China Trip May 2007+ Hot Things Stirring in the Cauldron (sent to elisti)

posted for those who are not subscribed to “Chi Flows Naturally” newsletter.
michael

Inside Chi Flows Naturally:

1. China Dream Trip May 2007 itinerary and details.
What’s different? We’ll practice qigong on Mt. Emei, a
mountain sacred to Taoists and Buddhists alike, in
addition to standby favorites Mt. Qingcheng and Mt.
Hua. Sizzling testimonials from 2006 Dream Trippers are
posted below. Trip is Spanish-translated for a lovely
group of my Kan & Li students from Mexico. English
speakers welcome, as everything will also be in
English. See also:
http://www.healingdao.com/chinatrip2007.html
Contact: winn@healingdao.com
Spanish contact is Janette Nutis: janutis@cablevision.net.mx

Other hot things stirring in the cosmic Cauldron:

2. If China seems too far away, consider a Sacred
Mexico Trip that combines Qigong with the Toltec and
Mayan traditions, with visits to Mexico’s top power
spots. Pyramids of the Sun and Moon at Teotihuacán –
“The Place where Men Become Gods”; Tepozteco sacred
mountain, the jungle ruins of Chichén Itzá, and the Sea
Temple of Tulúm (a fabulous site where I once held
winter retreats). You can even swim with dolphins, and
do a 2 day retreat at the end.

The story behind this: Michael Clark, assistant trip
leader on my 2006 China trip, fell in love with a
beautiful travel agent from Mexico who was also on the
China trip. So this is their first offspring. It looks
excellent – you’ll meet with six top specialists on
Mexican shamanism, history, and esoterica. Trip has
ceremonies with local shamans. Full trip is 22 days,
Feb. 17 – March 10, 2007. Yucatan Only: 11 days, Feb.
28 – March 10. Contact Michael Clark:
emclark30@aol.com, or visit
http://www.HeavenAndEarthTaiChi.com

3. Mystery of Stonehenge Solved? The perfect followup
to my Stonehenge photos – see this amazing video of a
carpenter from Flint Michigan moving 19 ton blocks
using only gravity and leverage.

4. Attention visitors to my website from Europe and
Asia (who had trouble getting credit cards accepted). I
have changed card processors to solve this problem –
please feel free to test it out again! I am really
pleased to see such a blossoming of global interest in
qigong and inner alchemy.

My fulfillment office has completed its move to a new
location in Asheville, North Carolina. Mike Teeters and
Wendy Leight are the new staff managers, and they have
worked hard to clear up backorders that were inherited
during three changes in personnel over the last year. I
apologize to all who suffered delays due to these
transitions, and really appreciate your patience.
Contact them at info@healingdao.com or call between
noon-4 pm, M-F

5. A fun thing happened on the way to the Forum – the
Healing Tao Forum, that is. It has been upgraded to
three simultaneous discussions, General, Philosophy, &
Practice. It has a lot of really smart, free-thinking
practitioners sharing their collective wisdom from many
paths. The Forum has had nearly 2 million hits in the
last two years, which I interpret as widespread
interest in self-cultivation. You can easily search by
author or topic. Please come join the fun:
http://forum.healingdao.com/general/

6. New & exciting stuff, coming this year to
http://www.HealingTaoUSA.com:
– a new Frequently Asked Questions section.
– the 2007 summer retreat calendar.
– photo pages, so you can literally see what’s
happening.
– articles by leading Tao scholars on the many facets
of Taoism.
– calculate your 4 Pillars Chinese astrology chart and
adapt your qigong practice & diet according to your
elemental constitution.
– best online I Ching software available, with
interpretations from The Total I Ching.
– archive of Chi Flows Naturally letters (in case you
missed some of the past fun we’ve had…).
– China’s two best-kept herbal secrets: a super-juice
to boost your immune system, and an herbal pill to pop
for your sex life (that actually nourishes your
kidneys, unlike viagra-type drugs).
– older projects still slowly advancing: video on
medical qigong for diabetes and heart disease.
– Book on history of Atlantis and western alchemy
tradition.

So stay tuned!

————————————————
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the places and moments that take our breath
away”.

Dear Seeker of Spiritual Adventure,

The May 2007 Dream Trip to China is for people who
believe that life is a spiritual adventure. It is for
souls that hunger for a glimpse into the riches of
ancient wisdom in faraway lands.

China Dream Trip 2007

A Qigong Journey to Sacred Taoist Mountains

Full 18 Day Journey: May 18 – June 5, 2007
Spanish translated; English speakers welcome.

Please do not confuse 2007 China trip to three sacred
Taoist mountains with the 23-day May 2008 China trip
that will visit Mt. Wudang and has an optional week
meditating in Huashan caves. To be placed on advance
list for 2008 trip, email: winn@healingdao.com.

In 2009, I am investigating a trip focused on south
west China’s Yunnan province. Included might be remote
Taoist mountains, the Shangri-la region next to Tibet,
and travel in adjacent tribal areas of Northern
Thailand, including a visit to Tao Garden Health
Resort.

* China Dream Trip mission
* Trip highlights
* Registration info
* Daily Itinerary
* Trip Testimonials
* Cancellation policy

China Dream Trip 2007

Led by Michael Winn

Michael is founder and Director, Healing Tao
University. An experienced traveler who has been to 98
countries, an ex-war correspondent in Africa & Asia
turned spiritual guide – covering the worst and the
best of humanity. He has led dozens of adventure &
sacred tour groups over the last 30 years. This is his
10th trip to China.

Co-leader: Janette Nutis (Mexico organizer)

Janette has been on two previous China Dream Trips,
once as Assistant Trip Leader. She is a Healing Tao
Senior Instructor and just published a seminal book (in
Spanish) on Taoist qigong cultivation.

She will be translating English to Spanish for a group
of her Mexican Taoist students. Many are Kan & Li
(Water & Fire) inner alchemy adepts. This is a very
warm, friendly, high energy group, and many speak
English.

Everyone with interest in China, qigong, and Tao are
welcome to join the trip. No prior qigong experience
required (we will send you free DVD to practice the
Primordial Qigong form used on the trip).

English language speakers who are comfortable with
Spanish being translated on the trip are most welcome
to join. All trip business, tour guide and qigong
teachings will be spoken in English first and
translated into Spanish afterwards.

China Dream Trip Mission:

“To experience the spiritual essence of China. To meet
& study with spiritually powerful Taoists. To do qigong
in its most sacred and beautiful landscapes and connect
to its ancestral chi. To deeply taste China’s ancient
culture and peoples, and feast on its local cuisines at
sumptuous banquets. To share the very best secrets I
discovered on eight previous trips to China – before it
disappears in China’s madly modern rush to forget its
rich history. In short, The Dream China Trip I would
give to myself, if I could only visit China once.

This 2007 trip will have new riches and improvements
not offered on the 2006 Dream Trip. We are offering
these trips primarily to keep the door open between
Western and Chinese Taoist adepts, and to deepen the
ground of our personal practice. If in your heart you
feel drawn to China’s mystery, I advise you to follow
your soul instinct, and trust the Tao will supply the
time and resources to GO.”
— Michael Winn

A few succinct testimonials from earlier Dream trips:
(more testimonials below):

“The Qi (chi) I experienced in China was simply mind
blowing. I got a transmission from being in those
mountains that has totally opened up new levels of my
inner vision.”
– Mark, Fla.

“Thanks seems extremely insufficient to express my
gratitude to you for making this trip to China possible
– but, anyway, please accept my sincere gratitude. It
was the most powerful experience of my life and
continues to have a palpable moment-to-moment effect
upon me.”
– Very Happy Camper

“I can’t begin to tell you how much we enjoyed the trip
and what a profound effect it had on us and our
practice”.
– Couple with minimal previous qigong experience

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have been the
gateway to what my soul was seeking for. This China
trip I took in 2006 is a milestone in my life, a
profound spiritual development. Each time I think about
you and the group my heart beats faster and a big
unstoppable smile takes over!

The outer trip was set up perfectly, to make our inner
spiritual trip go perfectly! From start of the trip to
the end, it was like yin and yang making love… it was
so beautiful! Poetic…simply magnificent!
– 2nd generation Chinese man, living in Toronto

2007 DREAM TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

* Delivers China as a life-changing spiritual
experience. We visit the “must-see” highlights of China
but focus on developing a profound “earth chi
connection” in mountains where Taoist adepts have
cultivated for thousands of years.

* Learn and practice 800 year old lineage Primordial
Qigong from Wudang Mountain, an amazing form that
combines qigong, inner alchemy, feng shui, and tai chi.
Get free video/DVD in advance. This form feels
different in China!

* Regular qigong training in China by Michael Winn and
Janette Nutis, and by local teachers where available.

* NEW PLACE in 2007: Visit the magnificent and
awe-inspiring Mt. Emei. This beautiful sacred mountain
in Sichuan province is home to many different Taoist
and Buddhist schools and temples. We’ll spend the night
on the summit to do a sunrise ceremony.

* Climb on breathtaking famous Mt. Huashan (“the Taoist
Yosimite”) and retreat on gentle Mt. Azure City, two of
China’s oldest Taoist sacred mountains. Meditate in
Xian’s famous “8 Immortals Temple” and Chengdu’s Green
Goat Temple.

* China’s top cultural highlights: Do qigong on the
Great Wall, in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, view
the magnificent Terra Cotta Army near the ancient
capital of Xian, experience amazing theatre & dance
troupes.

Money back guarantee: on returning home, you will not
be the same person who left!

Trip cost is $3995. including international airfare
from Los Angeles + all air and all land costs within
China, at 4 star hotels where available. Includes the
expensive flights to remote parts of China.

For travelers NOT meeting group in Los Angeles, cost
for trip starting in Beijing is $3495. This may be
reduced by $150. if you fly Air China transpacific.
Consult with us before purchasing your ticket.

Single Supplement $495. (no singles available on nights
in Tao monasteries).

RESERVE YOUR PLACE with $600. deposit, subject to terms
of cancellation policy posted on website. Credit cards
accepted for deposit, but checks or wired funds are
requested for balance of payments. If you need to
finance the trip with credit cards, please call me to
arrange.

Low cost round trip connections to LAX (Los Angeles)
from domestic US cities and Mexico City will likely be
available. Not included in trip cost: visa fee,
trip/medical insurance (about $150. strongly
recommended), It does not include tips to the dozens of
porters, drivers, interpreters or guides, for which I
will simplify by asking each to contribute in advance
$75. for entire trip ($5./day).

In the travel market, this trip is an inexpensive
bargain given all that is packed into it – especially
the domestic airfares, over which Air China has a
monopoly that keeps prices high.

BALANCE DUE: Trip fee due by Feb. 15, 2007. All checks
payable to trip organizer: Dao Alchemy Research
Institute (or its educational branch, Healing Tao USA)
or in Mexico to Janette Nutis.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE; As an IRS approved 501c3 non-profit
activity, US nationals may claim 40% of total trip fee
as tax deductible. Depending on your tax bracket, this
may substantially reduce the actual cash cost of trip
(in 30% bracket, over $500 savings).

Note: Trip price also does not include airline fuel
surcharges added to plane ticket price (depends on oil
prices just before departure, and is thus
unpredictable).

TO MAKE A DEPOSIT FOR CHINA TRIP:

You may call in your deposit to our office at
888-999-0555 inside USA, or phone 828-505-1444, or fax
828-505-1044 (NOTE these are NEW office numbers in
Asheville, NC – Eastern Std Time).

A phone call or email will “time stamp” your deposit
for several days while you mail a check payable to:

Healing Tao USA
26 Evelake Dr.
Asheville, North Carolina 28806

New office manager is Mike Teeter.
It is safe to leave credit card information on the
message machine.

PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR DEPOSIT WITH EMAIL TO:
info@healingdao.com.
Please cc: winn@healingdao.com

DON”T DELAY in making an advance deposit – reserve your
space as early as possible. Last minute applications
are accepted on space available basis.

Questions? Contact registrar at 888-999-0555 or email:
info@healingdao.com

China Dream Trip 2007 Itinerary
A Qigong Journey to Sacred Taoist Mountains

Note: This schedule is general, it does not include
talks on Taoism or qigong practice schedule.

Day 1: Travel day to Los Angeles. Since plane leaves
early Sat a.m., it is your option as to whether to
arrive Thursday night and take a restful layover day.
You could visit the beach in LA. Or get a Friday May 18
connection arriving in the evening. Check-in opens at 9
am, there are no pre-assigned seats on Air China, first
come first-served.

Day 2: Depart Los Angeles 1:40 am on Air China #984 on
May 19, 2007. We’ll cross the international date line
and thus lose 24 hours in the blink of an eye.

Day 3: We arrive Beijing 5:20 am (morning), Sunday May
20 (12.5 hrs later). Stay at 4 star Tientan (Temple of
Heaven) Hotel, next to a wonderful park. The “chi” in
Beijing is very powerful, partly due to good feng shui
from the ring of mountains surrounding it. Many people
have powerful dreams here.

We immediately visit the Temple of Heaven (Tien Tan)
park, the most sacred place in Beijing. Morning at
Temple of Heaven park, Beijing’s largest and most
colorful potpourri of people. It is filled each morning
with qigong & tai chi players, ballroom dancing,
gambling, folk singers & musicians. We’ll practice
Qigong in park to ground ourselves after the long
flight. Tour the magnificent Taoist “open sky” Altar of
Heaven with its white marble stones in patterns of 9,
and the Temple of Heaven, an extraordinary three tiered
circular temple that looks like an antique spaceship –
built without a single nail. The Emperor, as Son of
Heaven, had to visit here twice a year to receive
Celestial instruction. Afternoon free to rest or
optional tour to the Forbidden City. Beijing.

Day 4: Qigong early morning in the park next to hotel.
Visit White Cloud Temple, the national headquarters for
organized temple Taoism in China. Drive to Great Wall
of China, visiting a Jade factory along the way. The
Wall is very impressive, a wonder of the World, part of
a 2500 mile long wall. We’ll hike and do wuji qigong on
the Wall. Evening banquet. Beijing.

Day 5: Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province,
bordering Tibet. Check-in to hotel, that is just a
short walk from our afternoon visit to the famous Green
Goat” Taoist Temple, It’s one of my favorite temples in
China, with lovely feng shui on three hills and a
powerful sequence of temples. It has a magnificent I
Ching pavilion, and printing presses for ancient Taoist
alchemy texts, which can also be purchased in their
bookstore (in Chinese, but the vibe still transmits).
We’ll feast on Taoist vegetarian food during our visit
to Green Goat Temple. Chengdu.

Day 6: Bus to Mt. Emei. Enroute stop at a giant Buddha
carved into a cliffside that is ten stories tall,
overlooking an ancient canal built 2000 years ago. At
Emei we will take two chair lifts and then hike to the
top peak and temple. We’ll stay in a hotel nearby,
after doing qigong and watching the magnificent sunset.
Mt. Emei.

Day 7: Spend half day relaxing, doing qigong, and
hiking near Golden Peak atop Mt. Emei. In afternoon we
will take a chair life down half way, then hike down
the lower half of the mountain, filled with temples and
screeching wild monkeys. At the bottom of the mountain
we’ll pamper ourselves by staying in a five star spa
with hot springs and other spa amenities. Mt. Emei.

Day 8: Relax at the 5-star spa in the morning.
Afternoon bus back to Chengdu, free time in late
afternoon. Evening we’ll have a banquet and watch the
fabulous Sichuan Opera, with its amazing
“mask-changing” technique and dozens of performing
artists (far superior to Peking Opera). Chengdu.

Day 9: Bus to one of China’a most famous Taoist Holy
Mountains: the lovely, magical Qingcheng Shan (Azure
City Mountain), birthplace of 2000 yr old Celestial
Masters Taoism. Covered with soft forest trails and
temples tucked in caves, this Taoist holy mountain has
a lot of nature spirits present in addition to its 150+
Taoist monks & nuns. The mountain has a very soft,
“yin” quality that invites you into the fold of endless
layers of peaks. We’ll meet with the female abbot of
the temple at the bottom of the mountain to discuss her
meditation practice.

We’ll take the chair lift up to save time. It’s an easy
one hour hike halfway down to where we will stay in an
extremely peaceful monastery called “Celestial Master
Cave Temple” for two nights. There is a powerful 1000
year old ginkgo tree here. Enroute we’ll visit the
Supreme Purity Temple near the top of the peak. Nearby
is a pagoda with a 50 ft. high bronze Lao Tzu riding a
buffalo! Porters will carry our bags to the monastery
separately. Rooms are recently renovated to 3 star
hotel quality! Mt. Qing.

Day 10: Morning group qigong. Day free for relaxing and
meditating, or hiking to various temples nestled within
the soft valleys. We will meet with local Taoists, and
hear a talk on the Complete Perfection approach to
cultivation. Perhaps a musical concert on the gu zheng
(zither) or flute by local monks or nuns, and catch an
evening ritual alchemy ceremony with Taoist music in
the main temple. We’ll share simple but delicious
vegetarian meals with the Taoist monks and nuns. And
enjoy the magical forest and stillness of this ancient
Taoist sanctuary. Mt. Qing.

Day 11: Morning group qigong, then descend the mountain
and bus to Chengdu for a last feast of its famous and
sometimes spicy cuisine. Afternoon fly to Xian.
Transfer to 4 star Hotel. Evening free to roam the
nearby Moslem Night Market. Xian.

Day 12: Our hotel is in the very center of Xian,
China’s ancient capital from Han to Ming dynasty (200
b.c. – 1400 a.d.). Xian is a giant outdoor museum, with
China’s many ancient layers of history exposed. Morning
free. Walk to the nearby lively Moslem Bazaar, which
has the best craft bargains found anywhere in China,
and delicious local foods. Free time for shopping in
other districts, or visit magnificent Bell Tower (it
still rings) near our Hotel. Optional visits to a local
silk and freshwater pearl factory.

Afternoon visit the enormous city walls and famous
gates, and the 1400 year-old Taoist 8 Immortals Temple,
still one of the most revered seats of Taoism in China.
Time to meditate and do qigong inside the temple
compound, and visit its Taoist gift shop with paintings
by local monks and nuns. Next to it a colorful flea
market filled with curiosities, sculptures, jade & Han
dynasty antiques dug up by farmers from their fields
(another chance to sharpen your bargaining skills!).
Evening free. Xian.

Day 13: Visit the impressively vast Terra Cotta Army of
Emperor Qin’s tomb (the size of 5 football fields), the
#1 tourist attraction in China. Then a short drive to
visit the most famous Taoist sacred mountain in all
China, Mt. Huashan. Check into hotel at base of Mt.
Huashan. Tour nearby Jade Spring Monastery where,
according to legend, the famous Taoist adept Chen Tuan
did dream practice for 3 years continuously. We’ll meet
some local Taoists and have a discussion on the Huashan
tradition of Taoism with my longtime Taoist friends.
Huashan village.

Day 14: Take a spectacular cable car ride – Asia’s
highest lift – half way up the 7,000 ft. Mt. Huashan,
and spend a few hours hiking up the carved stone stairs
to the summit. The views are stunning, with many temple
shrines (mostly female deities) built in caves along
the thousands of stone-carved steps, which also make it
impossible to get lost. The precipitous granite cliffs
have the majesty of Yosimite Park, but this is more
amazing for its feeling of human will carved into the
granite since ancient times. We’ll stay in a Taoist
temple and monastery dedicated to the “White God of the
West” that rules the entire mountain. Mt. Hua.

Day 15: Free day atop Mt. Hua. Explore its five summit
peaks. These peaks form a giant 5-petalled flower (Hua
shan means “Flower Mountain”). Group qigong with the
White Ruler God of the Mountain joining us! Optional
visits to the cave-temples of the Jade Emperor or the
Chess Pavilion, where Chen Tuan allegedly won the
mountain to Taoist ownership on a bet with a Chinese
prince who later became emperor.

Special sunset meditation from the West Peak, with its
sheer 3000 ft. dropoff. Mt. Hua.

Day 16: We’ll descend Mt. Hua, and then transfer back
to our four star hotel in Xian. Afternoon free for last
minute shopping in Xian. Final group banquet. Xian.

Day 17: Fly from Xian to Beijing (1.5 hours). Depart
Beijing on Air China #983 at 8pm on Monday, arriving in
Los Angeles at 5 pm on Monday June 4, 2007, same day
(miracle of International Date Line, you get back the
24 hours lost on way over).

Day 18: Tuesday June 5. Transfer from Los Angeles to
home for those unable to connect the evening before..
Welcome back – now it is time to digest the intense
banquet of China’s sacred mountains. This process can
take from days to months to a lifetime!

TESTIMONIALS from earlier CHINA DREAM TRIPS

I asked the question: How did the China Trip change
your life? Names withheld for privacy. I will note that
two Dream Trip members moved to China as a result of
the trip! As you can tell from these letters, this trip
is not for simple tourists. It’s for people open to
intense transformation – my definition of inner
alchemy.
– Michael Winn

A. How did China change me? That is too difficult a
question, I will stick with, What did China change in
me? My practices, I seem to have acquired a much
stronger Chi field. Meditations have a lot more depth
and in some meditations what were just words or
thoughts are now strong physical/energetic/spiritual
feelings, experiences. I have a much deeper
understanding/connection with my bodies.

Same with Qigong my arms are moving through a much
denser chi field. I find myself experiencing a much
deeper experience of Tai Chi. I find it easier and
easier to connect with the energies of the cave and
various monasteries. I have had some great experiences
connecting with Lao Tzu’s ascension site then taking it
into the cave.

I have been working on converting my garage to a
practice place. My father pointed out that I was sawing
timber in straight lines and hammering nails without
bending them (and without hitting my thumb) This Is
most unusual and my father noticed right away. Was it
worth it? Absolutely undeniably yes. A great group of
people. I look forward to the next trip.

B. Your China Dream trip changed my life. One
experience in particular comes to mind. On our first
day on Mt. Huashan, I crawled out on a rock ledge and
sat there drinking in the beauty of the incredible
vista before my eyes. I was looking down on the tops of
clouds. I didn’t have anything particular in mind, just
a little rest and a few moments of solitude to drink in
the beauty before me.

I easily settled into meditating and immediately began
to feel so light. Quite spontaneously, fears, the
existence of which I had never fully acknowledged,
surfaced and were released down into the emptiness in
front of me along with more than a few tears. In that
moment, on that ledge up above the clouds, I knew I was
no longer able to settle for less than living my life
fully. ..

Days after returning from China, I filed for divorce,
something I had been trying to do for years. It was a
peaceful parting. Thank you so very much for all you
did to make that trip an incredible experience for
everyone involved. You did a fabulous job!

C. Just writing to thank you for organizing the trip to
China. I had an amazing time! I met a lot of fun and
interesting people, ate a lot of great food, and the
places were powerful and spectacular. Thanks to you my
entire life is about to undergo a huge change. I will
be moving to Chengdu in Sichuan province in January,
and living in China for at least a year to learn the
language at Sichuan University. After that, who knows,
the possibilities are endless! Thank you Michael, I
hope to meet you again. I hope your life has changed
for the better as radically as mine. (Note: this young
Australian did move back to China and married my
Chinese tour guide!)

D. China was an extraordinary trip for me! I am still
swirling in the experience and richness of it all! My
world feels much bigger and at the same time, the
exquisite sameness of all people is resonating
throughout my being. I will try to get some words down
to describe some of it before too long, but meanwhile
wanted to thank you!

E. I do think about the group often. I don’t take it
lightly. Our time together was important to me. Being a
novice at these practices. I wish I had consulted with
you more on your experience. Our time together was
short but intense. There wasn’t a person on the trip
that wasn’t an inspiration for me. But I do feel lucky
with my roommate, as he was my greatest inspiration.
Nothing bothered this guy, and I found myself doing
meditation on that. What kind of attitude would a
person need to have this positive way of looking at
things, events, life? Thanks!

F. Now for my life changes after China:

1. immediately after the trip I began to realize
that the JUDGMENTS I have are just my judgments. I
can now feel the separation they create. And now
know that its not the way things and people really
are.
2. my main Tango dancing partner told me I was
DANCING better because I am softer and more relaxed!
3. several friends are saying that my VOICE on the
phone has become softer, slower, somehow changed.
4. the shaman I sometimes see says I am “more
myself” – whatever she means by this. I can feel
what these feedbacks are referring to and I’m happy
about it.

G. After successfully reaching the Peaks of Mt
Huashaun, I felt re-empowered, that it was not over for
me at my age….. that I could still do more with my
life.

The connections I felt during primordial qigong allowed
me to feel my goal of connection to God (within) is
possible. Primordial is extremely powerful… not just
arm waving. I made new friends, and plan to visit them.
I have really come to appreciate the Chinese people and
their lifestyle. I love Temple of Heaven park and all
the people there, just hanging out.

H. I spent three days at the group’s “secret spot” atop
Mt. Hua. During Primordial Chi Gung I saw the clouds
mystically rise like angels and dragons and daggers. I
could sense the clouds as the dragons breath. I
stripped naked once, and laid down on the rocks, My
spine aligned with the spine of the granite mountain.
Now that I am home, I am feeling my spine aligning with
the mountains. I rode a cloud dragon up a spiral
towards heaven, taming my wild mind as the wind washed
through me, playful & euphoric. I thought: THE
IMMORTALS ARE THE MOUNTAINS. I saw them through the
eyes of the dragon, a bat, and a butterfly. I feel
altered forever. I still ride the dragon now that I am
home.

I. The most special part of the trip was bonding with
others and sharing laughs in our group. Christina and I
bonded immediately as if we had known each other our
whole lives. We stayed awake each night sharing our
experiences of the day and talking about everybody. We
giggled like little school girls and wondered how
Michael paired us up so perfectly…???

I am a loner at heart, but I so enjoyed my time with
everyone. I grew to love many of you. Memories spent
together still pop into my head out of nowhere, and I
and miss everyone. Michael, I told you that Huashan was
difficult for me, but I knew one day I would be
grateful. When I returned, I had lost 10 pounds and got
my high school wash-board belly back!

J. I arrived in China still asleep. I woke up in
Weibaoshan’s Jade Emperor temple! The Journey became a
blissful, incredible, moment-to-moment experience of
great love and compassion.

I actually met the Jade Emperor when I prayed to him
alone, and gave myself up completely. It was the first
time I ever prayed in a Taoist temple. I became
transparent and was not afraid to let God, or Original
Spirit or whatever people call it see me… all my good,
all my bad. In total openness I truly saw my self…

But then some crazy stirrings happened in the lower tan
tian. Rumbling, earthquake… explosion in my head.
Feeling pressure.. mouth open wide, eyes shut tight,
indescribable feelings in whole body… then boom!! It
expressed through me as great laughter, I laughed like
never before, my whole body was shaking in laughter, my
lungs gasping for breath, my eyes tearing like crazy
from laughter… Then crying…like never before crying
and crying.. Then dancing and spinning like never
before..

I was being guided by some very strong invisible force.
Chi? Spirits? I’m not sure what but I felt it hold me
in key points on my body as it moved me effortlessly. I
was just there watching my body dance in wonder! Then
the strong force made me run outside and dance and sing
before everyone I met. I loved everyone and
everything!!! Life felt incredible! so fun!!! so
amazing!!!!!

I was flying, jumping, doing flips, spinning, and
running all over Weibanshan mountain expressing my joy,
love and compassion to all! I believe I was taken over
by my own spirit. There was nothing that could make it
unhappy, I could be slapped in the face, or beat up and
I would still be in love and happy!

I was drunk with life! I remember running, hugging and
kissing everyone from the group. Some were happy and
touched, and some thought I went crazy! Some thought I
was possessed – but to me it didn’t matter! I saw and
felt so much love and beauty in everyone, I loved
everyone so much and wanted to be one with all.

When I got back home, I did primordial chi kung with
the intention to connect all the power spots in China,
to help bring change, inspiration and new life to
Toronto. It was very very gray, dark, lifeless. During
the form, the sun broke through the clouds and shined a
bit. When I finished the whole sky was blue with
beautiful white clouds, birds were flying and chirping,
insects were buzzing, and life seemed to have arrived..
It was just such a wonderful feeling and reponse from
nature…

Your China Dream Trip taught me to HAVE FUN in life!
Enjoy, relax, be with the flow, be open.. be in the
middle.. between and beyond yin and yang…

Also, I really miss the food in China…you picked
great restaurants! The food back here is so tasteless
and lifeless! I might have to move to China just
because the food there was so great, so rich in life
and flavour! The food, the people, the group, and the
experiences in the China trip has made me feel and be
younger, more loving and compassionate.. So many
incredible positive things have resulted, the list is
endless. Thank you so much! – Teddy C, Toronto

K. Things were definitely rocky the first couple weeks
after the trip. I was physically in Los Angeles, but I
was mentally and spiritually back in China. I still
float off to the caves, the various peaks at Huashan
and other places whenever time and situations allow. My
wife will often ask me where I am if I’m being quiet,
and the reply is always the same – China.

All my computer desktop pictures are China pics.
Amazingly, I find little pieces of everyone I met in
China here at home, reflections of you all. One of the
people I train with could be Russell’s little brother,
another reminds me of our lovely guide Cherry. I try to
bring Teddy’s excitement on Weibaoshan to all the Tai
Chi classes that I teach.

The few lessons I received from the monks have served
me well and my own Tai Chi is really rocking lately.
Like many I think I’m still digesting it all and
lessons I didn’t understand or even realize were
happening now surface when I least expect it. The
spiritual awakening I experienced doing tsunami relief
work in Sri Lanka was really kicked into overdrive in
China.

I came back from China a much calmer, more well
balanced person. Situations that might have resulted in
arguments or just general negativity now bring on
compassion. And if I am brought to the darkness of
anger I’m immediately embarrassed and sorry.

I’ve had a couple moments where I’m positive an
immortal is present. Words of encouragement from people
I’ve never met from out of the blue or just a simple
look in the eyes of a passing stranger. I know, that
sounds nuts. But the overwhelming rush of emotion in
these situations and the sense of peace that consumes
me after it’s passed are very powerful.

My friends have sensed profound change in me as well
but I realize I’m very much a work in progress. I’m
already on the list for the next China trip as is
another Tai Chi student from my school. I’m still
getting used to the new me, but I like the changes so
far.

Cancellation Policy:

Covers Administration fees, Refund of $600.00 deposit,
and Refund of balance of full trip costs.

Note: Low cost travel insurance is made available to
all trip members. (Last year it cost average $150.
depending on your age & trip length). You are strongly
urged to obtain it. If you do not obtain it, you must
sign a legal release.

SARS has been officially eradicated in China according
the World Health Organization. If SARS or some other
killer bird-flu virus should it break out before the
trip date, I personally believe the trip will still
happen. Two reasons.

1. During the last epidemic there were virtually no
cases where we are spending most of our time. Our main
exposure would have to occur during the narrow window
in Beijing at beginning and end of trip.

2. Chinese health system is much better prepared and
alert this time around.

3. Extensive instructions are given to all trip members
on how to stay healthy before and during the trip.
These are my time tested travel methods to keep immune
system at peak operating level. This strategy has
proven very effective on previous trips.

You may cancel by contacting by phone, email, or fax
the Healing Tao office in USA or Janette Nutis in
Mexico. Cancellation is effective the day we RECEIVE
your cancellation notice.

Administration fees for cancellation are as follows:

1. if cancellation is received by midnite Jan. 15, 2007
– $200. administrative fee only.

2. If cancel between Jan. 16 and midnite March 15, 2007
– $400. administrative fee, plus any out of pocket
costs of cancellation.

OUT OF POCKET costs: If receipt of your written
notification of cancellation is received after you have
paid your full travel fees, the refund of travel fees
will be made after deducting any out-of-pocket expenses
necessary to effect cancellation of overseas
arrangements including forfeitures to hotels, airlines,
and overseas agents and any other unrecoverable costs.
This can be substantial and may not be known until
after the trip.

3. If cancel March 16, 2007 or later, full trip cost is
forfeited (NO REFUND). This is why it is essential you
get trip insurance in case of personal emergency or
sudden illness.

4. NO REFUNDS for voluntary termination of travel AFTER
trip begins. If a member must involuntarily cancel for
physical health reasons AFTER the trip within China has
begun, and does not use a portion of their already
pre-paid services, NO refunds will be made. It is
simply too difficult to collect in China, and not worth
the trouble.

No refunds are made for unused excursions and special
program activities. We will supply you with a reliable
and inexpensive travel insurance option in the USA (or
if in Mexico or abroad, you can choose your own). Check
the terms and conditions of the issuer of your travel
insurance policy as they are defined in the policy’s
cancellation clause which outlines your coverage and
its limitations and exclusions.

———————————-

May your Life be an Adventure in Self-cultivation,

Michael Winn

“Who takes Heaven as his ancestor, Virtue as his home,
the Tao as his door, and who becomes change – is a
Sage.”
– Chuang Tzu, Inner Chapters

“The Tao is very close, but everyone looks far away.
Life is very simple, but everyone seeks difficulty.“
– Taoist Sage, 200 B.C

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the largest Tao (Dao) Arts & Sciences program in the
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