Health originates from movement; today I would like to share a classmate’s experience with Daoyin practice.
I started practicing Daoyin on February 19th last year.
It has been a whole year, and here are my reflections: 1. During this year, I frequently traveled for work and attended meetings, using various modes of transportation including high-speed trains and airplanes. I was in close contact with colleagues who had influenza A or even COVID-19 (sitting at the same table), and each time I felt anxious, yet I did not contract either influenza A or the COVID-19 virus.
I clearly remember having only two colds due to wind-cold; one was in August when I got caught in the rain wearing only a T-shirt, and the other was recently when I went out at night wearing too little clothing.
After taking medicine, my symptoms disappeared within a day.
In the past, it would take a week to recover.
I am grateful to my teacher for the Daoyin practice that has made my immune system so strong.
At the end of 2022, when the pandemic restrictions were lifted, I was the first in my workplace to test positive. My recovery time was also the longest among my colleagues, taking 15 days to test negative. Looking back, my physical condition at that time was undoubtedly the worst.
2. From January 2024 to now, every day when I practice Daoyin, my body feels relaxed from top to bottom, inside and out. How can I describe it? It feels particularly wonderful and extremely comfortable. Last year, I only occasionally felt this way, but this year (starting in January), I feel this way every day.
3. After learning Daoyin, I find it very uncomfortable to try or experience many other exercise methods.
Western-style gyms or long-distance running are actually not beneficial for cultivating Zhengqi (正气, vital energy).
Chinese methods like Baduanjin (八段锦, Eight Pieces of Brocade) or other forms feel too fast or too standardized, unable to truly guide the internal organs and meridians; slow and gentle is the way to go.
Moreover, I have experienced the teacher’s teachings about the whole body being a Dan (丹, elixir) and the final tapping and light running being a secret not to be passed on.
If this final touch is missing, the effects are halved.
4. The teacher mentioned the first stage of refining essence to generate essence, the second stage of refining essence to transform Qi (气, vital energy), and the third stage of refining Qi to transform Shen (神, spirit). When I first heard this, I found it incredible and specifically researched many experts (for example, books written by Han Huai-jin from Taiwan) and found that it is indeed true.
The second stage began on September 18th last year and lasted until February 12th this year, during which I did not leak a drop of essence (my partner supports this, so it is not due to disharmony in our relationship).
This is something I have never achieved before.
I have realized what the teacher said: “When essence is full, one does not think of desire; when Qi is full, one does not think of food; when Shen is full, one does not think of sleep.” Previously, my inability to control leakage was a sign of essence deficiency.
I had read some articles saying that if one can persist for a hundred days without leaking essence, one can achieve immortality…
I did not expect that the second stage of Daoyin practice would allow me to achieve this easily.
Whenever I have that symptom, a few movements of the teacher’s He Zhong Mi (核中密, secret of the core) can make the symptoms disappear immediately.
I guess this is the secret of refining essence to transform Qi.
I remember the teacher said that the essence before the age of forty is for reproduction, while after forty, it is for sustaining life. Hearing this perspective was quite shocking and enlightening.
This has also increased my motivation and perseverance to continue practicing Daoyin (to add, due to a cold, the teacher suggested I could rest for a few days, and in the entire year, I only took about a week off).
Currently, I am continuously practicing the three-stage breathing method. The feeling of relaxation in the first and second stages should be related to the reverse breathing in the third stage; I guess this is the feeling of refining Qi to transform Shen.
I wonder if any of the seniors have other feelings to share and discuss.
Medical Commentary: The five organs store essence and Qi; the more they store, the better. Especially the kidneys, which can store throughout life without becoming ill.
The human body operates as a multi-system mechanism.
By practicing slowly, one can mobilize multiple systems for upgrades and repairs.
Remember this saying: slow is fast; living life in a hurry every day, find some time to slow down, and you will discover that your happiness and comfort in life will return, and your healthy lifespan will also be extended.
Thus, it makes sense to associate longevity with turtles.
Balance work and rest, seek moderation between fast and slow.