NEI GONG LEVEL 1 INTENSIVE
This training is currently FULL and not taking new applicants
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
YEAR TWO 2025
DATES
February 14 - 16 2025
March 14 - 16 2025
Summer camp June 10 - 16 2025
September 5 - 7 2025
October 10 - 12 2025
The emphasis for this year will be more organic, as befits the group at this stage. We will use the Dragon Dao Yins as one of the main tools for our work whilst continuing to build qi, flush out the channels, opening areas of the spine, and deepening the seated work. The structure of the weekends, the zoom classes, training journals, one to ones all remain the same throughout this year. The only difference being that our Summer camp is longer!
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.