HISTORY OF WILD GOOSE QIGONG
Posted Ngay 13 Thang 05 Nam 2009
Quotes and Information
"In the north-west of China, high above the Himalayas, are the mystical Kunlun Mountains. Nearly 1700 years ago a hermit named Si Dao An (the Peaceful Way) observed the movements of the many wild geese that haunt the area and began to incorporate these bending, stretching, twisting and fluttering techniques into a health-enhancing routine called the Dayan Gong or Wild Goose Qigong. Since then over 30 generations have taught this skill to the world. The 27th generation
inheritor, Grandmaster Yang Mei-Jun (who died in 2002 aged 107) was the first to open the Dayan Gong outside China ... through Master Tse Wei Jing Who is the only authorised senior instructor of the Kunlun Mountains Qigong in the East of England." Julian Wilde, Norwich Tse Tai Chi
"Wild Goose Qigong belongs to the Kunlun School, so it is also called Kunlun School Qigong.
This school began in the Sichuan Province in China. The most famous practitioner of Wild Goose Qigong was Dao An, who spread it during the Jin Dynasty (265-420 A.D.). Because he
was the most famous teacher of Wild Goose Qigong, he was crowned as its founder by later generations. Later on, Wild Goose Qigong spread to northern China, and was kept by Wan Li at Wutai Mountain. Emperor Qian Long, during the Qing Dynasty (1368-1840 A.D.), promoted religion and established temples all over the country so that Wild Goose Qigong could be passed down to the present."
- By Hong-Chao Zhang, Wild Goose Qigong, p 12
"Dayan Qigong is a content-rich set of system consisting of two categories: dynamic and silent. For the former, the routine forms imitate wild goose's shape, movements or even habits, with the aim letting the internal energy flow smoothly within the body along the channels and meridians, thus moving away the thwarting blocks. In a whole, all forms shine out the feeling of wonderful harmony consisting both softness and hardness, of unrestrainedness, simpleness, and lightness. Also, some strange feeling may arise to the heart that seems to fly over the wild stretch of ocean and the vastness overpowers all consciousness." Dayan Qigong
Huang Chu Tsai
Wild Geese and Rushes
Sung Dynast
"Dayan Qigong is from the Taoist Kunlun systems and was originally developed in the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234), but for many years remained a closely guarded secret. Legend
has it that before one was allowed to teach this system they had to study for many years and could not teach it until they reached the age of 70 years. ... Dayan Qigong is a Chinese internal system of two sets of 64 movements which are designed to boost the Qi energy system, clear negative energy, increase mental clarity and thereby and leave the practitioner feeling revitalised, refreshed and both mentally and physically stimulated. Regular practice helps to stimulate the health Qi flow through the meridians whilst helping to clear negative or stagnant Qi. It contains a number of beautiful bird-like movements which are easy to learn and delightful to perform." Ronnie Robinson, Persistence and Grace of the Wild Goose.
"The next theme of [Ge Hong's Alchemy, Chapter 18] is the parallel between human body and state. In the first part of the chapter Ge Hong already gave a highly symbolical description of the human body with its subtle energetic centres (here the body obtained an image of the sacred mount of Kunlun with its palaces and chambers of immortals; astral imaginary of constellations was also important for this passage). At the concluding part of the chapter Ge Hong simply in a rather traditional way gives analogies between parts of the body and functions of the state. His conclusion: to master one’s own body is the same as to master the state; pneumata (qi) of the body is the same as common people (min) in the state. The Daoist practitioner must nourish the pneumata like lord of the state who must take care of his subjects. Here Ge Hong states that the presence of the True One in the body as a result of the cultivation of pneuma gives piece and stability to «three and seven», that is souls of hun and po. It will lead to the prolongation of life (nian ming yan) and the elimination of all evil (bai hai que). The shou yi practices are extremely helpful (even in a greater degree than the amulets and charms
described in chapter 17 of BPZNP) for exorcisms in the wilderness of remote mountains and forests where the Daoists prefer to cultivate their alchemical skill."
- Evgueni A. Tortchinov, External and Internal in Ge Hong's Alchemy
"Stimulated by such a longing, the theory of immortality appeared in areas along the east coast of the country, while in West China, there appeared the advocation of the theory of nourishment of life initiated by the philosopher Zihua Zi. In the following ages, along with the development of the arts of nourishing life and curing diseases, some achievements were made in improving health and curing diseases, and there were legendary figures who enjoyed miraculous longevity. For example, Peng Zu, a high official of the Shang Dynasty, lived for more than 800 years because he constantly took in cassia twigs and was good at doing physical and breathing exercises. For
another example, Duke Rongcheng of the Zhou Dynasty, who claimed to be the teacher of the Yellow Emperor and once made an audience with King Mu of Zhou, was particularly good at
nourishing life and doing physical and breathing exercises. In his old age, consequently , his hair turned black again from white, his teeth cut again after they came off, and lived as long as the legendary Lao Zi did. All this reflected the good wish of the ancients for a long life. To make such a dream come true, people began to seek for the so-called elixir of life. A well-known Chinese myth goes that Chang'e, wife of the formidable bowman named Yi, stole and drank the liquid of elixir distilled by the deity the Holy Mother of the West for the banquet held by King Mu of the Zhou House on Mt. Kunlun, and, as a result, she flew and ascended into the palace in the moon. It is true that it is nothing but a myth, but from it we can still perceive the eagerness of the people of antiquity to find some kind of elixir and a way to immortality."
- Liu Feng and Lao An, The Historical Origins and Ideological Sources of Religious Taoism
"They went on to the Kunlun Mountains where they visited Xiwangmu [Queen Mother of the West] in her palace beside a lake named Yaochi (meaning jasper, an attractive coloured
stone). He [King Mu, c. 300 BC] presented her with jade of exquisitely fine quality and three hundred bolts of brocade. She entertained him at a banquet beside the lake, feasting him with fabulous fruits and delicacies. Among them were a lotus that bloomed in winter with pods containing a hundred seeds, black dates two feet long from trees that bore every hundred years, and crisp, cool peaches that ripened only every ten thousand years, and conferred immortality on those who tasted them."
- Legends: King Mu and the Queen Mother of the West
'In the south of the West Sea, on the bank of the Sandy River, in back of the Red Water and in front of the Black Water, there is a great mountain named Kunlun. On this mountain, there is a deity with a human face and a tiger body, and the body has white stripes and a tail. This deity wears a Xing (jade flower) and has tigher teeth and a leopard tail. She swells in a cave and her name is Xiwangmu. Everything is in this mountain."
Master Zhongxian Wu, Vital Breath of the Dao
"The Chinese also traditionally group ducks and geese together, saying they have in common webbed feet, short legs, long necks and the way they stretch their feet out behind them in flight.
In East Asia, migrant species breed in Siberia and northeast China, and in autumn follow routes through Japan or Korea, past Taiwan and Hong Kong. Some even cross the equator and take
up temporary residence in the southern hemisphere. When they catch sight of wetlands along the way with an agreeable climate and plenty of plant life to feed on, they come down to land.
After a short rest, some continue south, but ducks mostly take the easy option: if they can find
a suitable spot, they will settle down for the winter."
- Lone Fliers in the Red of Dusk: Ducks and Geese
"In Taoist tradition it is said that "Starry Beings," immortals from another galaxy, or a higher plane of existence descended to the Kunlun Shan 6,000 years ago bringing with them the secrets of the universe. These beings lived among humans and taught the secrets of life. They reincarnated as buddhas, boddhisattvas, and immortals. The Himalayas and the Kunlun Shan enclose the Qing Zang Plateau, which encompasses Tibet and part of Qinghai Province. The Kunlun Shan stretches 1000 miles past dreary provincial towns and desolate roads, its snow-and-glacier-clad peaks rising abruptly along the north edge of the vast dry Tibetan plains."
- Hexagram 30 Lao Tzu Shows the Way to Immortality
"In Ancient Egypt as well as in Ancient China the goose was considered a messenger between Heaven and Earth. In China geese are still a symbol of marriage, because of their lifelong pair-bond.In the Roman empire, the goose was the sacred animal of Juno, a goddess of light, marriage and childbirth, who was later considered adviser and protectress of the Roman people. A story tells of how geese saved the Romans with their warning cries when the Gauls attacked the citadel of the
Capitol. The Celts associated the goose with war, possibly because of its watchful nature and aggressive temperament. Warrior gods were sometimes depicted with geese as companions. Remains of geese have been found in warrior's graves. The Britons kept geese, but did not eat them. They were, however, sometimes used as sacrificial offerings. The goose, with its steady, powerful flight and migratory habits, can be associated with travelling, undertaking a
journey to a new destination. This journey can be difficult and may take long. The goose can help people find the perseverance needed to go on with their quests. In earlier times, shamans
were aided by spirit geese on their journeys to other worlds."
- Geese - The Animal Files
"Wild Goose Qigong claims that “there are no intentional movements without awareness. Wild Goose Qigong
advocates “wu-wei” (or “doing nothing”) and “tuo-yi” (“reduce one’s awareness to the minimum”). A good example is Wild Goose-1 (the first 64 Movements). We often tell our beginning learners that the movements in this set of qigong are supposed to describe the daily activities of a wild goose. There are three parts to this qigong. Part One is “The Goose Wakes Up”. It stretches itself, it brushes up its wings and shakes them. It plays innocently. A made-up story is even included: “Then the goose looks at the moon, which is reflected in the water and tries to scoop it up."Part Two is “The Flying Goose”. Flapping its wings, the care-free wild goose skims over a smooth lake. It looks at the water and dips down to drink the water. Then the goose is playing with he “qi”. It tries to grasp the qi. It holds and rotates the qi-ball. It pushes out the dirty qi, and tries to receive the fresh qi from its lower back. In Part Three, the goose is first flying up into the sky. Now it is flying over the water. Then it is looking for some food. After that, it is looking for its nest. At last, the goose goes to sleep. When beginning, learners are encouraged to be pre-occupied with the daily activity of an innocent wild goose, when they are imagining that they are “flapping their wings” beside shimmering lake under a full moon, their heart beat will be naturally slow down, and their mind will gradually be quieting down too. At the same time, they will be more responsive to the instructor’s words on how to relax themselves through the shifting of body weight. Wild Goose Qigong is a medical qigong. We practice it because of its health benefits. When we have better qi flow, our blood circulation will improve. We will have more oxygen supply to our brain. Our mind will be more alert. We will get stronger, and we will have more physical strength, etc.."
- Bingkun Hu, Ph.D., A Safe and Delightful Approach to Good Health
"Historically, Wild Goose Chi Kung is supposed to have originated with Hua Tuo a Chinese physician who lived around 100 AD.. He promoted a set of ancient exercises known as Daoyin to help patients who were ill. It was further developed by the legendary teacher Dao An and
became preserved as an art by the Kunlun school of Taoism. (The Kunlun mountain range
borders on Tibet)."
- David Fiske
"Domesticated geese are symbolic of the home, women, fidelity, and married life. In China, a pair of geese may be given to a bride and groom as symbols of marital faithfulness. Around the world, stories are told about greedy farmers who foolishly kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Medieval bestiaries compared the gray goose favorably to the devout Christian who lives a quiet life and modestly abstains from wearing colorful clothing. He maintains a vigilant watch over his soul and keeps himself from all worldliness, unnecessary talk, and slander. However, the white goose is a symbol for the fancy dresser, the chatterbox, and the malicious gossip. The wild goose and its migratory ways are the mainstays of goose symbolism. Refugees and the homeless are sometimes compared to weeping wild geese because of the their vulnerable situations. Many lessons in
teamwork have been taken from the habits of migrating geese. Their V-shaped flying pattern, rotation of the lead position, and encouraging honking have become emblems of cooperation,
interdependence, and encouragement. Because two geese are said to stop and assist a wounded or sick goose until it either gets well or dies, the goose has become a symbol of loyalty."
- ChristStory Goose Page
"There are four sections to this Qi gong. Section I (movements 1-36) is to open channels and points repeatedly to expel toxins and draw in healthy air. Section II (movements 37-44) are
brisk movements to expel deeper toxins. Sections III (movements 45-55) are to draw in
healthy qi. Section IV (movements 56-64) are to adjust the blood and air, balancing yin and yang in the body. ... Dayan (wild goose) is a bird of longevity and high-energy and Qi Gong refers to the stimulation of the physical motion of the Bio-energy field of human body. Dayan Qi Gong has obtained its name from imitating the movements and habits and characteristics of wild geese. Dayan Qi Gong belonging to the Taoist Kunlun School
originated in Jin Dynasty and has been in circulation for more 1000 years. For a long time in the past , Dayan Qi Gong was passed on secretly in the Taoist school. It has a huge system consisting of more than 70 sets of motional and motionless Gong methods. The practice of Dayan Gong may wonderfully result in curing sickness, reaping good health, promising longevity and increasing intelligence, bringing about eventually an overall
improvement of physical and mental functions."
- Dayan/Wild Goose Qigong
"Listen to all, plucking a feather from every passing goose, but, follow no one absolutely." Chinese Proverb "A second Grandfather, he of the North, spoke again: "Take courage, younger brother,"he said, "on earth a nation you shall make live, for yours shall be the power of the white giant's wing, the cleansing wing." Then he got up very tall and started running toward the north; and when he turned toward me, it was a white goose wheeling. I looked about me now, and the horses in the west were thunders and the horses of the north where
geese. And the second Grandfather sang two songs that were like this:
"They are appearing, may you behold!
They are appearing , may you behold!
The thunder nation is appearing, behold!
They are appearing, may you behold!
They are appearing, may you behold!
The white geese nation is appearing, behold!"
- Black Elk Speaks, 1932, p. 22, as told to John G. Neihardt.
"According to my Sifu, Master Michael Tse, Sigong (Yang Mei Jun, the late 27th generation inheritor) would often say, "Dao De De Dao Zheng Dao Xing", which translates as "When virtue/morality is the path the right Dao will flourish". This may
be taken to mean that right thoughts and actions bear right results and when the heart is right the Dao will reveal itself. This is especially important today as society teaches us to be selfish and to want more so we cause problems for others and remain unsatisfied, damaging our hearts. Many of whom practice Qigong only consider the body (the movements) and mind (meditation) and neglect the heart (to be open, develop compassion, and practice giving) and so they remain undeveloped. Qigong is Character and Life training and a 'human skill' which means that through the practice we can achieve our full potential as human beings. Health means to be whole in this regard. Without the philosophy put into practice the skill itself is just an empty shell. Sigong also would also reiterate that Qigong is not about opening the Sky-eye, or developing healing skills, Qi transmission, or special abilities but about teaching us to connect with nature and to follow the natural way. This is how we attain longevity."
- Sifu Adam Wallace, E-mail to Mike Garofalo on 9/20/2004.
"Da Yen Qi Gong is an ancient system of movement that enhances your health and well being by improving the
circulation of your qi (life force). It was developed in ancient China nearly 1500 years ago by a Buddhist monk. The graceful and fluid movements of the form imitate the wild goose. In fact, Da Yen means wild goose, and qi gong means "mastery of qi." Each of the sixty four movements are designed to accumulate qi in the body and bring it to specific points on the acupuncture meridians. It is a simple and non-strenuous exercise that with daily practice can be mastered by people of all ages, body types and physical conditions. Weekly classes include instruction and correction of movements along with a series of stretching exercises and systematic massage of certain key points and meridians. For generations in China this form was handed down as a secret doctrine.
The leading practitioner and Master was 102 year old Yang Mei Jung who began learning the form from her grandfather at the young age of 13. Her Grandfather learned it from a Taoist monk in secret. Master Yang herself was testimony to the benefits of Da Yen Qi Gong. At 101 years old she was able to leap several feet in the air and had been known to cure terminally ill people with Qi from her hands."
- Taoist Center - Da Yen (Wild Goose) Qigong
"In creating many of the qigong systems the early originators were known to have adapted the natural, flowing qualities of animals, birds and serpents. Each system incorporates elements of the various creatures to depict the manner in which the movements should be performed. In our consideration of this we should think about the fact that the only creature that suffers from stresses that result in ailments to the mind and body is man. Other creatures carry no postural problems from the stresses of modern living!The goose is a very strong bird that flies for incredibly long distances when migrating in winter. Its strong energy allows it to sustain the rigours of the long demanding journey ahead. Dayan Qigong uses a wide variety of movements
that are designed to release negative energy and gather positive energy. It contains slow, fluid, movements and quick, strong movements. There are two sets of 64 movements, each set taking approximately 15 minutes to perform. The slow movements perform a kind of qigong massage on the internal organs like the liver and spleen. There are gentle movements where the hands vibrate over particular internal organs or acupoints. These help to transmit energy from the Laogong point in the centre of the palm, where the energy can often be felt as warm or tingling, to stimulate the energy system of the internal organs. Some of the faster movements act to directly stimulate acupoints with a stronger 'surge' of energy to clear the area and ensure a freer pathway it to flow. We massage internal organs with through the hands and also perform a routine where each finger and thumb moves rapidly to stimulate the related internal organs.
There are movements which are performed in the upright, vertical position, which are similar to tai chi stepping and
others which sweep down from a high position to a very low posture helping to stimulate and strengthen the upper
and lower back area. It is an extremely dynamic holistic system working on the entire energy system of the body.
The movements are dynamic and static at the same time, combining strength with grace, bringing beauty and
serenity to the performance of the form and inducing relaxation and freedom in the body."
- Ronnie Robinson, An Introduction to Dayan Qigong
"For Wild Goose Qigong, we believe that proper body movements can naturally generate the desired qi-flow. Therefore, we don’t need to utilize our awareness to “lead” the flowing of qi. Also, when the body movements are well designed and properly arranged, they can naturally evoke many desired breathing patterns, so that we don’t need any separate breathing training. That is why we call Wild Goose Qigong
“a movement-orientated” qigong, which means: when we start to practice Wild Goose Qigong, we only concentrate on doing those lovely and graceful movements, and let the Wild Goose movements and postures naturally stimulate and induce the desired flowing of qi. In Wild Goose Qigong, we use awareness only to feel the flowing of qi, and not to direct the flowing of qi. Also, we encourage beginners to be absorbed in
doing those lovely circular and roundish movements and let our breathing coordinate itself with each movements.
In this way, practicing Wild Goose Qigong is safer for beginning learners. It eliminates the possibility of using
too strong an intentionality in one’s awareness, which may result in inhibiting the gentle flowing of qi."
- Bingkun Hu, Ph.D., A Safe and Delightful Approach to Good Health
