Signup for a Class & find your inner healing abilities!

The Importance of Xiu-Lian

(loosely translated as Cultivation & Practice)

In our modern society, there are an increasing number of crises and problems: Viruses, Flu's, Environmental Pollution, Ecological Destruction, Global Warming?.It is believed by many of my Mentors that I have studied with and continue  study with that we need to change ourselves at both the physical and spiritual levels, so that we can better adapt to our environment and increase our chances of survival. Only then can we save the Earth, save humanity and save ourselves. I do realize that living in the west can this grand vision be accomplished? 

In light of this, there are effective qigong methods to facilitate the practice of Xiu-Lian, or in other words, transforming our physical bodies and our Spiritual lives and pursuits.

What is Xiu Lian( pronounced Show Leean) anyway? 

 Definition of Xiu: To transform the soul and make it healthy, beautiful, and strong through the combined effects of receiving high energy transmissions and dedicating oneself to living a life of kind thought, kind speech, and kind acts. Dedication to Xiu facilitates an individual's progress towards higher virtue, enhanced spiritual health and growth, wisdom and purity of the soul.

 Definition of Lian: To transform the physical body and make it healthy and strong through the combined effects of receiving high energy transmissions and dedicating oneself to Cultivation practice. Dedicated practice facilitates an individual's progress towards improving and optimizing physical health and purification (detoxification) of the physical body.

A Guide for Beginning Students

As the number of qigong schools and teachers climbs in the U.S., it is becoming increasingly more difficult for an aspiring qigong practitioner to choose between the various systems. Because each system moves qi through the body in a different way, it is wise to choose only one system and to stick with what works. This blog commentary is intended to provide guidance for a beginning student in support of this important decision. It is a process which is both an art and a science.

So many things are changing with this tradition that it could be at risk of loosing its essence with the ever marketing angles and groups trying to implant into would be practitioners it's propaganda on regulation of Qigong practices and what sets to do. Many core concepts are being forgotten about, that many of a great teachers use to teach.     

 Relax, use your common sense and intuition

Does the practice fit in with your personal goals? Do you feel a connection with the instructor or Master? Does the learning environment provide both support and guidance that you need? If you are clear about what your needs are, then everything that you need to know can be described by the Chinese proverb: When the student is ready, the Teacher appears.

 Have a basic idea about where a particular practice falls

within the spectrum of qigong systems

Qigong is a very powerful and versatile practice. Some systems allow students to experience qi and its healing benefits almost immediately; others may take many years or decades. In ancient China there were Masters who asked students to carry water and make fires for thirty years without teaching a single physical posture. Other ancient Masters were reputed to be able to teach students by sending energy transmissions using telepathy over long distances. In modern day America, qigong instruction still takes a variety of different forms; with different levels of expertise of teaching.

 Ask yourself questions after your first

series of classes

• What does your heart say? Are you comfortable with the practice? Moving and balancing qi and can stir up physical, mental and emotional reactions which need interpretation and explanation. Do you feel safe discussing these with the instructor? 

• Is there a feeling of inclusiveness, care and connection between the Master(s), instructor(s) and students of the school and among the students themselves? Does the school have a wider focus on service as part of the practice? Are there just to get rich on the desperate unknowing students? Is it too commercial? Does it help the community?  What type of qigong system is it?

Generally speaking, qigong be classified in two ways:

1. That which is based on physical postures or movements. 2. That which is primarily based on an energy transmissions for Therapeutic Applications. 

The first , which is based on form, can utilize postures, movements, breathing techniques and/or creative visualization. A student's results depend on the accuracy of the posture, how well the Master's or instructor's guidance is followed and the length of time that is devoted to practice. The benefits of practice are directly proportional to the personal commitment that is made.

The second type of qigong is based primarily on a transmission of energy information which is passed through the Master or instructor to the student. This transmission contains the practice system and reinforces the student's connection to the greater Universal energy. The energy information contained therein is then used by the students like a key to unlock their own wisdom and understanding. A good connection to the Master or instructor and an altruistic intention are considered beneficial to practice. Movements and postures are often also used in these systems, but they have a secondary function. Systems based on energy transmissions are more difficult to find than form-based systems, and finding an accomplished Master to teach this type of system is hard also.

What human, spiritual or Universal origin

does the practice have?

Some systems are created by qigong Masters from their own experience; some have ancient Divine origins and were subsequently passed from Master to student; others evolved from a direct Universal energy transmission to the Master. In addition, different spiritual traditions have influenced qigong, such as Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Remain open-minded to the possibilities.

Like the "qi balance" that you seek through a qigong practice, the process of finding the right qigong practice system should be a balanced one. While it is important to gather information from external sources, always remember to rely equally on your internal senses. For only you can truly know what will work for you.