Shaolin Chi Kung with Sifu Joan

At the end of every Intensive course, The Master, organized a dinner for participants to celebrate the ability and achievements over the 3 days. This was, and still is, known as the Graduation dinner. A sumptuous feast on the last night of the Intensive course.

We were collected by a wonderful man called Chim, I think my Siheng, but at the time I didn’t know Kungfu culture very well. I just remember that he was so nice and so kind to us. We arrived at this lovely restaurant and I was surprised to see at least 8 other people at the table also. Some of the Master’s senior students.

Chim Siheng, told me that he helped a lot of people with psychological problems by teaching them Chi Kung. Being a psychiatric nurse I was so happy and interested to hear this. There was more to be done for people rather medication.

It may sound silly now, but I had rarely been to a Chinese restaurant and wasn’t sure what to expect. I remember being starving though! We all sat down and the Master sat at the head of the table. A waitress started serving tea into tiny little cups, which were enchanting, yet nobody drank. I was being careful to watch what everybody did and even though some food arrived out in the middle of the table, nobody was attempting to help themselves to it.

I wasn’t sure why and thought perhaps they weren’t as hungry as what I was, they continued chatting between themselves. The tea smelled delicious and the food even more so, yet everybody just sat there talking!

Finally everybody looked to the head of the table where the Master was also chatting and he suddenly turned to the table, smiled at everybody and just simply said something like ‘Ah come, lets eat’. Suddenly everybody started passing around food and drinking the aromatic tea. It transpired the students were following etiquette. Nobody started eating before the Master. I was so glad that I curbed my desire to take the food and begin eating when it arrived at the table as hungry as I was.

The food was delicious and I must have drank pots of the tea because I also did not realise that once you finish what is in the cup, it is immediately refilled. I wondered why it stayed full!

This was my first official dinner with the Master and I was so glad that the senior students were there to guide us. It was such a good lesson for me and it was so nice to see how respectful they were of their teacher, of the three of us beginners and of each other. It was a beautiful night of open heartedness and connection.

Chim, drove us home and the Master also came in the car. I remember crying as we arrived back to the beautiful Cinta Sayang hotel, thinking I would probably never get the opportunity to see the Master again. I was genuinely so sad. Malaysia is so far from Ireland, how would I ever be able to get back. It was the sadness you feel when you have been given such a wonderful gift but may never see the bearer of that gift again. A bitter sweet experience!

We said our goodbyes. I went to my room and left around 5am in the biggest car I had ever seen, a limousine, all to myself. I felt like a princess going to the airport. Again it was dark so I didn’t see anything of Malaysia itself but I had the most wonderful memories, extraordinary experiences and met the most friendly people I had ever met. From the taxi driver on arrival, to the hotel staff, to the Master’s students, the course participants and of course the Master himself.  A complete stranger who helped a little Irish girl open her heart and gave her the gift of self healing and personal growth over three days and who took such good care that she was safe during all of it.

I thought my journey was over, but like all good stories, it was only beginning!

to be continued!