6 Days Qigong Meditation Retreat in Ariege, Occitanie, Southern France

The marrow washing classic mind seal

As an overall systems check of health, emotions, energy, clarity, and composure, the marrow washing classic is unrivalled. With 18 dynamic forms and one harmonizing form, it provides a complete exercise and health program. Da Mo or Bodhidharma or Padampa Sangye provide the scriptural, historical, and spiritual foundation for the form made famous by the first Zen patriarch, the Indian monk Bodhidharma.

Bodhidharma, the mahasiddha

The marvellous feats of the monk who sat wall gazing for many years, six or nine according to different account, are well documented. Through his association with the Shaolin temple, Da Mo (the Chinese name) or Bodhidharma (the Indian name) has been adopted as the founding father of the spiritual tradition in the martial arts. Outside the martial tradition, he is known through remarkable feats that defy physicality.

The emphasis in the retreat will be to learn the forms as a means to allow dharmata and compassion to co-emerge. Through repeated practice, marvellous physical feats, longevity, a calm steady mind, and seeing innate nature are easily realised. Bodhidharma is still silently emanating his message.

The salient message

If you cannot stop thinking, do not believe your thoughts. If you believe your thoughts, do not believe them for long. This method becomes an integrated mandala with the physical hand and body mudras in the marrow washing classic where energy, movement, and awareness combine into a single abiding. This is the key, beyond the ordinary benefits of the physical movements.

When practiced in a calm environment, with a calm mind, this Qigong form is supremely efficient. Not only does it provide physical re-organisation and healing through moving in stillness, it opens the awareness to the possibility of realising dharmata. For the Taoist, it is through the receptive, the feminine, and the earth.

Benefits of marrow washing Qigong

All Qigong forms adapt to the different seasons. The marrow washing classic can be undertaken at any time of year, yet it is most beneficial when undertaken during autumn. Strengthening the bones and tendons, loosening the muscles, releasing stagnant energy, and quieting the mind until the marrow physical and metaphoric is arrived at.

Qigong as meditation

Practicing the marrow washing classic reveals awareness in its essential purity, free of obscurantism, and personal concerns and worries. The mudra, which will be repeatedly introduced, produces wholesome energy, the physical which is produced through movement alone. The synergy of the marrow washing classic does not depend upon producing any particular state of meditation. It is enough to undertake the movements, to feel their energy, and work with empty awareness.

The forms are full of metaphor, symbology, and poetry that silently invite the practitioner into dharmata, a non conceptual state considered tone among the most beneficial and exalted meditative samadhis.

Typical daily schedule

• 06:30 Optional morning session
• 07:30 Breakfast
• 09:30 Morning session with tea or snacks break
• 12:00 Lunch
• 15:00 Afternoon session
• 17:30 Supper
• 19:30 Evening session (discourse)

There will be an opportunity for you to cycle to the local village at Castelnau Durban, walk in the forest of Bellissans or walk to the 12th century church at Lacazas. Take part in a group session at the Col de Portel which is a 40-minute drive away for a sunrise practice with magnificent views of the Pyrenees mountain range.

This retreat will take place in Tourné, set in a secluded river valley in the foothills of the Ariège Pyrénées Mountains. Tourné and the Artillac river are at the very center of the Ariège Pyrénées National Park. Tourné has substantial gardens and outside seating areas with 1000 meters of private river frontage. The altitude of just under 500 meters allows you to enjoy exceptional air quality, warm sunshine with cool shade never far away.

Nearby places

• Castelnau Durban, 2 kilometers
• Col de la Crouzette, 6 kilometers
• Lac de Mondély, 17 kilometers
• Town of Saint Girons - 15 minutes

All meals, drinks, and snacks are provided by Tao Meditation. Many vegetables are from their organic vegetable garden. This course is fully vegetarian - we can also cater for other diets with advanced notice.

Our food, your food - freshly prepared for each meal.

Numerous local activities like skiing, walking, lake bathing, cycling, paragliding, horse riding, and white water canoeing are available for you. The area is surrounded by many historic sites, as well. The area is a favorite with serious cyclists many of whom have chosen Tourné as a base within easy reach of challenging Tour de France climbs. Or if you have your own car, you will have time to explore some of the local sites such as Foix Castle, the ancient caves at Mas d'Azil, the local markets in Saint Girons and Foix.

• 5 nights accommodation
• Daily meals, snacks, and drinks
• Meditation sessions
• Teaching classes
• Toiletries

• DVD of the forms

• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is fully refundable if the booking is cancelled up to 30 days before the arrival date.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.