The word Qigong (Chi Kung or Chi Gong) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi is pronounced chee and is usually translated to mean the Life Force or quantum vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe. The second word, Gong, pronounced gung, means skill (mastering) that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong (Chi Kung or Chi Gong) means cultivating energy or mastering human energy, it is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality―the skillful practice of applying Life Force energy.
Qi Mist that rises from the earth to form the clouds
The art of Chinese Qigong self-healing and Medical Qigong are a comprehensive aspect of Traditional Oriental Medicine involving coordination of meditation, relaxation, breathing patterns with physical postures and motions of the body for mind-body integration that has healed hundreds of thousands of people for thousands of years. With easy gentle movements, visualizations, and guided imagery, regeneration of every organ and cell of the body is possible. Qigong is taught for health maintenance, longevity, and spiritual benefits. Practitioners of Qigong develop awareness of Qi sensations (energy) in their body and use their mind to guide the Qi. Qigong can be divided into "Medical", "Martial", or "Spiritual" categories depending on the purpose of the practice. When the practitioners achieve a sufficient skill level, they can direct or emit external Qi for the purpose of healing others. These techniques are widely used in Pranic Energy Healing, as taught by Grand Master Choa Kok Sui.
Qigong relies on the understanding that the body has an energy field generated and maintained by the natural respiration of the body, known as Qi―analogous to Prana and Parnayama in Yoga. For thousands of years, millions of people have benefited from Qigong practices and understand that improving the function of Qi maintains health and heals disease. In Traditional Oriental Medicine, good health is a result of a free flowing, well-balanced energy system. Regular practice of Qigong cleanses the body of toxins, restores energy, reduces stress and anxiety, and helps individuals maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Medical Qigong, one of the four main branches of Chinese medicine, is a complete system of medicine that recognizes the root causes of symptoms or disease, and treats the patient as a whole. Practiced as an excellent adjunct to Western medicine, Chinese medicine may successfully treat conditions which Western medicine finds resistant or ambiguous.
The goal of Qigong is to correct bio-energetic imbalances and blockages in the body that accumulate throughout our lifetime. These include poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, injuries, surgery, toxic influences, suppression of emotions, and aging. Medical Qigong therapy and Qigong self-treatment, both enable the body to return to its natural state of health and harmony. Pain and stress may be relieved and hormones regulated. Deep-seated emotions, which are considered a major root cause of illness within Chinese medicine, may be purged and released. This strengthens the body and regulates the internal organs, the nervous system and the immune system.
Energetic medicine developed in China over a span of thousands of years. Although the art and clinical skill of Chinese Medical Qigong is considered an integral and critical component of modern Traditional Chinese Medicine, its historical origin can be traced back further than the invention of written language.
In ancient China, energetic medicine and all forms of healing were the exclusive domain of the tribal shamans. Qigong was then known by other names, for example Xingqi (aiding the flow of Qi), Tuna (exhalation and inhalation), and Daoyin (harmonizing the body, breath and mind through moving the limbs and torso).
According to tradition, the origination of Qigong practices and acupuncture has always been linked to Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor), whose surname was Gongsun. The Yellow Emperor ruled over a confederation of tribal clans in northern China from approximately 2696-2598 B.C. The Yellow Emperor is said to have practiced Qigong breathing exercises and meditation, internal alchemy, herbology, and sexual alchemy, and lived to the age of 111 years old.
In China and more recently in the United States, doctors have applied Qigong in hospitals and clinics to treat individuals suffering from a variety of ailments. Medical Qigong therapy and prescriptions can be used to treat people with cancer and help reduce or eliminate side effects from radiation and chemotherapy. It will help in treating cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease and post-stroke syndrome. It is especially useful in treating any kind of chronic pain, and chronic disorders of the digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems. This branch of Qigong is known in China as Emitted Chi (fa-chi) using the energy from the three Dantians (three energy centers).
As preventive healthcare, Qigong may be utilized as part of our regular regime to protect the practitioner from both acute diseases as well as chronic degenerative conditions by strengthening immunity and resistance, regulating vital functions, enhancing vitality, and keeping the human energy system in perfect balance. After several centuries of trying to conquer disease with chemicals drugs, radiation, radical surgery and other technological solutions, and trying to prevent disease with vaccinations, synthetic additives to fortify food, and all-out chemical warfare against germs, medical science is beginning to realize that ‘the best offense is a good defense’, and that the best defense is a strong, well-balanced energy system.
Like any other system of health care, Qigong is not a panacea but a highly effective health care practice. Many health care professionals recommend Qigong as an important form of complementary and alternative medicine.
Although there is not yet an instrument that can measure the strength of Qi and that we may not fully know what Qi is physically, research has shown that external Qi of a Qigong master could produce significant structural changes in water and aqueous solutions, alter the phase behavior of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) liposomes, and enable the growth of Fab protein crystals (Yan et al. 1999). It has been said that Qigong is one of the most powerful healing traditions ever developed in human history.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM The immune response involves white blood cells called lymphocytes. The most important are B and T cells. Each B and T cell is programmed to recognize and respond to one specific protein, called an antigen. Different antigens are present on cell membranes. When lymphocytes encounter their specific antigens, they bind in a “lock and key” manner and destroy the cell.
B cells respond by transforming into antibody-secreting cells. Their antibody binds to the antigen, causing its destruction. Some B cells remain in circulation, carrying the memory of that antigen. T cells respond by transforming into helper, cytotoxic, or memory cells. T helper cells help B cells change into antibody secreting cells. Without helper T cells presenting antigens to a B cell, the B cell does not respond.
Cytotoxic T cells act alone, without B cells. The cells destroyed by cytotoxic T cells are those infected by a virus or a cancer cell changed by mutation. T cells can become memory cells and remain in the circulation for years, ready to respond again if their antigen should appear. The first time B and T cells are exposed to a specific antigen, the response takes weeks. If re-exposure occurs, B and T memory cells respond immediately to destroy the invader.
Normally, the immune response is well controlled. If not, autoimmune disease may occur, and self-antigens may be attacked.
KOJOSHO
Crane
Kojosho is one of many systems said to derive from the Southern Shaolin that traces its lineage back to Hua-T’o, the Chinese philosopher, acupuncturist, herbalist, and Qigong doctor. Hua-T’o lived in the third century and is credited with the creation of a series of exercises based on the movements of animals. The discipline of the animal postures, breath, and mind was regularly recommended and practice for strengthening deficient Jing, Qi, and Shen.
The Dao Yin Tu postures silk relic from the King Ma tomb
The Shaolin monks worked Hua-To’s original five animal movements adding more animal and element movements creating the Eighteen Lo-Han Postures―Shi-Pa-Sho. The Eighteen Lo-Han Postures were said to be both a means of physical culture and an effective fighting art―a combination of health benefits to the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies and self-defense applications in the same exercise.
The original five animal movements create a set of systematic Dao Yin physical training known as the Wuqinxi (Five Animal Play). These five exercises mimic the various movements and gestures of the Deer, Bird, Ape, Tiger, and Bear. The initial goal of these five exercises is to help the practitioner improve his or her health and counteract disease by opening the channels in order to cultivate Essence (Jing), Energy (Qi) and Spirit (Shen). Each of the original Five Animals relate to a specific internal organ, function and/or system, for example:
The Deer form stimulates and strengthens the function of the Liver and Gall Bladder, strengthens the head, brain, spinal cord, and the central nervous system.
The Hawk form stimulates and strengthens the function of the Heart and Small Intestine, nerves, sensory system, motor system, the sympathetic nervous system, the lower extremities, the tendons, gallbladder, and liver yang improves balance, opens the joints, relieves congestion and helps cool the body.
The Monkey form: stimulates and strengthens the function of the Spleen and Stomach, head and skull, upper back, neck, and shoulders in particular and the joints in general.
The Tiger form stimulates and strengthens the function of the Lungs and Large Intestine, digestive system, the spleen/pancreas and stomach, the female reproductive system, the feet and legs, and subcutaneous tissue.
The Bear form stimulates and strengthens the function of the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder, develops rooted power, strengthens the bones, and helps warm the body.
Kojosho works a series of exercises based on the Eighteen Postures (Shi-Pa-Sho). Oral Kojosho tradition maintains that the Eighteen Postures of Kojosho are derived from the Eighteen Postures of the Shaolin as taught at the Cai Ji Quan (Kojo Family Dojo) in the port city of Fuzhou, Fukien Province China.
The International Kojosho Karate Federation is directed by Dr. Fred Absher, Hanshi , Rank: 9th Dan. This organization has twenty-seven clubs located primarily in the western United States and representatives in fourteen countries. In 1973 Dr. Fred Absher was named Captain of the United States team to the First World Tae Kwon Do Championships in Seoul, Korea.
Dr. Fred Absher was officially inducted into the Taekwondo Hall Of Fame in the most prestigious event in United States Taekwondo history in April of 2007.
SHI-PA-SHO QIGONG Grace is the economy of motion
Shi-Pa-Sho translates as Eighteen Postures originally created by the Shaolin monks in China based on the observation of animal motion as they evolved in the survival of each species. Conscious training of the Eighteen Postures teaches us to move with this grace―effortless beauty.
Shi-Pa-ShoQigong training is intended to teach awareness of one's own energy balance. It creates an appreciation of the practical value in one's ability to moderate behavior and attitude at physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. This applies to effective self-healing principles maintaining health, beauty, endless youth and spirituality.
Shi-Pa-Sho Qigong studies the application of Yin/Yang energy flow in the internal body as well as the surroundings. Qigong is, in literature preserved in the oldest schools, said to be a study of yin (receptive) and yang (active) principles in all things―female/male, passive/active, dark/light, yielding/forceful. As yin (dark) grows inside yang (light), yang grows inside yin. The eternal change creates/becomes its opposite. Internal Qigong is the practice of gathering energy, where external Qigong is the practice of projecting energy. Internal Qigong is self-healing, where external Qigong is healing others.
In ancient Daoism, the Dao creates Yin and Yang, which in turn give birth to further subdivisions of Yin and Yang, manifesting as four phases of universal energy (Great Yang, Lesser Yang, Great Yin and Lesser Yin). These four phases of universal energy form the energetic bases of the Prenatal and Postnatal transformations, manifested in the form of eight energetic actions. The eight energetic actions (also known as the Bagua Trigrams) act as a template for all creation and can further be manifested through the ever-changing energetic form of the 64 Hexagrams of the Yiling (I-Ching).
Taiji
The later symbol for Yin and Yang (which became popular in the Song Dynasty) still expresses the energetic concept of the Dao transforming into Yin and Yang. However, unless an individual has received competent instruction, the subtleties are easy to overlook.
Successful practitioners who train and master the art of balancing the body's Yin-Yang energies were considered "Tian Shen" or "Xian," meaning "immortals." They were able to harmonize the body with the mind, the mind with the will, the will with the breath, the breath with the spirit, the spirit with motion, and finally, motion with the surrounding environment (Earth), the universe (Heaven), and the divine (Dao).
Shi-Pa-Sho Qigong, as it is practiced in the West today, can perhaps best be thought of as a moving form of Yoga and Meditation combined. There are a number of forms which consist of a sequence of movements originally derived from the natural movements of animals. Similar to T'ai Chi, they are performed slowly, softly and gracefully with smooth and even transitions between them.
Qigong Instructor Miguel Sarria UCLA August, 2007
In ancient philosophy and medicine exists the concept of Qi or Chi, or Prana(Sanskrit), a vital Life Energy sustaining force of living beings and vital energy in natural processes of the universe. One of the acknowledged aims of Shi-Pa-Sho Qigong is to foster the circulation of this Qi within the body enhancing health and vitality. This Qi circulates in patterns that are related to the chakras, nervous and vascular system and thus connected with that of the practice of Acupuncture, Pranic Energy Healing and other oriental healing arts. Activating the Qi opens all the body’s chakras allowing the release of congested energy and replenishing them with fresh clean energy.
This techniques foster a calm and tranquil mind, focused on the precise execution of these exercises. Learning to execute them correctly provides a practical avenue for learning about such things as balance, alignment, fine-scale motor control, rhythm of movement, distance, timing and intercession. Thus the practice of Shi-Pa-Sho Qigong contributes to a better body posture, cleaner energy and overall health. Furthermore, the meditative nature of the exercises is calming and relaxing in of itself. It develops lean muscle and sinew, nourishing the internal organ.
The meditative state produces a remarkable reaction in the hormonal system. Instantly, the alkaline enzyme chyleis released throughout the body via the lymphatic system. Chyle alkalizes the the body, strengthens every muscle, and organizes the thought processes. This will make you both relaxed and empowered. The chyle enzyme is, in my opinion, the major alkalizing substance created in the physical body.
The core training involves two primary features: the first being the solo-form (ch'üan or quán), a slow sequence of movements which emphasize a straight spine, relaxed breathing and a natural range of motion; the second being the two-man-form or pushing-hands a styles of pushing hands (t'ui shou) for training the reflexes through various motions from the forms in concert with a training partner in order to learn timing, distance, intersection, leverage, and coordination and positioning when interacting with another. Pushing-hands is necessary not only for training the self-defense skills, but by demonstrating the forms’ movement principles experientially.
The solo-form takes the students through a complete, natural, range of motion over the body’s center of gravity, the lower Dantian. Accurate, repeated practice of the solo-form retrains posture, encourages circulation, opens energy chakras, maintains flexibility through joints and further familiarizes students with the martial application sequences implied by the forms.
Breathing exercises Nei Kung are designed to develop Qi or "breath energy" in coordination with physical movement and the form postures, and combinations of the two. These forms were formerly taught only to disciples as a separate, complementary training system. In the last 50 years they have become better known to the general public.
PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY Use of the Human Body
The two hands should begin and complete their motions at the same time
The two hands should not be idle at the same time except during rest periods
Motions of the arms should be made in opposite and symmetrical directions and should be made simultaneously
Hand and body motions should be confined to the lowest classification
Momentum should be employed to assist whenever possible to reduced muscular effort
Smooth continuous natural motions of the hands or body are preferable following the shortest distance from point A to point B
Ballistic movements are faster, easier, and more accurate than restricted (fixation) or "controlled" movements
Rhythm assists a smooth and automatic performance
HEALTH BENEFITS Recognizing that the body heals itself is the basis to understanding that enhancing the flow of Qi by opening the chakras promotes any and all healing process.
Qigong Instructor Miguel Sarria UCLA August, 2007
The Norman Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at UCLA studied the effects of regular T'ai Chi practice on a group of older adults who carry the Varicella virus. The virus is left over from chickenpox and causes shingles in one of five adults when their immune systems weaken with age. The group was separated in half, and one half was given tai chi instruction for two hours a week.
T'ai Chi is an offshoot of Qigong and operates on similar principles. It is often more complex with some forms containing over one hundred-eight movements, and is generally geared for martial arts applications. T'ai Chi usually takes more time to learn and become proficient at than does Qigong.
The results of the study will not be surprising to those who have seen the abundant literature and research on the incredible health benefits of Qigong and T'ai Chi. The T'ai Chi group, before taking a Varicella vaccine, showed a positive immune response comparable to younger adults who had taken the vaccine. After taking the vaccine the tai chi group's immunity continued to improve by 40%, reaching nearly twice the strength of the non-tai chi group.
This rigorous new study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society. It is the first of many more to come that will examine health benefits of T'ai Chi. The LA Times reported on it here and the National Institutes of Health reported on it here.
"If you want to be healthy and live to 100, do Qigong.”
One of Oprah's trusted M.D.'s that frequents the show "Dr. Oz." has given the strongest Qigong recommendation imaginable. He was quoted saying "Qigong is the Most Effective Anti-Aging practice."
Researchers have also found that long-term Qigong practice had favorable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of falls in elders. The studies also reported reduced pain, stress and anxiety in healthy subjects. Other studies have indicated improved cardiovascular and respiratory function in healthy subjects as well as those who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients who suffered from heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attacks, arthritis and multiple sclerosis have also benefited from Qigong and T'ai Chi.
Qigong and T'ai Chi reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The gentle, low impact movements of these practices surprisingly burn more calories than surfing and nearly as many as downhill skiing. Qigong and T'ai Chi has clearly boosts aspects of the immune system's function very significantly, and has been shown to reduce the incidence of anxiety, depression, and overall mood disturbance.
A pilot study has found evidence that T'ai Chi and related Qigong helps reduce the severity of diabetes.
The practice of Shi-Pa-Sho Qigong can:
Harness the power of the energy facilitating spiritual growth regardless of faith or beliefs
Improve motion of blood, warm the blood and enhance whole body circulation
Stimulate appetite, sexual function, assimilation of nutrients, digestion and elimination
Accelerate metabolism, weight loss, and decreases need for sleep
Bolster the Immune System by reducing Cortisol, known inhibitor of cytokine production
Improve dexterity, reflexes, and has shown to prevent osteoporosis in clinical studies
Open arteries allowing greater brain-based microcirculation to prevent Alzheimer's
Enhance mental acuity, focus, and concentration
Help us to calm down, relax, become more peaceful and aware
Benefit
Bones, Muscle & Tendons System―increases muscle and tendon strength as well as overall flexibility
Central Nervous System―switches the autonomous nervous system from the stress-related ‘fight or flight’ mode of the sympathetic branch over to the restorative healing mode of the parasympathetic branch
Skeletal System―increases bone strength as well as overall flexibility; generating better posture for the spine with half the amount of bone loss and more flexibility
Respiratory System―increasing the oxygenation of the blood in the lungs, deep-breathing restores normal pH balance to the blood, while movements improve delivery of the oxygen tot the cells, significantly enhancing the overall respiratory efficiency
Sensory System
Endocrine System
Circulatory System―dramatic improvement in the blood circulation throughout the body, particularly microcirculation in the brain, extremities, and deep tissues of the vital organs
Immune Response―activates the innate healing mechanism known as psychoneuroimmunology mediated by positive biofeedback between the nervous system and the endocrine system
Acid/Alkaline balance (pH)―balances the pH level of the blood, digestive juices and other bodily fluids
Free Radical Scavenger―laboratory analysis show an increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the most important free radical scavengers, by 50%
ANATOMY OF YOUR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Oxygen is a necessity by all living organisms. Your metabolism, or burning of nutrients, depends on the oxygen we breathe. It releases the energy needed to grow, reproduce, and maintain life through many reactions. What we breathe out is a waste product formed by the combination of carbon from food and oxygen during the metabolism process, also formally known as carbon dioxide. Your breathing is accomplished through the functioning of your respiratory system. Your respiratory system is your apparatus for bringing in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide and water vapor. We take 15-18 breathes per minute, 960 times per hour, 23,040 times per day, 8,409,600 times per year and more than 590 million times by age 70.
Your respiratory system consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi, and the most known one, the lungs. Now, when the process of breathing begins, air is taken in through the mouth and nose up through the nasal cavity. Breathing through your nose is best for you since it has a layer of hair in it. This collects any dust or other particles keeping them from reaching your lungs. After the air has traveled through your nose and mouth it all comes together in a point of your throat called the pharynx. At this point there are two routes, one for food and one for air.
CULTIVATING THE RIGHT MIND FOR PRACTICE Right Mind is one of the basic precepts of the “Noble Eight-Fold Path” taught by the Buddha as a way to end suffering and achieve spiritual liberation. Without the right attitude and a wholesome outlook on life, no practice in the world can bring you peace of mind, physical health, happiness and longevity. There is a very strong tendency today to believe that everything can be accomplished entirely through science and technology, modem medicine and diet, physical exercise and various other external methods, without the slightest consideration for the most important factor of all―consciousness.
One of the main purposes of Qigong is to cultivate right energy as a functional basis for “right mind”. When our energy systems are deficient and imbalanced, clogged with stagnant energies, obstructed with toxins and tensions, and out of tune with the forces of nature and the cosmos, not only does this cause physical disease and degeneration, it also
Above, the Joyous Lake. Below, the Creative Heaven. When Yang energy is allow to grow, fulfillment and true achievement result.
gives rise to mental distress and emotional imbalance. When your energy is pure, strong and well balanced, so are your body, emotions and mind. On the other hand, since “spirit commands energy”, it's equally important to cultivate spiritual virtue as a basis for energy work. A mean spirit always generates mean energy, and an angry mind causes the energy cultivated by Qigong to deviate into anger. While Qigong can certainly help balance and harmonize the mind by nurturing spirit with the pure primordial energy generated by internal alchemy, there is a limit to how far energy can influence spirit.
As we already know, spirit is the ultimate authority in the human system, and therefore it has the power to overrule energy. Thus a conscious effort must be made to cultivate spiritual virtue as a basis for practice. No matter how much energy is harvested from the universe and how well it is cultivated within the human system, if the human mind deviates from the path of wisdom and compassion paved by primordial spirit and defies the universal laws of nature and the cosmos, then energy will heed the same deviant call and manifest the same delinquent activity, for energy always follows the intention. Indeed, one reason that so many people today are so unhealthy, short-lived and spiritually stunted is that they subvert their own vital energy resources with perverse thoughts and deviant intentions.
Positive thinking includes one's entire outlook on life and cultivates an optimistic point of view, precluding the cynical attitudes and dark pessimism which have become so fashionable these days. All too often people discount positive thinking as mere “wishful thinking”, because they're afraid to trust the power of spirit and unwilling to cultivate 'right mind' as a basis for life. There is, however, a tremendous reservoir of transformative power locked inside the mind, and the key to unleashing this power is a positive attitude towards life. What this basically means is that your energy is capable of accomplishing whatever you believe it can do, for “spirit commands energy”. A positive attitude always propels energy in a positive direction, and “right mind” naturally guides energy the “right way.”
All true Qigong masters make a strong point of teaching their students that their ordinary behavior in daily life sets the tone for their entire practice, and that private practice and public life can never be separated. If you truly understand and accept the view that all phenomena in life reflect the interplay of universal energies and that all relationships are governed by the interaction between the personal energy fields of the individuals involved, then you must realize the truth of the statement that 'no man is an island'. In terms of energy, there are no concrete boundaries between objects or between people, because all energy fields radiate outward infinitely, and therefore they ultimately intersect with everything else in the universe.
Thus, if half the people on the planet are suffering and unhappy, that negative energy is bound to affect the rest of the people on the planet, whether they are aware of it or not. Unhappy minds project unhappy energies, and unhealthy bodies generate unhealthy energy fields, and those energies and fields broadcast a miasma of misery out in all directions, producing a planetary pall that ultimately affects everyone else in the world. Building high walls and installing steel gates around your home may keep out burglars and protect your material possessions from theft, but they won't keep out the negative energy of other people's misery nor protect you from its negative influence.
According to this view, greedy, selfish behavior towards others is always counterproductive because it causes others to project negative energy that bounces back and harms the perpetrators of greed. Similarly, whenever we help others and make others happy, we thereby also help ourselves and make ourselves happy, because the happiness we bring others with our helpful behavior is projected straight back to us from their minds.
Even if we cannot bring ourselves to be overtly helpful to others, at the very least we should refrain from being harmful and thereby avoid invoking the negative impact of others' enmity. If we go one step further and actually go out of our ways to help others, we then earn their everlasting gratitude. Gratitude and enmity are very different qualities in terms of the type of energy they generate and project on to others. If you earn the enmity of enough people, there is no question that the cumulative effects of the negative energy they project to you will have a strongly negative impact on your life, just as the energy of gratitude can be of tremendous benefit. This point goes beyond moral considerations: it's a basic fact of life, a universal principle of energy, and therefore an important point of practice.
It is due to the primacy of energy in life that human relationships provide such fertile ground for training in energy work. This is especially true of personal family relationships, in which emotions come into play. As everyone knows, the Chinese put great stock in family relationships, viewing the family as a microcosm of society, the state, and the entire cosmos. The energy dynamics between parents and children and among siblings is a training ground for how personal energy is expressed in the world at large. Relationships between teacher and student, master and disciple, were also regarded as sacred, because the teacher or master taught younger people how to harness their instinctive animal energies to serve the higher purposes of Heaven, Earth and Humanity. All such relationships in life may contribute valuable lessons in Qigong practice, and all the precepts of balance and harmony which govern Qigong may be applied with equally beneficial results to human relationships.
Perhaps the most important element of all in cultivating the right mind for life on the path of spiritual practice and energy work is love. Love, in the altruistic sense of selfless unconditional compassion for others, seems to have gone completely out of style in the modern world, and few people today attribute the rapid decline in human health throughout the world to the absence of love. It is not an accident that all of the world's great religious and mystical traditions consistently stress the overriding importance of love. The great martial artist Chang San-feng, who is credited with developing Tai Chi Chuan six hundred years ago, summed up his entire approach to life by saying, “Therefore, to those who want to know the way to deal with the world, I suggest, Love People.”
This is not a goody-two-shoes, pie-in-the-sky moral injunction to be a nice guy or girl, but rather a very basic lesson in energy work and spiritual power. The universe from which we harness power when we practice Qigong is a living organism with spirit, and that spirit is guided by wisdom and compassion. All of our energy comes from the universe and ultimately returns to it. In order to fuel our lives, we borrow as much energy from the universe as we need, or as much as our practice permits, but in order for it to work positively for us, universal energy must be utilized in accordance with the other two universal virtues with which it is inseparably linked at its primordial source―wisdom and compassion. In this pragmatic age of science and technology, people are prone to overlook the power of love, but it doesn't take much vision to see very clearly that science and technology, which can be said to represent energy unbridled by love, have certainly brought neither health nor happiness to the world. If love were taken seriously as a guideline for utilizing energy, then atomic energy would never have been allowed to be used to produce weapons of mass destruction. This may seem obvious, and perhaps naive, but the fact remains that love is the best safeguard against the deviant use of energy, and spiritual self-cultivation is the best way to understand how wisdom, love and energy are inseparable triunal virtues that must always be cultivated together.
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS Our senior Shi-Pa-Sho Qigong professional Terry Gearey has over 35 years experience practicing and teaching internationally certified by the International Kojosho Karate Federation. Our second certified Shi-Pa-Sho Qigong professional Miguel Sarria has over 19 years experience practicing and teaching internationally certified by the International Kojosho Karate Federation; and is also a Certified Qigong Instructor from the Supreme Science Qigong Center and a Certified Pranic/Qigong Healer from the Institute for Inner Studies, Inc.
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