Small Universe Course April '09

[Geoff]

Realisations from the Small Universe Course

To fellow course participants and forum readers,

It was a true privilege to take part in this wonderful course and I would like to briefly share some of my own realisations.

Throughout the course I felt very close to Guan Yin Pusat and felt very blessed. During one of the standing meditation sessions, I felt like I wanted to radiate love in all directions to benefit others. During another session I cried profusely as I became aware how many people, and many beings suffer unbearably.

This experience made me real how lucky we are to practise an art that can truly benefit others physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, and can lead to the highest attainment a human can aspire too. The course has also simplified my spiritual path and given me clearer focus as to how I can help others in the future.

It was a joy to meet so many of Sifu's senior and advanced students, all of whom are shining examples of what can be achieved if one practises chi kung diligently.

Thank you Sifu.


NAMO GUAN YIN PUSAT

[cnholmes]

The Powerful Blessing

I always used to say that me going to a temple was like eating at a friends house. I'm very welcome, in fact they're glad I'm there, but I don't live there.

So when I visited the Kek Lok Si temple, I took off my shoes and went in to take a respectful but detached interest. I looked along at the beautiful paintings on the walls and the ceiling, and at the row of buddha statues along the back wall.

Then I came to the statue of Amitabha buddha. It was like meeting an old friend when you're lost in a strange town. For the next 10 minutes I couldn't take my eyes off him. The image grew in my mind of Amitabha surrounded by a soft white glow - a very strong image, clearer than imagination. The glow was full of comfort and safety and healing.

I wanted to prostrate.

But prostrating wasn't me, and besides people might think I'm just doing it to be "all buddhist like". I left the hall. As I walked away I heard in my mind "Come back whenever you're ready. Any time".

I kept telling myself didn't need to - I had Amitabha in my heart. I put my shoes on and wandered into the sunshine. I hung around outside for a while looking in. I kept being drawn back to Amitabha with the image of him surrounded by light.

Then I realised that I had a blockage - I was standing in the way of what I really wanted to do. No matter what anyone else thought, this was what I felt the need to do. So I should do it.

I kicked off my shoes and walked up to the statue. Then I sank to my knees, put my head down and just spent time with the Buddha.

After a few moments I rose and left the hall. I was physically shaking. I managed to get my shoes on and went to the garden area nearby, where like a true cold blooded englishman I went to a secluded place to enjoy the view across the valley. By the time I got there my eyes were streaming with tears and I was shaking with sobs. I felt that Amitabha had come with me and was right there.

After a while and a brief walk I returned to the temple hall. My Sije Yumi kindly showed me where to buy a candle. I took the lit candle over to Amitabha where I noticed there was a really good spot to put it - just here will be fine. I placed the candle there and bowed with my hands together.

Everything will be alright. Everything's going to be fine. Don't worry.

Those words kept coming back to me for the rest of the day and every time they did my eyes brimmed with tears.

I am more grateful than I can ever express for this powerful blessing, and I know that without Sifu's teachings I would never have found it.

Thank you,
Chris.

[Andrew]

Thanks, Chris. That is / was / remains beautiful.

I have my own "fond memories" of Amitabha at Kek Lok Si from my last visit there during Chun Nga's wedding celebrations.

[Roeland O]

Circling flow

Dear brothers and sisters,

Ten days after the universe course and I’m enjoying and appreciating every bit of it, feeling blessed more than ever. It makes me happy to read the posts of fellow course participants who seem to appreciate as much what a tremendous opportunity we've been given.

Obviously, there are immediate results. Things are more natural and at peace, flowing and ease. More than before, I feel the Chi is doing the work (I guess that’s what people mean when they say ‘go with the flow’). When tensed in my mind it’s as if I can ‘use’ the chi to relax the mind (maybe that’s what meant when I’m told to relax). And if I feel tension in the chest, which I tend to have, the flow down the front of the body helps me to let the tension dissolve in the Dan Tian.

All in all it feels like more unity of body and mind. When I gently think of the flow circling up the spine down the front, my body feels more connected and my mind is more at ease. This is my greatest joy at the moment, to play with this gentle flow and to let it enfold. It’s also the first time that I felt chi so real as big bubbles bubbling up my back, very pleasant indeed.

My golden bridge has improved since the course too since there is more joy, relaxation and depth to it. And strangely enough I noticed improvement in the art of flexible legs, especially to both sides.

After Sinew Methamorphosis, these small and big universe methods give me the highest clearness of mind, hence too for dissolving in the cosmos, no wonder why I like them so much. Be it the cosmos inside or outside, it’s truly remarkable.

A few things I'd like to mention more:
- The sharing and the fun with brothers and sisters. You’re such high quality people, thank you so much for being there.
-The amazing food. I tend to be a vegetarian which I also tend to drop when I'm around a Chinese kitchen. This time I didn’t miss out on one meal or lunch so I attended the full food explosion. No regrets, what a delight.
- The paradise hotel. Or is it paradise because of Sifu’s spirit and our spirits blossoming?

Thanks dear Sifu for your kind and loving mastery. Loving greetings to my brothers and sisters of the course and to you all, it’s been a pleasure to be with you.

Roeland Oevering

[Bernardo]

Dear All,

After a return journey of 48 hours (though most of the time I was unconscious ) and plenty, plenty of sleep these days (I'm lucky that with this swine flu thing in Mexico, classes were suspended), I would like to share my experience, "small" as it is. Specially when compared to the beautiful posts here.

Before continuing, I have to say that I think I did not attain the Small Universe flow during the course or, if I did, it is too faint... but that doesn't mean I didn't / don't feel anything...

On the first day, during the Abdominal Breathing session, I literally saw at my abdominal dantian a big ball of energy--a yellow mass with red spots, just like the sun is shown in pictures and astronomy atlases. It almost measured one meter in diameter. Yes, something like this, except more yellow and with less red spots:

During the Phenomenal Big Universe, I felt so, so 'solid'... probably "like a rock", as Sifu writes in his book . After this session, my feet felt like "electrified".

As for the not getting the Small Universe, I'm very confident I will. I was told by Sifu that I should be able to attain it in one or two months, six if I'm slow. But that even if I took three years, it would be a remarkable achievement!

In a sense, this is like all my history in Shaolin Wahnam: in my first course I could not experience vigorous chi flow, in my second course I could not tap energy from the cosmos clearly... but now, after been practicing on my own, all of these are a matter of fact.

Now, after this last course, I have had good signs already: I have been feeling a lot of qi sensations--ants crawling over my skin, specially in the left part of my body (the left side of my head, face and neck, my left arm, my left leg); this usually happens outside of practice. Two days ago, during Long Breathing, I felt "needles gently crawling" at the top of my head--I had never felt anything there before. I have also had on two different occasions brief quivering of my lips.

What's more fun, since the second day of the course I have been seeing "light" around people, animals, trees and most objects, regardless of the lighting and background. It's a thin aura and there's no colour (or if there is, it is white), so I'm not sure if this is THE aura... but it sure makes everything more beautiful.

Another benefit I received, and a BIG one, is the stances. My knees don't hurt after stance training anymore! (which was one of the reasons I stopped training stances nearly two years ago) This came about:
First, thanks to Maxime Siheng (rightly described as overflowing with energy), who checked my stances, taught me Rotating Knees and did something to my knees with his One Finger Zen. I felt nothing then... but later flushed out bad emotions. Thank you!
Then the course itself: for the three days, after each one of the practice sessions (except for the last two ones), my knees were in pain... good pain, I believe.
Finally, Chun Nga generously also checked my stances, corrected my wuji stance (!) and helped me to clear at least one layer of an emotional and mental blockage. Thank you, Taisiheng!

I also clearly realised that all my previous cleansing over the last two years was just cleansing, and not bad health. Similarly, thank you, Alex, for doing your best to help me overcome my embarrassment for my nasty cleansing. This has improved my life quality tremendously.

It was a joy to meet so many of Sifu's senior and advanced students, all of whom are shining examples of what can be achieved if one practises chi kung diligently.

Thank you Sifu.

So true. I feel the same but couldn't find a way to express it as well as you did. Hence the quoting.

I counted 33 participants. It is amazing how inspiring and uplifting is to be around such good people, seniors or otherwise. Good chats, jokes and laughs abounded. In particular, I can remember: Hubert Siheng (a.k.a. Rasa ), who so kindly shared a secret with me; thank you. Martin, with his open friendliness and joy, and Nick, with his openness and courteousness... you two continue to inspire me (and my character)! Joel and Parveen, you are so kind with me... thank you. Thanks to Chris from Barnard Castle for the helpful chats, and also to Jeroen, Wei Joo, Hwan King, Mark and Anthony S for the interesting chats. Thanks Ronny, Roeland, Maxime and everyone else for all the laughs! Thank you to everyone else I haven't mentioned... you're still in my thoughts.

Last but not least, Wei Foong Sijie. Thank you for carefully organising the course, tours and meals. Thank you for your hard and good work.

And Sifu... I'm saving the best for last:
I was very touched by the genuine care you show to your students / to me. Every interaction with you was an occasion to open my heart. Thank you so much. I must also thank you for writing about "your personal Bodhisattva" in your books and Q&A, and for triggering and giving us a connection with Guan Yin Bodhisattva. At my level, sometimes I feel my closeness and connection to Guan Yin is a more precious gift than smiling from the heart... She has given me a lot, the most recent big example being my mere presence in Malaysia (it was impossible that I could catch my transatlantic flight, yet I did it, after much praying and divine intervention). It's awesome to think that she and Immortal Li watch over us, just because we practice Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung et al.

I promise I will now start living up to the Shaolin Wahnam standard. I already have met many people to draw inspiration from.

With Shaolin Salute from Heart to Heart,

Bernardo.


P.S. For the sake of perfection, I would like to correct the airport code I wrote previously in this thread: my flight didn't stop at ANS (which apparently is in Peru), but at ARN (Stockholm-Arlanda).

[Grimlock]

my turn

Hi Family,

The Small Universe course proved to be a richly rewarding, but pretty difficult one for me. I came knowing it would be absolutely incredible, but also thinking it would be relatively easy compared to the two kung fu intensives I've done previously. Then the cleansing began (on the first day).

It felt very similar to the cleansing I had after my first kung fu intensive that had me bed-ridden in Langkawi for a week. The remarkable thing is that as I continued practicing the Small Universe, I could feel it breaking noticeable chunks of blockage off like a melting iceberg and sending them downward where they dissolved. I was through the worst of it in a few days, and unlike previously, I was able to at least function at some level while going through it.

As I've moved through the cleansing, I've felt my Small Universe grow stronger. During the course, I felt the Small Universe flowing, but I felt a lot of it breaking off and entering points or spreading out to work on the various areas of need.

I'm sorry I was a bit withdrawn at times while in Malaysia. I really planned on taking advantage of spending as much time as possible with my kung fu family, but 1) I had a nasty sore throat that made it hard to talk for a few days and 2) I just needed some time to myself while I worked through some stuff. Luckily, I know there will be plenty of other opportunities, and I still have memories of great times spent with my family, especially the nearly entire day we spent at Kek Lok Si a couple of days after the course finished.

Sigung often says that he practices Shaolin Kung Fu because it is the best. Now he has once again taught what many consider to be the best chi kung (or *the* chi kung). I'm grateful to have taken advantage of the opportunity to learn it from him.

Thank you Sigung, Sifu, and all my brothers and sisters who made this course so special.

[JasD]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This course was incredible.

From the first session entering zen, the state of mind was so deep it was worth it on this alone.

Five hours of teaching later the small universe was acheived, flowing vigorously and continuously. Actually only half of that time was actual formal practice.

I am a relative beginner so I can only say that was unbelievable.
The skill and generosity of our beloved Sifu is truely something.

Then on the last day we get big universe, extremely powerful indeed. So powerful, peaceful, charged and clear. In spiritual big universe my dan tien expanded a couple of feet outside my body pushing away my hands like a magnet.

Since the course, the small universal flow has been getting weaker and stronger, I think due to energy used for cleansing or just state of mind and perception.
I really feel that blockages which weren't going before are leaving much faster now.
I can understand by experience the saying "if you attain small universe you will eliminate all diseases".

Brothers and Sisters who didn't go, if the course comes again, make a special effort to go, it is definitely worth infinite times more than you pay for it. Don't think something silly like "I've only been practicing for a couple of years", just apply. If Sifu accepts you, you are ready no doubt about it.

Now to just practice daily to strengthen it.

Many thanks to Sifu, We can't thank you enough for your generosity. I can't say enough.

To my brothers and sisters it was nice meeting you and sharing a great time.

From your brother,

Jas

[Mark CH]

Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family

I had many wonderful experiences during the recent Small Universe Course in Malaysia. One that really is still very clear in my mind was during the second day of the course. I felt the small universe was flowing very well, then surges of heat began to roll in a circular motion from the backs of my feet, up along my back and over the back of my head. On reaching the top of my head, the heat dispersed away. This process continued for some time. It was a very comfortable experience.

At the time I really thought nothing of it, until later that night when I lay in bed, everything became so clear that all thoughts left my mind and it was true peace. I have never experienced such clarity. It was so amazing that to have a result of no thought, clear mind and such inner peace in only two days. I cant even imagine the results we all could achieve from the Small Universe five years from now.

I would like to thank Sifu so much for transmitting this to us so generously. It was great to meet you all in Malaysia and happy training.

A big thanks also to TaiSiheng Chun Nga and Sije Wei Foong for making the trip possible and for making our stay a true joy.

Best wishes
Mark

[Lara]

sympathetic joy

I have enjoyed reading this thread. I find myself bubbling with sympathetic joy. I am very happy for everyone who had the opportunity to attend this course. I hope I might have the same opportuniy in the not so distant future.

much love to all,

Lara

[Nick Jones]

Blessings beyond measure

This course has changed my life.

Sigung helped me to clear out some very deep blockages. He also helped me to receive overflowing reserves of beautiful, pure, flowing energy.

Later, I came to directly experience that we are all infinite and that we wear our bodies in a similar way that we wear clothes. Death is actually nothing to be afraid of, from a higher perspective, nothing actually dies. 'We' don't die, we just change our body, our use for it is complete. This is not just repeating things I have been told, this is actual direct experience - cosmic wisdom as opposed to language wisdom, if you will.

I was also lucky enough to have the opportunity to bless Guan Yin.

During the course I was lucky enough to receive some pointers from a couple of my sisooks, - thank you Hubert and Maxime - you're both very special and loving people. The advice you gave me has assisted my practice significantly.

Just prior to boarding my return flight, I stood in the centre of the departure lounge and entered a chi kung state of mind. I had an urge to bless everyone who was on the flight. As I did so I perceived myself as a ball of golden energy, sending out innumerable blessings to all living beings.

I have come home, to enjoy a much deeper connection with all life. I am more centered, more courageous and more powerful. I have a much greater awareness of my potential and a near constant awareness of the Buddha-nature of all living beings.

Thank you Martin for putting up with a (very) smelly monkey brother

It was a joy and honour to meet everyone who attended this course, Thank you all.

Thank you Sigung.

[Mark CH]

Thank you Nick for sharing.

Life certainly changes for the good after the Small Universe.

Best wishes
Mark

[Anthony S]

A practical application of Small Universe.

This isn't bragging but this is something that practitioners of Small Universe can look forward to. I hope it will inspire you to practice daily.

On the first day of the Special Kung Fu course, held right after the Small Universe Course, Sifu worked us hard. In both of our 4 hour sessions that day we practiced hard with no break. We practiced kicks at an uptempo pace. My first honest estimate of how many we did was about 2000 non-stop. When I thought about it that evening I thought that there was no way we could have done that many so I asked Sifu, "Sifu, do you think we did 1000 kicks today?" Sifu responded right away, "Many more than 1000!"

While we were doing the 2000 kicks I began to feel my legs cramping. I thought I can't allow anything to keep me from completing these kicks so I "activated" the Small Universe as we practiced. Sure enough the cramping went away and I continued. Furthermore, I don't think any of us were out of breath from doing this kicking session. I don't think any of us were out of breath or tired at all that day. My impression was that 95% of martial artists could not have done what we did that day.

Our own energy flow and Sifu's energy field certainly were key to doing what we did that day. But after training the Small Universe daily for almost 2 years that was the first time that I really needed it. I've certainly used it quite a few times over the past years but as I said that was the first time I really needed it.

Take heart, your daily practice is worth the effort.

[Luo Lang]

Hey Anthony,
Nice story, thanks for sharing.

I also could experience the effect of a better more powerful Small universal flow, while training different other aspect, like for example at the moment the Art of flexibility. There was often almost no need to finish my training with Small unviverse training as the flow was already very nice working.

happy training,

Roland