Constantly changing Qigong forms

[Anonymous]

I have been going to qigong & taijiquan classes for seven years (We have a Chinese teacher). In the beginning, I enjoyed it very much. It was simple and repetitive so I was able to learn the “simple” forms (for example, 8 pieces of brocade) really well. I practiced these forms at home, every day. Then, our teacher got very ambitious and began to invite teachers from China. First, we began to do 8 pieces of brocade in a different way which was annoying. We are now learning new and very complex and long qigong forms every year, almost never repeating the previous simple forms. It is the same with taijiquan. New forms every year and no repetition of the previous forms. In the beginning, I practiced a lot. Now, I almost stopped practicing by myself. I am slowly forgetting the old forms and the new forms are too complex to do by myself. I am now thinking of quitting this qigong & taijiquan group next year. What good can it be if I just go to classes once a week with no additional practice. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Hi, Max.

Interesting problem. I think these practices get very deep and have a profound effect when you practice them daily for a long period of time. I think the Energy Arts system is beautiful in that your understanding and skill level deepens over time. So there’s always a deeper level, more to learn, and it doesn’t get boring, at least to me. Bruce writes a lot about this as do other writers, that there’s a tendency towards a kind of spiritual materialism where we collect things and constantly seek new and more forms and sets. After studying a lot of different things, I’m just working on the Wu short, intermediate and long forms, as taught by EA, and Bruce’s qigong sets: Dragon and Tiger, Heaven and Earth, Gods Playing in the Clouds, Bend the Bow. I’d like to learn the Spiraling Energy Body set, but haven’t found the opportunity.

The “classical” qigong sets are attractive: the 8 brocades, both seated and moving, the 6 healing sounds, etc., but I find the EA sets to be enough for me. And practicing the form and at least one set of qigong everyday has had a wonderful effect. I really enjoy practicing and look forward to it everyday.

So that’s my 2 cents, for what it’s worth. I think that ultimately, you have to do what’s fun and meaningful for you. Just give the EA sets a chance so you can make an informed decision.

Good luck.

Best wishes,
Matthew

[Anonymous]

Hi Max,

I’ve had a similiar experiance to Mattew. I only practice Bruce material but even within the EA there are a ton of subjects to learn. At the beginning, I was “greedy” in that I studied all the material I could get my hands on. I would practice a little of D&T, a little of the short form, a little of each of the chi gung sets, etc.

In doing so, I found that I never really got deep into any of the material. I gained more of a surface level understanding of the material. I never had the time to learn the deeper aspects because I’d always move on to practicing something else.

This past year I took a different approach. I decided to intensively practice one chi gung set, Marriage of Heaven and Earth. I’ve spent hours a day just practicing this one set. I’ve found it to be 5 or 10 times as productive as when I tried to bounce around between a bunch of sets. It’s been a really eye opening experiance for me.

Hope this helps,
Janak

[Anonymous]

And here is where I start getting confused: I read in Paul Cavel’s “Inner Quest” that you can circle between the various practices, thus mproving your art (since it is all linked together). However, if you spend say a year doing Heaven and Earth, will you not have forgotten how to practise the other sets (like Dragon & Tiger, Gods, …)?

Jan

[Anonymous]

This material is an art as much as it is a science. There isn’t one right answer. You have to figure out which approach works better for you.

If you just practiced one set every day, it might work really well for you. It might really deepen your practice and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner. Or you might get bored and uninspired and you might stop practicing altogether.

Some people will make more progress by increasing the variety of material they practice. Other people will improve faster if they focus on a few things.

Just be aware of these different ideas and then play around and see what works better for you!

Janak

[Anonymous]

Dear Max

What is important? The form or the content? You prefer liturgy or mystery? You love a clean frig or good food?

What is QiGong for in your idea? What where and are your suppositions and expectations?

You know so many forms, it could make many jealous, but what are forms for? What is all the turning around of Yin and Yang and Chi for? To get your body into a temple, where your DanTien is a pillow for the Immortal Child you have in you, as we all do have. What will you say to this Child when it speaks to you, thanking you for all the fine movements and forms you just performed? What will you answer when it asks you for perfect love – for yourself and for the Other? Will you be able to join the Child on that cushion and just love [it]? (Just fill in the [it]).

You know so many forms but what about the inner work and inner world, the NeiGong? Standing in WuJi, it seams the simplest thing to do, but imagine that it is the last thing the Angel of Death allows you to do – as long as you please. What will it be then? Will you want to look into and enter the empty circle? There is no way back, the Angel says. What will it be? I find it an enormous mental and spiritual challenge! And doing so, time flows through your fingers.

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