SELECTION OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
AUGUST 2018 PART 2
A pattern from the Shaolin Wahnam 18 Chi Kung Techniques
Question 1
Can you tell us more about Shaolin Wahnam 18 Chi Kung Techniques?
— Antonio, Spain
Answer
The set of Shaolin Wahnam 18 Chi Kung Techniques was composed by me as a result of a noble suggestion from a student.
He said that our chi kung was elite. Those who could afford to pay high fees could practice our chi kung, though he added that the benefits students got were much more than the money they paid. But we must not forget the poor people, who formed the mass of the population. While catering to the rich, we must not neglect the poor.
So from my understanding and performance of chi kung, I collected 18 suitable exercises or techniques to compose the Shaolin Wahnam 18 Chi Kung Techniques. The term "Shaolin Wahnam" was used because it came from Shaolin Wahnam. I chose 18 techniques in honour of the 18 Lohans. A Lohan, called Arahan in Sanskrit, was a direct disciple of the Buddha. The number "18" was also inspired by a popular set of chi kung called Taij 18 Techniques.
These 18 Shaolin Wahnam Chi Kung Techniques are for health, which is called "bao jian" in Chinese. The concept of health may vary. Many people consider a person healthy when he is free from illness. Our concept of health is wider. Not only he is free from illness, a healthy person is also free from stress and anxiety, and he eats and sleeps well.
We also include vitality and longevity. A person practicing the Shaolin Wahnam 18 Chi Kung Techniues is not only healthy, but is also full of zest in his work and play, and lives a long, happy life. As he progresses in his practice, he can also use the techniques for combat and spiritual cultivation.
Hence the Shaolin Wahnam 18 Chi Kung Techniques can be practiced at various levels and in different ways. They can be practiced as physical exercises, which is the lowest level. They can also be practiced as chi kung, with emphasis at their form, energy or mind. The techniques can also be practiced as marital arts or for spiritual cultivation.
A practitioner may choose any one of the 18 techniques to practice for many times. He may choose any techniques in any order as a combination. He may practice a part of the set, or he may practice the whole set.
The Shaolin Wahnam 18 Chi Kung Techniques is a wonderful set that fulfills any one or all the aims of practicing chi kung. The set is valuable to a great range of people.
Question 2
Can we practice yoga or Taiji when practicing Shaolin Wahnam chi kung?
— Luis, Germany
Answer
Of course, you can.
You perform better and enjoy more in these other arts because of the skills you have developed in Shaolin Wahnam chi kung. For example, you can relax and free your mind of other thoughts, which is a basic requirement in our chi kung practice.
In fact, you can do anything better when you practice chi kung from Shaolin Wahnam. This may sound boastful, but it is true. Many of our students have reported that they have better results no matter what they do. They also feel happier and more peaceful.
Any practitioner who practices kungfu should be able to use his kungfu techniques for combat
Question 3
How do I know I practice at 30%?
— Hermosa, Spain
Answer
30% is just an estimate. A good way to estimate 30% is as follows. Take your performance at this regional course as 100%. Half that performance, and you get 50%. Half that 50%, and you get 25%, which is close to 30%.
There are two important points to bear in mind.
One, 30% of one person is different from 30% of another person. A master's 30%, for example, may be a beginner's 500%.
Two, a person's 30% at one time may be different form his 30% at another time. For example, you practice at 30% for 2 years, but your 30% now will be different from your 30% 2 years later. Two years later, your 30% may be your 300% now.
Some people may argue how can we have 300% or 500%, as the maximum is 100%. The figures are for comparison. When we say that in 2 years' time, your performance at 30% is 300% now means that 2 years later you will be 3 times better than your full potential now.
Question 4
You said that one needed chi kung skills to practice Sinew Metamorphosis, and that he could get the skills form Generating Energy Flow and Massaging Internal Organs that you taught in earlier courses. I just joined the Sinew Metamorphosis course. I did not attend the earlier courses. Do I have the skills to perform Sinew Metamorphosis?
— Andrea, Italy
Answer
Yes, you have.
You had a personalized course from me a few years ago when you developed some basic skills. You also did very well in that personalized course.
Sinew Metamorphosis is an advanced course that requires advanced chi kung skills, not just learning the techniques which can be done from a good book or a good video. Learning and acquiring the skills need to be done from a living teacher, preferably a master.
When we mention that students taking advanced courses must first have taken basic courses, it is for the students' benefit. If they go straight to advanced courses without basic skills, they may learn the techniques of the advanced chi kung but they will not have the results of what the course will give them because they do not have the basic skills. Courses like Internal Force, Cosmic Shower, Cosmic Breathing and Sinew Metamorphosis are advanced. They enable students to attain peak performance and merge with the Cosmos.
Courses like Generating Energy Flow, Eighteen Jewels and Five-Animal Play are basic. They enable students to enter into a chi kung state of mind, overcome illness, and attain good health, vitality and longevity.
Intensive Chi Kung Courses range from the basic to the advanced. They are meant to provide students with a comprehensive and deep understanding and performance so that they can be masters. Personalized courses are meant for people with special problems, and include basic chi kung skills.
Breaking the bottom of two bricks using Cosmos Palm
Question 5
I have your book, The Complete Book of Zen.
— Michael, USA
Editorial Note: Michael's other questions can be read at August 2018 Part 1 issue of the Question-Answer Series.
Answer
I honestly believe that my "Complete Book of Zen" was written by Guan Yin Bodh Satt, or the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion. I must confess that the wisdom in the book is beyond my ability.
You will probably enjoy my other books, like "The Complete Book of Shaolin" and "The Art of Chi Kung". Nevertheless, I consider my masterpiece to be "The Way of the Master". Before this, I considered "In Quest of Cosmic Reality", still unpublished, as my best manuscript.
Question 6
Do you still train in Iron Palm and Iron Body?
Answer
I stopped training Iron Palm about 50 years ago. The immediate reason then was because I failed to break a brick after training for two years, though I was supposed to do so after 100 days.The real reason was that my sifu, Sifu Ho Fatt Nam, taught me Cosmos Palm, which is more powerful than Iron Palm. I could, for example, break the bottom of two bricks without breaking the one on top.
I did not train Iron Shirt formally, but I train Golden Bell, which includes Iron Shirt training methods and is superior to Iron Shirt.
Many years ago, my disciple, Andrew Barnett, who is the Chief Instructor of Shaolin Wahnam Switzerland, asked me what the best Shaolin art was, and I answered Golden Bell. If someone were to ask me the same question today, I would answer any chi kung that gives good health, vitality and longevity.
An old photo taken in the 1980s showing Sifu Wong Yin Tat, an old disciple of Grandmaster Wong, demonstrating Iron Shirt
Question 7
What side effects occur with internal organs from not using jow for Iron Palm and Iron Body?
Answer
If a practitioner does not use "thit da jow" or Chinese medicated wine in his training of Iron Palm, he may injure his eyes, because there are meridians linking his hands to his eyes.
It is more serious in Iron Shirt training. Depending on where he hits his body with bags, sticks or rods, he can injure that part of his body, like his liver, kidneys, lungs and brain,
Chinese medicated wine can prevent injuries, or cure them at an early stage. If the injuries have been there for a long time, he needs genuine high-level chi kung to clear the injuries..
Question 8
Can you recommend another option to make my hands stronger for striking Makiwara board without the use of jow? And how can I strike my body without jow?
Answer
The best option is to train genuine, high-level chi kung. Your hands and body will be protected by a layer of chi, and you can strike Mahaara boards or your own body hard without the use of "thit da jow" or Chinese medicated wine.
As you progress, you may not want to strike boards, yourself and other things or people. You will enjoy life wholesomely, as your chi kung training will give you good health, vitality and longevity.
If you have any questions, please e-mail them to Grandmaster Wong via his Secretary at stating your name, country and e-mail address.
LINKS
Selected Reading
- The Unbelievable Intensive Chi Kung Course
- 18 Best Techniques of the Time of Praying Mantis Kungfu
- Single Whip -- Technique for Exploding Force
- Wise Ways to Deal with Betrayals
- The Heartland of South India