Are you asking the right Questions?

Another great post and point from one of the blogs I read: The Most Critical Tool for Progressing On Your Spiritual Journey.

Through a Zen Meditation story, Anmol Mehta brings an important story about asking the right questions as your most critical tool for your spiritual journey. Asking questions is how we learn, ask the right questions and you progress, ask the wrong questions and at best you become stagnant. A qoute from Anmol; “Enlightenment has to do with bringing about a realization in yourself and that should be the primary area of your inquiry.”

The point being, questioning around the the realization of self will put you on the track to process your spiritual path. To question society, religion, other’s behaviors, etc; this just questions our false reality and does nothing to question things that will lead to realization of self.

On the other hand, as I move on my spiritual path, this point may make sense but not at the same time. I have to profess that I understand the concept but do I understand how to fully use it?

What do you think? What questions would one ask?

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Paths, Syncronicity, Visions and Life’s Purpose

In a dream My Maternal Grandmother came out of a hospital, handed me a red hair band and with earnest voice insisted, “It’s important you start with the Crane, you need to start with the Crane.” I had been contemplating two different Chinese Medicine Qigong Programs in Portland at the time. I did choose to follow the guidance, though, as it felt right and soon began learning Soaring Crane Qigong in addition to Acupuncture, Herbology and Shiatsu Japanese Bodywork at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. It was the beginning of my training into an ancient system of movement meditation for health and vitality originating from China. In addition to learning prescribed routines of the Soaring Crane form, I was also trained in Spontaneous Qigong, a powerful style whereby the mind is relaxed and the healing energies of Nature clean and strengthen the energy channels (meridians) of the body. Healing occurs as universal life force energy flows through and moves the body without conscious intent.

Near graduating four years later I sat in sweltering heat and solitude in the desert under a Ponderosa Pine on my first Vision Quest outside of Redmond, Oregon. There I connected with the Rainbow Serpent, the mythological Great Mother and creative energy of the Earth according to the Aboriginal people of Australia. After two days without food or water in 102 degree weather, and following a vision of seeing and feeling a huge black snake climbing up out of the water, my body started to move involuntarily and a snake like energy awoke within me. It rose upward into and throughout my body as I sat on the dusty ground and began to dance my body. With quick, winding serpentine stretches and sinuous sensuality I slithered around in a circle, my mind reeling in astonishment trying to make sense of what was happening. The experience culminated with my body coiling inward then with sudden and intense alacrity striking forward at an unknown and unseen prey. The experience was nothing short of profound yet I had no point of reference to understand the experience. Later through dreams and much research I came to understand that I had been initiated into a system of transcendental healing referenced in the myths and archeological evidence of ancient civilizations around the world. Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong had been birthed through me and with it I began a spiritual odyssey into the mysteries of the universe and a deeper understanding of God/the Divine.

I am sincerely grateful for my own healing and the insights that continue to unfold through my practice of Qigong. As a teacher of Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong, I enjoy helping individuals unlock their innate intuitive, creative energies and empowering others to live with greater joy, vitality and authenticity.

Christina Bjergo is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Shiatsu Japanese Massage Practitioner and founder/facilitator of Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong. Christina has a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in International Affairs. Upon completing her M.A. in Environmental Management, she became an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard spending the majority of her 11 years of public service writing pollution response regulations in D.C. and managed pollution response/investigations throughout Oregon and Washington. A practitioner of Asian Wellness, Christina teaches Qigong to help others connect with Nature for physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. Her primary goal is to empower others to live with greater vitality, joy and authenticity. She incorporates dreamwork and shamanic techniques into her classes to help individuals unlock their own intuitive, creative energies. Christina is currently writing a book on Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong to guide others on their journey to wholeness.

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Watching Over Your Self

You yourself should reprove yourself,
should examine yourself.
As a self-guarded monk
with guarded self,
mindful, you dwell at ease.

Your own self is
your own mainstay.
Your own self is
your own guide.
Therefore you should
watch over yourself–
as a trader, a fine steed.

-Dhammapada, 25, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

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“I” and Meditation

I love my meditation time, even if “I” am having trouble being present. It’s a time to separate the two part, nothing and the ego. One is a shell or a door to the other. This came across an email list I’m on and it struck me. Those of you who meditate will understand, those who don’t I hope will see the value and start:

When we practice meditation our mind always follows our breathing. Inhale, the air comes into the inner world. Exhale, the air goes to the outer world. The inner world is limitless, and the outer world is also limitless. We say “inner world” or “outer world,” but actually there is just one whole world. In this limitless world, our throat is like a swinging door.

The air comes in and goes out like someone passing through a swinging door.

If you think, “I breathe,” the “I” is extra. There is no you to say “I.” What we call “I” is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale. It just moves; that is all.

When your mind is pure and calm enough to follow this movement, there is nothing: no “I,” no world, no mind nor body; just a swinging door.

–Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

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