Enjoy the first-ever double issue of Mastery Journal

1. VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 6-7 June/July 2011
Mastery Journal
The International Ezine on Mastery in Qigong, Internal Arts, and Life
Alignment of the Torso
Lama Tantrapa
Tai Chi Principles
Ji-Jian Cheng
Energy Enhancement System
Dr. Sandra Rose Michael
Cultivating Qi Energy
Ricardo Serrano
Qigong as a Portal to Presence
Gunther Weil
Nature of the Tao
Jon Weston
The Ins and Outs of Breathing Pt III
Gary Gamboi

2. Volume 1
June/July 2011 Issue 6-7 Mastery Journal Readers,
Letter from the Editor
Articles With summer finally having arrived to the Northern
Alignment of the Torso Hemisphere, our sights are more and more directed
outdoors. Out in nature, we can rediscover the sense
Lama Tantrapa of harmony with the world that otherwise often
appears to be crazy, busy and stressful. Exposing
Tai Chi Principles ourselves to the sun rays and enjoying the elements is
Ji-Jian Cheng essential for our wellbeing and wellness; besides, most
people tend to feel more “in the flow” outdoors.
Energy Enhancement System
Dr. Sandra Rose Michael
Please enjoy reading about the variety of empowering
Cultivating Qi Energy and enlightening practices presented in this double-
Ricardo Serrano issue of Mastery Journal, as well as make sure to get
some fresh air and enjoy communing with nature this
Qigong as a Portal to Presence season. You will find many wonderful opportunities
to do so in the company of like-minded people in the
Gunther Weil Calendar of Events.
Nature of the Tao
Jon Weston
The Secrets of Qigong Master talk show also
The Ins and Outs of Breathing Part III introduces a number of new guests and invites you to
expand your perspectives on Energy Arts and Spiritual
Gary Gamboi Awakening. Please join us for the dynamic dialogs with
different Qigong masters and healers every Monday
from 6:00 to 7:00 pm PST (9:00 to 10:00 pm EST) at
Click Here to Subscribe and Receive a Bonus
http://mastery-journal.com/page/radio. And if you
have not subscribed to Mastery Journal yet, please
subscribe now at
Brought to You by
http://mastery-journal.com/subscribe.
Namaste,
Lama Tantrapa
Publisher: Lama Tantrapa
Production Designer: Thomas Pamelia
The Cover Composite:
Copy Editor: Lucas Meyer
Information is correct at press time.
Mastery Journal is published monthly by the Academy of Qi Dao in Portland,
Oregon. Signed articles do not necessarily reflect the official company policy ©
2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without permission is
prohibited.

3. The Mondays
6:00 pm
Secrets of PST (9:00
pm EST)
Qigong
Masters Email Us Your Questions
Talk Show Call-in to Ask the Masters
Listen by Phone on the Go,
Stream to Your Computer
Subscribe to the Podcast
Download to Listen Later
Share Our Show with Friends
Volunteer to Transcribe
As the host of this enlightening talk show, Lama
Tantrapa interviews prominent experts in the
fields of Oriental Medicine, Energy Healing,
Meditation, and Internal Arts. He also shares his
unique perspectives on the principles and appli-
cations of energy awareness.
Join us every Monday at 6:00 pm PST (9:00 pm
EST) for a friendly and mindful
exchange of ideas and “secrets of the trade.”
Call in during the show with your most burning
questions for our guests at 347-327-9635 or
email us at
qigongmasters@gmail.com.

4. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
BASIC QIGONG HEALING WORKSHOP
If you practice or want to practice Qigong as a healing modality in its own right or in conjunction with
other modalities, you will definitely want to attend this special event followed by the open house
at Academy of Qi Dao. Please join us for exploring and discussing the most fundamental principles
specific to the healing applications of Qigong practices and techniques. These principles can apply to
many other modalities of alternative healing, including massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, osteo-
pathic and Oriental medicine.
Find out how Qigong can enhance your healing abilities, help you heal others without spending your
own energy, as well as avoid being affected by the energies and illnesses of the people you work
with. This workshop can also serve as an important introduction to other aspects of Qigong studies
that are available at Academy of Qi Dao, including wellness, spiritual, sexual, and Martial Arts
Qigong.
After this workshop, you are welcome to participate in the potluck lunch and community gathering
at the Open House dedicated to the tenth anniversary of Academy of Qi Dao in Portland, Oregon.
Every participant will be presented with a gift certificate valued twice as high as the workshop admis-
sion!
Where: 3516 NW Skyline Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97229
When: Sunday, July 17 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (followed by the potluck lunch/open house)
How much: $97 per person or $150 for two (call 503-719-6110)
Register at http://qigonghealingworkshop.eventbrite.com. The space is limited to 12 people!
CONTRIBUTIONS
Our publication accepts unsolicited contributions from professional and amateur writers. We are looking for articles and
interviews that fall under the broad concept of mastery in Qigong, Kung fu and related disciplines. Please send us your
stories on the best practices, masters’ profiles, as well as product and service reviews.
Additionally, you are welcome to submit anecdotal stories about personal breakthroughs, discoveries, inventions, new
approaches and applications. We will be glad to publish well written stories about Qigong, Kung fu and other masters
from any place in the world capable of boosting health, well-being, and prosperity with specific approaches or methods
that can be explained in writing.
If you who would like to contribute to our future issues, you may submit articles, columns, profiles, stories and reviews
electronically by emailing us at masteryjournal@gmail.com. Please provide your brief bio (a couple of paragraphs) and
color head shot along with your piece of writing. Once you have been accepted as a contributor, you will be able to
submit further contributions online by using our content management system.
ADVERTISING
Mastery Journal reaches out to thousands of Qigong, Energy, and Martial Arts enthusiasts from around the globe.
Our market research indicates that the prospect subscribers to Mastery Journal are 55% male and 45% female. The
average age of our readers is between 35 and 55; the majority having a college degree or higher. Most are avid wellness
enthusiasts and have primary interests in Qigong, Internal Martial Arts, eco-conscious living, holistic health, and nature-
based spirituality.
Your ads can be placed in two locations: on the interior pages of the ezine, and on the webpages of our site. The first
option is more prominent, as it allows for larger size display ads. The second option is more persistent, as it appears on
all webpages of our site. If you would like to place your advertising in the future issues of Mastery Journal please email
us at: masteryjournal@gmail.com and we will be happy to help you choose the option that would best suit your needs.

5. WHITE WATER RAFTING TRIP TAKE A HIKE ON THE WILD SIDE OF
PORTLAND!
Join us for an AWESOME trip and a great way to get out and enjoy the sun,
the river and a fun time for half a weekend! The short version is a Friday night
of car camping just outside of Maupin followed by a day on the Deschutes
River rafting!
This summer, we continue offering our unique “walkshops,” or
We will be camping at a BLM campsite along the Deschutes River Friday Qi Dao workshops outdoors, which are always well attended
night! The plan is we head out of Portland Friday, camp overnight along the and appreciated. Our walkshops usually cover several miles of
river, raft on Saturday and then head back to Portland. The weather this time hiking at various exciting locations in Oregon and Washington
of year in Maupin is hot! So a day spent on the river is awesome! and allow time for informal discussions and practice of Qi Dao
in nature, as was originally practiced by Shamans for millennia.
This 14-mile day trip begins at Longbend (5 miles South of Maupin) and ends
at Sandy Beach. This stretch of the Deschutes River contains several of the Please join us for a walkshop on Sunday, July 31, when we will
best whitewater rapids, including the Boxcar, Oak Springs and Elevator rapids. hike a portion of Forest Park’s 30-mile Wildwood Trail in the
We stop half-way to serve up a classic river-deli lunch. After lunch we will stop
outskirts of Northwest Portland. Please contact us for more in-
for some extra fun at the white river natural water slides.
formation by email at academyofqidao@gmail.com or by phone
Where: Rafting down the Deschutes River, meeting at 3516 NW Skyline Blvd, at 503-501-8116.
Portland
Where: Academy of Qi Dao, 3516 NW Skyline Blvd, Portland, OR
When: Friday, July 22, 2011, 4:00 pm PST 97229.
When: Thursday, January 31 from 10:00 am to approximately
How much: $97 per person (must reserve the spot by July 20) 5:00 pm.
Register at http://raftingtrip.eventbrite.com. The space is limited to 12 How much: Suggested donation - $10, bring your own lunch
people! and plenty of water.
THE TICKET COVERS ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
1) Your Day Of Rafting
2) Lunch On The River WILDERNESS QI DAO RETREAT
3) Digital Photos Of You Rafting
How often do you get an opportunity to commune with
4) Tips For Our Guides Mother Nature directly? How much do you need to re-
charge and refresh you body, mind and spirit? How well
5) Reserved Campsite Friday Night do you want to master the art of being in the flow of your
All of the above is included at a cost less than what just rafting normally
life?
costs! So grab your gear for car camping and come join us! You will also need
the following for the river: You can achieve all of these and many additional benefits
by attending our Annual Qi Dao Wilderness Retreat on the
* River sandals, tennis shoes, or neoprene booties (not flip-flops) Oregon Coast in the middle of August. The people who
* Waterproof Sunscreen and chapstick (SPF 15+) attended the previous retreats were quite surprised to
discover how much getting exposed to the elements and
* Sun hat or visor becoming more natural helped them with much-needed
* Sun Glasses with a strap
release of tensions and letting go of stress. If you have not
registered yet, you need to do it now, because following
* T-shirt and nylon shorts or a bathing suit! the numerous requests, we offered the $50 “early bird”
discount through July 31, 2011.
* Synthetic fleece sweater and windbreaker in case the weather is cool or
cloudy
Not only can you get $50 off your registration now; if
* Change of clothes for drive home, including a second pair of shoes you are among the first ten registrants, you will receive a
fantastic bonus: Basic Qi Dao Home Study Course ($150
* Water bottle(s)
value) for free.
* Disposable waterproof camera (optional) Register now at http://wildernessretreat.eventbrite.com.
Should you have any questions or requests, do not hesi-
tate to email us at academyofqidao@gmail.com.

6. Alignment of the Do not forget to check whether your pelvis habitually tilts
forward or backward – this may be an invitation to explore
Torso your alignment in the frontal plane of your body. Slowly thrust
your pelvis back and forth, noticing alternating tensions in
the muscles of your lower back and abdomen. Pay specific
Lama Tantr apa attention to the point of rest in the middle, when both of those
groups of muscles relax. That is the neutral position of the
Just like the alignments of your head and limbs, the alignment pelvis that aligns the spine and requires the least amount of
of your torso is crucial for your health and well-being. A tension and effort to support your body upright. The weight
naturally aligned human body has maximum stability and of your entire upper body can peacefully rest on your skeletal
balance and is free of tension. structure as long as it is in alignment.
As the key alignment, torso alignment affects the alignments The next step in your exploration of Harmonious Culture of
of all the other parts of the body and vice versa. When you Movement is going to involve learning to apply this effortless
stand, your torso needs to be balanced on the support system
of the legs. If your body’s weight is habitually distributed on
one leg more than the other, the pelvis will have a tendency
to tilt away from the weight-bearing leg. This tilt of the pelvis
will inevitably create a curve in the lumbar or lower spine.
To compensate for this misalignment, the muscles on the
weight-bearing side will have a tendency to pull the thoracic
or upper spine in the opposite direction bringing the shoulder
down on the same side. The neck will usually compensate by
pulling away from the lower shoulder. Such habitual shift of
the weight away from the center may result in developing a
chronic pattern of holding tension in your body, which we may
explore in future articles.
Ask your practice partner to test your stability by gently
pushing you into your hips from the one side and then, with
equal amount of effort, from the other. Notice whether your
stability is more challenged when being pushed from one side
than the other. Then slowly shift your weight side to side in
order to feel which side habitually bears more weight. Notice
an increase in tension in the side muscles when shifting the
way of standing to meditation. Let us explore one of the most
weight off center on that respective side; notice relaxation
popular and widely appreciated meditative practices called
when returning to the centered position. As you experiment
Zhan Zhuang, which can be translated from Chinese as Standing
with slowly rocking your pelvis, pay particular attention to the
like a Pole, or a Tree, a type of standing meditation dedicated
position of your center of mass in the middle associated with
to finding the sense of physical and mental equanimity while
relaxation of both sides, for this is where your torso is most
standing in a Natural Stance. There are many variations
aligned and centered.
on the theme of standing meditation, so I would suggest
experimenting with all possible ways of doing it. The main
point of this exploration is to find the particular method that

7. resonates with your energy better than others; however, it extending from the Bai Hui point on the top of your head, down
may also be subject to change from day to day. the spine, all the way to the Hui Yin point on your perineum
(the pressure point between your genitals and anus). In
To start this meditation, take a Natural Stance by simply jumping
Oriental Medicine, it is called the Central Channel and often
and landing softly. You can absorb the shock of landing best by
referred to as “Taiji Pole.”
slightly bending your knees and using the thigh muscles, which
is the largest muscle group in the human body, to land without You may breathe naturally, allowing the breath to synchronize
a loud thump. This will mean that your knees are sufficiently with the movements of your body. You will know that you’ve
bent, which should allow you to check the alignments of your become Centered when you notice that your breathing
legs. pattern changes becoming deeper and smoother due to the
relaxation of the muscles of your abs and diaphragm. With
I don’t believe that one type of alignment is ideal for everyone,
practice, you’ll discover a greater sense of equanimity, or
so you’ll have to find what works best for you. Generally
Centeredness, preventing stress from building to the levels
speaking, though, when your knees just barely cover your
harmful to your health and well-being.
toes, the bones of your upper and lower legs as well as your
feet will end up in the same plane, which will provide you with Keeping your eyes slightly closed; imagine yourself outdoors,
a maximum support. in nature, perhaps, in an old-growth forest, surrounded by
ancient trees. In this visualization,
I am not going to tell you how far your feet should be apart
you may be able to feel the
from each other or how much you should turn your toes,
energies of those trees, and
because all of that depends on your unique physique, energy
when you find one tree that you
and state of mind. But I strongly believe that by jumping and
resonate with, give it a big hug.
landing a few times you will empirically find the most natural
As you imagine feeling the bark
way to stand. Hence the name – Natural Stance – which means
of that tree with your palms, you
that all you need to do is be natural.
can sense the flow of tree sap
With practice, you will no longer need to look down at your underneath the bark.
legs; rather, you will feel the connection between your feet and
You may even pretend to be a tree
the ground underneath. The pressure points in the centers
yourself, imagining what it would
of your soles – Yang Quan pressure points – are the major
be like to grow on one and the
gateways energetically connecting you with the ground. That
same place for hundreds or even
is why the more your weight is distributed on the centers of
thousands of years, being washed
your feet (rather than on the toes, heels, inner, or outer edges
by rains and dried with the
of the feet) the more Grounded you will feel.
sunrays. Imagine growing a root
The way your weight is distributed between your feet and system deep underground that provides you with nourishment
whether your center of mass is in the middle will indicate how and support. Visualize your roots growing deeper and deeper
Centered you are. To improve your Centering, you can pivot through the layers of the top soil and dirt, underground water
about 180 degrees on your heels just lifting the toes of the and rocks, even through hot magma – all the way to the center
pivoting foot and bringing them down, one foot at a time. of the planet Earth. And once your roots tap the energy center
Allow your arms to swing freely so they touch the opposite of the element of Earth, this benevolent force begins to flow
hips as you pivot side to side. Close your eyes and bring one up your roots into your trunk, empowering and rejuvenating
hundred percent of your attention to the axis of your body, your entire being. That’s right; you may receive as much of
around which it pivots. The Center of your body is the line this powerful energy as you need at this moment in your life.

8. spirit. Imagine washing yourself with gentle, circular motions
that massage and caress each and every square inch of your
You may also let go of any energies you no longer need
body. If you find any areas that require some special attention,
recycling them into Mother Earth to make them usable again.
please spend a little more time rejuvenating and energizing
Take your time to receive all the energy you need from the
them by giving them as much attention as they need. As it
Earth… Only when you feel like retrieving your roots can you
were, where attention goes – energy flows.
start retracting them from the center of the planet Earth going
back through the layers of magma, rocks, underground water,
dirt and top soil back into your feet, as you slowly regain your Lama Somananda Tantrapa
human shape and form. Stay Rooted for a while and enjoy the is the 27th lineage holder
sense of the free flow of energy in your system, empowering of Qi Dao, also known as Ti-
betan Shamanic Qigong. He
each and every cell of your body. It doesn’t really matter what
has been practicing Qigong,
you did with your arms, whether you kept them relaxed by
Dream Yoga, Meditation, and
your sides or up in the air, wrapped around the trunk of your Internal Martial Arts for over
dream tree. With practice, you will probably feel like letting thirty five years, primarily
them slowly sway whichever way they will, as though they are trained by his Grandfather
the limbs of the tree gently moved by the wind. Whatever you who was the paragon of the
do, just remember to be natural and spontaneous, rather than Russian Martial Arts and Qi
Dao Grand Master. His background is complex enough to include
following any strict routine. The amount of time you need to
serving in the Soviet Army’s Special Forces, being kidnapped in
dedicate to this meditation may also vary from a few minutes the Ukraine and surviving several near-death experiences.
to a quarter of an hour or even longer if you wish.
Lama Tantrapa was ordained as a Buddhist monk in three differ-
Recently, I have developed another variation on the theme of ent orders and initiated into Subud spiritual brotherhood. In ad-
standing meditation based on my observation that some of dition to being a Tibetan Bon Lama, he studied with a number of
the most profound, meditative experiences seem to happen Qigong and kung-fu masters, great teachers of Yoga and medita-
tion, as well as Native American, Hawaiian and Siberian Shamans.
to many people spontaneously when they are taking a shower.
He is also trained in Cultural Anthropology, Meta-coaching,
Have you ever noticed that showering is one of the few Hypnosis and NLP. When living for two years on a small tropical
activities that allow you to focus all of your attention on island in the Pacific, 7000 miles away from the majority of his
students and clients, he pioneered a novel method of conduct-
yourself? Maybe, you are one of those folks who would never
ing Qi Dao sessions over the Internet called Qigong Coaching. In
sing in public but feel uninhibited enough to sing or hum when the last decade, he has provided wellness, peak performance and
taking a shower, huh? life coaching to thousands of people of all ages and from vari-
ous walks of life. He is also a bestselling author of several Qi Dao
Being completely naked and touching the intimate parts books, executive producer of the film Qi Dao – Tibetan Shamanic
of your body while washing yourself also provides you an Qigong, creator of CD albums Qi Dao Initiation and The Art of Be-
excellent opportunity to direct your attention to those parts ing in the Flow, publisher of the Basic Qi Dao Home Study Course
of your body that are usually covered up and don’t receive and other multimedia learning materials available at
enough appreciation.
www.qidao.org.
You can just imagine yourself taking a very nice, long shower. In addition to being the publisher of Mastery Journal, Lama
As you visualize the pleasantly warm water pouring onto Tantrapa is also the host of the Internet Radio talk show
you, its imagery obviously consists of the pure energy of your The Secrets of Qigong Masters that you can enjoy at www.
consciousness. Great . . . let this energy pour all over your body, blogtalkradio.com/qigongmasters.
cleansing your skin, relaxing your muscles and refreshing your

9. TAI CHI strength will be greater than before and your “Qi”
(inner breath and essence) will increase with every day
of practice. These points should help you to get a solid
PRINCIPLES foundation in the practice of Tai Chi Chuan.
The Five Stages of Tai Chi Practice
Ji Jian-Cheng The first stage is to learn the Tai Chi form and to master
its postures and movements. It does not matter
whether the posture is static or moving. You must
always keep the following points in mind: Feel as if the
crown of the head is being lifted from above; the chin
should incline slightly toward the chest; the shoulders
should be relaxed and the arms should fall naturally to
your sides; the spine should be kept straight with the
chest very slightly curving inwards; the hips must be
relaxed and the buttocks turned under a little; the hips
and shoulders should be in line and the spine vertical to
the ground which should produce a natural comfortable
If you want to master Tai Chi Chuan, you first need to
understand “Wuji” (emptiness or formlessness). And, to
really comprehend the inner meaning of Tai Chi, you also
have to be aware of its philosophy and principles, and
practice according to them. Then, after a long period of
disciplined training you will finally understand the
essence of Tai Chi Chuan.
When learning Tai Chi Chuan, the first thing to do is to
practice “Tai Chi Gong.” This focuses on the
fundamentals of Tai Chi “Neigong” (internal training). It
is said that “to practice Tai Chi we must first start from
understanding ‘Wuji’ and with diligent practice will come
the realization of ‘Yin’ and ‘Yang.’” So, before starting to
practice the form, you should first do “Tai Chi Gongfa”
(Tai Chi basic principles). For example, practice “Tai Chi
Zhuanggong” (standing exercise), and you will gradually
experience a feeling of silence and peace in your mind
and you will feel as if your body is empty. When you feeling. When moving, whether it be back, forward,
hold your hands out you will feel as though you are left, right or turning, all movements must come from
holding a balloon; you will forget your legs and they will the hips, but the hips should not sway from side to side;
feel like they are not there. When practicing “Tai Chi otherwise the body will come out of alignment. Moving
Gong” you should feel like you are not breathing, but are forward or backward, you must keep your center of
still in control of your breath. Allow your breath to be gravity low and also at a constant height so that the
natural, long and deep; use your mind to direct the “Qi” body does not move up and down. At this stage and
to various parts of your body. When you experience with gradual training, you should let your arms become
“Wuxing” (formlessness or intangibility), you will slowly “lighter,” your legs placed firmly but lightly.
feel the energy circulating throughout your body. With
long and continual practice you will find that your With the second stage of practice, it is important to

10. place your strength in the roots of the feet. Whether downward. When you express energy (fajing), all parts
moving forward or backward, left or right, or turning, of the body must act together and feel like an iron spring
one must place the weight on the feet and then “deng being compressed, then at the very last moment your
jiao,” pressing downwards before lifting the foot up, as energy can be released, with the body moving opposite
if compressing a spring, to move forward, back, left or the direction that one’s energy is being expressed. The
right. Moreover, when pivoting on the heel the force whole body should feel as though it is being stretched
of the movement must be opposite to the direction out as if like (five) bows ready to be fired. One bow is
the heel is pivoting. This way the hips will follow the at the legs, one at the waist, one at the shoulders, one
movement of the pivoting and the hips will lead the at the elbows and one bow at the wrist and hands. At
body in its movement. After a long period of practice, this time the eyes must look far outwards in a forward
the whole body will gradually become relaxed, alive and direction so as if to express the explosive energy very
nimble and the body’s energy will come from the feet far outwards. “Using your mind to express the energy
and the counteraction of the pivoting movement. Once far outwards will in turn let your energy actually be
this second phase has been achieved, one can then expressed far outwards.” When practicing the form,
place one’s force at the base of the feet. The principles each movement must be performed in this way of using
of Tai Chi Chuan say, “The force (jing) comes from the the mind to express the energy far outward.
base of the feet to direct the waist.” Note that the waist
includes the lower spinal area and can also include the At the fourth stage, after practicing “fajing” (explosive
hips. energy) for a while, it is best to have an experienced
teacher test whether your “fajing” technique is correct.
At the third stage of practice, “Fajing” (expressing The teacher will “try” the student’s “jing” (energy)
energy) is the main objective. According to the to see if the student is in fact using the whole body
expression “Rou xing qi, gang luo dian,” when expressing correctly to express this explosive energy. That is,
the energy it is very soft until the last moment and to verify that the feet are acting like a spring when
then it becomes as hard as iron. When attempting to expressing one’s energy, the waist is indeed twisting to
express one’s energy transfer the energy, the shoulders are being “urged”
in each movement forward by the energy, the arms and elbows are being
of the form, the two “sent” forward and at the moment the energy reaches
feet must “deng the wrist and hands is being expressed into the “hard”
jiao” – press into the energy. Whether or not this energy can be transmitted
ground for the energy to the teacher’s body will indicate if the student has
to come through, as mastered “fajing” technique and thus the fourth stage.
mentioned earlier, However, the mastery of “Neijing” is a complex matter
like pressing spring and the student must rely on an experienced teacher to
to release its energy. correct any faults and to guide the student to the correct
For example, when execution and understanding of “Neijing.”
expressing energy in
a forward direction, Stage five is “Quixujing,” the training to distinguish
the crown of the head solidity from emptiness and quietness, the
must be as if lifted understanding of solid and empty in each movement
from above, the waist and the changes involved to bring about a quietness and
must be relaxed and relaxing of the self while moving and practicing the form.
the spine “tail” must For the above mentioned five stages of practice, all
be inclined slightly need to rely on correct body movement and expression
forward, while the of power, but with stage five, one needs to use the
lower spine must be mind to master the understanding of solid and empty
inclined slightly back. and quietness of one’s movements. One must use the
The shoulders should mind to direct the form as expressed (in the above four
be relaxed and the stages). That is, using the foot as a spring, twisting the
elbows should be facing waist to urge forward the shoulders, and sending out

11. the elbows and arms the body; it will become too brittle and easily broken.
to express the energy One should not use one’s muscular strength or brute
once it has reached the force as if too tense in practice because the flow of
wrists and hands. At “Qi” will be obstructed and the body will feel clumsy.
the very last stage, one If brute strength is used, then not only will the flow
will be using the mind of “Qi” be obstructed but also one will not be able to
to express the explosive “feel” the opponent’s energy and thus will not be able to
energy and to direct the neutralize it. When practicing Tai Chi Chuan one should
form. When performing not practice with fury or rage. If so, one will be too
the Taiji movements, brittle and firm and will be easily “broken.” Moreover, if
one should have a one practices with rage then the “Qi” will be retained in
feeling of resistance the chest and will feel uncomfortable, and this can have
around the skin of the detrimental effects on the body and health. Therefore,
whole body like feeling one must be patient with practice and should be relaxed,
the resistance of water and after adhering to the principles of Tai Chi Chuan for
when swimming or a period of diligent training, one will reap the rewards.
moving through water. When practicing Tai Chi Chuan, one’s shoulders and
When you can feel chest should not be too open, the body should not
this resistance of air over the body while in motion, be too crouched over and the stomach should not be
then you have improved to a level that, for example, can “sucked” in so the chest is protruding outwards. If one
be used in application or in “pushing hands” so that you practices in such a way then it is possible that the “Qi”
will “know” where the opponent’s energy or force is at will flow in a reverse manner such that it may not be
the moment of contact. able to return to the “Dantian”; in turn the “Qi” will rise
upward and there will be a feeling of imbalance. With
the practice of Tai Chi Chuan one should understand a
Important Points for Mastering Tai Chi Chuan little about Chinese medicine theory. For example, one
can understand where the “Dantian” is, where one is
When practicing Tai Chi Chuan, one must use the mind directing the “Qi” to, and how to bring the “Qi” back
to direct the flow of “Qi.” Once the mind has directed to the “Dantian.” It is important to note that the “Qi”
the flow of “Qi,” then it is the “Qi” that will direct the should always be allowed to return to the “Dantian.”
movement of the body. If one follows this way of Therefore, there is a constant flow from the “Dantian” to
practice, then this will invigorate the body’s “Jing” (inner all parts of the body and then back to the “Dantian.”
essence – not the same word as “explosive energy-Jing”),
which will then create more “Qi” in the body and in turn When you practice the form, you should not always be
also stimulate one’s “Shen” (spirit). Again, as if feeding thinking of how the movements are used to deal with
an opponent. Instead, you should be using the “Yi”
and growing off each other, this will increase the “Jing”
(mind) and “Qi” to direct the movement. If you are
and therefore more “Qi” and higher levels of “Shen,”
always thinking of how to strike an attacker, then your
and this constant cycle from “Jing” to “Qi” to “Shen” and
Tai Chi Chuan will not advance to the higher levels of
back again will help to improve one’s well-being and a
understanding. Therefore, you must be patient with
healthier state of mind. Therefore, it is very important
practice, and with diligent training and the building up
to diligently practice and carefully notice in each posture
of ‘Jing’, ‘Qi’ and ‘Shen’ eventually you will be able to
the flow of “Qi” and direction of movement. When you
express explosive energy. When you understand the
practice Tai Chi Chuan, you must have softness as well as
above points, with diligent practice you will be able to
firmness in the form but you cannot be too soft or too
improve your inner strength and increase longevity by
hard. Regardless of which posture one is performing,
the cultivation of “Jing,” “Qi” and “Shen.” Then you will
one must adhere to this principle of softness and
really understand Tai Chi Chuan.
firmness. If too soft, one will not have enough energy
and the “Shen” (spirit) will not be aroused. If too firm,
then one’s “Qi” will not be able to circulate throughout

12. Master Ji Jian-Cheng is Director of Martial Arts and
Qigong at Zhejiang University, recognized by the
Government of the People’s Republic of China as 7
Degree level Master of Wushu, he is a National Wushu
Master for China and a National Referee and Chief
Master of the Tai Chi and Wushu Association of Great
Britain. He has a formidable repertoire of Knowledge
and skills in both fighting and internal styles. He is
Associate Editor of a 10-volume encyclopedia of Shao-
lin Temple Martial Arts, has taught Qigong and Wushu
on a series of China TV programs and has written 10
books and many articles. While in the U.S. he started
teaching Tai Chi classes at assisted living homes for the
elderly and had a loyal group of students that trained
at OPT with him three days a week.

13. Master of & share the only things we really want to share with
everyone: our light, love, joy, peace, health, wealth
the Month
& happiness... to touch the hearts of every being to
feel more love now... Remember: As We Radiate Light,
Nothing that is not of the Light can affect us & Nothing is
more powerful than Love.
Dr. Sandra Rose
Michael We invite you to do this every day for 3 minutes at
noon in your particular time zone. The power of the
increasing radiation may be neutralized with the spaced
Transmutation repetition of the shared intention as outlined below.
If we commit just 3 minutes every day to transmute
of Radiation into
these energies, this gift of service allows us to exude
more healthy energy & blessings during this time of
transformation. We suggest you share this experience
Radiations of
each day at noon using your heart chakra (the main
magnetic, electrical, consciousness-transferring field
in the body) as an amplifier along with EESystem ‘Qi
Light Technology’ . It may be useful to remember, in sharing
these intentions that nuclear radiation is a form of
negative light that can be overcome by the blue white
light radiating out from within the zero-point of the
very center of your DNA. We believe Light Fusion to be
***Extra Special Thanks to Dr. Gabriel Cousens who
the antidote to fission, facilitating Infinite radiations &
coordinated & began focusing this meditation at noon
embodiments of Light, as from within we conquer.
daily through the EESystem at Tree of Life Rejuvenation
Center & also to Nonnie Chrystal for focusing her energy If you share this from within a true Bio-Scalar EESystem,
through her EESystem featured in the “Greenest House an internet audio and/or video stream can further
in the World”. Please share this updated version of what broadcast our intentions throughout the World Wide
we shared at the QiGong Congress that has already gone Web, the external manifestation of the global mind
out to over 100,000 people around the world! link, so that people can tune into & feel this powerful
connection all over this beautiful planet. Please search
THE INTENTION
YouTube under “Radiation Meditation” to join in!
The intention of this visualization is to feel & know
THE SHARED EXPERIENCE
the transmutation of radiation into the radiance
of the Light of Consciousness. It is an intention of Visualizing & feeling the embodiment of cellular
nullifying & transforming the destructive energies knowing that the nuclear radiation has already
behind the radiation as well as the radiation & fall- been transmuted into the Light & Unified Fields of
out itself into energetics that can accelerate global Consciousness Now!
awakening, evolution & enlightenment. In a variation
of understanding the principle that what we send 1. Begin by vibrating 3 repetitions of the sacred Yod
out with our thoughts returns to us multiplied, the or Om sound.
darkness of the radiation that has been sent out returns
as transmuting light for the enlightenment of Mother 2. Feel the blue white light being activated within
Earth & the consciousness of humanity. As we share your DNA, which naturally transmutes all that is needed
this radiation transmutation experience, we send divine into healthy molecules, to regenerate your DNA.
love, sound & light to the planet & to the very heart of 3. If you have had access to the true bio-scalar waves
Mother Earth, connecting our hearts with hers. Radiate of the EESystem, you know it actively repairs the DNA &

14. creates unified fields that can nullify & mitigate radiation EESYSTEM SETTINGS
and other destructive energy patterns for a 2 mile radius.
If you are not actually within an EESystem, project If you have access to an EESystem, we recommend using
yourself into where you have been in one in a past or some specific settings in conjunction with the broadcast
future memory. You may also go to www.eesystem.com of this shared experience. To request a copy of these
to see actual EESystems to help with your meditation. settings, please email our team at: info@eesystem.
This is an important step, for as we are using our minds, com or call the Florida Office: (863) 471-6820 for more
bodies & the Light, scalar waves of this EESystem information.
technology can amplify our intentions. We can invoke
Divine Intervention & Guidance to accelerate our results.
For more info from Dr. Gabriel Cousens on what you
4. Feel the blue white light begin to expand from
can do about the issues of both ionizing & non-ionizing
every cell & DNA pattern in your body & begin to let it
radiation, visit: Tree of Life
move around our world. See the world being enveloped
in this blue white light, which transforms all that
needs transforming into the pure blue white Light of
Consciousness.
5. Send this blue white light out from your heart
chakra to be carried on all communication wave from
internet, TV, radio & even other scalar technologies.
6. Now project the blue white light from your heart
into the great central heart of Mother Earth. Feel that
deep personal heart connection, peace & Oneness.
7. Visualize a column of Golden Light coming down
from the heavens flowing through your body from your
crown chakra & entering the earth through your feet.
This Light surrounds you as you allow this Light to flow
to the center of the earth & expand to fill all of Mother
Earth with the support & Love of our Divine Father. Now
visualize a column of Silver Light coming up from Mother
Earth through your feet & totally surrounding your body.
See this Light expanding itself to encompass the entire
earth into the heavens & back to the Father. Allow
your Self & the entire Universe to feel the balancing of
all land, skys & seas, all masculine & feminine aspects
being aligned by the Light , with the Light & as the Light
& Highest Powers of Love creating harmony for the
blessings & good of all that is & ever shall be. All Light
coming together & radiating Infinite Love here on Earth
as it is in Heaven through us Now.
8. End with 3 repetitions of the sacred Yod or Om
sound & feel these vibrations filling the galaxy to Infinity.

15. Master of plied Integrative Bio-Physics, Hon. Dr. Michael has
the Month
received numerous scientific awards including from
the Prime Ministry of Turkey, the World Summit on
Integral Medicine, World Congress for Integrative
Dr. Sandra Rose Medicines, World QiGong & Traditional Chinese
Medicine Congress, and Ministries of Health in
Michael Ecuador, Panama, and the Ukraine. She is fac-
ulty for the internationally accredited Institute
of Energy Wellness Studies in Canada and also
Integramed Academy and does keynote lectures
at Mt. Sinai, University of Panama and other medi-
cal schools, Royal Society of Medicine, The Harvard
Club, anti-aging, health and medical conferences,
and Health Ministries globally. Knighted for her ser-
vice to humanity, Dame Commander of Honor Dr.
Michael is on the Board of Advisors for the Venera-
ble Sovereign Order of the Orthodox Knights Hospi-
taller of St. John of Jerusalem. Her patented design
unifies scalar energy, bio-photonic fusion, pulsed
electromagnetic fields (PEMF), hydro-bifurcation
(similar to a hydrogen fuel cell), dense intentional
fields, and direct interface with the DNA. Inside
this quantum physics phenomenon, you can feel
and experience a hyper-healthy, electro-polution
free, energetic environment for profoundly accel-
erated and optimized regeneration, rejuvenation
and body-mind-spirit health worldwide. As “Profes-
Having taught holistic health for over 3 decades, sional of the Year 2010” by the prestigious Presi-
internationally renowned Hon. Dr. Sandra Rose dential Who's Who, Hon. Dr. Michael’s unparalleled
Michael is sole Inventor of the patented true background gives her the edge in helping others to
bio-scalar EEProcess™ (see www.eesystem.com) achieve true dynamic homeostasis.
covered globally on CNN and Discovery Channel
and also awarded Qi Technology of the Year 2008. Dr. Sandra Rose Michael, PhD, DNM, DCSJ
Most recently featured on the cover of the Beverly Inventor, Bio-Scalar Technology
Hills Times, she is on the PBS Advisory Board for Researcher, Applied Integrative Bio-Physics
Alternative Medicine, the Global Advisory Board US Office: (863) 471-6820
for Medical Safety Solutions, and is the appointed Hawaii Office: (808) 895-2903
Vice-Chancellor and Senior Director of Energy Mobile: (760) 272-0989
Medicine for the Global Foundation for Integrative Email: Sandra@EESystem.com
Medicines as well as the appointed Deputy Min- Website: www.EESystem.com
ister of Health for the Republic of New Lemuria,
a new nation in the Pacific islands committed to
green building and green living. A researcher in Ap-

16. Cultivating Qi continuum are assimilated and drawn into the Hara.
Located in the abdomen, the center of the body, the
Hara is the central point for all of these energies. The
Energy Hara is described as the realm of the “Moving Chi
between the Kidneys” and is centered around the
“Sea of Chi,” Chi Hai or Tanden and the umbilicus. This
understanding is found in some of the earliest texts. In
Ricardo Serrano the Huang Jing Ching, or “Yellow Jing Textbook,” the
following description is given.
“I heard ancient people were able to live to one hundred “The Yin Chi and Yang Chi meet and cross together (as
years and still be the same as when young. But in sex) and then Jing comes down and Jing alchemically
nowadays, when fifty years old our activities decrease. transforms to Shen. Jing and Shen combine together
How is this? Is it due to the times, or have humans lost to take on some form, and then come up to the Nine
something?” the Yellow Emperor asked. heavens to become the Chi of the Nine Heavens. The
Chi coming down to Chi Hai meets Shen and then the
“The ancient people knew the way, the Tao, and the rule person is created.” But today, people are not like this,
of Yin <-> Yang and could get harmony of the numbers. they drink too much alcohol and think about sex and
The ancient people could control their eating habits. after drinking will go to bed and lose their Jing according
They knew the rules of life, waking and sitting. They to their sexual desire. At the same time as losing their
didn’t overwork. For these reasons, they were healthy Jing, they lose and disperse the truth. They don’t know
and balanced in body and mind and were able to live how to keep the body healthy. They don’t know how to
one hundred years. But today, people are not like this. control their mind and cannot control their desires. They
They drink too much alcohol and think about sex and are against the living pleasure, the Tao.” the physician
after drinking will go to bed and lose their Jing according Chi Po answered.
to their sexual desire. At the same time as losing their
Jing, they lose and disperse the truth. They don’t know The Nan Ching specifies the source of Chi as the Hara
how to keep the body healthy. They don’t know how to and the Breath. The Ling Shu ties both the Breath of
control their mind and cannot control their desires. They Heaven and the Chi of food and water to formation of
are against the living pleasure, the Tao.” the physician the true Chi. This quote from the Nan Ching tells us that
Chi Po answered. the “source of vital Chi” is the Hara:
From the Huang Ti Nei Ching, Su Wen, Chapter One. “The Hara ... the source of vital Chi .... is the gate of
breathing.”
“The four seasons and Yin and Yang are the beginning
and ending of everything, the root of birth and death. Wang Shu He, who wrote a little known but brilliant
If ones goes against the rule of this one can get injury, treatise on the Nan Ching, explicitly states when
creating general catastrophies, like a flood, which affect commenting on this section of the Nan Ching that air
all others as well. If one doesn’t go against the rule when drawn into the abdomen creates Chi:
disease doesn’t occur, this is the Tao.”
“Breath (gas/air from breathing) reaches to the inside (of
From the Huang Ti Nei Ching, Su Wen, Chapter Two. the abdomen). The Chi grows and then becomes solid;
this protects against evil injuring the body. Protecting on
the inside and defending on the outside, this is Chi.”
The following excerpts from the book Five Elements & This passage is very similar to the preceding quotation
Ten Stems supported by the classics Nan Ching, Ling Shu from San Dai Ji Jin Wen Tsun. Both emphasize the
and Huang Jing Ching show the importance in cultivating distention of the abdomen as air is drawn in from proper
Qi energy in the Hara and its energetic pathways through breathing. It would follow that the solidity mentioned
Qigong, meditation, herbs, diet, exercise, acupressure, by each is the elastic flexibility of a healthy Hara.
and acupuncture for stress management, holistic health
and well-being: According to information from the Ling Shu, the energies
of Heaven <-> Man <-> Earth interact to form the True
The energies of the Heaven <-> Man <-> Earth Chi. One aspect or equivalent of True Chi is the Source

17. Chi. It is in the Hara, the area of “the Moving Chi nourishes the twelve meridians (The Twelve Branches).
between the Kidneys,” that all energies interact to create
the basic or Source Chi of the body: The Hara is the center, the ultimate source of Chi.
“True Chi is the prenatal Chi from the parents, Chi of the The energetic anatomy is clear. The Hara is the center,
breathing from Heaven and Chi of food and water from the ultimate source of Chi. The Triple Warmer is the
Earth, mixing together.” energetic connection of the Hara to the Source points
of all the meridians. It is the “root” of health and life.
The idea of energies coming down to the Hara or Chi Before any other treatment is administered, we need to
Hai (Tanden) pervades the classic references. The Hara treat the condition of the Hara.
was seen as the merging point of the various energies
and the source of True Chi. One aspect of this Chi forms, The Nan Ching theory of energetic anatomy is centered
creates, or becomes the Five Elements energies. More in the Hara. The energetic nourishment of Jing and
precisely, this aspect of the energies presents, creates, or Shen, the passage of Chi and maintenance of the
becomes the Ten Stems energies which are described by pulse are not the only functions rooted in the Hara.
the Five Elements system. A second or additional aspect The Gathering of Eminent Acupuncturists and the
of this Basic or Source Chi forms, creates, becomes or Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion discuss
how the Ten Stems relate to the Source points. At
the same time, they present another viewpoint on
the relationship of Triple Warmer and Heart Main-
Pericardium to the Ten Stems.
Recognition of the Hara as the “Root,” the center,
pervades the practice of acupuncture and all other
ideas based on the classical concepts of health. As the
center of the energetic system and the starting point
from which many techniques of diagnosis and treatment
are developed, it completes or supplements the Five
Elements system. The Hara itself is seen as an area that
encompasses the whole abdomen. It is focused around
the area called Chi Hai or Chi Hai Tanden which overlaps
the Spleen and Kidney reflex areas centering around
CV-5 and CV-6, the Ma Point of the Triple Warmer and
the “Sea of Chi.”

18. Reference:
Five Elements and Ten Stems by Kiiko Matsumoto and
Stephen Birch, 1983.
Ricardo B. Serrano,
R.Ac., is a registered
acupuncturist,
Qigong teacher and
healer from North
Vancouver, BC,
founder of Maitreya
Shen Gong and
integrative whole
body Enlightenment
Qigong. He has been
trained by Pan Gu
Shengong Master
Ou Wen Wei, Wuji
Qigong Master Michael Winn, Sheng Zhen Qigong
Master Li Jun Feng, Master Pranic Healer Choa Kok Sui,
Zhan Zhuang Qigong Master Richard Mooney, Merkaba
Master Alton Kamadon, Qi Dao Master Lama Somananda
Tantrapa, and Siddha Guru Baba Muktananda.
Ricardo Serrano founded Maitreya Shen Gong based on
his knowledge of Qi Dao, Pan Gu Shengong, Sheng Zhen
Qigong, Primordial Wuji Qigong, Crystal Pranic Healing,
Holographic Sound Healing, and Qigong Omkabah
Lightbody Activation Method (QOLAM). He has been
practicing Chinese Herbology and Qi-healing (combining
Qigong with acupuncture) for over 30 years.

19. Qigong as a commercialized as they are transplanted into Western
society. As a result, it is very easy for students of Qigong
or meditation to become lost in a forest of techniques,
Portal to Presence symbols, arcane language, rituals or authority and
thereby ignore the simple and direct realization that
lies at the very heart or genesis of most formal systems.
This essential realization, which we could describe as
Gunther Weil Presence or Being, is in complete alignment with the
core of Taoist principles ,and is aptly expressed in the
aphorism:
“The key is to be in a state of permanent connectedness
with your inner body– to feel it at all times. This will
rapidly deepen and transform your life.”
“When there is no meditator, there is nothing to
Eckhart Tolle meditate upon”
Is there an underlying spiritual dimension behind the If we are willing to suspend for the moment our
myriad forms of Qigong that by its very nature, invites us conventional understanding of Qigong, our inquiry
to simply and directly access deeper levels of being, pure could lead us into a much simpler and direct approach
awareness and the experience of Presence in daily life? If to working with Qi - a way of embracing the life force
this is the original intent of Qigong, in what way can this that encompasses and employs the most subtle qualities
ancient art be practiced as a Portal to Presence? of energy expressed in the body/mind. This approach
to understanding and practicing Qigong is more truly
aligned with the Taoist principles of Wu Wei (non-
effort) and Wu Chi (Formlessness). This approach, more
These questions and the perspective that informs them fundamental than any forms or systems of cultivating Qi
stem directly from many years of my personal and for the purpose of healing or developing internal power,
professional experience as a psychologist, student and would at the same time effortlessly incorporate those
teacher of Qigong and Tai Chi Chuan. My own journey expressions, and simultaneously point to the field of
through the complex and often confusing landscape of consciousness or Presence that lies behind all of these
these disciplines and practices has led me to some of the phenomena.
insights and ideas I would like to share in this article.
I would describe this deeper understanding or more
Having studied and worked for many years with a variety essential quality as the spiritual foundation of Qigong
of teachings, and masters of internal energy, martial – the ancient intent underlying any forms or systems of
and spiritual arts, I have personally experienced and internal development whether they are healing, martial
observed many of the spiritual blind alleys and subtle or spiritual.
dangers that are associated with complex systems
of Qi training and hierarchical structures of spiritual
development. The obvious risks include identification
with a set of formal teachings, lineages, systems, or Notwithstanding the numerous health benefits of the
even the identity of belonging to an elite professional conventional forms of Qigong, Tai Chi Chuan, and other
organization. The less obvious, more subtle dangers ancient mind/body traditions, there is something more
involve identification with a set of goals, or images of essentially authentic in or behind these forms that
spiritual attainment, no matter how refined or ideal they evokes a deeper level of human consciousness existing
may be. The result of either is that the seeker assumes prior to the forms themselves.
a new self-image; an elevated or spiritual ego emerges,
an identity framed within the language, symbols or
authority of the teachings or lineage. These risks become Before we examine this possibility, it may be useful to
especially compelling when ancient teachings are highly briefly describe some background and theory of Qigong.

20. inner cultivation through a greater focus of attention
on the Upper Dantian and the heart/mind. What are
Qigong, Neigong and the Progressive Path of Inner sought in these practices is a transformation of Qi
Cultivation into Shen, as well as the further refinement of Shen
itself into higher levels of soul and spirit. In some
Some classical principles may help us understand
teachings, notably some popularized forms of Taoist
Qigong theory and practice in a broader psycho-spiritual
Inner Alchemy, this process has become elaborated
context. In some respects, this is an exercise similar
into a series of complex “formulas” that hold the
to highlighting the richly textured context of Taoist
promise of leading progressively to the highest levels of
spirituality and healing which lies behind the widespread
spiritual attainment. These formulas seek to blend the
system of contemporary Traditional Chinese Medicine.
progressively refined internal energies of Jing, Qi and
Shen with “external” energies of a variety of solar, lunar
and cosmic forces to arrive at their stated goal of Taoist
It is generally agreed that the multitudinous systems immortality. Essentially, this is a path that interprets
and forms of Qigong are historically closely associated spiritual development as a process of systematically
with the healing arts of Taoism, although it is also refining the post-birth material energies at different
acknowledged by some excellent teachers that there are levels of density so that they return to their original
a number of important practices that derive from the nature - the non-material realm of pre-birth spirit. The
Buddhist tradition as well. The most common definitions intent of the practitioner is to return to the void, the
of Qigong include techniques for conserving, storing, Wu Chi, through an intentional, accelerated mental and
circulating refining and transmitting Jing (pure essence) energetic focus on refinement and transformation of
and Qi (pure energy) for restoring and maintaining energy.
health and increasing strength and stamina. Based on
the classical Taoist emphasis on a sound energetic and
physical foundation for health and longevity, a dedicated
Risks of the Progressive Approach to Inner Cultivation
practitioner will, through consistent effort, progressively
realize the health benefits of Qigong on energetic, On the path of progressive cultivation, the seeker strives
physical and even psychological levels. for higher and higher levels of realization according to a
road map often derived from interpretations of ancient
Taoist alchemical texts such as the as “The Secret
In terms of spiritual cultivation, one of the distinguishing of the Golden Flower.” And “Taoist Yoga: Alchemy &
characteristics of Taoist spiritual practice is the Immortality.”
importance of the body as the laboratory in which Jing,
Qi and Shen (individual consciousness) are progressively
refined and transmuted into increasingly finer levels From my perspective, there is a great deal of confusion
of energy culminating in the “Golden Elixir” or “Elixir and misunderstanding attendant to this process.
of Immortality.” In fact, this emphasis is a uniquely Although there are numerous classical techniques, as
distinguishing feature of Taoist spirituality. In the Taoist well as contemporary interpretations of these methods,
tradition, a healthy body and longevity – the goal of designed to control and manipulate the energies of Jing,
most Qigong and Taoist healings arts - is regarded as Qi and Shen, I consider most of them to be artificial and
the foundation for spiritual realization. The message is misleading. Following this path, the seeker is endlessly
a simple one: the longer one lives in health and well- in a process of becoming or progressing through effort
being, the greater the potential for realization. There is towards an imagined goal. This easily becomes a desired
no obvious parallel in the Buddhist or Hindu traditions, delicacy for the ego and has the real potential to fixate
which, with a few exceptions, view the body as an the mind on the mental form of a spiritual goal, thereby
impediment to spiritual realization. subtly creating just another dualistic illusion.
There are also Taoist teachings, sometimes described I have observed many otherwise sincere and dedicated
as Neigong, (inner or hidden cultivation) that take this practitioners of Qigong embrace internal alchemy as an
progression even further in the direction of spiritual entree into some kind of elevated spiritual real estate; a
attainment. Neigong practices generally emphasize

21. mentally created location characterized by the qualities It is no accident that one of the central sources of
of voidness, emptiness or the imaged goal of immortality Taoist wisdom should state this proviso at the outset.
that becomes the desired pot of gold at the end of the Fundamentally, what the Tao Te Ching tells us is that
rainbow. the Tao cannot be explained or fully described by the
intellect. The unrefined intellectual or discursive mind,
i.e. the categorizing mind based on past memory and
future expectation, cannot by its very nature “grasp” the
One result of this is that after many months or years of
essentially ungraspable Tao. From the perspective of the
dedicated practice, many students and teachers become
Tao Te Ching, the mind and language itself, i.e., mental
identified with a self-image of attainment. The mental
and linguistic forms, even refined forms of spiritual ideas
structure of the ego assumes an identity, albeit in this
and ideals, can only point to that which is beyond the
instance a spiritual identity, that superficially replaces
mind. They can never fully describe this realm of being
the ordinary, more pedestrian, material ego or self. This
since it is the very source or basis from which the mind
is a particular danger in any teaching, but especially in
and all other forms of life derive. In this sense, mind,
those practices that emphasize the manipulation of Qi or
language, the very basis of thought, can only describe
Prana in the form of ascending or descending channels
itself and other forms, including the subtle forms of
or meridians such as Conception and Governing vessels
energy.
and the Thrusting Channel (Ch’ung Mo), or focus on
energizing specific centers or Chakras in the body as in
some of the classic and modern interpretations of the
Indian Yogic systems. Perhaps even more disturbing is Another way of understanding this particular spiritual
the common phenomena of energy imbalances that conundrum is within classical Taoist ontology. This
often arise in practitioners of these forms. The level and philosophical framework describes Wu Chi, the
quality of energy suddenly awakened in these practices nameless, formless Void and source of the Tao, as the
is not easily integrated into the student’s body/mind in source of the dual forms of Yin and Yang in all of their
daily life and may result in mental, emotional or physical countless permutations. This play of opposites in turn
disturbances. This has sometimes been described as gives rise to the Five Elements or Five Energetic Phases,
the Kundalini syndrome within the tradition of Yoga or and these, in turn, lead to the forms of life in all of its
“Running Fire” by Oriental medicine. infinite manifestations. And yet, at the end of the day,
so to speak, all phenomena naturally and easily return
to the source, the un-manifested Wu Chi. Return to
Wu Chi is essentially the model for all Taoist cultivation
To be fair, it should also be pointed out that there are
methods.
some teachers of the Taoist arts who warn that the
mental manipulation of internal energies, channels,
etc. is a dead-end. Their emphasis, beyond embodying
desired attributes of virtue and morality, is to simply rest If we transpose this “warning”- the inherent limitations
awareness in the body, initially in the lower Dantian, of the mind’s capacity to describe the Tao- to the
and allow the process of cultivation to proceed naturally conventional practice of Qigong or Neigong, we may
and effortlessly. In their understanding, not only is this rightfully ask the question: how can techniques or
approach more consistent with principles of Wu Wei, it is forms that work with energies of Yin and Yang, lead to
also safer both physically and spiritually. the formless or the Tao? Or, to put it another way, how
can the practice of progressively refined technique,
no matter how subtle and sophisticated, lead to that
which is by its very nature beyond any technique? Can
Wu Chi (emptiness) & Wu Wei (effortlessness)
any progressive practice of self-development, whether
The central paradox of Taoism - summarized succinctly in it is Qigong, Neigong, including the complex formulas
the first verse of Tao Te Ching, begins with the warning: of Inner Alchemy, lead through time to that which is
essentially selfless, formless, timeless and eternal? On
the surface this seems to be a perplexing paradox – one
that goes to the heart of the question of the limitations
“The Way that can be spoken of is not the constant way.” of systematic, progressive practice of Qigong and Qi
cultivation.

22. of martial or healing skill.
Almost everyone who sincerely practices Qigong,
Neigong, or any progressive practice of meditation with
a spiritual intent pursues these disciplines with the Some practitioners and teachers of Qigong have
expectation that these arts will add something to their understood this point and suggest that the “highest” or
lives. The goals may range from gaining more calmness most refined form of Qigong is embodied by standing
and equanimity to immortality. Whatever the level of postures. In this teaching, know as “Zhan Zhuang”
aspiration, the intent is to add something that is missing. (“standing like a tree”) one’s practice is to simply stand,
Yet, the central tenet of Taoism warns us that this is an relaxed with as empty a mind as possible, and allow the
illusion. How can we become that which in our essential internal energies to rise or descend and do their work
nature we already are? of unraveling tension, knots or stagnation in the body’s
muscular - skeletal and energetic systems. Nothing more
is required. “Zhan Zhuang represents “effortless effort,”
utilizing a minimum of form or technique, embodying
Any technique or method that is goal oriented implies principles of Wu Wei and Wu Chi in a very direct way.
a degree of effort and tension since it involves a search This type of practice, of which there are numerous
for something external to the self - some result which variations, is most closely associated with Wang Xiang
is desired to complement or complete the self-image. Zhai, one of the foremost practitioners of the Chinese
Yet, if what we seek is already ours by virtue of it being internal martial art of Hsing Yi, who describes the
our essential nature, then methods or techniques that philosophy of Zhan Zhuang as:
seek spiritual attainment are misguided and may, in fact,
obscure the understanding that we are what we seek.
“Action originates in inaction, and stillness is the mother
of movement.”
Interestingly enough, this paradox is not exclusive to
the Taoists arts of self-cultivation. In fact, this same
conundrum is at the center of a number of spiritual
traditions. For example, Jean Klein, one of the great Wang Xiang Zhai’s statement conveys a deep truth, one
Western masters of the non-dual teachings of Advaita that lies at the threshold of understanding how we can
Vedanta, as well as a great teacher of Hatha Yoga, makes directly approach the “practice” of Qigong as a portal to
the point in commenting on the value of Yoga as a Presence.
spiritual practice:
A “Portal to Presence” is exactly what it says: a simple
“If you practice yoga to achieve something…then yoga doorway or entrance to the field of Consciousness or
becomes an obstacle, for it may generate the belief that Presence. It would be stretching the meaning of the
what you fundamentally are is a goal you can attain word “technique” or “method” to apply it to this idea.
through some system of progress. And this belief in One just walks through the portal as one becomes aware
progress takes you further away from yourself.” of its existence. There is no effort involved such as a
decision to remain in the doorway, or to walk through on
one’s hands and knees. In fact, it would be a bit odd to
hang out in the doorway itself or to approach it in such
Qigong as a Portal to Presence a convoluted matter. The portal opens, and Presence
arises spontaneously. Gradually, as awareness arises,
As Qigong practitioners, how can we work with this
the practitioner experiences the portal opening more
paradox in a practical fashion? After all, philosophy
frequently in the spirit of Wu Wei.
aside, we live in a world of form and duality, and have
learned from experience the necessity and concrete
benefits of diligently focusing our attention on the
realization of a goal. We have all learned that both time Approaching the practice of Qigong in this way, the body
and intelligent practice is necessary whether we wish to and Qi are just objects for attention and observation.
learn a language, play the piano or develop a high level No particular posture, Qigong form, visualization or