Discussion on "Stages of cleansing, building and nourishing" Q&A

[barrys]

In this associated thread, through the questions and answers between student and teacher, we are building a marvellous resource.

I am starting this discussion thread so we can share:

what experiences you have had that directly relate to Sifu's answers

find out what benefits the answers have brought you.

I will start with a response to Q&A 1.

When I began learning from Sifu the most marvellous thing was to be invited to "smiiiiiiiile from the heart" and "just let go". It was an invitation for me to follow wu-wei. I wasn't sure at the time of my aims and objectives, other than to 'get better', so I trusted that whatever happened was for the best. And that worked out well for me. It meant I didn't have to intellectualise, which had been a big block. A lot of things cleared up - back pain, hay fever, stomach problems etc.

I kept this going for many years. I knew my mind was tricky and if I got into trying to over direct things I could get caught in vicious spirals.

It is only in the last few years that I have focussed on specific goals and related techniques/type of chi flow. So, there have been times I decided to build more internal force and let my external movement be still. When I realised there was a deep emotional blockage I focussed on cosmic shower and then, after I had learnt it, bone marrow cleansing with a vigorous flow.

It has worked for me .

Reflecting on it now I believe I was right to spend the early years of my practice almost exclusively following wu-wei. As my own understanding developed and I became clearer about what I wanted to achieve, I initially asked for Sifu's guidance, and have gradually and increasingly come to trust my own understanding. So far it has been a "just right" journey.

With metta,

Barry

[barrys]

A reminder

Just a reminder about the invitation to share about Sifu's Q&A on the stages of cleansing, building and nourishing:

experiences you have had that directly relate to Sifu's answers

benefits the answers have brought you

It is a wonderful opportunity to re-read the Q&A and bring the answers to life through your own experience. It is a chance to share with non-Shaolin Wahnam students, or people with less experience. An opportunity to fulfil Shaolin Law No 10. A win-win-win.

And as Sifu remarked:

It will help to build up a log of useful information which was not found in the chi kung classics.

You can be part of this undertaking

[CSwacha]

Personal Benefits and Experiences

Dear Wahnam Family,


The Questions taken and Answers provided by Sifu have been very useful in making sense of recent experiences, identifying degrees of cleansing and adjusting my practice accordingly


I experienced some strong cleansing since learning from Sifu in Las Vegas November 2012. For a short period of time after the course I was over training and could not recognize the signs and symptoms. I had just learned Iron Wire, Marrow Cleansing and Sinew Metamorphosis. I GREATLY underestimated how powerful they are. It also gave me a strong appreciation for how powerful the Shaolin Arts are and how fortunate I am to have learned them.


Thanks to Sifu’s wealth of insight presented in the Q&A (and stellar advice from Daniel Pecile Siheng and Anthony Korahais Siheng), I eventually figured out that force training for the time being was not suitable for me. Force training would make me easily irritable, fearful, anxious, unfocused and tired.



I have focused on cleansing with mainly the Lohan Hands and some Marrow Cleansing. The results have been very good. I feel like I have developed more energy and force than I would normally have practicing Siu Lin Tau regularly or Iron Wire once a week. A clear case that less is more.



I would like to thank everyone in the Q&A thread for asking some excellent questions that led to some excellent answers and discussion, to Barry Siheng for managing this Q&A and to Sifu for generously sharing his wealth of insight and knowledge.


With Shaolin salute and best regards,
-Chris Swacha

[barrys]

Dear Chris,

Thanks for getting the ball rolling and sharing your direct experience .

Best wishes,

Barry

[barrys]

From Sifu Nick Jones - Instructor, Shaolin Wahnam England

Originally posted in this thread - Stages of cleansing, building and nourishing: 10 Questions to the Grandmaster

This morning I followed the advice Sigung gave Jas regarding Iron Wire to the letter. I'm glad I did.

I had felt that practising a chi kung session prior to Iron wire would increase the benefits, but I was wrong. Actually this is a case of trying to be smarter than the master, since I now recall Sigung gave us the exact same procedure in the course in Ireland.

Following Sigung's advice exactly, rather than my interpretation of it, I noticed a massive increase in the level of consolidation of the internal force. Where before the force would feel less differentiated from the flow other in Chi kung exercises and comparatively less tangible, using this enhancement it was very solid, just like ice and very clearly 'Iron Wire force'.

[Dorit]

Thank you, Siheng Barry, for starting this thread encouraging us to share our experiences according to Sifu's Q&A.

After you had started the thread I began to write down my experiences - always hesitating if I should do so, or not , since they are not extraordinary: experiences by someone practicing predominantly a handful of Lohan Hands (those I learned from Sifu and Sije Irene), Chi flow and deep breathing. Gradually, I felt better in every way, more strong and fresh, and I could let go some sad events in my life.

But, there is a diffence now … I just came home from courses with Sifu where I learned 12 of the 18 jewels and Bone Marrow Cleansing. And this was truly wonderful. So deep. So intensive and clear. When Sifu transmitted Chi to us I went into some really deep Chi flows, ending with both arms totally lightweight, feeling as if flying away. Amazing!
When after the courses I went home by car (luckily my husband drove) I suddenly felt warm inside, a very pleasant vibrating warmth, totally different from normal warmth you have when e.g. being in Sauna. Outwards slightly cool and fresh, inside streaming warmth. Wonderful. Of course, I couldn't sleep well at night - but never mind. The intensive feeling kept on going till this morning, and I still can feel the stream, not so intensive, but it is there. It is life.

I am deeply grateful to Sifu for sharing these extraordinary arts to us!

With Shaolin greetings from my heart,
Dorit

[DarkCosmoz]

Hi Sifu Barry,

I did not read Sigung's Q&A regarding cleansing and building in-depth until a few days ago. I am referring to Sigung's article here: http://shaolin.org/general-2/cleansing/cleansing03.html

This particular passage stood out to me since I have been experiencing this recently:

If he cleanses off 20% of the blockage, he will be able to function at 50% and hold 50% of energy. Compared with most people, he will have much vitality although he is only functioning at half his potential. If he cleanses off another 20% of blockage, and functions at 70% he will be radiant with vitality.

It is worthy of note that his increase of energy and subsequent increase of vitality is not due to building but to cleansing. In other words, without purposely adding energy by practicing chi kung exercises that build, but by cleansing away blockage by practicing chi kung exercises that circulate, a practitioner can substantially increase his energy and vitality.

I am a consistent, daily Iron Wire practitioner. Recently, I have been incorporating Cosmic Shower into my repertoire every few nights night before bed. The cleansing sessions have been powerful on both emotional and spiritual levels.

On the the nights that I do actually practice Cosmic Shower, Iron Wire becomes incredibly powerful for me the next morning. In fact, this powerful feeling energizes me throughout the next day and night!

I believe cleansing during Cosmic Shower has left more room for internal force generated during Iron Wire to flow about freely. Likewise, I believe internal force generated from Iron Wire has contributed to my powerful Cosmic Shower sessions. Cyclical indeed!

Best wishes,
Stephen