What does Miao Nian's growing dependence after years of practice remind us to examine?

Miao Nian's experience reminds us that diligent practice still needs a look at the actual state afterward. She originally practiced qigong for four or five years, reaching advanced classes and spending more than a hundred thousand dollars. She rose very early every day, taking about an hour for the full routine. She felt it helped, but found she became extremely tired whenever she did not practice, until it felt compulsory every day.

After meeting me, she demonstrated her practice. Through my own energy observation, I felt energy dispersing outward, unlike her understanding that it was gathering. I suggested stopping that method and considering spontaneous spiritual movement. This was difficult for her to accept after so much time, money, diligence, and recognition. We communicated at length; it was not a change achieved with one remark.

I also explained that, since she had come to understand the problem, I would struggle to help if advice addressing it was completely unacceptable. Later she became willing to change and a diligent disciple in practice, chanting, and meditation. This does not mean all qigong disperses energy, or that invested time and money must all be denied. Rather, when something seems wrong, are we willing to reconsider whether that method suits us now?