The Chi Center Wisdom Healing Retreats led by Master Mingtong Gu
Channel: chicenter
Date: 2013-01-09

Regeneration Vacation -- A Qigong Retreat- Healing Story by Susan Drouilhet

"Before I traveled 2,000 miles to the Chi Center's Healing Intensive Retreat in Petaluma, California last April, I knew my life would change. I didn't know Master Mingtong Gu, and I knew little about Qigong. But I knew, upon opening the email from the Institute of Noetic Sciences announcing the upcoming retreat that I would be there. 

Around forty "strangers" from around the world gathered for two weeks to focus on one common goal -- healing the body, mind and spirit through the practice of Qigong. There were many reasons for being there. Some participants had active cancer; some, like myself, had just completed cancer treatment and were recovering from that. Others had Parkinson's, diabetes, Lyme's disease, addiction, chronic pain or trauma. One woman had chosen the retreat instead of hospice where, in her words, she would be "just lying around waiting to die." Some were supporting their partners and in the process, learning about chi and energy healing. Some were looking for rejuvenation, less stress, more peace. Some were there to support the group and deepen their Qigong practice. 

You might think it was hard to be in an environment where there was so much apparent challenge. Actually, the retreat was one of the most vibrantly alive and joyful gatherings I have ever experienced. As one participant, Peg, put it, "Mingtong draws on round-the-world and round-the-clock energy so that each of the participants in the chi field can cultivate healing for themselves and contribute healing for others." It was truly amazing to be in this vessel of transformation where you learn how to access and direct healing energy towards oneself or another, or even the whole world, regardless of your circumstances.

Retreat days were filled with Qigong practices such as movement, visualization and sound healing led by Mingtong and Qigong teachers. There were nutritious and delicious meals, refreshing laughter and sharing, nourishing silence and plenty of rest----even Chi naps.

It wasn't easy. It was a vacation like no other. It took will and persistence to continue the practices for hours a day, especially when resistance and blockages arose. It was a vacation from old ways of thinking and being, and the clatter and busy-ness of the world. It was a wide-open invitation to dive deeply into our own profound healing and renewal. And with our continued efforts and Mingtong's skillful navigation, kind encouragement, infectious humor and galaxy-wide compassion, challenges released their grip and healing happened. 

My own personal healing journey continues. All follow-up tests look good. As I said, I knew Qigong would change my life, and it has. I now practice Qigong daily and am studying to become a Wisdom Healing Qigong teacher. Because I live at such a distance from California, I am grateful that in addition to the in-person retreats, I can study and practice with Mingtong from my home through the Chi Center's Pure Qi Live Online----Seasonal Wellness Series. Each Pure Qi course focuses on the organ system that is most challenged and valuable to the season, for example, Spring focuses on the liver system and Summer on the heart and cardiovascular system.

As Master Mingtong Gu says, "Qigong allows us to dip into the ocean of pure energy that heals and sustains life. By accessing and cultivating this energy, this chi, we consciously structure the energy for health and happiness." I feel as if I have dipped my toes into a vast ocean of chi, supported by my new Chi Family in my healing practice...and there is much, much to learn."

About the Author

Susan Drouilhet is a Life and Wellness Coach based in Fayetteville, Arkansas