Hello !
Occasionally, I receive an email from an EnjoyQigong student that I just have to share. Actually this is the first time, but hopefully it won’t be the last.
You see, the biggest problem I face teaching Qigong is trying to remember what it is like to be a beginner.
Why is this so important?
Because it means I can deliver lessons in a way that you can easily digest.
Imagine I’ve been used to lifting a very heavy weight, you come along, completely new to lifting weights and I say to you: “Here, start with this” and expect you to lift the weight I’m lifting.
Can you see the problem now?
Anyway…
Without further ado, here’s the email I recently received from Peter, I thought it was so useful I wanted to share it with you:
1. I have recently completed Marcus’ 22 week course and have become a dedicated student.
But when I went back over the course material I realized how much of the theory and knowledge had slipped from my mind. So like any good student, I decided to do some revision. And I have devised a very practical way to do this, Recurring reminders on my diary.
I use my Hotmail calendar, but any digitally based diary/calendar will do, or even a cell phone.
Last week, for example I had the definition of Jing, Qi and Shen sent to my inbox every morning for a week. This week it has been the 3 requirements of happiness as defined in Marcus’ book, Smile from the Heart.
It’s a great way to ‘cement’ this knowledge into the memory. If you are still studying the course, I would recommend doing this ‘real time’ as you practice the form for that particular week.
2. Having recently completed the 22 week course, I have settled on a small number of forms which have become my favourites.
But I have just recently hit upon an idea.
I pick out a week at random and practice whichever form I come up with. It is surprising how effective a form can be when you factor in the experience you have gained in practicing the 3 core skills. You may just find a ‘hidden gem’ waiting for you. Never stop being curious.
Thanks Peter!
Listen, repetition deepens the impression, practice makes perfect and all those other sayings you’ve heard. They’re true. Use these 2 tips to help deepen your own Qigong experience.
Here’s another tip from Peter I thought was so good I had to include it:
Early on in the 22 week course, Marcus drops a ‘bomb shell’. After suggesting that we do 10 to 15 repetitions of form XYZ, he then tells us not to count them! In fact, he says. ‘Counting is a very bad practice’.
This left me with a bit of mental conflict. You see, I have been doing exercise routines for many years which involve counting repetitions. My mind was completely conditioned to counting them and I found it very difficult to stop it. 1. 2. 3…
Whoops, there it goes again!
I finally hit upon a simple solution that I’d like to share with fellow students. If you find yourself counting, don’t try and fight it, simply begin to repeat the last number that you came to, ie. 1. 2. 3. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4…. By turning that last number into a repeating mantra, the mind quickly loses count and forgets the whole idea. It is a similar technique to Marcus’ replacing 10,000 thoughts with 1 thought. This simple idea ‘cured’ me of counting within a week or two. I hope you also find it useful.
Cool stuff! If making the transition to ‘not counting’ is an issue for you, use this tip of Peter’s to overcome it.
Enjoy your practice.
Kindest regards
Marcus
