Attending the 2016 Intensive Qigong and Daoist Retreat led by Shifu Michael was a powerful experience exceeding my expectations. I am a long time Qigong practitioner, however had not previously participated in a retreat. Practicing Qigong and Daoist Meditation in a practice hall filled with others doing the same created an atmosphere I could actually feel. My Qigong and meditation skills moved to a higher level due to both the expert instruction, and energy resulting from group practice. It pushed/pulled me beyond where I was before the retreat. On more than one night I had trouble sleeping, only because I could feel the energy circulating in me so strongly. I guess hours of practicing Qigong and meditation can do that!
This being the Year of the Monkey we at one time light-heartedly referred to the retreat as the “Wet Monkey Retreat”. When it rains 5 days straight, you have to keep your sense of humor. But the “liquid energy” did not dampen the spirits or enthusiasm of the group one drop.
Late one night after an evening of intense Daoist meditation I was not interested in sleeping, so I went to the dining hall, had a cup of dark tea, and wrote the following:
Sitting in stillness triggers a seemingly endless stream of random thoughts
They come from everywhere, out of nowhere
I do not ask them to stay
I do not ask them to leave
I just find my breath and breathe
The knowledge received from Shifu Michael, the Daoist Priests and candidates, fellow Qigong certification students, and a special guest – Samuel Barnes - was uplifting, and I am looking forward to sharing what I learned with my own students. I would highly recommend anyone interested in advancing their Qigong or Meditation practice to join Shifu Michael when he hosts his 2017 retreat.
Myself (far left in the picture) and three others received Advanced Qigong Certification for studies in Medical Qigong, TCM, Qigong Prescriptions and Meditation practices from Shifu Michael.
