October 2023 visit to Shaolin Temple EU: training with Shi Heng Zuan Shifu has been nothing short of a privilege.
Kindness, respect, and hard work are present within the Shaolin Temple. Our visit had a specific purpose, yet it has been a wonderful experience.
Daily ceremonies hold together a community spirit and promote unified behaviours reminding us that we are linked here on earth whether we like it or not. Animals and humans are considered with the same value and respect as one another. Vegetarian food is shared - eat but don't be greedy, it's about nourishing the body and taking only what you need.
The expectation was to engage in physical training for 8 hours a day, and in return, participants were rewarded with evening self-massage techniques to keep their bodies prepared for the following day. It's tough but manageable, at nearly 60 years old I don't feel intimidated by the level of input required.
Qigong flows help prepare the body by opening up the nervous system, muscles, and joints. This allows Qi to circulate within the internal organs, leading to a complete and powerful unity of the mind and body.
While many things can be demonstrated and taught, the true learning occurs through practical and embodied experience. While reading books is not discouraged, the emphasis is on learning through hands-on engagement not from engaging the mind. Gathering knowledge from books is acceptable, but the primary focus on this retreat is on active participation.
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