No matter what kind of martial arts of cultivation method, persistence is key. One of the reasons I could not Progress much in Wujiquan is the lack of consistent, daily practice. There are 3 components for Wujiquan training: neigong or standing meditation, forms and push hands. Progression comes with daily practice, especially with neigong. 

I am re-reading The Secret of Golden Flowers. The author emphasized:

Only after a hundred days of concentrated work is the light real; only then is it the fire of spirit. After a hundred days, the light is spontaneous: a point of true positive energy suddenly produces a pearl, just as an embryo forms from the intercourse of a man and a woman. Then you should attend it calmly and quietly. 

The turning around of the light is the "firing process.”

With determination and focused practice in a relax manner, practicing in the way that your teacher taught you, one is bound to have progress within 100 days. 

100 days is not that long; we simply need to be persistent for one Season. Yet unplanned events happens. We fall sick, we feel bored, we get distracted. The key is not giving up.

My teacher shared from his own experience that sometimes on the verge of breakthrough, he felt discouraged and on the verge of giving up. It is that moment that makes or breaks the cultivator. Often progress comes right after the frustrating period. 

Accepting Non-Ideal Condition

There are times when we could not physically contiunue training. We might be seriously ill, major life events such as a loved one getting sick or injured, and other mundane responsibilities. 

Throughout 2020, I tried very hard to not miss any training days. Work got very hectic and there were days and nights where I barely slept. In those situation, there is no time for training. Not unless I want to ignore my professional responsibilities and negatively impact other people’s lives. Because of that, my progress was slow. I remember the frustration and anger I felt towards myself when I last met my master and he said my lack of progress was due to inconsistent training. 

Sometimes we have to accept the situation we are in, and be conscious about our choices.
I am learning to forgive myself, and to be less demanding from myself. 

The path of cultivation is simple but difficult. The difficulties lies in staying in the middle path. Being disciplined and persistent, but not going overboard and being harsh to yourself when you cannot meet your own expectations. 

I am still learning - to have a general direction I am moving towards and have less expectation on how I get there. 

100 days

Coming back to persistence and continuous practice, whilst we face many challenges and differences in life, if we sincerely want to progress, the only way is to make time and never give up.