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Experience the Mind – Body – Spirit Connection
You have seen people on television that could heal others with their therapeutic touch, or those who could pass healing energies to other people. Finally, you can learn to use your mind to alleviate sickness and discomforts – while recovering your healing, inner energy and sense of well-being. Many people are saying that this results in modern-day miracles.
The word QiGong (pronounced “chi-kung”) is derived from two Chinese characters. “Qi” (or chi) refers to our vital energy, life force, or breath. Sometimes translated as “the vapor of the finest matter,” its character represents the steam that rises from a grain of cooking rice, symbolizing distilled essence. “Gong” means practice or cultivation. QiGong, then, is “the cultivation of the vital energy, the force that animates every living being. Practicing the art of QiGong opens the flow of Qi, not only in the area we are moving, but throughout our bodies. When balanced and strengthened by QiGong practice, our Qi keeps us fit and healthy throughout our lives. Though QiGong has been studied by physicians of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, Western scientists in both China and the United States have only recently begun to apply the scientific method to the practice. Initial studies of QiGong and the related Qi-cultivating exercise Tai Chi show that regular practice lowers blood pressure, improves heart function, eases addictions, significantly reduces falls and fractures in the elderly, and reduces fatigue, anxiety, tension, depression, and mental confusion at any age. QiGong has been popularly associated with astounding acts by masters who move objects just by pointing their fingers, illuminate light bulbs merely by holding them in their hands, or dissolve tumors without even touching a patient’s body. Enthusiasts believe that the practice cures a variety of illnesses from heart disease to arthritis, asthma to AIDS. Though recent studies aim to measure Qi via bioluminescent imagery or chart the effects of QiGong on illness, the vital force of Qi has yet to be fully grasped with conventional methods.
The “Power of Intention” Intention is very critical in determining our actions and results. In a certain way, intention can be considered the key when doing anything in the world. The trick is to remember that every moment is a moment of intention. That makes every moment a moment of creation since we can ultimately choose what we intend in our actions. For most of us intention is happening on a completely unconscious level most of the time. Intention is fueled by thoughts and each thought carries something like the weight of a piece of paper - by itself one thought does not weigh very much. However, throughout the day we are having thoughts - moment by moment. As we stack these thoughts on top of each other (like pieces of paper) they ultimately become quite heavy. If you only had 500 thoughts each day (most of us have a lot more than that) you would have a "ream" of thoughts fueling your intentions for that day. If these thoughts are all aligned and working together, more positive things get done. If they work at cross purposes, little or nothing happens. So, it is helpful to be aware and notice how this process occurs, and, when possible, focus the intention in order to increase life-force, happiness, productivity, energy, etc. Exercising the “Power of Intention” Here is an exercise you can easily do that will demonstrate the “power of intention” – and it will be enjoyable. Simply decide that you will become aware of how intention functions in your life. Spend one week in which time regularly remind yourself to do certain things. Avoid obsessing or fixating on your “intentions”, and definitely do not "do" anything to “fix it”. Just give yourself a regular, gentle reminder to notice the intention of each moment. During the week write down your observations and/or conclusions. The most important activity is to “write down” what you think and what you notice and observe that has occurred. At the end of the week, go back and read what you have written each day – you will be surprised at the results. While doing this exercise, most people find that they have areas in their life that are either unclear, or they have conflicting intentions. The exercise gives you a chance to identify where these areas may be. Even if you are fairly clear in your intentions in every aspect of your life, you can always refine and improve the focus of intention even further. If the above exercise proves interesting, you can continue by identifying one area of your life that you would like to change. This may be related to work, relationships, health, money, personal growth, etc. Just pick one area where you are not entirely satisfied with your experience. Identify exactly how you are dissatisfied. Now figure out what the very best experience could be for you in that situation - not just a little bit better, not as good as other people you know, but the absolute best you can even imagine. After you have done that, spend some time to see if you can imagine it being even better! When it is clear in your mind, turn the idea into a statement - an example might be, "I intend experiencing resilient, radiant, robust health, and enjoying my life, beginning right now and always." NOTE: In this example we don't say, "I intend getting over this rotten cold and finally feeling better," or any other limited, "factual" statement, based on present experiences. We are not going for factual, i.e. what you think may be true or possible, but rather what it would be if it really was as good as you can imagine. Work on the statement a bit until it looks/feels/sounds right to you. When the statement is right it will actually be exciting and inspiring for you to contemplate the experience as you repeat the statement to yourself. With your statement prepared, practice saying it aloud to your self, along with any “imagining and mentally-visualizing”, you can do about what it would feel like, look like, sound like, etc. The best times to do this are right before sleep and when you first wake up. If speaking aloud might disturb someone else, you can go into another room (bathroom works well) or speak very softly to yourself. Of course, you can remind yourself about it at other times during the day - just make sure you do it regularly - at least once every day. Be as elaborate and detailed as you want, but not so much that it becomes an onerous task just to make the statement. It should always be interesting and even exciting. If you find it is becoming too routine or boring, that means it is time to change the statement. After a week or two you may want to add other statements to the process anyway. An additional note: Tension implies fear, and fear generates its own intention - usually the opposite of what you think you're intending. “Intentional work” is best done from the calm "eye of the hurricane." In other words, no matter what is going on around you, be relaxed, confident and playful when making intentional statements. Intentional work has the property of EASE in its application. If you are forcing, imposing, or otherwise struggling to make something happen, you are generating tension and increasing the likelihood that the opposite to your intention will occur.
If an idea is to survive it must be fundamentally sound and able to adapt to its ever-changing environment. The 5,000 year-old concept of the Chinese Five Elemental Phases (Wu Xing) is an idea that continues its usefulness to this day. The Five Phases of Personal Evolution is a model for human development and harmonious living, based the structure and processes of the ancient Five Elemental Phases. It combines with these concepts aspects of the Native American Warrior's Path, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and a specific set of QiGong movements for cultivating vitality. This synthesis represents a further evolution of the classical Five Phases.
This is a diagram that represents the Five-Phase Personal Evolution Model. Each phase and each interaction in the model matches major aspects of the traditional Five Phases. Each of the five phases is described in very positive, process-oriented terms, reflecting the "ideal attributes” of each. These ideal states are guidelines or objectives for balanced and integrated functioning. They also reflect the relationships and interactions between phases. In addition, there are descriptions of imbalances caused by either excessive or deficient activity in each phase.
The Five Phases and How They InteractFIRERepresenting the heart as well as the Shen (Spirit), Fire corresponds with Opening - unconditional giving, responding to events with spontaneous resiliency and adaptability. Our ability to show compassion, experience joy, and share with others manifests here, as does the aliveness in our eyes. Fire Pathology shows as being too open-hearted (to the point of self-detriment); little or no sense of limits or boundaries in interpersonal relations; inability to give emotionally or to be spontaneous; lack of joy. Opening . . .. . . is supported by Trusting EARTHCorresponding with the spleen and Yi (Mind), Earth is associated with Connecting - patience, focusing thoughtful attention and making useful mental associations. It is also the ability to be clearly in the moment. Stability, home, service and tasting Life's Abundance belong here. Earth Pathology manifests as obsessiveness, inability to be in the moment, acting in a scattered or distracted way, lack of awareness of surroundings, or difficulty moving (feeling 'stuck'). Connecting . . .. . . is supported by Opening METALMetal (Gold), Lungs and P'o (Corporeal Soul), corresponds with Releasing - stepping back from an experience to evaluate and sort it out, refining goals and directions and the ability to let go of “excessive emotional attachments” to people and events. Inspiration, acknowledging self and others and refining one's character all show up here. Releasing . . .. . . is supported by Connecting (releasing the past) WATERWater relates to Aligning, the Kidneys and Zhi (Will) - setting foundations, maintaining integrity and balance, gathering energies and storing reserves. It is the ability to stay rooted even in the face of chaos. It may be thought of as a rudder in the flow of life. There are times where we enter the “unknown” and must allow Life to guide us without preconceptions, judgments or panic. In such times, Aligning is our optimal response. Aligning . . .. . . is supported by Releasing WOODWood, Liver and Hun (Heavenly Soul), is expressed in the idea of Trusting. Focusing intention, doing your best and transcending limitations, both inwardly and outwardly, all correspond to this phase. This is where you reach out into new territory, and express creativity. Trusting . . .. . . is supported by Aligning (foundation) The most important question regarding this or any other model is, "How can this information be put to effective use?" All over the world the idea of the Five Phases have historically been used as guidance for everything – from planting crops, to family interactions, to running governments and businesses. The above concepts are useful to guide personal growth and development. Most essentially this set of concepts is a tool for self-examination and personal evolution. They are exceptional as a basis for meditation or incorporation into other yogic, meditative and/or affirmation practices. Embodying the Five Phases as a tool for personal evolution is limited only by your imagination. The QiGong exercises accompanying these concepts integrate them at a deep cellular/energy level, thus, aiding in a fuller understanding. A QiGong teacher is not needed to practice this art. QiGong is a self-administered art – all you need are instructions and illustrations that provide you with the necessary information to begin a remarkable experience toward better health and well-being. Learn how QiGong – a 3,000 year-old ancient Eastern exercise – will help you regain control of your life! Find out how you can improve your health in only 10-15 minutes per day.
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External QiGong Energy Once a person is in touch with the feel of energy moving, he/she can be taught to feel and manipulate for healing purposes the energy fields in another being. This is called “external Qi Gong”. Practitioners of external QiGong will hold their hands away from the body of their client and use a combination of techniques to assess and restore their state of energy. Some techniques include, 1) scan a patient’s body to access the state of energy, 2) open the blockages 3) restore balance by adding energy and further opening channels. 4) A healer might utilize Chinese medicine tools such as the five elements, Sound, Color, Totem, Animals, Meditation, and more. Sometimes intuitive interpretations can be added, which greatly aid in the dissolving of blockages. QiGong healing combines both scientifically tested healing techniques, and the art of healing. Qi-Art is incorporated as a power tool to accelerated the release and balance process along with subconscious communication techniques. The physical body is a reflection of the energy body; therefore, healing the energy body creates a similar affect on the physical body. Healing work is viewed as restoring vibrational integrity since energy has a pulsation or vibration to it. A healthy energy has a harmonious gentle feel and pulse to it. Bad energy might be spinning rapidly, feel like a bulge, and stuck, or it might be wiry. Also, it might be weak or violent. Blockages all have a story to tell - when they were created, and why. The story is not important but the action of acknowledging a story normally assists in its rapid release. Advanced healers can perform remote energy healing at any distance. Since the healers mind directs the energy, time and space have no relevance. What this means is that a healer can work on someone's feet while standing by their head, or work on their back without turning them over if they are lying on their stomach. It also means that someone can be healed who is on the other side of the world. Energy FieldsThroughout our body we have many energy fields and over 3000 energy channels (Governing Vessel, Conception Vessel, Yin Wei, Belt Routes, Meridians, Chakra Points, Acupuncture Points, etc.) where energy should be flowing. We have major “battery” areas (Dan Tiens, Heart, Liver, and other organs) where we store energy, and a conscious mind that can be trained to control this energy. When traumatic situations happen to us, we collect the energetic memory of the situation in an “energetic suitcase” and post it somewhere in our body. Excess baggage clogs our energy channels bit by bit as we go through life. This baggage actually makes parts of our body feel heavy as it weighs us down. It stops the supportive flow of energy that our body mind and spirit requires. Life is like an onion; we build upon our strengths and weaknesses – one layer after the other. A weak core will affect the outer layers. Energy will bulge in areas of blockages, causing a slow down in energy flow and other spots to be weak without the energy, or they will have excess energy.
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Given the growing popularity of Eastern Medicine in our country, it is likely that by the time Western Science is finally able to chart and describe all that Qi does, millions of Americans will have already experienced the power of this vital energy. Of the four major branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, QiGong, and Massage – QiGong is the easiest to practice as a self-healing technique. With the exception of external or medical QiGong, which relies on a practitioner who emits Qi and moves it through your body, no one else can do QiGong for you. All you need is Qi. When you practice QiGong, you perform a set of graceful movements and postures that are like a simple dance, designed to balance the vital energy throughout your body. The practice also includes meditation and visualization, self-massage and the expression of sounds. When you practice QiGong regularly, your health and fitness are in your very own hands. Subtle yet powerful, the results of your practice will astound you.
The QiGong exercises can be done almost anywhere – in your car, on the bus, plane, train, while watching TV, while playing golf, etc.
We have an electronic book – E-Book – “The Indispensable QiGong For People On The Go”- available as a PDF download for only $19.95. Once you place an order, you will be able to download the E-Book to your computer within minutes.
