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Why do you practice Qigong?
Many of you know that I just attended a 5-day Qigong retreat in upstate New York. It was an amazing and transcendent experience! I left the workshop in a profound state of peace and presence. Many of us go to classes or retreats to find this deep state of inner peace; however, the true practice really occurs once we leave class.
We must be careful when our expectation is to hang on to the feeling of the experience. When we enter the flow, clear the mind, and go into the stillness, this deep state enhances our awareness; however, the crux of our qigong practice is taking this awareness back into our daily lives. When we embody what we learned in the face of challenges, this is where true growth occurs.
Our true spiritual practice
David Verdesi, a breath work expert and spiritual teacher maintains, “What you think say and do on a daily basis is your true spiritual practice.” Feeling activated and expanded in Qigong may open the gates, but the real path starts after we've accessed the energy. True spirituality and enlightenment occur when we bring the energy we cultivate in Qigong back to the unpredictable nature of our lives, our daily circumstances, and our relationships.
The three drives
He maintains we have three drives: Health, wealth, and relationships. Some see these as distractions from spiritual awakening, but in fact, they are the very heart of it. These drives are essential aspects of life. Our work is in finding the balance between becoming consumed by them or rejecting them to escape. Real growth is not about relinquishing our responsibilities, or clinging to what makes us feel good.
Releasing old patterns
We will all experience hardship no matter how much we avoid it or look for tools to transcend it. The truth is found through opening, feeling, and experiencing all aspects of life including difficult ones. Qigong is a helpful tool to refine your energy, so you don’t live from fear and anxiety, but with presence and purpose. The practice helps us release physical blockages emotional blockages, and let go of old habitual patterns. When we move through life from love and letting go, rather than fear and clinging to perfection and control, we embrace the real power of Qigong.
The dark night of the soul
You may hear spiritual practitioners say when you let go of resistance and struggle you attract what you are searching for, but a true awakening can actually be quite disruptive. Some call this path toward enlightenment the dark night of the soul. The opening you achieve in Qigong may take you deep into the darkness before you ultimately find the light. Real growth will often wear you down before rebuilding you. If you are in search of an outcome or avoiding pain, you may prevent yourself from uncovering deep truths. It’s often through weathering the storms that you discover the light that exists behind the clouds.
The path
The system you choose to achieve enlightenment is not as important as the process All master's walked a different path, yet each tradition led to the same truths. Transformation lies in the work of staying consistent, refining your energy, and clearing any blockages preventing you from accessing your higher healing power. The true path is in recognizing you are not your thoughts, emotions and instincts. Qigong provides the tools to help you realize you are connected to something much deeper.
Living with purpose
To be truly committed to a purpose or path does not mean you must walk away from your job, relationship, or family to find yourself. Being fully present in your ordinary life is the true spiritual path. Enlightenment is not about escaping reality, but living it with purpose every day. It’s about being tired, but still plugging away with faith, and patience. It’s about being overwhelmed and still reacting from a calm, loving place.
Awakening
We are all here to transform and share our light with the world, and this transformation begins with self-awareness, consistent practice, and deep work. Start where you are. Bring your full self into every aspect of your daily life. Live your truth and purpose every moment of every day. Whether you are doing the dishes, caring for your child or working a 9-5 job, bring your full self to every moment. You don’t need to abandon your life to awaken, you just need to fully engage in the life you are living.
Qigong teaches us how to live our truth more fully every day, because the crux of our practice and soul purpose lies in bringing the energy we cultivate to what we think, say, and do on a daily basis.
Inspired by David Verdesi - Superhuman
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