Question: I have been practicing Qigong for about 6 months. At the beginning, I was very motivated, but now I feel it’s getting repetitive—I do the same postures and movements day after day. How can I motivate myself to continue?
Answer: How can you continue to wash the same body and brush the same teeth every day? Doing these things help maintain your health. But with Qigong, if you don’t bring yourself to a higher level, you are just doing the same maintenance day after day. And if you don’t find the benefit, then you won’t continue. So the key question is: Do you get a benefit? If not, then you have to look at the way you practice. Is it enough?
With some things, you see an immediate result; with others it’s a delayed gratification. But if you don’t see the result, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. It just may not be the result you expected.
Qigong is an energy exercise that challenges your mind and your inner peace. You are building up energy and paying off your debts. These debts are based on your original condition as well as how off-balance your body is. They’re related to aging (no one stays young forever), as well as your emotional and physical condition–your mind-body-spirit balance.
With Qigong, a miracle can happen. But there’s one requirement–that you have a good connection to your own being in mind, body, and spirit. Once you make this connection and match the requirement 100%, you can wipe out all your debt. That’s it! Then you have a miracle.
I have found that sometimes the results come later when you least expect them. Instant gratification is not something we can have with Qigong practice. It does pay off. Sometimes , most of the time it is invisible , which is more powerful than the visible. Practice , practice practice !
Great advise!
Another idea to stay motivated would be to practice for a certain length of time each day but do different exercises or programs. I have several DVD’s by different teachers that I like and can alternate them. You might also consider finding a teacher who could motivate you and teach you how to go deeper into your practice or a workshop to attend. Doing the exact same thing each day gets stale with time. Try something new with your qigong.
If you are truly touched you will continue to practice, to journey, to discover the best of who you are. We highly suggest you find the path that draws you in. A path that makes you so excited you can’t deny the pull. As Joan says, find a teacher who can initially motivate you to discover your true path.