Norberto will be joining us online on Wednesday May 4th to talk about his incredible experience with Qigong. Practicing Yuan Qigong has changed the lives of many people. Qigong provides a way to move away from the externally oriented life that leaves many longing for a less stressful, more meaningful experience, towards a life of greater harmony.

NORBERTO RODRIGUES

I was born in Bragança, a small town in Northern Portugal, in 1984. Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by meditation, martial arts, consciousness work, wisdom, healing and learning how to improve my life and help others. At the age of 10, I started practising Karate and aged 12, Chinese martial arts (Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Tang Lang), Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, meditation and Muay Thai. I was also drawn to ancient wisdom, energy and healing texts from an early age. Searching for the truth has always been one of my top priorities. This, combined with my passion for science, inspired me to do a Master’s in Physical Activity and Health, with research in Biochemistry and Physiology.

Growing up, I had various injuries that led me to investigate different therapies and healing modalities. However, at 22, I had my most serious one: a severe spinal injury in my lower back. I tried to heal using medical help and all the holistic therapies available. I was very disciplined with the treatments and did my best to gain more understanding. These techniques helped me temporarily and to ease the pain a little bit, but overall, my condition was worsening. After 4 years, I was so weak I could hardly move my legs and was in pain 24 hours a day. By then, the only medical solution offered to me was a prostheses and a metal brace to support my spine. However, I was also warned that it was a risky procedure and that it would simply delay the deterioration process. In fact, I was likely to find myself wheelchair bound soon after. Though, my doctor said, “keep searching for an alternative solution, sometimes miracles happen”, so I persisted.

Following years of searching for a solution, shortly after that meeting with the doctors, I came across Yuan Tze and Ren Xue in 2010. I started the teachers training within one month. In April 2011, I completed my first retreat, one that changed my life forever. I healed my body, the pain disappeared and the mobility started to return and discovered that Ren Xue was much more than just healing the body, it was about healing and uplift my life at all levels, including the possibility of realization and wisdom. It was then I realised that I’d found what I’d been seeking for so many years: a path that could help me to accomplish my dream: help people to improve their lives at all levels and help them to realize their own Pure Hearts and True Self.

The varying levels of suffering that I experienced, created a profound empathy and understanding of other people’s pain. The willpower I had to overcome my own pain has now become a heartfelt desire to help others be free of suffering. Since then, I have embraced the mission of Ren Xue with my heart as my own life mission: Zi du, Du Ren, Uplift yourself and help others.