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What is Yuanfu?
The circle, in a sense, can be seen as a form of energy, arising from nothingness and enabling all things to mutually benefit and thrive endlessly. In humanity, the circle represents a state of mind, allowing oneself and others to achieve a state of completeness and harmony. Blessing is inner satisfaction with things, free from indebtedness and delusions. True happiness lies in treating oneself and others with sincerity, helping and benefiting each other, striving to reach a state of completeness, harmony, and balance—this is the true meaning of spiritual practice.
The circle is a form of energy, also known as the "Wuji" in Taoism, representing the creation from nothingness, where all things can mutually assist and transform, endlessly regenerating and continuing. In other words, it is an action of the heart, using your heart to achieve harmony, smoothness, and perfection. Blessing is inner satisfaction with things, free from delusions. Achieving complete blessing means correcting one's bad habits, elevating one's spirituality, and ultimately reaching spiritual perfection—the goal of spiritual practice.
The circle (○) is related to intangible symbols, reflecting the interconnectedness of natural principles. From a personal perspective, the circle represents a matter of perspective, where energy is equal. Starting with one's understanding of the concept of "roundness and blessing," one should first lead by example, learning different perspectives on the circle, respecting everyone and everything, and avoiding self-righteous judgments. The principle should be harmony, valuing peace and mutual respect and love. One should open one's heart, respecting all opinions, good or bad, positive or negative, fostering harmony within groups and families. This is the essence of "roundness and blessing." It involves cultivating a rounded mindset, transforming one's state of mind, changing one's thoughts, focusing on personal cultivation, and having the ability to benefit family, society, and community. This self-cultivation transforms family, society, and community, achieving a state of "roundness and blessing" for oneself and others. I feel that truly understanding the relationship between "roundness and blessing" and self-cultivation is extremely important. The five elements interact, harmonizing all directions, embracing all things, and leading by example.
Yuanfu (圆福) is about seeking blessings for oneself and for all sentient beings. It begins with improving one's physical health and changing one's habits, using positive energy to influence those around us and bring harmony and fulfillment. Two key points are: using the dynamic exercises of Yuanfu to strengthen the body and ensure smooth flow of energy through the meridians; and using the static exercises of Yuanfu to regulate internal energy, achieving clarity of mind and understanding of everything. Once the energy is cultivated to be clear, strong, smooth, and stable, it draws out the deep-seated spirituality within, allowing it to manifest, grow, and ultimately return to its original state—the "original spirit"—which is the highest realm of Yuanfu. In short, Yuanfu is about strengthening the body, practicing, elevating spirituality, and bringing blessings to oneself and all sentient beings.
The process of a person descending from the void into the tangible world primarily aims to fulfill the purpose of this incarnation, thereby elevating or transforming their spirituality. However, before this incarnation, one must first establish their own destiny and the karmic connection between it and their past lives, thus forming the path of this life. This path is precisely the route to spiritual ascension. This process is inevitably filled with trials and tribulations; all the people, things, and karmic forces surrounding us become training grounds for spiritual practice. How then should we face these challenges? First, we must understand the Five Treasures of Perfect Blessing, and we must begin with these five points to understand what Perfect Blessing truly is.
1. Health: This is due to the smooth flow of meridians, resulting in physical and mental well-being. Meridians are the energy that circulates throughout the body, combining the energy of heaven and earth with the circulation of blood and qi, bringing the whole body to tranquility. Starting with the mind, one can cultivate health and achieve overall physical well-being. Through the energy of the meridians, the spirit can connect with heaven and earth, achieving physical and mental peace and thus enhancing spiritual awareness.
2. Freedom: When spirituality is elevated, it influences thought, enabling one to have positive energy and a positive outlook on various external adversities. This in turn affects the flow of energy in the body, leading to a deeper understanding of things and a positive view of the cause and effect resulting from the mutual transformation of all things. One can then understand cause and effect and reach the understanding of the principle of arising and ceasing due to conditions.
3. Longevity: When one has the ability to achieve health and freedom, one will be able to better understand the purpose of this life, and will then learn more about the meaning of life and the purpose of being born. One will then learn more and contribute what one has learned to society. In this way, one's body, mind and energy can truly reach their full potential, and one will naturally achieve longevity.
4. Enlightenment: Enlightenment is understanding the connection between my body and mind, understanding that the activities of the body are controlled by the spirit, and that the decisions of the body and mind are determined by innate thoughts. The key lies in recognizing that the spirit has learned something in each lifetime since beginningless time, and contains infinite potential consciousness. This potential consciousness determines the destiny and cognition of this life, thus enabling spirituality to manifest in daily life.
5. Return to the Source: When spirituality is elevated to a certain level, through spiritual practice, one can understand the reality of the spirit and desire to understand its destination. One will continue to learn, regardless of the level, and eventually understand that life is finite while spirituality is infinite, having transcended the realm of light, source, and energy.
When one truly understands the meaning of the circle and the purpose of the mutual transformation of "○", it is not merely about "life", but about achieving peace and well-being for oneself and for others and things through mutual assistance and transformation. This is the true place of perfect happiness.
Yuanfu (圆福) has two distinct meanings: "Yuan" (圆) and "Fu" (福), each with its own interpretation. The combination of "Yuanfu" or "Fuyuan" (福圆) reflects its evolution, but its most important aspect lies in its application to the meaning of our "Chinese Yuanfu Gongfa Association" (中华圆福功法学学). Yuanfu signifies complete and perfect blessings! It represents the fulfillment of all beings' blessings! It signifies completeness, good fortune, and blessings, and also contains the meaning of cherishing and harmonizing relationships—which should be practiced in daily life. Therefore, Yuanfu is also a symbol, a mark of a spiritual practice group, embodying the profound meaning of bringing happiness to ourselves and others.
[My Experience Learning Yuanfugong]
Time flies. In 2000, I came into contact with the predecessor of the Yuanfu Group and began learning the Yuanfu Qigong. Starting from scratch, I entered another life, gradually understanding why I came into this world. My bad habits were gradually eliminated, and I gained a more peaceful perspective on things. My physical health improved, and I stored up some energy, which enabled me to help others. This is probably the greatest gain I have made from learning the Yuanfu Qigong over the past ten years.
Yuanfu Gongfa is a method to achieve the Five Treasures of Yuanfu (health, freedom, longevity, enlightenment, and returning to one's source). It gradually achieves a state of harmony and elevation of body, mind, energy, nature, and spirit through the practice of dynamic (physical) and static (mental) exercises. The most important aspect of learning Yuanfu Gongfa is the mind: having a sincere heart, a genuine heart, and perseverance. When practicing, one must also cultivate a state of mindlessness, focusing attention on the interaction between the practice itself and the external natural forces. Through the power of nature and one's own inspiration, one can achieve spiritual growth.
Before I learned Yuanfu Qigong, I often suffered from lower back pain. After learning Yuanfu Qigong, these physical ailments disappeared without medication. Furthermore, I was able to expel turbid qi through qi circulation, making my body healthier and healthier. Yuanfu Qigong can enhance the brightness of one's spirituality, leading to enlightenment and a return to one's source.
Yuanfu Gongfu (Yuanfu Exercise) may seem simple, even somewhat monotonous and uninteresting, but with diligent practice, one will discover that it is a multi-tiered system of exercises and methods. Besides improving physical health and fundamental constitution, it can also develop the ability to sense and perceive the interplay of Qi and energy, leading to transformations in the mind and spirit. Whether it's dynamic Qi-guiding exercises, static meditation, or even specific techniques, finger movements, or mantras, as long as one practices diligently and calmly observes, one will truly discover its profound potential energy. It is believed that one can create the extraordinary from the ordinary, fulfilling a greater role as a human being, ultimately benefiting society and creating a more fulfilling life. This is both my insight and my goal.
Yuanfu Gongfa is a system that works from the outside in, connecting the body's meridian energy with spirituality, and drawing upon the energies of the Five Elements and the sun and moon to enhance physical and mental well-being. This is the initial stage, but further progress requires the application of acupressure, which combines acupoints with meridians (energy) to achieve internal and external transformation. This allows the practitioner to connect with true energy, filling the entire body with the true energy of heaven and earth, thus truly elevating one's mind and achieving the goal of Yuanfu (roundness and happiness). Therefore, the true meaning of this practice is to understand the interconnectedness of all things through physical health, mental freedom, spiritual elevation, and the mutual support of all things. The practice is the medium, enabling the interconnection of body, mind, energy, nature, and spirit through the external-to-internal transformation, truly achieving the goals of roundness and Yuanfu (roundness and happiness).
1. Practice dynamic exercises: The Five Elements Exercise/Sun and Moon Harmony. In the early stages, it can invigorate muscles and bones, bringing joy to the mind and body. In the later stages, one can feel the changes in the Qi within the body and the gradual elimination of turbid Qi. One's thoughts and concepts are constantly changing. 2. Static exercises: I haven't had any special sensations yet, only a feeling of warmth on the surface of my skin. My mind is also gradually calming down, unlike the restlessness I felt before. Perhaps it will take many years before I can feel the circulation of Qi within my body.
My experience with Yuanfu Qigong is that it has greatly benefited my health. Before learning Yuanfu Qigong, I often experienced back pain during seasonal changes, whether it was spring/summer to autumn/winter or autumn/winter to spring/summer. After learning Yuanfu Qigong, these symptoms improved. It also helps to relieve fatigue more easily. I used to feel very tired from driving all day, but now I feel less tired, and sitting quietly for a while relieves fatigue.
Since I started practicing Yuanfu Qigong for nearly a year, I feel that my temper and emotions have improved a lot. My perspective on things has also changed, and I am more able to think positively. When unpleasant things happen, I can quickly let go of them and am less prone to anger. Although I am not very sensitive to the sensation of Qi, when I do meditation, I calm my mind, observe the internal Qi, and let go, and my mind naturally becomes calm.
Insight 1: A circle is a circle no matter how it rotates; it's self-consistent, varying from person to person depending on their level of understanding. Insight 2: Understanding the dynamic exercises reveals that the practice is not merely about physical training, but also an expression of martial virtue and self-cultivation. Insight 3: Understanding the principles of the exercises through the heart leads to self-cultivation. The heart influences and changes one's thoughts, leading to mental maturity, kindness, and beauty, flowing naturally towards goodness. Insight 4: Simple and easy to learn, the inner understanding of the content is crucial. In the practice of the Yuanfu exercises, one experiences and changes in stages, without time or space limitations, only through understanding, transforming from specific points to a broader perspective.
At first, I often couldn't concentrate, but gradually, as I became able to focus solely on the practice, my mind calmed down, and I could feel the energy flowing through my fingertips. When practicing, I was able to quickly shift my focus to positive thoughts when facing difficulties in life. The soreness in my arms also eased, bringing me joy.
At first, I had some distracting thoughts, but gradually I calmed down and focused on the Qi flowing through my body's meridians. I slowly began to feel it, noticing the great weight in my hands. Then, when I put my palms together above my head, I felt a warm energy spreading, moving with my intention. Since practicing these static and dynamic exercises, I feel my thoughts are clearer and my emotions are more stable. Sometimes it feels like I'm holding some precious treasure, it's indescribable, and sometimes I can even sense certain events happening around me—it's quite magical.
[Sharing my experiences over the past year]
I started practicing Yuanfugong out of a desire for health, but I never expected that my original idea would lead to a series of incredible changes in my life.
When I was self-studying, I never seriously thought about or knew that Yuanfu Dynamic Exercise contained many essential points and tricks. It wasn't until I joined the group and received guidance from the seniors that I realized that the seemingly simple "Five Elements Transformation" dynamic exercise had a deeper side that we needed to study and explore to understand its mysteries! Moreover, the experience and expertise of the seniors over many years of practice is something that we, the younger generation, need to humbly learn from.
When I first started learning by watching videos, I simply copied the teacher's movements. I never stopped to think about how to integrate the exercises with my mind and body, making them my own energy. Besides, when I first started, my mind was restless and I lacked focus, so I was just training my muscles and bones, let alone cultivating my inner energy.
After a period of diligent practice, I noticed that various ailments were reappearing. Puzzled, I consulted my teacher, who explained that the Yuan Gong Qigong method has the function of healing diseases and eliminates toxins from the body as one's Qi improves. Later, I observed that my immune system gradually improved, and the pain lessened. All of this compelled me to dedicate myself even more fully to my practice.
Last year's organizational changes gave us the opportunity to join the group and meet a group of like-minded people. It also opened up another journey in my life, teaching me to relax and overcome low moods.
I look forward to the weekly gatherings with my classmates, free from conflict, simply for my own health and to find peace of mind. Look at President Wang—broad-minded, selfless, spiritually noble, loving, and energetic—truly a blessing to our class. Having our president is wonderful! The vice president possesses profound inner strength and composure. The class monitor is exceptionally talented yet unassuming; spending time with such a lively and lovely group of classmates makes it hard to stay angry.
Although the class was only two hours long, it was very fulfilling. Coupled with the right mindset—starting with "righteous thoughts and a pure heart," embracing all right and wrong, and aiming to cultivate positive relationships with a kind heart—I hope to change myself. Life is like waves, one after another, meaning that our thoughts create countless ups and downs; whether they are big or small, high or low, good or bad, all depends on our single thought. The transformation of our thoughts and ideas further tests our "steadfastness" and "tranquility." If a person is constantly self-centered, viewing everything from their own perspective and constantly complaining, then attachment arises, leading to various misfortunes.
Looking back on my September trip to mainland China, from a philosophical perspective, it was a journey filled with both reality and illusion, truth and falsehood. There is no true right or wrong in anything. The beauty of nature remains forever; only the human heart changes. It all depends on how you perceive and appreciate it. Therefore, if you embrace a life of acceptance and contentment, everywhere is beautiful, and everything goes according to your wishes. What then is there to say about harmony or discord? If we must truly discuss this, it's only about cause and effect. Debts from past lives are repaid in this life. In this life, you carry many emotional burdens and debts that you must repay.
This trip has deeply moved me. There are no absolute ways to handle things; adjustments must be made according to the different people, situations, and circumstances. Observing how my teacher handled matters, I realized that sometimes a white lie can change a person.
Once, during a casual chat, a classmate remarked emotionally: "By chance, I joined Yuanfu. My physique wasn't very good before, but through diligent daily practice of the exercises, I'm now in pretty good shape, and my mind and body are very happy. Thank you, Chairman Wang, for making room for us at Yuanfu, providing a warm and harmonious practice space. Thank you, Chairman Wang, Yuanfu is truly blessed!"
The Yuanxin Branch, with grateful hearts, strives to grow together with its members, sincerely seeking wisdom and wholeheartedly dedicating itself. The harmonious and supportive friendship among members cannot be expressed in words. We look forward to a future where members can demonstrate mutual assistance, cooperation, joy, and love, uniting all, transforming energy, and fostering spiritual growth and spiritual elevation. Thank you! May Yuanxin bring blessings to all beings.
~~Center Students~~
[My Learning Experience with Yuanfu Gongfu]
Having studied at Yuanfu School until now, I have come to realize that "the root of all dharma lies in the mind." Everything begins with cultivating one's own mind. Otherwise, no matter how powerful one's study of dharma is, or how strong one's energy is, if the mind is not cultivated and there is no righteous mind and righteous thoughts, one's spirituality cannot be improved, and it is all in vain.
In the Yuanfu spiritual community, I have learned, seen, and experienced a great deal. The various stages and different aspects of this journey have given me insights.
Throughout my spiritual practice, I remind myself that no matter what people, events, or things I encounter in this life, and no matter what circumstances or situations I am in, as long as I remember to live in the present moment, live out the meaning and existence of my life, strive for the transformation of my inner consciousness, and treat everyone, everything, and every event I encounter with kindness, I will do my best to make everything perfect.
~~Yuandao Students~~