Following Instructions

[Zhang Wuji]

Since we are on the topic on following instructions, I would add that in every single one of Shifu's books and always at the courses, he stresses that self-manifested qi movements should be done under the supervision of a qualified instructor or master. I think that says it all. He is not the only one to say this - every instructor I have learnt from say the same thing - it is safe but only if supervised. Try it on your own from a book and you are likely to get "possessed" - it has happened to someone who practicsed Falungong from a book and he is now locked up in a mental hospital.

[Antonius]

I'm not sure what your point is here Wuji, but in Tom's defense, he did learn directly from Sifu Wong.

[beausimon]

You might like to look at this thread .

Hi Andrew,
Thanks for the link.

Sifu has made suggestions (in this case in his wonderful book) so why the question? But don't miss the KEY word in the second option you noted Gently thinking .
Andrew

Hi Andrew,
In the book, sifu wong did not say the method prevents headaches, so it's better to confirm with you all

Thanks.

[Zhang Wuji]

I'm not sure what your point is here Wuji, but in Tom's defense, he did learn directly from Sifu Wong.

No, i meant it as a general point, and was not referring to Tom. I mean I know of some who have tried it from a book (not Shifu's) and went mad. Such instances were widely reported in Singapore and Taiwan.

[Antonius]

I understand now, Wuji. Thanks.

It's funny. Despite all that Tom has said in this thread, I still feel a bit protective of him, as you can see from my previous response. I guess I just hope he's doing well.

[Antonius]

I'd like to revive this thread. It has come to my attention that Tom is still badmouthing Shaolin Wahnam and Sifu Wong. Sadly, it seems that his heart is still closed and full of negativity.

In light of the recent discussions about betrayal, I think this thread is relevant again. What is especially relevant is what lead to Tom's betrayal -- the similar way his confidence was undermined by negativity and badmouthing. And his lack of confidence ultimately lead to a deterioration of his health.

I went through old emails from Tom, and it's obvious that, from the beginning, he was being negatively influenced by another qigong instructor:

I talked with a friend of mine who knows/practices stuff about chi kung - Han. He felt like chi kung practice, because of my state of mind, was just making things worse by adding more chi to the blockage, wherever it was. He gave me the idea of putting it aside for that one week because I had the whole summer to get better. I decided to go with that idea.

Long before Tom had his breakdown, we can see that he was listening to Han, not Sifu Wong or the many instructors who tried to help:

My friend Han said that there's really not a good spot to practice outside publicly here in Madison. He says people would interupt you and they give off bad energy. I think I'd really enjoy practicing outside. Darryl does it and people laugh at him and he laughs with them. I think I've relied too much on Han to begin with.

And finally:

Actually, I've decided to stop practicing Sifu Wong's chi kung, and take up practicing martial arts and chi kung at a friend's school. He convinced me to stop practicing, as I had been accumulating negative effects, and not ridding myself of my health problems even after more than 6 months of practice. I'm practicing his chi kung ("Chil Sik Koom Gong" of Master Xin's Tai Chi Chuan school in Asia - that's his master), which he says will improve my conditions in a short time. I'm under his direct supervision too. It's different but nice. My friend/teacher may become the next successor of this style of Tai Chi Chuan. I'm really happy to learn under him. And some of the things he demonstrated with internal power is really amazing.

Han, who probably meant well, had the opposite effect on Tom's health. An experienced qigong teacher knows never to undermine the confidence of a worrysome qigong student, whether it's his own student or another's. But that's exactly what Han did to Tom over the course of a year.

By badmouthing Shaolin Wahnam, he caused even more worry and mental tension in Tom. Those of us who know Tom know that this is the last thing he needed. This became a vicious cycle. Han's negativity fed Tom's doubt, and Tom's doubt fed Han's negativity. It wasn't long before Han was able to say, "See -- I was right about that qigong! It doesn't work!"

Shaolin Cosmos Qigong did not work for Tom, thanks to Han's negativity. And recently, Tom almost passed on Han's legacy of negativity to another Shaolin Wahnam student. Had he succeeded, he might have done the student a great disservice by undermining his confidence in Shaolin Cosmos Qigong. Ultimately, this could have affected the student's health.

Luckily, the student wasn't swayed by Tom's negativity. I guess he was more swayed by the fact that Shaolin Cosmos Qigong has worked wonders for literally thousands of students. Emiko, for example.

This situation both saddens and angers me. I don't know if Tom will read this. And if he does, I do not mean to undermine his confidence in Han's qigong. But then again, if Tom is still badmouthing Shaolin Wahnam, if he is still so blinded by his negativity, then there isn't much I can do anyway.

After all, Tom always listened to Han more than he listened to us.

[wooden shoes]

Dear all,

I went to Tom on the same Intensive Course (July 2003). Afterwards, I mailed with him for quite some time afterwards.

During the week of the course, I noticed an incredible change came over Tom. He looked radiant and happy. His face actually looked different after two days of Sifu's Intensive Chi Kung Course! I told him that he looked physically different; he said he had seen the same thing happening to me! We were all incredibly happy during that course, and it showed. He made mention of a friend of his who practised "Chil Sik Koom Gong", but he didn't, as far as I can say, want to practise that; he was set on, and in love with, doing Shaolin Wahnam Chi Kung. Afterwards, he practised successfully for some time and we wrote about out experiences. Then, it went worse and worse, and he experienced lots of negative things, leading to his infamous post here on the forum.

Reading Sihing Antonius' post, I now understand how and why he left Shaolin Wahnam Chi Kung. To me, it was very sad; we had already become good friends. I too think he has become the victim of his own worries, coupled with what was probably a sincere desire to help from a friend of his.

not ridding myself of my health problems even after more than 6 months of practice.

(Tom)

This was because he wasn't following instructions; Sifu always tells us to follow instructions, and not to worry when we do Chi Kung. But because of this friend trying to sidetrack him, this was exactly what happened.

To me, this friend has done Tom a great disservice by undermining his practise and giving unwanted, unnecessary advice. Hopefully, Tom is doing well now practising "Chil Sik Koom Gong"

Roeland

[Luo Lang]

Resposibility of a instructor

Dear brothers and sisters,
I think Anthony Siheng has raised a very important point.
The responsibility of a instructor or a Master.

A qualified instructor has a high moral and ethic responsibility. Not only towards his own students, but also to students of another sytsem and more over also to people who don't practice Chi Kung at all. I think Anthony Siheng points that out very clearly.

Sifu's article is very useful: http://shaolin.org/general/qualities.html

A qualified instuctor knows at every stage of his students, what they are ready for. This depends on the individual stage of every student.

An qualified instructor knows when and what to say to the students and to other students of another style. It is inresponsible to increase the worries of a students, allthough it's maybe well meant. This will certainly lead into a bigger problem. Worries are emotions. An instructor/ Master clearly knows that when practicing a genuine Art, this emotions may raise up as part of a deeper cleancing. In such stages a instructor or a Master, irrelevant of what style, has the responsibility to help the student, instead of creating more blockages.

To badmouth about another style, without any experience or deeper knowledge is certainly not very wise. This will harm not only the student but also oneself. Good Maters avoid harming people and themselves.

respectfully,

Roland

[Tom L]

Hi Anthony, Hi Roeland,

I have known Han for many years. We went to high school together. I trusted his advice because I have known him a lot. I talked with him a while on the issue of qigong. I weighed both sides and decided on Han's advice. I don't feel anything like I did when I was in the hospital. I don't feel anything like being "full of negativity". I feel a lot better now. I can move my body a whole lot easier. I feel stronger. I feel more calm. And other things. Now that we're opening a new school in Cottage Grove, I wanted to point it out to that person. If he's interested, he should check us out.

Also, I am confident in Han from seeing his abilities. Just for instance, tonight in practice he showed us what it would feel like to be hit by internal power (just a little bit). It really hurts. And it feels quite different from an external punch. He punched around my solar plexus in front, and my backside still hurts (directly behind solar plexus on my back).

Tom

[Antonius]

I feel a lot better now.

I'm very happy to hear this, Tom.

[Charles David]

Ditto,

May I also wish you the best in your continued practice and development.

[ahakan]

Reply to following instructions

Hi everyone

After 5 long years, I can finally agree for sure with the other Shaolin Wahnam members,
that following instructions of sifu will surely lead you to great results.

Although I'm still not very healthy now, I'm very confident that if I continue to enjoy my training without worrying and thinking, I will be one day.
Even me, the champion of worrying of the Netherlands (ask Darryl siheng for this) can learn to follow instructions decently,
so I think if one really wants to get healthy, he will become eventually.

I also want to emphasize that (indeed) relaxing properly, before starting one's training is very crucial for the result of the training.
Because I didn't relax properly in the past, I always got a dizzy, confused head after my Chi Kung practice.

So I hope that other worriers out there that get a chance to learn the great Shaolin arts,
won't give up, be persistent and keep practicing until you succeed!


Kan

ps.: To sifu and other Shaolin Wahnam instructors (especially Darryl siheng), I'm really grateful that you guys were supporting me all the time when I needed it.
I can't say enough thank you's forever

[Racheli]

Hello Kan,

Thank you for your sincere report, It's always great to hear good news.

Hope your practice will bring you to the next level.

Take care and good luck,

Racheli

[Martin Do]

Dear Kan Sisuk,

Thank you for your honest and open post. I personally find it very inspiring and admirable. You know, some will find it very easy to relax and that the Shaolin arts may come to them like a duck to water. Others will find it more difficult. Some will find it very very challenging.

For me, when I see a fellow brother or sister who attains alot in a short time, I am very happy for them. When I see a brother or sister who does not attain as much or as quickly but persist in their practice and aim, my heart melts and I find them ever so inspiring and admirable. So to those who persist with diligence, my Shaolin salute to you, for being a great student, a great example of our first two Shaolin laws: to respect the master, honor the way. To train the Shaolin arts diligently, overcoming hardship.

Kan Sisuk, may you achieve great health, happiness and joy through your practice .

Thank you and kindest regards

Your sijat - Martin