THE UNEXPECTEDNESS OF IT ALL
Mathematician, Australia
From left: Susan, Neil, Judith and Ron in their Direct Immersion
The truly wonderful thing was the unexpectedness of it all. I knew deep down that the course was going to be great, but I did not anticipate the depth and quality of what I was to experience, despite having trained in an "internal" martial art on and off for almost 20 years.
-- Dr Neil Kelson
Recently a small party of four of us made our way to Sungai Patani for the intensive chi kung course with Grandmaster Wong Kew Kit.
Grandmaster Wong suggested that I write something about my experiences, which I do with gratitude and without hesitation. Unfortunately, language is completely inadequate. So for the following, perhaps something like "direct immersion" might come close.
Immersed in the presence of the master, I experienced something so clearly direct, so totally uplifting, very powerful and deeply personal as to defy adequate description.
The truly wonderful thing was the unexpectedness of it all. I knew deep down that the course was going to be great, but I did not anticipate the depth and quality of what I was to experience, despite having trained in an "internal" martial art on and off for almost 20 years.
The directness of what I experienced goes beyond being "inspired". In the past, I have been fortunate to learn from some excellent teachers (both in martial arts and in other areas) who have inspired me, i.e. people who have brought out the best in me, who have lifted my endeavours to greater heights, and have provided me with an outstanding role model to emulate.
But somehow, this was beyond being inspired. Immersed in the presence of the master, my own energy work was able to soar to heights which have given me a direct and clear picture of what is needed in my personal practice to grow in the art of energy cultivation.
It was a funny thing, but after only two of the 3 days had passed, we were actually in some ways ready to leave! Having learnt so much we were rather impatient to return home and commence our personal practice on our own!
Let me now describe to you two "snapshots".
It is lesson one, day 1. We have just commenced performing "Lifting the Sky" under Sifu's instruction. Shortly into the exercise, I experience an incredibly strong upwelling of joy. It grows rapidly and with tremendous power. I try to contain it. I CANNOT. Momentarily, my awareness snaps into a space roughly the size of the 3 swimming pools next to where we stand. Shortly after, I am completely overcome and have to stop the exercise altogether, with my head buried in my hands.
It is now - shall we say - lesson seven, day 5 of our 3 day course. We had left Sungai Patani the day before, and our little party of 4 were now in our hotel on the beach in Penang, all feeling incredibly elated and with much to talk about.
It is about 7am and I am in the shower, trying (yet again unsuccessfully) to contain my unstoppable tears. Shortly after rising, I have been receiving very simple, strong and positive messages, as if Sifu was close by speaking to me, telling me how to continue practice, telling me how my life will be hereafter, answering my questions. My tears are tears of gratitude -- I am simply overwhelmed by the total generosity of someone who has given so freely of themselves for my benefit. In some ways, this "lesson" was more powerful than what we had been taught when we were with Sifu earlier.
Let me finish by saying that if Sifu's books ring true or inspire you (as they did me), then when the time is right go and experience directly for yourself what it's really all about to "just let it flow", "smile from the heart" and other wonderful things that this incredibly generous person can teach you.
Neil Kelson
Email
mailto:-n.kelson@qut.edu.au
Brisbane,
Australia.
14th Febuary, 2000.