Julie Goodman
Joe Pinella will give a talk to the SaddleBrooke Metaphysical Study Group on December 14, 2016 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the HOA 1 Activity Center about developing a Qigong practice and how to implement some of the sacred elements of a Qigong practice into your own life. Please do not park on the street near the Activity Center, but park up near the Fitness Center.
Instructor Joe Pinella has studied and practiced the ancient Chinese healing arts of QiGong and Tai Chi Kung for over 50 years. The real test of his experience came in 1991 when he broke his neck and back in a horrific auto accident in Flagstaff, Arizona. Using these arts, he was able to overcome severe disabilities and regain the use of his body. Desire—Determination— and Dedication, coupled with these arts gave him back his life. He now uses his personal healing experience to empower others to recover their health to live a better quality of life.
Qigong is a Chinese term that means energy work. “Qi” means energy or life force, and “Gong” means work or practice or accomplishment. Qigong is the means to working with energy. Energy can be developed, channeled, stored, used and directed for any purpose.
When people recognize that everything is energy – body, mind, emotions, spirit and the entire world around us – they can see the power of having a skill, which allows them to work with the life force energy. Qigong is a collection of principles and techniques which are used to focus toward whatever objective one desires: physical health, mental/emotional wellbeing, prowess in the martial arts and spiritual transformation.
Qigong was developed by the ancient Taoists who took many of the principles from prehistoric Chinese shamanism. In Taoism, the all-pervasive life force energy, or qi, is the foundation of spiritual development and Qigong is the means to explore it. The ultimate aim of Taoist spiritual practice is to transform the mind, body and spirit in order to unite with the Tao.
According to Taoism, the body is the means to spiritual transformation, not something to be transcended or ignored. The body’s energy is the dominant human energy, which can obscure the more subtle energies of emotion, mind and spirit. That is why Taoist spiritual practices always begin with physical health and healing practices. Most people just stop with the physical benefits. A deeper practice of Taoist Qigong is concerned with developing awareness of the body’s energies.
MSG is an exploratory group of like-minded individuals getting together to discuss spiritual and enlightenment topics. MSG has several other interest groups including: Reiki Share Group, Metaphysical Book Group, SaddleBrooke Bereavement Group, Spiritual Heart Connection Service and Spiritual Discussion Group. See the MSG website at http://www.saddlebrookemetaphysical.net.