DJ
Throughout this five-week cross-cultural meditation workshop, I’ve witnessed the beautiful convergence of Eastern and Western perspectives on universal connections. My decade-long practice of Tai Chi provided me with experiences of qi and energy, but this workshop offered crucial frameworks to deepen my understanding.
The Western PDR approach complemented the Eastern stillness meditation beautifully. The most profound insight came through the parallel teachings about “gaps” – whether between musical notes as Thandeka described, or between breaths as taught by Zhenbao. Both recognized these spaces as portals to deeper awareness. This integration of Eastern wisdom and Western approaches has fundamentally transformed my practice from seeking experiences to recognizing the awareness that’s always present.
The community aspect of this workshop provided essential support, making the path to self-discovery feel less solitary. Through the teachings and sharing at this workshop, my concept of True Self has evolved. I now recognize that True Self isn’t separate from universal consciousness – it is the boundless awareness in which all things naturally reside.
In memory of the legendary Bruce Lee, I would like to share with you his famous teachings. “Be water my friend. You put water into a cup, it become the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. To be like water, you must first clear the mind. Only then you can flow without hesitation; Adapt without limitation. Most see the mind and the body are separate things. This is the greatest delusion. They are one force in complete unity. Let your body and mind flow as one force, one unstoppable expression of your true self.”
SL
Humans are always trapped in something: hate, love, social relationships, political believes, genetic limitations, even in their own creativity and imagination… But ultimately, we are trapped in space and time; we become old and broken. Old is the limitation of time, and broken is the limitation of space. Language, this thing we use, is trapped in both. Meditation, Qi, praying to god—doesn’t matter what we call it—gives us a way out… When we become unlimited, we are interconnected. This is absolutely valuable to me, Because of you, I realize this clearer now, so I thank you all.
RJ
My PDR:
There are sprouts in my planters
Seeds are amazing
How they can hold their core in tact for so long
In the dark
Just waiting to seek the light
A new sprout is so beautiful, and it is a teacher
And so are you all
That’s the learning I received here
The teachings are great
But, it’s you… The community
Similar people sharing human experiences
Makes me feel not alone
I thank you for that
Kevin
It’s a great experience to join the universal connections Qi cultivation courses organized and led by Dr. Zhenbao and Dr. Thandeka.
I understood how Qi flows inside my body as the form of energy and how we are connected with the rest of the universe.
I learned the methods to get into the peace state and the ways to discern inwardly to find the core of my true self.
With each breath accompanied with swelling and shrinking of the belly, I can feel the circulation of Qi goes through the vessels in my body freely, so rise the energy and power and courage and wisdom and health .
Most importantly, such practice can’t be done without love, only love to the world can lead us to better status.
I’m also very thankful to God of giving me such a wonderful opportunity to make so many friends at the class.
meditationtaoist 