October 4-14, 2009

In Asia all roads lead to Beijing. Since 300 BC Beijing has been a national capital and in 1150 AD with its unique fengshui this inconcievable mandala of pure light became the capital of the largest kingdom the world has ever known. Under Mongolian, Manchurian and Han Chinese rule it is the only capital city built in the configuration of a bagua mandala that has perfect celestial alignment. With the Forbidden City at its center Beijing is embraced by the massive Temple of Heaven, Earth, Sun and Moon and protected by majestic mountain ranges. The entire city is filled with the largest palaces, temples, parks, gardens, Stupas, universities and fortifications in the world. Yamantaka is the protector diety of Beijing and as the great Garchen Rimpoche says there have been no less than five Chinese emperors that were reincarnations of the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri who spread their wisdom light throughout the world. Since ancient times the Emperors of Beijing have been the greatest patrons of the wisdom traditions and built extrodinary temples throughout their kingdom. They also built magnificant temples in Beijing to honor great masters such as the Daoist Qiu Changchun and the Dalai Lama when they lived in Beijing. Today's renaissance in Beijing is unequaled in the world again and with its clash of ancient culture and modern expression Beijing is truly a site to see.

This year's Sacred Journey to Beijing will be based on learning a complete form of traditional Chinese longivity exercises called Wudang Qigong. We will also learn other facets of Traditional and Esoteric Chinese Medicine. Everyday is full of exercise, sight seeing, Traditional Chinese Medicine and having fun.

Every morning we will go to the Emperor's personal gardens the amazing Beihai Park to learn Wudang Qigong and other forms on exercise like tai chi and bagua. We will practice at either the giant Kalachakra Stupa of the Dalai Lama's Yong An Temple or the Nine Dragon Wall of the Emperor Qian Long's Temple. Like Beijing itself Beihai Park was built as another divine mandala so the energy is especially strong there. In the park there is a mountainous island in the middle of the lake where the Giant Kalachakra Stupa and the Protector Diety Yamantaka towers over the Forbidden City. This is where we will practice our morning exercises. Wudang Qigong in particular is a system of medatitive exercises and spiritual cultivation that uses celestrial, terestrial, and physical allignment to cultivate energy and rejuvinate the mind and body.

Every afternoon we will expand upon our Royal Beijing experience by going out and seeing the sacred sites of Beijing. We will visit many Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian Temples and attend their celebrations, empowerments and teachings. We will also visit the largest TCM universities and hospitals in the world and most especially go to the White Cloud Daoist Temple to study Daoist esoteric medicine and cultivation and recieve diagnosis amd treatment from the Daoist priests in residence. We will also visit some of the smaller clinics to experience a wider variety of body work and the Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian healing traditions. We will also take out time in the afternoons to visit the antique markets, handicraft centers and shopping bazzars. Made In China!

Every evening we will feast on real Chinese food and even dine on medicinal foods in the royal courts of the Emperors. Then after dinner we will go to the tea houses, ride on the lake in sanpans, go to the clinic for some reflexology and body work, or go to see the Peking Acrobats, Peking Opera, or see the Shaolin Kungfu Warriors. there is never a dull moment in Beijing and the sky's the limit.

Itinerary

What to expect and what to pack: Living at the Taiwan Hotel on the posh Emperor's Boulavard we will live in comfort and visit the grand sites of Beijing while cultivating the Dao of longivity and rejuvination. You'll only need to bring a few changes of clothes, your toiletries and any medications you need. Shots aren't necessary but check with the WHO or your doctor. Participate as much or as little as you like there are no requirements except for you to learn and enjoy. Itinerary is flexible. If you want to stay after the journey is over or travel on we can arrange it for you. Enjoy!!!