Michael, Chi Kung Fundamentals Progression ?

Michael,

I asked a question about this topic on another related thread (“Michael- Integration of Qigong and Physical Training”) but maybe you didn’t see it, so I’ll ask it again. This directly relates to my attendance at retreats starting TOMORROW. I probably won’t be able to read any answer you might post before I get on the plane to Dao Mtn., but I thought I’d get the question(s) out there. Maybe I could talk with you or someone about it when I arrive. I’ll copy and paste from the other thread:

“Thank you so much for putting out your home study courses and for these valuable tips on how to progress through these practices. A related question (with some background first):

I’m finding very much depth and richness in exploring the warmups, 5 animals, and 6 healing sounds through the CKF 1 home study course. I’m feeling like I’m STARTING to “own” those practices. And I already feel like I “own” the inner smile (as if it could ever be “owned”! 🙂 ). I have CKF 2 and Healing Love home study courses, but I haven’t done much with them yet. (I have, for a few years, practiced the Microcosmic Orbit from Chia’s “Transform Stress into Vitality” as well as the sexual practices in “Multi-Orgasmic Man.”)

I just signed up for the CKF 1-4, Fusion 1-3, and Healing Love retreats. Could taking all of these retreats, trying to learn all the additional practices at once, overwhelm me, and be too much too fast? I do plan to get the home study courses that I don’t have yet corresponding to the retreats that I’ll be taking in order to follow up and ground the learning.

Another complicating factor: Money. I figure, if I’m going to fly across the country, I might as well get my money’s worth and take 3 retreats, especially since I’m only going to have an opportunity like this once a year. But could this attitude actually get in the way of learning by causing me to overwhelm myself? I really don’t know what it’s like to be at these retreats – is this something (taking 3 retreats in a row, 2 1/2 of which I haven’t previously prepared for through home study courses) that people commonly do and find useful to their long-term learning?

Any advice? I’d very much appreciate your perspective. I’m looking forward to these retreats, but if you recommend that I only take CKF 1-4, for instance, then I’ll do that. Thank you.”

Brian Sullivan