Small Universe Course in December 2012

[Zhang Wuji]

Hello everyone

In keeping with personal tradition, I shall post a series on what I had learnt at the course so that those who were unable to attend may benefit at least a little from those of us who did.

I have linked this post to my earlier posts on the previous Small Universe course I attended in Langkawi a few years ago, because the instructions are largely similar, except for one particular step / stage which I will highlight later.

[Anton S.]

Dear Wuji Sisook!

That´s a great idea! Look forward to read more on this!
Glad we´ve met at the Small Universe!
And we miss you here at the Wuzuquan course!

Best from Penang,
Anton

[Zhang Wuji]

THanks for thinking of me during the Wuzu course. And at least one of my students is missing you, Anton

It is late here so I would just pen a few thoughts.

First of all, this is the first course in which I did not take any copious notes. This is not because I felt that there was nothing new to learn. Indeed, Sifu did repeat many teachings I had heard during the previous Small Universe and Healing course. I just wanted to just listen without taking any notes (you have to be a Singapore university graduate to appreciate how unusual this is, given the deeply ingrained habit of note-taking).

I was glad that Sifu repeated his points from earlier courses - I never tire of them, and each time I hear them, there is a different level or type of understanding. Some of these points are now so internalised that I find them coming out of my mouth when teaching my students. I bet my students had this sense of deja vu when listening to their Sigong ("Remember the 3 golden rules - Don't worry, don't intellectualise, enjoy your practice"). But this must have reinforced these crucial lessons.

One thing I found that my students were struggling with is simply letting go. They were fixated on following the exact instructions (grip your toes, hold up the rear, breathe in), and got stressed out. They were not wrong as they were told to follow instructions but I guess they missed the forest for the solitary tree, since the first and key instruction was don't worry and just do the best you can. I was lucky because the first time I came for the Small Universe course, I already understood this important principle.

So, if any of you are reading this, I reiterate: You already have the flow, even if you are not fully following or have forgotten the verbal instructions.

[Zhang Wuji]

Another theme that I have been repeating to my students is that they should practice without any expectations. This is another way of saying that they should not worry or intellectualise. The Small Universe is a fantastic art but unrealistic expectations would impede one's progress ("I can walk on water after the course). I also reminded them not to compare their results or experiences with those of other course participants. It is a Singaporean thing - to always compare and see if one matches up, and often fatal to qigong attainment.

I link here another post I wrote a few years back which describes my own realisation of this theme.

[Joan]

Mile Bhuiochas Sifu

My Dear Family,

I am not sure what to write

This was one of the most sublime and beautiful courses that I have taken with Sifu. In the past 14 months I have taken the Healing course, Iron Wire, Intensive Tai Chi Chuan and the Small/Big Universe and they have all been so different, so wonderfully profound, so precious, so powerful, so gentle and so very very beautiful.

This has changed my life once again, pushing me further subtly but profoundly.

During one session I could clearly see the circulation of the Small Universe and another session the Blessings and expansive Love of all the past Masters including Sigung Ho and Sigung Lai. The Blessings and Love filled up the room to capacity and I basked in its glow for days................still am to be honest.............it is sooooooo beautiful and we are all so blessed to have Sifu guiding us with these wonderful teachings with such a generous and compassionate spirit.

I was very happy to have five of my own students attend and each one felt very blessed also. Congratulations to Maurice, Pat, Seamus, Una and Anne, it was a joy! It was so nice to hear Pat and Anne sing Irish Eyes are Smiling at the Graduation dinner. I didn't know that Pat could sing at all and he has not done so since secondary school.............he is now 68! What an opening of the heart

We had such fun and laughter meeting all of the family and it was so nice to see our Canadian and Japanese families once again too.

My heartfelt thanks to Sifu for these truly magnificant teachings. Again we are so Blessed.

What I feel after the course is not possible to put into words, it is so very special!

Mile Bhuiochas,
Joan

[sancrica]

About Testimonials

Thanks for your wonderful accounts and for starting this thread Zhang Wuji Sifu. I am reading all posts with great interest as it was my intention to attend this course.

I have discovered through the years how inspiring testimonials from courses are. That is why I always try to write an account of my own experience after every Sifu's courses that I attend.

I hope and it is my wish that many of the participants enjoy sharing the experiences that they have had in this wonderful course. I would also like to encourage all participants to write their accounts as they will be of great help and value to all the Shaolin Wahnam members.

Shaolin Salute,

Santiago

[mping]

Dear Family,

I didn't have a speech at the graduation dinner, but now I have digested some of the Small Universe course, I can only say that we are very very lucky in learning these arts. I remember reading about the Small Universe years ago, when I bought one of Sifu's books, and thinking that I would really like to learn such an art, even if I could only reap a small fraction of its benefits. How many people are there your own country that have access to such a high level art such as the Small Universe, let alone the Big Universe? And learn it in three days? I'm sure you know most of them

Sifu is indeed very generous in effectively transmitting the arts and the skills to us, I can only say that I will try my best to be a good student in order to preserve the arts, maybe one day I can benefit someone as much as myself have benefited from the arts.

As for the course itself, I never had such a clear understanding on how mind controls energy, and energy controls form. It is exactly like this. Beautiful As my Small Universe practice deepens, maybe later I can add a few more words on this topic.
Finally, a warm salute to everyone I had the pleasure to meet while in Penang. A big family indeed!

All the best,
Miguel

[Binia]

Dear Shaolin Wahnam family,

For me this was somehow the most pure QiGong course I have ever had the pleasure to join. Somehow so pure that indeed every word seems to be too much about it. On the other hand I am feeling again so blessed. It again feels like a gift that I cannot capture yet fully. And I do agree with Santi, I also find it nice and encouraging to read other people's comments about the courses and their experiences. So I would like to share some of mine in return too.

Everything we did felt just so natural and profound in the same time. To me going through the different techniques was like taking us through layers of noise to finally listening to the beautiful music that is playing within us all the time. This music that I can be so deeply aware of and then sometimes can loose in an instant. This music the very reason why I train this arts. This music whose conductor I am. This music only I can play. Sigung asked us to try to stand still for these exercises. And indeed I never ever felt before so much one with my flow. The flow was once very graceful and soft, sometimes it was faster and more powerful, but never overwhelming me. There was this unity. The flow was mine like never before. And later in two of the Standing Meditations after the Big Universe the Cosmos was even like joining in and giving me two very, very beautiful songs on the way. They both touched me deeply and I feel especially grateful for these two moments.

It was a privilege to train in such a big group with so many wonderful and advanced instructors and students. Unfortunately I did not have the chance to talk to each and every one of you and so I do hope to see some of you here or there again. I felt very lucky to see some of my friends of the Intensive course again and I am very happy that I could get to know a few more. Thank you for very nice and special moments during our wedding cake celebration, at the breakfast table, during our night market dinner, in the temples, on the balcony, in the Jacuzzi and last but definitely not least at the airport.

Sigung, I feel so very blessed to train these arts, thank you so much for your teachings, for your care and for your continuous inspiration. And thank you for your faith. The faith you radiate and live, the faith you have in each and every one of us and even in our hopes and dreams. It's like a seed that you plant, helping me to shift from belief to faith myself.

I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a happy time around your loved and dear ones. And indeed the very same I wish us for the next 364 days aswell

Binia

[Matthew]

Dear Sigung and Family,

I feel so fortunate, blessed and grateful to have had the privilege to attend this course, which was incredible on so many levels. I’ve been considering what to post since getting back to the UK and it’s difficult to know where to begin. I’m sure there will be more posts from me on this in future as I train the skills received from Sigung’s generous transmission, but here are some initial comments.

I read about the Small and Big Universe some years ago when I was practicing Tai Chi (dance). It never crossed my mind then that it would be possible to acquire such a skill as it sounded almost mythical at the time (in my ignorance), even if it could be achieved after many years of practice. I didn’t even consider at that time that I could find a teacher who would teach or accept me onto such a course, let alone so soon in my Chi Kung development. And it would have been unimaginable to me to think that the skills could be acquired in such a ridiculously short time.

I came to this course trying not to have any expectations. Of course, I had read the accounts of previous courses on this forum, including reference instructions, but I did my best to disregard them and come to the course with a beginner’s attitude. I also took minimal notes throughout the course compared to previous courses. I simply tried to follow instructions to the best of my ability. I’m sure this helped.

The way Sigung led us through the course was fantastic and effortless. Each session built seamlessly on the previous one. Sigung emphasised the three golden rules (as he always does) but they seemed to hold even greater significance on this course. I was personally pleased to have made progress since the Intensive course (in April) in this regard and I managed not to worry unduly, where previously I may have got hung up on following the instructions or comparing my personal experience to others’ experiences. Although I wasn’t sure whether the Small Universe had broken through in earlier sessions, I trusted and persisted without worrying and this resulted in absolute confirmation when we moved on to the Big Universe. Being aware of chi flowing round my body and pulsing at the energy points in the hands and feet was marvellous, amazing and certainly not like anything I have ever experienced before. What is even more wonderful – and definitely a first for me – is to return back to the UK and be able to apply the skills and get a similar result directly after the course.

There were a couple of particularly significant chi flows for me once we put all the different sections together. One cleansed a large amount of rubbish through my legs, which couldn’t stop wobbling during the chi flow and during the standing mediation. The other was really expansive during the Spiritual Big Universe when the chi pushed through my body and beyond. My arms and hands filled with chi like a rubber surgical glove being blown up like a balloon and the energy went beyond my body, while the force at my feet created a sensation that the floor was constantly moving.

Already, numerous benefits from the course are obvious. I can access a better chi kung state of mind than ever before, and more quickly. My heart feels more open and in fact I was quite tearful and emotional on the flight home. I am much more aware of the energy in my body. My non-Small/Big Universe chi kung practice is significantly different now – more powerful yet smoother at the same time. I am aware of the Big Universe flow even when entering a chi kung state of mind. In fact, overall it feels like Matt v1.5 has been upgraded to Matt v3.0 in one course. I have also noticed enhanced mental clarity, particularly with decision making which has been improving over the past year with Zen and Intensive courses but is now practically instantaneous. Most strangely, it feels like normal air breathing is less pronounced. It’s not exactly like the breathing is shallower but it’s almost totally effortless. It may just be happening, or it may not. It is as though breathing happens when I notice it but it may not have been happening prior to that, or if so to a much lesser degree.

I’d like to thank all the other family members for making the course so memorable and fun: my classmates from the UK, the other students and instructors from around the world that I had not previously met, those I still did not meet, and to the friends I have made on previous courses. You have been inspirational and I’m so lucky and grateful to be part of the family. Thank you all!

Dear Sigung, words simply can’t do justice to my gratitude to you for accepting me as a student, accepting me on the Intensive course in April and now this amazing Small and Big Universe course. These great arts are enabling me to transform my life for the better day by day, every day. I’ve seen so much positive change in a relatively short time and with this foundation I know there is a lot more to come in everything and whatever I do. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful, kind, compassionate and generous teacher. I offer my sincere and heartfelt thanks, now and always.

I wish you and the whole Shaolin Wahnam family a wonderful festive holiday time, a happy new year and very best wishes for 2013.

With love, best wishes and Shaolin salute.

/o

[Y Honjo]

Thank you very much.

Dear Sifu and Shaolin Wahnam Family,

Dear Sifu,

It was my great honor to learn such wonderful courses in Malaysia from you this time.

During the amazing Small and Big Universe Courses, following your instruction one by one, I was able to feel chi was circulating through my body. It was super wonderful.

I have been practicing the Small Universe while smiling from the heart.
I am enjoying the chi moving differently day by day, such as one day very fast, one day very warmly and a little bit slowly, one day very strongly and widely etc.
Each session is special to me.
I will keep practicing these incredible arts.

The Wuzuquan course was magical.
When I was practicing the sets in advance for the preparation of the course, I was not sure what each movement is for.
Through the course it was clarified one by one and each movement became meaningful and vivid.
Sifu, you told us that Wuzuquan has not changed its original shape since it was created. It is very special.
Sifu, it is my honor to be able to learn such precious and sophisticated arts from you.
I was very thrilled to practice these arts crossing hands with the others who learned from Sifu.

Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family,
I am very happy to be back home.
Thank you for your heart warming welcome.
I really enjoyed training with all of you.
I learned a lot from each of you.
Thank you very much.
I hope that everyone will have a happy new year!

With much gratitude, respect, and love,

Yumi

[Andy]

A Higher Level

Thanks to Sifu for another groundbreaking Course,

Thanks to all the attendee's for a great pre-, post- and during experience


I previously attended the 2010 S/B Universe Course and was expecting to deepen my skills this time around. However what I wasn't expecting was for Sifu's teaching methodology to have moved on so much in just two years!!!

From the first session the energy developed was ...different.

• More gentle, more flowing, yet much more powerful. A Sea of Chi was circulating around the Ren and Du, rather than just a trickle!

Sifu progressed us briskly yet gently through the Course, and it really felt that we were being carried all together on an Ocean swell...forwards towards our Goals.

Despite our vastly different levels of experience, the class seemed to progress as One; I have never experienced anything quite like it before and it was yet another example of Sifu's absolute mastery of Teaching and of the Shaolin Arts.

At the 2010 Course I went through a lot of cleansing; at this course there was much less sudden cleansing for me and for the other student's I talked to. I am not sure if this is another consequence of the flow method.

Despite the less cleansing, there were personal breakthrough's all the same Now back home in the U.K. I am experiencing life at another energy level!!!

I hope Wahnam members reading the feedback on this thread are inspired to go on any future Phenomenal/Transcendental Universe Courses that are offered, and guests are also inspired to take the chance to sample the skills of the school - Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung is truly a transformational Art.

Shaolin Salutations

[Mariangela]

life change

Dear Joan, dear Family,

Well said, the course was gourgeus, there was so much Love all the time and we are very lucky and grateful for these unsuperable teachings.

Again Thank you Sifu for Your generosity.

I wish You and all family a happy new Year.

Best wishes
Mariangela

[Luo Lang]

Dear all,

The Small/Big Universe course was another amazing event. Hard to put the many wonderful experiences into words. It was mindblowing.

Thank you Sifu for your wonderful amazing teachings and for accepting us for such an incredible Art.

Thank you all the participants for making the course a very nice memorable time.

All the best for everyone,

Roland

[Irina]

Thank you family

Dear family

Thank you for all your beautiful accounts regarding this course.

I was not able to be with you this year, however, my memories from the last s/b universe course are still vivid and meaningfull. So this time, when reading your feedback I felt as I was also participating.

Congratulations to everyone who was there and congratulations to everyone to having achieved great results and who went beyond expectations. I truly feel your energy just by reading the lines :-)

I wish you all the best on this path of spiritual development and I I deeply appreciate the great gift of being part of this community.

[Jeffrey Segal]

Thank you, Sifu for another truly wonderful course. 3 days of pure joy, shared with brothers and sisters from all over the world.

Delightful!