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The 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 2009
Qigong Journey to Sacred Taoist Mountains + Mantak Chia at Tao Garden in Thailand

17 Day Journey: Friday May 8 — Sunday May 24, 2009

China Dream Trip mission Trip highlights Photos from China Dream Trips Registration info Daily Itinerary Trip Testimonials Cancellation policy

A Taoist monk meditates in China's sacred mountains.

China Dream Trip 2009

Led by Michael Winn Michael Winn is founder and Director, Healing Tao University, past President of National Qigong Association, and co-author/writer of Mantak Chia's first seven books. He's an experienced traveler to over 100 countries. He is an ex-war correspondent in Africa & Asia turned spiritual guide — exploring the shadow and light sides of humanity. He has led dozens of adventure & sacred tour groups over the last 30 years. This is his 12th trip to China. Who is Michael Winn? Click for full story

Michael Winn, holding a rare Red Panda in China.

Cherry Li is our main Chinese guide on the 2009 trip; we will be assisted by other local guides as well. Cherry has a degree from the prestigious Xian Foreign Language Institute, and has done a wonderful job guiding past China Dream trips. She is a tai chi, inner alchemy and yoga practitioner, mother of a 6 year old girl, and is interested in Christianity (a perfect mirror to Westerner interest in Chinese spiritual life). She knows her way around Taoism and the Taoist sacred mountains. She offers her sweet and sincere heart to make China and its people as accessible to us as possible. Like many others, you will fall in love with her…

Cherry Li, taming her Monkey Mind

China Dream Trippers falling in love…with China.

Trip Co-Stars: Everyone who comes on the trip! Why are China Dream Trips so special, and very different from typical tourist trips? We attract a fabulous group of Tao-minded spiritual adventurers.Not mere curiosity seekers or jaded tourists, but fascinating folks who are excited about literally following in the footsteps of Lao tzu and doing powerful qigong ceremonies in China's highest spiritual energy spots.

After every Dream Trip is the same refrain: "the incredible people I met and grew to love were as important as China itself". This is the kind of trip where you make lifetime friends or might find your partner.

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China Dream Trip Mission:

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2009 DREAM TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Blissed out after Primordial Qigong…

• Delivers China as a life-changing spiritual experience. We visit the "must-see" highlights of southwestern China, and develop 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 DVD by Michael Winn in advance. This form feels different in China!
• Training by Michael Winn in the rare and ancient shamanic Seven Star Big Dipper Qigong Ceremony, from the Ni Xian Pai or "Path of the Female Immortals" lineage. This will be combined with special training by Mantak Chia on absorbing chi from the Pole Star.
  
  This Big Dipper shamanic qigong generates a very special and powerful chi field. It was used in ancient times to build a protective field around one's community or before going into battle. The Pole Star and the 7 Big Dipper stars are said to control human destiny. Are you ready to take control of your destiny?
• Regular daily qigong training by Michael Winn, and by local teachers where available. Currently planned is training at Mt. Qingcheng by Chen Yuming, former vice abbot of Huashan, a highly achieved inner alchemy adept.
• Climb on two of China's oldest Taoist sacred mountains, Mt. Qingcheng in Sichuan and the Tang Dynasty temple complex on Mt. Weibao in Yunnan. Meditate in Chengdu's famous Green Goat Temple.
• top cultural highlights: experience the amazing Sichuan Opera with its mind-defying "mask changing"; explore the golden temples and hill tribes of Northern Thailand near Tao Garden; China's biggest panda reserve; the ancient wooden-walled city of Lijiang and Dali's exotic markets, Yunnan's beautiful Jade Dragon Snow Mountains.

If you want to increase your resonance with all things Taoist, this is the trip for you!

Note: If you prefer to wait for the cave experience on Huashan, you may signup in advance for the 2010 Dream Trip. Send an email to winn@HealingTaoUSA.com

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PHOTOS:

Dream Trippers having fun at a Dumpling House

For collection of top China Dream Trip photos: http://www.healingdao.com/china_dream_trip_photos.html

For 2007 Dream trip photos (includes Yunnan) see: http://www.healingdao.com/china_2007.html

For 2008 Dream trip photos (Huashan, Taishan, Laoshan) see: http://www.healingdao.com/china_2008.html

HOW TO SIGN UP for CHINA DREAM TRIP

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

Trip cost is only $4695. This includes international airfare from Los Angeles + all domestic air and all land costs within Asia. Note: 6 flights between Thailand, Hong Kong and China are included. Price protected against increase even if itinerary changes. Currency fluctuation of up to 3% is covered in trip price.

I've done my best to keep this trip affordable. It is priced about $2500. below comparable quality tourist trips to China, which don't cover the same range of exotic locations or include qigong training. Inflation of 15 % a year in China + higher airfares + strong Chinese currency are slowly driving up travel costs. This trip is still a great bargain - so much is packed into it. The quality of the "chi experience" makes the trip priceless!

Travelers NOT flying from Los Angeles: cost for trip starting in Chiang Mai, Thailand is $3895. This includes three flights between Chiang Mai and Chengdu. Meet group Sun. May 10 at Tao Garden for dinner (30 minute taxi from Chiang Mai). Buy your return ticket from Chengdu, China on Sun. May 24 (airport code: CTU).

$100. DISCOUNT to my personal students, Healing Tao instructors, past China trip members or any attendee of Healing Tao USA summer retreats in the past three years.

Single Room $595. extra (no singles in Mt. Qing monastery).

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. Extended Payment may be available for a few who need it.

Low cost round trip add-on fares to LAX (Los Angeles) from domestic US cities may be available. Not included in trip cost: airline fuel surcharges (unknown at this time), visa fees, trip/medical insurance (about $150. strongly recommended). Thailand visa available at Bangkok airport. Price does not include tips to the dozens of porters, drivers, interpreters or guides, which I simplify by asking each to contribute in advance $75. for entire trip (less than $5./day).

BALANCE DUE: Trip fee due by Feb. 15, 2008. All checks payable to trip organizer: Dao Alchemy Research Institute (or its educational branch, Healing Tao USA).

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).

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. Or email: info@healingTaoUSA.com

Please CC: winn@HealingTaoUSA.com

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

Healing Tao USA ,4 Bostic Place, Asheville, North Carolina 28803

Trip registrar is Jan Gillespie. It is safe to leave credit card information on the message machine, or send an email with card number in two sections for security.

PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR DEPOSIT WITH EMAIL TO: info@healingTaoUSA.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, and will likely incur airline surcharge.

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

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China Dream Trip 2009 Itinerary
A Qigong Journey to Sacred Taoist Mountains

TENTATIVE Daily Itinerary for Trip, May 8 — 24, 2009.

This schedule does not have all talks on Taoism or qigong practice times in it.

Day 1:
Travel day. We depart Los Angeles LAX at 11:45pm on Cathay Pacific (CX) - allow plenty of time for delayed connections. The plane is kept dark most of the way to facilitate sleeping. Flight is 14.5 hours.

Day 2:
Travel Day. We lose 24 hours crossing International date line. (We gain it back coming home).
You will be given detailed instructions on how to prevent jetlag.

Day 3:

Tao Garden dining hall

Arrive Hong Kong 5:35 am. Depart to Bangkok at 8:55 am on CX #713 (2 hrs 40 min.: arrive 10:35 am). Transfer to Thai Air 12:40 pm, arrive in Chiang Mai 1:50 pm. Bus to Tao Garden. We'll do a round of Primordial qigong to ground ourselves in the Meditation Pavilion next to a small lake.

Herbal bath

Then relax and use pool, or enjoy the low-cost spa facilities, including Thai massage, Ayurvedic and Chinese treatments, Chi Nei Tsang (deep organ massage) and Karsai Nei Tsang (genital massage — its medical!). There are various beauty and herbal wraps and sauna. You deserve to feel good after such a long flight! For complete list of treatments:

If you order it in advance, you can have your spinal stem cells rejuvenated at 1/3 the cost elsewhere…. although our qigong program will do it far more cheaply! Organic food grown locally ensures delicious, healthy outdoor dining. Sunset option: 30 minute hike to nearby large lake.

We'll stay in the Tao Garden condos, on the lovely eco-friendly campus that really is a garden of earthly delights. Expect balmy tropical weather — shorts & sandals. Tao Garden.

Mantak Chia, Healing Tao founder

Day 4, 5 and 6:
Qigong training at Tao Garden with Mantak Chia and Michael Winn.

Qigong will be interspersed with sightseeing of Northern Thai culture, which has spectacular temples, exotic hill tribes, wonderful and cheap handcrafts at the Chiang Mai night market (silk, leather, silver, jade, jewellery, lacquerware, china, painted umbrellas). The area has beautiful mountain geography with unusual attractions such as butterfly watching, orchid farm, snake zoo, and elephant riding. The itinerary in Northern Thailand has not been finalized, and we may also spend a night or two at a hot springs resort further upcountry, and integrate our qigong training with the sightseeing.

Everyone coming on the trip will already have received the Primordial Qigong / Tai Chi for Enlightenment DVD. I will give corrections and more in depth understanding of its energetics, so that everyone feels totally comfortable with doing it daily for the rest of the trip. This 800-year old lineage form is inherently alchemical in nature.

It speeds up your self-transformation process and smoothes out your life karma. It is the most balancing and most deeply centering form I've ever encountered, with many medical applications as well. It was invented by the same genius that created the first 13-movement tai chi form, Taoist Master Chang San Feng.

We will also learn the Seven Star Big Dipper Qigong ceremony. This form, which moves in squares, is a perfect companion to the spiraling circles of Primordial Qigong. Both are spiritual qigong forms that affect you personally as well as organize the larger field of your life/Nature. Both are unlike any other medical or martial qigong forms I've ever seen; each generates a unique and powerful chi field. Performed together, they are off the charts.

The 7-Star Big Dipper ceremony is undoubtedly of older historical origin. It is also a closely held lineage form, from the Path of the Female Immortals. It feels really ancient and shamanic. It looks like a kind of "brain gym" of alternating hand and foot movements while walking a Big Dipper star pattern. It forces you to stay very centered while invoking different energetic frequencies and simultaneously toning. This may be challenging at first for some of us (smile!). But I guarantee that everyone will get it after a few hours practice.

These two forms by themselves have plenty to get your cauldron boiling. But we are going to mix in a little extra dynamite: Mantak Chia's transmission of his favorite and most powerful meditation frequency, the purple light of the Pole Star. It will be the perfect meditative partner to the 7-Star Big Dipper ceremony and Primordial Qigong.

Mantak Chia is the founder of the Healing Tao and (overseas) Universal Tao. He will be available to answer any and all questions you have about your path in the Tao. You will be meeting Mantak at his best, most relaxed &mdash on his home turf, in his dream retreat center for Taoists, teaching his favorite practice. Tao Garden.

Mt. Weibao Tao temple entry

Day 7:
Morning qigong practice, last round of Thai massages, early lunch. Depart Thai Air 2:25 pm, arrive 5 pm in Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, China. We fly 50 minutes to Dali region, which is upcountry and has cool evenings, next to one of China's largest lakes.

We'll drive one hour+ to Weibao, to stay in a typical small town inn at the base of Mt. Weibao, a sacred Taoist mountain. Few foreigners visit this out of the way town, so it is the perfect entry point for an authentic experience of China. Mt. Weibao.

Temple guardian, Weibaoshan

Day 8:
Visit the Tang dynasty (6th-9th century) Mt. Weibao sprawling Taoist temple complex. I love the pristine energy here; we are far, far off the beaten path, even for Chinese. Originally there were 22 temples here, accessed only by a long winding mountain road that protected many of the temples from destruction during the Cultural Revolution. Each temple is dedicated to a different God or Immortal. All deities symbolically represent different functions of the cosmic chi field.

We'll spend time with a famous lady Taoist who lives in the Jade Emperor Temple and does fantastic silk paintings of brightly colored flowers (tree peonies) and Kuan Yin riding atop a dragon. Yes, they are for sale. We'll also meditate in the very high chi in the Palace of the Three Pure Ones and the Temple of the Star Beings atop the mountain. Mt. Weibao.

View atop Mt. Weibao

Day 9:
We'll spend most of another day in Weibaoshan, before making the 2 hour bus ride to Dali. Dali is a market center for the 55 different and very colorful ethnic tribes found in Yunnan. It has narrow streets that mostly don't allow cars, lined with hundreds of shops. We'll sample the delicious ethnic foods, and stay in a traditional courtyard hotel typical of old China. The night market at Dali is a great way to immerse ourselves in the lively bustle of Yunnan culture. Dali.

Taoist cauldron, I Ching symbols

Day 10:
Morning free to wander Dali, or take the chairlift up nearby Mt. Cang to Zhong Ye Taoist Temple. It is a great place to do Wujigong (the original Chinese name for Primordial). It overlooks Lake Erhai, one of China's largest, with Three Pagodas rising near its shore.

We'll then all meet and take a 3 hour drive across the spectacular mountainous Yunnan countryside to Lijiang. Lijiang is the best remaining example in China of a walled wooden town. It is so famous UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage site. Yes, it is crowded with Chinese tourists, but that bustle just adds to its authentic feeling. We'll find a whole different range of crafts and ethnic peoples than in Dali, such as the Dongba people with a very ancient pictographic language. Lijiang is an architectural maze of wood-carved alleyways well worth getting lost in.

We'll stay in a traditional Chinese courtyard hotel inside the walled town, which is surrounded by a more modern city. Lijiang Old Town.

Naxi musician, Lijiang

Day 11:
Morning qigong in an outdoor plaza. Free day to explore vast markets and peoples of Lijiang's Old Town. Options include visiting the famous Black Dragon Pool, or strolling along the gushing streams that enliven the Old Town and finding a place to meditate. This is frankly one of my favorite towns in China. It was here I found an amazing jade-green petrified tree trunk, from nearby Burma. Other treasures abound here, along with interesting local cuisine.

Option in the evening to attend a local Naxi Music Concert, one of the few places in China to preserve what originally was Taoist classical music. One of the theatres has a big bagua painted on the ceiling. Lijiang Old Town.

Day 12:
Qigong practice, then rest of morning free to roam the old walled town. After lunch consider the option to bus 2 hours up to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a nature preserve with beautiful views, snow fields, and an incredibly rich bio-diversity.

We'll descend for dinner and then take the only flight from Lijiang to Chengdu, departs 8:45pm -10:55pm.

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province, bordering both Yunnan and Tibet. Transfer to the "Dream Mansion Inn", named after a famous Chinese novel. It's another traditional Chinese courtyard style hotel. Chengdu.

I Ching Pavilion, Green Goat Temple

Day 13:
We'll wake up the next morning to find ourselves in the heart of Chengdu's "old city" with traditional Chinese red roof architecture. Morning stroll to nearby Qingyang Gong "Green Goat" Taoist Temple, where we'll also play qigong. It's one of my favorite temples in China, with lovely gardens, good feng shui on three hills and a powerful sequence of temples. It has an exquisite 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). Their store has other interesting Taoist paraphernalia, statues, embroidered bagua bags, etc.

We'll feast at a nearby restaurant on Sichuan's famous cuisine. Afternoon free to practice qigong in Chengdu's lovely parks, get treated at the Traditional Chinese Medicine institute, or hang out in the many teahouses. Or bus 30 minutes to the wonderful Panda Preserve, the largest collection of captive pandas (about 30) in a natural habitat of refreshing bamboo forest. They play, chomp on bamboo, and have tiny adorable babies kept in incubators. We'll see smaller "red pandas" (related to the raccoon — see my photo holding one at top of China Dream webpage). You can do qigong in the lovely bamboo forest, and visit an interesting museum on these "bear-cats" ("pan-da" in Chinese).

Evening banquet, then visit the fabulous Sichuan Opera, with its amazing "mask-changing" technique and dozens of performing artists. It is far superior to the Peking Opera. You can rent an excellent Chinese movie called The Mask to get into it. Chengdu.

Abbotess of Mt. Qingcheng

Day 14:
Bus 1.5 hours to one of China'a most famous Taoist Holy Mountains: the lovely, magical Qingcheng Shan (Azure Palace 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.

We will try to meet with the female abbot of the temple at the bottom of the mountain to discuss her practice. She is lively and open about the female aspects of Tao cultivation, and loves to encourage Westerners to get involved with Taoist meditation and to come back for longer retreats "so you will be sure to gain enlightenment!".

Taoist ceremony, Celestial Monastery

The mountain has a very soft, "yin" quality that invites you into the fold of endless layers of forest-covered peaks. We'll take the cable car up to save time. We'll share a simple but delicious lunch with the Taoist monks and nuns at the Supreme Purity Temple near the top of the peak. Nearby is a 50 ft. high bronze Lao Tzu riding a buffalo!

Afterwards we will have an easy one hour hike downhill to where we will stay in an extremely peaceful monastery for two nights. Porters will carry our bags to the Celestial Cave monastery separately. There is a powerful 1800 year old ginkgo tree here. The gates of the monastery are closed each evening, creating an island of serenity, perfect for our Primordial and 7 Star Big Dipper ceremonies in the central temple square.

Some rooms were recently upgraded to 3 star level. I'm told it suffered only minor damage during the big 2008 earthquake. The rooms look out over a most amazing forest of elegant 200 foot tall trees. Celestial Cave Monastery, Mt. Qingsheng.

Day 15:

Chen Yuming, with Complete Perfection founder

Morning 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 and guided meditation on the Complete Perfection approach to immortality by Chenyuming, the former vice abott of Mt. Hua and a good friend of mine. We may even entice him to give a musical concert on the gu zheng (zither) and some demonstrations of local qigong and martial arts. Mt. Qingsheng.

Day 16:

1800 year old gingko tree

Morning Qigong. Another day free on this special mountain to hike or meditate or play. Return in late afternoon to the same Dream Mansion in Chengdu in time for an evening banquet. Pack for the flight home. Chengdu.

Day 17:
Depart Chengdu at 8:20 am on Dragon Air #825 to arrive Hong Kong at 11am. Time for shopping at China's glitziest airport, or use the free internet. Depart Cathay Pacific #882 at 4:15 pm, arriving in Los Angeles at 2:15 pm same day (Sunday, May 24). Allow time for customs in choosing your connecting flight home. Congrads! You've drunk all the chi in China!

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PHOTOS:

Making music in China's sacred Tao mountains

For collection of top China Dream Trip photos: http://www.healingdao.com/china_dream_trip_photos.html

For 2007 Dream trip photos (includes Yunnan) see: http://www.healingdao.com/china_2007.html

For 2008 Dream trip photos (Huashan, Taishan, Laoshan) see: http://www.healingdao.com/china_2008.html

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. . I arrived in China still asleep. I woke up in Weibaoshan's Jade Emperor temple, in Yunnan province! 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 response 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

Forest trail, Mt. Weibao

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 Huashan, 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. 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.

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.

Bagua ceiling: 8 Cosmic Forces

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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Interesting article to prepare you for the 2010 Dream Trip. Michael Winn's experience of living in a Taoist cave at Mt. Hua for a week with no food or water, see article "Taoist Alchemy & Breatharians" originally published in Qi Journal:

Note: we stay in caves on Mt. Hua every other "even" year (1010, 1012, etc.) Please read the intense experiences from cavers.

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Cancellation Policy:

There is no penalty for canceling before midnight Oct. 31, 2008 (full refund of deposit).

Note: Low cost travel insurance is made available to all trip members. (Last year it cost average $150.- 200. depends 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.

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.

Fees for cancellation are as follows:

1. if cancellation notice is received between Nov. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2008 - $300. fee.

2. If cancel Jan. 1 to Feb. 15, 2009 - $600. fee.

3. If cancel between Feb. 15, 2009 and departure date of trip, full trip cost is forfeited (NO REFUND). This is why it is essential you get trip insurance.

4. No refunds for 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 (or 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, its limitations and exclusions. Usually written medical excuse from doctor or proven death in family are accepted.

I look forward to sharing the adventure of a lifetime with you!

Love, chi, blessings,
Michael