Origins of developing Male Health by Steve Rogers
Origins Part One
I remember receiving the envelope with my address handwritten on it. Inside was several roughly photocopied A4 sheets listing the facilities, retreats and courses held at Tao Garden, this was back in 2000 , the year Master Chia’s dream was realise,. The opening of an International retreat centre to teach and promote the ancient Taoist practices. These had been taught to Master Chia by Master Yi Eng, who then encouraged him to open up the teachings to the West.
My practice in the Tao had begun several years earlier, and my interest in it, over a decade before that. I was always drawn to the esoteric nature of the practices and the mysterious powers and skills that were promised. Unfortunately at the time I was too lazy and easily distracted to apply the secret of the method. That secret being, well that will be revealed in due course! Through my exposure to Internal Martial Arts and reading the occasional book that I could find on the subject (this was pre internet, when books were the main source of information! Remember then? ) I kept reading about the Microcosmic Orbit or Small Heavenly Cycle, a method of circulating energy through the conception and governing channels. There was a way of opening it through an initiation or ceremony and passing of energy. This was a closely guarded secret.
To be accepted as an initiate would often mean years of following a Master, before they would consider ‘passing the energy’. What intrigued and interested me most were the sexual energy practices, the healing love, solo and dual cultivation meditations. It is through these that Mantak Chia gained most notoriety in the west. The opening of the Microcosmic Orbit forms the foundation of the system. In conjunction with Iron Shirt Chi Kung and the Inner Smile Meditation they form the fundamental practices of the Universal Healing Tao, not the end goal nor a secret that has to be earned through years of devoted following. It was in a basement studio in East London, I first met Master Chia. It seemed incongruous to be practicing these ancient arts as we watched acetates beamed onto the wall from an overhead projector (this was cutting edge at the time!). I had practiced Tai Chi for years and soon discovered that my structure was poor, after just an hour or so of Iron Shirt I could feel how to incorporate the practice into my own and derive immediate results. This has formed the cornerstone of my own teaching of the art since. Energy was passed and Orbits were opened in a beautiful and powerful way.
The simple and pragmatic approach of Master Chia continues to inspire me today. His words that I repeat often, ‘when you get it, you got it’. That is a secret!
Origins Part Two
Origins Part Two Once you have the fundamentals, which already provides a lifetimes worth of study, you move on to the juicy stuff, Healing Love Working with sexual energy. This is perhaps the most misunderstood, at least from the outside, aspect of the practice. The basic premise is by harnessing our sexual energy, which is the most potent resource we have, we can improve our overall health, increase clarity and creativity. All aspects of relationships will be enhanced. We take control of this energy, rather than being controlled by it. The premise and method is simple, but not easy to master, like all the methods they can and should be refined over a lifetime. The approach taken by Master Chia, after 40 years of teaching, is one of simplicity and pragmatism. In almost 20 years of study with Chia I have seen a continuing evolution of the teaching. Always seeking a clearer way to explain the concepts, with new metaphors and analogies, methods and practices.
Anyone who has read the books will see the beautiful diagrams and pictures of the process and in depth descriptions of the formula. However much I read, it was only through direct transmission and actual practice that I was able to assimilate the teachings. The books are excellent as a reminder and a great resource. I am so grateful to Master Chia for introducing me to this ancient wisdom. Prior to learning and subsequently teaching the system, I was completely controlled by my sexual energy, desire and urges. Almost every decision I made was based upon satisfying that drive. Probably because I was full of energy (jing) that drive was strong, however our Jing is a finite resource. I have to say I had a great time, but there is always a price to pay. Fortunately since discovering the Taoist practices and most notably Chia’s Universal Healing Tao system I was able to regain control, retain my essence, maintain what I had and build up my reserves. If it were practical, possible or even desirable to live a monastic existence away from the distraction of modern living, to be deeply immersed in the process and follow the Way, no doubt one could become highly adept and skillful, manifesting the desirable qualities promised through sustained practice. Of course this is not the case, the challenge then, is to integrate ancient warrior wisdom in contemporary life in a meaningful and tangible way. Following Master Chia’s lead I seek the most simple and direct methods to achieve this. For me the method must blend effortlessly into daily life. The practice should become life, living, not separate from it. Like anything worthwhile, this takes effort and work, however the results are quantifiable, measurable and profound. Although it is a process that we do, it should become who we are. How do we achieve this? Practice, that is the secret!
