The Right Mindset For Mastering Qigong

Even after Master shares numerous personal examples and students recount their significant achievements in class, new learners still harbour doubts. They may wonder, ""Is Qigong really that miraculous? How can it possibly heal my body so quickly?

For beginners, this is a time filled with curiosity and hope, yet also fear of being harmed. It’s a crucial phase where they must learn to gradually let go. What should they let go of? Subjective assumptions, biases, and scepticism, and instead cultivate a mindset of trust and stability.

When in doubt, it’s helpful to reach out to teaching assistants for a chat. You’ll discover that you’re not alone in your worries. Many have experienced similar uncertainties at the beginning, but through gradual practice, they ultimately gained confidence. Listening to others’ testimonials can provide you with encouragement and courage.

Inability to relax is one of the challenges many Qigong beginners face. Relaxation is a crucial foundation for practicing Qigong, but for some, achieving this state can be quite difficult. This may stem from their physical and mental conditions not being conducive to relaxation. Regardless, learning to relax is key, as only in a relaxed state can the energy within the body flow freely.

For beginners, relaxation is a significant challenge that must be personally experienced. You need to identify what causes your tension and unease.

The first reason is physical stiffness. The tenser the body is, the more anxious the mind becomes. In fact, tension is a major culprit behind many ailments, leading to blocked meridians and affecting oxygen supply to the body.

The second reason is an inability to focus. Many students find that the more they try to concentrate, the more their minds wander, racing like a stampede of horses. This chaotic mindset is a sign of insufficient energy and difficulty in gathering Qi.

So, how can you effectively practice relaxation? Start by using Master's guided music for practice each day, following the rhythm of the music. This natural support helps beginners minimize distractions and gradually ease into relaxation.

For many Qigong beginners, establishing a practice habit is a significant challenge. Consistent Qigong practice requires time and perseverance. Many feel frustrated at the start because they struggle to maintain a daily practice routine. However, there are effective strategies to overcome this issue and build lasting habits.

First, set clear goals and create a plan. Incorporate daily Qigong practice into your schedule, choosing a specific time and place for your sessions. This helps make the practice a natural part of your routine.

Additionally, find a partner or group to practice with. Practicing alongside others can boost motivation and provide mutual support. This interaction can help keep your interest alive and inspire you to stay committed.

Lastly, be patient and self-compassionate. While habit formation takes time, remember that every effort counts. If you miss a day in your routine, don’t be discouraged or self-critical. Maintaining a positive attitude and continually pushing yourself forward is key.

For beginners, it typically takes about a hundred days to establish a practice habit. This is why the ""Hundred Days of Foundation"" is so important; if you can practice daily for those hundred days, you’ll likely internalize it as a habit within three months.

At the beginning, avoid setting overly ambitious goals like ""I want to heal my illness,"" ""I want to lower my liver enzyme levels,"" ""I want to practice three times a day,"" or ""I want to wake up at 5 AM to practice."" Such high expectations can lead to discouragement within a month.

Give yourself enough patience and first understand your weaknesses. Start with just ten minutes of practice each day. If you can easily achieve this for a week, gradually increase it to half an hour a day. You’ll find that even with longer practice times, it won’t feel burdensome.

Some students ask, ""Master, if I can't practice every day, can I just make up for it during group practice sessions?"" Master usually responds, ""If you don't eat every day and try to make up for it on the weekend, do you think that's a good idea?"" The implication is clear: consistency and regularity are crucial for effective practice.

After experiencing the trials of the first three challenges, you finally embark on the journey of Qigong, but now you face the most daunting hurdle: attacking the root of your ailments.

What does it mean to attack the root of your ailments? Why is this phase so challenging? How long will it last, and will it worsen or lead to recurring issues? First, understand that the foundational courses of Taoist Qigong primarily aim to address your body's current imbalances. Where there is an ailment, the energy will direct itself there.

If you have been suffering from chronic or complex conditions, the reactions during this phase can be quite intense, varied, and prolonged. This is your body’s way of rallying its energy to correct the dysfunctions. During this process, you may experience pain and frustration, feeling like you’re wasting money and inviting suffering upon yourself.

However, in the midst of this struggle, your instructor will unhesitatingly encourage you: ""This is very good; keep practicing."" You might think to yourself, ""How can this possibly be good when I feel so terrible? Should I really continue through this pain?""

It is indeed a positive sign because it means your body is finally starting to revive, and your vital energy is awakening, enabling your self-healing abilities. These long-accumulated ailments are a result of years of neglect and self-harm. Doctors may not be able to cure your pains, but your own vital energy is the key to true healing.

You might then wonder, ""How long will this last? Will it keep recurring?"" The answer is simple: ""The time you took to accumulate your ailments will equal the time needed for healing."" Chronic conditions are like an onion; you must peel away the layers. Each new technique you learn helps to remove another layer. As you practice new methods, your body will re-adjust from new perspectives, and the energy will once again confront the root issues until internal conflicts cease and ailments are resolved, allowing your mind and body to return to a state of harmony and tranquillity.