The Path Less Traveled: Qigong Mastery
There's a few fundamental things that keep people from living the life they really want, they’re the same few things keep people from learning and practicing Qigong.
In a nutshell they're priority, habit and doing hard things…
Stand, move, breathe, be…
Most people probably wouldn't think of Qigong as being a hard thing. It’s actually really simple - stand, breathe, move, be.
Where it becomes hard is in the the willingness to learn and to engage in the phases and progression of what we call Gong.
Gong translates to skill.
The other area where it becomes hard is in the dedication to practice, which actually comes down to the other two things that I mention above that keep people from living the life they really want - priority and habit.
“an ability, coming from one’s knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc.,
a dexterity or coordination especially in the execution of learned physical tasks,
a learned power of doing something competently.”
Cultivating and developing Gong
People seek out Qigong for a multitude of reasons, I discuss the most common ones here. Students start out with the best of intentions, they might have had an uplifting or profound experience in a Qigong class, at a retreat or other event. It’s almost as if they can sense, even through the briefest of encounters, how Qigong has the subtle power to transform their life… its like a remembering of who and what they truly are has transpired.
What happens next is that they enrol in a Qigong series, a workshop or they decide to deep dive into the Qigong Teacher Training program, they’re feeling inspired and eager as they begin.
Then they practice a few times… maybe they even practice for a few weeks, sometimes months. During this time they often experience a wealth of benefits and improvements in their wellbeing.
When we first start out practicing Qigong and in the early stages of the learning process we’re copying and mimicking the instructor. We’re engaging in “watch and do”. It is at this stage that students typically fall off the practice wagon most quickly.
I think the reason for this is because this type of practice is the least powerful expression of Qigong. In the "watch and do" phase we’re still mentally engaged and externally focused. While we might experience some nice moments of grace and afterwards we’re feeling pretty relaxed and at ease, these benefits can be fleeting.
The "watch and do" approach to Qigong serves a valuable purpose, especially in our modern culture. This mode of expression and experience might be the only option that people have the time and space for, I get it.
If you're genuinely committed to transforming your life and Qigong resonates with you as the practice to embark on, delving into the process of learning and cultivating the Gong is where you'll discover the profound physical, mental, emotional, and psycho-spiritual advantages it offers.
It is a path of mastery. Note: a path. To reach the destination one must actually move along the path.
To change your life, you need to change your priorities ~ Mark Twain
The only way you can successfully learn Qigong is to develop a habit of practice. The same thing that is keeping you from living the life you really want is keeping you from experiencing the deeper benefits of Qigong!
Around 13 years ago I decided that what I needed to do to change my life was to meditate each day. To achieve this I had to develop a habit of meditating so I created a priority task - before leaving the house each day meditate for 7 minutes. I committed 100% to this, not 99%… that 1% is a bi*!ch and will get you every time.
Students who transition from the "watch and do" stage into learning Qigong often trip up in this area – they struggle to establish a consistent practice habit. External distractions divert their attention, chaos creeps in, and competing priorities begin to overshadow day to day life.
The best advice I can give for creating the habit of Qigong is to commit to daily practice. Lets be honest, most people spend at 10-15 minutes a day doing something they don’t really need to do - I’m thinking for a lot of people, including me, its social media or web browsing.
Make a 100% commitment to daily practice. Use a contemporary style of Qigong and you can achieve that in 10-15 minutes. If you miss one day it’s not the end of the world, but don’t miss two. If you miss a practice one day the MOST important thing you need to do the next day is your Qigong practice.
Once you have learned and embodied a Qigong form or sequence its available to you in any moment. You don’t need a teacher to guide you, you don’t need a video to watch and copy. It doesn’t matter where you are or what time of the day it is, you can bust out your Qigong practice and use it when you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotionally unregulated, triggered, or imagine this - when you’re feeling on top of the world!
But I’m getting ahead of myself here… let’s go back to the path of mastery, the phases and progressions in learning Qigong.
Once we make some progress in Step 3 which is learning the crude movement we’re really on our way down the path. It’s Steps 4 - 5 that hold the magic though.
The true essence of Qigong transcends the physical postures and movements, while moving the body in a slow, rhythmic way certainly offers an enjoyable experience and contributes to regulating the nervous system, the magic is found in what begins to happen internally. It is through the embodiment of the intricacies and subtle details of form and philosophy that we experience the enhanced flow of our Qi, blood and inner crystalline oceans.
The reality is, the students that didn’t fall off the wagon after Step 1 probably fell off somewhere between Step 3 and 4. Why? Because Qigong is simple but it’s not necessarily easy. There’s layers and phases to learning that require motivation and commitment. We have to really want what it is that Qigong offers us.
Our culture prioritizes convenience and distractions. The internet has changed how we live, with easy access to anything we want. Constant notifications, social media, and instant gratification make our attention spans shorter. Instead of seeking deep understanding, we gather knowledge in bite-sized pieces.
Transform yourself and teach with mastery
Modern life is the exact opposite to the fundamental principles of Qigong. In a world filled with noise and constant stimulation, prioritising and valuing time for presence and staying committed to learning an art such as Qigong is a challenge. It's no wonder that many students struggle to stay devoted to their Qigong practice or any other discipline for that matter.
Qigong practice offers surface benefits, but delving deeper brings profound transformation, heightening awareness and fostering healing. This is the path of individuation, the ultimate uncovering and expansion of more of your true self. That is why you came here.
In the example of a student who is seeking to learn and embody the practices of Qigong to share and teach others it’s a no-brainer that one needs to stay on the wagon. A Qigong Teacher Training student has to possess the internal motivation and desire to traverse the path of mastery, there is no other way. One cannot teach something which they are not.
Reaching Step 5 marks a juncture where the practice and ultimate mastery of Qigong transcend mere forms and movements. Qigong evolves into an all-encompassing way of life, a profound philosophy guiding our daily existence. This is the place in which we create and manifest in this realm the life we really want to be living.
Based on my experience, Step 5 is the point where Qigong becomes fully integrated into our daily lives. At this stage Qigong permeates every aspect of our existence, it becomes effortless and natural and we wouldn't give up our practice for anything!
As my personal 11+ year odyssey of Qigong and path to mastery continues to unfold there’s now days when I don't practice form, but I’m aways practicing Qigong. It is an inseparable part of my life, a way of being that permeates every moment. Here’s to Step 5 and beyond.
If you need help kick-starting and maintaining your personal Qigong habit, I’m here to support your journey. Begin your Qigong journey today and discover the positive changes it can bring to your life.
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