Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Lineage... what is it?

Greetings everyone!

In this post:
  • Article: "Lineage... what is it?"
  • Day-long Retreat on Focused Living
  • Acupuncture & Qigong Sessions
  • Inner Alchemy Center on Facebook

Lineage... what is it?
~ By Thomas Leichardt, DMQ (China)

Recently, a student asked me to elaborate on the significance of lineage in the field of martial arts, medical qigong, and spiritual practices. I would like to share this resulting piece on the subject with everyone here.

There are many levels at which lineage can be explained, and I will touch upon just a few here.

First of all, lineage is grounding in a certain tradition, both on the level of form and more importantly, on the level of energy and spirit. On the level of form, there are various beliefs, practices, and traditions that are unique to each lineage. While these are important to know and understand, they are akin to the outer wrapping of a package, or the outer skin of a fruit. What is inside, underneath that wrapping or skin, is where the real inner dimensions of lineage lay, and where the real sweetness can be experienced. These inner dimensions are the essence, energy and spirit of lineage.

The inner aspect of lineage is a vibrational "knowing without knowing," realization of principles, felt deeply in one's body, psyche, and spirit. This type of knowledge cannot be taught through theory and external practices alone, rather, it is something that "dawns" inside the individual, it is something that one awakens into. A teacher of lineage holds this energetic psychic space inside him or herself, making it readily accessible to their students, and those who are ready can then more easily realize it in themselves. Thus a lineage teacher not only teaches external beliefs, practices, and forms, but they also teach through transmission, such that the students get a glimpse of this reality through their close proximity to the teacher, who embodies those principles, and abides in that state of awareness and realization.

One of my spiritual teachers, Amma, is an example of just such a being, who abides in transcendental states of awareness, and makes those states available to all who come to her. This energy has a way of awakening itself inside those in close proximity to her, much like a log placed next to another log consumed in fire, itself also catches fire. This is a realization of energetic and spiritual truths through transmission. Amma also teaches on the level of form, by example, and through stories, practices, and systems of beliefs. While these are important, for me the real juice is in the transmission of realization, in which the truth spontaneously arises from within. Of course, it is by following the example, and committing to the practices, that makes one's mind fertile ground for awakening through transmission. However, transmission is indeed a mysterious agent of inner change that is not predictable, and beyond any understanding of the intellect alone.

One aspect of transmission is that, whether in her physical presence or not, I can tap into Amma's energy, and let that move through me and do what needs to be done. I don't feel like I am doing it all on my own, but rather tapping into something much greater.

I use Amma as an example, however this can apply to any teacher who truly embodies the specific principles they teach. While Amma, on a grand scale, teaches the art of living in love and service, others may teach in terms of inner awareness through movement, such as that found in the martial arts.

In practical terms, lineage also indicates where teachings come from. In terms of time and space, one can trace back generations to the source of the teachings and have an appreciation of the various permutations along the way.

In cosmic terms, one can think of any lineage as a mandala. Imagine each spoke in this mandala as a separate time period. As one taps into a specific lineage through a teacher, one is tapping into that lineage's manifest form as it exists in that current time. However, if the teacher is worth their salt, they are able to tap into the entire mandala as it exists across time and across planes of awareness, giving anyone who is seeking knowledge and wisdom, an access point into the vastness of that lineage as it exists across time and space. A great teacher will teach others to access lineage themselves, however, in the interim they offer themselves as a vehicle through which others can access that lineage's wisdom and medicine through them and with their guidance. A lesser teacher will recite theories and practices, however, a true master is able to move into the heart of that mandala and deliver its truth as potent and living medicine, and will in turn teach others to do the same.

Some people take lineage into the realm of ego, and so try to align themselves with the greatest teachers as a way to boost their own confidence and to impress people, but this is not at all what the spirit of lineage is. However, today this is quite common. The energy of such people seems to be saying, "Hey look at me I studied with so and so and I have the best teachings - I have a better grasp of the truth than anyone else." This is using lineage as a way to bolster a weak and deficient ego, and demonstrates that these individuals haven't yet grasped the deeper meaning of the teachings they are aligning themselves with.

A lineage is a psychic blueprint, which helps form and outline awareness into specific patterns of behavior. Buddha, in that sense, is an example of a psychic blueprint, or model, which stimulates the psyche of individual followers towards growth and development. That psychic blueprint is like a seed that is nurtured and cared for through practices and right attitude, such that Buddha nature awakens from within. The psychic blueprint is potential, then, existing as a stimulus and impetus towards growth and realization.

How does one tell a great teacher from a mediocre one? If one looks at the fruits of their actions, this becomes self evident. Using Amma as an example, again, one need not look hard to witness the vast reaching humanitarian efforts that spring forth from the hands of her followers, and witness the positive effects of her teachings in action all around the world. Any great teacher will in turn have this effect on the physical and psychic space around them. The effects may be overt and/or subtle, however, always, you will know a teacher by their fruits, by the effect their presence and actions have on the world around them.

If you enjoyed this piece, or have something to add, please post a comment here. I sure do love to hear feedback!

Focused Living: A Day of Concentration Training & Qigong

Upcoming Day-long retreat with Shaila Catherine & Tom Leichardt
This day-long program will explore the role of concentration for calming the mind, deepening wisdom, enhancing enduring happiness, and ushering attention into a profound state of stillness. We will introduce meditation techniques aimed at strengthening concentration, cultivating skills for freeing the mind from distraction, and developing equanimity to support undistracted awareness.
The retreat will be led by Shaila, and I will lead an hour qigong session from about 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Saturday, Nov 12, 2011, 9:30 am - 5 pm
Location: St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
More Information

Acupuncture & Qigong Sessions

As many of you know, I am offering acupuncture treatments at the Five Branches Clinic in San Jose as a way to complete my training for an acupuncture license. I am also incredibly happy to integrate medical qigong into these sessions. This makes them an incredible value to the community, as internship rates are incredibly low! The Five Branches intern rates are less than half of what I used to charge for medical qigong alone, so get yours while they last!  What is a session like? Find out here.

My clinic shifts are:

Wednesdays, 9am - 12pm; 1pm - 4pm
Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:30pm

Five Branches University San Jose Clinic Number:
408-260-8868

Find Inner Alchemy Center on Facebook:

It sure makes my heart sing when ya'll press that "like" button =) But seriously, if you follow this link, and you do press "like" on that page, you'll be more likely to see these updates on facebook in the future.

Thanks so much for reading this far!
May all beings be happy and peaceful.
Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu.

Tom / Yogeshwar

---
Where there is Love, there is no effort.
Amma
---

Tom Leichardt, DMQ (China)
408.772.6009
www.InnerAlchemyCenter.com

Monday, October 10, 2011

"My religion is kindness."

Greetings everyone!

In this update:

* "My religion is kindness."
* Level 2 Medical Qigong Course
* Acupuncture Sessions
* What is a Session like?
* Day-long Retreat on Focused Living

"My religion is kindness." 

These words of the Dalai Lama always struck me with a deep sense of truth and wisdom, as do Amma's words, "When someone is full of Love and Compassion, one cannot draw a line between two countries, two faiths, or two religions." Using these words as a springboard, I had the following insights about diversity and harmony:

My religion is kindness. My religion is love. I see all the religions as petals of one flower. While most see the differences, I just see the one. It is the human intellect that divides, while the heart mends together, brings together diverse pieces into oneness. It is through the power of love that many become one; that two become one. 

That transcendental reality that some call God, others, the Dao, and even others, the Great Mystery - how could it ever be contained in one religion, in one system of beliefs? I say, it cannot be contained even in all of them! For the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts, and there is much that goes beyond human understanding and comprehension. It is pure ego and delusion for any one religion to claim that their tradition has a special hold on Truth; be they Hindu, Daoist, Jew, Muslim, Christian, Indigenous, or whatever.

You may know a tradition not by judging its customs or worldviews, but by the fruits of its people's actions, by the degree of love stirred in the hearts of its followers, by the degree of joy that radiates from them, and by the compassionate acts of kindness in which they engage.

"Though a flower is composed of many petals, it is one flower. The human body consists of many parts, and yet it is one body. In the same way, the world consists of many different countries, cultures, languages, races and people. But for Amma there is just the world – there is only one." ~ Amma

I've had so many countless opportunities to be with and travel with Amma, that her teachings continuously radiate and reverberate within my soul. I've watched endless streams of people come to her every day; old, young, rich, poor, this religion, that religion, military people, drug dealers, prostitutes, police officers, politicians, all seeking spiritual comfort and grace. What I've come to know, is that there is something inside each one of us that goes beyond any of these distinctions. It is the part that longs to reconnect, to remember. In that sense, we are all on the same path, seeking the same source. In realizing this, we invoke harmony where there is diversity, we see unity underneath all our differences. Kindness, compassion, these are the qualities to rally behind. All our outer differences are just there to make the world interesting and intriguing. What is underneath all the apparent differences, however, in each of us, is what really matters.

If you enjoyed this piece, please consider posting a comment here:

Level 2 Medical Qigong Course

I am very excited about the upcoming level 2 course offered at Five Branches University, San Jose campus! The material in level 2 is very deep and transformational. The course can be taken for personal growth, and/or if you are interested in building a healing practice. In either case, there is ample opportunity for change and transmutation with this material. These arts teach us how to be more sensitive and aware so as to know from a deeper sense how to interact with people, handle situations, and see solutions that are far more positive and life affirming. We focus these energies into the healing arts, though they are universal principles applicable to life in general.

This course bridges deep personal transformational practices with the application of energy extension to help others heal and transform. In the first 2 days, we perform many Daoist shen gong (spirit skill) meditations, designed to increase awareness. We also practice the yiquan standing postures which build tremendous qi and strength of body and mind. In the latter 2 days, we dive into qi sensitivity exercises, learning to energetically set up a treatment space, plus introduction to table work. 

The dates for the level 2 course are: 
Oct 23, Nov 6 & 13, Dec 4, 2011
9 am - 6pm (32 Hours/CEUs)
For registration, please contact Phan Goh at sjextension@fivebranches.edu
MTCM students contact Gina Huang.
More information:

Acupuncture & Qigong Sessions

As many of you know, I am offering acupuncture treatments at the Five Branches Clinic in San Jose as a way to complete my training for an acupuncture license. I am also incredibly happy to integrate medical qigong into these sessions. This makes them an incredible value to the community, as internship rates are incredibly low! The Five Branches intern rates are less than half of what I used to charge for medical qigong alone, so get yours while they last!

My clinic shifts are:
Wednesdays, 9am - 12pm; 1pm - 4pm
Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:30pm

Five Branches University San Jose Clinic Number:
408-260-8868

What is a session like?

Recently, one of my qigong students asked me what a session with me looks like, and as I wrote the answer, I thought it perfect to share for those that are curious on this list:
The healing session begins with a health interview, where I inquire about your chief complaint or intention for coming to see me. From there I ask questions to familiarize myself with your situation, and from your answers I put together a theory in my mind as to what the condition is and how to address it. Next, you lay down on the treatment table. I perform a short meditation to prepare myself and the room, and from there I proceed with energetic assessment, as well as pulse and tongue diagnosis. Using qi perception and listening skills I feel into any energetic disturbances or areas of weakness, further expanding on my theory as to what is your energetic state and how to address it. Following is the actual treatment, which lasts about 25-35 minutes. Just like in qigong class, what I am doing is purging areas of excess or stagnation, strengthening areas of weakness, and then regulating your qi dynamic. In a sense, I am doing qigong for you, initiating patterns of health, that you can then further nurture with qigong exercises that I prescribe specific to your condition.

Pain, physical or emotional, is a form of qi stagnation. In that sense, I can dip in energetically and move the stagnation to create relief. Often the stagnation is emotional in nature, and I find myself pulling out aspects of past pain such as anger or grief, but physical pain can also be addressed in this manner. It is important to note that no emotion is seen as negative, however, it is when the energy becomes stuck, congealed, and cut off from its natural flow that it causes problems. To that end, I loosen its stagnation, facilitate its proper release, and ensure its proper flow. I use my knowledge of energetic anatomy to accomplish this, having spent years in training to learn the various pathways both through scholastic study as well as experience through the inner alchemy meditations and qigong practices that move qi in the body-mind. I use the points, channels, and organ systems recognized in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as the dantians, chakras, and center core energetics that are recognized in Daoist Chinese Medicine.

For acupuncture, I use sterile disposable needles as mandated by law, and my needling skill has been described as both smooth and painless. Most people hardly feel the needle insertion, or describe the sensation akin to a mosquito bite. However, after insertion many report the sensation of qi flowing through some of the points or channels; described as warm, tingling, or heavy.

Focused Living: A Day of Concentration Training and Qigong

Upcoming Day-long retreat with Shaila Catherine & Tom Leichardt
This day-long program will explore the role of concentration for calming the mind, deepening wisdom, enhancing enduring happiness, and ushering attention into a profound state of stillness. We will introduce meditation techniques aimed at strengthening concentration, cultivating skills for freeing the mind from distraction, and developing equanimity to support undistracted awareness.
Saturday, Nov 12, 2011, 9:30 am - 5 pm
Location: St. Timothy's Episcopal Church

Thanks so much for reading this far!

May all beings be happy and peaceful.
Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu.

Tom / Yogeshwar

---
Where there is Love, there is no effort. 
Amma
---

Tom Leichardt, DMQ (China)
408.772.6009

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Amma Tour, Acupuncture, and Medical Qigong Courses

Greetings everyone,

In this update:

*** Amma Tour Reflections
*** Acupuncture Treatments
*** Upcoming Events


*** Amma Tour Reflections

This summer, I've once again had the incredible grace and fortune to travel with Amma, the great Indian saint who has dedicated her life to humanitarian work and spiritual upliftment. Tirelessly, for over 30 years, she has traveled around the world giving darshan, seeding and managing countless humanitarian projects and helping people from all walks of life, regardless of religion, color, or background. To be in the presence of this remarkable woman, is like stepping into a river of love and compassion. 

Amma's simple message of love, compassion and service has been a guiding light to me for many years now, and I continue to feel truly grounded in her work. In a world that is so often lacking of true open heart communication and relating, having her presence always reminds me of what is important in life, and that is to risk living with an open heart and with dedication to the simple values that she represents and embodies in her actions. Other than that, words can't even begin to describe the kind of transformation that happens on tour. It is a total immersion in another plane of reality, where different principles and truths seem to operate, or perhaps we see the truth more clearly that is so obstructed in regular life. Either way, she truly brings out the best in all of us.

*** Acupuncture Treatments

As many of you know, I've been practicing medical qigong for about 12 years now. However, to supplement my medical qigong practice, 3 years ago I entered a four year Chinese herbology and acupuncture training program, and over the next year I will be completing my clinical internship training in these two new areas of study. To fulfill my training, I will be offering acupuncture treatments at the Five Branches clinic in San Jose. I will be available in the clinic starting August 23rd, every Wednesday from 9 am to 4 pm, and Thursdays from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. Appointments can be made by calling the clinic at (408) 260-8868.

I will be able to combine medical qigong with acupuncture (and herbs if necessary) during these treatment sessions, and I really look forward to blending these medicines! Cost wise, this will turn out great for people, because not only are internship clinic treatments very affordable, but the school is also offering a special to all new patients for the first three treatments. Please contact me for details about the new patient discount.

*** Upcoming Events

Medical Qigong Levels 1 & 2 at Five Branches University San Jose campus (32 CEUs each):

Level 1
Interested in directing body movement, breath and the mind to facilitate self healing? Medical qigong level 1 offers ample opportunity to learn a powerful self healing practice, while also diving into some of the ideas behind Daoist energetic medicine. This is an experiential and theoretical course that fully explores Daoist self cultivation practices for health and well being.
Sundays Aug 28, Sept 11 & 25, Oct 9; 9 am - 6 pm (32 hours/CEUs)

Level 2
Powerful Daoist meditations are taught to unveil one's intuitive capacities and direct them towards energetic healing. This course is a mix of experiential and theoretical knowledge and wisdom directed towards applying qigong for healing self and others.
Sundays Oct 23, Nov 6 & 13, Dec 4; 9 am - 6 pm (32 hours/CEUs)

For registration contact Five Branches Extension program at sjextension@fivebranches.edu
MTCM students register with Gina Huang.

Retreats
Insight Meditation South Bay (IMSB)
With Tom Leichardt and Shaila Catherine
Both retreats will be held on Saturdays, from 9:30 am – 5 pm
* Nov 12, 2011
* Feb 11, 2012
For more information:
http://www.inneralchemycenter.com/classes-imsb-ws.shtml


I generally like to write more during these updates, but for the life of me I'm just not in a writing space. Hopefully next time I can put together some delightful insights about energetic practices. I've been feeling many new directions over the summer but it is still too soon to write about them. What I am really learning is that when you get the inside right, the outside comes together in a most beautiful way.

Wishing you all the best!

Tom (Yogeshwar)

---
Where there is Love, there is no effort. 
Amma
---

Tom Leichardt, DMQ (China)
408.772.6009

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Metaphysical Boxing, Inner Alchemy & Qigong events

Greetings everyone!

In this update, "Metaphysical Boxing, Understanding the Spiritual Depth of the Martial Arts." And of course an update on upcoming events and such. 

*** Metaphysical Boxing
*** Teaching in Colorado Springs
*** Calendar of Events


*** Metaphysical Boxing
Understanding the Spiritual Depth of the Martial Arts

How do we redirect or transform the energy that moves towards us on a daily basis? What if that energy triggers our non-thinking reflexive fight-or-flight reaction?

In life, we are bent out of shape, usually when we are challenged in one way or another. Martial arts, in the truest of sense, teach us how to accept and work with the challenges of life with grace, ease, and lightness. Martial arts teach us to be present, calm, and alert, even in the face of direct challenges to our person. In training, we work through all the personal issues that are triggered, the heavy layers of unconscious programming and "knee jerk" reactions, until we become more and more clear to respond to each challenge with clarity, peace, and consciousness. Each incoming fist, kick, or strike becomes a metaphor for incoming energy from the universe, and in the microcosm of our sparring session, we can observe, study, and practice our response. Did we react out of fear? Out of anger? Did we tighten up, or did we remain relaxed? Were we overwhelmed with ego, self preservation, or desire only to win and subdue the incoming force, or did we gracefully respond by gently redirecting or neutralizing it?

Martial arts training, in the controlled safe setting and right attitude of self exploration and transformation, will enable those latent memories of pain and fear, stored in our biological and energetic matrix, to surface and flood our present moment awareness. We are given the golden opportunity to transform blind reaction into conscious response. We learn to dissolve our association with past pain and fear, to come into the present moment during our sparring or push hands sessions. Push hands or sparring are the vehicles for our growth, helping trigger the latent pain and self preserving ego in us, to bring it all into the light of our presence. 

In presence, that which is not presence becomes transformed and transmuted into presence. This is the true meaning of Inner Alchemy, of transforming base metal (our reactions arising out of separateness) into gold (presence and felt oneness with all that is). To be and to abide in presence is indeed more precious than gold. We awaken into who we truly are. We awaken out of the bundle of preprogrammed reactions based in pain and separation. A whole new dimension of awareness opens up. A mirage is simply seen as a mirage, and the shadow as shadow. There is no doubt as to what is real. This abiding state of presence, unspoiled by the conditioning of this world, is the golden elixir of life. And it is not something that is far away, but rather, it is who we truly are.

Thus one begins to dance through life, as if intoxicated.

*** Teaching in Colorado Springs

I was invited to teach the level 1 course (IIMQ P1) in Colorado Springs, and I'm so excited to come out there to meet new people and to share all of these practices with a new community. I really enjoy the collective field created in classes, and look forward to total immersion for a few days in Colorado!
Dates and times for this adventure include Friday May 27 through Monday May 30, 9 am - 6 pm. This is a total of 32 hours of in depth training, Daoist medical theory, and application. Our location will be:
Tai Chi Boxing Association of Colorado Springs
For more information:

*** Calendar of Events

Medical Qigong Certification at Five Branches University, San Jose
Level 1 and Level 2, Fall Semester 2011
From 9 am - 6 pm, on the following Sundays:
Level 1: Aug 28, Sept 11 & 25, Oct 9
Level 2: Oct 23, Nov 6 & 13, Dec 4

Retreats
Insight Meditation South Bay (IMSB)
With Tom Leichardt and Shaila Catherine
Both retreats will be held on Saturdays, from 9:30 am - 5 pm
* Nov 12, 2011
* Feb 11, 2012
For more information:

Thanks for reading this far!

May all beings be happy and peaceful. 
Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu. 
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Blessings,
Tom (Yogeshwar)






























---
Where there is Love, there is no effort. 
Amma
---

Tom Leichardt, DMQ (China)
408.772.6009