The Timing of Sages

"Hence the sages did not treat those who were already ill; they instructed those who were not yet ill. They did not want to rule those who were already rebellious; they guided those who were not rebellious. To administer medicines to diseases which have already developed and to suppress revolts which have already developed is comparable to the behavior of those persons who begin to dig a well after they have become thirsty. Would these actions be not too late?"

-Huang Di Nei Jing Yellow Emperor's Cannon of Internal Medicine

The LIFE Force Movement

A couple months ago, my friend questioned if getting certified in Medical Qi Gong might lead to an income/career (and thus freedom from being tied down to the parent's home). At the time, I knew a 400-500 hour certification might work for a career (yoga people get 200-500 hours), and certainly if that was coupled with with further training (such as in: holistic wellness coaching, integrative nutrition or massage). Later however, I reconfirmed that (the mysterious and secret, ancient practice of) a Qi Gong "path" or (through teacher certification) can be a valid career. Particularly... this reflects the fact that we have a massive, *desperate* need and even demand for this semi-secret (few know about Qi gong, but more do every day) preventative medicine.

This realization was spurred when I met a man some weeks weeks ago who is the "spiritual director" at a drug rehab clinic in Western Connecticut. This fellow is certified in about (will have to confirm) two hundred and twenty five (by the IIQTC, see link below) hours of Qi Gong/(and Tai Chi) teacher training, and was once himself a recovering addict. Our friend used Qi practices (self massage, breathing, mindfulness and gentle movements) to get back on track, and now works full-time helping others do the same. This new friend talked about the incredible demand and success he found, emphasizing the need for others to step in and do this work, in just about every city... (FYI - This teacher had also studied the Healing Dao system's Tai Chi for Enlightenment produced by master teacher of Chinese Culture and former Datmouth Fellow, Michael Winn of Heavenly Mountain U. in North Carolina).

This spiritual warrior/healer/teacher, my new friend, left the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies for a day last week, despite that he was working as one of the Tai Chi Easy instructor's class assistants (an assistant to Roger Jahnke, OMD, founder of Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, IIQTC - see Roger's bio for another example of someone who made a research oriented "career" in this field... look up NQA.org or ask me for more info if you are interested...) in an
"Easy" Tai Chi... class.

The occasion for the Spiritual Director's leaving our seminar for a day, was that a bigshot president of AOL-Time Warner and his wife happen to be coming to visit the rehab clinic to see about reproducing the fabulous results this Spiritual (qi rehab) Director attained in helping addicts through "self applied healing methods" or "Qi Gong" led by this instructor/teacher/spiritual director at the drug/alchohol clinic. Roger Jahnke, our Easy Tai Chi teacher at Omega, was the man's mentor and is my colleague, as a researcher of Qi. Roger is THE pioneer at bridging the essence of Eastern (Yoga and Qi Gong/Tai Chi) practices for a mainstream modern Western audience. Thanks to Roger, a growing and "mainstream" population of Western humans can now "get high on chi" and enrich their existence in school, church or the local senior centers with ease.

I know countless people who have tried trippy mushrooms and herbs of all kinds, even perhaps every synthetic drug (I grew up outside of Hartford Connecticut). From meeting all these people and even researching organic "entheogens" ("generates-Gen, god-Theo, within-En") to the point of literally becoming a scholar in indigenous, organic (some say "shamanic") psychedellic culture... I have learned one thing.

I found that one thing rules drug culture, the secret of CHI! (This is, a deep topic worth further attention in another blog entry...perhaps the topic of a future book....)

That is, the most sustainable and fun "high" is that which we can enjoy through Qi or "Life Force energy" (Qi is spelled Chi or Ki). Imagine telling that to a group of at-risk youth before getting high with them on their own chi? Its better than any kind of drug! It is good for the sex life, intelligence and heart!
Imagine, under performing youth in Hartford being promised to achieve though focusing with calmness and clarity of mindfulness practice? Meeting even "No Child Left Behind" standards?!
Be calm, non violent, grades improve and everyone is happy. This is the Healing Promise of Chi which is the illuminating title of Roger's second and intriguing, important book after The Healer Within which is, itself, quite "high" inducing to read. The ECONOMIC factor of bringing peace to the war on drugs? That is a part of a larger cultural change... health and social realities of this magical practice are profound...

I know, Qi has helped my life and world view turn around from chronic pain to chronic joy.
As the secrets are revealed, a growing number of people can say the same... and thus I have started this blog to say the truth and get the word out. Expect videos on this blog...

Indeed, the demand for Qi Gong is massive right now, people are "open" to being happy and healthy, that is clear and obvious!
As information flows like never before, many populations from sick, recovering addicts to simply stressed teachers and students trying to learn, our ministry and clergy, the elders or seniors, or people who are healthy and simply want to be MORE healthy, whole, peaceful and happy... Prevention or healing of sick people... As of recently, awakening to their royal healing resources for free has become the possible thanks to the gate of Chi opening in our "FREE" (they do not have a free society in China) society in the West (ahh global politics, a story for another blog entry!).

Whose not interested in the mysterious and mystical Qi?
Yes, even lay scientists cannot deny the power of Qi Gong to relax, clear and purify the physiology and psychology (body, mind, behavior). The breadth and depth of the studies are stunning... and just beginning. (However, the political climate around Qi Gong in its native land, China, is a topic for another day's blog... and much inquiry into the significance of the "Cultural Revolution"...).

The point is that one can find ample work teaching this art, if they have the qualifications and something to offer. By qualifications, one really needs a formal course/certification of at least 200 hours, but it depends on the venue one would like to work in and how serious they are.

For a career? 500 hours of training will get one started, and 1000 will make one an expert or senior sort of pro according to the National Qigong Association. For facilitating as opposed to teaching, or helping spread the Chi with peers informally, a simple 20 hour course and previous background, interest and further study will help. Someone with no training, called an "enthusiastic citizen" by Dr. Jahnke of the IIQTC, can also share these practices with others. Thus, they can become a "hero" in spreading preventative health practices and saving people from illness with zero "certification" from some top down government (Qi cannot and will not be regulated by the government, but ethics always have and will contain people from abusing the power).

I will soon talk with Dr. Jahnke of the IIQTC about PAYING people to learn and then facilitate Qi gong for elderly populations. I felt weird going to Omega Inst. for Holistic Studies to pay for research I was doing to benefit others. If Qi practices are truly going to save insurance companies a lot of money, shouldn't we be able to organize with them to support the dissemination of such practices economically? Surely, a comprehensive study of the economic benefits or pitfalls of this idea should make for fascinating research when the time is right (perhaps that will be funded by the NIH Complementary and Alternative Medicine division).

I recently noticed the Qi Gong institute has a little marketing campaign, here is an image of a student taking a short break to center herself, to keep her mind from wandering and her body calm (qi is linked with the "rest and digest" or parasympathetic nervous system as opposed to fight/flight) to promote efficient studying.

In school, students carry heavy backpacks, they study and sit at non-ergonomically good chairs (or in fine chairs but with poor posture) for many hours on end every day. The human body was made to move, not sit all day to be fed information! In fact, most people in school school suffer from misaligned bodies or don't even know they are suffering from misaligned bodies and braings and hearts. This is called STUDENT SYNDROME and is an actual illness (that a chiropractor told me about) which I, and I hope WE intend to study more for the benefit of those who care for, our babies, children and grandchildren. Either physical or mental, what student (even, what researcher?) cannot relate to this?

People talk about there being no "panacea" for health care or human potential, but Qi Gong is beyond health care and enters the realm of spirited-care, mental-care, edu-care, and govern-mental care (carefully controlling the mind! mental-mind, govern-control).

Qi is ultimately about virtue, or service (what the Indian Yogis call purified "Karma"). That, nourishes "destiny" of humanity, linking life with the heart, earth, the celestial (heaven, here and now) sphere and building one's OWN defenses to keep out conflict and let peace be in the heart.

Qi Gong is the "grand"mother of Tai Chi (and perhaps even yoga). I was recently corresponding with a highly respected Tai Chi teacher named Mark Johnson. Mark literally teaches Tai Chi to the “stars” as his students include “Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Patrick Swayze” and many others. Mark loves the "integral" sphere and wrote an article on the NQA website about connecting Qi Gong with integral practice. Anyways,he told me that his plan is to write a book called “Life as Play” and then go on Oprah etc, making Qi Gong a household term. Mark sent me the cover design of his book, and I look forward to sending him a reply letter in which I will ask about its potential contents.

In the final analysis, Qi Gong or Chi Kung or Ki (or however you spell it... life (as work combining with play) force, life force, is on the rise.

We in the West, are privileged when all of Asian and World culture is looking to have its hands empowered with integrity...

I think that it would be fun to make a list of all the "star" teachers, those who impart their wisdom on celebrities or stars that rely on Qi Gong/Tai Chi (or Yoga) for refreshing their good energy. One such "star teacher" that comes to mind is Paulie Zink who happens to be teaching at the Omega Institute this weekend. Zink taught his good friend, the lead singer of "Van Halen" etc. and charges about $400 for an hour private lesson! My good friend, Rose, is taking Zink's Omega course this weekend and has been working at Omega the past few weeks (the only reason I DONT want to go, is that a weekend to study with this guy is too short! I want a month at least, maybe two! This seminar is too short and Zink is tooo funny AND authentic... Indeed, last year I suggested to his wife through email that he should teach at Omega. Now, he is doing it! The problem is, I intended to see Zink doing a teacher training at Omega and not just a weekend!

Another Tai Chi teacher of the stars is Mantak Chia whose taught, at least, Tiger woods (google "Tao Garden" to find proof if it is still on that website of the Thailand retreat/training spa) and thus enable him to have the best calmness, precision and balance in the world of golf!

Off the top of my head I also know that Ravi and Anna Singh teach Kundalini yoga the stars. Duncan Wong too... many others I am ignorant of, or name escapes me at this moment... including at LEAST two at Omega this summer who I have not mentioned...

Wouldnt it be interesting to do a study combining whole systems of wholistic "star" teachers? The Qi ones at least?

I am looking forward to reconnecting with that Qi Gong rehab teacher, the "spiritual director" who met at a waterfall with recovering addicts practicing Qi gong, showing the AOL Timer Warner investors how they work the Qi flow... stay tuned for an update on this and my correspondence with Mark about his book, Life as Play..! and more.

New Blog

I decided to start this blog because I think it could be useful for connecting my life's studies with a larger audience. In this, there should be more of what Ken Wilber and Allan Combs call the "4th Quadrant" of the Grand Integral Vision's AQAL (all quadrant all lines) integral map. I enjoy the merger of science and spirit, and so I like the idea of a blog for recording important ideas which might unite these perhaps too often disconnected, but central fields of human endeavor. How might the following quote relate to that split, and union?

"According to a 1990 UNESCO report, if the world's population (about 5 billion) were condensed into a global village of 100 individuals, then there would be

57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 Americans (North & South), and 8 Africans;
70 would be Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Confucian, Jewish; 30 would be Christian;
50% of the world's wealth would be in the hands of only 6 people;
of these 6 wealthy people, all would be citizens of the United States;
70 would be unable to read;
50 would suffer from malnutrition;
80 would live in substandard housing;
only 1 would have a college education."