Tag: meditation

  • Qi gong giver ro og glæde i hverdagen

    Qi gong giver ro og glæde i hverdagen – og jeg kunne ikke forestille mig en bedre instruktør end Thomas 

    Jeg havde ikke prøvet qi gong, før Thomas introducerede mig for det for snart et års tid siden. Og sikke en rejse, det har været.

    Thomas har en meget umiddelbar tilgang til denne stående meditationsform, der også inkorporerer bevægelser, beslægtet med tai chi. Tingene er, som de er, og skal ikke tages for tunge. Ej hellere skal øvelserne udføres med for meget målrettet intention. Det gælder mere om at være i øvelserne, og i sig selv, og acceptere alle de utilstrækkeligheder, man selv eller verden måtte have. 

    Samtidig er qi gong en søgen efter det sublime, det at være i nuet. Sammen. Det gælder om, som Thomas formulerer det, at trække det ofte støvede og tunge forhæng til side, og bare være, acceptere og smile sig vej lige ind i tilværelsens epicenter: Det nu, som vi alle har, hele tiden, men som vi så ofte glemmer. 

    Ligesom denne filosofiske overbygning er et paradoks mellem accept og intentionel søgen, er også øvelserne et paradoks. I qi gong gælder det om at gå lidt ned i knæ, skabe jordforbindelse, komme op på forfoden, skyde hoften frem, løfte armene som træet, der strækker sine grene ud til siden, holde positionen og så, ja, slappe af i hele kroppen. Det er selvfølgelig nærmest umuligt. Men samtidig er det umagen værd. Det at stå i denne løbende proces mellem afslapning og anspændthed, giver sindet noget at arbejde med og en særlig ro. Og når man efter ugers og måneders træning er blevet mere bekendt med qi gong, giver øvelserne også en særlig glæde. Det er glæden ved bare at få lov at være. Lige nu. Lige her. 

    Det er netop roen og glæden, jeg værdsætter ved qi gong. Og Thomas’ indføring i øvelserne er både ligetil og udfordrende på samme tid. Thomas er en formidabel instruktør, der både forklarer og viser øvelserne på en let forståelig måde, der dog altid lader uendelig meget plads til fordybelse – jeg vil med vilje ikke bruge ordet forbedring i denne sammenhæng. Idet Thomas løbende italesætter det, han viser, er instruktionerne ligetil, og man bliver hele tiden mindet om at bevare fokus på øvelserne. Samtidig er øvelserne så mangfoldige, at det aldrig bliver kedeligt at dyrke qi gong sammen med Thomas. Det virker som om, han har et utømmeligt reservoir af øvelser.  

    Jeg kan ikke anbefale det nok at prøve qi gong sammen med Thomas. Her bliver du taget med på en både filosofisk og kropslig rejse, der giver ro og glæde i hverdagen.

    Merlin Christophersen, 19. December 2024
  • From something to nothing and back again

    I let go to land in no-man’s-land.

    Heaven and earth are one.
    The circle and the square are the same.

    They part necessarily, without effort.
    First boundless stillness, then endless movement.

    There’s no sense in speaking of form or formlessness.
    Substance or non-substance—what is the difference?

    Body, energy, and mind—what are they?
    I am merely a channel for nature’s forces.

    My mind moves and fills the form.
    Empty yet full, the universe fills itself.

    I stand in the center.
    Seeing the master and servant work.

    When we offer no resistance,
    we meet with no resistance.

    Miracles and Mysteries.
    Everyday things are welcomed as a friend.

    I have no mind that is my own.
    Over time, this too fades away.

    Perfection in imperfection.
    Imperfection in perfection.

    It seems as if I am here, yet I am not. I am not, yet I am right here.

    Others cannot grasp it. I cannot comprehend it either.

    Naturally—it’s all right.

    (A poem on the liberation of mind, heart, and intention—“Shen, Xin & Yi”—in spiritual practices such as Standing Meditation, Qigong, Neigong, Neijia, and Taiji)

    Translation of “Fra noget til ingenting og tilbage igen” from Qigong Gentofte 2015

  • Qi Gong is efficient and fascinating

    “Qi Gong is an efficient and fascinating way to preserve and improve one’s health. If you are serious about Qi Gong and looking for a teacher to guide you on the path to wellbeing then Thomas Dyhr is your man”

    Søren Brøndholt Nielsen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Testimonial from Qigong Gentofte 2017
  • Taiji og qigong spire videre i mit hverdagsliv

    Jeg er blevet undervist af Thomas i 1 halvt år. Begyndte at lave taiji i 2007. Jeg begyndte på taiji og qigong af 3 hovedgrunde. For det første ønskede jeg at ændre en mega spændt krop – af fodbold og skovarbejde. En krop der konstant røg ud i skader og som osse fik disse ord med på vejen af en massør” Hvis du var et dyr var du blevet aflivet!” Den anden grund var ønsket om at få alle mine ukontrollerede tanker til at slappe lidt af med deres extreme bombardement af mit væsen.  Sidst men ikke mindst så ønskede jeg at dyrke noget i et fællesskab, hvor der var kropskontakt ala leg, dans og kamp.

    Undervisning hos Thomas, Qigong Gentofte:  Mærker at når selv små og simple kropsjusteringer og holdningsændringer implementeres  så forandres  hele min tilstedeværelse i min daglige gøren og laden.

    Der anvendes en træning der bla.a. bruger  konkrete eksempler fra naturen, hvor vi spejler os i træernes, buskenes, græssets o.s.v.s lette og ubekymrede væren.

    Thomas er en lærer der lader det der sker komme under en ærlig og kærlig lup. Hvilket giver mig selv en unik mulighed for at reflektere og  mærke min egen krop og sinds styrker og mangler. Og således kan der blidt arbejdes videre med det..

    Mængden af øvelser Thomas har i sin rygsæk synes for mig utømmeligt og af stor kvalitet.

    Jeg elsker det faktum at  taijien og qigongen der praktiseres i timen bringes med ud af træningslokalet for at spire videre i mit hverdagsliv.

    Lars Jensen, Søborg, Danmark

    Testimonial from Qigong Gentofte 2017
  • Taiji essentials in practise

    Essentials in Practising the Taiji Solo Set & Playing Hands

    by Li Yiyu

    An earlier teacher said: “If you can draw the opponent in to land on nothing, you can then use four ounces of force to move his of a thousand pounds. If you cannot draw the opponent in to land on nothing, you cannot use four ounces to move a thousand pounds.” These words are rather vague and a beginner would not understand them. I will explain further so that those who want this skill are in a position to begin and then after much regular training get to possess it:

    If you want to draw the opponent into emptiness and use four ounces to move a thousand pounds, you first must know both yourself and the opponent. If you want to know both yourself and the opponent, you first must let go of your plans and just respond to the opponent. If you want to let go of your plans and just respond to the opponent, you first must be in the right place at the right time. If you want to be in the right place at the right time, you first must get your whole body to behave as one unit. If you want to get your whole body to behave as one unit, you first must get your whole body to be without cracks or gaps. If you want to get your whole body to be without cracks or gaps, you first must get your spirit and energy to be ready. If you want your spirit and energy to be ready, you first must rouse your spirit. If you want to rouse your spirit, you must first keep it from being distracted. If you want to keep your spirit from being distracted, you first must get your spirit and energy to gather and collect in your spine. If you want to get your spirit and energy to gather and collect in your spine, you first must get the front of your thighs to have strength, get your shoulders to loosen, and get your energy to sink downward.

    Power starts from your heel, is transferred through your leg, stored in your chest, moved at your shoulders, and controlled at your waist. In your upper body, your arms are connected with each other. In your lower body, your legs are coordinated with each other. Power is transferred from within. Gathering is contracting. Releasing is expanding. When becoming still, everything becomes still. Stillness refers to contracting. When contraction finishes, there will be expansion. When there is movement, everything moves. Movement refers to expanding. When expansion finishes, there will be contraction. Then when there is contact, you can turn smoothly and will be strong everywhere. You will then be able to draw the opponent in to land on nothing and use four ounces of force to move his of a thousand pounds.

    Whenever you practice the solo set, it is the practice of knowing yourself. Before moving through the postures, make sure your whole body is in accord with the principles as stated above. When the slightest part is off, immediately adjust it. To facilitate this, the set should be done slowly rather than quickly. Playing hands is the practice of knowing the opponent. His movement and stillness must be firmly comprehended. Still examine yourself as well. If I am in good order myself, then when the opponent comes near me, I do not need to act upon him at all, but take advantage of his momentum to find a way in. Connecting firmly to his power, I let him cause himself to fall out. If you do not have a strong position, this is simply a case of double pressure rather than neutralization, and you should seek within passive and active, or contracting and expanding, to fix it. It is said [Art of War, chapter 3]: “Knowing both self and opponent, in a hundred battles you will have a hundred victories.”

    Reference: THE TAIJI MANUAL OF GU RUZHANG | Brennan Translation

  • I recommend him to anyone who would like to learn Qigong

    I first met Thomas when I did my PhD in Copenhagen. He had just started teaching an introductory Qi Gong class in the international student house there.
    From the first class onwards I felt at home with him and his approach and stayed in the class for more than two years, until I left Copenhagen. Thomas was gentle and relaxed in a genuine and wholesome way, an authentic person whom I very much enjoyed to be around. He cared about everyone in the class and created a safe space for playful exploration and learning. I looked forward to every class. Over time, the circle of members learning and practicing Qi Gong turned into a group of friends, good friends. I think that was amazing and beautiful. I am very grateful for having met Thomas and cannot recommend him highly enough to anyone who would like to learn and practice Qi Gong or simply surround themselves with a very authentic, humane and kind person.

    -olaf

    Testimonial from Qigong Gentofte 2017
  • Small Heavenly Circle

    What is the “small heavenly circle” in taoist qigong? Source: https://brennantranslation.wordpress.com/ The “Small Heavenly Circle,” also known as the “Microcosmic Orbit” or “Xiao Zhou Tian” (小周天) in Chinese, is a fundamental concept in Taoist qigong practice. It refers to the circulation of qi (life energy) along specific energy channels or meridians in the human body. Read More

  • From nothing to something and back

    I let go and enter the domain of no one.

    Heaven and Earth are one.
    The circle and square are equals.

    They separate as necessary without effort.
    First boundless stillness, then endless movement.

    It makes no sense to talk about form or formlessness.
    Substance or no substance – what’s the difference?

    Body, energy and mind – what are they?
    I am just a conduit of the forces of Nature.

    My mind drives and fills out Form.
    Empty but full, it pervades the Universe.

    I stand in the Center.
    Watching the Master and the servant at work.

    When we offer no resistance,
    we meet no resistance.

    Miracles and Mystery.
    The mundane stuff is welcomed like a friend.

    I have no mind of my own.
    Eventually this will fall away too.

    Perfection in imperfection.
    Imperfection in perfection.

    It seems as if I am there, but I am not.
    I am not, but am I right here.

    Others cannot fathom it.
    I cannot fathom it either.

    Naturally – it’s ok.

    (Poem about the liberation of mind, heart and intention “Shen, Xin and Yi” in spiritual work like: Standing Meditation, Qigong, Neigong, Neijia and Taiji )

  • The Jade Tablet

    The Jade Pendant InscriptionTo guide the Qi, allow it to enter deeply and collect it. As it collects, it will expand. Once expanded, it will sink down. When it sinks down, it comes to rest. After it has come to rest, it becomes stable.

    When the Qi is stable, it begins to sprout. From sprouting, it begins to grow. As it grows, it can be pulled back upwards. When it is pulled back upwards, it reaches the crown of the head.

    It then touches above the crown of the head and below at the base of the spine. Who practices like this will attain long life. Who goes against this will die.

    Reference: Sitting in Oblivion – The Heart of Daoist Meditation by Livia Kohn 2010 Se also The Jade Tablet neigong.net

  • Our Life Is a Work of Art

    After a retreat in southern California, an artist asked me,“What is the way to look at a flower so that I can make the most of it for my art?” I said, “If you look in that way, you cannot be in touch with the flower. Abandon all your projects so you can be with the flower with no intention of exploiting it or getting something from it.” The same artist told me, “When I am with a friend, I want to profit from him or her.” Of course we can profit from a friend, but a friend is more than a source of profit. Just to be with a friend, without thinking to ask for his or her support, help, or advice, is an art.

    It has become a kind of habit to look at things with the intention of getting something. We call it “pragmatism,” and we say that the truth is something that pays. If we meditate in order to get to the truth, it seems we will be well paid. In meditation, we stop, and we look deeply. We stop just to be there, to be with ourselves and with the world. When we are capable of stopping, we begin to see and, if we can see, we understand. Peace and happiness are the fruit of this process. We should master the art of stopping, in order to really be with our friend and with the flower.

    How can we bring elements of peace to a society that is very used to making profit? How can our smile be the source of joy and not just a diplomatic maneuver? When we smile to our- selves, that smile isnot diplomacy; it isthe proofthat we areour- selves, that we have full sovereignty over ourselves. Can we write a poem on stopping, aimlessness, or just being? Can we paint something about it? Everything we do is an act of poetry or a paintingifwe do it with mindfulness. Growing lettuce is poetry. Walking to the supermarket can be a painting.

    When we do not trouble ourselves about whether or not something is a work of art, if we just act in each moment with composure and mindfulness, each minuteofour life is a work of art. Even when weare not paintingor writing, we are still creating. We are pregnant with beauty, joy, and peace, and we are making life more beautiful for many people. Sometimes it is better not to talk about art by using the word “art.” If we just act with awareness and integrity, our art will flower, and we don’t have to talk about it at all. When we know how to be peace, we find that art is a wonderful way to share our peacefulness. Artistic expression will take place in one way or another, but the being is essential.So we must go back to ourselves, and when we have joy and peace in our selves, our creations of art will be quite natural, and they will serve the world in a positive way.

    Reference: Peace Is Every Step p. 39-40 by Thich Nhat Hanh

  • Meditation and Wisdom

    Fellow students of the Way, be careful. Don’t think that meditation comes first and then gives rise to wisdom or that wisdom comes first and then gives rise to meditation or that meditation and wisdom is separate.

    The Platform Sutra
    by Hui-Neng translated by Red Pine

  • Realising our full potential

    Realising our full pontential

    Realising our full potential – Saturday 18th May – Day Course Retreat

    To achieve true happiness, we must understand what is holding us back and learn to develop the mind to achieve its full potential. In this day course retreat we will look into our life purpose and learn practical methods to overcome obstacles and to achieve our deepest wishes. Kelsang Tubchen will teach and Kelsang Lobon will guide the meditations.

    Please book in advance – Thank you!

    The Clear Light Kadampa Buddhist Centre
    St. Kongensgade 40H, st. tv.
    København K
    Denmark

    Details, price and booking:
    Realising our full potential meditateincopenhagen.org

    NB! Guest teacher Kelsang Tubchen who is the principal teacher in Oslo will also be in Copenhagen on the 17th. of May for the evening event “Food for Thought” which includes a meditation and meal in a peaceful and open environment!

  • The great Way has no gate

    The great Way has no gate;
    There are a thousand different roads.
    If you pass through this barrier once,
    You will walk independently in the Universe.

    The Gateless Gate: The Classic Book of Zen Koans
    by Yamada Koun

  • Meditation as a great Art

    Krishnamurti saw meditation as a great art, “perhaps the greatest.” One must learn this art by practicing without technique—watching oneself: in daily activities (walking, eating), practices (speech, gossip), reactive emotions (hate, jealousy)—becoming aware of these things “without any choice.” Many forms of meditation have been invented to escape conflicts. These forms, according to Krishnamurti are “based on desire… the urge for achievement,” implying conflict, and a “struggle to arrive.” This striving, he saw as “within the limits of a conditioned mind, and in this there is no freedom.” True meditation is “the ending of thought,” leading to “a different dimension… beyond time.” Thought and feeling “dissipate energy.” Their repetition is mechanical, and, while necessary, do not permit one to enter the “immensity of life.” Meditation is the “emptying of the mind of the known.” It is not thought, nor prayer, nor “the self-effacing hypnotism of words, images, hopes and vanities” all of which must “come to an end, easily, without effort and choice, in the flame of awareness.”

    Reference: Jiddu Krishnamurti meditation wikipedia.org

  • The path of inner refinement is extremely simple and easy

    Bai Yuzhan said, “The path of inner refinement is extremely simple and easy; just get the fire of the heart to descend into the elixir field. The elixir field is the chamber of water, while the heart is fire. When fire enters water, then water and fire mix and true yang is produced. Therefore people Call them heart and genitals, not water and fire.”

    Reference: Taoist Meditation: Methods for Cultivating a Healthy Mind and Body translated by Thomas Cleary p. 115