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I have been practicing various forms of Qigong for about 12 years. I have had a few teachers over the years, but circumstances warranted an occasional move away from them so I practiced on my own with the help of DVD’s and Books. Many of you probably know already if you’ve been practicing for some time how hard it is to find a good teacher. Recently, I came across someone who I wanted to study with, but the form was more of a form-less form of Qigong that involved invoking certain sounds or words and allowing the Universal energy to flow as it will through you. I found this form interesting and wanted to pursue it further to see where it would lead. However, since this form was rather sedentary, I wanted to alternate with my other forms to move my body and keep it limber. Well…I have had some differences in opinion recently with my instructor over the issue of mixing forms. My teacher would rather that I did not do any of the other forms that I have learned because of the belief that mixing forms can create health disorders, headaches and mental problems. I am wondering if anyone on this forum has heard of such a thing and if you can elaborate if you have, or if anyone has any other opinions about this.
It *is* true that qi deviations happen, but they usually
happen because of a few factors:
1. Pre-existing mental problems
2. Being overzealous in manipulating sexual energy, esp.
when proper background/training is not had.
3. Being fanatical and doing a particular practice, or
set of practices to an extreme, i.e. extreme intensity,
or extreme amount of practice, etc.
4. Not being aware of some simple detoxifying practices
(i.e. Healing Sounds) and/or not having basic channels open
(i.e. Orbit)However, in your case, I would say there is nothing to worry about.
If you’ve been practicing for 12 years, it unlikely that you
don’t have basic channels open; you probably have some intuition
about what would be extreme for you, etc.Usually, in general, there is no problem in mixing qigong forms.
Most teachers before they begin teaching, pick up a variety
of different forms they’ve learned over the years, and simply
select what they consider their “ideal set”. Often what you
are learning is a sample of their mixed bag.Unless a teacher can give specific reasons, I suspect such
warnings have one of two sources: either they are not that
knowledgeable and thus can’t do anything other than pass along
“fears they heard”, or they are insecure at the idea of your
not being completely loyal to solely their teachings alone.So, at any rate, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
My recommendation:
Follow your intuition.
If it feels right to you to do some forms you learned before,
then just go ahead and do them.
But keep it to yourself to preserve your instructor’s ego. 🙂Steven
Any practice takes time to realize the benefits because cultivating qi is like creating a path in the forest: the more you walk on it, the clearer it becomes. As Michael likes to say, the qi field is intelligent, and the clearer your communication is, the clearer the response.
This is also why I am leary of qigong forms that don’t have a specific purpose (channel that they are opening or virtue they are cultivating, or awareness they are focusing on) for cultivation…it will take longer to realize the benefits because it is like speaking random words and expecting a clear response.
I think this is usually also the reason why many teachers say not to mix forms, but unfortunately not many teachers are clear on what the specific results should be of what they are teaching. This is the benefit in viewing qi cultivation as a spiritual science, and not a “mystical practice” with vague side-benefits.
So practice whatever you want and test it out, but be smart in doing so, knowing that you can waste a lot of time if you don’t know what it is that you want out of the practice. Or if what you want is just something for relaxation and general well being, then its all good.
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