Bob Ellal

Qigong books and DVDs abound on the Internet. But can you really learn proper qigong from something you read or watch? Yes and no. You can learn simple, basic movements of some forms of qigong, such as the Eight Pieces of Brocade. You can also learn the static postures of qigong, such as Standing Post Meditation (also known as Embrace the Tree and Hold the Ball). It may be a good place to start.

But to really enter deeply into the internal energy arts, one should have an experienced teacher, a master or an adept whom has already tread the path you are beginning and knows the proper signs of progress as well as the pitfalls one may encounter.

Breathing is the core of qigong as well as other energy arts such as tai chi chuan and yoga. There are various types of breathing, as well as an energy gate or two that one has to open and close when circulating energy, or chi, along certain pathways. These can be learned from a book but it’s essential to have an experienced teacher to monitor your progress. And to answer your questions.

In addition, you may think the form of your body is correct when practicing moving qigong or holding postures—but it may not be. Incorrect posture can create unnecessary tension and negatively affect energy flow. A good teacher will help you practice correctly.

The Monkey Mind

One thing a new practitioner notices immediately when performing standing or seated qigong is the amazing amount of thoughts that flow through the mind incessantly. Once one begins to quiet the mind through meditating by focusing on the breath, these thoughts can become overwhelming. The Chinese refer to this as the “monkey mind:” Your thoughts are like a troupe of monkeys chattering and swinging on vines through a jungle canopy.

The monkey mind rebels when you first try to empty it; it’s accustomed to flooding one’s awareness with thousands of thoughts and judgments each day. It can be difficult to quiet it: Financial pressures, health and family concerns, work problems and interpersonal relationships all pop into the mind continuously.

Once one quiets these thoughts by focusing on one’s breathing, the imagination can take over and create all types of storylines and dramas. During the first couple of months I practiced standing post meditation all types of things popped into my head: symbols, archetypes and animal forms.

For some reason the image of a rhinoceros rampaging through a jungle was prevalent. With all the New Age notions floating about these days, it’s easy to take such an image and attach meaning to it: It’s God or the Universe sending one a message. Then spend time trying to decipher the message. One can become mentally attached to an image or a scenario and expect it to appear when meditating; then the imagination feeds it and one can become lost in it. These things are blind alleys.

A good teacher will tell you so and advise you not to become attached to images or scenarios. One should just continue to meditate and gradually these things will dissipate.

For someone battling cancer, no time should be wasted following the imagination down the garden path. One has to get beyond and behind the dramas of the monkey mind, empty the thoughts, focus on the breath, and allow the body to recalibrate. Relax and let the immune system do its job.

Finding a Good Teacher

How does one find a good qigong teacher? Look for a good tai chi chuan teacher; almost all also teach various forms of qigong and include it as part of their curriculum. Ask around. Then research the teacher on the Internet and find out how long he or she has been teaching and their lineage: From whom they learned qigong. Or ask the teacher directly. It’s important to find a teacher who is teaching genuine qigong.

When looking for a teacher, caveat emptor. As in every aspect of life, there are fakes: People who attended a few qigong seminars, declared themselves “teachers” or “masters,” then hung out their qigong shingle. They don’t know what they’re doing and studying with them is a waste of time. Look for a teacher who’s studied with masters who have a lineage going back to China. The real deal.