"I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive." -Joseph Campbell
Story time.
Preface: I'm not telling this story to seek sympathy. On the contrary, I'm celebrating.
Once upon a time...
When I was a young boy I was unabashedly pretending to be a bird on the playground of my elementary school. It was recess. All of the other kids were out doing what kids did during recess in the 1960's; Monkey bars, dodge ball, four square, jungle gym... you know, dangerous stuff. What was I doing? I was pretending to be a bird. I was flying, flapping my wings, blissful and free. Alive.
Until.
The other kids on the playground took notice. I was branded. They didn't have words for it at that age or at that time. Let's just say I wasn't being male enough. They made up a name which stuck for a long time, until I punched Alan C. giving him an impressive black eye, and me a really sore fist. The name calling stopped. But the brand stuck.
I knew I was different, I didn't fit in. I wasn't like the other boys. I didn't know where I belonged, so I found solace in solitude. I encased myself in stone. I had fantasies of death.
I shut down.
Alan's eye healed, my hand healed. But my spirit didn't. At least not for long time. There still might be scars.
Enter Qigong: dragons, bears, monkeys, swaying like trees, moving like water, transforming stars, wagging tails... wonderful images. We move our bodies and stretch our imaginations. We feel alive, blissful. We even fly like birds! Whoa! We stretch ourselves, literally and figuratively.
I'm very fond of practicing in parks. People walk or bicycle by, some stop and watch, some smile and move on, some look inquisitive. I enjoy the looks.
I'm reclaiming my childhood playground.
New people often join our practices. I make a point of explaining the benefits of the forms. Why are we acting like monkeys? What's the point of gazing at the moon? Why do we cross our wrists in a certain way? I trust the process, but do they?
That scar is starting to itch. "What will they think of me?"
Isn't it enough that:
We practice an ancient, meditative form of movement that supports our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We imitate actions that we see in nature. We experience connection.
We practice visualization techniques, breath control, and repeated fluid movements to channel the flow of Qi throughout the meridians in our bodies, promoting wellness.
The benefits of practicing Qigong are extensive. Go to YouTube and search for "Qigong" videos.
Qigong for Vitality.
Qigong to Purge and Tonify.
Qigong for Brain Optimization.
Qigong for Weight Loss.
Qigong for Deep Sleep.
Qigong for lower back, neck, shoulder and spine pain relief.
The list continues. I know, I feel the effects. But, more importantly, by practicing with abandon in a park, where people can see me, I am reclaiming a blissful feeling that was once stolen from me by Alan C.
Or, I should say, I gave away my bliss to be safe. I've come around full circle.
I have my bliss back.
Another chapter. My motivation to get serious about my Qigong practice came a few years ago. I have a slow progressing, non-curable form of leukemia. By practicing Qigong I am seeking a way to support my body, mind and soul while living this next chapter. The story continues to unfold.
Am I expecting a cure? No.
I practice Bone Marrow Cleansing regularly. My meridians get a lot of attention. The results?
Hematology/Oncology 101.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood. There are "bad guys" that are bullying the good guys. In this image from FINDING JOE, a documentary about Joseph Campbell, the bad guy is a dragon.
My oncologist is always pleased to see my numbers. Am I stopping the bad guys? No. The dragon keeps getting bigger. But, the good guys are holding their own, giving that dragon some attitude.
During practices we focus on the Wei Qi. The immune system. I wrote a post about it, search "Wei Qi." By strengthening the Wei Qi I am keeping pathogenic outsiders from entering my field. Having leukemia, this is very important.
Studies have shown that people with cancer who practice Qigong experience less fatigue, balanced emotions, less inflammation, and an overall heightened quality of life.*
I don't celebrate the disease, but I do celebrate my ability to ward off Alan C., reclaiming what I gave away decades ago as 10 year old boy. I flap my wings like a bird and move like a dragon in a playground. Both the dragon and the bird are within me. I love the bird, I love the dragon, I love the playground.
My motivation for writing this little story was inspired by a documentary about Joseph Campbell, FINDING JOE. I whole-heartedly recommend it. You'll recognize a couple of references I've gleaned from this documentary.
And, I invite you to fly like a Crane. Go outside. Go to a crowded park.
Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” ― Joseph Campbell
* Cited study was conducted by the Oncology Nurses Society.
