In the darkness there is still light. The Yin and Yang of life remain. During a very dark time, I was given a special gift via meditation. It is a Qigong system named Buddha Crane.

At first I didn’t understand what was happening, until I recognized an opening movement, a main movement, and a closing. I thought this might be a healing gift just for me, then perhaps a gift for our marriage, as Marina and I found it a very powerful practice to do together. Then I began sharing with my colleagues and a few students. It resonants beyond our own personal use.

I’m learning additional movements, which will take several months, at least. The video shows what I was given first and emerged further with adjustments and refinements through meditation and practice.

When I first learned the name, I searched to see if Buddha Crane Qigong was an existing system. The online search results were overwhelmed by a legend I had heard once but since forgotten…

A young prince was sitting in a garden at his father’s palace when a wounded sarus crane fell from the sky, pierced by an arrow. The prince nursed it back to health, in the process developing empathy and compassion, saving the crane’s life. Those qualities would later help foster enlightenment as Prince Siddhartha became Buddha.

The sarus crane is the world’s tallest flying bird, approaching six feet tall. The visual which keeps coming to my mind is a standing Buddha, arms at his side, slightly out. A standing crane, wings at its side, slightly out. They are the same height, looking at each other with expressions of gratitude for the encounter years ago. They gave each other so much, and are grateful.

The most unusual thing about this practice is the image of a wall of earthly qi behind you with a wall of heavenly qi in front. The crane stands in the thin spice between, perfectly balanced. That is how I feel when practicing Buddha Crane.

I hope you enjoy standing in the thin space, in Yin and Yang balance, with a feeling of gratitude.