Qi Dao Workshop - Part 2
Editor's Note: This article reports my experiences and observations while attending a workshop/retreat featuring an ancient spiritual/healing system known as Qi Dao or Tibetan Shamanic Qigong. For background information about Qi Dao, please see the previous article, Qi Dao Workshop - Part 1.
Having just finished attending a workshop on Tibetan Shamanic Qigong* or Qi Dao (as it is also known), I feel more attuned to the spiritual energy or qi (chi) running through my body. That attunement includes my connection to the infinite source of that energy variously known as God, the Force, the Great Spirit, Brahman, Higher Power or whatever other name you wish to call this ubiquitous, universal essence.
The workshop was held (as it is semi-annually) at Breitenbush Conference and Retreat Center in west, central Oregon. This almost magical setting of old growth forests, hot springs, rustic cabins, and wellness facilities is sacred to Native Americans and a wonderful setting in which to study ancient spiritual teachings.
In this shelter of earth and sky, forest and river, twenty participants came together for three days to seek greater attunement with spirit, and to learn how to follow the flow of their own spiritual energy (qi or chi). Qi Dao stresses feeling the flow of energy within your own body. Once you can feel the presence of the Qi (pronounced like "key") in the body, the next step is to immerse yourself in this flow and to stay present in the flow. Working with this energy promotes wellness, helps you to manifest your dreams and facilitates self-realization.
Lama Somananda Tulku, originally from Siberia, a 27th generation lineage holder of this style of Qi Dao and an ordained Tibetan lama taught the workshop. He was ably assisted by Robin Leonhard, a Reiki Master.
Lama emphasized that we must awaken to the Dreamer, to the one who is dreaming our life both in the waking and sleeping states. "Always ask yourself if you are dreaming," he stated. Remembering the breath is quite helpful in waking to the dream being, for becoming aware of the breath returns you to your own dynamic reality instead of to the imagined and illusory state in which we so often dwell.
This lucid dreaming-dreaming with awareness-is an integral part of the path of Qi Dao. Lama differs with some western authorities on lucid dreaming in that he believes you should experience the dream given by the Dreamer (or higher self) rather than trying to take control of the dream. Working with the dream energy rather than directing it to the narrow concerns of the ego, leads to a kind of dance (or sharing) between the Dreamer and the one who is dreaming.
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