Journey Details

NOTE: Due to limited availability a priority will be given to students and graduates of the International Institute of Medical Qigong, International Institute of Daoist Magic, Temple of Peace and Virtue, and Temple of the Celestial Cloud.

Individuals wishing to attend this trip who are not students or graduates will be placed on a temporary wait list until August 8, 2008 at that point we will confirm your application.

The Journey

Our Journey into Daoist Mysticism is not a typical tour. As the name implies it is a journey not only to China but into yourself. This will be a journey of self discovery, insight, and study. Open to all individuals interested in profoundly deepening their energetic practice.

I have trained with Abbots and Daoists of several monasteries in China from Mt. Qing Cheng, An Shan, Long Hu Shan, Mao Shan, and Hua Shan. These represent several main monasteries for both the Zheng Yi (Orthodox Daosim / Original One) and Quan Zhen (Complete Reality) branches of Daoism. I am very thankful for the knowledge, skills, and wisdom that I have learned from my many teachers in China. However, speaking in terms of Daoist mysticism and magic, my experience with the Abbot Zhang and the Daoists of the Celestial Master’s Mansion, has been by far the most profound.

The Temple of Peace and Virtue (Palm Desert, CA) and the Temple of the Celestial Cloud (Pacific Grove, CA) will be bringing disciples to the Celesital Master's Manion for ordination and recognition by the China Daoist Associaion and the Ministry of Religion.

Abbot Zhang, the 65th Celestial Master, has agreed to teach:

The Hosts

Dr. Bernard Shannon

Dr. Bernard Shannon is an internationally recognized doctor of medical qigong therapy and Daoist priest, having taught medical qigong and Daoist alchemy and mysticism in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.

In addition to being the Executive Director of the International Institute of Medical Qigong, Dr. Shannon is the Head Instructor (Zhu Chi) for the Temple of Peace and Virtue, a Daoist temple specializing in Wu Dang martial arts; Medical Qigong; and Daoist studies, alchemy, and mysticism.

He is an ordained Daoist priest who is a disciple of Southern or Orthodox Daoism (Zheng Yi Pai) as an 80th generation disciple of the Shang Qing sect at Mao Shan and a disciple of the 65th Celestial Master (Tian Shi) at Long Hu Shan; as well as, a disciple of Northern or Complete Reality Daoism (Quan Zhen Pai) as a 21st generation disciple of the Dragon Gate Sect (Long Men) at Qing Cheng Shan.

Over 20 years ago, Dr. Shannon began his studies of internal alchemy and mysticism with one of his martial arts instructors. Since that time, he has had many teachers, and he regularly travels to China to continue his training in both Northern and Southern schools of Daoist alchemy and mysticism.

Professor Jerry Alan Johnson

Having studied for over 37 years, Professor Jerry Alan Johnson is internationally renowned as a master instructor of Chinese Wu Dang Martial Arts, Chinese Medicine, and Daoist Magic. He was a National Kung-fu Champion for 4 years, and the author of 21 books, 25 instructional DVDs, and 2 Meditation CDs on Chinese Internal Martial Arts, Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy, and esoteric Daoist Magic.

He is an ordained Daoist priest in Zheng Yi Daoism, an 80th Generation Mao Shan Disciple of the Shang Qing sect, and a Long Hu Shan Disciple of the 65th Celestial Master (Tian Shi sect). He is the Head Instructor of the Tian Yun Gong Zheng Yi Daoist Temple in Pacific Grove, California, specializing in Wu Dang Martial Arts, Chinese Medicine, and Daoist Magic.

He is licensed through the People's Republic of China as a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dean of Medical Qigong Science at two T.C.M. Universities in the United States, Professor and Overseas Director of the Medical Qigong College of the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Vice-President (U.S.A.) of the World Academic Society of Medical Qigong from Beijing, China. He is the founder of the International Institute of Medical Qigong, with academic and clinical branches existing throughout the world.

Registration

Please print and fill out these forms:

• Registration Form & Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release Form (pdf)

• Visa Application Form (PDF, 175Kb)

• On the Visa form:

  • Section 2.1 select Tourism

  • Section 2.2 select 12 month multi-entry (there is no cost difference)

    Section 2.3 enter 08-11-09 (unless you plan on arriving early)

  • Section 2.4 enter 15 Days

  • Section 2.5 enter Beijing and Nan Chang, Jaing Xi

  • Section 4.7 through 4.10 leave blank

What we need from you (read Travel Documents below):

• Registration Form

You may fax or mail the Registration form:

International Institute of Medical Qigong, Palm Desert

PO Box 1435

Palm Desert, CA 92261

Fax (800) 848-0649

What you need to do:

• Purchase your international ticket (see Transportation below for information)

• Get a passport

• Get a Tourist visa to China

• Take the following to a Chinese Consulate or send to an online service:

• Visa Application Form

• Passport

• Two passport sized photos
• http://www.mychinavisa.com/index.html
• http://www.visamailservice.com

Fees & Deadlines

 Methods of payment

Accomodations

The hotels are double occupancy unless single room supplement of an additional $400 is purchased.

If there is someone traveling with us that you would like to share a room with please make the note on the registration form. Otherwise, we will pair you up with another traveler, unless you purchase the single room supplement.

Travel Documents

All travelers must hold a valid passport whose expiration is at least six months after the end of the trip. All Visa applications fees to China are NOT included. Please make sure that you have signed your passport and completed the visa application.

• Please make sure your passport is signed!

What's Covered

What's Not Covered

Transportation

Travelers are responsible for their own international travel expenses. It is STRONGLY recommended that everyone take the same international flight. The recommended flight is United Airlines, UA 889, departing San Francisco (SFO) Saturday, November 8th at 11:05am and arriving Beijing (PEK) Sunday, November 9th at 3:30pm.

We will be continuing our journey the same afternoon to Nan Chang at APPROXIMATELY 5:30pm. So it IMPERATIVE that everyone be at the Beijing (PEK) 2 hours before the flight (be there by 3:30pm November 9th).

For the flight back to the States (SFO), I suggest UA 888 on Saturday, November 22nd.

Baggage

On the domestic flights in China, you are allowed two (2) checked pieces of luggage TOTALING 20 Kilos (44 Lbs.), NOT PER BAG, one (1) carry-on, and a personal item (purse, laptop, small backpack).

***Travelers are responsible for all over wieght charges. Excessive weight fees are generally 80RMB ($12.30 USD) per 1 Kilo (2.2 Lbs.).***

Please try to limit your checked luggage to one. We recommend traveling as light as possible. Many travelers will bring one checked luggage and bring have a large duffle bag for the return flight to carry dirty clothes and other non-breakable things, while using there suitcase for fragile items purchased in China. See Packing List (PDF, 43 Kb) for helpful ideas on what to pack. Keep suitcases unlocked at airports to facilitate inspections.

This trip is not overly strenuous, but there will be a moderate amount of walking and physical demands, how much hiking is your choice once we arrive at Long Hu Shan and at Simatai Great Wall.

Cancellation Insurance

It is strongly recommended that trip cancellation insurance be purchased to protect you against losses due to accidents and/or illness. Check with your insurance agent regarding coverage you may presently have via other insurance policies that may cover illness during your trip.

Travel Tips

Money

Exchange rate is approximately 6.5 to 1. Cash (or travelers checks) and a credit card are recommended. Cash has the best exchange rate. Also, most stores do not take credit cards; you can use them at bank to withdraw cash (with PIN). Exchange your money in China. Hotels will do this for you, usually better prices than airports.

Weather

Dress in layers, it may be cold. Check online for up-to-date weather reports.

(http://www.wunderground.com/global/CI.html)

Time Difference

China is 15 hours ahead of us.