Stages of cleansing, building and nourishing: 10 Questions to the Grandmaster

[barrys]

Question and Answer - 12 - Part 1

Question and Answer - 12 - Part 1

Question 12

We know the heart is the ‘emperor’ organ, its condition affecting all other organs. My own feeling is that just as cleansing is a lifelong process, so too is opening one’s heart.

Can Sifu kindly explain the importance of an open heart during the stages of cleansing, building and nourishing?

Are there any practical measures students can take to keep their hearts open during phases of difficult or deep cleansing, when they may not be able to smile from the heart as freely as usual? Or while building, to remain humble?

Could Sifu also comment on the ‘heart of confidence’, as well as faith, in relation to cleansing, building and nourishing?

Sifu Fleur Chapman


Answer

Yes, opening one’s heart is a lifelong process. This does not necessarily mean that an open heart will be close after some time and needs opening again, and the process goes on indefinitely.

Once we have developed the habit of keeping our heart open, it will remain open without much effort from us, though it may be close again due to some unforeseen circumstances, like being exposed to prolonged grief and disappointment. But when we sense it is close, we can reopen it again, and keep it open irrespective of the circumstances.

An open heart will enable a person to have a positive outlook in life, which in turn will enable him to view all circumstances positively. As perspective is often more important than reality, having a positive outlook will be a very important factor in making his life happy and meaningful.

He may be in a negative situation, but he still can have a positive perspective of it. His positive perspective may not change his present negative situation but it will much affect how the situation will turn out to be. It can also affect his present emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.

Let us examine one or two examples. Suppose he has lost his job and is in a difficult economic situation. Although there may be many different outlooks, all these can be classified into three categories – negative, neutral and positive.

He may feel that his boss and all other people are against him. Or he may not care at all, and wait for another job to present itself. Or he may take this as an opportunity to get a better job or become a boss himself. While one of the outcomes is likely to happen as well as his emotional, mental and spiritual well-being will depend greatly on whether he views his losing his present job negatively, neutrally or positively.

Suppose he is diagnosed with a so-called incurable disease. He may think he is going to die, or he may submit himself to a lifetime of medication, or he may start practicing a high-level chi kung like ours to cure himself and eventually enjoy good health, vitality and longevity. Indeed, some people ended up being chi kung masters because they initially wanted to overcome their illness. ...

[barrys]

Question and Answer - 12 - Part 2

I was reflecting the other day on what has been behind me getting so many benefits from my Chi Kung practice over the years, even though I mainly just practised Generating Energy Flow rather than other skills. My experience is that Sifu's comments about cleansing are the reason behind it - even when strange things happened I kept practising. That in turn has helped me to become more 'heart and mind' open over the years, which in turn has made it easier to practice, and so on. I even practise stances and sequences regularly .

Question and Answer - 12 - Part 2

Question 12

We know the heart is the ‘emperor’ organ, its condition affecting all other organs. My own feeling is that just as cleansing is a lifelong process, so too is opening one’s heart.

Can Sifu kindly explain the importance of an open heart during the stages of cleansing, building and nourishing?

Are there any practical measures students can take to keep their hearts open during phases of difficult or deep cleansing, when they may not be able to smile from the heart as freely as usual? Or while building, to remain humble?

Could Sifu also comment on the ‘heart of confidence’, as well as faith, in relation to cleansing, building and nourishing?

Sifu Fleur Chapman


Answer (Contd) :

... An open heart will give us a lot of benefits no matter what we do, including undergoing the processes of cleansing, building and nourishing. On the other hand, a close heart not only negate good results but may also turn benefits to harmful effects.

When a student is undergoing cleansing, some symptoms like pimples, rashes and pain may appear. If his heart is close, and despite knowing the philosophy of cleansing, he may stop practicing chi kung and thus miss the wonderful benefits that his continued practice will bring.

It is important to maintain an open heart when undergoing the process of building. If he closes his heart, especially when he practices high-level chi kung like ours, the tremendous energy developed from his training may harm his internal organs. If his heart is open, the tremendous energy will flow, making his organs healthy and strong.

Opening the heart is even more important during the process of nourishing. A close heart, which often results in negative thoughts, may cause him to abuse the high level of mind or spirit that he has attained. The law of karma is inevitable. Abusing his mental or spiritual power, though it may bring him some immediate benefits, will certainly end up with him living a miserable life.

If his heart is open, he will experience much peace and joy. Not only he will make his own life meaningful and rewarding, he will also enrich other people’s lives.

Smiling from the heart, which we do every time we practice chi kung or kungfu, is one of the best ways, if not the best way, to keep our heart open. During periods of difficulty, including deep cleansing, when students may not be able to smile from the heart as freely as usual, there are other ways to open the heart.

Practicing “Dancing Butterfly” is an excellent way. When chi flow opens the heart, which is natural result of this exercise, the student can start smiling from the heart to enhance the good result. Sometimes, students even laugh as if for no apparent reasons.

Another good exercise is “Separating Water”, which opens the lungs as well as the heart. But this is a powerful exercise, and must be practiced with care.

Having good thoughts is another excellent way. When a student experiences deep cleansing or over-cleansing, while he may slow down his practice and thus the cleansing, he should also say to himself that despite the discomfort he may have, he is actually getting benefits. This will open his heart.

It is a two-way process. When you have good thoughts you open your heart. On the other hand, when your heart is open, you will have good thoughts.

It is important to remain humble when one is very successful in building. As I have mentioned a few times, becoming vain when one has become very powerful is a common cause of many advanced practitioners to fall.

An effective check-point for those who may become vain and then fall, is to remind themselves of the truth that even when they have become very powerful, they are still very far from the supreme attainment our arts can give, and that is attaining Enlightenment or returning to God the Holy Spirit.

They are not even near to becoming immortals who can roam heavens at will. Realizing these facts can help to check their vanity.

Another effective way to check their vanity is to remind themselves why do they practice the art, which has made them very powerful. Building tremendous force is a mean, not the end. The end is to lead a meaningful, rewarding life for ourselves and other people. Being vain will distract from this noble aim.

We in Shaolin Wahnam are indeed very lucky. Not only we understand the philosophy of cleansing, building and nourishing to attain our noble aims, we also have the techniques and skills to do so, and in a funful way.

[Dorit]

Reading Sifu's answer I began to smile. There is something in-between the simple and clear words and instructions - it is Sifu's heart. Thank you, Sifu!

[barrys]

Question and Answer - 13 - Part 1

Question and Answer - 13 - Part 1

Question 13

13.1. Is it possible for chi kung healers of our school to induce such an intense cleansing in a person who is not practicing the Shaolin arts?

13.2. Could they influence the degree of cleansing, so it wouldn’t be too much for them, especially for children?

13.3. Is the conscious perception of symptoms during cleansing also part of the cleansing?

13.4. And if not, would taking Western medicine (e.g. antidepressants against symptoms of depression during major cleansing) be counterproductive to the cleansing process?

Evelyn, Austria


Answer

Yes, it is possible for Shaolin Wahnam chi kung healers to induce an intense cleansing in a person who has not practiced our arts or any art.

How intense the cleansing will be depends on the skills of the healer as well as the co-operation of the patients. The healer must also regulate the intensity according to the nature and needs of the patients, like their age and the types of illness.

Even if a patient is uncooperative or hesitant a first, a skillful healer can overcome the initial hurdles and help the patient to have an intense cleansing. However, if the patient consciously or subconsciously do not want the healing, the healer will be unable to induce a cleansing.

In my early years of teaching when I also gave consultations, many patients had no previous chi kung experience at all. Not only I had to induce a chi flow in them which would start the process of cleansing to help them overcome their health problems, I had to do it fast, as most of them consulted me for only one session.

In some cases, exercises from Eighteen Lohan Hands which I normally used were not fast enough to induce a chi flow, so I had to devise other exercises. These other exercises were later compiled into the Eighteen Therapeutic Exercises for those attending my Chi Kung Healing Course. They are now called the Eighteen Jewels because they also had other benefits besides therapeutic purposes.

There was one occasion in Spain when I returned the healing fee to a patient and asked her to leave because she did not follow my instructions. I had repeatedly asked her to perform the therapeutic exercises faster, but thinking that she was smarter than the healer though she probably did not mean to be disrespectful, she continued to perform the exercises slowly.

More interesting were occasions when patients, especially those with heart problems, moved faster in their chi flow movements than I thought comfortable and safe. I was about to ask them to slow down their chi flow movements when I noticed a smile in their face, indicating that not only they were enjoying themselves but also the cleansing was doing them good. They all recovered from their health problems.

The healer can influence the degree of cleansing in the patients irrespective of their age.

[barrys]

Question and Answer - 13 - Part 2

Question and Answer - 13 - Part 2

Question 13

13.1. Is it possible for chi kung healers of our school to induce such an intense cleansing in a person who is not practicing the Shaolin arts?

13.2. Could they influence the degree of cleansing, so it wouldn’t be too much for them, especially for children?

13.3. Is the conscious perception of symptoms during cleansing also part of the cleansing?

13.4. And if not, would taking Western medicine (e.g. antidepressants against symptoms of depression during major cleansing) be counterproductive to the cleansing process?

Evelyn, Austria


Answer (Contd.)

... Before the start of the healing session, the healer should decide on the type of therapeutic exercises to use and the level of chi kung movements that brings about cleansing. He may, of course, make modifications or changes when he sees fit.

During the process of chi flow movements, the healer can influence the degree of cleansing. He can do so by advising his patients, which is usually the case, or by applying various methods if the patients fail to slow down themselves.

An effective method is to place his palm a short distance over the patients’ dan tian and bring their chi flow to be focused there. A more drastic method is to dot patients’ vital points to stop their chi flow.

Once a student’s energy flow was very vigorous and he was in a state of panic, and could not stop it. I dotted his vital point behind his back, and the vigorous chi flow stopped immediately. This was dim mark, and must be performed by a master who knew what he was doing. I had to restore his normal chi flow after that , or else he could be in serious trouble.

But for healers who are not trained in dim mark, an effective method, though still drastic, is to ask the patient to fall himself against a safe sofa, or to go onto the ground. This would distort his normal chi flow, but would stop him moving uncontrollably. The healer should then ask the patient to have a gentle chi flow to restore his normal chi flow.

It is obvious that a chi kung healer has great responsibilities and must be properly trained. It is unethical to attempt to heal others when one is not properly trained.

A patient may or may not be conscious of relevant symptoms during cleansing. Hence conscious perception of symptoms during or after cleansing is not part of cleansing though many practitioners are usually conscious of them.

Some common symptoms that many practitioners are conscious of include feeling fresher and more energetic as a result of chi kung practice. They may not be aware that it is the cleansing process of their chi kung practice that gives them these pleasant feelings.

Sometimes they may feel slight pain or some slight negative emotions coming out. These are the result of their chi flow cleansing out their blockage and negative emotions. If it is over-cleansing, they may feel uncomfortable, in which case they should slow down their practice and be involved in more outdoors physical activities.

Sometimes there may be rashes or pimples surfacing at their skin, or they may be passing out gas and their breath may be smelly. These are signs that their chi flow is cleansing out rubbish from their body.

Taking Western medicine to surpress these symptoms, like antidepressants against symptoms of depression by those who feel depressed or pharmaceutical drugs to subdue these symptoms due to drastic over-cleansing is counterproductive. However, taking pain-killers in reasonable amount to overcome pain is acceptable.

Chi kung practitioners should have some knowledge about cleansing as well building and nourishing to derive the best benefits from their training. When they are in doubt they should ask their sifus.

A general guideline is that if they feel well despite the unpleasant symptoms, they are fine. The unpleasant symptoms are probably due to over-cleansing. If they feel terrible, it is likely that they have practiced wrongly.

Another good guideline is that if they have been feeling well all the while, but suddenly feel uncomfortable, it is likely to be over-cleansing. If they feel painful and nauseous right from the start of their training, it is likely they have practiced wrongly.

[barrys]

An opportunity

A couple more of Sifu's answers to post before the Summer Camp starts on Saturday. As you are reflecting on the whole thread it is a great opportunity to share:

• the direct experiences you have had that relate to Sifu's answers
• any benefits the answers have brought you.

When I do this I find I get a lot of benefit out of the understanding it brings and often people share back it has helped them - a win/win .

You can share on this thread here.

[barrys]

Question and Answer - 14

Question and Answer - 14

Question 14

As a result of cleansing blockages at the organ and marrow level (which is deemed to be the "karmic level"), can one's external life and circumstance change?

Hypothetically, could a job appear out of nowhere after a thorough cleansing of the stomach? Could a new relationship manifest as a result of cleansing the kidneys? Could a noisy neighbor all of a sudden move in next door to test your patience after you have cleansed your liver? Of course, these examples would be dependent on the individual's karmic standing since not everyone is the same.

Interestingly, Vedic astrology correlates each internal organ and body parts to a specific planet and deity. Each planet has its own karmic lesson to teach. These same planets and deities that rule the internal organs also rule other parts of life, including wealth, relationships, spirituality, etc.

Stephen


Answer

Yes, as a result of cleansing, one’s life certainly changes. The cleansing is not just limited to the organ and marrow levels, which are closely related to karmic effects, but applicable at all levels. The changes are not just external and concern circumstances, but can be internal and concern all aspects of his life, like his health and aspirations.

But whether a job would suddenly appear, a new relationship manifest would manifest, or a noisy neighbour would move in next door to test his patience, would depend on other aspects of his karma matrix. If these circumstances really happen, his reaction to them would be different between when he is blocked and when he is cleansed.

If his stomach system is blocked, a person is likely to be anxious. When he is full of anxiety, he is less likely to search for a job he desires. Even if such a job appears, he is less likely to make good use of the opportunity when he is full of anxiety.

On the other hand, if cleansing successfully clear away his anxiety, he is in a better position to find a desirable job, and when it occurs, he is more like to make good use of the opportunity. If the job is not available, he will look for one or create one. Others not understanding the background philosophy of cleansing, may think that the job appears out of nowhere.

If the kidney system of a person is blocked, he is likely to be afraid. Even when other karmic forces are favorable to cause a relationship to happen, he may be afraid to enter into it. But if cleansing clears away his fear, when a relationship occurs, he can enter into it with confidence.

Even when his present karma may not be ready for him to have a relationship, but after cleansing his kidney systems and removing his fear, if he desires a relationship, he will be confident enough to find or create one. Others not knowing the intricate forces of karma, may think that the relationship manifests as a result of his cleansing his kidneys.

When a person’s liver is blocked, he is prone to anger and aggression. If a noisy neighbour moves in next door, he is more likely to have a quarrel with the neighbour than had his liver be cleansed. If he does not have a noisy neighbour to quarrel with, he may quarrel with other people.

But if his liver is cleansed, he is more likely to be tolerant of other people, regardless of whether they are his noisy neighbours. Cleansing affects not just his liver but all other parts of his body, including giving him better mental clarity.

Especially if he has taken some courses on the 36 Strategies, with his mental clarity, confidence and other benefits from his chi kung training, he may change a noise neighbour to a helpful one for mutual benefit.

Chi kung is more down to earth, and less concerned with metaphysical affairs as in Vedic astrology. These metaphysical affairs which have direct practical effects on one’s life are dealt with in feng shu, which literally means “wind-water”, but figuratively means a knowledge and application of how the energy of surrounding space and time affects a person’s well being.

Relatively, while feng shui deals with energy of the surrounding, chi kung deals with energy of the individual.

For example, if a person’s house is located with a hill as background and open space in front, it is considered to have good feng-shui, as the arrangement of the surrounding is such that good energy can flow freely around his house.

In chi kung, if his meridians are clear he will have good health and vitality, because the arrangement of his body is such that good energy can flow freely in him.

[barrys]

Question and Answer - 15

Greeting you on Friday morning - the day before Summer Camp starts

Question and Answer - 15

Question 15

Did St Francis of Assisi undergo cleansing, building and nourishing in his lifetime through prayer and sincere devotion to God?

Kevin


Answer

Yes, I believe St Francis of Assisi underwent cleansing, building and nourishing through prayer and sincere devotion to God, though he might not have heard of these terms nor had he practiced chi kung.

In a wide sense, prayer and devotion to God may be considered chi kung, which means art of energy, as both prayer and devotion to God involve management of energy for some noble benefits.

When a person prays, he enter into a heightened level of consciousness, which results in good energy flow, thought it may not be manifested as external chi flow movements. In non-religious terms, the same reality can be describes as entering into a chi kung state of mind, and remaining to be flowingly still.

When a person is devoted to God, he attains a high level of spirituality, and at very high levels he becomes one with God. In non-religious terms, the same reality can be described as attaining a high level of mindfulness, and at very high levels his personal mind is united with Universal Mind.

At lower levels of prayer and devotion to God, which may be described in non-religious terms as entering a chi kung state of mind that generates an energy flow, St Francis or anyone in a similar religious condition underwent cleansing. The cleansing was gentle and gradual, unlike what some of our Shaolin Wahnam practitioners may experience in vigorous chi flow.

At middle levels of prayer and devotion to God, which may be described in non-religious terms as developing mental clarity and internal force, St Francis or anyone in a similar religious condition underwent building. The building was gentle and gradual, unlike what some of our Shaolin Wahnam practitioners may experience in powerful sets like Flowing Water Floating Clouds and Iron Wire.

At the highest levels of prayer and devotion to God, which may be described in non-religious terms as expanding into the Cosmos, St Francis or anyone in a similar religious condition underwent nourishing. The process may be gradual or sudden, like many of our Shaolin Wahnam practitoners experience when they found themselves everywhere and nowhere in courses like Merging with the Cosmos and the Big Universe.

[barrys]

Question and Answer - 16 - Part 1

Question and Answer - 16 - Part 1

Question 16

My understanding is that in the case of karmic or other long term blockages, (and perhaps all blockages), the root cause of continued persistence of the condition is the mind's subconscious attachment by habit to the disharmonious state. This is why following the instruction to 'let go' during chi flow is of the utmost importance.

From my experience, I have found it generally quite easy to be aware of long term blockages, but often very difficult to really let go of them, even in very strong chi flow. Often, in chi flow, the blockage can even be more apparent to the mind than under normal everyday conditions. Sometimes there is even a temptation to become frustrated, which I know is completely counterproductive!

So my question is, firstly, is it the skill of chi flow, or the actual skill of letting go that is main to clear the blockage and, secondly, what can we do to get better at letting go and, if we did, would this potentially reduce the time required to clear long term blockages?

Omar


Answer

Thank you for this profound question which not only has much philosophical value but also many practical benefits.

I am not sure whether it is true that a person’s blockage, karmic or otherwise, continues for a long time because subconsciously he has attached himself by habit to a disharmonious state, or because of other reasons.

I am an optimist, hence I believe that it is more likely consciously or subconsciously he would prefer a harmonious state instead of a disharmonious one. But despite his preference he still has a blockage due to some other factors.

One possible factor is that the event that brought about this blockage, which happened in a past life, was so dramatic that the blockage has remained in his unconsciousness though he might have lived many other lives after that, and though he may not consciously realize it in this present life. This blockage is therefore karmic.

Letting go is of course very important, but there are different levels of letting go. In normal chi kung practice, when one lets go, it is at the conscious level of the present life. If the cause of a blockage was a dramatic event in a past life, letting go in the present life may not be powerful enough to clear the blockage in the subconscious caused in a past life. Often the person may not know the blockage or its cause, he only knows the symptoms.

I have helped a few people with these deep problems. A managing director of a successful company was always sad. He knew he should not be sad. There were no obvious reasons why he should not be happy. He was healthy, had a good family life and his business was successful. Still he was sad, often very sad.

He knew he had a blockage but he did not know what it was and what caused it. He wanted to clear the blockage but he did not know what to do. He wanted very much to let go of his sadness, in fact to let go of anything that blocked his smooth flow of life.

I led him back to one of his past lives. He was a general in a battlefield holding a sword. There were countless dead bodies around him. He was the only survival. He told me he led his army to suicide. He cried. This experience cleared the blockage in his sub consciousness.. After this he could lead a normal happy life.

In another case a housewife always felt cold even in the midst of hot summer. She had seen a lot of doctors, taken a lot of medical tests and undergone a lot of treatments, but she still felt very cold.

I led her back to one of her past lives. She described that it was very dark and she was very cold. She was in a box, and some people were carrying the box. She described her own physical death in a coffin.

That reliving her past life cleared the blockage. After the experience she no longer felt cold, and could lead a normal happy life.

Incidentally these two real-life experiences are excellent illustrations that we never die. We may change our physical bodies, but our soul or consciousness lives on.

It is also a reminder that what a person’s life will be depends on his karma. The three factors that shape karma according to the order of importance are thoughts, speech and deeds. Hence, you can ensure a good life in future by having good thoughts, good speech and good deeds. ...

[barrys]

Question and Answer - 16 - Part 2

What an amazing Q&A. And we have just got back from dinner with Sifu and he is in wonderful form. Hopefully, there will be lots to share this week.

Question and Answer - 16 - Part 2

As in doing other things, don’t think of letting go of your blockage and don’t intellectualize on how to do it. Just do it. Just let go of your blockage, regardless of whether you have a strong chi flow, a weak chi flow or any chi flow. It may be difficult, but it can be done.

Your chi flow may or may not clear away your blockage. Your chi flow and your letting go of your blockage are two different issues, though they are related.

For example, even when you cling on to your blockage, if your chi flow is powerful enough it can clear the blockage away. On the other hand, even when your chi flow is powerful and you let go of your blockage, your chi flow may not clear it away.

These examples are theoretical. In real life, if your chi flow is powerful, and your let go of your blockage, it is likely that your blockage will be cleared.

But irrespective of whether your blockage is cleared by your chi flow, you should let it go. If you cling onto it, like perceiving it during your chi flow, it is more likely to stay. If you let it go, like not thinking or intellectualizing on it, it is likely to go away, even when there is no chi flow. Even if it still remains, if you do not cling onto it, it will not ause you harm, at least not in your conscious living.

You are right that it is counterproductive to fall into the temptation of being frustrated with your blockage – even to the extent of glamorizing it. It is like a martial art instructor glamorizing the injuries he has sustained in fighting, a lovelorn glamorizing that the girl he chased after married another man, or a loser glamorizing that he never succeeded in anything he did.

They glamorize their defeat. They think, wrongly of course, that it is great to be injured, to be rejected in love, and to fail in all endeavours. You are smarter than this. Grab your frustration and throw it away. Your blockage, real or imagined, may soon follow suit too.

Chi flow, letting go and clearing blockage are different skills, though they influence one another. When a person experiences a chi flow, it does not necessarily mean that he has let go of past events, or he has cleared his blockage. When he lets go of past events, it does not necessarily mean that he has experienced a chi flow, or he no longer has blockage. When he has cleared his blockage, it does not necessarily mean that he has had a chi flow, or he has let go of past events.

The above are theoretical statements of facts. In practice, when one has a chi flow and has let go, he is more likely to clear his blockage. Whether chi flow or letting go is more instrumental in clearing blockage depends on the relative strength of the three factors involved.

For example, if the chi flow is very powerful, even when a person does not let go, but the blockage is not strong, it can be cleared away. If he lets go, even when there is no chi flow, and the blockage is not strong, it can be cleared away. Even when there is chi flow and he lets go, if the blockage is strong, it may not be cleared away.

Nevertheless, presuming all other factors were equal, letting go is most important in clearing blockage.

Letting go is simple, but may not be easy. Just do it. Don’t worry about how to let go, or which is the best way to let go. Don’t intellectualize on the mechanics of letting go, or what would happen if you do not let go. Just let go.

An analogy will be useful. Suppose you are holding a hot potato in your hand. Don’t worry about how to let fo of the hot potato, or which is the best method to let it go. Don’t intellectualize on the mechanics of letting go the hot potato, or what would happen if you keep holding it in your hands. Just let go of the hot potato. It is the same as a blockage.

Of course, if you let go of your blockage, you will certainly reduce the time required to clear it , regardless of whether it is long-term or recent. You may even clear it immediately.

[Jacek Kaleta]

I collected all questions and replies in a word file for future reference. 58 pages in total, using size 11 font!!

I feel very privileged to have access to this wisdom. Many Thanks and Gratitude to Sifu, Barry and all people who asked those great questions.

All the best
Jacek

[barrys]

Dear Jacek,

Glad you are enjoying the wisdom. Maybe we will see you at a class, weekend or one of the Family days soon.

Best wishes,

Barry

[Jacek Kaleta]

Dear Sifu Barry,

Thank you. I'll PM you directly.

Greetings
Jacek

[Fleur]

I collected all questions and replies in a word file for future reference. 58 pages in total, using size 11 font!!

I feel very privileged to have access to this wisdom. Many Thanks and Gratitude to Sifu, Barry and all people who asked those great questions.

Dear Jacek

At Summer Camp, Sifu mentioned again that threads such as this would become chi kung classics for future generations.

The depth of Sifu’s knowledge, his generosity in sharing his wisdom so freely, as well as his infinite patience in helping us all to develop - is really inspiring and humbling.

Thank you so much Sifu for answering our questions. I can recall at a previous Summer Camp, someone asking Sifu how it was possible for him to work so hard every day - teaching courses, answering students’ questions at mealtimes, then spending hours on his computer replying to the thousands of emails he receives each month. He thought for a moment, then answered ‘Actually, I don’t consider it work’.

With gratitude,

Fleur

[foxinsocks74]

I would just like to thank Sifu and those who asked the questions once again for the content of this thread. After reading and digesting over the past few months I knew that I had benefited a lot from the deep insights.

But it was at this year's Summer Camp, especially the very intense Xingyiquan course where I realised how big a difference this knowledge makes in practice. The thread helped me to isolate cleansing, building and nourishing as discrete skills, and especially to consolidate the skill of nourishing, which I was quite vague in my mind previously (although in retrospect I realise it was happening naturally in my practice)

So in summer camp whereas in previous years after hours of intensive training I would become at times quite mentally exhausted, this time I deliberately tried to keep my chi flows at the nourishing level. During one chi flow, Sifu even specifically gave this instruction. I was amazed at how clear and fresh and happy my mind remained throughout the course as a result of this simple change of intention . It made an immense difference to the quality of the five days and I feel like I understood and retained so much more of Sifu's teaching as a result.

I also noticed that, probably because of this, I was able to maintain a steady level of energy and rather than peaks and troughs. I still got tired or overwhelmed sometimes, but it was much easier to 'get back on track' and refocus on the course with the help of the skill of nourishing.

I feel that the insights form this post will continue to provide fruits in my practise for many years to come. If anybody out there hasn't already done so, I strongly recommend you to spend some time reading and reflecting on the entire thread!

Shaolin salute,

Omar