Cruising the zone - the Mind Never Sleeps

A LOT of people have the impression that when we sleep, all activities cease. Long ago, scientists have discovered that electrical activity in our brain never cease. It moves and glides on a different wave band.
In the higher echelons of wu shu and qigong, a master can engage in activities while his body is at rest. Even though, his eyes are closed, his breathing shallow and his heart beats slow, his mind wanders.
A man who knows qigong and seeks solutions to problems that he wishes to solve can enter the vault of solutions that is only accessible when the body is at rest. It is not a complicated process but you need to know where the portals are located.
The mind can repair an ailing body while it is in the sleep mode. At complete rest, the qi can move smoothly and swiftly. It takes practice and a faith that is the exclusive right of one who has touched the veils of an energy source that is beyond ordinary mortals.
Many may find this an impossible belief or a ridiculous concept but those who have partook of such activity usually do not feel the need to prove that it exists. It works when it works.
It is not a miracle to them. It is merely exercising a function that lies dormant in all of us until we are mentally and spiritually ready to awaken such functions. The laws of physics do not govern this realm.
In this domain devoid of space and time, nothing is impossible. Nothing is extraordinary. Every is normal and functional. And thus, the subject of longevity is no longer an issue, it becomes a right.
But first, the person who wants to cruise along this celestial highway must learn the ways of preparing his body and mind for such a journey. Remember - the mind never sleeps. It merely goes on another journey, though not on the earthly plane.
It is the ultimate world of wonders.

The Way of the Qigong Warrior

Discipline and a sense of commitment are two essential prerequisites to accomplishing anything. With qigong, tai chi, kung fu, wu shu, taekwondo or even kalari payat, your sense of commitment will encounter obstacles somewhere along the journey.
Like all lifeforms of biodegradable material, we can get discouraged, lose enthusiasm and lack the vital discipline that guarantee success in most personal ventures.
There have been times in my life when the urge to exercise and stay fit was not there. Such things do happen, you know. You get lazy and just feel like sleeping 10 more minutes. The mind is willing but the flesh is weak, if you know what I mean.
So without beating around the bush any further, what I am driving at is that if you want to achieve some success in the practice of qigong or any of the martial arts which I have mentioned earlier, you MUST have this sense of commitment.
Be disciplined. There's no way to get around it. If you are feeling sleepy, shock your system by getting out of your stupor by moving your hands and hips and getting into the swing of things.
Find the best times to "tune up" your body. After a while, your body will obey your mind. But first, set your mind straight. Condition your mind, then your body will re-condition itself.
You simply must do this, otherwise you will just become fat and lazy. The months will roll by, the years will slip pass and next thing you know, you will be a roly-poly - the object of ridicule and the subject of unsavoury remarks.
After a while, you will feel sorry for yourself. Your family will treat you like a pathetic lump of lard and may even say a couple of prayers for you. The worst thing that can happen to you is that you will lose all respect for yourself and you will literally give up on yourself. Now you don't want that, do you?
That's why a thousand years ago, some very wise man in China said: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." And so it begins......with you.

Healing Hands

Who among us has not fallen ill at one time or another. It could be that we have been working relentlessly and have forgotten to slow down and take a breather.
Nature has a way of reminding us that we are not robots but lifeforms consisting of bones, flesh and blood. Hence, if the going gets too tough and if we are just being silly by not resting, our bodies can protest by succumbing to bacteria or just plain old fatigue.
Whenever, something goes amiss with our human form, qigong is that special antidote to right all the physical wrongs.
You who may have learned some qigong steps must apply all the principles you have learnt. That is why such an art form has come to your knowledge. However, in reality many of us tend to forget in the daily rush of activities.
There have been instances in my life when I have subjected myself unnecessarily to stresses or what I perceived to be stressful situations. Anyway, the outcome was the feeling of being "a bit under the weather". Often, when I find myself in such a state I will remind myself to recharge my body and mind.
The only way to achieve this state of equilibrium is to engage in a series of qigong exercises. Although qigong is not meant to be an instant cure, it helps "oil the machinery" so that other processes can be kickstarted to attain internal harmony. The end result is an abnormal recovery.
It has happened to me once too often to be passed off as a fluke. Qigong is harnessing energy from without and within and move it willingfully through the human form so that all the "rust" and "impurities" that clog the meridians will be washed away.
Partaking in a qigong "ritual" instills peace of mind and a glow to the body. It brings an inevitable state of relaxation, a condition that is unfriendly to the existence of bacteria and virus. Thus, you recover fast. Maybe you won't leap over a 10-storey building or run faster than the bullet train, but you will certainly surprise your family doctor.
There is a growing number of doctors who now begin to believe that Eastern health exercises like tai chi and qigong are more than that that meets the eye.
If you happen to stumble onto the path of ill health, pick yourself up with a dose of qigong. That is what I call "hit the ground running".

Find your power in the dark

If you are like many others who get easily distracted during exercises, don't be alarmed, it is actually quite common.
There is one way to find your way if you should ever "get lost in all those thoughts" or minor distractions.
Choose a time towards the evening, maybe even outside in your lawn at night, to go through that set of tai chi or giqong movements which you have learnt. If you are at home, in a room or even in the hall, switch off all the lights.
It will be just you and the darkness. Then, slowly go through the motions. Feel the emptiness. Revel in it. Let your mind be still and "feel" the qi enveloping you on the outside and circulating with its inexorable force in the inside.
As usual, "ride the wind". Let darkness be your friend. Do not fear it. In such an environment, the qi shall be your beacon. Let it circulate in and around you. Learn to let go. Be happy. Do not allow thoughts of office or anything else occupy your mind.
If at all possible, Be Still. Move the qi. Move your body, your hands, your legs and float on the highway of no light. The darkness will help you to calm your mind. Qi functions best in circumstances of least resistance.
Darkness is only the absence of light. Where you are "travelling", you need no light, so let darkness help you feel the invisible force that you harness from the cosmos that forms everything around you.
Let it flow through you like radiation. Let it energise your entire being. Believe it. Thought is afterall energy. I will never tire of telling everybody this. "See" the energy in your mind. Move it from your imagination to your body and direct it to wherever you want it to go.
You are the source. Qi is the river. Ride the waves. Feel it in your entire being, then you will be free.

Lowering your blood pressure Part 2

The second technique in deflating your blood pressure bubble is to find a stool that is about the height of your knees.
Sit on it and maintain a straight-back posture. Extend both legs in front of you, then slowly lift your right leg in an erect manner. Slowly rotate your foot clockwise three times, and then anti-clockwise three times.
Now, the left foot. Repeat the same process. Rotate foot three times clockwise and then anti-clockwise three times.
Don't be in a hurry. Don't be anxious. Everything about qigong must be done in a gentle manner. You can do this as many times as you want until you feel that you have achieved a certain level of relaxation.
This exercise "drains" the pressure from the upper part of the body and provides an escape valve for the pressure built up through stress or tension, whether at home or in the office.
You can also do this while sitting at your workplace in the office, with both your feet under the table. Nobody is going to know that you are doing this exercise with your feet (if you don't raise your feet higher than the table!).
I have tried this technique on numerous occasions. Again, I tell you it works. Qigong is for believers and practitioners. You practise it with an unshakeable faith and it will work the way you want it to.
Here's a toast to your good health!

Lowering your blood pressure Part 1

If you are 40, you may be one of those who are already experiencing high blood pressure but don't realise it. There are many people who have high BP. It is usually linked to the stresses of daily living or you are just one of those who has high BP because everyone else in your family has it.
There are several ways to control your moderate-to-high BP. One is of course diet. Another is to eat a clove or two of raw garlic at every meal. The third method is meditation. Fourth is controlled deep-breathing. These are some of the ways.
In qigong, there are several techniques. They have worked for others. You can try them and see if they work for you as well.
The first technique - sit on a chair with a hard back. Keep your body erect. Don't slouch, at the same time, don't be tense. Put your hands on your thighs, with palms facing upwards.
Then, using the thumbs of both hands, press the tip of the thumb on the middle digit (the fleshy part) of both middle fingers. Do it rhymthmically. Don't be in a hurry.
You close your eyes while you are doing the exercise. This is based on the principle of acupressure. It helps to "pump" the pressure point that affects the tension in the body. Done correctly and in a relaxed manner, it can lower your blood pressure.
Based on my own experience, I believe this technique helps. So next time, if you are in a state of tension or stress and want a quick solution to de-stressing yourself, try this technique.
If you achieve a positive result, you can share your happiness with us all. Cheers.

Hold That Vision

EVER get tired working out? Of course, you do, like the rest of us mortals. How about walking up and down a hill? Sure, why not, we are all creatures of biodegradable materials.
A couple of months ago, I was trekking up and down a forest recreation area in Melbourne, Australia. It was one of Australia's finest and it is called Otway national park.
It was the beginning of spring and the temperature hovered around the low 60s. I love climate like that. We were in a group of eight. The walk took us about 40 minutes one way and then up a shaky metalled watch tower about 45 metres up at 90 degree angle.
On the way back, I was huffing and puffing, and I thought I was one of the fittest among the group. Actually, I wanted to soak in all the sights and sounds of the forest. I love nature but the others were in a hurry to get back. Wet blankets, I thought.
So like all macho guys, I tried to pick up pace and catch up the the runaway pack. Among them was this overweight, chain-smoking woman in her 30s. One look at her, and anyone would have thought she will tire out after 100 metres of walking on a level playing field.
Not this one. She was walking, walking and walking. I was at little surprised at first and then when I couldn't catch up with her, I was totally shocked. I don't know whether I was shocked that I was so "unfit" or shocked that she beat me to the finishing line.
Since she was an old chum of mine, I asked her where did all that stamina come from. In a one-word reply, she said: "Yoga". "Focus on something and then just proceed without a second thought," was her second reply.
For some time now, I realise that when you are focusing on something in a distance while you are out for a walk, regardless of the incline, you tend not to get tired. But I had forgotten all about this until this woman jolted my memory.
Qigong walking is something like that. Next time, when you are out for a long walk on a hill or a big recreation park, try this. Focus on something in the far distance, be totally absorbed in it, hold that vision in your mind, and just walk towards it.
The mind then takes out and your legs will function without you worrying about how tired your thigh muscles will become. I have tried this technique on several occasions, and I have found out that when your focus on something in the distance while you exercise, in this case, walking, you won't feel tired, or not that tired.
It is one of those neat tricks that has its foundation built centuries ago in China. Peasants and farmers had to walk long distances to get to their destinations and focusing on the mountain top miles away helped them to cover the long distance with the minimal amount of effort.
Qigong is also about using your mind to control your body. Once you know all the right buttons to push, you will be on your way, and it won't cost your much in terms of energy.
Qigong walking is one of the most delightful exercises ever devised for outdoors. It energises your human form, revitalises your mind, and gladdens the heart. By the time, you have covered the entire circuit, you will feel recharged like a powerful dynamo. All it takes is practice.

Breathe Like A Baby

MANY people think the correct way of breathing is by expanding the lungs. That means when they inhale, they pull in their tummy and expand their chest.
That is the wrong way. The correct way is to expand your stomach and let your diapraghm drop. That would give your lungs that extra space to take in more air.
Watch how a baby breathes especially when he is lying on his back. The stomach rises like the crest of the ocean. The way a baby breathes is the natural way, and that's the best way.
In Chinese qigong, breathing is an art. Normal people think it is the easiest thing to do in the world, and for ages they have been doing it the wrong way.
Deep breathing when done right reaps enormous benefits. It helps your body to relax, brings down the blood pressure and steadies the nerves.
The next time when you are anxious or nervous, try this. First, take a deep breath by distending your tummy. The intake of breath must be slow and deep. When you have reached full capacity, hold your breath for two or three seconds and then let it out slowly in a steady stream.
As you exhale, feel as if all the nervousness is leaving your body as well. Be like a balloon as it deflates. Repeat the movements several times. Don't be in a hurry.
The steps are simple: Inhale slowly and deeply. Hold it. Exhale slowly and thoroughly. If you feel the need to do it more than three times, go ahead. This procedure is very good for those who want to fall asleep fast. I have done it many times, in fact, almost every night when my head hits the pillow. Nine out of 10 times, I am out like a light.
A number of qigong schools do not teach this aspect of breathing but if you incorporate it in your exercises, you can build stamina, lower your blood pressure and pump more oxygen into your body and brain.
When you take in air, you inadvertently absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. When you fill your body with oxygen, your blood will, as a matter of course, carry the oxygen to your brain. When the brain receives a large dose of oxygen, it automatically "awakens".
That is why a tired person is always yawning. That is the body's way of taking in oxygen, so that you will stay alert and not fall asleep on the table or chair.
Breath control will hasten recovery process when the body is affected by germs, bacteria or virus. The human body has a built-in capacity for self-healing. When you "pull" the oxygen switch, it triggers a chain of events in the body. One of the processes is to kickstart the body's machinery to recover when it has a "downtime".
Qigong is not all about moving your hands, legs and head. It also involves the flow of air throughout your system. Yes, you do "imagine" the flow of qi along the numerous meridian lines throughout the entire body.
Breathing helps to clean the human system of the "stale air" that keeps circulating in an out-of-shape body. A steady flow of Air in the body is like pouring water through a hose in your porch. It washes away impurities like water flushing away dirt on the floor.
You can develop the art of deep breathing to such an extent where it becomes second nature to you. Deep breathing is associated with the rhythm of life. When you deep breath as a matter of natural course, it will transform your life. Good life will no longer a matter of chance. It becomes part of you.
Qigong is like a balancing act. When you are walking the high-wire of life, the aim is always to achieve perfect balance. Once you are perfectly balanced, your yin and yang will be in harmony. You may at times achieve a fleeting perfect balance.
The idea is to sustain total harmony. Qigong is one of the ways towards that goal. Once you have it, hold on to it and the rest of your life is beautiful sailing on the sea of life.

Purge the Impurities

What is good health? My definition is peace of mind, a good appetite, an ability to sleep soundly, no illness, alert all the time and an unstoppable zest for life.
Physical exercise is welcome, of course. Dynamic movements make a human body "well oiled". That means the joints are flexible, stretchable and elastic without being stiff.
Yoga can do wonders for a tired body, young or old. Tai chi can breathe fresh energy into an old life form (that's you). Other forms of martial arts can help you build muscles, stamina and perhaps even turn you into a killing machine.
Qigong is on the gentler side of life. It helps you "see" our inner self. It is seemingly nothing on the outside and everything on the inside and more.
A lot of people think sickness is the result of bacteria, virus and germs of no particular order. They are right, up to a point. Sometimes, illness is brought on by stress, worry, and an aversion to the office.
Some people unknowingly make themselves sick. How, you may ask. Sickness begins with incessant and unreasonable hostility, selfishness and an inability to forgive others.
Anger, as ancient Chinese have known, affects the liver, the heart and the stomach. Today, this revelation is beginning to surface in all its malignancy by modern medical researchers.
When we keep a grudge, or have a score to settle, or even entertaining hostile thoughts, we are doing ourselves a great harm. All these negative feels produce effects that dull the mind, affect the heart and upset the alimentary canal system in our bodies.
When one partakes in qigong exercises, one of the first steps should be to purge the mind of all these negative developments. They body recognise thoughts that dwell on the dark side. Negative thoughts punish the body. Some of the internal organs shun the negative states. If they are unable to do so, the reactions are normally gastric ulcer, heart condition and a slight case of schizophrenia.
Qigong is best practised in a "sterile" environment. For the unknowing, it means your mind and heart be free of hostility, grudges, petty jealousies and little scheming ideas and an inability to come to terms with reality.
When the heart is free of encumbrances, and the mind devoid of all that adds bumps in its playing field, there's little that qigong can do for you. You need to realise that qigong cannot be done in isolation. It needs "pure air", just as a baby needs clean diapers.
Any life form that operates in ideal conditions, functions well. That includes the human body. Thus, in the realm that is cleansed of all "impurities" that unsettle the body and mind, the qi faces no impediments. The flow through all the meridian points will be unimpeded. The current will be strong and steady. This will result in a healthy body, clear mind and pure heart. Together they form the axis of knowledge.
When it all comes together, you will feel a slight touch of Zen.