Dahn Yoga
A Retreat Center In The Sedona Area
As soon as I came down from Bell Rock, I resolved to find out if what the old man had said was true, and I headed straight to Sedona’s top realtor. I gave him a rough description of the land that I had seen just minutes before, and asked him if he knew of a [...]
As soon as I came down from Bell Rock, I resolved to find out if what the old man had said was true, and I headed straight to Sedona’s top realtor. I gave him a rough description of the land that I had seen just minutes before, and asked him if he knew of a retreat center in the Sedona area.
He replied that he certainly knew of such a place, and that he was the real estate agent of record for that particular piece of property. We set out immediately and drove for about forty minutes from the center of Sedona, along an unpaved and rough road, until we came to a wide expanse of land, of about 150 acres, that lay nestled in the middle of national forest preserve. Rows of small housing units, half hidden by red earth, and blending in perfectly, were very harmonious with the land. The agent explained that all of the buildings of the retreat center were designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright to be unobtrusive and ‘nature friendly’. From every angle, red rocks piercing the blue sky formed a stunningly beautiful background. Below, the land was a desert forest of cedar trees and cactus plants comprising national forest.
I was given a tour of the property, not only of the land, but also of the dilapidated, but curiously appealing, housing units where visitors and guests had once stayed. The guide asked me whether I was curious about whom the founder of this retreat center was and handed me a book that the man had written. I was shocked, for as soon as I glanced at the cover, I recognized the author’s face. with the same expression, and gentle smile I had seen on top of Bell Rock. I asked the guide to tell me the story of the retreat center in greater detail.
Ilchi Lee articles on brain respiration.
Mysterious Land of Sedona
I first encountered mention of the place called Sedona in a local newspaper in 1995, and Ilchi Lee instinctively knew that this must be the place I was looking for. I still recall the vivid joy that I felt the first time I drove down to Sedona from Flagstaff; the magical unveiling of the red [...]
I first encountered mention of the place called Sedona in a local newspaper in 1995, and Ilchi Lee instinctively knew that this must be the place I was looking for. I still recall the vivid joy that I felt the first time I drove down to Sedona from Flagstaff; the magical unveiling of the red rocks as they lay stretched out in the distance. It was as if a gorgeous silk-screen painting had descended from the heavens above, with even the trees and shrubs that lined the roadway overflowing with delightful and pure energy. The beauty of this place was sacred; a magnificent red cloth of earth inlaid with beautiful gemstones of pines and cedars, embracing the deepest and bluest sky, gently decorated by soft whispers of white clouds. A spontaneous outcry of joyful recognition arose in me as an inner prayer of deep thanks vibrated throughout my body. Genuine thanks, to the Creator, for allowing such unspeakable beauty to continue to exist. This was the place I had been seeking for. This was my soul’s home.
There are twenty-one known energy vortex areas in the world, and Sedona has four of them concentrated within its borders. An energy vortex is a place where an especially high concentration of the earth’s energy is channeled toward the earth’s surface. A vortex has the effect of helping to restore energy balance in life forms near its source. Of the four vortices in Sedona, the strongest and the most famous is the Bell Rock, a large red rock formation that looks like a bell sprouting from the ground. It looks uniform and gives off an air of safety and security from any angle. A sensitive person can feel a palpable geyser of energy pouring out from Bell Rock to envelop all of Sedona.
Feeling the Earth’s Soul at Sedona Mago Garden
I am standing in Sedona Mago Garden, located about two hours north of Phoenix, Arizona. This is the breathtakingly beautiful land that has given me not only countless hours of indescribable appreciation for the Earth’s beauty, but has also inspired me to feel more deeply the meaning of ‘Earth’ and ‘Earth-Human.’ Standing here, one can [...]
I am standing in Sedona Mago Garden, located about two hours north of Phoenix, Arizona. This is the breathtakingly beautiful land that has given me not only countless hours of indescribable appreciation for the Earth’s beauty, but has also inspired me to feel more deeply the meaning of ‘Earth’ and ‘Earth-Human.’ Standing here, one can feel the reality of our Earth as it rushes into mind and soul.
Sedona is traditionally sacred land of the Native American tribes in this part of the world, and has been prophesied to be “… a land which will become the center of the coming age by bringing people together in the spirit of peace and reconciliation.” Citizens of this beautiful region often speak of Sedona as a sacred land that will herald the coming of a new spiritual civilization where a worldwide spiritual-cultural movement will find its grandest flowering.
From my first encounter with the land, to its current incarnation as ‘Sedona Mago Garden,’ I have felt indescribable joy and hope, alternating with dark doubts and anxiousness that accurately mirror my history with this piece of heaven on Earth. I first came to the United States in 1993, to introduce the system of Dahnhak and Brain Respiration, a comprehensive system of holistic exercises designed to improve physical, mental, and spiritual health by utilizing the flow of ‘Ki’ energy, or life energy. This system is already a huge success in Korea.
The first thing I did after landing in America was to buy a used car. I then drove across the continental United States, from NYC to LA, and back again. I even stopped in several Canadian cities including Vancouver and Toronto. Although I had the goal of observing and becoming accustomed to the geography and everyday culture of North America, I was also scanning the terrain for a uniquely ’spiritual’ land. In Korea, I had similarly crossed
the land several times over, until I chanced upon such a place. I purchased it and made it into a renowned retreat center for spiritual reflection. I was positive that I would find such a place in North America, but it was yet hidden from my eyes.
Read Ilchi Lee Books
Brain Builds A New Set Of Connections To Create A New Habit
At these moments, make a special effort to continue with your fitness plan because these are the moments in which a new habit can be deliberately created. When you walk in the langsaeng style the first few times, there is no habit; the action is novel and naturally enjoyable. When you find yourself feeling tired [...]
At these moments, make a special effort to continue with your fitness plan because these are the moments in which a new habit can be deliberately created. When you walk in the langsaeng style the first few times, there is no habit; the action is novel and naturally enjoyable. When you find yourself feeling tired and unmotivated to move well, recognize it as a natural part of the rewiring process. Your brain will want to fall back into the old routine, but you are the boss. Ilchi Lee advice that during brain exercise you can say to your brain, “Sorry to inconvenience you, but I’ve decided we are going to do something else now.”
When the brain builds a new set of connections to create a new habit, it is a little like building a new wing on your home. It is exhilarating when you first draw up the plans and start laving the foundation. But, at some point, the construction process is bound to be a little bit annoying—messy and exhausting. Maybe you even wish you had not started the project. Yet you carry on, knowing that eventually you will benefit from the addition to your home.
Stopping a fitness routine before it has become a habit is like abandoning a construction project in the middle. By following through with your fitness goals, you become like the foreman of your own brain, remodeling it toward the fit life you seek. When you hear a voice inside urging you to lay off for a while, make sure vour brain knows who’s the boss. Soon you will find that the fitness habit has become a simple, automatic part of your life.
REWIRE YOUR ROUTINE
Ilchi Lee says that it is no wonder it is so difficult to start and stick to a new exercise routine. Every time we make plans to change our patterns of behavior, the brain must create a whole new set of neural connections. This takes a lot of effort on the part of the brain! [...]
Ilchi Lee says that it is no wonder it is so difficult to start and stick to a new exercise routine. Every time we make plans to change our patterns of behavior, the brain must create a whole new set of neural connections. This takes a lot of effort on the part of the brain! It can be exhausting, in fact. Our minds keep pulling us back to those old behaviors, even when we genuinely want to change.
Many Newr Year’s resolutions are foiled every year because of this stubborn feature of the human brain.
You must be persistent about creating a good walking habit for yourself. When you first begin Jangsaeng Walking, you will undoubtedly feel a surge of energy as you move your body and align your energy system. But, as you proceed, you will also experience times of lower energy. This is the time when you are most vulnerable to falling back into old sedentary habits.
Exercise Snacks
The greatest aspect of walking is its practicality. Walking requires no special equipment or clothing, and it can be done at just about any place and any time. Even the busiest person can find time to work it into a schedule. Just start by finding creative ways to add more steps to your day, and [...]
The greatest aspect of walking is its practicality. Walking requires no special equipment or clothing, and it can be done at just about any place and any time. Even the busiest person can find time to work it into a schedule. Just start by finding creative ways to add more steps to your day, and soon you will find that you have doubled your level of physical activity without ever paying a single gym membership or buying any sort of fitness gadget.
If you are used to thinking that your exercise routine must happen in long, sustained bouts several times a week, think again. A recent study suggests that short “exercise snacks” are a way to boost your cardiovascular fitness and to keep excess fat off your body. In other words, the thirty to sixty minutes of exercise you need do not have to happen all at once; they can happen in short ten- to fifteen-minute increments throughout the day.
You can easily apply this concept to walking since it is something you already do every day anyway. Simply find ways to add steps to your day, to create “walking snacks” throughout your day. For example, instead of circling around the parking lot looking for the closest parking space, park at the outer edge of the lot, and apply Jangsaeng Walking as you walk toward the building. Or get in the habit of standing up and walking around in proper posture whenever you receive a cell phone call.
Walking Exercise Tips By Ilchi Lee
A PRACTICAL SOLUTION
Ilchi Lee advice that first of all, please accept that walking is real exercise. One unfortunate misconception is that exercise needs to be extremely intense to work at all. People commonly think they are not really working out unless they are sweating profusely and every muscle of their body is aching. This is simply not [...]
Ilchi Lee advice that first of all, please accept that walking is real exercise. One unfortunate misconception is that exercise needs to be extremely intense to work at all. People commonly think they are not really working out unless they are sweating profusely and every muscle of their body is aching. This is simply not the case and, in fact, bursts of intense exercise may actually be detrimental for all but the most highly trained athletes.
Most health experts agree that people should work out at about sixty-five to eighty-five percent of their maximum heart rate. This seems to be the training zone in which individuals experience the greatest health benefits, in particular increasing cardiovascular fitness and body fat reduction. It you interrupt your sedentary lifestyle with sudden bouts of high-impact aerobics or sprinting, you might not be helping yourself, and you may be doing more harm than good. Walking at a steady, moderate pace will help you achieve and maintain the ideal heart rate quickly and easily.
I Didn’t Know I Could Do That
You’ve probably heard this old joke before:
A man goes to his doctor after being treated for a broken hand. “Tell me, Doc, will I be able to play the violin?”
The doctor examines the man’s hand. “Yes, I think so.”
Have you ever had the desire to do something like play the piano, but been convinced you [...]
You’ve probably heard this old joke before:
A man goes to his doctor after being treated for a broken hand. “Tell me, Doc, will I be able to play the violin?”
The doctor examines the man’s hand. “Yes, I think so.”
Have you ever had the desire to do something like play the piano, but been convinced you lacked the natural ability? That is latent ability—talents or skills you have within your subconscious but don’t express in your normal life. We all possess such abilities, but most of us never discover them. The fragmentation of our brains and the endless stresses of daily life keep them hidden away.
One of the wonderful rewards of Brain Integration is that you will begin to discover your latent abilities. If you are at retirement age or beyond, this is especially gratifying. After all, you are at the age where old dogs aren’t supposed to learn new tricks. Yet only by continually growing and learning do you keep brain and body young. How great, then, to find that you can play the violin, so to speak!
Each human brain contains the potential for hundreds of skills and talents, from speaking Italian to cooking like a chef in the finest Paris restaurant. What if you could tap into some of your hidden talents? What if you could, at age sixty or seventy, learn to read music and sing with a choir, or take up repairing and restoring classic motorcycles? How much delight would that bring to your life? Whatever you choose, make sure that it is something truly gratifying and fulfilling to you. Take the word can’t out of your vocabulary. Remember that your brain has neuroplasticity, the ability to create neural connections in response to new experience. Discovering your latent abilities is a fantastic wav to stimulate your brain to adapt and improve through the years.
Provocative Questions
Part of this process is asking yourself challenging questions, the kind most of us rarely take the time to ask or answer. The questions will be different for everyone, as will the answers, but here are some examples that should get you going in the right direction:
* What kind of person do I want to [...]
Part of this process is asking yourself challenging questions, the kind most of us rarely take the time to ask or answer. The questions will be different for everyone, as will the answers, but here are some examples that should get you going in the right direction:
* What kind of person do I want to become?
* What do I want my later life to be like?
* What are my goals?
* What past pain am I ready to forget?
* Who do I need to forgive?
* What quality do I most want to develop in myself?
These are not easy questions. But your brain is equal to any task; after years of experience, you have the knowledge within you to answer such questions. The key is to trust yourself, not to shy away from what your deep self-exploration tells you. You have seen much and have deep insight. Trust your ancient wisdom. Congratulate yourself on having the ability and the courage to probe the subterranean depths of your consciousness.
Creating a New You
Asking such questions is only part of the process. The second part of Brain Integration is to craft a revitalized, refreshed identity from the knowledge you gain. You are not erasing the person you were; that man or woman still exists. All your past experiences exist as a source of your wisdom and judgment. But you are no longer trapped by your old identity, either. Instead. you’re essentially reconstructing yourself, tearing a beloved house down to the foundation, saving the wood, stone, and glass, and erecting a new house with the same materials. You end up with a fresh, exciting new building that has the same foundation as before. You become a new incarnation of the person you have always been, with a new identity constructed from your values, beliefs, abilities, goals, and accomplishments, and the way you feel about yourself.
When you beginthe sentence, “I am a person who…” you usually finish with a statement regarding what you hold dear (such as, justice, money, or family), what you can do (sing, run a marathon, speak Dutch), what you want in life (to be a teacher, to read Marcel Proust) or what you believe in (God, democracy). As you ask yourself questions, you will discover newer values, beliefs, goals, and abilities that were hidden in the many layers of your mind. You will see some of your cherished values and beliefs in a new light, and they will be rearranged and reconsidered. You will have the construction materials you need to build a clearer, stronger, more joyous identity that reflects your vast potential.
Brain Refreshing Activities
Researchers have found that imagining something stimulates the brain in ways very similar to actually experiencing it. That is why it is important to keep very positive, supportive images in your mind. Negativity can quickly become a habit if you focus on negative experiences. Use these exercises to become aware of vour emotional habits
EMOTIONAL INVENTORY
It [...]
Researchers have found that imagining something stimulates the brain in ways very similar to actually experiencing it. That is why it is important to keep very positive, supportive images in your mind. Negativity can quickly become a habit if you focus on negative experiences. Use these exercises to become aware of vour emotional habits
EMOTIONAL INVENTORY
It is important to recognize what memories are still with you, replicating emotions long after the events have passed. Take a look at the following emotions and identify particular memories that you associate with each.
Happiness
Sadness
Anger
Fear
Joy
Frustration
Love
Serenity
