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Thought you like to hear my arthritis story…….
When I was 22 I started to get short lived periods of joint pain
affecting the bones in my feet. Over the next couple of years the
attacks became worse and other joints were affected. I had pain in
my hips, pelvis, feet and ankles and was diagnosed as having
Reiter’s syndrome. I also started having these attacks in the
eye where the iris became very inflamed. This was serious as
untreated attacks of iritis can leave one blind.
The pain in my joints was not easy to cope with without medication
and I soon ended up taking anti-inflammatory drugs on a regular
basis as the attacks became worse and lasted for longer. Even with
the drugs there were times when I had to crawl on my hands and
knees to the bathroom first thing in the morning. It was just too
painful to walk.
I began to see alternative health practitioners as there was only
symptomatic drug relief available to me from conventional
medicine. I gave up eating chicken, pork, lamb and beef as they
seemed to make the condition worse. I stopped drinking alcohol as
that also contributed to the pain. Dairy products were out as
well. Having any of these foods in my diet usually made the pain
worse on the day following ingestion of these foods.
Dietary stress seemed to be part of the problem. So was the stress
of running my pharmacy business where I was on my feet all day in
a busy dispensary. I looked for stress relief in daily meditation
and also learned rebirthing to see if that would help.
Changing my diet and working on my stress levels helped but I did
get best relief from my acupuncturist. Normally I would have about
10 acupuncture sessions before the pain would reduce enough for me
to go drug free. At last there was something that really worked.
Trouble was I always needed to take time off work to see my
acupuncturist. That was until last September when I learned
Shuichuan Qigong. At that time I had been taking medication for my
joint pain for several months. The day after my first session I
felt well enough to skip my evening dose of medicine. The pain was
reduced enough for the next few days for me to have just half the
usual dose. By the fifth day of practising Shuichuan Qigong I was
able to stop taking the medication altogether. Now four months
later I am still drug free.
In learning Shuichuan Qigong I was hoping for a miracle to end the
pain I had suffered over the years. If it was as good as
Acupuncture I would have been happy but this was so much quicker
and definitely easier. I will always be grateful that I learned
Shuichuan Qigong and look forward to pain free joints for the rest
of my life.
Bruce (Auckland)
The Budgie
For many years we have had pet birds. At present we have two
birds, one budgie and one canary. First thing in the morning we
open the budgie's cage so he can fly around during the day.
One morning last December when I went to open the budgie's cage, I
realised that he was sick. He could not use his left leg and foot
and he was fluffed up. I took the budgie to a veterinary surgeon.
The leg pain pointed to a kidney problem. He was put on
antibiotics, but the limping remained and it was apparent that the
bird was still in pain. A second visit pointed to a secondary
infection and the possibility of a kidney tumour.
It was decided that the best course of action was to treat the
budgie as having a tumour, meaning to help his own immune system
to fight the disease. It was almost like saying, "Leave him
alone and we will see what happens".
At this point Dr Perry asked me if I believed in alternative
treatments. He suggested we try homeopathic medicine. I decided to
give it a go and got two medicines: the first one was labelled
'anti cancer', to give for 14 days; the second one 'kidney', to
give after 14 days "if the bird still has any quality of
life" (the label was not very optimistic and neither was I!).
I phoned a number of people practising healing, but they would not
heal pets. After many calls I was on square one. As a last resort
I rang John. He suggested that I carry out a 20 minute Shuichuan
treatment on the budgie for the next 6 days.
It was already evening. The poor bird was laying down rather than
perching. I gave him the first Shuichuan treatment. The next day
the budgie was as bad or even worse than the previous day. I told
Elsa that I could not see the little thing suffer that much and I
was prepared to take him to the vet to put him to sleep if he was
not better by the next day. Next day was the vet's day off, so the
decision had to wait one more day. We decided to give him two
treatments a day. By the third day he was moving a bit. I forced
him onto my finger and then forced him to a clothes peg protruding
horizontally off the roof of the canary's cage. It was so painful
for him to move that he just stayed there almost lying. It was
easier for us to give the treatment this way. We did the same in
the evening. Next day we found that he was moving a bit more, but
was still unable to use his left claw. He quietly accepted being
put on the peg and being treated. The next day he went by himself
to the canary's cage roof and when I started to treat him he
rushed, limping badly and painfully, to the "treatment
peg". He started to show that he felt the Qi he was
receiving.
After 10 days the limping had disappeared almost completely and as
soon as I drew the curtains and put the music on to treat him, he
would fly to the "treatment peg" and wait there for it.
It was obvious that he felt and enjoyed the Qi he was receiving.
After one and a half months the limping had disappeared completely
and the budgie looked in good health. We reduced the treatments to
once a day and some busy days he did not receive any treatment.
Suddenly, three weeks later, the budgie started to limp badly with
the right leg. Back to square one. I took the budgie to Dr. Perry.
He checked him carefully and said that to him the bird was in good
health and he had no explanation for the leg problem. He would not
prescribe anything else seeing that the Shuichuan treatments had
already produced marvellous results.
Again treating the budgie twice a day. This time the limping
disappeared totally in a week. I still go on giving him at least 5
to 10 minute treatments once a day. The question remains: did the
bird start to limp with the wrong leg to get back his treatment
routine, or was it a real pain?
Bruno (Sydney)
Not just a Poster!
Several years ago I saw a poster which described my life before
joining Shuichuan. The poster showed hundreds of beautiful
penguins crowded together. All of them seemed quite content and
enjoying life. However, one had his head lifted to the sky and was
calling out, "I want to speak to the management." That
penguin was like me - always bewildered, always complaining.
Since starting Shuichuan three years ago, my life has steadily
improved. I am learning to ride the waves of life. Sometimes I
nearly drown, but life has become much easier and a lot more fun.
Thank’s for bringing the Da Chi into my life.
Denise (Sydney)
Shuichuan and Birth
Recently a friend and I were able to experience the working of Qi
in a way which was both interesting and also deeply reassuring in
terms of the nature of the Da Qi.
My friend was due to give birth, and as we both practise Shuichuan,
we decided to do the Shuichuan birth exercise. This exercise is
specifically to tune into the birth process on an energetic level,
and help ease the passage of this crucial life experience for
mother and baby. It can be done before or even during labour
(although we found the latter impossible), and is very simple.
We began by each going into the Shuichuan state. Then, with my
friend lying comfortably, I put my hands gently on her head and we
both imagined a shaft of golden light flowing down the centre of
her body, surrounding the baby and then flowing out into a pool of
light between her legs. There we again imagined the baby, born and
welcome in golden light.
The process took just a few minutes, and afterwards we checked in
with each other what sensations had arisen. I had felt clearly and
strongly that the path to the world outside had been smooth and
free except for one hitch or feeling of obstruction at the final
stage, the birth of the head through the perineum. Afterwards,
there was a beautiful and moving feeling that the baby would come
to a loving and safe environment. My friend had simultaneously
felt a similar flowing, followed by the same obstructed period.
She, however, experienced this as a 'working through' of a very
intense kind, and then followed by the same welcoming joy.
Some days later, the birth of her son bore out what our feelings
had been as reality. We had both been right from our separate
points of view. Experiencing the birth as an outsider, I observed
a calm and smooth labour, followed at the crucial moment of the
crowning of the head, by the physical obstruction of the labour
due to some thick unstretchable scar tissue which held the baby's
head in a vice. By a supreme effort my friend pushed through this,
just as medical intervention seemed necessary. This was the
intense 'working through' which she had experienced in the
Shuichuan session. Her son was born relaxed and alert (and has
since remained a particularly calm and thriving baby!)
The fact of the physical obstruction, as well as the synchronicity
of our experiences negate any idea of the events occurring as a
result of 'planted suggestion' in someone's mind. For me, it has
been a glimpse, small but memorable, of another of the mysteries
(in the spiritual sense of the word) as revealed by the Da Qi.
Jenny (Auckland)
Birth Experience
Shuichuan for me started only a few weeks before the birth with
attending a couple of sessions. I was open and receptive to this
pathway as it resonated with me. I also had a couple of practices
with Shelley prior to the birth to check out "pushing
energy".
On the morning of the birth everything had flowed well till the
baby had become stuck, at which point the midwife had become
concerned. It was then Shelley asked me to try Shuichuan. I
positioned myself at her head, my hands nearly touching (she
couldn't bear to be touched at this time) with the powerful
intention of sending pushing energy down her body, at the same
time visualising the baby being born into a golden bubble between
Shelley's legs. Within just a few minutes, this beautiful being of
love and light emerged.
For me to be present at Gloria's birth was such an honour and
privilege - to witness this miracle was indeed a very special and
holy experience.
Bill (Waiheke Island)
Impressions of Gloria’s Birth
Shortly before giving birth to Gloria, I was lucky enough to be
given some Shuichuan sessions, which helped me to feel my baby, to
feel my own inner essence more deeply. I was already planning a
home birth for this second time, and Shuichuan gave me another
birth alternative. My friend and main support also went to
Shuichuan and learnt this ancient way of helping in labour.
Retrospectively, now seven months later, our birth seems like a
series of memory impressions. The memories start to flow in
distinct, separate and isolated patches. Trying at 4.0 am. to
sleep outside on the deck amongst the trees and stars. Deep tall
Eucalyptus from Australia, old friends of mine from the time of my
first daughter's birth, and a great old grandmother Puriri holding
the whole valley down in front of us. Another memory flash of the
pre-dawn walk along the ridge to lean back against the trunk of a
strong Macrocarpa and breathe a bit.
Coming home and wondering if we are having a baby today or not.
Waiting for a definite sign. At 6.30 am. we phone the midwife,
after waters pouring through the deck. Labour is well under way
now. Everyone arriving. A memory flash of a moon set over the Gulf
in front of us. Holding my own hands - knowing that God was with
us.
The midwife saying "I want you to get this baby OUT
NOW". And me saying, "I can't". Turning to Bill and
asking him to use Shuichuan to help us, and surrendering myself to
that. And then the baby coming and the thankfulness that she is
born now and we are both well and safe.
Shelley (Waiheke Island)
Equine Healing
My new horse arrived with a nasty case of Queensland itch in her
mane which was quite raw looking and tender to touch, with much
flaking skin and a significant loss of hair. She had received
little attention over the past year. The previous owner felt she
had been bashed about the head at some stage during her short
lived racing career. She was not happy to be touched.
A telephone conversation and helpful directions from Eve began the
healing process. Entering into the Shuichuan state I focussed on
asking the Da Qi to guide my hands in healing with the help of
pure Aloe Vera gel. The horse responded by completely resting her
neck on my shoulder and allowed me to touch and work with my hands
completely over the neck area.
The total relaxation and feeling of trust was incredible. A little
exhausting on my behalf with the time involved, but totally
rewarding to watch the healing process and the trust and
friendship she now shows me.
Suzanne (Sydney)
The Horse and the Fly
It was my third visit to treat this particular horse. He had been
through a long and hard racing campaign and was obviously feeling
it.
We clicked from the first treatment. He would stand allowing me
access to him. He would nibble my free arm or gently chew on my
hand. He never once gave me any reason not to trust him.
I was working on his front leg in a crouched position, Stan, the
Trainer's right hand man, was having a yarn to me when he said
"I'll be blowed. That horse just caught a fly for you."
Evidently a fly was hovering 150mm off my head when the horse
flicked his head down and snapped it out of the air. Stan's last
comment was "Cripes, that horse bloody well likes you, you've
got a mate there".
Phil(New Plymouth)
Bad Back Ratty
Her name's Ratty, or at least that's her nickname. Ratty is an
apprentice jockey, weighs in at not much (and about twenty years
old).
Unfortunately for her she was thrown from a horse and suffered two
fractured vertebrae. I had given her a couple of Shuichuan Wai Qi
treatments, giving her some relief, but even though she wasn't
riding the physical nature of her job meant she was continually
putting strain on her back.
On this particular day she asked if I could treat her when I'd
finished doing my horses. I spent about 40 minutes doing a
combination of both hands on and off (An Mo and Wai Qi). Ratty was
still feeling the pain; I instructed her to rest and see how it
goes. On my next visit a week later I was delighted when Ratty
said "You won't believe this, but about ten minutes after you
left the pain disappeared.
Phil (New Plymouth)
Words from the Heart
The following is a true account of my experiences, as I perceive
them. Each word comes from the heart. However, don't believe a
word of what you read until you prove it for yourself.
"We cannot find wisdom in books, nor in any external thing;
we can only find it within ourselves."
Paracelsus (ca 1493-1541)
The practice of Shuichuan has provided a vehicle with which I can
combine the mystical with the physical. It has helped me to
discover the power to " walk my talk " , to put my
acquired knowledge (from many areas) into practice in everyday
life. For instance, at work I am asked to solve logic problems and
debug programmes for people much more experienced than myself.
After struggling with the problem logically for a while with no
success, I surrender it to the Universal Creative Force, and (much
to my amazement), the answer often just pops out of my mouth.
Sometimes I don't even realise what I've said, until the person
I'm helping says, " Of course! Why didn't I think of that?
"
The same technique also works for finding answers to cryptic
crossword puzzles (try it - amaze yourself!), and finding where I
left my car keys.
Another interesting aspect has been a growing awareness of, and
empathy with, plants and animals, as well as people. For example,
I was thrilled when a sparrow ate from my hand, but words cannot
describe my feelings when a large magpie did as well. Magpies are
often not friendly towards people, especially when they have their
babies with them. However, out of a group of them, I just knew
that this particular one was going to come to me, and it did! I
also had an extraordinary adventure with a peacock, wandering free
in a wildlife sanctuary (but that story will have to wait until
next time).
Since beginning Shuichuan:
Each day is a new adventure - I can relax more and enjoy the ride.
Each day a new discovery awaits - I am less fearful and more open.
I feel much happier. It's a happiness that is independent of
outside people or events.
I feel like smiling more! Joy bubbles up to the surface from
somewhere deep inside.
I feel a greater sense of belonging to the earth; I'm more in tune
with nature. People, too, are showing another side of themselves
to me.
Don't get me wrong; I'm not a candidate for sainthood! I still
have my highs and lows; I still feel sad, angry, and scared at
times. But now I have a sanctuary; a refuge that's beautiful and
peaceful and only a breath away from wherever I am. All it takes
is a little commitment, a little perseverance, and a lot of
letting go! For several weeks I came to class, and nothing seemed
to happen - I just stood there, feeling silly. However, looking
back now, I find that I am a different person.
The first time I went to Yu Zhou Ge, (The Song of Heaven classes),
everyone talked about how beautiful it was for them. However, I
felt closed in, surrounded by discord; I wanted to run away. It
was not a pleasant experience, and I did not come back for a long
time. The next two times were a little better, but I still felt
sad, sick and emotionally drained afterwards. I guess that this
was part of the process of releasing stuff that I no longer
needed. By staying with it, by going through these unpleasant
experiences, I was finally able to feel that powerful energy surge
and that wonderful feeling of well-being that I associate with
Shuichuan practice, during my 4th Yu Zhou Ge.
It sounds trite but, from experience I know it's true: if you do
the work, you get the results. If you do sincerely practise
Shuichuan, you may not get what you want every time, but you'll
always get what you need. Knowing this, life is easier, more laid
back. I feel less need for grasping and striving to survive, or to
achieve some desired goal. Instead, I go into the stillness and
ask for what I want. I surrender to the Universal Creative Force,
knowing that I have everything I need. All I have to do is
remember to let go!
Anne (Sydney)
Shuichuan - an amazing new Experience
As soon as I was opened, my head lifted and my neck started to
roll around and around, massaging away any tension in a lovely
circular motion. And then the energy moved slowly down my
backbone, every vertebrae was being massaged and stretched - as if
someone was walking their fingers down my spine. As they touched
each vertebrae my body unfolded, stretching out, moving in
rhythmical circles; slowly at first and then faster and faster,
until the top half of my body was circling like a ballet dancer -
strong and supple and lucid.
Occasionally my mind would creep forward with thoughts of "I
should be getting dizzy by now, but I'm not....I wonder why?"
And then I would just relax and enjoy this amazing trip. Over the
next few weeks I learnt to hush my busy mind and just feel my
breath and feel the energy... and trust that it would be
wonderful.
I have always loved trees. They have been a constant symbol of
strength and beauty in my life. During my first experience of
Shuichuan my arms and legs didn't really move. All the action was
happening in my trunk. But it wasn't long before the branches and
limbs of the tree started to sway and move as the energy of the
wind whipped through them.
Now, my body is a tree and my spirit enables me to feel and see
everything clearly, looking out through the tree tops. My limbs
dance and sway and feel wonderfully free, while all the time my
trunk is anchored by deep, sturdy roots. Sometimes my limbs start
climbing in strong, upward Tai Ji Chuan actions, reaching towards
the heavens, spirit soaring towards a bright white glow and I'm
totally immersed in peace. What a wonderful journey this is!
Judith (Sydney)
In the Eye of a Storm
It feels like being in the eye of a storm with a whirlwind
sometimes going on around me and at times being touched by a
breath of wind. Students with busy lives always ask me how you can
do Shuichuan within busy lives or screaming children and their
busy energy.
Every other meditation needs a lot of time, quietness and space,
while Shuichuan fits into every situation you are in. Shuichuan
can be done while drinking a cup of tea, waiting for appointments
or a bus, when you lie in bed or even on the loo. All you need is
a couple of minutes to fill up with the Da Qi if you can't put a
longer space away for your meditation. If I need Shuichuan I fall
into it wherever I am, and I sometimes even miss out on my
favourite TV programmes because of closed eyes and a dangling
head. Shuichuan works everywhere once you have it strongly.
And working in a Shuichuan state at work or at home, when doing
the cooking or dealing with kids, creates harmonious energies
around you. Everything works smoothly without much stress, as
everybody around you gets affected by this energy
Elisabeth Rusch
Letting Go
Recently I went to a New Age Fair with a friend and it came to my
awareness that during the last decade I have noticed an amazing
growth of interest in human development, personal growth, health
discipline and holistically based medicine. In my experience,
Shuichuan Zi Ran Qigong has the combination of all the systems
because of its holistic nature in dealing with the body, mind and
spirit.
Shuichuan is a self help system for preventing illness and stress
and for enchanting all aspects of life. It is practical and
accessible to everyone to improve health, balance emotions, and
give spiritual expression.
It is true that all work, art, or professional activities, require
practice if we are to succeed. Shuichuan is a process - one must
be patient, practice regularly and consistently. You have to allow
it to happen. Go in deep faith and trust, only then can one
benefit from Shuichuan.
Impatience is the barrier, for such an attitude only creates
difficulties in the process. The Essence of Shuichuan is Wu Wei
(non-doing), that requires that we become quiet, act without
"acting". The Da Qi reveals itself only when we accept
the incomprehensible. The power of the Da Qi becomes apparent at
the moment when we let things go.
The world requires our knowledge and skills, while our Inner Being
insists that we lay aside knowledge and skill for the sake of
inner growth. The World expects us to be continually doing,
whereas our Inner Being requires us to quite simply allow the
right thing to happen. With this we must let go of ourselves as
well as our attitude. The most important element in the practice
of Shuichuan is learning to become open and perceptive to the
inward expression of the Inner Being. It is out of Being that our
inner speaks and touches us. It is the desire "to do"
that prevents us from hearing this inner call. Therefore letting
go requires that we must give up any idea and expectation.
Margaret (Adelaide)
Surrender
I have discovered for myself that there is always movement
present, the river is always flowing. Dropping into the Shuichuan
state is stepping into the river, becoming part of the eternal
movement of the Universe.
Surrender has been the key, and in one of my early classes I
remember hearing the word "surrender" softly in my ear
as I gently flowed, and how surprised I was that there is always
more to surrender to.
Less doing... and more being.
Perhaps I am becoming more of a human being and less of a human
doing!! I really encourage new students to...
Surrender....Surrender....Surrender
Let go, and the infinitely gentle, compassionate and loving Da Qi....flows....a
golden honey'd stream.....through your being....
Having been raised in an environment where we have been trained to
try harder, make an effort, work more, do more, wrong - do it
right, etc, it's the greatest challenge and freedom for us to let
go and let it happen. Let go to the movement, then let go some
more, and something exquisite starts to happen. Once you have
experienced the "strength and gentleness" of the Da Qi
and the Infinite Compassion that starts to spill out around you
when doing nothing, but being everything, you wonder why you
struggled and 'tried' so hard.
Let go....Surrender....never stop....
It sounds so simple, and is, but to come to that point can take a
lifetime. For me, after a lifetime of searching in holy places all
over the world, and in many different spiritual communities, the
Da Qi brought me to my knees where, totally broken hearted,
looking death in the face, and with my hands tied behind my back,
I surrendered. Now every day I let go a bit more, and find a
bubbling joy and wonder percolating into my life. It's as if I
took a canoe to another world which is timeless.
Karenza (Auckland)
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