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The Qigong Certification & Daoist Training Center is the practice center of Shifu Michael Rinaldini (Li Chang Dao), a Daoist priest, Qigong Teacher, and founder of the American Dragon Gate Lineage (ADGL). Medical Qigong, circle walking and meditation are the key practices that Shifu Michael teaches in all of his programs, both for local students and through his distance training programs.

Shifu Michael has been involved in spiritual and healing practices most of his life, dating back to the early 1970’s with his monastic experiences. He has been studying qigong for more than 25 years, and meditation for over 40 years, including four study trips to China. His main teacher is Master Wan Sujian from Beijing’s Bagua Xundao Gong Qigong Center. Shifu Michael is a Certified Senior Qigong Teacher (Level 4-highest) by the National Qigong Association, and has led numerous workshops at their annual conferences. Shifu Michael’s teachings extend from local students in Sebastopol, CA to national and international qigong certification & Daoist training programs.

ADGL Three Lineage Treasures 

Meditation, Scripture Study & Reciting, Solitary Retreat

The American Dragon Gate Lineage is perhaps the only Daoist practice path outside of China that emphasizes the daily practice of zuowang’s sitting and forgetting method as essential for the realization of one’s primordial state of Emptiness and unity with the Absolute Dao.

Besides the core practice of meditation, ADGL adepts have a daily practice of reciting texts from a collection of Daoist scriptures in their own residence.  For 1000 consecutive days, adepts recite texts from this collection.

To support and nourish the above practices, the ADGL adept spends time in solitary retreat. ADGL adepts go on solitary retreats or group retreats for the same purpose.

Additionally, ADGL adepts broaden the definition of retreats to include daily meditation practice to all-night meditation sessions in the privacy of one’s own home.

In addition to the above practices, members of the ADGL practice a variety of energy techniques, like qigong, tai chi, martial arts, healing arts and other practices that support inner cultivation and compassionate actions.

ADGL Priest Training Program

The American Dragon Gate Lineage (ADGL) is under the umbrella organization of the Qigong & Daoist Training Center (QDTC).  The ADGL was founded by Michael Rinaldini (Li Chang Dao) in 2006, after being ordained as a 22nd generation (Longmen) Dragon Gate Daoist priest in 2003. The ADGL is a non-monastic order of Daoist practitioners who have made a serious commitment to self-cultivation and to the spreading of the Daoist View. Shifu Michael received a second ordination on December 4, 2016, by Abbot Bernard Shannon of Temple of Peace and Virtue as a 22ndgeneration Daoshi Priest of the Longmen lineage. Hence, the ADGL is linked to the Longmen Quanzhen (Complete Perfection) school of the Daoist religion, founded by Wang Zhe (Chongyang, 1113-1170) and his direct disciples.

Training Programs

Novice Phase- 9 months

The Novice Phase is an introduction to the history of Daoism, Daoist Zuowang meditation, Daoist scriptures, solitary retreats, Qigong practice, precepts, and spiritual direction. There are required books/articles to read and write brief reports.

The 1000-Day Training

To enter this level of training, candidates must have completed the Novice Phase, and the Qigong studies, if required, and attended an annual retreat. This is the full training program with specific requirements and training assignments broken down into several phases of study and practice.

Key Elements of the ADGL

Daoism is a philosophical and religious tradition, which has its roots in the Chinese culture, history and philosophy. The ultimate concern for Daoists is the return to the Source, which is the Dao.

The American Dragon Gate Lineage is perhaps the only Daoist practice path outside of China that emphasizes the daily practice of Zuowang’s sitting and forgetting method as essential for the realization of one’s innate nature of Emptiness and unity with the Dao.

Besides the core practice of meditation, ADGL adepts have a daily practice of reciting texts from a collection of Daoist scriptures in their own residence. For 1000-consecutive days, adepts recite texts from this collection.

To support and nourish the above practices, the ADGL adept spends time on solitary retreats during their 1000 days of training.

Additionally, ADGL adepts broaden the definition of retreats to include daily meditation practice to all-night meditation sessions in the privacy of one’s own home.

In addition to the above practices, members of the ADGL practice a variety of energy techniques, like qigong, tai chi, martial arts, healing arts and other practices that support inner cultivation and compassionate actions.

Qigong & Daoist Training Center: Qigong Certification

Shifu Michael offers a 200-hour Qigong Certification that is of the highest quality, and yet affordable. He gives personal guidance to his students, whether they are local students and attend his weekly classes, or are learning from a distance, such as throughout the USA, Canada, the European continent, or Australia.

Special 40% discount for the length of the Coronavirus pandemic

This is a comprehensive course in qigong. The self-motivated student will achieve a high level of qigong mastery. And when the program is completed, it is guaranteed that the student will become a successful professional Qigong teacher. This program is offered to students locally in Sebastopol, CA and as a Distance Learning student. Students complete the studies at their residencies, and their own pace. 

200-hour course

Local Students: (Sebastopol, CA)

Students attend local qigong classes and retreats. Progress is monitored through performance in class, emails, and completion of the training questions. Local students receive 40 free classes and 1 one-hour private session during the training program.

Distance Students:

Distance students learn through communications with the teacher via emails, assigned readings, completion of the training questions, viewing of instructional movies, and the retreat, if required.

Required Book

A Daoist Grows In The Heart: Journals Of A Modern-Day Western Daoist Priest, 600-pages. Includes the teacher's previous 3 books plus a 4th section that has an emphasis on Daoist bigu fasting and more.

Optional 225-Hour Program

The 225-hour program includes the basic 200-hour program plus an additional 25 hours that are devoted exclusively to the topic of Qigong and Chinese medicine. Select two of the following three books to read with accompanying written reports to receive the additional 25 hours.

1. Qigong: A Beginners To Advanced Guidebook, 2020, Michael Rinaldini

2. Wood Becomes Water: Chinese Medicine In Everyday Life, Gail Reichstein (This is my best recommendation for students who don’t have a strong background in Chinese medicine)

3.  A Tooth From The Tiger’s Mouth, Tom Bisio

Certificate of Completion

After studies, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion for the 200 or 225 Hour course of qigong studies and be recognized as a Certified Teacher (Educator) of Qigong by Michael Rinaldini, Director of Qigong & Daoist Training Center, Sebastopol, CA. 

Books by Shifu Michael

Books are avaliable on Amazon.