Lifting the Sky—Simple, Direct, and Effective

[Zach]

I've been digging a trench of about 200 feet long by 2 feet deep to
run underground utilities to our house through the rainforest.

Along the way there have been numerous rocks. Some have been too
big to move, so I've been at them with a sledgehammer.

This afternoon I was finishing up with a rock when somehow or other
a piece broke and the hammer came shooting straight back, with the
end of the handle hitting my knee hard.

My first thought was "This is going to hurt."

I stepped out of the ditch and felt my knee begin to throb.

Then I did Lifting the Sky a half dozen times. After three patterns, the
pain was gone, by the last pattern my knee had a happy glowing feeling
that continues now, eight hours later.

There's no bruise, no lump, no pain.

We have been given a wonderful art.

Thank you Sifu.


Zach

[Andrew]

Nice, Zach. Nice!

[drunken boxer]

Great story! I enjoyed reading this.

I have also dug a few trenches in my time (I'm Irish after all ) and actually feel a little bit envious because I remember enjoying the lovely outdoors and the satisfaction that can come from this type of work - happy digging brother!

When I saw the title of this thread I thought you might be going for the metaphor of how digging this trench can be a bit like chi kung - there are some blockages along the way in terms of rocks. Some are small stones that one swing of the sledgehammer will take, some can be huge boulders that need numerous powerful hits, but eventually they break too. Just keep swinging the sledge, whilst enjoying the fresh air!

[Andrea]

Thank you for sharing the story and congratulations !

Isn't it amazing that this is an exercise we learn in our very first class . Time to sign up for "Generating energy flow" or an introductory regional class if you haven't done so ...

Warm regards
Andrea

[MaxP]

Brother,

"I thought you might be going for the metaphor of how digging this trench can be a bit like chi kung - there are some blockages along the way in terms of rocks. Some are small stones that one swing of the sledgehammer will take, some can be huge boulders that need numerous powerful hits, but eventually they break too. Just keep swinging the sledge, whilst enjoying the fresh air!"

This is nice!

Best,

Max

Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha

[Zach]

Thanks, Shaolin family, for your kind words.

Great story! I enjoyed reading this.

I have also dug a few trenches in my time (I'm Irish after all ) and actually feel a little bit envious because I remember enjoying the lovely outdoors and the satisfaction that can come from this type of work - happy digging brother!

I really enjoy digging, too. I remember how many holes I dug as a kid.
It's just an extension of childhood!

When I saw the title of this thread I thought you might be going for the metaphor of how digging this trench can be a bit like chi kung - there are some blockages along the way in terms of rocks. Some are small stones that one swing of the sledgehammer will take, some can be huge boulders that need numerous powerful hits, but eventually they break too. Just keep swinging the sledge, whilst enjoying the fresh air!

Good observation, and a fine metaphor, that I had no intention of making,
but it sure fits. I was thinking what Andrea said:

Isn't it amazing that this is an exercise we learn in our very first class.

And one other thing occurred to me today. I feel fortunate to have had
that hammer bounce back and hit me in the knee. In the wake of a simple
Chi Kung fix for something that would otherwise have been very painful,
this affirms how amazing yet simple our Art is. And it's a fine incentive to
practice daily.

And yes, Andrea, I've love to take a Generating Energy course again. I'm
heading to Las Vegas in a month and a half for Sifu's 12 Movements of
Sinew Metamorphosis. And then the following week Sifu has honored us
Alaskan students by teaching another course right here in my
hometown. I can't believe how lucky we are to have this opportunity
come to us!

My best wishes to you all.

Back to the trenches,


Zach

[MaxP]

Healing Injury

Friends,

This story actually reminds me of something that happened to my friend (who is also a Wahnam student) earlier this year. We were on our way back from practicing Chi Kung in a local park, and took a shortcut by hopping over a fence. As my friend jumped over, his foot was caught, and he fell awkwardly onto his wrist! When he got up I told him to have a chi flow to help clear any injury.

Suffice to say it was one of the more interesting flows I've seen

Afterwards he told me that during the chi flow, he went deaf in one ear, and felt a powerful vibration, whilst his wrist (which he is convinced he had broken) 'cracked' itself back into position! Really amazing... from the look of the fall it would seem that he had done some considerable damage, but just two days later it was totally fine.

How lucky we are.

Best Regards,

Max

Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha

[Mark Blohm]

Stories of Self Healing. Excellent!

[Zach]

works for thumbs

I sheepishly report that after dropping a board on my thumb,
Lifting the Sky works for that, too.

Zach

[Tim]

Thank you Zach, Lifting the Sky is simple yet powerful.

It is interesting to note that it is the first Chi Kung pattern we learn, yet stays with us throughout our development. Most Chi Kung practitioners within our school will confirm that even after many years of practice, and are skilled in many other Chi Kung techniques, that they still practice Lifting the Sky. I do.

It is also interesting to learn that the same skills you have obtained in Lifting the Sky, such as staying relaxed in mind, thinking of nothing, letting your chi flow to increase health, can be directed into what you are doing such as digging.

When digging you can make your job easier by relaxing and letting your chi flow as you take a swing...it really works!

Best wishes

Tim

[Erica]

Dear Zach,

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. I think you have inspired and brought confidence to all of us who read it.

Best of luck with your continued training,
Erica

[mike3396815]

Maybe you should use pushing mountains to dig your underground trench