Lesson #4: You Are the Goose
In the practice of Wild Goose Qigong, you are the goose. Why did the Daoist originators choose this bird on which to build the system?
The Bar-Headed Goose is one of the highest-flying birds on Earth, migrating over the Himalayas and Kunlun Mountains, which is why Daoist originators used it as the founding image for this qigong system.
The Bar-Headed Goose (or in Chinese - "Da Yan" 大雁 = ‘great goose’) embodies freedom, adaptability, resilience and the courage to journey through life’s challenges. It is renowned for its awe-inspiring migrations over the Kunlun Mountains and Himalayas, and is a symbol of connection to the natural world, and the mediation ‘between heaven & earth’. Its journey mirrors your own path as a student of Qigong.
The goose’s journey over the highest peaks is not easy or direct. It faces cold cross-winds, thin air, hard climbs and long stretches of effort. These obstacles reflect the challenges you encounter within yourself—moments of doubt, fatigue, or fear. Yet, the goose does not fight against the elements. It goes around, and uses the terrain and uplifts to ascend, conserving energy by aligning with the natural flow. This is your lesson: through Qigong, you learn to harmonize with life’s forces rather than resist them.
The goose also flies in formation, supported by the energy and uplift of the flock. In your practice, this is a reminder that you are not alone. That we grow and journey better together, in community. The energy you cultivate uplifts not only yourself but those around you.
On completing the outward journey ('1st 64') and reaching its nesting grounds, the goose 'makes a nest' and gives birth to offspring. This act of creation symbolizes union, achievement and renewal.
Once their young are ready, the geese return south, completing the cycle. This return journey mirrors the Zen saying: 'return to the village bearing gifts.' It also relates to the '2nd 64'. Your own practice, having brought you to a place of clarity and growth, allows you to share your insights and vitality with others.
Achievement is not the endpoint but a staging post for the next part of your journey.
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Author
Gregg Wagstaff
Senior Instructor / Shifu
Gregg Wagstaff | 衛仕達 is Founder & Creator of the Da Yan Academy and Instructor for the Da Yan / Wild Goose Qigong Association (UK) since 2002. He trained in UK and China under Master Chan Kim Fung (Hong Kong) and Master Wang Tai Li (Beijing), both 'in-door' students of the 27th Grandmaster, Yang Mei June.
From 2004 Gregg opened GreggsClinic - offering Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, Tui Na Medical Massage and Qigong to treat pain and dysfunction, and achieve optimal health and wellness for his clients.
Today, Gregg combines all of this experience to offer health coaching, 1-to-1 training, classes, workshops and retreats. Wild Goose Qigong remains at the core of his personal and professional practice. He created the Da Yan Academy as a dedicated platform to collate, research and teach authentic Wild Goose Qigong, world-wide.