Tao is often translated as One or The Way and also refers to the understanding of The Right Way of Living. In the Taoist creation story, the Universe was created by a Divine Spark which defined a circle, the void within then dividing into the two poles Yin and Yang which represent the natural flow and dynamic interplay of Qi or energy.

Da Qi means Great Energy and is also known as the Universal Life Force. From this philosophical viewpoint, it can be seen that the Universe began with and is defined by Divinity. Tao as Divinity is non-personal and is sometimes referred to as a supreme state of Being, the important aspect of Tao that can be discovered through Shuichuan practice.

In the Tao Te Ching – a book which can be best understood from the Qigong perspective and from reading it in the Qigong state – Lao Tsu wrote of his own experience of being at One with Tao, perhaps facilitated by the ancient practice of the Taoist Exercise, Zi Fa Gong or Free Exercise, an essential aspect of Shuichuan Zi Ran (Natural) Qigong.

Through following the Shuichuan path, you will be able to feel and understand many aspects of Tao as they manifest in your Life.

Shuichuan offers the possibility of being able to live Life in a peaceful and balanced state arising from your own Being. In order to feel and experience this valuable Inner realm, you need only let go and flow with the energy emanating from The Da Qi or Universal Life Force, this ability to flow expressing each person’s relationship with the natural world.

The Chinese term for Being is Wu Wei and this translates as ‘not doing’ or following only what arises from within that feels right. Wu Wei can also be likened to a state of Grace.

The lives and work of the ancient sages Lao Tsu and Chuang Tsu reflect this, and examples from the Western perspective include Henry David Thoreau and St Francis of Assisi. The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu is an especially poetic and timeless account of his own experience of living in Wu Wei and can be more easily understood by reading it in the Qigong state.

When you experience Being, you will discover that it is normal, healthy and balanced, bringing harmony into every aspect of your Life.

The Universal Life Force energy exists within and around all things and the ability to move with it is as old as time itself and is natural to us all. Each person’s individual experience of the Free Exercise will demonstrate this Truth as it did to Lao Tsu in ancient China. It is more than simply for health, it is a skill for all of Life which blossoms as you continue to use it.

Through practise, your mind naturally becomes quiet so that you can feel connected with your Inner Being and discover that you are not the contents of mental chatter. Shuichuan leads to greater clarity of mind so that when you need to use it in your work, for example, you will experience ease in the thinking process. This will give you greater confidence in decision-making. Decisions that are spiritually correct will be right for those around you too.

In Shuichuan, the improvement in your health represents part of the healing journey of Life. While it is not a panacea, the greater vitality and wellbeing you experience promotes health on the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual levels, all aspects that make up who you are.

Wu Wei or ‘not doing’ is synonymous with Being and is a great gift inherent in Shuichuan practice. This means that you have the ability to be fully present as you carry out even everyday tasks, bringing an aware, balanced, harmonious and peaceful energy to all of Life. You will feel more at ease and grounded within yourself, your relationships will benefit and you will be able to deal more effectively with stressful situations.

Qigong as one of the traditional Chinese Medicine healing arts is known as the Inner Alchemy. It has a long history of use in China for a wide range of conditions and is a practice for both physician and patient allowing full participation in the healing process. As you discover this natural gift, you will be able to use it for yourself and others as well as for animals, plants and places.

The true reality of life is quite beyond our human understanding. Life is not logical but has a flow to it and Shuichuan helps you to adjust to this natural flow. Shuichuan will not enable you to live without the ups and downs of life, but will help you to balance your energy. The purpose of Shuichuan practice is to achieve an increased consciousness of Wu Wei, being in a state of constant Prayer. Once this is learned, the purpose and meaning of your life becomes much clearer and the ups and downs will not affect your Inner balance at all.

Zi Ran Qigong is a miracle and must not be confused with the teaching systems which are also called Qigong. The movements you receive in your Shuichuan Exercise are different from everyone else’s – they are tailor-made for you and move the energy within as you need it for balance. You do not move from your mind but The Da Qi (The Great Chi or Mystery), moves you.

For the natural world this beautiful energy works by itself. The salmon knows how and when to return to its original river – it gets there without a compass – and the birds instinctively know how to build their individual nests. Their lives progress seemingly without effort.

In our modern society, all you need to do is let go and be natural. Follow your connection to The Da Qi through your Shuichuan practice and the feelings that come from it and don’t try to seek an explanation, for this is beyond the human mind and understanding.

John Peter Freear (1942-2003), Founder of Shuichuan