About Me and Qigong Meditation

Born into a middle class family in Sacramento, I was raised in a typical American way of life. Watching the people around me dealing with physical and mental discomforts, it became increasing clear that people needed, myself included, a better way to deal with stresses and ailments. Thus my journey began. It seems stress comes from everywhere; mostly from our selves, but also from insufficient diets, relationships, work, and lack of physical activity. Stress can accumulate in one’s body from a young age, and unless dealt with, it will lead to illness, depression, and ultimately death. All of these aspects of life weaken one’s Qi, not allowing one’s Qi to flow and circulate smoothly, thus not delivering the proper energy to the vital organs and the rest of the body to work harmoniously as a complete unit. People usually take an aspirin when they get a headache, or pepto-bismol for an upset stomach, but rarely question the cause of the discomfort or consider prevention. Often pills are considered the only effective option, but rarely one seeks or finds a definitive answer how to prevent or heal themselves. I feel that the modern Western medical science only wants to prescribe me drugs with a long list of side effects, which ultimately do not fix anything but mask the problem.

In the mean time, alternative medicine, such as acupuncture and chiropractors, only give temporary relief. Consequently I began to be more open to trying new ideas, like Qi gong meditation. I went looking for those exuberant individuals who seemed to have an inexhaustible supply of strength. My interest in martial arts led me to question why certain Masters possessed amazing power—despite being much smaller and a lot older than their opponents. How do they have the ability to sustain being hit with tremendous force and repel it unharmed? I eventually learned that it was not the muscles that they focused on, rather the cultivation and practice of the body’s use of Qi that is used to withstand explosive attacks. Upon realizing the source of these abilities came from cultivating Qi, I began reading and researching, and looking for a Qi gong meditation teacher. What I found was that it is easy to find a Qi gong meditation teacher, but very difficult to find a “qualified Qi gong teacher” or “Qi gong Master”. Traditionally, higher levels of Qi gong meditation, Neidan (Inner Alchemy) are not taught to the public, but kept in secret. Due to the cultural differences, the secret information and knowledge are further diluted when Qi gong meditation began being taught in the West. It is one thing to know the positions and movements of Qi gong meditation and Tai Chi; however, it is almost impossible to learn, cultivate, and control the Qi in those movements without learning from a well-trained lineage master. In my search for a teacher I found they all only spoke of form. I found they had little true concept of the Qi energy system involved in these sophisticated arts.

It was my good fortune to meet with Grand Master YeYoung, the current patriarch of the YeYoung Tradition. His knowledge and cultivation in Qi gong meditation and Neidan arts is unparalleled and far surpassed my expectation. He enlightened me to healing effects of cultivating Qi with Qi gong meditation. Quickly after beginning my training with Grand Master YeYoung I noticed significant health improvements and mental calmness. As the months progressed I reflected back realizing my chronic back pain and muscle spasms that once plagued my daily life were now a memory. I was extremely excited. At one point in my life I also suffered greatly from anxiety attacks. The doctors wanted to prescribe me prozac, but had no idea what was causing the attacks. These problems began dissolving once my Qi began flowing more smoothly. YeYoung Qi gong meditation has been part of my daily life ever since I began training with Grand Master YeYoung. My enthusiasm for the amazing benefits of YeYoung Qi gong meditation lead me to want to help others in Sacramento, who otherwise might not know about or have access to learn. After studying with Grand Master YeYoung for a few years, I began taking the Masters training program. I have been learning essential Chinese medical theory and practice pertaining to the human body, inner organs and energy channels, as well as acquiring the lineage transmission to teach YeYoung Qi gong meditation. I have been gaining the ability to arouse and transmit Qi to the student, to establish the initial Qi reservoir in the student’s body. I currently continue further training with Grand Master YeYoung, in advanced Neidan or Inner Alchemy, Tai chi, and the Five Chinese Spiritual and Healing Arts. I now teach Qi gong meditation in Sacramento and Elk Grove area.

References

Waysun, L (1990). T'ai Chi Classics. 2nd ed. Boston: Shambhala Publications. pVII-81.