The Internal Journey: Heyitongbei Qigong & Tuishou

proccess and result

2010-11-18T02:51:00.000-08:00

One of three biggest problems our challenges faced by a person on their internal journey, and this relates to yoga and meditative practices as much as internal martial arts, is a result oriented mindset.

This happens to almost all of us, especially, as we begin our journeys but it is present all the way until "the moment of realization" in one way or another.

The student wants to be like the teacher at least in some way, or be happy or at peace or just be able to do something well. Those of us living in modern times especially coming from western cultures have this even more so. We shoot for rank and competition or to improve specific things in our lives (challenges) and about ourselves, temper, back, energy levels, mood etc.

All of these things are actually good and serve to motivate and inspire us. But they cannot take us where we want to go. To get "there" we actually have to stop trying to get or be there.

These are actually the lessons we are learning, as well as the key to actually "understanding" the lessons.

This also leads many people to stop their journey into internal practices especially the internal martial arts as they either learn something they can utilize or benefit from or when they have difficulty in realizing certain goals or applying what they learned in to something else, loose interest. What is actually lost is the wonderful opportunity to go beyond results into proccess and beyond application to experience.

please approach your journey as the proccess of experience.

If you have any personal stories that relate to this I would love you to share them.

have a good morning!

Blast from the past

2010-10-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

Any one remember this? I was on you tube and came across this video of the seminar I did last year it feels so much longer than a year ago. It was fun! It also seems like an explanation of the dan tian worth sharing with you again :).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn1RrBWM4IQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Appreciation

2010-10-12T02:32:00.000-07:00

A good student is as much a treasure for a teacher as a good teacher is for a student and growing as a teacher I appreciate my teacher that much more!

Experience

2010-10-12T02:19:00.000-07:00

I do not claim to know what I experience but I know I experience it.

2010-10-10T18:55:00.001-07:00

This post I am linking to seems to have had a small surge in comments in september. So I am sort of reviving it for you.

link:
http://heyitongbeimichael.blogspot.com/2010/01/question-posed.html

original post:

"a question posed
Here is a question for you. Is it more of a challenge for you to find a place for your practice in your life or to find the connections of you practice in your life?

The first part of the question refers to finding time to and motivation to practice while the second part refers to bringing the benefits and lessons of practice into the way you live your life.

Answer the question or just consider it, it is something I want to put out there to you today. "

Last six months for me, first internal taste for my bro

2010-10-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

my journey continues,

It has been a very busy past 6 months for me. My grandmother who I had only just recently gotten to know a bit has passed away, also I met for the first time in 18 years my brother Gabriel.

The last time I saw him he was a baby and I was about 10 years old.

He came to stay with me and he spent 2 months here, it was a powerful, engaging. I have a brother now!

We ate and talked often times till dawn and we trained. He studied with me, I suppose I can call him my student now and he is very serious indeed! He comes from a Brazilian Ju Jitsu back round as well as MMA and though he is a bit smaller than me he is quite strongly built.

I remember telling him some bits of information about internal martial arts and heyitongbei specifically to which he would often reply he understands what I was telling him.

He found out he didn't and it was a great suprise for him! We came to my house from the airport ate some food and walked straight to the park. When we got there I asked if he wanted a little taste of what we would be doing he said yes so I told him to wrestle me to the ground and he tried. He wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled with all his might and I did not move even a few millimeters no struggle no changing directions just me standing there. Feeling that he began to shake a little feeling a little overwhelmed and thus his first taste of the internal!!!

It only continued with movements, breathing, applications and push hands... the more he saw the more he felt he was never a martial artist before and was now training to be a sort of super hero... I kinda agree with him about that super hero stuff. It is really quite amazing what we can go as humans if we know how!

He is back in new york now still training in tongbei and qigong. I will be sending him some videos to help him do so and I hope he keeps fast to his journey and that I can share more stories of his visit here with you !

2010-09-23T21:47:00.001-07:00

What an odd thing! I keep going back and forth on the most effective means of sharing internal skill with people.

There are very clear and understandable physical and mechanical descriptions for all parts of the process that create and unleash internal power. There does not need to be any description of an ethereal energy at all. Not all of these mechanical descriptions are easy to implement though and when taken as a collection of mechanical processes that are merged into a sort of superseding process mastery can seem highly unlikely.

What I have noticed is that like any physics or engineering equation or application proper attention towards the student in clarifying the theory and refining in practice of the individual and superseding processes can lead to marvelous results which I have been able to witness, such as seeing a student of a few years gain skills that many world renowned "masters" have not attained.

That being said there is something lacking in this approach as it removes the wonder and magic of experiencing internal skill from the experience of the human condition in emotion and feeling. I still firmly believe that mastery takes this approach. Though scientifically breaking down the processes and feeding it to students can accelerate skill and provide knowledge that is readily applicable to a host of other fields. i must admit though that my superseding thought is that the real benefit of internal martial arts is in the way it shapes our ability to experience and shape the world we live in positively.

2010-02-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

The dao is for living, it can be intellectualized and applied and derived but that is only a reflection of the dao.
What we practice can be intellectualized and applied and derived from as well, but that also is only a reflection of what is experienced in practice itself.

on the question posed

2010-01-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

When the challenge is integration of lessons to life it is important to be more introspective and sit with what you have learned and are learning.
When it is a challenge of practicing it is important to realize that only 10 - 20 min of practice are needed for great effect. More so is to find an approach to perceiving practice that is enticing... Is it an exploration? A game? A puzzle? A personal retreat?
With both remember that the effect and act of practice are both parts of the process of practice. Don't look for meaning progress and purpose in practice as much as to allow those things to surface. After all you are practicing you and your living... The positive effects and love of practicing come from what discover in ourselves and the living we do.

a question posed

2010-01-25T13:33:00.000-08:00

Here is a question for you. Is it more of a challenge for you to find a place for your practice in your life or to find the connections of you practice in your life?

The first part of the question refers to finding time to and motivation to practice while the second part refers to bringing the benefits and lessons of practice into the way you live your life.

Answer the question or just consider it, it is something I want to put out there to you today.

Website Relaunch

2010-01-24T00:57:00.000-08:00

Hey,

I will be relaunching my site this week. Did a rework and I am happy with the changes, a new look, easier membership sign up and a bit of a reworking for the site in general.

If you have been to the site before check it out again when it relaunches later in the week and if not check it out.

If you are following this blog I think you will find interest in the site :)

well getting about time for bed.

nighty night

Michael

The Journey Progresses

2010-01-13T17:37:00.000-08:00

How have you all been on your journey? It has been some time since I have made regular posts, life took me away from it for a while. It seems I am back here again. Back to shooting video, writing, creating and listening.

I have missed writing, sharing and connecting. There are usually not many comments on here but I do get emails and appreciate them all (Ivan you in particular).

The world is turning, life moving, us all evolving and yin yang flowing... It is good to be here.

Warmth and Love

Michael

me centerdness

2009-12-25T01:47:00.000-08:00

It seems that much in the internal martial arts can create a me centering, with attention to skill and progress, attainment and comparison, survival and sport all centering on the me.

Me centerdness detracts from finding harmony and true center. Harmony and centerdness lead to skill and attainment though in a sense it can be said those things are not being sought.

It is the place of an internal martial artist to get as much without themselves as within... This is why when adjusting your breath if you begin your breath from deep within you and end it there deep within you as well as begin your breath from far without you and end it there does the breath and all of it's potential and power come easily. To alter either the within to be from a less deep and centered place or the without to come from too near brings struggle to the breath and a block to it's potential and power. To breathe or act or think from other than deep within ones center and at the same time connected to the farthest reaches of the without, invites a shallow movement of yin and yang, lacking potential and power.

To have a me centering view is akin to be missing the without and therefor not truly be in the center within. Compassion, openness of heart and mind, joy and love are all antidotes to me centering. Please find your true centering and your true potential and power.

grateful for the journey

2009-12-05T20:40:00.001-08:00

The Journey is a joyful one, I at this time feel grateful for being able to walk it, my journey.

power of push hands in communication

2009-11-09T23:35:00.000-08:00

I have recently had an experience of how powerful push hands can be beyond the park.

A family member was going through a difficult time with multiple difficulties appearing at once... they were greatly stressed and having difficulty communicating with the people in their life. By working with the principles of push hands I listened connected and met their needs... they were able to find emotional resolution and difficult moments in our communication became doors to greater and deeper and more open communication.

The hallmark of push hands in any part of our lives is the harmony we feel in the interactions we participate in.

good night

Michael

Heading to new york tomorrow thru sunday

2009-10-21T12:38:00.003-07:00

I am getting on a flight tomorrow morning for JFK. My grandmothers health is poor and she is not looking well, so my sister and I are both heading out there to offer support to her and my mother who is taking care of her.

If any of you readers are or will be in NY let me know perhaps we can meet up for coffee or qigong.

I will be back teaching Monday morning and I look forward to it.

talk to you all next week ;)

vortexes spirals and circles

2009-09-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

Vortex is spiral, spiral is moving, changing and dynamic circles/structure.

Static circles/structure are/is made up of vortexes.

inquiry on certain focus and determination

2009-09-22T00:45:00.000-07:00

inquiry:
What about certain focus and determination to create something new? Universe probably can't tell you, you have do decide what you want to focus on (otherwise you become an observer in motion). Can you write about that?

Response:
Certainty, focus and determination are held in high regard in our society, they are ideals which are romantic and part of the equation of success and effectiveness.

Does the internal approach contradict these things no, but the alternative approach alters their definition and definitiveness. Certainty begins with centerdness, being calm aware and harmonious within ones current body/personal and situational state... the certainty is real within us and is not dependant on crystallized or laser-like belief, focus takes centerdness and awareness and aims them towards something or from something a creative spark. Determination takes on a quality of unbroken intention, both in it's extension through awareness and focus and its funding through centering, harmonizing and rooting.

The question has a metaphor in comparing the traditional western fighting arts of boxing and wrestling with tongbei or taich.

It is obvious in boxing or wrestling that the winner of matches and titles is carried their through rugged determination both in training and in the ring, focus almost single minded focus in their goals and certainty in what they aim for. The road can be a struggle and is often a battle.

In taichi or tongbei one can find equivalents for those same qualities but their flavor is different... certainty, focus and determination become altered to be centerdness, focused and inspired awareness and intention. The result of victory is the same and the general pathway of time and energy focused and utilized is the same but the specific experience is far more effortless absent is struggle replaced by listening and adapting and anchored by the centerdness of centering.

In a way you can find the connections to the internal by taking each aspect certainty, focus and determination and ask what funds them and harmoniously extends them... exploring these traits and learning where they are born and how they connect. It is the same as exploring the roots and connections of physical endeavours, a push hands match, a fight , improving health.

How do we internally and without effort decide to and then create something?

How do we stay on track amidst doubts and distractions?

How do we stay the course amidst resistance and challenge?

How do we do these things in line with effortlessness, how does that work?

these are specific questions I would like to address in upcoming posts.

If you have any related questions please share them.

until the next post goodnight!

the first and last challenge

2009-09-22T00:03:00.000-07:00

From the time we begin learning and in many ways before we begin till we attain mastery and at times still lingering is doubt and questioning... it is the first resistance and the last the consistent struggle at every skill level, till one stops practicing the art and begins practicing themselves.

Am I good enough, am I meeting my teachers, my fellow students my own expectations. Will I remember what I was taught will I improve in doing it... am I enough? Do I have the time the energy the talent? Is my structure right, am I relaxed enough? I think I got it but do I? He she is SO good can I ever do it like he she?

The root to all of these questions I have asked I have been asked is the first and final challenge, it is present before our first lesson and can remain after 1000 lessons.

There is an aspect of this questions which can motivate one to practice and maintain humility, but this is a destructive way to do so... it is destructive to our harmony and balance the true purpose of learning and practicing...

A story from my Wife's GuQin lineage, the founder only knew 14 songs but he played them perfectly. Would it matter if he only played one song or one note? In many ways no it wouldn't. It only takes one word to change a persons day, a hug to change someones life... it only takes letting go of this doubt to free us to do learn practice and be in mastery... in ourselves whether in one movement or 1000 or in this moment.

I urge and wish each of us to be free from this doubt, regardless of your circumstances as it does little good...

If I can ever be of service to you in any capacity, friend, teacher, confidant to release from this doubt I would be honored!

much love and appreciation for you,

So much of the internal arts are...

2009-09-21T23:47:00.002-07:00

So much of the internal arts is about being relaxed and appropriate, so much of learning internal arts is about learning how to let go into relaxation and find appropriateness, so much of teaching internal arts is about sharing the paths to relaxation and realization of appropriateness.

Hello

2009-09-21T00:10:00.000-07:00

I wish you all well in your training/practice and lives this night!

Podcast Episode 3 now available

2009-09-19T17:36:00.001-07:00

The new episode of the internal connection podcast is available go to the internal connection podcast blog for posts directly related to the podcast including episode details, and as always the newest podcast is available at www.theinternalconnection.com

This episode brings us across the threshold to internal practice in this case QiGong.

be well

Michael

Changing Consistency

2009-09-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

Consistency is key to progress skill and benefit when practicing. It is important to do one's practice daily or near daily or in a consistancy that matches your life, it is only in that sort of consistency which does differ for each of us that one can maximize their growth into the lessons of their practice... Change is also essential or we can say another key.

When these two things, consistency and change come together, one gets a practice that deepens and which does not get boring. Change though does not necessarily mean doing new things or different practices, but getting to the practice you are doing with a new understanding or newly opened eyes.

My teacher has seen hundreds of students come to him and then continue on (as it should be) and only a few who stay with him (natural). I have met some of his students from years and decades past who have stopped practicing and thus they remember very little of what they were taught and the bennefits those lessons and act of practicing brought to their lives. I have also met past students of my teacher who did continue to practice and whether the studied with my teacher for long or short periods they kept those lessons and very often grew them as their own practice evolved.

Some of you reading this are current students some I have not seen for a while, some my teachers students and others I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet. For all of you this message is the same, continue to practice whether you have one posture or several forms and be open to what your practice my grow into and mean to you.

with love,

Michael

new podcast episode

2009-09-08T00:34:00.000-07:00

the new podcast episode is available to download and watch, you can learn more about this episode and subscribe to it at the internal connection blog and as always the most recent episode is available to watch at the internal connection website. This episode takes us deeper into the internal connection of QiGong, internal practices and life.

I wish you all a wonderful day!

if you have any questions about this or any other episode of the podcast or have a question or suggestion for a future episide you can either leave a comment at the internal connection podcast blog or send it to me at michael@theinternalconnection.com .

2009-09-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

First Podcast Episode

2009-08-31T00:42:00.000-07:00

For up to date information previews and expansion on each weeks podcast check out the internal connection podcast blog at theinternalconnectionpodcast.blogspot.com/ you can subscribe to the podcast via rss feed and at itunes soon. The newest episode is always available on the internal connection home page.

new things

2009-08-30T18:34:00.001-07:00

This week is the start of something new, actually it is the result if work I have been doing over the past few months.

Some if you knew I was up to some thing but I have kept the what I am up to a secret.

Now on the eve if launch I am letting the secret out. I have wanted for a long time to bring the knowledge and benefit of the internal arts to as many people as I can.

Now I am doing that! Through The Internal Connection Podcast and www.theinternalconnection.com .

I believe that the technology today allows online learning to be nearly and at some times more effective than in person learning. I believe thus to be especially true if the content is openly and energetically shared and if
Frequent updates, questions and answers provides much of the benefit that one on one time can provide.

The podcast offers content about and inspired by the internal arts of QiGong, TuiShou or push hands and HeYiTongBei. Each week the podcast will share information about internal practice as well as provide lessons on how to practice and applications from these practices in our lives in other words showing the internal connection in everyday life. The content is thorough but not overwhelming and is intended to be of as high or higher content quality than any video on the internal practices being sold for money.

Theinternalconnection.com provides lessons and curriculum on the internal arts. The site provides much greater detail than the podcast and is curriculum based with frequently updated lessons and content separately for each internal art as well as an area just for applying aspects of the internal arts into the things we do in life.

Thank you all for your patients while I left your radar for the past few months as I was creating this. There was a lot of challenge for me doing things I have never done before and it took some time but I hope I have built a medium to share these things that I hold dear with people who have an interest or need that breaks down boundaries of location time and money.

Thank you all for your support and friendship even while I dropped away for a few months.

The first episode of the podcast has been published (it will be available on itunes soon).
You can view the first episode on the home page of www.theinternalconnection.com or subscribe to the rss feed http://theinternalconnection.libsyn.com/rss.

Processes of qigong and pushands and contact lenses

2009-07-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

It is fantastic to see the apparent and useful presence of the very same processes and principles we work with in qigong and push hands in other parts of our lives.

I have always been squeamish with my eyes, we all have a protective reflex with our eyes and mine is particularly strong. I have recently started wearing contact lessons and found the breathing intention and releasing of push hands and qigong to be a huge part of what has allowed me to be receptive and open with my eyes going against my ingrained protective reflex in the same way breathing intention and releasing do for our entrained reflexes to become tight and protective in our body and emotions. I even found the use of intention and shape to make all the difference in easily removing the contacts without effort and struggling to get them out, internally removing my contacts you may say.

If the processes and principles we use in push hands and qigong can have such an effect on something as specific as contact lens wearing and as ingrained as the eye reflex mechanism and as small as removing contact lenses just imagine the effects of working with process and these principles could have in numerous aspects of our real daily lives if we work with these principles and processes on a regular basis with qigong and push hands, become aware and familiar with them and recognize their presence in our daily real life!

I believe that in qigong and push hands we hold some of the most pertinent and effective tools available to living effectively in a high stress and modern world and especially in times of uncertainty and apprehension.

I hope an increasing number of people learn and utilize qigong and push hands and that the number of teachers and avenues available to share skilled knowledge of qigong and push hands increases greatly and that this blog and myself can have some part to play in it.

Thank-you for Reading
Practicing and
Being!

This Night

2009-07-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

Sitting here tonight watching the last bits of twilight fade I can still glimpse the slightest amounts of orange hanging over the distant mountain range.

In this I am reminded of the unimaginable beauty of this universe. All the angles a thing can be seen or experienced. All the possibilities to distant to know.

I sit here in splendid wonder and write this in hopes of sharing some small bit of it with you.

I hope in your lives and practices you take the time to explore the beauty and possibility. Sometimes this means taking a moment to just be and other times it means taking the time out of our other plans or free time to forge ahead as present explorers and this can be called practice.

So for practice take the time aside to do your practice as this is your vehicle into amazing beauty and possibility and while there please take the time to just be and absorb that which is around you, with in you and the things you have done.

With lots of love this night!

Loving - Kindness

2009-07-03T13:54:00.001-07:00

Reading an email sent by a good friend and true practitioner today I am inspired to give a reminding of the powerful place loving-kindness holds in our practice and lives.

First Seminar Available to watch now

2009-07-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

"Foundations" Essence of Qigong is the first teaching to be made available online. It runs two and a half hours go ahead and send an email to heyitongbei@gmail.com with "foundations" .

After you send the email you will recieve an invoice via paypal by email...and after you have completed the transaction you will be sent a link directlty to the seminar.

You can bring one friend "virtually" by sharing your link with them.

Cost $20

Seminar description bellow:

"Foundations" Essence of QiGong is a two and a half hour seminar giving insight into what QiGong in essence is. This seminar contains explanations of the words Qi, Five Elements (WuXing) and others, as well as ways to understand and embody these concepts, essential knowledge of breathing and movement including not just hows but why's as well as exercises on how to feel the difference correct intention and mechanics make with breathing and movement and how the DanTian is created by the rest of the body. The Seminar contains QiGong exercises to discover and feel what it is like to "let your DanTian (center) gather". This seminar is the foundational seminar on the essence of Qigong, concepts and movements will be developed and explored in upcoming seminars. Please direct questions to heyitongbei@gmail.com

Dao

2009-06-29T01:25:00.000-07:00

The dao is to be lived. It is not academic nor is it religous. One can be academic in many disciplines but not in the dao one can be religous but not about the dao

2009-06-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

I am alive! To know this is joy. To practice is to remember I am alive. This is the way practice brings me joy.

New Projects I am Excited About

2009-06-28T00:09:00.000-07:00

I am working on some new projects which I am excited about and I will be letting you know all about them in the next few months. The first project I am excited to tell you about is that events including seminars are now available online.

That means that you can virtually attend from anywhere in the world! Though seminars and other select teachings are being made available now, I may also offer classes and lessons in the future, this way making them available wherever you and I are.

I will be making each event available for the price it was to attend, this means that if the event was $20 to attend the video costs $20 to attend virtually. This is far cheaper than DVD's which due to the time of authoring the disks, artwork and costs of the DVD's and cases themselves would be at a cost of $40 for the DVD of a $20 event. If an event was without charge there will be a $10 fee for online access due to the cost of putting the video up.

Due to hosting limitations as of now I will not be keeping each event online indefinatly but while it is up (garanteed two weeks) you have unlimited access to it. I will keep it up as long as I can but do need to have space for new videos. If you decide you want a DVD copy of the event you can place what you have already paid towards the purchase of the DVD.

The point of these videos is to make teachings available to those who are seeking insight into subtle skills of these ancient traditions of the internal arts and themselves. Especially if in these challenging times money is the only reason for you not watching these videos please tell me and we will work something out.

To watch a video email me at heyitongbei@gmail.com with the title of the event in the heading and
I will email you an invoice, once I recieve confermation of payment I will send you a personal coded link to the video.

You may also share your link with up to one person with no additional charge.
(if you would like to share the link with more than one other person please contact me to make arrangement before hand)

For information on archived events and updates on upcoming events email me at heyitongbei@gmail.com

I will let you know when new video's are added via my blogs and email if you request it.

If you experience any problems with viewing the video I will do my best to resolve it. If I cannot you may recieve a full refund or put the balance towards a DVD purchase of the event.

For those of you who know me, I am excited about giving access to these skills and information and joy in every class with every student. The chance to share with even more people is extremely exciting.

I will be posting informations about the first available seminar in the next few days.

If you have any suggestions or requests for an online only event please let me know. Just to get your imaginations going, some ideas for future events are:

Qigong health and wellness

Biomechanics and living with ease

The art of fighting

The art of heyitongbei

Foundations of pushhands: getting in touch with shape and space

Pushhands: melding with shape and space

What heyitongbei and pushands teach us about living a centered life

until next time ZaiJian!

Hidden Power

2009-06-25T23:14:00.000-07:00

Power is hidden strength is visible, we all grow up with strength and become accustomed to it and it's signs.
We must approach power differently, we do not truly know the extent of the power we work with until or unless it is called forth in use, and that means, in practice we don't get to see it and feel it. But it is in this absence this void that power dwells ready for it's place it's situation it's time.

Though it is hidden we can find it's origin and it's conduits out and then let it be. It is in this way the hidden power becomes apparent internal power.

2009-06-25T00:16:00.000-07:00

As the clouds part in the nights sky the clarity of stars and space are seen. As is the sky so are we.

What I am What I do

2009-06-21T23:37:00.000-07:00

I am an artist. In my capacity as a teacher I show people how to appreciate art and create art. Outside of teacher I explore, create and inspire.

On my birthday I accept this, I know this, I celebrate this.

Prebirthday get together

2009-06-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

Today was exactly perfect for me. A whole day out doors with lots of snacks drinks and a surprise cake! Time with great friends and students and my wife. Talking,eating and sharing each others company as well as breathing and one particular person being graciously tossed all around. Thank you to each of you who made it and a smile and hug to those who couldn't, thank you all for making my birthday so special.

The most important element

2009-06-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

There is one element that is uniquely tied to success in practice from the beginnings it helps us absorb lessons and later on it allows us to express and make it our own.
Naturalness is to be unforced un-coerced , being and appreciating ones self.

Self doubt makes the learning process harder than it needs to be, and it is often a symptom that an advanced practitioner must pass in order to be a master and have the art be their art, of and in them.

Whether you are a beginner or long time practitioner, feel confident or self doubt... be natural and trust your self. More than confidence or cockiness this trusting yourself is actually the skills and wisdom aligning in you.

An exercise to try, go on a city bus and stand in it as it is driven through town (this works well in China), and stand there without holding on. If you center and relax yourself you can adapt to the buses movements and remain standing but if you place your hand near a pole or strap ready to grab in case you loose your balance you will not be able to adjust and will need at some point to grab on to retain balance.

Listen to your teacher for corrections and guidance, work on refinement but trust in yourself your body and mind and emotions and intention , you are able to be more skilled and subtle than you believe, trust yourself to grow learn and know and then help another to do so.

A big hello to each of you tonight!

how much to practice

2009-06-15T01:32:00.000-07:00

this is a continuation of last nights post,

the most central point in this post is not how much to practice but how to practice. practice should have a sense of lively spontaneity, a curiosity to explore, search in the movements and emotions and breath as a pilot exploring the clouds, chasing rainbows and enjoying.

there are times when this is inherently difficult, when first learning how to practice or a very new movement. when having inconsistent practice or a trauma in life.

in each of these cases one is not in the flow, the body and mind are not calibrated, it is a chore and performance anxiety and questions of whether to continue to practice often set in.

in the first case beginning the practice or learning new movements, patience must be given and one must allow themselves to move in small steps of progress, slowly becoming more tuned in movements and more aware of what the tunings are, over time practice becomes more enjoyable and easier and epiphanies come even without the teachers help...

in the second case, the body and mind become dull to the practice and dullness set in, it is easy to not practice and hard to practice, questions of rightness of one practicing can ensue , the movements are not natural feeling and the practice although containing intent lacks life lacks the heart... time must be spent to realign the body, stretching slow and deep movements , and especially any movements which one desires to do.... begin;methodically with stretching and slow movements feeling how the body and mind and breath are working, look for signs of the body or mind opening up and moving easier and for desire to do any movements and do them, this process can take one to three weeks to unfold and if maintained a strengthened desire to practice and more rewarding practice than ever can be had....

In the third case, practice can seem insignificant or be forgotten, physical or mental memory of the trauma can hold sway over you not allowing you to be free for practice. practice is full of the physical symptoms of worry and is not enjoyable... movement is dull or tight and intention is not strong and the heart is heavy or numb... breathing is where to begin, breathe with an environment that suits you the ocean or mountains or a quiet room, breathe into the scenery the energy of the place, stretch and move while maintaining awareness of the surroundings, tune the speed and crispness of your movements into the calmness or busyness of your surroundings, the gentle or brisk wind, the calm nor choppy water etc. do this for as many days or weeks that it takes to be able to feel your own inner rhythm or pulse again and as you feel it within you let your movements be based on it, your heart is now free and ready and your intention will return , practice will be more meaningful than ever and hold a special place for you.

there are many other forms of difficulty with practice and many other ways of working with those, but these three cases are powerful and common and I have met them all, the most wonderful thing about meeting one of these cases is they can lead us to know how to practice better than we ever have before.

expectations and openness

2009-06-13T23:00:00.000-07:00

many people begin a martial art including qigong with expectations of what the art is what it does what it will do for them. this is an unwise approach, the outcomes are limited and the real magic is missed.

these arts are old more than a thousand years of practitioners for the art I practice , there is much wisdom contained in the art, but this wisdom is only available in the doing of the art and doing with an open mind absent of expectations.

many teachers try and take the wisdom from the art and place it for all to see to have and use, but like the dao in daodejing this is not the real wisdom any more, it is simply a description of it in a limited way. this can be good in many situations giving inspiration to people and wisdom in select situations, but clear your mind of those things when you go to practice or to class or to teach... this space is what is needed to find your own gongfu , when one approaches practice and class in this way instantaneous realization of the practice can happen I know it happened to me and to my teacher.

I recall when telling my teacher of my realization him telling me the story of his... each of our stories and experiences were unique but both were born of no expectation in the doing.... this can happen at any time within a year of beginning or ten or a hundred....

the doing is paramount it is only in the doing that there is life... a language not spoken cannot be written into a poem or song... a business only in name cannot better peoples lives. to do it is making it alive and when it is alive it is a great teacher... to think and talk about it and do it with worries and expectations and the life and lessons leave us.

what advice to I offer to my fellow practitioners, my friends and students , what advice do I offer my future disciple... take the initiative to practice , trust in the wisdom of the art and observe and ask questions of your teacher without to many expectations... the way you see or hope the art to be or yourself to be should shift and change even as frequently as each new lesson or practice time, let it do so as it is the only way to see the art and our wisdom for what it is, watch your teacher practice for themselves and practice with them if you can.

This is not easy and it is not for everyone, but it is amply rewarding. another piece of advice to not expect that you need dedicate your life to practice this when done out of expectations is actually a hindrance, practice in balance with your life, listen and experiment with the balance it is far more rewarding to find that balance than to not practice or let practice overwhelm your life. when approached with an openness free of expectation it is far easier to find the balance, do the doing and discover the wisdom know it and realize it.

I know life is a difficult journey to live and it seems an extra burden to learn these things, but there is a reason there are smiles on the faces and in the hearts of those who do practice and learn with openness, free of expectation we may truly see.

art of body mechanics

2009-06-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

People can work on body mechanics, but keep in mind not to let it be too mechanical... It is not merely the skeleton and how it aligns nor how muscles work together but the texture of the muscles , intention of the skeleton and subtlety of what lies between.

bedtime tought as I gaze at the moon

2009-05-29T23:33:00.000-07:00

I am in awe not just with how vast the world is but in how vast the ways it can be experienced!

new videos on youtube

2009-05-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody reading this. I just placed three new video's on youtube. Two of the videos are clips from the seminar on breathing and structure. There is much more detail on both of those subjects in the seminar itself. The third is a video of a student of mine and I having some fun with applications at the end of a class a few months ago.

you can watch the video's below or link copy and paste this url to see all videos I currently have on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=theinternalJourney&view=videos

I wish you all a great bright day!

2009-05-16T02:50:00.000-07:00

I hope you are all finding joy and purpose in your training and lives.

goodnight

embracing

2009-05-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

Embracing what we are doing is a great secret. It is a secret because it often hangs out in the background not quite visible. Embracing has an amazing quality it brings up creativity as in embracing a challenge like how to get to the moon in a single decade. Embracing our personal issues brings them into our "control" we loose rigidity towards those issues and thus they become more mailable. Embracing a cold Mountain lake or Puget sound can make standing in the water invigorating instead of suffering. And embracing now can make life come alive.

When I have trouble practicing something stopping me I embrace it and from that grow. When I have trouble being here and now I embrace that trouble and more often than not find I am already here and now.

In push hands I am immovable when I embrace my partner and their presence , if I close to them then I am easily moved.

Embracing is accepting what we are given and returning love.

to be of service and in awe

2009-04-30T23:41:00.000-07:00

two of the most humbling, rewarding and moving experiences I have are to be of service and in awe. To find out I have been of service to another that something I have done offers them value, even when it is not what I intended is the most rewarding aspect I find in living my life. Beyond grand dreams or perhaps behind them there are the smiles, the offerings of kindness to a friend or stranger. To be a friend perhaps when one was not expecting it or a friend who cares more than one thought, to find out that somehow in living and trying to live a good life we have been able to offer some sort of service to another especially when it is spontaneous and full of pure love and intention and received in a way that is more positively powerful than we thought at the time is a treasure beyond measure.

To be in awe, not contemplating about but to be silent in the WONDER of life of the universe that houses us the woman who birthed us the people who love us it is so humbling and moving that it makes being alive a most precious gift, one to be appreciated and awed.

May 2nd Seminar

2009-04-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

the seminar will be offered at a later date

2009-04-14T00:46:00.001-07:00

We learn things in qigong or pushhands class which seem readily applicable to aspects of our lives and they are. We sometimes take those things we learned and seek to apply then into those aspects of our lives. This has a lot of benefit to both our practice and our greater lives and it is especially useful to people who do not deeply engage the practice. This is why a book of applicable wisdom from say an akido practitioner can be so useful to someone who does not even practice aikido. To someone with access to a deeper engagement with the practice in having a teacher, time and energy enough to practice things are a little different.

The wisdom of their classes can be applied and effectively but the purpose the practitioner has is different than the layman, the practitioner seeks "cellular" access to the wisdom, this is "cellular" access as it is built into the practitioner, in practice, going into that space of wisdom daily and gaining an imprint of that wisdom in their being. This wisdom is subtle and profound and what the 'practitioner seeks.

a wish for fufillment

2009-04-10T01:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight I hold a wish of fulfillment of fully embracing our journeys, practices, challenges and opportunities. For I hold a feeling that in embracing those things, each of our lives can take on so much meaning and joy and that meaning and joy can spread to others around us.

May you and I , may we all push through resistances and ease through resistances towards embracing our journeys, practices, challenges and opportunities in short LIFE!

clip on the dan tian from March 7th seminar

2009-04-06T02:35:00.000-07:00

destination and origin in push hands and communication

2009-04-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

There is an importance in push hands and communication in general to feel and empathise where the other person is coming from; where their efforts originate within them and where it is going.

Origination and destination "points" can consist of physical locations, emotions and other energies shaded in texture and intention.

In recognising this in the other person we are able to circulate and harmonize and help provide the others needs and desires in the encounter as well as our own.

I practice why?

2009-04-02T22:43:00.001-07:00

I often wonder why I practice why I spend the time doing it exploring it and sharing it with others.

With every strugle I see in this world, each sad occurance and pattern humanity and the world seem to be stuck in I feel and know the reason for my practice. With each piece of kindness and love and awarness I see I am made aware of the result of my practice

I give thanks to each of my reminders!

be well in this moment

I practice why?

2009-04-02T22:43:00.000-07:00

early morning prayer

2009-03-21T02:48:00.000-07:00

my my works and practices contribute in some small way towards others happiness and an end of others suffering

may I remember this as I step through and do works in this day

What is What

2009-03-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

These are how I see different types of environments between student and teacher and relationship between student and the practice.

(I am mostly writing this for clarity for my students as I work with them in all these spaces)

Lessons are where you gain access to the detailed directions of how to grow your practice.

Classes give a guided structure in which to practice when one does not have a structure to create a space for practice in their lives. As well as a place to learne how to practice.

Seminars give students a chance to see larger cross sections of the lessons put together in different ways and a dynamic of a group that does not usually gather to add new dimensions to the lesson.

Workshops give an avenue to dive into details in a way that is hands on and practice oriented and to do so in the dynamics of a group that does not usually gather.

Personal practice is where you put pieces together and make revelations make the information/knowledge/wisdom your own!

Life is where the true embodiment of this practice is expressed!

Back back back with a question

2009-03-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

I am back writing again! Yeah it is a good feeling to reconnect with writing and with you.

I am back writing but I would like to hear from you. I am interested in hearing about your practice more specifically whether you have trouble keeping up your practice. So the question is:

Do you have blocks to your practice? what do you think those blocks are?

I really do look forward to your responses (you can post anonymously if you do not want people to know it is you:)

Great time at the Seminar

2009-03-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

The seminar on Saturday was a great experience with great people and I am looking forward to the next seminar and seeing some of those great people again as well as meeting a whole bunch of new and wonderful people.

People seemed to dig the message of the seminar which made me happy and I am grateful to everybody who played a part of any size in the seminar happening and for the requests for another :)

Hello to Everyone!

2009-03-03T14:30:00.001-08:00

Sorry for not writing for the past few weeks. I have been getting some things done in my personal life and preparing for the seminar this Saturday. I will be leaving more posts soon and hopefully a video (if there are any requests for subject of the video or posts let me know).

I hope you are all enjoying the approaching spring and finding a great deal of joy in your lives!

picture taken walking home from the park

2009-02-20T01:39:00.000-08:00

it is such a blessing to live in such beauty!

Bonus Video (mostly for Rick)

2009-02-20T01:03:00.000-08:00

We had class on a sunny day last week, so Rick and I did a little application work at the end of class. I am posting it here and am not sure how long it will be up.

"rick this way you can see it in good quality when you get back from Montana"

this video is no longer posted

my Teacher

2009-02-17T23:23:00.001-08:00

I am feeling grateful for my teacher. He has such a wonderful gift of knowledge which I may have never experienced but through him. I have not seen him for a while but every time I see a student of mine giggle at how one small change in their body, mind or emotions changes the whole movement they are doing I see my teacher (my master)'s smile. I feel blessed to be able to share the things he has shared with me and see the joy that discovery of those things brings, grow and touch new people.

"essence of Qigong" seminar announcement

2009-02-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

This post has been moved to the top

2009-02-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

new 24 hour video enjoy!

2009-02-11T10:08:00.000-08:00

24 hour video is down after almost 48 hours up time

:)

next 24 hour video will be posted in less than 24 hours (check the blog soon)!

2009-02-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

a little info on the upcoming video

"this is a clip from a longer lesson which included: the rib's relationship with the arms, the dantian's relationship with the ribs, breathings relationship with the dantian, collecting the dantian, focusing with the dantian and melding"

a reminder for those who are not signed up on the blog, even if you recieve emails of the posts, it would be nice to see your name on the signed up list

Seminar Update

2009-02-06T10:06:00.000-08:00

The Seminar is Set!

This past week saw the seminar click together as I was offered the use of a wonderful and perfect space to hold the "essence of Qigong" seminar!

Sonny and Nancy Newman who run Sonny Newman's Dance Hall here in greenwood Seattle offered me the use of their private Dance space in their home! It is a beautiful space and feels great it is also big enough for as many people as want to attend!

The "essence of Qigong" seminar will happen on March 7th at 8am and continue till 11am, we will have the option of extending our time if the group or individuals want to continue!

I will make a post with all specific information shortly.

2009-02-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

Hi guys,

Hope you are all wonderfully happy today! Thank you all for reading what I have been posting and thanks to everyone who is sharing their thoughts and questions with me :), I appreciate your sharing whether as comments here or as emails. If you do feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and questions with the group please post as comments it will help us add value to the experience here! Feel free also to continue sending me your thoughts and questions via email as I want you to be comfortable as well! If you are reading this blog please sign up to follow it even if I have added your email to automatically receive the newest posting it would be nice to see you sign up :)

I will be posting another video soon and more written posts, I am recovering from a cold and preparing for my upcoming seminar on march 7th "the essence of Qigong" as well as picking up a sofa for the house, so expect more posts starting next week. If there is anything you would like me to post in writting or video about please tell me in a comment to this post (or an email). Thanks for your support and I appreciate your thoughts and questions (that is why I am writing this :)

live long and prosper

Michael

Push hands in conversation and other personal interactions

2009-02-04T22:44:00.000-08:00

Push hands in conversation and other personal interactions. There is no formula to follow no right thing to say. It is the quality of the listening both to yourself and your reactions and those you are interacting with that leads to a harmonizing exchange. The quality of the interaction has changed you have shifted towards harmony, and you very likely brought the others more in harmony than they were though you cannot force harmony on them.

breathing through shock in the mall (a story from my weekend)

2009-02-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

hey guys!
hope everyone is well today!

I recently wrote a bit about breathing and have actually been teaching a lot about it in class lately.

I have a short story from over the weekend that shows one example of proper breathing. This past Saturday my wife and I spent a great day out with my Uncle. We had a Chinese breakfast and drove around exploring. One stop we made was at a mall. The three of us went inside and we wanted to go to the restroom Xiaonan and my uncle walked ahead, I was looking at a map of the mall and breathing. I followed them breathing from my belly conscious of my breath and then it happened my uncle popped out from around the corner with a yell. It caught me completely off guard I was surprised, but there was one thing that did not happen my adrenals did not fire, I did not get a rush of adrenaline. I was aware of being startled but I was not feeling the effects of it. Breathing correctly and consciously allowed me to bypass my adrenaline response and stay cool. It was a small thing but very unexpected, just the kind of thing to give someone a scare and in this case it gave me a small glimpse of the power of breathing.

Yi

2009-01-31T00:31:00.000-08:00

Bat mentioned yi in a comment. Yi is a fundamental element of the practice. Yi can be viewed as intention though it is much more than that. Yi is a means of channeling things, the very structure of the body and extending that structure beyond the body. Yi can be forced or it can be natural. Natural Yi acts as a channel for Qi it is filled and with purpose forced Yi is hollow without substance as it is not filled with Qi it also has a quality of rigidness while natural Yi is fluid and smooth.

Yi can be extended to the extent of our awareness and it is born from the center of our awareness. Yi naturally extends to the extent our awareness does it can be within my skin. a few feet around me extent throughout the room and beyond, when the awareness of that extent ion is experienced as real as tangible and attainable Qi to is channeled to those extents. The clarity of the Yi is a quality from its origin our center of awareness an experience of clarity in the center of awareness leads to clarity of Yi which can channel more Qi..

New Seminar

2009-01-28T23:02:00.000-08:00

I will be putting on a special morning seminar soon. It looks like it will happen sat. March 7th.

The seminar will be themed "the essence of qigong",

We will see Qigong in its essence simple and profound... see how yin and yang , heaven and earth and five elements are connected and born of each other and see qi in a new perspective.

We will also get to the heart of Qigong with a guided practice.

The event will be 3 hours and be limited to 25 people.

Future video posts

2009-01-25T14:51:00.000-08:00

Things posted and asked here can influence what I post in the future so please share things you care about!

be well

The first 24 hour video glimps, enjoy!

2009-01-24T11:22:00.000-08:00

First 24 hour post officially ending at about 26 hours of up time...

Please feel free to ask questions and keep an eye out for the next post !!!

be well

Michael

Glimpses into the practice (from Michael's view)

2009-01-23T12:24:00.000-08:00

I will be posting videos on differing subjects going deeper into the practice. Much of what I will post will give a glimpse into the dialog between me and my students and some things will be entirely new to my students as well. The catch is that it will only be available for about 24 hours and no more than 48 hours. I will send a message out to registered members the day before I post the video so either register or check often. For know I will also be posting the same video on my face book group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44294807005&ref=mf . These postings will be random so if you don't want to miss one check daily or join my face book group (I will be sending messages out to members of that group 24 hours before I post the video)

breathing

2009-01-19T19:51:00.000-08:00

breathing is where access to the different realms of our self: mind, emotions, physical meet

breathing is also where the different practices: yoga, tongbei,taiji etc. meet

breathing is the medium in which we people meet

breathing permeates into our experience and interaction with all of these different things,

breathing is so much more than inhaling oxygen and exhaling other gas

breathing accesses all subtly

to know breathing is to know the essence of all practice

to be breathing is to live the dao

what I say of breathing is not exaggerated and is absolutely attainable!

My Master and I

2009-01-18T01:32:00.000-08:00

It has been rare to get my master and I in photos or video together just the two of us. This is also the first video I have put on this blog and think it is fitting to be of my Master and I. It is a clip of me translating for my master in China at the end of 2007. I miss him very much and hope you enjoy seeing us next to each other half as much as I do.

Also a note this talk and my translation was done in a full room in front of many people including translators fluent in both Chinese and English and several video cameras. I did my best but I am not a translator and it was very challenging for me to do... it really pushed me to some limits!

a wish for all

2009-01-17T01:01:00.000-08:00

I wish and hope for prosperity and learning, growth and joy for my friends , students, family and all those who read this and all who haven't...!

2009-01-17T00:40:00.000-08:00

The new year has set in. There is a lot of things happening around us in the middle east, africa and funny things are happening in the economy with serious effects. It is easy to get so caught up in it all and in the fears it all brings up to get stuck into certain thought patterns and views. It is a time when some fall away from their practices caught up in events, and some find clarity in there practice.

I for one believe the practices of the world hold great merit in difficult times like these. Our practices give us the grand view necessary to see new possibilities and manifest them, I think practices such as qigong, yoga and pushhands hold important elements which can help us sort through this overload of information we are living in and gets us to where we can synthesize it into threads and fabrics and create with it... letting us see and create patterns in the information. To transition without the struggle of resistance instead the joy of seeing and creating anew can be experienced.

The practice gives us access to tools of experience where we can attune to adapt to and set forth into in real time with maximum joy...to merge our intentions into the flow of information and events around us now and manifest (create) and enjoy.

This is what I think/experience, what do you think/experience?
In what way do you see this applied/apply it?
Where do these tools fit, how can they be adapted into more situations for more people?

Today's snipit

2009-01-08T14:25:00.001-08:00

With the internal journey there is a certain amount of learning that needs to take place, but then one needs to allow.

practice

2008-12-30T00:40:00.001-08:00

I use the word practice alot, I practice and say to practice. I have a practice and say to find/create a practice.

But I would like to listen. What is practice to you the word the action?

video on the blog

2008-12-24T00:18:00.001-08:00

I have been wondering lately whether or not to post video on this blog. I usually take video for my students and am considering putting something more comprehensive together. But am not sure if video would fit the purpose of this blog...

any thoughts?

balloons and pins

2008-12-24T00:16:00.000-08:00

The pins of presence within me may they pop the balloons of delusion.

Life's Currents

2008-12-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

To not have the practice is to be set on the currents of life grasping for shores as you are ushered by from current to current.

The practice: awareness, centering and listening be it in sitting, walking, taichi, tongbei, qigong, bagua, yoga or any of the vast practices we do helps us know the currents, know life, be settled without grasping and able to direct (in a sense) the currents themselves.

I urge all of us to appreciate our unique practices for the value it holds for us whether or not we are aware of it at this time. I also urge that you base your practice on awareness , centering and listening or whatever your equivalent and meaningful ways of experiencing those things are.

Right now I would like to honor each of your practices and the good it has and will do you, those around you and by extension us all.

If you have a story or insight into how your practice has helped you find bearing in life's currents. As well as any questions or other insights you would like to share, please do.

and the snow falls

2008-12-21T00:34:00.001-08:00

Here in Seattle warm in my home. I look outside and see the snow that has fallen and the snow that is still falling, it is peaceeful. In the peace of the snow I can feel the peace within me, quiet still pristine. It is also cold and I can see it is -4c outside colder than it has been in these parts in over a decade beautiful and dangerous, difficult for the drivers some people will get in accidents and some will die, agony for the homless who are usually safe in seattles mild winters and a struggle to many local animals who have not seen such snow or cold in there lives of which there are those which will not survive... all of this in the calm of the snow the calm I feel.

A quote for students and teachers

2008-12-16T14:39:00.001-08:00

"My understanding is only mine, I can't teach it...I can only walk with you on your discovery."

commentary:

I can hold space for you or light or a map, I can show you my world and feel yours, but mostly I can accompany and walk with you visible when you need it and off in the distance when you need that.

Teacher, student, master ,disciple... how do we learn what is teaching?
It is the process of discovery and honoring each other.

Home again

2008-12-14T08:13:00.001-08:00

I am back in seattle after spending 8 days working with two amazing people in deep and subtle levels. They live in Mt. Shasta a beautiful and powerful place. In addition to individual training in many aspects of internal practice we did work in pushhands. We spent time working with listening and harmonizing with eachother by meeting needs (the needs of eachother as well as our own needs), this listening and harmonizing was done between the people I was working with: a wonderful loving couple. It was amazing to be present to experience how pushhands was fostering a flow of communication between people. I am gratful to have been a part of it.

Pushhands really is about communication, and like communication it requires sustained attention, sensitivity to your partner and acceptance and centering in yourself...and a goal of harmony and growth. Like close relationships pushhands brings limits and resistances and issues to our awarness. Pushhands really is a tactable, condenced form of communicating.

It was a great experience in Mt.Shasta and I am excited about experiencing being back in Seattle. Thanks to all who help make up my experience here!

If anyone is inspired by this post to share your wisdom, stories or experience. I thank you now.

quote on push hands

2008-12-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

"The only way to convay pushhands is to share the experience"

Playfulness in practice

2008-12-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

"Playfulness in practice is practicing without expectation, judgment or for any reason other than doing it."

Ego and the practice

2008-12-10T10:38:00.001-08:00

Ego is a funny thing, it is not a bad thing just funny. Ego is a part of us but it is not our true center, our true center from which the practice oroginates and leads is in a sense without ego.
This translates in our practice to a practice which is aimed at being better than, judging others practices as not so good or aiming to be better than a person and the fear of not being better. This also shows up in judging oneself as inferior to this teacher or that practitioner. Not being inferior does not mean superior.
To practice from your center is a different paradigm than practice from the ego.
Feel your ego in your fears and aspirations, feel and see them and relax, let them settle and fall away. Do not reinforce them by trying to hold on to them nor push them away, they are a part of you but not your center. When you let them go you are allowing yourself to settle, closer to the center. This is an ongoing process, let your self fall to the center let fears and goals fade to the backround of the experience of the practice.
To be in the center is to be in experiencing.
To be in experiencing is to be so much more and so different than fear and aspiration. So much more than the ego.

Greetings from Mt. Shasta

2008-12-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

I have not posted in several days. I am currently at a retreat on Mt. Shasta giving one week of intensive lessons to a very wonderful person. The weather has been great and teaching/practicing in the mountains is a great experience. I wish all of you reading this to experience wonderful discovery and joy in your practice and lives.

until the next post
zaijian

Connecting the Practice with Meaning for the World

2008-11-26T10:10:00.000-08:00

Practice is fun, it feels good and we sometimes have goals or aims with it. To be a better fighter, artist, teacher, student to feel good and obtain high skill level. This can at times stoke the ego causing imbalance within us either through desire to be those things or fear of not. This can not only limit practice and hold back our potential but it negatively affects our attitudes and relationships in other parts of our life. An important aspect of practice one which has many benefits including one as antidote to the things I mentioned is "connecting our practice with Meaning for the World".

Every session we practice each movement, each day , each week , each year. Makes us healthier in body, mind and emotions. This makes us more balanced and optimal and able to foster good relationships with others and do good works in the world/our lives. It is important to remember this as a reason for our practice, remembering this reason puts practice in perspective and connects this personal time and endeavour to our greater external lives allowing harmony and balance in our lives.

So take some time to remember why you practice and that one part of it is to better be able to create(foster) meaning in your life and our world.

(I know we are all different with different goals and different ways of interacting with the world so of course the way we experience creating meaning in the world varies and meaning might not be the best way to describe your experience so feel free to substitute words and phrases)

If any one has stories about the meaning they create or want to and how their practice has or could help them to better create that meaning please share. No stories are to grand or simple, all are appreciated.

be well today

Thank you BAT

2008-11-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

BAT shared one of Master Wu's quotes with me in a comment. She posted it in a comment to a post I wrote about meaning of the practice in our lives. I think it is relevant , timely and well translated I hope you all get as much from it as I have,

"Thanks Michael for your friendly introduction. Though I am a rather plain person and cant say much about how practising Heyi Tongbei influences my life, there is one thing Master Wu once said that I got much from for my daily life: “It's easy to practice an art, but it's very hard to be good at it; it's easy to become accomplished at an art, but it's hard to pass on the information so another person can become good at it; it's easy to teach another person your art, but it's hard to become a great person with integrity and honour."

Think this applies to all aspects of life and I try to live up to that."

For you Bat and for everyone else there are two ways of integrating or adapting value from the practice into our lives. One is intellectual and delibrate, searching for meaning and place. This way is great it is the way of philosophy and exploration. Another way is very natural and not always visible, it is the imparting of the practice on you from consistant effort from staying with the practice. When we practice we are slowly shaping ourselves and that shaping is most visible in the physical looser body feeling a little better or the emotional in less stress more relaxation. As we contunue with the practice we begin to embody those effects to a greater degree and refinment and we might not even be aware of it. The practice helps inform us in how we move, react, and percieve things... and there is no higher value of the practice than that.

the cumulative effect

2008-11-15T00:26:00.000-08:00

Here are some thoughts on the longer term prospects of the practice and are equally valuable for the begginer or more seasoned practitioner.

Daily movement daily practice is so important, it is repeatedly being in the movement and experience that its mark is left on our lives. Like daily brushing of the teeth leads to oral hygiene and a lack leads to cavities and oral disease. Daily movement and experience creates harmony and infrequent practice fosters disharmony and disease. How to you know which path you are taking? There are many ways to know does your body feel great are you in touch with your body? Is your body connected with your mind, and your emotions? Your intellect and spirit? If you experience a harmony with these and with this harmony great joy and ease in your doings then you are on the path and the results will come by continuing the movement and experience daily. If no is your answer if you do not experience this harmony in your life, in your body, emotions , mind and spirit then you need to bring it in to your days with the movement and experience.

The movement is the correct practice of the body, it should be done daily and there is little long term excuse one must move there body and maintain the movement to maintain harmony and subtlety. The experience comes within the movement and can be there in meditation as well it is the condition of your mind , emotions and spirit and how you are perceiving and experiencing the moment.
One can do any movement and it is good for them in addition to the practice running and swimming are good. The practice tongbei or qigong are special as they open and harmonize the body on subtle levels circulation, nervous system, qi and others, these effects are cumulative and compound when the practice is consistent. Saving early and often creates a great reserve of wealth and the same is true of the practice, and the wealth it creates within us.

I felt an urge to write this as I know consistancy is difficult to do but is where things happen (naturally happen)

much love to everybody!!!

A quote to consider

2008-11-10T01:54:00.000-08:00

"I "win" not with mastering doing, but understanding and being potential"

Clarifying This Blog

2008-11-10T00:59:00.000-08:00

For those with questions or comments as well as your own insights you are welcome to post what you feel inspired to and I am open to the development of this blog into interesting areas in fact that is what I am hoping for. That being said I stated in my opening post a bit about the point of this blog. I will attempt to clarify that statement here.

This blog deals with what matters to you in your practice and life and I will comment about what I feel a value or inspiration in sharing; above all this blog is about the experience of practicing, living, growing and being "The Internal Journey" and in this blog that journey is being seen through the practices of Heyitongbei,Qigong & Tuishou and what they do and can mean for our own journey. I do and will start dialogue and share things that are dear to me in the hopes of being of service to your and our collective journey and I hope that you can reflect to me what is of significance in your journey. This is the dialogue I hope to foster.

If there are any questions or comments you feel are outside of that but you are drawn to post them please do. You can of course e-mail me or even call me (if you are a friend or student) and I will consider making my emailaddress public.

Be well
Michael

Following this Blog

2008-11-09T00:33:00.000-08:00

Students, friends and other readers. If you are finding yourself reading what I write with any regularity please sign up as followers of this blog. It will help me see how many people are reading and get a better idea of who is reading.

Thanks a bunch

feel free to leave comments, questions and insights

flipped view

2008-11-07T13:32:00.001-08:00

People look at little old men/masters barely or easily moving withstanding or throwing of in apparently any direction other sometimes much younger bigger and stronger men and people think wow he has Qi which allows him to do so much with so little. That is wrong it is because he moves that way is settled natural easy and apparently without strength that the qi is there and that he can do what he is doing.

This flipped mindset creates an unbalanced approach to Internal arts that both hinders peoples development greatly (by decades or lifetimes) and at the same time limits the true power and potential of the internal arts to be perceived by a broader group of society.

Internal Arts are Chinese in cultural origin so to understand it through a western or American mindset is a very difficult road, so to is trying to BE Chinese. It is great to love China and the Chinese culture but even within Chinese culture the point of these arts is to get beyond the culture and to the self realization that an internal practice brings, it is better to bring your Chinese mind into the learning process than American and better yet is to bring in your subtle mind and open awareness...

Learning Chinese or loving the culture as I wrote is great but not if that becomes a self imposed filter to the true essence you are working with...it can be a shifter giving you a new perspective of that essence but it is only in true experience of that essence that Gongfu/realization is found.

2008-11-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

Breath and Dantian, Breath and Movement

2008-10-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

The breath initiates the movement, the movement of the dantian...movement and situation inform the breath.

The breath is a fluid and adapting medium which mediates the transition from situational/physical potential to physical/ situational expression, from thought and adaptation of awareness to the manifestation of that awareness in the body. Neither one can be centered as the controlling factor without losing their balance...our place is to be the adaptive awareness pervading the process. This is very important in creating great power or ease in practice to have penetrating and tsunami like irresistible power, they cannot be controlled to do so would dampen their natural power they flow by the texture of their makeup, of the environment and desire of us in awareness.

This has as much a role in our lives as it does our practice, the breath must adapt to what is but in a way that brings us into harmony and full expression: in a non martial way we can look at the breath and the emotions much as we just looked at the breath and dantian (body)... when in dealings of and emotional nature.