"Thank you and Philip for making this happen, and actually being there each day - day after day. Your commitment and care for us, your students, is breathtaking. A clear example of what it means to adopt our Mission statement, not just to repeat dry words.

This 108 day practice was very helpful, and greatly appreciated. Let me say why.

Living in Ireland, of course I must start by talking about the weather. From July of 2023 up until the end of our practice period we had 17 sunny days. Nobody living here has ever seen a year like this. So I was very glad to see the image of the sun which you displayed at the start of each class!

On an internal level, I have been increasing my meditation practice, which stirs up all sorts of things. The class, and the daily practice was a welcome support.

It was so nice to see Elizabeth (and dog), Jeremy, Roberto, Kristin, Anna,  & Jim each day. Even though we didn't talk, we were all together, and it meant a lot to me. I knew Min, Sarasa, Raven and others were there, but I never saw them - like the way you know mighty generators are powering the electrical grid, even though you don't see them. It was wonderful when you made your little tour and I got to see John Gruenwald & Phyllis. They looked well.

Good to review and think about the benefits of these practices we do each day.

Shifu, some of the things you said that I found helpful:

• In the first month, you suggested that we focus our attention on our fingertips. This was a good focus for my attention, and think it also helped direct the qi.
• Be one with the universe thought about and did my best to actualize this throughout.
• Considering that I was actually made of qi: this breaks down the barrier between myself and the universe. Also, it is no effort for a qi form to stand, is it?
• Being still allows the yang to arise: Reminded me to go back and review the eight great laws of the universe. In particular, we say yin and yang, but they aren't really separate. In the heart of movement we can find stillness; from stillness movement can arise. If you aren't still, you won't notice this.
• Interchange between quality and quantity is something I also see, when you practice something for a while it's almost as though a threshold is passed, and something different can happen.

Some general comments:

Meditation is so helpful in conjunction with this system (and also with Swimming Dragon). If I sit before practicing, I will be much more aware of what is going on.

During Sword Fingers I usually stand in a horse stance. Remaining in meditation, this is fine. When I get distracted, thinking of the 10,000 things, suddenly my legs are tired and I straighten up. I realized I could just notice when I stood up straight and this became the cue for me to realize I am distracted!

Shifu, you used to invite us to consider the 38 million Heavenly Essence practitioners were practicing with us. How could that be? This past month, how this could be has been coming to me, in glimpses.

Thinking about impermanence, one gratefully forgets the past and stops anticipating the future, eventually leaving you right where you've always been, in this timeless, present moment.

This is the exact moment all the 38 million Heavenly Essence students are practicing; the very moment in which the 1000 Buddhas of this fortunate age dwell, this is the moment we'll live our lives, this is the moment we'll die.

Please do continue to teach!

Jeff "

"Hello Sifu,

I can't believe that this Qigong challenge went so fast!Very happy that I did another challenge. This time around I still had a challenge with staying in the moment, especially in Sword Finger. Trying to use Qi to inspire my arms to stay shoulder level instead of using muscles.

What did help was some of the ideas you talked about a while ago. Focusing on the breathing instead of following thoughts. The thought should be focusing on the breathing, "all other thoughts are an illusion."

I have continued to think about the idea of distracting thoughts as an illusion which has helped greatly.

The other idea of (me) "disappearing, and being more or returning to what the universe is made of" helped me as well.
If I just focused on the breathing and visualization of the task at hand, my body and distracting thoughts faded away briefly and it was easier to practice.

My goal the rest of the year is to continue my 3D in the mornings and refine working with distracting thoughts.

Thank you so much! This challenge and being the Qigong brothers and sisters is so very inspiring!

Love,
Jeremy "

"Dear Liping:

Thank you so much for these 108 days. I think that the main thing I will take away is the ability to "drop down" and get into my breath. This is true both when nothing is happening, or when something happens that needs a response. It's about a beat away from becoming reactive, allowing me to think about how to respond. This past week there was a drama going on with my daughter and somehow I managed to remain fairly calm. 
The other thing that I find helpful is trying to keep my tongue on the hard palette. I think it helps to bring awareness to the moment, and also is a reminder to pay attention.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday nights and continuing to check in with the practice and the book.  

Love, 
Liz "