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AlchemyWujiGong

PrimordialQigong

CultivatingtheGoldenElixir

RogerJahnke,OMD–TheInstituteofIntegralQigongandTaiChi

Alchemy | Wuji Gong - Primordial Qigong 2

ContentsandthePhasesof

aPrimordialRetreat

DedicationtoMasterTeacherDr.ZhouHuiLaoShi ............. 3

WujiisthePrimordial..................................................................... 5

SimpleQigongtoPrepareforPrimordial...............................13

TappingPrimordial .......................................................................14

TappingPrimordialQiPoints.....................................................15

IntroducePrimordial–Wuji–Qigong.....................................17

PowerofCircles–DaoistMedicineWheel .............................18

DaoistMedicineWheel–Illustration.......................................20

DaoistMedicineWheel–Chart ..................................................21

WujiWalking–RidetheDragon................................................22

VortexingPrimordial ....................................................................22

TheMicrocosmicCircuitry–TheSmallHeavenlyCycleorXiaoZhouTian.................................................................................25

ZhuHuiLaoShi................................................................................28

AboutDr.RogerJahnke,OMD.....................................................53

Acknowledgments ..........................................................................54


DedicationtoMasterTeacherDr.ZhouHuiLaoShi

ZhuHui,areveredmasterteacherofChineseMedicine,QigongandMedicalQigonglearnedWuji Gong from Li Tong aDaoistmonk from the historic and celebrated,sacredWuDangMountain,thehomeoftheDragonGate(LongMen)branchoftheDaoist School of Perfect Reality (Quan Zhen) — and a revered center of ElixirAlchemy. Li Tong learned Wuji Gong from a long line of master teachers whoreceivedtheoriginaltransmission,itisclaimed,fromthelegendaryalchemistZhangSang Feng a luminary hermit from Wu Dang Mountain who is also, legendarily,claimedastheoriginatorofthespirituallyenlightenedmartialart,TaiChi(Taiji).I have been blessed to travel to China eight times to explore the essence of Qi,Qigong,Taiji, ChineseEnergyMedicine, andDaoism. Iwas extremely fortunate—destinyfortune—tomeetDoctorZhuHuiinthe1990sandstudiedwithhimonceandsometimestwiceayearfor5years—profound!He was an extraordinary teacher (recently passed through the Wuji Gateway),becausehemodeledthepowerofpersonalcultivation.Healwayslookedforwaystosupport students, and even those who considered themselves teachers, inunderstandingthattheonlyrealmasterteacheristheactualpersonalpracticeitselfdone in a deep and sustained state of enthusiasm, sincerity and awareness of theeternal.


StartingPointsThis isnotsomuchacomprehensivebookof information; it ismoreanoutlineofkey concepts, discussion points and practices. You will find thoughts, lists andpractices all of which will make best sense as they are strung together with the“experience”ofaPrimordialRetreat.

ToThoseTrainingToTeachPrimordialWhilethisisaretreatandyouwillwanttoexperiencethedeepeningintotheWujiatmosphere,youarealsointrainingtoteachyourstudentsaboutAlchemyandWujiGong. There are specific requirements that include practicing, mentoring andteachingothersaswellaswrittenassignmentstoachieve.


WujiisthePrimordialChinesemedicineandphilosophyareprofoundinthattheyarebased,ultimately,onthe idea that within oneself there is an irrevocable presence of the nature of allnature,previoustothebeginningoftheUniverse.WithinusistheresonanceofthenatureofselffrombeforetheBigBangwhentherewasnothingbutundifferentiatedpotential.Therearehugeimplications:

• We have within us our own “origin” and even the origin of the entireuniverse.

• Wearealreadyimmortaloreternal.Wecannotsuccessfullyaspiretobecomeimmortal,becauseweareimmortalandhavenevernotbeenimmortal.

• Thereisanaspectofusthatisneverunwell;weareeternallywell.• Thereisanaspectofusthatcannotgetsickandisneverdisabled,nomatter

whatthebodyandthesensesmaybeexperiencing.• Thiscomponentofourbeingcannotdie;itisinvincible.• It is impossible that there is amedicine fromoutsideofus that is equal in

powertothemedicinewithin.KeyPracticalConcepts#1–EnergeticEquivalentsofQi

• Function–TheBodyphysiologicalactivity–ERGS• IonActivity–bio–energetic• MagneticField–beyondthebody• Quantum–OriginalQi=PresenceofWujiwithin

FromTheHealingPromiseofQi

KeyPracticalConcepts#2–TheContinuumofMedicineTheParadigmofMedicine,Health,LongevityandImmortality

• HealDisease–Medicine,ClinicalIntervention• MaximizeWellbeing–HealthCareandWellness• HealthyLongevity–Anti‐AgingandLifeExtension• Immortality–TheGoldenElixirofLife–AccessingandExpressingthe

EternalClassicViewofChineseMedicine


TheUltimatePhysician–fromLaoZi’sDaoDeJing–400500BCE

• AreyouabletocalmyourtypicallydistressedconsciousnessandsettleintoawarenessoftheUltimateUnitaryNature—ONEness?

• Do you have an energetics practice— Qi cultivation for body, breath andmindthatsupportsyouincultivatingyouressenceandenergytosustainthesupplenessandemptymindednessofanewbornwithnocares?

• Whenyouturnyourattentioninwardtoyourultimatenature,areyouabletodisassociate the local manifestations and perceive that pure radiant innerlightofeternalpresence?

• In your relationships, are you able to model virtue and simultaneouslyaccommodatethebehaviorsofotherswithcompassionandlove?

AncientRulesofMedicine–HuangTiNeiJing,300BCE

1. HonortheSpirit.2. Teachpeopletosustainwellbeingratherthantreatingdiseases.3. Treatpeoplewhiletheyarewelltokeepthemwellratherthanafterhealthis

lost.FromaLaterDayDaoist

GoldenElixir isanothernameforone'sfundamentalnature . . .Thereisno other Golden Elixir outside one's fundamental nature. All humanbeings have this Golden Elixir complete in themselves: it is entirelyrealizedineverybody.Itisneithermoreinasage,norlessinanordinaryperson. It is theseedof the Immortalsand theBuddhas, therootof theworthiesandthesages.–LiuYiming(17341821)

FromtheSecretoftheGoldenFlower

ConsciousnessISlight.Turnthelightaroundtofocuswithin.Experiencethatwhichisthemostreal

EarliestWorkshopsofDr.Jahnke–1977

AWAKENTHEHEALERWITHIN• FIRST,honortheSpirit.• Themostprofoundmedicineiswithin.• Thepatientisthedoctor.• Thediseaseisthecure.• Wehavethepowerandthenaturalcapacitytopreventandhealdiseasefor

free!


ThePrimordialisWujiTheultimate ideal that ispresentwithinChinesemedicine andphilosophy is thatthe aspect of oneself that exists (not past tense “existed” — because it is now)previoustotheBigBang—thebeginningofthedimensionalandtemporaluniversethatwedwellwithin—isavibrantpresencewithinourownbeingnow.Thisisthereasonwhythetheories,philosophiesandmethodologiesoftheChinese“approach” to medicine and to life reflect on Origin — the boundless, timelessPrimordial. In Chinese Medicine there are the 3 essential Primordial features ofone’sbeing.TheseareTheThreeTreasures:

• Originspirit–YuanShen• Originenergy–YuanQi• Originsubstance(DNA)–YuanJing

ThesethreecomponentscomprisetheOriginSelf(originalself,eternalself),whichareirrevocablypresentwithinthelocalself.Imaginethatthereiswithinyouaconnectionto,andthepresenceof,anaspectofyourselfthatislikeaportalthatistimeless,boundless,eternallywell,whichhasnobodyorsubstance,nocapacitytohavepainorregret,cannotbecomesickanddoesnot die. That is probably impossible to understand using our current brain,personalityandsensorysystem,sorelaxand turnyourattention toobserving theevidenceofthatwhichcanonlybeknownthroughexperience.LaoZisaid,“Theexplanationoftheimpossibletoexplaincannotbearticulated.”OR“TheDaothatcanbespoken,cannotbetheactualDao.”Remarkable!AndtheancientsinChinaandIndiaaswellastheindigenousshamansknewaboutthisbeforethebeginningofwriting!Thisparadigmorwayofunderstandingthingsisdeeplyreveredinthecoreofeveryspiritual tradition —the ‐isms — Daoism, Buddhism, Shamanism, Hinduism,Judaism, Sufism andNon‐Dualism aswell as in Christianity and Islam and also inTheosophy.Since1905,whenEinsteinwrotehispapersonrelativity,light,electrodynamicsandE=mc2, the fundamentals of physics were completely revised. Time, distance andmassbecamesecondarytolight,energyandconsciousness.


Whatthismeans,inverysimpleterms,isthatwhatlooksrealisnot.Andtruerealityisimpossibletoperceivewiththesensesthatweusetoperceiveeverything.Thisisbothdistressingandexciting!Whatarewe?Think of it this way, we are only one part substance while we are probably, atminimum,4partsnon‐substance.Thismeansthatthesensesweusetodetermine“whatweare”andwhatweareexperiencingareonlydetectingoneofour5partswhile the senses thatweuse to determinewhatwe are experiencing are actuallyunabletodetect4ofourparts.Theaspectsofourbeinginclude:

1. Thebody—detectableandobjectivelymeasureable.2. Consciousness—mind,emotions,intellect—notyetquantifiablydetectable

exceptasimpressions.3. Localenergy—ions,magneticfield—detectablebutnoteasily,canbefelt

however,butnotobjectivelymeasured.4. Non‐localsubtleenergy—quantum—notdetectable,hasnodimensionality.

Arequantaabletobequantified?5. Spirit—whichisnotdetectable,physicalormeasurable.

Inotherwords,only1of5aspectsofourbeingcanbedetectedandmeasured,while4of5are,forresearchandproofpurposed,immeasurable.The implications of this are that the only way we can know ourselves is to getcomfortablewith the fact that radical attentiveness; inner observation and directexperiencearethesuperiorpathwaystoself‐knowingandhealing.This is actually, still, quite naïve. In fact thosewho understand these things wellactuallyarticulatethatwecan’tevensaythattherearethese5dimensions,becauseultimatelytherearenodimensionsandnothingparticularatallanywherebecausethereisnomatterandthereisnowhere.Nothingmatters=thatwhichmattersthemostisnothingornotathing.

Nothing"matters"?

Nothingmatters=thatwhichmattersthemostis"nothing"ornotathing.Nowhere=nowhere!

Howdowegeta"here"—whenthereisnone?AHHHH!TheMystery!


MEDITATION–ItisallMeditation–StillnessinMovement,MovementinStillnessIntheultimatesense,everythingthatwearepointingtohereimpliestherelevanceof meditation. Because there are so many kinds of people, it is completelyinappropriatetoassumethateveryoneoranyoneshouldsitstill,bequietandemptythemind.Formany,meditationistorturousandimpossible.However,intherealmofreachingforourultimateself, theaspectthat istypicallyneglectedandundernourishedbythecharacterorpersonality,meditationofeveryformisapowertool—anessentialskill.In the pursuit of comfort and peace, the process of focusing on the present andcultivating thecapacity tostill themind, focusing theawarenessanddirecting theconsciousnessissupreme.Thisismeditation—lying,sitting,standing,andwalking.Sittingstillmeditationisgood.Dynamic,movingmeditation,formost,isbetter.In Qigong and many of the methods for the cultivation of inner peace, healing,diseasepreventionandstressmastery,theultimate“win”istobeabletoelectwhatthemindisdoingasopposedtosimplystandingbyandwitnessingtheminddoingwhateveritdoes,initscrazyandoftenmildlyhystericalway.WemeditateinmanywaysinPrimordialQigong.Feelfreetoself‐direct.WujiBecomesTaiji(TaiChi)–NoThingBecomesSomeThing


TheSomeThingBecomesDimensionalandMeaningfulTherearenumerouswaysthat theONEbecomesthetwoandmore.SeeDaoDeJing.DiscusstheBaGua—theeightdimensions.DiscussChinesePhysicsanddrawthedescentofthedimensions,includingthe4lateraldirectionsandtheThreeTreasuredverticaldimensions.TimeandCounterTime=NoTimeandTimelessnessVerybriefly,theonlytworeasonswhywebelievethereistime:

• Everyonewehaveeverknownhaslivedasifthereis—andthat’sbecauseoftherelationshipofthesuntothesurfaceoftheearth.

• Weappeartoage.Itwilllikelynotbesoonthatwewillunderstandthiswellenoughtoaltereitheroftheseperceptionssignificantly.However, we can experience timelessness through radical observation of thepresentinthecompanyofanintentiontodisassociatefromthecomplexity—timebasedusually—ofour lives. Interestingly,we can create time though it isusuallyimpossibletofindtime.PrimordialQigong,WujiGong,isdesignedtosupportusinshiftingourrelationshipwithtime.VortexingtoCelebrateourRelationshipwiththeEternalPresentPrimordial Qigong,Wuji Gong, purposefully uses spiraling tometaphorically, andeven actually, neutralize time to create an “atmosphere” of or a “portal” to thevibrantthoughfleetingpresentwhereinthemostprecious(andneglected)aspectsoftheselfcanbecomemorepalpable.Wewill practice vortexing in severalways— theDaoMedicineWheel (single ordoublevortex)andPrimordialQigong,WujiGong(alwaysadoublevortex).TheGoldenElixirofImmortalityTheGoldenElixirofImmortalityisthegoal,thetarget,theintent,theprize,andthegiftofthehighestformsof“cultivation.”


It seems strange — immortality?? Here is why. In our culture we believe thatimmortality is the fantasy of living forever in the bodywe have today. To other,moresophisticatedculturesitiswidelyunderstoodthatweareinherentlyeternalinaspiritualandinaquantumsense.Therefore, you can’t become immortal— you already are immortal. The GoldenElixir of Immortality is themost highly refined essence of self which has existedforeverinwhatwecalltimeandwhichhasexistedindefinitelyinwhatwecallWuji.YoucannotpurchasetheGoldenElixirorimmortality.Youalreadyhavethem.TheopportunityofpracticingAlchemyisnottobecomeimmortal,butrathertodevelopthecapacitytorightlybeimmortal—toexpresstheprofoundtruthofeternalbeing.WujiGongastaughtbyChangSengFeng,throughLiTongandZhuHuiis,amongthemany forms with that same name, especially suited to support you in yourrelationship with your golden alchemical potential, your rarified self, your mostrefinedbeing,yourconditionedselftransformed,youreternalnature.AncientEsotericDiagramoftheGoldenElixirHereisgraphicrepresentationofthe“Secret”oftheGoldenFlower,theprocessforgeneratingtheGoldenElixir.


KeepitSimple–YetProfoundNo matter how complex or esoteric this body of knowledge has ever become,historically,itstillmeansonlyonthing:At essence, nomatterwhat else youmay experience, you are eternal, irrevocablywell and invincible.Ultimately, you cannotget sick, youareneverwrongandyoucannotdie.Essentially,youareimmortal.Youmakethemostprofoundmedicine—TheGoldenElixirofEternalLife—withinyourownbeing.Youcan’tbuythiselixir;youcanonlyhaveitforFREE,throughsustainedpracticeandpersonalrevelation.


SimpleQigongtoPrepareforPrimordialIn all of the ancient traditions and methodologies, simple Mind‐Body EnergeticsPractices are used to prepare to enter the Portal of Origin — the pre‐cosmic,Primordialdomain.PracticalQigongpreparesyouforWujiGong.ReferenceTheHealerWithin(HW)andTheHealingPromiseofQi(HPQ).

• 3IntentfulPointsofFocus–HPQ

• BreathofPeaceHealth–HW

• BreathofPower–HW

• SpontaneousQigong–aclassicWujiMethodinboththeHWandHPQ

• ClearingtheQiMatrix–TracingtheChannels,EnergizingtheOrgans–HWandHPQ


TappingPrimordial

There are numerous systems of “Tapping Qi,” some ancient, some contemporary.Tapping Primordial Qi is an ancient system tapping long honored acupunctureenergeticpoints thatareassociatedwith theaspectofoneself that is timelessandboundless—thespiritself,theeternalself.When we purposefully associate with the eternal aspect of ourselves, the worry,fear,doubtandevenpainofthelocal‐historicselfcanbeneutralizedbythepowerofournatural,eternalspiritualwhole‐nests.TobeginTappingPrimordialQi, thinkoforwritedowna statementof somethingthatisanissueforyou.Itcanbeaphysicalailment,somethingthatstressesyouatwork, a spiritual doubt, or a financial issue. There are no limits towhat you canaddressandtransform.Onceyouhavenamedtheprobleminanopeningstatement,alsothinkoforwriteapositiveaffirmationaboutitsoutcome.Herearesomeexamples:

“EventhoughIfeelworriedattimesaboutthefuture,Iamabsolutelysurethateverythingwillunfoldinaccordwithhighestgoodandharmoniously.”“Eventhoughmykneestillhurtsat times, Iknowthat it ishealingthoroughly,allowingmetomoveaboutwithease.”“EventhoughIamfeelingoverwhelmed,Itrusttheuniverseandmypotentialforgood.”

Gotoeachof thepointsorareasof thebody listedbelow.Repeat the “statement”(acknowledgment of the challenge, plus affirmation) to yourself as you gently tapthepointswiththefingertips.Gotothenextpointorareaofthebodyonlywhenyoufeelthatyouarethroughwiththatpoint.Saythestatement,andkeeptappinguntilyoufeeldone.


TappingPrimordialQiPointsThePointsKi1•BubblingWell–YongQuan•Locatedon thesoleof the foot,between the second and third metatarsal bones, one‐third the distance from thewebsofthetoestotheheel.GV20•HundredMeetingPoint–BaiHui•MeetingpointontheGoverningVesselwiththesixyangchannelslocatedonthemid‐sagittallineonthecrownofthehead,attheintersectionofalineconnectingtherightandleftearapices.Third Eye Point •Yintang •This point is located between the eyebrows in thegroovewherethebridgeofyournosemeetsyourforehead.GreatSun•Taiyang•Locatedatthetemples.GV28•GumIntersectionYinJiao•Meeting Point on the Governing Vessel withtheConceptionVessel located in themouth,at the junctionof the frenulumof theupperlipwiththeuppergum.AnImmortalityPoint,aliferecoverypoint.CV24•SauceReceptacleChengJiang•MeetingPointontheConceptionVesselwith the Governing Vessel, Large Intestine and Stomach Channel, located on thechin,inthedepressioninthecenterofthementolabialgroove,belowthemiddleofthelowerlip.CV17ThymusShangZhong•Locatedintheuppercenterofthechestbehindthesternum.SolarPlexus•Locatedhalfwaybetweenthebottomofthesternumandthenavel.SpiritGate•CV8•ShenQue•Locatedatthenavel.IncludealsoGuanYuan,CV4,GateofOriginandQiHai,CV6,OceanofQi.InnerandOuterGates•InnerGatePe6NeiGuanandOuterGateTB–5WaiGuan•(Pinchatthesametime).TB‐5islocatedontheoutsideoftheforearms,threefingerwidthsabovethewrist in the hollow between the bones. Pe‐6 is located between tendons on theinsideofarmsthreefingerwidthsabovethewristcreaseclosesttothepalms.SpiritGate•Ht7ShenMen•Ht‐7islocatedonthetransversewristcrease,inthesmalldepressionbetweenthepisiformandulnabones.PalaceofMerit•Pe8LaoGong•Pe‐8islocatedonthepalmarsurface,betweenthesecondandthirdmetacarpalbones,proximaltothemetacarpophalangealjoint.


Youhavereachedthefinalstep!PlacetheLaoGongpointstogetherinthehandsinprayerpositionoronehandovertheother(LaoGongtoLaoGong)overthenavel.Takeadeepbreathorafewdeepbreaths.Whenyoufeelcomplete,say“andsoitis”or“Iamthat,Iam.”Youmayfeelthe need to go another round to reach resolve. Begin again at the BubblingWellpointsonthebottomsofthefeet.Repeatasmanytimesasyouwishuntilyoufeelcenteredandcalm.


IntroducePrimordial–Wuji–Qigong

TheIntegralTeachingMethod–PrimordialWithoutTurningThe Integral Teaching Method makes things easy. We will learn Wuji Qigong inphases.Wewilllearnthetwoparts—EarthlyCycleandHeavenlyCycle—eachasaseparate Qigong Practice. It is rarely easy or even possible to learn fromwrittentext.So,thekeyisthepractice,butlearnedandpursuedatyourownpace.Hereitiswritteninsimpleterms.CRITICAL CONVERSATION about the practice: In Wuji there is no right andwrong, and there isno form!Yet, therearemany formsofWujiGongdesigned totakeyoutoandthroughtheWujiPortal.Moreimportantthanlearningtheform,isrelaxing into complete acceptance of thatwhich spontaneously arises,moment tomoment.Part1–EarthlyCycle–AcknowledgetheBodyMindandEnergeticsTheAncientDragonPolishesthePearlofImmortality

1. Align2. Open–stepright3. WujiSphere–bothsides,rightfirst4. WujiSphere–TracetheHeavenlyCycle5. PlaceWujiinSky–MysticalWindow–R,L,R6. PlaywithWuji–vertical(lengthencelestial),horizontal(openearthly)7. GatherYinandYang–EarthandHeaven8. StandorSitinWuji9. Close

Part2–HeavenlyCycle–AcknowledgetheSpiritTheAncientDragonGathersandAbsorbsLighttoTranscendTime

1. Align2. Open3. WujiSpheretorightonly4. GatherandAbsorbLightintotheEternalEye5. DirectLightintotheTorso6. GatherfromEarthandHeaven

Part3–Wuji–AcknowledgetheBeyond(Nondual,Boundless,Quantum)

1. StandingandSittinginWuji


PowerofCircles–DaoistMedicineWheel

In the relaxation and meditation traditions of the ancient cultures regulation ofmind goes beyond simply focusing on the body. In theNativeAmerican tradition,natureisthesourceofalllifeandhealing.IntheChristiantraditioncontemplationisfocusedondivinegraceandthelightofspirit.InbothQigong(ChiKung)andYoga,onepurposefullydrawshealingenergyandthelightofspiritfromnatureandtheuniverse.Ratherthanlimitingattentiontospecificbody parts as in arms legs, organs, etc, creative attention is focused on thevisualization of the function of vital resources (vitality, energy), passageways andgateways. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is conceived that energy can begathered from water, mountains, trees and the universe through nearly 1,000acupunctureenergygates(points)distributedoverthebody’ssurface.TheenergyofHeaven,calledYang,isnaturallydrawndownwardtowardtheEarth.TheenergyoftheEarth,calledYin,isnaturallydrawnupwardtowardtheHeaven.Thesetworichuniversalresourcesareconsideredtobetheessentialenergiesoflifeandhealthastheycirculateandinteract inthehumanbody. Atthesurfaceof theEarthwhere these energiesmix, is the realmof biological life, the biosphere. TheChinese,aswellastheIndianswholivesouthoftheHimalayanMountains,believethat one can deliberately draw upon the energy of the heaven, the earth and thebiospheretoenhanceandharmonizeone’sownpersonalenergy.Start by getting comfortable, either standing in theOpening Posture, or sitting orlyingdown.Allowyourbreathtobedeep,slowandrelaxed. Witheachinhalationyouaregatheringtheresourceofoxygenwiththebreath.Atthesametimeimagine,visualize or feel (if you can), that you are also gathering in vitality (Qi) from theheaven,theearthandthebiosphere.Imaginethatyougatherthroughthousandsofenergy gateways. The Chinese believe that this absorption of energy is alwayshappening to sustain life. In thispractice, youaremultiplying theextent towhichthisisoccurring.Yourattentionandintentionfocusesthepowerofthecircleformedbyhonoringthedirections.Ancientculturesandreligioustraditionsbelievethatthelifeenergiesreacttoourthoughtsandintentions.Currentresearchfromnumerousdisciplines,particularlyonneurotransmittersor“informationsubstances,”suggeststhatthisistrue.


With each exhalation allow your self to slip deeper and deeper into relaxation.Visualize the internal healing resources circulating throughout the system in theenergychannels. Youmayfeelwavesofwarmth,tinglingoraflowingfeeling.It isnotnecessarytoknowthechannelpathwaysordirections.This all happens automatically. Just celebrate the flowof vitality throughout yoursystem. Visualize it going to the organs. You can place your hands on the liver,spleen, kidneys, and heart as you gather theQi. Youmay feel energy orwarmthpassingfromyourhandsintotheorgans.Onyourinhalations,yougatherhealingresources.Onyourexhalations,youaffirmthepowerof those resources circulatingwithinyourbody‐mind‐spirit to increasehealth and vitality. The internal circulation of vitality occurs naturally, as is theaccumulationofvitalforcethroughthebreathandtheenergygates.However,whenyou turn your attention to fostering the natural process of circulation there is anincrease. If you focus your attention carefully inside, you will actually feel theinternalmedicineworking.Continuethispracticefor5to15minutes.Inhale;gatherhealingresourcesthroughbreathandthroughthethousandsofacupuncturegates,whileyourhandspassthebody.Exhale,releasethebreathandcirculatehealingresourcesinternally.Overtheperiodofpracticeyouwillfeeldeeplyrelaxed.UseyourmindintentiontodirecttheflowoftheinternalhealingforcestotheorgansorbodypartsthatneedhealingthemostandsendtheQiofthedirectionstobestoredinthebonemarrow.TurnandfacedifferentdirectionstoperformMarrowWashingtoharmonizeyourpracticewith the seasons. In Spring, face east to gather the energyof awakeningand sprouting. In Summer, face the south to gather the energy of ripening andcomingtofruition.InAutumn,facethewesttogathertherewardoftheharvest.InWinter, facethenorthtogowithinandcultivatepatienceandrest.GatherQifromnatureandpurposefullystore it inthemarrowofthebonestovitalizeorgansandglands,harmonizeimbalances,andhealdisease.


DaoistMedicineWheel–Illustration

NorthWinterNightPassingSeed

Re‐Design

EastSpringMorningBirthSproutInvent

WestAutumnEveningMaturity

FruitHarvestMarket

SouthSummerNoonGrowth

LeafBloomBuild


DaoistMedicineWheel–Chart

Direction

East

South

West

North

Center

Season

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

AllSeasons

Element

Wood

Fire

Metal

Water

Earth

Plant

Sprout

Bloom/Fruit

Harvest

Seed

AllPhases

Life

Birth/Child

Adult

Elder

Rebirth

EveryAge

Focus

Beginning

Work

Reward

Rest

All

Emotions[+]

Clarity

Joy

Caring

Courage

Concentration

Emotions[]

Anger

Hate

Sadness

Fear

Worry

Resolve

Forgiveness

Acceptance

InnerStrength

Will

Trust

Sound

Shuu

Haa

Ahh

Chruee

Whoo

Color

Green

Red

White

Blue

Yellow

OrganYIN

Liver

Heart

Lung

Kidney

Spleen

OrganYANG

Gallbladder

SmallIntestine

LargeIntestine

Bladder

Stomach


WujiWalking–RidetheDragon

Spontaneous walking in oblivion means random, non‐specific stepping. Thispractice isalsoknownasMasterYu’s “SteppingStars toEarth.”Thedragon is thetotem of the formless — Wuji. Formless and spontaneous walking, in a contextwherethereisnoplacetogoandnothingtodo,isakindofWujiGong.WujiWalkingcannotbedescribed,ithasnospecifics.Wewillsimplydoit.

VortexingPrimordial

TheincrediblepowerofWujiGong—PrimordialQigong—isintheneutralizingofthe influence of time, opening a portal to the eternal and resting there. It is, ofcourse, impossibletocreateapictureorgraphicofWuji, justas it is impossibletousea“QigongForm”toexperiencetheformless.However, a picture can depict something that is inexplicable, just as a word canapproximatethatwhichisimpossibletosay—asin“ineffable.”Similarly,aQigongFormcansupportusinapproachingthedomainsofourbeingthatexistbeyondtheboundariesofourcapacitytoconceiveandthathavenocharacteristics.Themoreyoupractice,thelessthereneedstobeanexplanation.Youwill,moreandmore, allow yourself to take on theWuji experience— to dwell within theWujiatmosphere, to take inandexpress theWujidisposition.Themost resilient self isthe self that is infused with the aspects of one’s nature that are indestructible.Mysterious!Soothing!The easiest entry into the fully trusting, indestructible, irrevocablywell self is todisregardortranscendtime.Theregretsliveinthepastandtheanxietiesliveinthefuture,neitherofwhichactuallyexistaccordingtobothwizardsandscientists.Time


transcendenceisnotsomuchpursuedwiththenaïveintentoflivingforeverorevenneutralizing the forces of aging. Time transcendence is focused primarily onexperiencingpeace.TheRadicalPowerofBidirectionalVortexinginWujiGongItiseasytosaythatWujiGong,withitscapacitytosynchronouslygowithapparenttimeandgocountertoapparenttime,bycyclingorvortexingintwodirections,isakinestheticmetaphor,anembodiedmetaphor.Inthiskinestheticmetaphorweusethebodytorepresentgoingwithandgoingcountertotimebyvortexingrightandleft synchronously. The net effect is to cancel the future and the past into therichnessofthefleetingpresent.Thatisinteresting,andithasanicepoetrytoit.However,whenonemovesthebodyin timeneutralizingbi‐directional gestures, synchronously, onedisassociateswithpurposeandintent,fromtimepsycho‐emotionally.Itisbelievedbytheancientsandcertaincontemporaries thataportal isactivated,radically increasingthepresenceofandexpressionofoureternalnature throughthe localself—health,creativity,etc.When we are undistracted, focusedon no thing particular, andsimultaneously we pay radicalattention to the present, there is anatural welling up or a compellingsuper exposure to the presence ofthe indescribable essence of being.That is the Golden Elixir, our owninner alchemical medicine, thepresenceoftheirrevocableactualityof our highest, most refined, mostsupreme nature — the exciting,striking, memorable, compellingrevelationoftheradicalpresenceoftheeternalbeing.Aweinspiring!!Whattodo,whattoattendto,whattothinkornotthinkTheWujiGongpracticeisauniqueform.Thepowerisnotsomuchintheform.Theform takes us to the Wuji portal — the timeless, boundless, eternal — the


primordial.Itturnsinbothdirections,simultaneously.Itcreatesanatmosphere,anawareness, a soothing presence of essence self wherein there is nothing toaccomplish.Do the practice aswell as you canwhile simultaneously cultivating arestful focus on nothing particular, committing to sustaining complete acceptanceandsurrendertothatwhichIS.

• Dothegesturesmatter?No!• IsitOKtogetlost?Yes,itisideal.• Dothenumbersofrepetitionsmatter?No!• DoesitmatterifIlosecount?No!

InWuji there isno center, there isno circumference, there isnoup,nodown,notime,nomass,nomatter.

• Does itmatterwhat direction I start facing?No, but if you like the idea ofcertaindirectionoryouareworkingwiththepoweroftheideaofusingthedirections fortheirearthlyandtranscendentalpowers—well then,pursuethatforthrightly,withsincerityandenthusiasm.

• Does itmatter thateachdirectionhasanassociationwithcertainelements

and other characteristics of Asian Medical and Shamanic practices? No!However,itisdefinitelynomattereitherifyoudofeelstronglyattractedtomental/emotional engagementwith the ideaor theoryof theelementsandcharacteristicsofthedirections,anditmatterstoyoupersonally.Thistooisokay.Itisespeciallyprofoundtoallowyourselftobemorefullyengagedwithdisassociatingfromthecomplexityofyourlife.

Isitpracticaltoactlikethisorlivelikethis—theWuji disposition? No, not especially. But then,what is the most important “Way” of being?Everyone must confront this. When youpurposefully go on retreat with the intent ofcontacting deep and neglected aspects of yourbeing,youinvitethis.So, now, with such a purpose, it is completelypractical to sustain the Wuji disposition. Laterwhen you are negotiating the price of a car orhouse,orifyouaredecidingtochangeyourcareerdirection,therearefactorsassociatedwiththehistoricandsensoryrealmofthingsthatmustbeattendedto—intheTaiji,duality.However,itiscompletelyreasonabletokeepyourawarenessofthePrimordial,theirrevocableeternalpresencewithinyourfieldofbeing.Awarenessandexpressionof “Origin,” the pre‐time‐space nature, is always useful. How elsemight the greatluminarymodelsofrighteous livingbe?Well—insustainedassociationwith that


timeless,boundlessONE—Unity,wecultivateequanimity…somedaysmore,somedaysless.

TheMicrocosmicCircuitry–TheSmallHeavenlyCycleorXiaoZhouTianTherearemanywaystoapproachquiescentsittingorstandingwithinnerfocusmeditation.ThemostclassicmeditationsfromtheChinesetraditionsare:

1. MindfulFocusonthePresent–Breath,Sight,Hearing2. SmallCycleofHeaven–MicrocosmicOrbit

#1isfairlystraightforwardandwewilluseitearlyinthePrimordialRetreat.#2requiressomeexplanation.AsAbove,SoBelow.InthemeditationontheSmallHeavenwithin,oneconnectswiththepresenceoftheeternalenergyofcreationwithinoneself.


Somuchmorecouldbesaid.Reflecting—thatwhichiswrittenorsaid,cannotpossiblydescribethatwhichweseektoexperience.Themasteryisinthepractice.



ZhuHuiLaoShiAnExtraordinarilyOrdinaryPortaltoBoundlessness

Whetherby“reversal”orby“advancing,”Ultimatelyitis“returning”—ReturningtoWuji—Origin,ONEness,UndifferentiatedTruth/Unity—ThatisinevitableForallbeingsandthings.Yet,whiletheendintentisinourarrivingAttheultimateandsupreme,ThemostimpressivemarvelIsintheordinary—Eachmoment,eachday.ThegoldenformulaIssimplyingoingforthrightly,AgenuineTruePersonPerseveringlyproceeding,Trustingcompletelythatwhichnaturallyarises.

CompliedfromStatementsofDoctorZhuHuiWhenpeopleaddressedhimas,“TeacherZhu”(ZhuLao Shi) or “Doctor Zhu” (Zhu Da Fu), he wasimmediately attentive, responsive and kind.However,whenaddressedas“MasterZhu”(ZhuShiFu),hewouldputuphishandinawave‐offgesture,suggestinghewouldrathernotengage in that levelofrelationship.This was not just a gesture of humility; he wasactually waving‐off the role of source of wisdom,source of solutions, or wizard. Though certainly awizard in his own right, ZhuHui chose instead therole of teacher, and forme personally, he took the

roleofempowermentresourceandportaltotheprofoundwithinthesimple.His demeanorwas actually quite refreshing in that period of theChinese “QigongRush”(later1980’sthroughmid1990s)whensomanysnakeoilsalespersonsandself‐proclaimed GrandMasters were intent on the gaining the status of “wizard,”veryoftenassociatedwithgeneratingrevenue.


ZhuHui, forme,wasoneof themostbona fideZhenRen—TrueBeings—IhadevermetsincemyfirstTaiChiclassin1967andalltheyearsofstudyingwithmany“master”teachers,practicingChineseMedicineand8pilgrimagestoChina.Andyet,hewasveryinconspicuousandunderstated—anextraordinary,ordinaryman.ZhenRen–ATrueBeing–andGoldenElixirAlchemyIn the Chinese “paradigm” or worldview the most elevated, cultivated, virtuousperson, ZhenRen, becomes such an individual through radical observation of thenatureofselfandthenatureofnature.Thelistofqualitiesofsuchanindividualis,well,fantastic!ThesequalitieswillshinethroughasweexploreZhuHui’spresence.Twoqualitiesarerightatthetopofthelist.First,whichisuniversaltoallcultures,disinterest in the complexityofhumanaffairswith theaccompanyingpresenceofgreat virtue.This is usually referenced as enlightenment and is always associatedwith a calmandhighly compassionatedemeanornomatterwhat the situation. InChina suchaTrueBeing is referred to as an “immortal.” ZhuHuiwasdefinitely aclassicimmortal.The second, which is purely Chinese, is the concept of the Golden Elixir ofImmortality.Theindividualwithinhisorherownbeingproducesthiselixir.WhilealchemyappearedveryearlyinChina—evenprevioustothe“CommonEra”inthecenturiesprevioustorecordedhistory—itcontinuedtoberefinedandisstillapartoftheChineseculture.HereisafairlyrecentquotefromLiuYiming(1734‐1821):

GoldenElixir isanothernameforone'sfundamentalnature . . .Thereisno other Golden Elixir outside one's fundamental nature. All humanbeings have this Golden Elixir complete in themselves. It is entirelyrealizedineverybody.Itisneithermoreinasage,norlessinanordinaryperson. It is theseedof the Immortalsand theBuddhas, therootof theCelestialWorthiesandtheSages.

ZhuHuihadexperiencedthisasarevelation,livedthiswayandtaughtotherswhowereattentiveaboutthis“medicine”thatisirrevocablypresentwithinallbeings.Asapracticalwizardoftheordinary,hewasn’tespeciallyorientedtousingthe“GoldenElixir”language.AsnotedbyLiuYiming,everyonealreadyhastheGoldenElixir.Itispracticalandwithinreachofall.Anyonecommittedtosincereandenthusiasticpracticecanactualize theGoldenElixirof Immortality.ZhuHuiwasclearlysuchahuman being and he was unassuming and disinterested in the things that mostpeople find completely compelling.Hewaswidely renown as a healer and yet heappeared completely ordinary and had absolutely no mannerisms that wouldsuggesthisstatus.


CaseinPointAtonepointthegroupthatIwashostinginHangzhou(ImperialCapitalofChinafortheSongDynastyandrenaissancecenterforinneralchemy)wasstudyingwithZhuHuiattheNineStreamsQigongSanatorium,inthehillsbetweenthehugeTempleofHeavenlyRefuge,theDragonWellTeaFieldsandtheSixHarmoniesPagodanearthepowerfulQiantangRiverthatbroughttheherbalelixirsfromthemountainsnamedaftertheYellowEmperor.WewereonourwaytotheHangzhouTraditionalChineseMedicineHospital,oneofthe largestTraditionalChinesemedicine (TCM)Hospitals inChina, tomeetwithaQigongphysician,Dr.Zheng.Dr.ZhengwouldtellourgroupthatQiTransmissionisonlyusedtoenhancethepracticeofanindividualbutthatisastoryforanotherday!Oneofthegroupwasovercomewithanasthmaattackwhileclimbingthestairstothe Qigong department. She had discontinued her medication because she wasfeelingsomuchbetterafterdaysofQigong.ZhuHuisignaledthegrouptogoahead.Istayedandwatchedhimbringthewomanoutoftheattackinafewmoments.InallthedaysthatwehadstudiedwithZhuHui,hehadrarelymentioned“treating”or“doctoring,”eventhoughhewasthechiefphysiciananddirectoratarenownedQigong Hospital/Clinic at Tian Tai Mountain. His intent was to empower eachindividualinthegrouptounderstandtheirowncapacitythroughself‐cultivation.So, on that day,we received themessage twice, from ZhuHui and then fromDr.Zheng at the hospital— Qi Transmission is not a primary, even in the realm ofmedicallyorientedQigong.Theprimaryispersonalcultivation.WritingthisChapterAsasinceregestureofappreciationandrespectforthismanwhoisamongmyownfavoriteandmost revered teachers, Ihaveagreed toparticipate in thisproject: towriteareflectiononthepowerfulworkofthisextremelygentlesoul—thissecularbodhisattva, this archetypal immortal, this alchemist of the practical, this wizardhiddeninplainsight.IwasfortunatetostudywithandcometoknowZhuHuioveranumberofyearsonnumerousresearchandtrainingjourneystoChina.Itwasthen,andevennowcontinuestobe,aremarkable.ThroughtheQigongstateandeventhroughoutsomedays,Icontinuetoreceiveguidancethatisclearlyfromsome attenuation of him.What an unexpected gift. It was granted spontaneouslyfollowinghispassing.Fromthemysteryrealmbeyondlife,whichhepointedtosoconstantlyinhisteaching,hecommunicateddirectlytome.


Theideaofwritingaboutthishadsuchamultitudeofprovocativeimplicationsthatconsideringwhether toornot towriteaboutZhuHuiand then todecide todoso(respectfully)createdahugelaborinanalreadybusylifeasDirectoroftheInstituteofIntegralQigongandTaiChi(http://IIQTC.org).However, ZhuHui has givenme somuch, andhonestlywith his guidance, it feelsrighttoreporttoyou.Iamhonoredtohavetheopportunitytowidenhisbeneficentandempowering influenceontheevolutionofQigong,nowoutsideofChina.He isoneofthemostimportantcontributorsinmoderntimeandyet,duetotheparadoxofhisnature,heisnotwellknown.ZhuHuiwas aworld‐class teacher but naturally averted popular attention. I feltcalled, in the spirit of reverence, advocacy, and even of protection, to assure,through thiswriting, that someofhismost compelling insightson thedomainsofQigong,healing,mind‐bodypracticeandespecially thedomainofappliedalchemybeincluded.WujiQigong—PrimordialQigongisatthecenterofthisstoryanditsteachings.Personally,my experience ofworkingwith Zhu Huiwas like entering a portal towhathasbecomemyabsolutelypreferredQigongandTaiChi “Way”—Wuji. It ispossible that the information you are now reading, depending on your ownreadiness,willbeaportal foryou.Itwillrequire,however,thatyousurrenderthelongingforsomeonetobeyourdoctor,guruormaster.Itwillrequire,instead,thatyouownyourowndirectconnectionwithyourpersonaldestiny, and eventually your own essential position in Wuji wherein there is nolocationandessentially,nothing.ThatistheessenceofZhuHui’steaching.ThatisAlchemy!SinceourtimetogetherinChina,especiallysincehispassingandasIhavefollowedonaspecificpromisetohim—tobringhis“way”totheworldoutsideofChina—ourconnection has continued to be a cooperative venture. It has acceleratedsignificantly sincedeciding towrite thisaccount.ZhuHuipassedaway in2002; ithasbeenandwillbeinterestingtoexperienceandthenarticulatewhatthisongoingcollaborationmeansovertime.FornowIamclearthatheisinfluencingmethroughPrimordialQigong,orthatPrimordialQigongitselfisinfluencingme.PromisesandZhu’sIntenttoSpreadtheGoodThe essence of the challenge that Zhu Hui’swork presents is essentially amixedmessage.Zhuhadextractedtwopromisesfromme,whichIamhonoredtokeep—onefairlyeasy,oneimpossibletodescribehere.First,“beanambassadorofthis‘Way’ofapproachingQigongintheWesternworld.”As youwill discover, he said this to a number of people. The second, evermore


profound,cannotduetoitsnatureberevealedhere.Thenewsisgood;this“secret”withheldsuggeststhatthe“WujiWay”isnothardtofindorpursue.Itiseasier.Sincerecultivationisthepathinallcases.Iknow,thisisnoteasytomakesenseof.The point will become clearer. Suffice to say that the things, which we usuallybelieve,arethemostimportant,inQigongandinlife,areactuallynotimportantatall.Astothefirstpromise—ambassadorship—evenifyouwerewithhimforaslittleasa fewminutes,hewould recommend this. Ihavebeenpresentmore thanoncewhenhesaidthistoaroomfullofpeoplethathedidnotknow.Ifyouwerewithhimforhourshewouldsayit.Ifyouwerewithhimforaweekhewouldsayit.Havingstudiedwithhim6timesoveraperiodof5years,inmythicalHangzhou,capitaloftheSong ImperialDynasty, for a total ofmanymonths, he asked thisofmemanytimes.Hegenerouslyandenthusiasticallymadethisrequestofmany.Mosthave felt thatwhathehadasked them to sharewashis eloquentQigong forms—WujiQigong,LotusQigong,WildGooseQigongandhisChannelsPattingMethod.FormspracticeiscertainlythestartingplaceforthecultivationofQi,wisdom,virtueandwellbeing.However,hereisacluetowhatimpressedmesodeeplywhenhewasaliveandthathascometomeexperientially,directlyfromhim,everydayinpracticesincehispassing. It is fairlysure,given thedepth towhich Iamhonoredtoknowhim,thatthisismorealignedwithwhatheactuallymeant.ItisthekeytowhatheintendedforyouandthatheintendsthatIassurethatyouunderstand.So, this is ZhuHui speaking to you now, “The ‘Way’ is not the form.” In a kind ofconstantinnercommunication,hewhispersthistomeandhasurgedmetotakethetime toarticulate thismessage foryouhere. Iunderstand that inWuji there isnotime,noheandnome.IfyoucontinuetocultivateyourrelationshipwiththeactualessenceofWuji,youwillunderstandthis.TheFormlessWayYou probably have already figured out that form is the entry‐level vehicle forQigong,andthatformisnottheessenceofQigong.Qigongisnotanexerciseorevenameditation;itismorethana“Way”ofsustainedpractice,ratherawayofbeing.Ifyouhavemetateacherforafewhoursorafewweeks,youmightbelievethattheteachingisabouttheformthatyouarelearning.Thisisunderstandable.HoweverthepromisethatImadetoZhuHuiwastobeanambassadoroftheidealor “Way”of liberation from formand liberation frommanyof themostprevalentassumptionsabouttradition,masters,lineages,methodsandothersacredcowsanddogmaticperspectives.Hewasnotaggressiveaboutthisasamessenger;youhadto


bethere forsometimetowitnesshowthismessagewasdelivered.Hewasnotsomuchaspeakerofthismessage;hewasamodelofthismessage.So,hiswork isnot just abouthealth,diseaseprevention, elements,directionsandnumbersofrepetitions;atitsbasisZhuHui’sbodyofworkisaboutliberationfromthemost dearly held false assumptions about our lives. Itwas such an honor toknowhimwellenoughtounderstandthis,asitisamessagethatmanyhavemissed.DuetothenatureoftheagreementsandpromisesthatweexchangedandthatIcanonlyrelatesomeofhere,ZhuHui’sinfluenceispervasiveinmyownevolutionandteaching. It is the essence of both the content and structure of the Institute ofIntegral Qigong and Tai Chi (IIQTC)—in not only research and training, but also“advancedengagement.”Should you have had the opportunity to read The Healer Within or The HealingPromiseofQiyoumayhavenoticedsubtlereferencesthatareanexpressionofmyrelationshipwithZhuHui.Theteachercannottakeyouthroughthegatewayofself‐discovery,whichistheessenceofQigong.Heorshecanonlytakeyoutothatgate.ZhuHuididthatforme,morethananyotherteacher.And,yes,whenthestudentisready,itisallthemorelikelythattheteacherwillappear.Itisanaïvenewageviewthatthishappensbecausethestudentisfortunate.InWuji,thereisneitherfortunenormisfortune.Thereisnothingparticularbeyondthisgate,whichleadsfromwhatwecall“here”towhatwecall“there.”Thereisonlyspontaneousarising.HonoringourTeachersOnemajorlinkto“theultimate”isguidancefromourteachers,especiallythosewhoencourage our direct, unencumbered association with Dao, Origin, or Essence.Withouthonoringat least twootherofmymost revered teachersbriefly, IwouldnotfeelcomfortablewritingaboutZhuHui.ZhuHuiwasfavoredamongmanyteachersforme.Allbuttwowillremainnamelesshere though I honor them all deeply. Overall I have agreed not to reveal certaindetailaboutspecificteachersuntilaftertheirpassing.Certainlytherearereferencestoallthroughoutmywork.Thesetworeveredteachers,also,tookmetothatgateofpersonaldeepeningwheretheythenindicatedthatIwouldhavetoproceedonmyown. Ioffermysincerestappreciationtoall teacherswhopointtothegatebutdonotclaimtobethegate.ChangYiHsiang(alsoknownasZhangIXiang,LillianChang)isanamazingteacherof the deepest of realms. Shewas the one that, aftermy earliest years of Tai Chi(1967,my first exposure), revealedQigongas a “portal” tounbounded revelation.ShewasnotonlymyfirstQigongteacherbutalsomymaster/mentorinthestudyofacupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. She also embodied the samemessage,“Theformisavehicleforthedisciplinethatopensthe“Way.”


ChiHsiuWeng(DanielWeng)is,ofallmyTaiChiteachers,awaypointerwiththesamemessage.Dr.WengintroducedmetoTungShenChang(TungShengZhang)—“the old man” we called him. He was also known, historically, as the LeapingButterfly.Changwasamythicwrestler/boxerinKungFu(Gongfu)andShuaiChiao.Besides teaching me a profound approach to Tai Chi with powerful martial andhealth overtones, Daniel and “the old man” both demonstrated the power ofconceptual flexibility. That is, the form is not sacred. The key is to cultivate andrefineuniquepersonalaccesstohidden,non‐obviousrealmsandcapacities.All three of these teachers — Zhu, Zhang (Chang) and Weng — contributedsignificantly to the principle or ideal that has become the foundation ofmy owncultivation—theessenceofpersonalcultivationcannotbefixed,itmustbedynamic.Thisisthe“IntegralIdeal.”Whilethefoundationalprinciplesofthecultivationartsarearchetypalandessential,theexpressionissituational,inherentlyinnovativeandmoment‐to‐moment.Purposeful,personal,inspiredpenetrationofuniversalessence—Dao—istherichestdynamicoftheQiinassociationwiththeGongofcultivation.I will write more about teachers Chang and Weng in time. Visit my blog athttp://drjahnke.feeltheqi.com.Fornow,here iswhat I canshareonZhuHui.VisittheInstituteofIntegralQigongandTaiChi(IIQTC)websitehttp://IIQTC.orgforthemorethoroughaccountonmyrelationshipwithZhuHui.SomeClassicZhuHuiTeachingsAskthisquestion.Atwhatpointdoesthemasterteacherimpartthemostprofoundmessage? Or, better, ask at what point can the student understand the mostprofoundmessage?Imention thisbecause ifweare toactuallygrasp the “Way” fromZhuHuioranyteacheritisusefultounderstandthatsheorhe,likeallgreatteachers,isalwaysonthe look out for suitable keepers of the true message. This knowledge wouldtypicallybesomethinglike—theexperienceoftruthoronenessintheviewoftheteacher, interpreted in accord with her or his deepest knowledge andunderstanding. You will read many views on the “Way” and of Wuji. The pointsfollowingare fromtheperspectiveof someonewhoknewZhuHuiwellandspenttimeonmanyeveningsattheNineStreamsSanatoriumdiscussingandaskingandrefining.The Nine Stream Sanatorium was a classic Qigong hospital, retreat center overbetweentheDragonWell tea fieldsandthehugeRiverthat flowsfromtheYellowMountains (Huang Shan). Nine is the supreme power number of the Daoists andstreamsarenot justpassagewaysofwater, streamsarebodiesofknowledge.Thesanatoriumwasjustbelowthetopofasmallmountainborderingonthepropertyofa Daoist temple complex that had not been rehabilitated since the Cultural


Revolution. Zhu Hui took me there one day to see the most ancient ginkgo tree(symbolofchangelessness, inevitablechangeand longevity) that Ihaveeverseen.Hewasintentonhavingmeunderstandthatwewereonhallowedground.HistoricallyChinawasinthemidstoftheQigongRushwhenhesaid,“Takeanythingthatyouhearfromanyonetenuously,afterallthegreatestsourcecannotbeoutsideofyou.”Ipassthatcautionontoyounow.Therearemanybeautiful,counterintuitivepoints(“secret”insights)thatIcansharehere.BecauseIwastheleaderofnumerousstudygroupsthatlearnedfromhimandpracticedwithhim,wespentmanyeveningsindeepdialogue,planningclassesandevents aswell as clarifying finerpoints. Itwashis intent, I believe, to assure thatevery visit that we had over 5 years contribute to my understanding—what hecalleddeepening.1.TheDemandforReverenceThemostpowerfulreasonformyreverenceforZhuHuiisthathedidnotshowanydesireorneed tobe revered.Hewas abeautifulmodel ofmastery, brilliance andcompassionandhewasespeciallysincereinthatheneedednoacknowledgementofhismastery.Out of curiosity I asked him if he had had teachers who forced the demand forreverenceandifthatwaswhyhedidnotespeciallylikeorcultivatereverencefromhisstudents.Henotedthathehadsuchteachersanddidreverethem.Andhethenadded,thatheknewthatsuchbehaviorswereadirectcompromiseofthestudent’saccess to the revelation of personal truth and that he could not comfortablyparticipateinsuchadistraction.HealsonotedthatitwasacustominChinatoreverelineageholders,butthathehadmet too many whose views were simply repackaged dogma with very littleassociated genuinewisdom. His deflection of reverencewas actually a gesture tosupport and empower those who were inclined to pursue sincere personalrevelationthroughpractice, tobelieve in themselvesandtheirownnaturalpowerandtobeunobstructedintheirdirectpersonalconnectiontouniversalessence.2.Knowledge,Form,MethodandLineageHe would remind me of the question, “How can knowledge be useful?” Wuji isirrevocablynon‐specific,non‐particular,openandinexplicable.ThewordinEnglishthat is often used here is ineffable. Learning anything can only be a strategy forreaching the understanding that — inevitably — there is nothing to know.EverythingthatlookedorsoundedlikeZhuHuiwaspointingtoamethod,aformora formula foracquiringultimate fulfillment,was inactualityonlyapointingtothepotentialfortheultimatediscoverythatthereisnomethodorformorformulatedknowledge.


The common assumption is that to access ultimate fulfillment, it is expected andevenrequired,thatonemustachievean“innerchamber”relationshipwithateacherandadheretothemethodsandtheknowledgeofthelineage.Withoutthisauthentictransmissioncannotoccur.ZhuHuiwasclearlynotinclinedtothis.ZhuHuiinvitedjustabouteverybodytobecomeanadvocateofhisworkandaskedno one to revere him or his teachings or any lineage or specific knowledge. Itappeared thathewas teaching formsandmethodsbecause theywerean “end”ofsome sort. However, it became clear to me, and likely to anyone who actuallystudiedwithhimforsometime,thatthiswasabsolutelynotwhathewasdoing.Heknewitwaslikelythatpeoplewouldnaturallychangejustabouteverythinghetaughtthem,atleastslightly.Howotherwisecouldheaskthateveryonehemet—eventhosewhohewouldmeetonlybriefly—beanadvocateandambassadorofhiswork?Infact,hisworkiscompletelydeconstructiveforexactlythatreason.Hedemandednoreverencefromanyone,hadnodisciplesandheacknowledgedinawaythatwasobvious toanyonewhowaspayingattention that themethodsand lineagescouldonlybeanearly,earlystepintheprocessofgenuinerevelationandliberationfrommethodsandlineages.Did he buy into the Communist ideal of a social system “for the people”whereinequalaccesstoenlightenmentwasaffordedtoall?Didheagreethatwiththe ideaduring theCulturalRevolution, thatQigongwasanexpressionof theworstof thehierarchical forms of superstitious cults and sects? Was he just a renegade whorejectedthesocial‐politicalsystemoflineages?Washesimplyabrilliant,Qiinfusedwizard,aZhenRen(TruePerson)expressingthe“Way”beyondtheknownpaths?Henevertalkedaboutitortaughtaboutit.Hesimplylivedit.Heclearlyhonoredthosewhofoundlineageaworthyframework.Buttherewasnoevidencethathehonoredthisforhimself.Given,themythologyoflineage,methodandform,thiswas,asyoucanimagine,extremelystriking.In the1990sand theheightof theQigongRush(QigongFever),whenmostof thehighprofileQigong“Masters”andselfproclaimedGrandMasterswerestakingouttheirempires for thenewQigongUtopia,ZhuHui served thepoor in theTianTaiMountain clinic and came to Hangzhou to teach us. These “major players” wereeitherthesuccessorsinoneoranotherlineageorthesourceofanewlybirthed,self‐proclaimedlineage.ZhuHuihadinterestinneitherofthese.Suchcharacters,andthereweremany,rosetoprominence,competedandfinallyfalteredinthepoliticsofQigongattheendofthe1990's,theeraofFaLunGong.ZhuHui’sworkdidn’taccelerateparticularlyandit never decreased, he hadno agenda, no plan—just living, serving, teaching and


encouraging practice and healing. Asmentioned, he taught through “methods” or“forms” — Lotus, Wuji/Primordial, Wild Goose —however, it eventually brokethroughtomyawarenessthattheformswerenot,evenslightly, thepoint.Hehadhisownlittlespontaneousdisciplines,muchtodowithself‐massageandmuchtodowithgatheringanddispellingQi.WhatdoesZhuHui’sapproachtolineageandmethodsuggest?

• Liberationfromtheobvious.• Penetrationthroughtoandcultivationwithinahiddenrealm.

Hewassosoft‐spokenandordinary,inaway,thatittookmeseeinghimovermanyyearstoextractthis insight.Heneverspokethesemessages,buthelivedthemforthose,whocouldsee,tosee.3.HealingandMedicalQigongZhu Hui was the chief of staff at the Guo Qing Qigong Hospital in the Tian TaiMountainregion.TianTaiwasaconvergenceplaceforDaoismandBuddhismandthehospitalwaslocatedintheGuoQingTemple,the6thcenturybirthplaceofTianTai Buddhism, which disseminated to Japan, Korea and Vietnam. The Tian TaiSchool,especiallyfocusedontheLotusSutra,wasknownastheLotusSchool.AsmuchaspeoplewouldaskZhuHuiforhealing,andforaswidelyreveredhewasasdoctor,hewouldrarelydemonstrateordo“healing”work.Hewasconsistentinteaching over the years that I studied with him, that the ideal pathway to theresolutionofphysicaloremotionalpainordisease, ispersonalcultivationandtherealizationofthetruenatureofthingsandofself.Forhim,thedoctororthehealerisnotthesourceofhealing.AccordingtoZhuHui,thesourceofall things, includinghealing is theunified fieldof theONE—Wuji—The Primordial. So, to him ultimate healing could only occur through personalrevelation —that is insight and realization ‐ making it real through personalpractice. Itwasclearthathehadthecapacitytodohealing,butthathewasmuchmorefocusedonempoweringbothstudentsandpatientstounderstandtheultimatenatureofhealing.ThemedicalizationofQigong inChina is verydifferent than themedicalizationofQigong in America. In China the onlyway that Qigong could survive the CulturalRevolution was to be completely disassociated from its role in Imperial times. Itcould no longer be Daoist, Buddhist, academic as all these were remnants ofsuperstitionandpoliticalhierarchyfromthedynasties.TheonlyrefugeforsurvivalofQigongwastogiveitnewlifeundertheauspicesofmedicineandscience,bothofwhichwereinfavorasChinarecoveredfromtheCulturalRevolution.


TherationaleformedicalQigonginthewesterncountriesiscompletelydifferent.Itisalmostalwaystogiveitahigherstatusandplayuponthegulliblenatureofpeoplewhohavebeenhabituated tobelieving thathealingcanonlycome fromamedicalexpert.Weknowthatthisisjustnottrue;peopleoftenhealthemselveswithfairlyaccessibleQigongandTaiChi.Certainly, it is useful to have a teacher to inform participants how to healthemselves. However, that is not inherently medical, it is educational. Outside ofChinawehavethefreedomtodrawuponallQigongandTaiChi,Yoga,YangSheng(NourishingLife)andNeigong(InnerAlchemy)andevenmethodswithprehistoricshamanicroots.OutsideofChinaMedicalQigong,unfortunately,looksandfeelslikeaspecialtytopeoplewhoarefearfulandneedaspecialist—andwillpayextraforit.It isalso true thatpersons thataresuffering from illnessmayneedhelp inhealthrecovery.ThereisapowerfulplaceforthemarvelousskilloftransmittingQi,eitherhandsonoratadistancetoacceleratehealingforsomeoneinneed.Thiswas an area of ZhuHui’swork thatwas especially poignant. His skill in therealmofQiandthe innerrealmswasverypracticalandwithoutnonsense.Hedidnottalkaboutitmuchandhereiswhy.Ilovethis.Hedidnotwanttointerruptthelearning process of the student/patient by wowing them with mysterious,transcendentalwizardry.ZhuHuiknewthataveragepeoplewerefearfulandoftensufferingfromdoubt.Heknew that if he demonstrated healing power, people who were eager studentswouldquickly transition intohelplessaspirantsneeding treatmentandmarvelousfeats.Heknewthatthefastestwaytodisempowerpeopleistomystifythem.However, innumerousverysubtlewaysIwasaroundhimlongenoughtoseeandunderstand this sideofhiswork. Itwasabsolutelyeloquent.To the students, thisaspectofhisworkwouldonlyappearinaspectsofthepracticeshewasteachinginwhichitwasobviousthatanenergeticlevelofradicalobservationwasinplay.4.TheSimpleandPracticalversustheComplexandEsotericIt is assumed by just about everyone that the more esoteric practices are more“powerful.” It is assumed that the more esoteric knowledge one has the moresuccessful theywill be in theirQigong, Alchemy and Immortality practice. This issimplynottrue.Zhu Hui as well as Lao Zi (LaoTze) and the Buddha pointed to little esoterica. Itmightbe thought that thesegreat teachersoversimplified things,but in fact theirdirect simplicity was the very essence of their teaching. The greatest teachersderivedgreatpowerfromlettinggoofcomplexity.ZhuHuineversaid,“Youhavetokeepitsimple.”Hejustdidit.


Throughourownexperience,manyofuswhostudiedwithhimhavelearnedthathewascorrect.Thesimplerpracticesaremuchmorepowerfulfortworeasons:

1. Thepracticesareeasiertouse,soitiseasiertogettotheONEnessstate.The“Way” to the brightness of unconditioned mind (Xin or HeartMind) is notthroughcomplexformulas;itisachievedbygainingthecapacitytosustainanundistractedfocusandtoovercomeemotionalreactivity.

2. More people will be enabled due to the lower barrier to entry, thereforeallowing for the more widespread adoption of Qigong practice to, thus,benefit societymore completely. This builds the “field” of cultivatedQi (QiChang)andvirtuewhichthenopensawidermoreaccessiblegatewaytoallwhomightpracticeandthepossibleoutbreakofmassesofcitizenslivinginadeeperstateofpersonalpeace.

Thefirstpartofthisisaimedatanypracticethatleadstoasustainedfocusonthepresentandthepurposefuldisassociation fromof thepast,which isgone,andthefuture,whichhasnotarrived.Manyphysicistsproposethatthepastsimplydoesnotexist,evenhistoricallyandthattimeitselfisanartifact.Thesecondsuggeststhattheeasieraccess,themorepeople(moreinnumbers)areinvolvedinpractice,themoreitcultivatesandbuildsthe“Qifield.”AsthefieldofQi,energy consciousness, wisdom multiplies, the more likely it is that the field willfurthermultiply.Fromthiswemightwonder—OK,Icanimaginethatthroughlessesotericpracticegreaterwellbeingmaybeaccessible,butwhataboutaccessingtranscendentalstatesandhiddenspiritualrealms?ZhuHuiwasveryclearaboutthis—thedeeperstatesarenot a functionof secret knowledge; they aremore accessible through focusedpracticeinastateofradicalsincerity.But,Iwouldarguewithhim,aren’ttherichesoterictraditionsthesourceofhealingand enlightenment? Iwas privileged to have the opportunity to ask him this in apersonaldialogueonenight,heansweredverybriefly,“No,mountainsofdetailandspecial formulaswitheitherbody,voiceormindareexcellentdistractions for themind,buttheyarenotagatewaytotheprofound.ThegatewaytotheprofoundisdirectassociationwithWujithroughemptiness.”5.BuddhistorDaoist?OftenZhuHuiwasaskedby thegroupsof students fromtheUSandEurope, “Areyou a Buddhist or are you Daoist?” He typically replied, “Yes!” During our manydiscussions,IrealizedthathehadaverydeeprelationshipwiththesephilosophicaltraditionsofChinabeforetheCulturalRevolution.Itseemedtomethathehonoredthembothashistoricresources.


FollowingtheCulturalRevolutionZhuHuiandhiswifetookupresidenceinTianTaiMountain region, a renowned place of convergence for streams of Daoism andBuddhism.Clearly, hewasveryalignedwith theBuddhist community.HisQigongHospital was in a world‐renowned Buddhist Temple. It was clear that heappreciatedtheprinciplesofBuddhism,whichwerescattered,throughhisteaching.Similarly, it is obvious that hewas extremely enthusiastic aboutDaoism.After allDaoismistherootofChinesemedicineandhehadbeenbothabarefootDoctoratthe later stages of the Cultural Revolution and then a very respected Doctor ofChinese medicine and finally the director of the Guo Qing Qigong Hospital. And,Daoism is themother of Qigong. BothWild Goose Qigong andWuji – PrimordialQigongarestronglyrootedinDaoisttraditions.Itwasinteresting,however,thatherarelyfocusedoneithertheesotericBuddhistorDaoist concepts of the practices. For the Lotus practice he reflected simply onopening the flower of the pure transcendental clear mind. The finishing gesturewherethepractitionerreachesouttogatherpureQifromtheatmosphereisbasedon the presence of Qi everywhere, not somewhere specific or through someparticularBuddhistthoughtorritualprocess.WujiQigongisaboutgettingintotheWujistate,conductingQiandmergingwiththenon‐dual—ONEness. Somewill suggest that there is a complex formula to accessWuji. Zhu Hui, however, was consistent in making this point to me. It is notimportanthowyouget there—theWuji state.Thekey is “that”youget there.Hesaidmanytimesthattherewillbethosewholearnaformandmakelittleprogressand those who simply have a revelation while walking in a bamboo grove andspontaneouslyexperienceliberationfromillusionandawarenessoftheessenceofreality.ForZhuHui,theWildGoosewasprimarilyfocusedonusingimaginationorfocusedawarenesstomergewiththeconsciousnessofagoose—thebirdthatflieshighest.We think thateaglesorhawksmustbe thehighest flyingbird,but in fact it is thegoose.As a doctor, ZhuHuiwas aware of the acupuncture energypoints that theWildGooseformattendsto.However,beyondmentioningafewofpointsorenergygates,hedidnotfocusontheir importanceinmakingtheformmoresuccessfuloreffective.Hereiswhy.Hetalkedaboutthisspecifically.Hefelt,probablyduetohisownlevelofcultivation,thatQididnotrespondthesametoacupunctureasitdidtomassageorQitransmission.Asadoctor,hehadtheoptiontouseacupuncture,butrarelydidso.HefeltthatthesecretofallsecretswasthatQiwasthemostdirectlyundertheinfluence of focused intent. In this context acupuncturewasmoremechanical. ToZhu, in the Wild Goose, it would be less effective to try to learn and rememberacupuncturepointsandmoreeffectivetodisassociatefromhumanknowledgeandmergewiththeenergyofagooseflying,nesting,nourishingandgrooming.


Honestly, I found this rather disappointing given my own, probably naïvefascinationwith ancient ritual. However, truth is farmore compelling than naïveassumption.Ibegantonotice,afterknowingZhuHuifor2to3years,thatalthoughhe knew the information from these traditional Chinese “religions,” he was notinclined to focus on the traditional considerations of either Buddhist or Daoistconventionorritual.Norwashefocusedontraditionalformulasortheintellectualconstructs of medicine or other historic forms of knowledge. Qi, nature andconsciousness—pureandsimple—werehisfocus.He indulgedquestionsaboutBuddhismandDaoism,but itwasclear thathisviewhadevolvedtoapoint,muchlikeShakyamuniandLaozithemselves,thatwhatevercould be perceived by the senseswas not actually real. This virtual, non‐dualistic“reality”wastosomeextentthereasonfortheDaoistreformationofaround1000CE—TrueRealityDaoism—QuanZhen.OriginalHeavenlyMastersDaoism(TianShi, Zhen Yi) was, according to many, overly dogmatic and a reinfusion of freshinsightwasrequired.ThesamehappenedtoHinduismwiththeBuddhistreformationandJudaismwiththeChristianreformation.Thatwhichcanbestatedorthatisapparenttothesensescannotbe,inactuality.Thisview,whichistheendpointofallBuddhismexceptfordogmaticBuddhismandofallDaoismexceptfordogmaticDaoism,istheessenceofthe “Way”advocatedbyall thegreatwisdom luminaries—“the truth that canbespokenordescribedcannotbetheultimatetruth.”6.TheGoldenElixir–IrrevocableEternalWellbeingThe Golden Elixir— the Golden Elixir of Longevity, the Golden Elixir of Life, theGoldenElixirofImmortality—whoisnotintriguedwiththisprovocativeidea.ZhuHuiwassothoroughlycultivatedthat,Ibelieve,hehadtranscendedinterestinsuchdetails.ThelearnerswouldaskZhuHuiabouttheGoldenElixir,typicallybasedontheirontheirexcitingandcompellingreadingaboutthetopicandhealing,howtodoitandespecially about immortality and immortals. Teacher Zhuwas tolerant of course.The Golden Elixir concept is one of the concepts in Daoism that are especiallyinterestingtothosewhoknowalittleandaspiretomuch.He didn’t use theGoldenElixir language and he definitely did not respond to theideathathewasenlightenedorimmortal.RecallthattheGoldenElixirispresentasapotentialwithallbeings.Youcan’tgosomewhereandgetit;youalreadyhaveit.Youcan’tbuyit,nomatterhowmuchyouarewillingtopay.Youalreadyownit.BecauseofhislackofEnglishskillandduetothedifficultiesthatChinesetranslatorshavewithmakingverysubtleandspiritualideascleartoEnglishspeakershisideasdidnotcomethoughveryclearly.Withmanyopportunitiestobeinhispresenceandthespecialgiftof speakingwithhimpersonallyoften, itbecameclear thathewas


referencingtheconceptthattheWujiorPrimordialaspectofourbeingiseternallywell,thatthereisaneverpresentaspectofourselfthatcannotgetsick—andthatthiseternallywellexpressionofourselfcannotdie.Thepromiseoftheseconcepts,whicharewovenintotheChineseworldview,iscompellingtousall.Isn’t that amazing?Youalreadyhave themostprofoundmedicineeverdevelopedwithinyou!AND,youarealreadyimmortal.Theissueisn’thowtobecomeimmortalor how to get the Golden Elixir of Immortality. It is, instead, how to live as anexpressionofyournaturaleternalnature.InkeepingthingsreallypracticalZhuHuiwasamasterofeliminatingthefalsegapthatmostpeoplebelieveliesbetweentheircurrentselfandtheirpreferredself.TheGoldenElixirofImmortalityseemslikeitmustbeoutofreach.TeacherZhu,inhisconsistent insistence on keeping it simple and practical made what seemsimpossible and out of each to most Americans and Europeans, completelyaccessible.Interestingly,Ihavenoticedthatmanypeopleareaddictedtotheideathataccesstothe Wuji component of oneself is nearly impossible without esoteric ritual ofimpossibletomemorizeformulas.Oddly,mostfindtheideaoftheGoldenElixirandImmortality impossible to grasp. The idea that we already have the elixir isincomprehensible.Theideathatweareeternallywellseemssomehowinexplicabletothepartofourselvesthattakesinandprocessesinformation.TappingtheWujiexperienceisusuallywithinreachformostwhotakeaclassforacoupleofdays,orattendaWujiQigongretreat.On these trips toChinawewouldalmost always tap theWuji experience.But then formost, upon returning “life asusual”wouldmaketheWujiexperiencedifficulttosustain.However, if any teachingmethodwouldhave thecapacity tomake the impossiblepossibleandtheincomprehensibleaccessibleitwasZhuHui’ssimpleandpracticalapproachandhiswarmcompassionatenature.Heseemedordinaryandthatmadeitseempossibletoordinarypeople.ZhuHui’sBook–ActualExperienceTranscendsInstructionZhuHuiwasveryproudofhis littlebookthathepresentedtoeveryone,thesamebookthatispresentedtoyouasapartofthisproject.Hegaveacopyofittoallthepeople that participated in our trainings at the Nine Streams Sanatorium inHangzhou(ImperialCapitaloftheSongDynasty)neartheSixHarmoniesPagodaonthebanksofthemajesticQiantangRiver.ZhuHuigavethebooktoeveryone,anywherehewent.Anyteacherofanyworthatthattimehadtohaveabook;itwastheheightofwhatisnowknownasthe“QigongRush”or“QigongFever.”And,herightfullyannouncedthat itwasabookthatwas


widely revered by the regional Qigong Association, the Zhejiang Qigong ScienceResearchSociety.Oddly,howeveroverfiveyearsofcollaborations,herarelyreferencedthebookafterthat.Inpart,ofcourse,thiswasduetothefactthatitwasaChineselanguagebook.It is always true, havingpublishedabook contributesone’s credibility and itwasclear thathisbookwas likeanelaboratecallingcard. In theyearsprevious to the1990sZhejiangProvincewasveryactiveinthenationwiderenaissanceinQigong.Atthattimealltheregionalandnational levelplayersintheQigongmilieupublishedanddistributedwrittenworks.Asmentionedearlier,Zhu’sactualteachingdidnotfocusontheesotericpractices.What he did reference consistently, was the importance of cultivating a personalcapacitytoarriveinandsustainthestateofrestfulinnerfocusonnothingparticular— the state ofWuji, timeless, boundlessTruthUnity,wherein there is no past, nofuture,nocenter,nocircumference,nocontent.As you may know the most enlightened aspiration in all of the cultivationphilosophies—Alchemy,Dao,Buddha‐Dharma—is to“achieve.”This is thestate(or better, the dynamic non‐state of state transcendence) where the practitionerperceives the actual or true nature — the inseparable wholeness — of the“apparent”multiplex.Weexperienceonlyasmallportionofthismanyfaceteddomainwithoursenses.Inphysics this is referencedas the limitless fieldof infinite, indeterminatepotential,which includes the subtleties of luminescence, parallel components of the multi‐verse(paralleluniverses)andtimetranscendingpathwaysamongcosmicrealms.Therearethousandsofarticulationsoftechniques,methodsandritualformulationsforhowtoarriveatthisexperience.ThetechniquesinZhu’sbookareamongthese.Havingcometoknowhimwellovermanyyears,itwasclearthattheQigongcultureoftheera(late1980sthroughtheendofthe1990s)requiredthathedemonstratehis knowledge of techniques in his book, though itwas clear that he himself hadtranscendedtechnique.TheMysteriousPassHere isaclassicZhuHuimomentthatabsolutelyblewmymind.AtthetimeIhadbeen practicing Qigong for 20 years but had not fully cracked the code of the“mysterious pass” (or passage). I had heardmany versions both in China, in thestudyofChinesemedicineandinstudyingtheavailableQigongorientedtexts.Thismomentdefinitelyleftmedumbstruck—meaningstruckwithanawarenessofthecontrastbetweenhowcultivated I felt Ihadbecomeandhowcultivated Iactuallywas. I handed ZhuHui an English translation of a classic text from theDao Zang(total corpus of all revered Dao oriented texts). In it was the Chinese characterversionofthetext.


Hereaditquietly.IcouldseethathewasenjoyingseeingthatthetexthadsurvivedtheCulturalRevolution.Itwasalsoobviousthatitbroughthimapositivesenseofreflectiononearliertimes.Butthen,ratherthansayinghowthrilledhewasorwhatgreat memories it triggered, or even what sort of dark reflections it brought upabout the Cultural Revolution when such texts were banned and destroyed, hechuckledandhandeditbacktomeandsaid,“Youknowsomuchmorethanme.”Hewassmiling.Lookingback I thinkofhowmany timeshepointedout toeithermealoneorthegroup,howmuchenergywewerespendingontheideathatapractice,amethod, a teaching or a teacher could have any relevance in reaching health orpeaceorONEness.You are asking I am sure, “What has this to do with the mysterious pass?” Thisimage of a mountain pass to a new land or hidden domain is so eloquent andpicturesque.Manysourceslocateaparticularenergycenterasthemysteriouspassin the human being (body)where the local energy (JingQi andWei Qi) connectswiththenon‐local,boundlessnature—YuanQi—Origin.Ihadalreadyfiguredoutthatthemysteriouspassisnotaplaceorlocationinthebodyassooftenclaimedbymanyreveredteachers.Itwasthechuckle!Inhischuckle,somuchbecameclear.Everybitof informationthat I learnedfromhim or anyone, every form or part of a form, every imagined bit of insight fromeverybitofdataorknowledgewascompletelyneutralized.Thatchucklewaslikeanatomsmashingmoment—inawayallsubstancedissolved.Thetextwasinterestingtohim,arelictriggeringmemory,evenasourceofpossibleinsight.However,nexttotrue truth and the marvel of bona fide liberation the text and its traditionalknowledgebasewasirrelevant,meaningless—laughable.Ifthereisnowheretogoandnothingtodo,theonlypossiblenextstepispractice,notreadingsomeoneelse’sideaofwhattodoorwhatisimportant.Ikepttrying—wealldid—tofindwaystohavehimclarifywhatIshoulddo,think,rememberandpractice.Hekeptpointingtothemysteriouspass—laughing.If thisdoesn’tmakesense, itwillwhenyousustain the focus—undistracted—ontheindeterminate.Givenwordsarenotabletodescribeorillicittheineffable,giveinstructioncannotleadtoinsight,givenonlysincerepracticecanbethepassagewaytotheprofound,thisnextwrittenthoughtisonlypossiblyuseful.Kindlyexcuseahumbleattempttosupportyouinyourprogress.Themysteriouspassisnotaplace.Itisnotevenanenergycenter;itisa“Way”—awayofbeing,butbeyondintentandaction,awayofseeingbutnotwiththeeyeofthe local embodiment. Imagine, or experience if you can, seeingwith the sight of


yourentirebeing,beyondtheeye, theperson,personality,andtime. Imagineyourbeingasitis(notwas)beforethemanifestationofsubstance,beforethebeginningofwhatwecalltheuniverse.In this context, the mysterious pass can be cognitively processed as instant orsituationoratmosphereordynamicof selfwherein itbecomespossible to rest inthe understanding or experience of the eternal absence of everything butindeterminatepotential.Themysteriousisthenon‐placeentryintoorengagementwithWuji—Primordial.ThereweremanyofthesemomentswithTeacherZhu.Theconceptualcontentthathewouldshare—nomatterwhatelseitlookedlike—waspointing,eitherdirectlyor subtly, to TruthUnity—Origin—Wuji. Not a location, not a particular, not aform,notaformula—butrathera“Way.”Canyousensehowthechucklesaiditall?WujiQigong–AccessToFormlessnessThroughFormUntilFormIsNoLongerRequired“Within formlessness there spontaneously arises form, within form there is thenaturalpresenceof the formless.”Thisclassic line, “thatwhichcannotbenamed,”fromtheDaoistarticulationisinaccordwiththeBuddhistview,thenon‐dualviewandtheviewofthecontemporaryphysics.It is also stated, “form within the formless, the formless within form.” All suchlanguage,whichissimplyconfusingtothosewhoarenotinterestedinthesethings,pointstothepresenceoftheWujiinwhateverweseeorthinkwesee.Inthephysicscontextthiswouldbestated“theirrevocablepresenceofthenon‐particularornon‐substantivewithintheparticularandthesubstantial.”This is also stated, “the non‐particular and insubstantive is coincident with theappearance (the apparent appearance) of the particular and substantive.” All ofthesestrivetoexpresstheconceptthatwithinanythingweperceive isalwaysthepresenceofthatwhichisunperceivableandevenbymostmethodsofinvestigationnon‐existent.Wuji is the concept represented the written character in the Chinese language,whichismostoftenusedtodescribeDao.JustasDaoisthemotherofgalaxies,evenuniverses or cosmoses,Wuji is the not formulated, unitary ONEness, previous towhatwecalltheBigBang.TaiChi(Taiji)isthemutualityofoppositesafterwhatwecall the Big Bang i.e. Yin/Yang and all associated cascade of mutualities e.g.light/dark,within/without,on/off,wave/particle.Wuji is theabsenceofopposites—noupordown,nocenter,andnocircumference.It is impossible to succinctly translatemany essence level Chinese characters andconcepts.This iswhy therearedozensof “interpretations”of theDaoDe Jing andothertextsthatlinkcosmologywithhumanexperienceinthequestforinnerpeace,


such as,The Secret of theGolden Flower. ZhuHui’s favorite interpretationofWujiwas“nopole,”noup/down,nobottom/top,ornoparticle/wave.The idea that there would be a Wuji Form is an ultimate non sequitur. It isimpossible.However, therecouldbeasetofstepsthatmightbeusedtoapproachthe gate, portal or realm of Wuji. It could be claimed by certain parties to beperformedinacertainway,however,thatisalsoultimatelyimpossible.Nothing is certain inWuji; uncertainty and awide range of probability aremuchmore akin to the nature ofWuji. AWuji Form is reasonable as a “could” but it islaughableasa“should”or“must.”InWujithereareinfinitepossibilities,however,inWujitherearenospecifics.Primordial is anotherdeeplypicturesqueEnglishword forWuji.Wuji is non‐dualwhileTaiChiisthebasisandessenceofthedual—duality.ThepicturethatarisestorepresentthePrimordialisavibrant,highlypotentiatednothing.Aswith anything in form that suggests that it is the likeness of the formless, it isimpossible that theWujiQigong form ISWuji. At theverybest, it isakinestheticandmetaphoricapproximation.ItismorelikelyatooltoapproachWuji.TherearemanywhoteachawidearrayofformsnamedWuji.Even though it is not exactly correct to eliminate possible options, it is simplyincompatibletopromoteorevenholdthethoughtthatacertainformcouldactuallybetheformless.Theformlesscanonlybeexperiencedthroughconsciousintent,asitisimperceptibletothehumansensoryapparatus.Andyes,aformcouldbeusedasavehicletoapproachWuji,but itwouldbe less likelytobeaspecific,regimented,predeterminedformandmorelikelytoaspontaneousformlessform.When Zhu Hui taught us Wuji Qigong or Primordial Qigong, it was clear to me,thoughprobablynotcleartoeveryone,thathewasintentongettingasetofbodilygesturesandmindawarenessacrosstothe learners, lessbecausehewas insistenton the fact that it shouldbedonea certainway,butmorebecausehewanted theparticipantstohaveaccesstotheWujiportalthroughaprocesswhichwouldaffordeachpersontopersonallyapproach,enterandpassthroughtheportalintheirownuniqueway.Ilovethat!!Radicallyhonorable!Thelearnerswouldask,“Isthishowyoudoit?”andotherquestionsofthenatureofseeking specificity. It almost seemed like he didn’t understand the question. Inmannerandtrainingcontentheseemedtoberushingthroughtheprocess.Wehaddebates aboutwhyhewouldmove along insistently. I nowknow that hewas trying to get through the form so that the participants had more time tocultivateandexperienceWuji.


Ofcourse,anyonewhoknewZhuHuibrieflywouldhavethoughthewasteachingaform.AnyonewhowasabletoperceivehisdepthandhisplaceasabonafideZhenRen,wouldhaveknownthattheformwasagatewaytotheformless—Wuji.Andofcourse, again, thosewho are even somewhat cultivatedwould know that to passthatgatethereisonlyonethingrequiredanditisnotamethod,formorformula.What is required could be stated, though not very efficiently, as the capacity tosustain a connection with the ONE, undifferentiated TruthUnity, the non‐dualindeterminate,therealmthatsurpassesallthatcanbeimagined,thetruenatureofnatureherself.Thesearethethingsthatcanbesaid,sotheycannotactuallybeWujiorDao.PracticalSecretsAboutWujiThatCanBeSharedPaceOver and over the learners (this includedme) askedDr. Zhuwhy he showed thepractices fairly fast paced. He always had three answers. First, it was to get theessenceof thepracticeacross fairlyquicklyasanefficientapproach to class time.Thesecondwasthattimeisrelativeandthatpaceisnotasimportantasfocusandintent.Third, andmost important,whenweare together learningwecanaddressmorematerialifweincreasethepace,however,whenyoupracticeonyourown,thepaceisalwaysthechoiceofthepractitioner.NumbersTeachingaformormethodistheeasiestwhenitisarepeatableprotocol.Duetotheregularity of his teaching, it was the easiest to present the methods as standardformulas of gestures. ZhuHui, did reflect in lecture and in answer to questions alittle of the relevance of the numbers of gestures, or numbers of repetitions ofcertaingestures—inLotus,WujiandWildGoose.However,inaccordwiththethemeofinnerdirectedness,theneedsofthemomentandliberationfromformwasmuchmorecentraltoZhuHui’soverallapproachthanadherence to form. Inaddition,hehaddevelopedapersonalapproach tohisownpractice, which was comprised of unique assemblies of gestures, meditations,affirmationsanddeclarations,breathpractices,andself‐appliedmassage.Thenetoverallviewof theseandotherpracticalconsiderationswas“learntopayattentiontoyourinnerself.”Wheneverthetimeofpractice,thepaceorthenumberofrepetitionswasdiscussedhetypicallywouldpointtotheideathatoneshoulddowhat is needed and what is needed is determined by paying attention to andultimatelycomingtounderstandoneself.


DirectionOnseveraloccasionsTeacherZhugavelecturesonthedirections,theelementsandsomeoftheassociationsofcolorandotheraspectsassociatedwiththefiveelements(Wu Xing). This conceptual framework is archetypal in Chinesemedicine, thoughexplained with slight differences by different teachers over different dynasties.Through my work with Chinese medicine, the shamanism of China and otherculturesandwithZhuHui,apowerfulprocessforassigningreasonsforstartingandfinishing ina certaindirectionemerges.This is referencedas theDaoistMedicineWheelandisthoroughlydiscussedinTheHealingPromiseofQi.SecretsThatCannotBeSharedTherearesomepointsthatIhaveagreednottoshareinwriting.Inaverypersonalcommitment I agreed with Zhu Hui to certain things. This shared agreement didopenhimuponsomeextremelyprofoundpoints.AsanexampleinWujiQigongandChineseInnerAlchemythereisreferenceto“reversal”or“reversing.”Recallthefirstwordsofthisarticle“whetherbyreversingoradvancing.”I essentially agreed not to share about this and several other points until Iunderstoodthemmyselfandcouldarticulatetheminareasonablyutilizableform.Iamnowclear that even though Imayunderstand them, language isdeficient as ameansofcommunicatingthesepoints.Inotherwords,thesearesecretsthatcannotbeshared.Sincere,enthusiasticandundistractedpracticeisreallytheonlypathwaytoknowing,thatwhichcannotbesaid.WhileIsensethatImayhavecometounderstandmuchofwhathewasaskingmetounderstandbeforeIcommunicatetoothers,Iamalsoclearthatthatourlanguageand sense of time and space make it impossible to explain these things. This iscertainly not the time to pursue this further. Let’smeet to practice together andshareinsights.Hedidsaythis,thatIcanshareandyoucantakethisintoyourpracticeasakindofGongAn(aChanBuddhistmethodforpenetratingWujiwhichisknownasaKoaninJapanese Zen), “the Dao that is discussed cannot be the true Dao.” Gong An is adeclaration, chant or affirmation that “can potentially” awaken insight. Here itsuggests that theway that is described cannot be the essential way. If you are acultivator, youhave read thismany,many times.Being able to say thewordshasverylittletodowithdeeplyunderstandingthem.It is not somuch that such “secrets” aren’t allowed to be shared, it ismore thatlanguage is unable to articulate information that describes the realm beyond thesenses and beyond the known dimensions. Such secrets can only be realizedthroughpracticeandexperience.


Thusit isnotsomuchthatheorIwouldwithholdinformation;it ismorethatthepractitionerwill have to reveal the secret tohimorherself throughpracticeovertime.Evenwhensuchsecretsarediscussedthelanguageusedtodiscussthemisfarfromcapableofrevealingtheactualityofanyofthestatementsbeingmade.EssenceofZhuHui’sTeachingCapturedinOneAmazingExchangeHere isaparaphraseof justoneofmymany favoriteandprofoundconversationswithZhuHui.Asyoucanimagine,hiswordswerenotexactlythesewords. JustastheinterpretersofLaoZiorRumiorJesusmustdowhattheycantoassurethattheintentofthespeakerisfulfilledinthelanguageoftheday,sohaveI,here,usedtheEnglish language toexpresswhat I amsurewouldhavebeenZhuHui’s intent foryou.Myquestion:Isn’t it true that the more esoteric practices are more profound than the simplepracticesand isn’t it true that theancientpractices transmittedthroughthe lineageholders are more effective than the contemporary practices developed after theunfortunatedestructionoftherichtraditionsofthe“ClassicEra”(beforetheendoftheImperialEra1911)?

ZhuHui:Please understand that there are many ways to see, and I am not claiming to becorrect,however—notoboth! Inmyexperiencethere isonlyonekindofsuccessfulpractice—the cultivation of the capacity to sustain a focused connection with theprimordialnatureofthings—Wuji.Thatis…anypracticethatoneusestodisrupthabitsthatdistractandthatdevelopthecapacity toobserveoneselfand theworldareabsolutely, thoroughly fine—theyareperfect.Itisjustthatsimple—especiallysimpletosay,maybenotespeciallysimpletocarryout.As to the esoteric, such practices were historically limited to certain people notbecausetherewasanyvaluetothat;itwasinsteadaculturalhabitanditlimitedthatwhichallhavethebirthrighttopursuetoonlyafew.Suchformsormethodsarenotinherently pathways to liberation. In fact, such methods were often a jumble ofincomprehensibledogma.The simple practices used in a context of reaching for liberation from falseassumptions and habits that are contrary to complete functionality of bodymindspiritarebyfarmorerelevant.Why?Becausetheyareaccessibletoallbeingsatalllevels,inallvarietiesofsituationsandallsortsofpursuitsandsocialstations—anditistheliberationofallbeingstowardwhichwearecultivating.


Astoancientpracticespassedonbylineageholders,itbecamecleartomeovermanyyears of personal practice in many societal situations that there are two equallycommonthingsinthepassageoflineagebasedpractices:

1. Tremendousrelevanceofmuchoftheinformationandthemethods,whicharecompletelyworthyoflearningandpracticing.

2. Tremendous bias to information andmethods that are solidly based in falseassumption, infused with useless dogma and even a distraction from truecultivation.

Me:But this is so contrary to tradition Teacher Zhu, how did you find yourway to thispointofview?Zhu:Like everyone I experienced the Cultural Revolution as a frightful time. I had theopportunitytoleaveChina.However,Iwasledbydestinytoremainandparticipateintheevolutionofmyhomeland.So,duringthatworsttimeitwasdangerousandillegaltoknowanythingaboutwhatwenowcallQigongandIwasindangerhavingstudiedand even taught in the traditional framework of masters, lineages and the mostesotericforms,methodsandschools.During that time I clung to what I feel is the “essence” of personal cultivation andhealing. Even now I can remember a few of the ancient chants and ritualmethods.However, I am clear that forme, the greatest truth of all themasters is that everybeinghasadirectassociationwithperfection,theprimordialessence,prebirthorigin—Wuji — and what I think you and your students call God. I mean, theundifferentiatedunityprevioustothebirthoftheuniverse.Anyformulaorformulationthatisdeclaredbyanyoneasanecessityformeoranyonein our relationship with THAT, is tome, the imposition of a false restriction wherethereisnone.Inotherwords,thereisnopreferredorbettermethod.Thereisonlyonetruemethod—theremovalofobstructionbetweenmyselfandmyawarenessof theONE.So, I realized in those times and put this into practice — any form or method orteaching is only a reminder tome of the fact that I am allowed uninterrupted andcomplete associationwith the ultimate nature of the supremeONE—Tai Yi. At onepoint I realized that I was forgettingmuch of the traditional, lineage oriented andesotericconceptsandpracticesthatIhadreveredsodeeplyandIdidnotcare.Me:“But people always ask, “What is the most profound and effective form of Qigongpractice?


Zhu:“Always tell them— the most profound and effective practice is the one that youactuallydo!”Me:Areyousayingthatthe longhonoredtraditionsandthereveredancient formula forhealing, longevity,alchemyandenlightenmentarenotnecessarytoaccesswellbeing,longevityandinsightintoessenceandarenotnecessarytoachieveenlightenedeternallife?Zhu:Yes!Me:What are the forms for?What are the classic texts saying?Why is theWuji form aform?Zhu:Formsaretheboatsthattakeyouacrosstheseaofconfusionandconditioning,totheshore beyond. Once on that shore further evolution is completely creative andpersonal. The classic texts are the stories of thosewhohavemade the journey.Whyreadastory?Whynotliveone?TheWujiformisonewaytocrossovertoWuji.Itisnotanend;itisameans.Sometimestheformisarefuge.Othertimestheformisagateway.Stillothertimes,theformisalonglistthatyoushoulddoaccordingtosomeonewhocannotpossiblyknowwhatyouneedatthedeepestlevel.Formsareoftencommercialproductspromotedasbeingessentialtothecustomer.Me:ZhuLaoShi(TeacherZhu),howshouldwepracticetheWujiForm?Shouldwetrytodoitlikeyou?Zhu:IwillbeterriblydisappointedifyouusetheWujiPracticelikeme.Certainly,youandyourfriendswillwanttolearntheformasagroupinalikemanner.Butthen,itismyintent,inaccordwithallthegreatestofthegreatachievedones,thatyousupportthelearners inunderstandingthe truenatureofWujiandthe impossibility that itcouldsomehow be formed or formulated.My skill in articulating this is limited. I ask thissincerelyofyouandhopeyouunderstandwhatIamsaying.


TheTormentOfTheCulturalRevolutionLeadsTo InsightOfTheIntegralIdealItcouldbearguedthatDr.ZhuhadactuallybeenalluredintodisassociatingfromhislineagerootsduetothetraumaandimminentlydemoralizingpoliticsoftheCultureRevolution. However, as a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, focusing my life on therealmsofQi,Qigong,cultivationandconsciousness,IstudiedZhuHuiveryclosely.Thisiswhathetoldmemorethanonce.Itamazedmeagainandagain.

“We had to ‘forget,’ be reeducated. At first I struggledwith letting go of thegrand traditionsof somanyeras. Butwhathappened tomewas this— theunclutteredsimplicityoftheBuddha’smessageandthecallofTrueDaobrokethroughtome.Whatdowecultivate?Emptinessofcontentwiththe intentofachievingdirectassociationwithTheONE!Whatcouldpossiblyprovideamorecompellingmessagethanthat?”

For Zhu Hui the path is integral, and integrated within each being’s naturalinalienable access to TruthUnity, a kind of natural cosmic self‐determination andtranscendence of the apparent domain to achieve the “Real.” He was originally amember of the level of society that would allow him to be a respected (his pre‐revolution profession) and a key member of the Nationalist Chinese politicalstructurebeforetheCulturalRevolution.By destiny or by discipline hewas transformed into a bona fide Zhen Ren (TruePerson). From there on he could only tell the truth of what he had learned andexperienced.Hecouldnothonestlycreatethekindoffollowingthatwassocommoninthe1980sand1990sintheheatoftheQigongmovement.Hedidnotbelieveinany framework foraccess tohealth, longevity,wisdomoreternal life thatwasnotbasedondirectpersonalrevelation.FinallyandwithGreatestAppreciation–TheUltimateAlchemyToZhuHui,formsandmethodswerenottheend;theywereonlythemeans.Manyspeaktothisideal,especiallythecommunityofthosewhoarticulatetheviewoftheNon‐Dual.ZhuHuilivedthisanditwasstrikingtorealizethatinsidehissimplicitywasakindofnobilityandcommitmentthatIwasabletodiscoverandstudy.Itwaslifetransformingforme.This is an informedopinionand I amnot attached to the idea that anyonewouldagree.ZhuHuiwasnotfocusedonformorlineageorBuddhismorDaoism;hewasfocusedonbuildingaportaltoONEness.AND,hewasverydevotedtotheideathateachofuswoulduncoverthiswithinwhateverapproachtocultivationwedecidetopursue.


AboutDr.RogerJahnke,OMDRogerJahnke,OMDisaDoctorofTraditionalChineseMedicinewiththirtyyearsofclinicalpracticeandeightresearchtripstoChinatostudyitshealingtraditions.Heis directorof the Instituteof IntegralQigong andTaiChi (IIQTC), and serves as aconsultanttohospitals,socialserviceagencies,andcorporationsinComplementaryandIntegrativeMedicine(CAM/IM),wellness,andmedicalcostreduction.

Accomplishments

• Authored The Healer Within (Harper Collins, 1999) used in Mind‐BodyprogramsworldwideandTheHealingPromiseofQi(McGraw‐Hill,2002),aninstantclassicinthewesternliteratureonQigongandTaiChi.

• Co‐convened the National Expert Meeting on Qi Gong and Tai Chi in

collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign and theNationalBlueprintforActiveAging.

• EditedandtranslatedtheclinicalchaptersforChineseMedicalQigong(Jessica

Kingsley Publishers, 2010), the first English translation of the only officialtextbookofmedicalQigong,used incollegesanduniversitiesofTraditionalChinesemedicineinChina.

• Publishedacomprehensivereviewoftheevidencebaseofthehealthbenefits

ofTaiChiandQigongintheprestigiousAmericanJournalofHealthPromotionJuly/August 2010, Vol. 24, No. 6. in collaboration with Arizona StateUniversityandtheUniversityofArizona

Dr.JahnkeWebsiteshttp://FeelTheQi.com–Dr.RogerJahnke’sWebsitehttp://IIQTC.org–TheInstituteofIntegralQigongandTaiChihttp://TaiChiEasy.org–EasyQigongfortheMasseshttp://HealerWithinFoundation.org–Non‐profit,PublicBenefitInstituteofIntegralQigongandTaiChi(IIQTC)5276HollisterAvenueSte257SantaBarbara,CA93111Phone805‐617‐[email protected]


Acknowledgments These words from theDao de Jing and from 'Olelo No'eau: Hawaiian Proverbs &Poetical Sayingsarededicated to Instituteof IntegralQigongandTaiChi studentsandgraduates,staff,andvolunteers,whoarecreatingandexpandingthevisionandheartoftheQifieldeverywhere.

Canyoucoaxyourmindfromitswanderingandkeeptotheoriginaloneness?

Canyouletyourbodybecomesuppleasanewbornchild’s?Canyoucleanseyourinnervisionuntilyouseenothingbut

thelight?Canyoulovepeopleandleadthemwithoutimposingyourwill?Canyoudealwiththemostvitalmattersbylettingeventstake

theircourse?Canyoustepbackfromyourownmind,andthusunderstand

allthings?

Eleikau,eleiho’oiloikealoha.Loveiswornlikeawreath,Throughsummersandwinters.Loveiseverlasting.

WarmAppreciationtoourEditorialandProductionStaffJosefinaWeaverRhondaRicheyKudostoOurAdministrativeStaffJessicaKolbeJosefinaWeaverSheriHansen


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Alchemy - Health Action - Home Comprehensive Wellness ... · PDF fileInstitute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi Alchemy ... Qigong, Taiji, Chinese Energy Medicine, and Daoism. I was