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The May 2007 Dream Trip to China is for people who believe that life is a spiritual adventure. It is for souls that hunger for the riches of ancient wisdom in faraway lands, and seek to merge them into the present moment.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,but by the places and moments that take our breath away”.

China Dream Trip 2007
A Qigong Journey to Sacred Taoist Mountains

Full 18 Day Journey: May 18 – June 4, 2007

Please do not confuse 2007 trip with 23-day May 2008 China trip. 2008 will visit Mt. Wudang (in place of Mt. Emei on 2007) and has an optional week meditating in Huashan caves. To be placed on advance list for 2008 trip, email: winn@healingdao.com.

China Dream Trip 2007

Led by Michael Winn

Michael is founder and Director, Healing Tao University. An experienced traveler who has been to 98 countries, an ex-war correspondent in Africa & Asia turned spiritual guide – covering the worst and the best of humanity. He has led dozens of adventure & sacred tour groups over the last 25 years. This is his 10th trip to China.

Co-leader: Janette Nutis (Mexico organizer)

Janette has been on two previous China Dream Trips, once as Assistant Trip Leader. She is a Healing Tao Senior Instructor and just published a seminal book (in Spanish) on Taoist qigong cultivation.

She will be translating my English into Spanish for a group of her Taoist students. Many are Kan & Li (Water & Fire) inner alchemy adepts. This is a very warm, friendly, high energy group, and many speak English.

Everyone with interest in China, qigong, and Tao are welcome to join the trip. No prior qigong experience required (we will send you free DVD to practice the Primordial Qigong form used on the trip).

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China Dream Trip Mission:

“To experience the spiritual essence of China. To meet & study with spiritually powerful Taoists. To do qigong in its most sacred and beautiful landscapes and connect to its ancestral chi. To deeply taste China’s ancient culture and peoples, and feast on its local cuisines at sumptuous banquets. To share the very best secrets I discovered on eight previous trips to China – before it disappears in China’s madly modern rush to forget its rich history. In short, The Dream China Trip I would give to myself, if I could only visit China once.

This 2007 trip will have new riches and improvements not offered on the 2006 Dream Trip. We are offering these trips primarily to keep the door open between Western and Chinese Taoist adepts, and to deepen the ground of our personal practice. If in your heart you feel drawn to China’s mystery, I advise you to follow your soul instinct, and trust the Tao will supply the time and resources to GO.”
-- Michael Winn

A few succinct testimonials from earlier Dream trips:
(more testimonials below):

“The Qi (chi) I experienced in China was simply mind blowing. I got a transmission from being in those mountains that has totally opened up new levels of my inner vision.”
- Mark, Fla.

"Thanks seems extremely insufficient to express my gratitude to you for making this trip to China possible - but, anyway, please accept my sincere gratitude. It was the most powerful experience of my life and continues to have a palpable moment-to-moment effect upon me."
– Very Happy Camper

"I can't begin to tell you how much we enjoyed the trip and what a profound effect it had on us and our practice".
- Couple with minimal previous qigong experience

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have been the gateway to what my soul was seeking for. This China trip is a milestone in my life, a profound spiritual development. Each time I think about you and the group my heart beats faster and a big unstoppable smile takes over!

The outer trip was set up perfectly, to make our inner spiritual trip go perfectly! From start of the trip to the end, it was like yin and yang making love… it was so beautiful! Poetic…simply magnificent!
- 2nd generation Chinese man, living in Toronto

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2007 DREAM TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Delivers China as a life-changing spiritual experience. We visit the “must-see” highlights of China but focus on developing a profound “earth chi connection” in mountains where Taoist adepts have cultivated for thousands of years.
  • Learn and practice 800 year old lineage Primordial Qigong from Wudang Mountain, an amazing form that combines qigong, inner alchemy, feng shui, and tai chi. Get free video/DVD in advance. This form feels different in China!
  • Regular qigong training in China by Michael Winn and Janette Nutis, and by local teachers where available.
  • NEW PLACE in 2007: Visit the magnificent and awe-inspiring Mt. Emei. This beautiful sacred mountain in Sichuan province is home to many different Taoist and Buddhist schools and temples. We’ll spend the night on the summit to do a sunrise ceremony.
  • Climb on breathtaking famous Mt. Huashan (“the Taoist Yosimite”) and retreat on gentle Mt. Azure City, two of China’s oldest Taoist sacred mountains. Meditate in Xian’s famous “8 Immortals Temple” and Chengdu’s Green Goat Temple.
  • China’s top cultural highlights: Do qigong on the Great Wall, in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, view the magnificent Terra Cotta Army near the ancient capital of Xian, experience amazing theatre & dance troupes.

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See a collection of my China Dream Trip photos at:
http://www.healingdao.com/china_dream_trip_photos.html

Money back guarantee: on returning home, you will not be the same person who left!

Trip cost is $3995. including international airfare from Los Angeles + all air and all land costs within China, at 4 star hotels where available. Includes the expensive flights to remote parts of China.

For travelers NOT meeting group in Los Angeles, cost for trip starting in Beijing is $3495.

Single Supplement $495. (no singles available on nights in Tao monasteries).

RESERVE YOUR PLACE with $600. deposit, subject to terms of cancellation policy posted on website. Credit cards accepted for deposit, but checks or wired funds are requested for balance of payments. If you need to finance the trip with credit cards, please call me to arrange.

Low cost round trip connections to LAX (Los Angeles) from domestic US cities and Mexico City will likely be available. Not included in trip cost: visa fee, trip/medical insurance (about $150. strongly recommended), It does not include tips to the dozens of porters, drivers, interpreters or guides, for which I will simplify by asking each to contribute in advance $75. for entire trip ($5./day).

In the travel market, this trip is an inexpensive bargain given all that is packed into it – especially the domestic airfares, over which Air China has a monopoly that keeps prices high.

BALANCE DUE: Trip fee due by Feb. 15, 2007. All checks payable to trip organizer: Dao Alchemy Research Institute (or its educational branch, Healing Tao USA) or in Mexico to Janette Nutis.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE; As an IRS approved 501c3 non-profit activity, US nationals may claim 40% of total trip fee as tax deductible. Depending on your tax bracket, this may substantially reduce the actual cash cost of trip (in 30% bracket, over $500 savings).

Note: Trip price also does not include airline fuel surcharges added to plane ticket price (depends on oil prices just before departure, and is thus unpredictable).

TO MAKE A DEPOSIT FOR CHINA TRIP:

You may call in your deposit to our office at 888-999-0555 inside USA, or phone 828-505-1444, or fax 828-505-1044.

A phone call or email will “time stamp” your deposit for several days while you mail a check payable to:

Healing Tao USA
26 Evelake Dr.
Asheville, North Carolina 28806

New office manager is Mike Teeter.
It is safe to leave credit card information on the message machine.

PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR DEPOSIT WITH EMAIL TO: info@healingdao.com.
Please cc: winn@healingdao.com

DON”T DELAY in making an advance deposit – reserve your space as early as possible. Last minute applications are accepted on space available basis.

Questions? Contact registrar at 888-999-0555 or email: info@healingdao.com

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China Dream Trip 2007
A Qigong Journey to Sacred Taoist Mountains

Note: This schedule is general, it does not include talks on Taoism or qigong practice schedule.

Day 1: Travel day to Los Angeles. Since plane leaves early Sat a.m., it is your option as to whether to arrive Thursday night and take a restful layover day. You could visit the beach in LA. Or get a Friday May 18 connection arriving in the evening. Check-in opens at 9 am, there are no pre-assigned seats on Air China, first come first-served.

Day 2: Depart Los Angeles 1:40 am on Air China #984 on May 19, 2007. We’ll cross the international date line and thus “lose: 24 hours in the blink of an eye.

Day 3: We arrive Beijing 5:20 am (morning), Sunday May 20 (12.5 hrs later). Stay at 4 star Tientan (Temple of Heaven) Hotel, next to a wonderful park. The “chi” in Beijing is very powerful, partly due to good feng shui from the ring of mountains surrounding it. Many people have powerful dreams here.

We immediately visit the Temple of Heaven (Tien Tan) park, the most sacred place in Beijing. Morning at Temple of Heaven park, Beijing's largest and most colorful potpourri of people. It is filled each morning with qigong & tai chi players, ballroom dancing, gambling, folk singers & musicians. We’ll practice Qigong in park to ground ourselves after the long flight. Tour the magnificent Taoist “open sky” Altar of Heaven with its white marble stones in patterns of 9, and the Temple of Heaven, an extraordinary three tiered circular temple that looks like an antique spaceship – built without a single nail. The Emperor, as Son of Heaven, had to visit here twice a year to receive Celestial instruction. Afternoon free to rest or optional tour to the Forbidden City. Beijing.

Day 4: Qigong early morning in the park next to hotel. Visit White Cloud Temple, the national headquarters for organized temple Taoism in China. Drive to Great Wall of China, visiting a Jade factory along the way. The Wall is very impressive, a wonder of the World, part of a 2500 mile long wall. We’ll hike and do wuji qigong on the Wall. Evening banquet. Beijing.

Day 5: Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, bordering Tibet. Check-in to hotel, that is just a short walk from our afternoon visit to the famous Green Goat” Taoist Temple, It’s one of my favorite temples in China, with lovely feng shui on three hills and a powerful sequence of temples. It has a magnificent I Ching pavilion, and printing presses for ancient Taoist alchemy texts, which can also be purchased in their bookstore (in Chinese, but the vibe still transmits). We’ll feast on Taoist vegetarian food during our visit to Green Goat Temple. Chengdu.

Day 6: Bus to Mt. Emei. Enroute stop at a giant Buddha carved into a cliffside that is ten stories tall, overlooking an ancient canal built 2000 years ago. At Emei we will take two chair lifts and then hike to the top peak and temple. We’ll stay in a hotel nearby, after doing qigong and watching the magnificent sunset. Mt. Emei.

Day 7: Spend half day relaxing, doing qigong, and hiking near Golden Peak atop Mt. Emei. In afternoon we will take a chair life down half way, then hike down the lower half of the mountain, filled with temples and screeching wild monkeys. At the bottom of the mountain we’ll pamper ourselves by staying in a five star spa with hot springs and other spa amenities. Mt. Emei.

Day 8: Relax at the 5-star spa in the morning. Afternoon bus back to Chengdu, free time in late afternoon. Evening we’ll have a banquet and watch the fabulous Sichuan Opera, with its amazing “mask-changing” technique and dozens of performing artists (far superior to Peking Opera). Chengdu.

Day 9: Bus to one of China’a most famous Taoist Holy Mountains: the lovely, magical Qingcheng Shan (Azure City Mountain), birthplace of 2000 yr old Celestial Masters Taoism. Covered with soft forest trails and temples tucked in caves, this Taoist holy mountain has a lot of nature spirits present in addition to its 150+ Taoist monks & nuns. The mountain has a very soft, “yin” quality that invites you into the fold of endless layers of peaks. We’ll meet with the female abbot of the temple at the bottom of the mountain to discuss her meditation practice.

We’ll take the chair lift up to save time. It’s an easy one hour hike halfway down to where we will stay in an extremely peaceful monastery called “Celestial Master Cave Temple” for two nights. There is a powerful 1000 year old ginkgo tree here. Enroute we’ll visit the Supreme Purity Temple near the top of the peak. Nearby is a pagoda with a 50 ft. high bronze Lao Tzu riding a buffalo! Porters will carry our bags to the monastery separately. Rooms are recently renovated to 3 star hotel quality! Mt. Qing.

Day 10: Morning group qigong. Day free for relaxing and meditating, or hiking to various temples nestled within the soft valleys. We will meet with local Taoists, and hear a talk on the Complete Perfection approach to immortality. Perhaps a musical concert on the gu zheng (zither) or flute by local monks or nuns, and catch an evening ritual alchemy ceremony with Taoist music in the main temple. We’ll share simple but delicious vegetarian meals with the Taoist monks and nuns. And enjoy the magical forest and stillness of this ancient Taoist sanctuary. Mt. Qing.

Day 11: Morning group qigong, then descend the mountain and bus to Chengdu for a last feast of its famous and sometimes spicy cuisine. Afternoon fly to Xian. Transfer to 4 star Hotel. Evening free to roam the nearby Moslem Night Market. Xian.

Day 12: Our hotel is in the very center of Xian, China’s ancient capital from Han to Ming dynasty (200 b.c. – 1400 a.d.). Xian is a giant outdoor museum, with China’s many ancient layers of history exposed. Morning free. Walk to the nearby lively Moslem Bazaar, which has the best craft bargains found anywhere in China, and delicious local foods. Free time for shopping in other districts, or visit magnificent Bell Tower (it still rings) near our Hotel. Optional visits to a local silk and freshwater pearl factory.

Afternoon visit the enormous city walls and famous gates, and the 1400 year-old Taoist 8 Immortals Temple, still one of the most revered seats of Taoism in China. Time to meditate and do qigong inside the temple compound, and visit its Taoist gift shop with paintings by local monks and nuns. Next to it a colorful flea market filled with curiosities, sculptures, jade & Han dynasty antiques dug up by farmers from their fields (another chance to sharpen your bargaining skills!). Evening free. Xian.

Day 13: Visit the impressively vast Terra Cotta Army of Emperor Qin’s tomb (the size of 5 football fields), the #1 tourist attraction in China. Then a short drive to visit the most famous Taoist sacred mountain in all China, Mt. Huashan. Check into hotel at base of Mt. Huashan. Tour nearby Jade Spring Monastery where, according to legend, the famous Taoist adept Chen Tuan did dream practice for 3 years continuously. We’ll meet some local Taoists and have a discussion on the Huashan tradition of Taoism with my longtime Taoist friends. Huashan village.

Day 14: Take a spectacular cable car ride – Asia’s highest lift - half way up the 7,000 ft. Mt. Huashan, and spend a few hours hiking up the carved stone stairs to the summit. The views are stunning, with many temple shrines (mostly female deities) built in caves along the thousands of stone-carved steps, which also make it impossible to get lost. The precipitous granite cliffs have the majesty of Yosimite Park, but this is more amazing for its feeling of human will carved into the granite since ancient times. We’ll stay in a Taoist temple and monastery dedicated to the “White God of the West” that rules the entire mountain. Mt. Hua.

Day 15: Free day atop Mt. Hua. Explore its five summit peaks. These peaks form a giant 5-petalled flower (Hua shan means “Flower Mountain”). Group qigong with the White Ruler God of the Mountain joining us! Optional visits to the cave-temples of the Jade Emperor or the Chess Pavilion, where Chen Tuan allegedly won the mountain to Taoist ownership on a bet with a Chinese prince who later became emperor.

Special sunset meditation from the West Peak, with its sheer 3000 ft. dropoff. Mt. Hua.

Day 16: We’ll descend Mt. Hua, and then transfer back to our four star hotel in Xian. Afternoon free for last minute shopping in Xian. Final group banquet. Xian.

Day 17: Fly from Xian to Beijing (1.5 hours). Depart Beijing on Air China #983 at 8pm on Monday, arriving in Los Angeles at 5 pm on Monday June 4, 2007, same day (miracle of International Date Line, you get back the 24 hours lost on way over).

Day 18: Tuesday June 5. Transfer from Los Angeles to home, for main group from Mexico or those unable or unwilling to take another flight on Sunday eve (hotel & meal in Los Angeles are not included). Welcome back – now it is time to digest the intense banquet of China’s sacred mountains. This process can take from days to months to a lifetime!

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TESTIMONIALS from earlier CHINA DREAM TRIPS

I asked the question: How did the China Trip change your life? Names withheld for privacy. I will note that two Dream Trip members moved to China as a result of the trip! As you can tell from these letters, this trip is not for simple tourists. It’s for people open to intense transformation – my definition of inner alchemy.
- Michael Winn

A. How did China change me? That is too difficult a question, I will stick with, What did China change in me? My practices, I seem to have acquired a much stronger Chi field. Meditations have a lot more depth and in some meditations what were just words or thoughts are now strong physical/energetic/spiritual feelings, experiences. I have a much deeper understanding/connection with my bodies.

Same with Qigong my arms are moving through a much denser chi field. I find myself experiencing a much deeper experience of Tai Chi. I find it easier and easier to connect with the energies of the cave and various monasteries. I have had some great experiences connecting with Lao Tzu's ascension site then taking it into the cave.

I have been working on converting my garage to a practice place. My father pointed out that I was sawing timber in straight lines and hammering nails without bending them (and without hitting my thumb) This Is most unusual and my father noticed right away. Was it worth it? Absolutely undeniably yes. A great group of people. I look forward to the next trip.

B. Your China Dream trip changed my life. One experience in particular comes to mind. On our first day on Mt. Huashan, I crawled out on a rock ledge and sat there drinking in the beauty of the incredible vista before my eyes. I was looking down on the tops of clouds. I didn't have anything particular in mind, just a little rest and a few moments of solitude to drink in the beauty before me.

I easily settled into meditating and immediately began to feel so light. Quite spontaneously, fears, the existence of which I had never fully acknowledged, surfaced and were released down into the emptiness in front of me along with more than a few tears. In that moment, on that ledge up above the clouds, I knew I was no longer able to settle for less than living my life fully. ..

Days after returning from China, I filed for divorce, something I had been trying to do for years. It was a peaceful parting. Thank you so very much for all you did to make that trip an incredible experience for everyone involved. You did a fabulous job!

C. Just writing to thank you for organizing the trip to China. I had an amazing time! I met a lot of fun and interesting people, ate a lot of great food, and the places were powerful and spectacular. Thanks to you my entire life is about to undergo a huge change. I will be moving to Chengdu in Sichuan province in January, and living in China for at least a year to learn the language at Sichuan University. After that, who knows, the possibilities are endless! Thank you Michael, I hope to meet you again. I hope your life has changed for the better as radically as mine. (Note: this young Australian did move back to China and married my Chinese tour guide!)

D. China was an extraordinary trip for me! I am still swirling in the experience and richness of it all! My world feels much bigger and at the same time, the exquisite sameness of all people is resonating throughout my being. I will try to get some words down to describe some of it before too long, but meanwhile wanted to thank you!

E. I do think about the group often. I don't take it lightly. Our time together was important to me. Being a novice at these practices. I wish I had consulted with you more on your experience. Our time together was short but intense. There wasn't a person on the trip that wasn't an inspiration for me. But I do feel lucky with my roommate, as he was my greatest inspiration. Nothing bothered this guy, and I found myself doing meditation on that. What kind of attitude would a person need to have this positive way of looking at things, events, life? Thanks!

F. Now for my life changes after China:

  1. immediately after the trip I began to realize that the JUDGMENTS I have are just my judgments. I can now feel the separation they create. And now know that its not the way things and people really are.
  2. my main Tango dancing partner told me I was DANCING better because I am softer and more relaxed!
  3. several friends are saying that my VOICE on the phone has become softer, slower, somehow changed.
  4. the shaman I sometimes see says I am "more myself" - whatever she means by this. I can feel what these feedbacks are referring to and I'm happy about it.

G. After successfully reaching the Peaks of Mt Huashaun, I felt re-empowered, that it was not over for me at my age….. that I could still do more with my life.

The connections I felt during primordial qigong allowed me to feel my goal of connection to God (within) is possible. Primordial is extremely powerful... not just arm waving. I made new friends, and plan to visit them. I have really come to appreciate the Chinese people and their lifestyle. I love Temple of Heaven park and all the people there, just hanging out.

H. I spent three days at the group’s "secret spot" atop Mt. Hua. During Primordial Chi Gung I saw the clouds mystically rise like angels and dragons and daggers. I could sense the clouds as the dragons breath. I stripped naked once, and laid down on the rocks, My spine aligned with the spine of the granite mountain. Now that I am home, I am feeling my spine aligning with the mountains. I rode a cloud dragon up a spiral towards heaven, taming my wild mind as the wind washed through me, playful & euphoric. I thought: THE IMMORTALS ARE THE MOUNTAINS. I saw them through the eyes of the dragon, a bat, and a butterfly. I feel altered forever. I still ride the dragon now that I am home.

I. The most special part of the trip was bonding with others and sharing laughs in our group. Christina and I bonded immediately as if we had known each other our whole lives. We stayed awake each night sharing our experiences of the day and talking about everybody. We giggled like little school girls and wondered how Michael paired us up so perfectly…???

I am a loner at heart, but I so enjoyed my time with everyone. I grew to love many of you. Memories spent together still pop into my head out of nowhere, and I and miss everyone. Michael, I told you that Huashan was difficult for me, but I knew one day I would be grateful. When I returned, I had lost 10 pounds and got my high school wash-board belly back!

J. I arrived in China still asleep. I woke up in Weibaoshan’s Jade Emperor temple! The Journey became a blissful, incredible, moment-to-moment experience of great love and compassion.

I actually met the Jade Emperor when I prayed to him alone, and gave myself up completely. It was the first time I ever prayed in a Taoist temple. I became transparent and was not afraid to let God, or Original Spirit or whatever people call it see me… all my good, all my bad. In total openness I truly saw my self…

But then some crazy stirrings happened in the lower tan tian. Rumbling, earthquake... explosion in my head. Feeling pressure.. mouth open wide, eyes shut tight, indescribable feelings in whole body... then boom!! It expressed through me as great laughter, I laughed like never before, my whole body was shaking in laughter, my lungs gasping for breath, my eyes tearing like crazy from laughter... Then crying…like never before crying and crying.. Then dancing and spinning like never before..

I was being guided by some very strong invisible force. Chi? Spirits? I'm not sure what but I felt it hold me in key points on my body as it moved me effortlessly. I was just there watching my body dance in wonder! Then the strong force made me run outside and dance and sing before everyone I met. I loved everyone and everything!!! Life felt incredible! so fun!!! so amazing!!!!!

I was flying, jumping, doing flips, spinning, and running all over Weibanshan mountain expressing my joy, love and compassion to all! I believe I was taken over by my own spirit. There was nothing that could make it unhappy, I could be slapped in the face, or beat up and I would still be in love and happy!

I was drunk with life! I remember running, hugging and kissing everyone from the group. Some were happy and touched, and some thought I went crazy! Some thought I was possessed - but to me it didn't matter! I saw and felt so much love and beauty in everyone, I loved everyone so much and wanted to be one with all.

When I got back home, I did primordial chi kung with the intention to connect all the power spots in China, to help bring change, inspiration and new life to Toronto. It was very very gray, dark, lifeless. During the form, the sun broke through the clouds and shined a bit. When I finished the whole sky was blue with beautiful white clouds, birds were flying and chirping, insects were buzzing, and life seemed to have arrived.. It was just such a wonderful feeling and reponse from nature...

Your China Dream Trip taught me to HAVE FUN in life! Enjoy, relax, be with the flow, be open.. be in the middle.. between and beyond yin and yang…

Also, I really miss the food in China...you picked great restaurants! The food back here is so tasteless and lifeless! I might have to move to China just because the food there was so great, so rich in life and flavour! The food, the people, the group, and the experiences in the China trip has made me feel and be younger, more loving and compassionate.. So many incredible positive things have resulted, the list is endless. Thank you so much! - Teddy C, Toronto

K. Things were definitely rocky the first couple weeks after the trip. I was physically in Los Angeles, but I was mentally and spiritually back in China. I still float off to the caves, the various peaks at Huashan and other places whenever time and situations allow. My wife will often ask me where I am if I'm being quiet, and the reply is always the same - China.

All my computer desktop pictures are China pics. Amazingly, I find little pieces of everyone I met in China here at home, reflections of you all. One of the people I train with could be Russell's little brother, another reminds me of our lovely guide Cherry. I try to bring Teddy's excitement on Weibaoshan to all the Tai Chi classes that I teach.

The few lessons I received from the monks have served me well and my own Tai Chi is really rocking lately. Like many I think I'm still digesting it all and lessons I didn't understand or even realize were happening now surface when I least expect it. The spiritual awakening I experienced doing tsunami relief work in Sri Lanka was really kicked into overdrive in China.

I came back from China a much calmer, more well balanced person. Situations that might have resulted in arguments or just general negativity now bring on compassion. And if I am brought to the darkness of anger I'm immediately embarrassed and sorry.   

I've had a couple moments where I'm positive an immortal is present. Words of encouragement from people I've never met from out of the blue or just a simple look in the eyes of a passing stranger. I know, that sounds nuts. But the overwhelming rush of emotion in these situations and the sense of peace that consumes me after it's passed are very powerful. 

My friends have sensed profound change in me as well but I realize I'm very much a work in progress. I'm already on the list for the next China trip as is another Tai Chi student from my school. I'm still getting used to the new me, but I like the changes so far.


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Cancellation Policy:

Covers Administration fees, Refund of $600.00 deposit, and Refund of balance of full trip costs.

Note: Low cost travel insurance is made available to all trip members. (Last year it cost average $150. depending on your age & trip length). You are strongly urged to obtain it. If you do not obtain it, you must sign a legal release.

SARS has been officially eradicated in China according the World Health Organization. If SARS or some other killer bird-flu virus should it break out before the trip date, I personally believe the trip will still happen. Two reasons.

1. During the last epidemic there were virtually no cases where we are spending most of our time. Our main exposure would have to occur during the narrow window in Beijing at beginning and end of trip.

2. Chinese health system is much better prepared and alert this time around.

3. Extensive instructions are given to all trip members on how to stay healthy before and during the trip. These are my time tested travel methods to keep immune system at peak operating level. This strategy has proven very effective on previous trips.

You may cancel by contacting by phone, email, or fax the Healing Tao office in USA or Janette Nutis in Mexico. Cancellation is effective the day we RECEIVE your cancellation notice.

Administration fees for cancellation are as follows:

1. if cancellation is received by midnite Jan. 15, 2007 - $200. administrative fee only.

2. If cancel between Jan. 16 and midnite March 15, 2007 - $400. administrative fee, plus any out of pocket costs of cancellation.

OUT OF POCKET costs: If receipt of your written notification of cancellation is received after you have paid your full travel fees, the refund of travel fees will be made after deducting any out-of-pocket expenses necessary to effect cancellation of overseas arrangements including forfeitures to hotels, airlines, and overseas agents and any other unrecoverable costs. This can be substantial and may not be known until after the trip.

3. If cancel March 16, 2007 or later, full trip cost is forfeited (NO REFUND). This is why it is essential you get trip insurance in case of personal emergency or sudden illness.

4. NO REFUNDS for voluntary termination of travel AFTER trip begins. If a member must involuntarily cancel for physical health reasons AFTER the trip within China has begun, and does not use a portion of their already pre-paid services, NO refunds will be made. It is simply too difficult to collect in China, and not worth the trouble.

No refunds are made for unused excursions and special program activities. We will supply you with a reliable and inexpensive travel insurance option in the USA (or if in Mexico or abroad, you can choose your own). Check the terms and conditions of the issuer of your travel insurance policy as they are defined in the policy’s cancellation clause which outlines your coverage and its limitations and exclusions.