Importance of Self-Reflection
by Master Lee Feng San Shifu
Translated by Sophia Lui
Edited by Ric Meyers
A student came to class one day and upon finding out that we were all vegetarians, asked: “Does one have to be a vegetarian in order to practice Qi Gong?” I told him: “Don’t worry about that. Just practice diligently and you’ll be fine.”
If we are persistent and consistent with our practice, our body will naturally cleanse itself. Eventually, a time will come when we know instinctively what we should or should not eat. Although we encourage everyone to be vegetarians, there are many people who have been consuming meat for years, and it will be difficult for them to suddenly alter their eating habits.
This is not unlike those who have been drinking, smoking or gambling for ages, and would find it difficult to quit. So, in this case, we do not have to explain to our students why they should go vegetarian. We just teach them techniques to train their bodies. When they have reached a certain level of coordination of mind and body, then their eating habits will naturally change of their own accord.
At our centre, we have many practitioners who have chronic health disorders, and some are even cancer patients. However, after practicing Ping Shuai, and switching to a plant-based diet, they experience great improvements in their health. As for the cancer patients, they are also better able to tolerate the side effects of their cancer treatment.
Of course, there are those who have no idea of such healing methods, and therefore are rather skeptical about their effectiveness. This is because we are rather low-key and do not engage in large-scale advertising to promote the healing benefits of Ping Shuai and vegetarianism.
A curious phenomenon which I have noticed is that when some people are exposed to information that is good and beneficial, they often react with doubt and skepticism. Yet when they hear bad things about something or someone, they will excitedly start a conversation about it. This is something which we need to watch out for in ourselves.
If we are going to talk about another person, we should sincerely say only good things about them, things that we can learn from them, or things that are up-lifting. On the other hand, we should avoid mentioning unintentional faults committed by others. More importantly, we should reflect on ourselves and set out to change any undesirable behavior which we may have.
Do not be one of those who always find excuses for themselves, yet have a hard time forgiving others. If we don’t do that, then we will create peace wherever we go. So let us make this our practice – more forgiveness for the other and more reflection on the self.
“Speak about the good and not the faults of others; forgive the other and reflect on the self.”— Lee Feng San Shifu