NEI GONG LEVEL 1 INTENSIVE

It is with great delight and gratitude that I announce this programme of structured 3 yearly training for Nei Gong Level 1 for Lotus Nei Gong with Damo’s blessing. I have been wanting to do this for some time, as I was privileged to co-teach the last of these programmes with Damo in the UK and it is, from my own experience as a participant and then a teacher the most efficient way for people to be taken through the process. The group and the individuals within it are taught in a systematic way so the process unfolds as such, and everyone can do a deep dive together. I hope you come and join us for this adventure in 2024!

Nei Gong

Nei Gong training is the internal development process of Daoism with influences from particularly Buddhism and probably Hinduism as well. Classically taught it is a systematic path of development towards the Dao (the ineffable, ultimate truth). This process starts with body development, energetic development and ultimately mental and spiritual development.

Training Structure

This training will offer:

  • 4 weekends and one 5-day retreat per year at Bonhays

  • Weekly meditation sessions

  • Monthly (exclusive to this group) zoom classes to back up the training done on the courses and retreat.

  • Training journal to complete and submit for individual feedback and mentoring

  • Audio/video support regularly to enhance the learning

  • 4 one to one sessions throughout the year with Sophie to monitor progress

  • We will cover the foundations of the Lotus Nei Gong syllabus over the 3 years with a particular emphasis alongside this of self-cultivation inquiry

  • The cost will be £2000 per year with accommodation/food for courses as a separate cost. This can be paid over a period and if the numbers are good, we will offer our usual bursaries.

This training will run yearly with a programme of events, retreats, classes, video/audio support, reading materials and one to one mentoring. The intensive will run in its totality for three years and the students that complete all three years will be taken systematically through the entirety of the Level 1 syllabus from Lotus Nei Gong.

We will run the training so that students sign up for one year at a time so that if they wish to continue that is open to them, or for some they may need a break and can complete year two or three another time. We will structure the training so that we can have a new intake at the beginning of year two and another at year three with some pre-requisite training requirements if the first year has not been completed.

Below lies a more detailed breakdown of year one. All the ‘sets’ will be introduced slowly and methodically with an emphasis on accuracy of form with much repetition. Students will be supported with instruction and additional materials and will be expected to train regularly the material taught. The aim is most importantly the student’s self-development, but also accuracy and diligence to the mechanics of the forms.

Year 1

Every course will have an emphasis throughout the year on correct body development (including conditioning, stretching and breathing). Correct energetic development, (Wuji, Dan Tian work and channel flushing). Correct quality development within sitting practice and mental attitude.

To smooth the process of transformation on all levels, some students will be advised to participate in some other modality (Yoga, Pilates, Gym) if their body is particularly bound up or weak in certain areas. This is to support the unfolding of the process in the best manner. Alongside this, some of you may be advised to have additional support from Chinese Medicine, Tui-na, or herbs. This is to support the process of the body coming to deeper health and thereby smoothing the energetic work undertaken.

Weekend 1 - The Body, Wuji and the Catalyst

16th -18th February 2024

  • Review of body conditioning, stretching and connecting necessary for Nei Gong. This will be ongoing through the 3 years of the programme

  • How to stretch effectively for Nei Gong

  • Review of Dan Tian location, practice and activation.

  • Wuji: Breaking down of the function and details of Wuji

  • The Kua

  • Ji Ben Qi Gong

Weekend 2 - Dao Yin and Ting

19th -21st April 2024

  • Dao Yin principles and application - beginning Wu Dao Yin

  • Body conditioning, stretching, Kua development, Dan Tian development

  • Finding/connecting the Jing Jin

  • Breathing practice

  • Ji Ben Qi Gong

5 day retreat - Developing Dao Yin

13th -17th June 2024

  • Purging and Dao Yin - theory and practice

  • Dan Tian Gong

  • Wu Dao Yin

  • Opening the joints

Weekend 3 - Review weekend

30th August-1st September 2024

  • Review, fine tuning and troubleshooting of all the material covered thus far

Weekend 4 - Theory and Practice - Wu Xing

8th - 10th November 2024

  • Detailed 5 element theory and application

  • Wu Xing form and Hui Chun

  • Developing breathing practice

  • Dan Tian work

Alongside this basic syllabus there will be an emphasis throughout the three years of this programme upon the self-cultivation aspect. Using the courses and zoom meet ups, as well as assignments for inquiry.

Explored will be

  • Practice and training, our motive and cultivating right relationship for success

  • Nature and practice of acceptance

  • Enquiry into and practice of forgiveness

  • The importance of gratitude

  • The nature of obstacles, how to meet them and work with them

  • Harmonisation of training and life

  • Integration of experiences

Students will be asked to complete and submit a training journal regularly and to see the year that they sign up for as a commitment to - most importantly themselves and to the full year. 

I will be dedicating myself to structure the training for you all to the best of my ability, reading your training journals, providing complementary audio/video support, Zoom classes dedicated just to the intake group and one to one sessions. A commitment from you to the year, to yourself and your development will be very important for you to draw deeply from the well of the training. This first year will be an intensive period of change and learning for you and as such is bound to surface obstacles to change. To dedicate to it will form a ‘crucible’ within which your transformation can unfold.

It is my aim that over the three-year process, we will cover all the material from the level one syllabus of Lotus Nei Gong and perhaps more importantly a transformation will have occurred within your mind and heart represented by a deepening of joy and ease within your life.

Weekend with Damo - Glastonbury

26th - 28th July 2024

Overview of Year 2

This year will develop the work established in the first year. We will also open the intake for those who want to join the programme at this point. How this will work will be that if you are known to us already you will be able to just step into the programme. Those of you who are newer to the training will need to get in contact with us so we are sure that the correct foundations have been achieved before entering year two. This is so that those who have completed the first year will not have their development held back waiting for the new people to catch up :)

Year Two will cover:

  • Building Qi, consolidating the Dan Tian, developing Dan Tian Gong

  • Kidney strengthening

  • Breathing methods and sound work

  • Detailed work on the spine including most of the year working on the Dragon Dao Yin

  • On-going inquiry work

  • Developing sitting practice

  • Refining and developing the forms

  • Opening the Huang (for those it is applicable to)

A great deal more detail on this year will follow as I have more of an idea who will participate.

I hope this gives everyone a good ‘flavour’ of the offering. Any other questions or if you would like a chat to find out if it is for you, send an email to bonhays.calendar@gmail.com and we will do our best to help.