Qigong - the less trod path

[Sue D]

Hello Daobums, just joining this forum after learning qigong for more than 10 years. I've looked at different 'styles' and teachers and my choice has been Zhixing Wang who teaches mainly in the UK. He calls his work Huagong, Hua indicating transformation I think. I find him excellent but there are still so many unanswered questions, hoping you experienced members can help me along the way! With all good wishes S

[thelerner]

Hello Sue, welcome aboard.  I'd love to see some new topics on which qigong forms people like the most and why.  I welcome your experienced input. 

 

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[freeform]

On 29/11/2020 at 8:33 PM, Sue D said:

Zhixing Wang

Welcome Sue

 

I met Zhixing many years ago. He certainly has an interesting way of teaching! So I’m not surprised you have questions unanswered.

 

In terms of recommendations for how to get a handle on the mechanics of genuine qigong, you can’t go wrong with Damo Mitchell’s books - particularly his latest one (forget the exact name).

[Sue D]

Good to hear your thoughts on Zhixing! His teaching is getting better and better - although understanding him online is a little challenging. Did you do the running? Yes, I meant actual running.

I'm a fan of the Damo Mitchell books but have never studied with him. I'm probably a bit old .. His podcasts are interesting, just started listening to them. Topical, earthy, informed.

With good wishes

[freeform]

19 hours ago, Sue D said:

Did you do the running? Yes, I meant actual running.

Haha - no I didn’t - sounds fun

 

19 hours ago, Sue D said:

I'm a fan of the Damo Mitchell books but have never studied with him. I'm probably a bit old

I doubt you’re too old Sue. As long as you’re prepared to eat some bitter I’m sure you’d be fine  

 

I remember years ago one of Damo’s students was a lady in her 80’s standing for hours in Zhang Zhuang just like the others. I was very impressed!

[freeform]

On 04/12/2020 at 6:32 PM, freeform said:

So I’m not surprised you have questions unanswered.

oh and I didn’t mean that in deprecating sort of way. I mean that his approach was very transmission based - and not so much direct theory.

[Sue D]

Thanks for making your comment clear - and love your example of a positive older role model. Gosh, we all need qigong so much more as we get older. I wonder what you are practising - and what attracts you to it? 

[freeform]

16 hours ago, Sue D said:

I wonder what you are practising - and what attracts you to it? 

I train in a particular Longmen pai line of Daoist internal training. My practice spans Neigong, alchemy and meditation.

 

To be honest, I’m not sure what attracts me to it any longer  It’s just what I do now.
 

Though I am grateful beyond words that these traditions exist. And even after hundreds of years, are still being kept alight despite the persistent forces of entropy that would see them come to an end. So there’s a sense of duty to do my best with this stuff and to help protect it for the future.

[Michael Sternbach]

Hi Sue

 

Welcome to TDB!

 

You and I share a background in qigong and alchemy - even though in regards to the latter, I am more knowledgeable in regards to the Western variety.

 

Hope you will be taking away something worthwhile from your interaction with this forum.

 

Best wishes 

Michael 

[thelerner]

10 hours ago, freeform said:

 

To be honest, I’m not sure what attracts me to it any longer  It’s just what I do now.

 

That strikes me as the answer of an experienced mature practitioner.

 

When we begin, we're in it for the promise of power.

Later we're even more verbose about how amazing our art and its teacher are.

Many years later, we're mellow.  It's what we do, our path.. it leads this way and we're keeping on. 

[Sue D]

Thanks to Michael for the welcome.

I also resonate with the response from freeform, 'it's just what I do'. Something I want my students to believe but not so easy when in the groove of Western thought.

Dipping into other posts, the degree of advanced experience in Daobums seems staggering. As does the access to gifted and high level teachers. Always hard to find the combination of skill and ability to teach and I wonder whether there is something lost in, say, the published material, where the ability to teach to a Western audience may have become paramount.  Is there a middle ground between entirely enigmatic and over simplified? And, if so, how do you find it? 

[freeform]

On 13/12/2020 at 2:23 PM, Sue D said:

Is there a middle ground between entirely enigmatic and over simplified? And, if so, how do you find it?

It’s one of those things where ‘it takes two to tango’... meaning right teacher with the right student.

 

The actual teaching method matters little IMO - what matters is when the teacher wants the student to get it... and the student is prepared to do what it takes. 
 

In our modern world there are so many other stimulating things we could be doing that it’s hard to find a student that’s prepared to do a decade of hard work before any of the really magical aspects of these arts start take shape.

 

People say they want it... they get all the right clothes... they look and sound the part... but are they really prepared to for instance learn how to sit still for three hours with no movement? Or stand in wuji while sweating and feeling an intense inner discomfort for an hr? Some are prepared to do this - but they’re the rare ones