.

And how can we go on creating a significant path also in this society, also in the middel of a consumerist world, also as the role of money grows, or maybe because of that our path is even so important.

 

As I was In Wudang shan, walking along lonely paths in the mountain, I had a special experience. I don't remember If it was willingly or if it happened but I started seing immortals faces appearing in the rocks. And the more I walked the more I saw these strange faces and bodys appearing all along my way. I took some fotos, and thought they would have disapeared on the picture. But when I looked at them later, I could still see them.

Edited April 25, 2014 by iradie