Eat right, Sleep tight

Some people may actually ask what has eating got to do with longevity. Well, if you consume items that are not suitable for your physical constitution, it will clog the fragile human system and thus, causing an unpleasant chain of events.
It has been proclaimed in tonnes of books that eating the right food will do wonders for you. Some of these, right at the top of my head are soya, raw garlic, fresh vegetables (preferably organic), lots of clear water, fresh fruits, and go easy on the spirits.
In fact, as you grow older, it may be advisable to consume less because you are no longer that young person you once were about 25 years ago. Basically, your body is no longer in such fine shape. It may take longer to process all that foreign matter that you chuck into your mouth and down the alimentary canal.
Drinking coffee is fine, if you do it in moderation. Same goes for wine and other alcoholic drinks. There is such a word as "excess".
Notice, those people who are into meditation and other transcendental stuff, that they avoid certain food and are constantly fasting. Fasting is one way of freeing the body from subjecting itself to unnecessary chores. When a human body has less to worry about, the mind carries a lighter burdern.
People in the East fast for long periods in order to partake in certain religious ceremonies. It goes without saying that a body that is not burdened with too much food will pave the way for the heart and mind to work in harmony.
Most martial arts masters and masters of yoga, tai chi and qigong don't eat too much. They do eat, just like most of us, except their dietary controls are more finely honed than ours.
If you do not subjected your body to too much culinary torture, it will somehow function at a better pace than normal. The idea is to channel the energy within the human system towards more beneficial objectives.
Therefore, be aware that qigong holds the key to many secrets of longevity. But the only secret that is not really a secret is fast and abstinence from activities that are not conducive for mental development.
We are all physical beings but fortunately for us, we are also spiritual entitites. Yes, the human body serves its purpose but the mind and soul reach places that we will never dream possible.
Qigong functions better in a human form that is not slowed down by the consumption of too much food. We all have to eat to live, but we should think twice if we prefer to live to eat.
If you are the type who desire to touch the veil of heaven and perhaps even catch a fleeting glimpse of eternity, you need to develop a human form that is suitable for such an adventure.
Remember the famous phrase, "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Many of us are like that. The truth is all of us can add decades to our lives but we are simply unwilling to pay for the price for it.
One of the secrets of longevity is to achieve the perfect balance of body, mind and soul. It is not that difficult but are you willing to walk down that path. You can't, of course, want your cake and eat it as well. In other words, you want to party hard, long late nights, reckless living and excesses in all forms.
Don't forget we are talking of the human body. As with anything that is a living organism, it has its limits.
The body is capable of achieving almost unimaginable feats but it can also be abused, leading to a short life span. If you want to live out your entire natural life, then you must be committed to abiding by certain principles.
In two simples sentences, it means eating the good stuff and having regular good nights' sleep. It sound so simple that people tend to laugh at the simplicity of it. If you don't worry too much, it will add years to your life. Worry keeps the body from being pristine.
Take time to smell the roses, like they say. Qigong is one exercise I know that can trigger a chain of positive effects in a well tuned body. Our bodies are basically designed to be Ferraris but we abused this biological vehicle and more oftern than not, turn it into a pick-up truck. Consequently, it gets knocked about so often that in the end, it slows down, spurts and stutters and develops endless engine problems along the journey.
Eat right, sleep tight is about it. Get that right the first time, every time and you will be all right for about 90 to 100 years on earth.

Take it easy, you are trying too hard

ONE common problem that plagues most novice qigong practitioners is that they try too hard. It is not exactly the pre-trials for the Beijing Olympics 2008, you know.
Qigong is one of those arts that is powered by an ease of flow. It tends to obey the gentle tug of a caressing palm than a forced extension of a stiffened arm.
The Chinese masters, centuries ago, observed creatures of the wild carefully. The creatures in obeying their own instincts never for once did what came naturally. And so it is too for us humans.
Qigong probably has part of its origins traceable to crane, praying mantis or cat. When you are waking up in the morning, the tendency is to stretch your limbs to give the muscles that jumpstart it badly needs.
Qigong is practised along those lines. You do not force what should be done in full accordance with nature. Gently does it, as they say.
Next time, you see a magpie perched on a branch outside your house, take a good, long look at it. You may see that it moves instinctively. The energy inbuilt comes from within. It has always been there. It should not be forced.
There have been occasions early in the morning outside my house when one or sometimes two magpies serenade me while I am going through my qigong motions. Their singing brings great joy to my mornings. It helps me to harness the much talked about qi that answers to the call of nature as easily as it obeys the dictates of the heart and mind.

One of the greatest gurus of spiritual guidance is Sai Baba who resides in India. It is he who said "When you desist, God exists." And so it is written in the Bible, "Be Still, and Know that I am God."

From those simple phrases resides the wisdom of the ages. Qigong is but one of the many gateways to self-fulfilment in terms of health, peace of mind and almost inexhaustible energy. Therefore, be gentle with yourself, and all will come unto you.

Let the music guide your Qi

YOU know how it is in the morning or evening, or maybe even way pass midnight, it is quiet and it's just you and the silence, and then there is your qigong routine.
I have found on certain mornings, a strong urge to break the silence. It would seem the soul searches for the "rite of passage", if I may use that phrase. So there have been some early dawns when I put on a CD to help me ease my way into the qigong path.
Yesterday for example, the Celtic refrains of the Secret Garden filled the living room where I was going through the qigong exercises. I was pleasantly surprised that the music filled me with a whole sense of renewal.
It is true that for time immemorial, man has loved and used music to enrich his life. It is the one language that needs no words. Music then is like a magic carpet that takes a person from one plane to another in an instance.
Yesterday morning was one of those occasions for me. Suddenly, time took a backseat and I found myself being transported to a zone where qigong was no longer an exercise. It became the "way".
I have always loved music but not the kind my daughter prefers. She thinks the world of James Blunt and John Legend. I come from a different world, a generation far removed from the young lady.
Sometimes, I listen with great delight the mystical and mysterious tunes from the pipes of the Incas. This is a small, travelling group of musicians from South America who have on occasion visited Malaysia and entertained those of us lucky enough to encounter them.
The music of the Incas radiates and penetrates. It becalms a troubled mind, emits a musical force that defies explanation. I simply love it. When I put it on before the qigong session, it becomes a vehicle for a body and mind transcending experience.
Music has many purposes. In qigong, it slips seamlessly into the ambience of the surroundings and takes hold of all life-forms presents and become one with it. Music is the carpet that floats and flutters in the untapped regions of our minds.
If only more of us invites it into our busy and harried lives.

Arthritis in the Eagle's Shadow

INDIVIDUALS of the older generation do suffer from arthritis of the hands now and then. It is not a very pleasant sensation to have pins and needles in both hands on any occasion.
Suddenly you feel helpless as the painful feelings run through all the digits of both hands. You can't help but rub them together, or you might start tugging at each finger to soothe away the hurt.
Arthritis of the fingers and hands is actually quite common. The causes are many and varied but that is not our concern here. What we are concerned about here is how to get rid of them until such time when the situation ceases to exist.
Is that ever possible, an arthritis suffer would ask. Yes, it is very possible. And here's how you do it. Find yourself a wood chair which has a nice firm back.
Stretch out your arms horizontal on both sides of your body. Clench your fingers like how you would imagine an eagle clench its claws. That means the fingers are crooked and curved into a claw-shaped fist.
Tense both hands when they are in that state. Slowly, open each finger with great deliberation. First, the forefinger, then the middle finger. This is followed by the ring finger and finally the last finger.
While you are opening your fingers, one by one, feel the tension escaping from each finger that is finally straightened. As each finger stretches, imagine the digits of each finger stretching to its maximum length, as if all the rustiness of the finger is vanishing.
After you have "un-claw" both hands, return to their original position. That means the fingers of both right and left hands become "claws" again. Repeat the exercise, until you feel you have worked out all the 10 fingers.
There should be at least three repetitions. Do this exercise as often as possible. The body has a way of listening to the body. If done correctly and with great deliberation, your arthritis should be eased considerably or disppeared altogether.
Your hands are sometimes the most neglected part of your anatomy. That's because you use them so often that you have taken them for granted since the day you were born. The advantage of having a perfectly healthy pair of hands is often overlooked by individuals.
Pamper your hands. Keep them strong and healthy and you will find that good, strong hands will serve you well till the day you have to leave this beautiful planet.
In the meantime, exercise those digits, fingers and hands in general. You will almost never appreciate them so much until the day comes when you have to give up your earthly form.