Wow! (as is often said for almost everything Sifu has produced)
This is my first post on this forum and, like with good chi kung, I have decided to start with a book review so as not to over train my post-ability. Perhaps most of you have already read this, but I'll go ahead and offer my specific praise for this anyway. On Saturday, I received a copy of The Complete Book of Zen and a copy of Chi Kung For Health And Vitality and, since I'm saving zen for a little while as I finish up two of Sifu's other books I have been slowly reading over the past few years in spurts, I had such a blast reading this excellent book on chi kung that I hardly was able to go about my normal day once I picked it up as it had a very pleasant and engaging resonance and presentation. I read this book in a few hours spread over yesterday and early this afternoon, quite literally dashing through it excitedly while still ensuring I absorb every last detail, and, having only just been initiated into this school in the NH courses in April (roughly 4 weeks ago), all I can say is that this is one amazingly comprehensive, valuable, applicable, and fun read! It has helped to cement a lot of the concepts and lessons from the courses I have taken and the other books I have read, especially those written by Sifu, as well as the hundreds of Q&A's on the main website and the special ones here on the forum that I have continued to read through with great voracity since. Reading the books prior to and after practicing these incredibly high level skills (compared to other chi kung I have done) are experiences that are worlds apart in comprehension and appreciation, and I;m very glad this short but profound book was my first read at my new level of appreciation and increased understanding. Going back through the others is sure to be a treat now as well, but starting with the foundation has been an amazing journey of rediscovery and furthering of development.
The book has just about everything a beginner would need to reference, reassure, solidify, and expand the essentials of the practice. There is a ton of material accessible to everyone (just about the whole book really), but, from my personal experience, if you practice chi kung of ANY system/school, this will be an incredible book to keep on-hand for quick questions, wonderful insights, and motivating accounts and underlying philosophy that doesn't require a lengthy or distracting search online and with a very well written presentation (not to mention the straightforward exposure to an incredible school within this art).
Comparing this to The Art Of Chi Kung, I would say that it is more practice-oriented with NUMEROUS exercises and approaches presented that one can readily apply or try out (though still with cautious judiciousness, especially if one has no prior experience), and it has a far more case/personal example centered approach which made me want to go through it from start to finish straight through before jumping around, whereas the earlier Art Of Chi Kung was a philosopher's dream in the sense that it covered the vast gamut of chi kung topics (all with a very profound level of depth and equal care) and made me want to jump around its countless wonderful sections (and they are ALL wonderful) in order to get a very good mosaic of the vast amount of information first, then take the time (once I was enticed and somewhat versed) to dive into its ocean of wisdom.
Overall, I had a fantastic and enjoyable time reading this and the many interesting and varied perspectives and examples it provides, while it simultaneously stitches together a constant and unified thread, deepening understanding and profundity. Along with Sifu's other works, this will be a very handy go-to reference for me to add to the vast array of information out there on our practice and regarding any questions which may come up. All of the books are also extremely accessible on their own and highly complimentary when read together/compared and used to build upon one another, giving you even more reason to pick this up for even the smallest new insight or detail it offers which one may miss out on. Even if you have no interest at all in practicing these arts (i.e. you haven't tasted their indescribable joys, yet*), it is a very well put together and ENGAGINGLY written book (the zen POURS out in every sentence, making the voice seem as familiar as if a close friend, or even your own conscious mind is narrating, despite the scholarly presentation and often academic style) that I promise it will be a joy (and a hyper-functional bundle of it at that) to discover and will hopefully suck you in and dazzle you as it did me.
Many thanks to Sifu and everyone else from the bottom of my ever-expanding (thanks to chi kung!) heart for absolutely everything, and a special thanks for this generous sharing of incredible wisdom and what were once (more than) closely guarded and veiled secrets in such an accessible and beautiful manner! READ THIS BOOK!! (And others)
This is my first post on this forum and, like with good chi kung, I have decided to start with a book review so as not to over train my post-ability. Perhaps most of you have already read this, but I'll go ahead and offer my specific praise for this anyway. On Saturday, I received a copy of The Complete Book of Zen and a copy of Chi Kung For Health And Vitality and, since I'm saving zen for a little while as I finish up two of Sifu's other books I have been slowly reading over the past few years in spurts, I had such a blast reading this excellent book on chi kung that I hardly was able to go about my normal day once I picked it up as it had a very pleasant and engaging resonance and presentation. I read this book in a few hours spread over yesterday and early this afternoon, quite literally dashing through it excitedly while still ensuring I absorb every last detail, and, having only just been initiated into this school in the NH courses in April (roughly 4 weeks ago), all I can say is that this is one amazingly comprehensive, valuable, applicable, and fun read! It has helped to cement a lot of the concepts and lessons from the courses I have taken and the other books I have read, especially those written by Sifu, as well as the hundreds of Q&A's on the main website and the special ones here on the forum that I have continued to read through with great voracity since. Reading the books prior to and after practicing these incredibly high level skills (compared to other chi kung I have done) are experiences that are worlds apart in comprehension and appreciation, and I;m very glad this short but profound book was my first read at my new level of appreciation and increased understanding. Going back through the others is sure to be a treat now as well, but starting with the foundation has been an amazing journey of rediscovery and furthering of development.
The book has just about everything a beginner would need to reference, reassure, solidify, and expand the essentials of the practice. There is a ton of material accessible to everyone (just about the whole book really), but, from my personal experience, if you practice chi kung of ANY system/school, this will be an incredible book to keep on-hand for quick questions, wonderful insights, and motivating accounts and underlying philosophy that doesn't require a lengthy or distracting search online and with a very well written presentation (not to mention the straightforward exposure to an incredible school within this art).
Comparing this to The Art Of Chi Kung, I would say that it is more practice-oriented with NUMEROUS exercises and approaches presented that one can readily apply or try out (though still with cautious judiciousness, especially if one has no prior experience), and it has a far more case/personal example centered approach which made me want to go through it from start to finish straight through before jumping around, whereas the earlier Art Of Chi Kung was a philosopher's dream in the sense that it covered the vast gamut of chi kung topics (all with a very profound level of depth and equal care) and made me want to jump around its countless wonderful sections (and they are ALL wonderful) in order to get a very good mosaic of the vast amount of information first, then take the time (once I was enticed and somewhat versed) to dive into its ocean of wisdom.
Overall, I had a fantastic and enjoyable time reading this and the many interesting and varied perspectives and examples it provides, while it simultaneously stitches together a constant and unified thread, deepening understanding and profundity. Along with Sifu's other works, this will be a very handy go-to reference for me to add to the vast array of information out there on our practice and regarding any questions which may come up. All of the books are also extremely accessible on their own and highly complimentary when read together/compared and used to build upon one another, giving you even more reason to pick this up for even the smallest new insight or detail it offers which one may miss out on. Even if you have no interest at all in practicing these arts (i.e. you haven't tasted their indescribable joys, yet*), it is a very well put together and ENGAGINGLY written book (the zen POURS out in every sentence, making the voice seem as familiar as if a close friend, or even your own conscious mind is narrating, despite the scholarly presentation and often academic style) that I promise it will be a joy (and a hyper-functional bundle of it at that) to discover and will hopefully suck you in and dazzle you as it did me.
Many thanks to Sifu and everyone else from the bottom of my ever-expanding (thanks to chi kung!) heart for absolutely everything, and a special thanks for this generous sharing of incredible wisdom and what were once (more than) closely guarded and veiled secrets in such an accessible and beautiful manner! READ THIS BOOK!! (And others)
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