BEIJING 2010

In September 2010 I joined a Qigong retreat in Beijing. We (30 of us mainly Malaysians, an American and a Sri Lankan ) lodged at Bagua XunDao Gong Centre (http://www.wan-qigong.com/) hosted by Master Wan and his deciples. They were so hospitable and multi-skilled. Most, if not all, were martial arts practitioners, healers, musician (Chinese musical instruments),tour guide, butlers and students. Most of us were quite impressed with these centre’s occupants. Included in the itenary was a visit to the Great Wall. The slope of the wall was scarily steep. When we reached the venue, to my disappointment, the tour guide asked me(who was on wheelchair) to hang around the base of the wall. I was quite determined to climb the wall. And sure enough as soon as the guide turned around, I got out of my wheelchair and started making my way to the steep stairs with the help of my wife and two students from the centre. As I made my way up, it did dawn on me how am I going to get down the steep stairs. I told myself worry about that later, now focused on getting to the third gate. In twenty minutes I have reached the third gate. We took about ten minutes rest and savour the air of our success in reaching the third gate. Now the time has come for us to begin the steep descent. Luckily there were railings along the wall and that helped me tremendously in making my way down the steep stairs.