To receive the uncommon benefits of Qigong training one must learn to train more than just the breath and physical movements. I would submit that the training of the mind and ones sensitivity are in fact paramount.

Let’s start with training the mind.
The mind is not the brain nor is it “in” the brain.

The mind I am referring to is field like in nature. It radiates throughout time and space and is not localized in either of those specific dimensions. The mind is within your body as well as outside your body. In fact the web of mind is attached to everything in the universe.

Think of the mind as a trafficker of information. When “new” information gets entangled with the web of the mind it is funnelled down into the physical grey matter that is the brain, which then gets deciphered into a “language” that we can understand and act upon.

This understanding is important, as we cannot rely upon our predisposed knowledge if we wish to enhance our Qigong practice. To enhance our practice we must get out of our heads and tune our awareness (mind) so that we can accept “new” information from universal sources. We must be open to trying different stations along the radio dial… so to speak.

When one learns to do the above, as well as stop the brain from doing calculations (thinking), one can accomplish the internal quietness required to actually “hear” the translated signals. Only then can one assimilate the information and benefit from it.

The information of which I speak is usually decoded and transferred by the language of “feeling”. Feeling is the language used between the body and the mind to communicate.

So, training the mind consists of (but is not limited to):
1)    Acknowledging that the brain is not the mind (do your own research and experiments to validate this)
2)    Accepting the fact that the mind is a trafficker of information (and the information goes two ways)
3)    Learning to stop thinking during practice (this will enhance your ability to “hear”)
4)    Play with the universal radio dial in order to “receive” new information
5)    Learn to decipher the information transmitted as feeling
6)    Learn what is required in order to benefit from the information

Information received during qigong training can be likened to reading a great book. The exercise will only have lasting benefits if you internalize what you learn and use it in your daily life.

Otherwise it’s just entertainment.

Peace

Rod