The Abba-Imma Qigong: an Embodied Lord's Prayer

WHAT IT IS

The Lord’s Prayer is a spiritual practice that Jesus taught his disciples 2,000 years ago. It
is grounded in both his Jewish roots and what was to become the beginning of
Christianity. For many Christians today, it is a familiar and beloved prayer.

Qigong, a holistic practice more than 3,000 years old, comes from the Taoist/Chinese
Medicine traditions. “Qi” is the vital energy, loving life-force that permeates the whole
Universe. “Gong” means to cultivate this loving life-force. In its essence, Qigong is a
healing art which invites us to understand where and how Qi wants to flow in us.

Combined, these ancient practices open us to a spiritual awareness beyond religious
boundaries. They take us into a deep intimacy with the Divine, where we are embraced
with compassion for self and others, and our body, heart, mind and spirit come into
alignment in the deepest realm of harmony with all Creation.

Kaleo Ching is a Certified Medical Qigong practitioner and spiritual guide. He teaches
the Abba-Imma Qigong through a helpful video on his website . I encourage you to go to
his video, as you will benefit from seeing Kaleo’s own embodiment of the sacred words
of Jesus and the healing Qigong movements. I also recommend a meditation on the words
of the Lord’s Prayer by Rev. Steve Harms. This may be found on Kaleo’s video webpage,
directly following the video in Rev. Harms’ church.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE & GRATITUDE

For me personally, the Abba-Imma Qigong often expresses all that is in my heart for
everyone and everything, and puts me in my right place in the Universe. Each time I pray
it is a different experience. May you, too, experience its blessings and sense its parting
gift of boundless confidence in being heard by our Divine Mother-Father.

With deep gratitude and aloha: to Kaleo Ching and his wife, Elise Dirlam Ching, an
award-winning poet and psychologist who worked many years as an RN at the San
Francisco County Jail, for helping me understand Qigong and how it enhances the
Lord’s Prayer; to Rev. Steve Harms, the Senior Pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in
Danville, California and a passionate advocate for justice and interfaith connections, for
his revitalized wording of the Prayer and his Meditation on it; and for the magic they all
created together in birthing the Abba-Imma Qigong: An Embodied Lord’s Prayer. Deep
gratitude also to Matthew Fox, Episcopal priest, visionary theologian/prophet of creation-
centered spirituality, and well-known author of Original Blessing and many other books.

~ Sylvia Oliva

The Sacred Chant and Dance programs are held in person at the Meetinghouse from 9:30 - 10:45 on every fifth First Day and are noted on the AFM Calendar.

When weather permits, the group meets outside.

All are welcome!