The Three Jewels of Taoism: Qi

In traditional Chinese culture, the second of the Three Jewels (also known as The Three Treasures) is Qi (Chi), an active energetic principle that is part of all living organisms.

Chi or Qi can be thought of as life-force energy – the energy which vitalizes our bodies, and which empowers our movement.  This movement consists not only of locomotion, but also includes the movement of the breath and lungs, the coursing of our blood through the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, digestion, and the functional movements of all of our organs.

Qi is associated most particularly with the Liver and Spleen organ systems. If we think of Jing as a candle, then Chi is the candle flame - the energy produced via the transformation of the wax into fire. In our computer analogy, if Jing can be said to be your computer hardware, then Qi is the electricity that powers the system. Qi is the energy or life force that “boots up” our bodies.

In Tantric Qigong, we say that there are three types of Chi: Heavenly Qi, Earthly Qi, and Personal Qi.  Heavenly Chi is the robust energy that resides in the air or atmosphere and is sometimes known as the solar principle. Heavenly Chi is related to the naturally occurring negative ionic charge that is generated by the atmosphere and its interaction with solar radiation. One reason we feel revitalized in the mountains or at the beach is that these areas are naturally abundant with Heavenly Qi. In some systems, Heavenly Chi is thought to be closely related to the evolution of Cosmic Consciousness. It is sometimes thought of as the Masculine Principle.

Earthly Chi is resident in the earth and may be more naturally accessible in geographic areas with crystalline formations or vortices, such as those near Sedona, Arizona. Sometimes thought of as the Feminine Principle, Earthly Chi seems to have a grounded, generative, and healing quality. In Tantra Yoga, this earthly polarity is said to be directly linked to our sexual energy, so it would have some direct interface with what the Taoists call Jing (Ching).

Ordinarily, in persons not trained in Tantric Qigong, Earthly Chi is absorbed and transported within the body through the digestion and metabolization of food. Heavenly Qi is absorbed unconsciously through the process of autonomic breathing. Part of Tantric Qigong training and discipline is to learn how to master and absorb these energies more consciously and powerfully through certain Chakras and meridians. In some forms of External Qigong, Qi is the energetic force which can be radiated from a Master’s hands for healing purposes. This type of Chi is called Emitted Qi.

Earthly Qi interacts with Heavenly Qi to form our Personal Chi, which is a combination of these energies that abide within our bodies vitalizing our Soma and empowering our Psyche.  The relative levels of our vitality, intelligence, and the plane that our consciousness evolves to are partially determined by our ability to consciously absorb, transmute, and direct this Qi. Thus, one who masters the absorption, generation, and direction of Qi will have a tendency towards improved health, higher intelligence, and ease of spiritual evolution.

Next: The Three Jewels of Taoism:  Shen

Presencing - The Power of Now

Instruction & Coaching email for info on instruction

Learn Tantric Qigong

Winter And Your Spiritual Practice

Deep winter. The earth is swaddled in snow, a deep silence pervades the land were I live, punctuated only by the occasional ” thock, thock” of the axe splitting wood.

The Winter season can be a great time for introspection and self-inquiry. One’s Chi is contracted and Yin.  The life force of much of nature is quiescent, hibernating; collecting itself for the surge of life that will follow in the spring.  For warm-blooded, non-hibernating creatures (this might be you!) this presents some difficulty. The active Yang part of your life force is reduced and is split between keeping you warm, fighting off colds and flu, and all of your regular mental and bodily functions. Activities of daily living, work, recreation, negative emotions, even sex can compete for your available Chi.  Sometimes it seems there is just not enough energy to go around and one can easily become mentally and physically sluggish, lethargic, perhaps even emotionally challenged or withdrawn.

Additionally, aggressive exercise during this time can seem invigorating, but may result in a net energy loss, leaving one prone to exhaustion and illness.  While meditation is an ideal practice in many ways for the Winter season, one’s practice should be balanced by some physical training that generates life force. Yoga, Tantric Qigong, and T’ai Chi are excellent for this purpose. They balance your mental and emotional states and generate more energy than they consume in the performance of the exercise.

Sometimes it seems to be an extra challenge to pony up the perseverance and spiritual discipline necessary to continue a yoga or tantric qigong practice in the cold stillness of January and February.  The often physcially and emotionally exhausting madness of the December holiday season doesn’t help much either, does it?

Winter Meditation for Collecting Life Force
Try this meditation to collect your Chi during the cold winter season. You can do this either out of doors, making sure you are adequately wrapped up in warm clothes and blankets, or indoors, preferably in front of a window with a good view of nature. Wear warm but loose clothing, a thick, fluffy sweat suit with a sweater may be ideal for this. Make especially sure that your waist is not constricted.

1. Sit up as straight as you can, take a deep breath, and relax your legs, belly, chest, shoulders, neck, and jaw.
2. Locate the Tan Tien point, 4 finger widths below your navel.
3. As you view the wintry landscape, begin to breathe deeply into the Tan Tien, collecting your life force deeply into your center, just as the earth’s energy is collected and stored deeply underground.
4. Press you feet firmly against the ground or floor and draw in Chi from both the earth and the air.
5. Feel warmth grow in your belly as you continue to breathe deeply and continuously.
6. Feel the vast strength and stability of the earth, and how its energy abides even during the coldest time of the year.  Align and harmonize your energy with this boundless earthly reservoir of wintertime Chi. Continue for 10 minutes or more.
7. Conclude by feeling that you will abide as you amass your Chi, that you are able to protect yourself from exhaustion and illness, and are readying yourself for the rebirth of spring. © 2009 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

The Presencing™ Process

Winterize Yourself!

Instruction & Coaching

Learn Tantric Qigong™:

.

.

Tantric Qigong, Mindfulness, and Flow

Mindfulness, which is often thought of as a Buddhist concept, is really about being Present.  Presencing is one form of self-inquiry (which can be done as a meditation or as coaching) as is Tantric Qigong.  These art forms are about getting out of your head, your mental analysis, comparison and judgment, and becoming present to what really IS.

It sounds simple, and it is. However, this is not very easy for most people. We are constantly and anxiously analyzing, comparing / contrasting, projecting our assumptions, and judging the world around and within ourselves. Our perceptions are based on our past experiences and our experiences are shaped by our perceptions.  This is why I often maintain that we are continually “lying” to ourselves and others.  Our internal stories about the world and ourselves are supreme acts of creation in that each person’s world becomes based more and more on this mental / perceptual editing.  How can we know what is real?  How can we ascertain what is truly necessary and important in our lives?  What will really sustain our Self, our heart and soul?  Thinking and analyzing isn’t gong to cut it. It hasn’t worked too well so far has it?  Perhaps no-thinking may be more useful.

Even kittens seek release from the Wheel of Karma

All of the multitudinous forms of meditation have elements of stilling the mind and its critical or judgmental aspects, these demons of discernment gone horribly wrong. But have you ever tried stilling your mind? Herding kittens is much easier. Practices such as Vipassana, Zen, T’ai Chi, Yoga, and Tantric Qigong all have techniques to bring one out of the maze of one’s thoughts and unbridled emotions as one of their goals.  The only difference in these arts is in their approach.

One approach to mindfulness and being present is to focus on the details of our experience.  Walking down the street, noticing every minute part of what is around us.  People, the sun, clouds, every caress of the air upon your cheek, the feeling of your clothes touching your body.  Internally, we can notice body sensations, the character of your emotional flow, the many mental distractions.  Notice them and let them go.

Try this exercise:   Stop and see, touch, and smell the flowers.
A particular flower, perhaps a lily.  Notice its overall form and all of its minutia. The sturdiness of the stalk.  How does it feel to lightly stroke its petals?  Kiss a leaf.  Notice its texture.  Does it kiss back?  The color.  How the hues blend on its petals and leaves.  The subtle patterns within.  The heady incense of its scent.  Pistils droozed, laden with pollen. Can you almost see and hear the grains floating down?  Take plenty of time.  The closer you come into unity with this flower, the more you will become Present and unify your consciousness.

Flow
The river of Tao encompasses all of creation, including every aspect of our lives, whether we realize it or not.  All creativity comes from being “in the zone”, being in alignment with the Tao, from being in flow.  Like water, the flow of Tao is both dynamic (Yang) and still (Yin). When we are truly present to flow, obstacles evaporate, we Do and Be effortlessly, and life is suffused with meaning, abundance, and joy. To be in harmony with the flow of Tao is both power and wisdom, knowing when to do and when to be still, when to utilize Will and when to Surrender in the moment.

Qigong as a Meditation
Using the mind alone to still the mind is fraught with great difficulty. Where you are blind to Self, by definition you cannot see what is needed for equanimity, for inner peace.  You remain blind. When you are stressed, distracted, overwrought with emotions you must keep in check, the mind is a team of horses pulling in many directions at once. It is an almost impossible challenge to attempt to use only mental processes to be present and centered, and to still the raging beasts

Tao is Flow

of the mind.

One of the great aspects of T’ai Chi and Tantric Qigong is the facility with which these arts bring you into mindful presence and flow.  You really can’t let your mind wander; you’ll forget what you are doing.  The practitioner must focus his or her attention on one’s stance, sense of grounding, the coordination of subtle movement with deep diaphragmatic breathing, alignment of the body with gravity, and the flow of life force (Chi, Qi, Ki).  The moment your mind wanders you are lost, the efficacy and consciousness of energy flow is diminished. This sort of compels you to come back to mindful presencing.  We begin anew, as we must always do each moment, to align and unify mind, body, and spirit, heart and soul, with the eternal power of Now. © Keith E. Hall and www.inner-tranquility.com

Presencing: the Art of Being. Learn more here.

Tantric Qigong, Taiji, Multiple Sclerosis and the Immune System

Multiple Sclerosis is a condition where one’s immune system dysfunctionally attacks the fatty sheath that insulates nerves. Just like an electrical wire that has been stripped of its insulation, one’s nerves start to short out. The nerve impulses never reach their terminus, which causes those afflicted to begin to lose coordination.

There is still no conclusive etiology for Multiple Sclerosis, though statistically the group at greatest risk consists of Caucasian women born in the northern United States.  Once contracted, the disease manifests itself in numerous symptoms, which tend to be progressive. Often one notices initially some difficulty with balance and walking, followed by a kind of paresthesia, or prickly sensations in various areas of the body. Untreated, persons with MS can develop pain in the eyes and blindness due to optic nerve inflammation. Multiple Sclerosis can result in tremors, slurring of speech, and a gradual deterioration of cognitive function, or even sudden paralysis.

Qigong (Chi Kung) and T’ai Chi (which is a form of qigong) have been shown to be effective in ameliorating and reversing the onslaught of this condition. Qigong and T’ai Chi tend to have an overall balancing effect on the body and psyche. In the case of MS and other autoimmune disorders, these arts will start to bring the immune system back into balance. Where the immune system is too dysfunctionally aggressive, as in autoimmune conditions, the practice of Tantric Qigong will reduce its Yang qualities. Where the immune system is weak, qigong will strengthen its Yang. So balance can be achieved whether one’s immune system is hyperactive or hypoactive.

Though Western medicine remains clueless within its paradigm about the mechanism of qigong healing, MS sufferers can experience significant relief by integrating this healing discipline into their daily routine as the following examples illustrate.

Husted et al., in an article published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, noted that this sort of practice could result in multiple sclerosis patients being able to increase their walking speed (a 21% increase) and hamstring flexibility (a 28% increase). They also noted MS patients improved in vitality, social functioning, mental health, and ability to carry out physical and emotional roles.¹

In a paper on trans-disciplinary approaches for treatment and rehabilitation in neurotraumatology at a joint international congress in Brescia 2004, researchers discussed the application of Qigong for disabled persons whose Chi (Qi) is unbalanced and stagnant, noting one case of a woman legally blind due to multiple sclerosis who was able to regain her sight enough to be able to drive and read.²

There is mounting evidence that qigong can produce significant positive alterations in psychological, neuroendocrine, and immune systems.  Astin et al. reported that 8 weeks of qigong reduced the pain experienced by multiple sclerosis patients.³  Another study also reported qigong’s beneficial effects on general health in patients with muscular dystrophy. 4

In a study investigating the effectiveness of mindful movement in symptom management in people with multiple sclerosis, investigators noticed a broad improvement in symptomatology in practitioners of these arts while the control group showed a continued deterioration in symptoms. The study concluded that “training in mindfulness of movement appeared to result in improved symptom management for…people with multiple sclerosis.” 5

Joni Bell, who has practiced Qigong for 10 years, says “I’ve had multiple sclerosis for 32 years and I was compromised by the disease. My many falls traumatized my left foot, and osteoarthritis resulted. Since incorporating Qigong into my life, my strength and balance have improved remarkably and I seldom fall.” 6

Elaine Silverman, disaffected with her prognosis and treatment plan through conventional western medicine, turned to alternative healing, including qigong, about which she says ” Even genetic conditions can be overcome, as I later learned through the study of QiGong…(it) allows the body to internally slow down, relax, and begin to balance itself.”7

While more research may need to be done to appease the western medical literati, these contemporary results validate the thousands of years of anecdotal evidence accrued by Eastern practitioners of Tantric Qigong, T’ai Chi, and Taoist Tantra. © 2009 Keith E. Hall and www.inner-tranquility.com. All rights reserved.

Learn Tantric Qigong ™ and Presencing ™

.

.

Learn to Meditate:

Learn Tantric Qigong ™ and Presencing ™

.

.

Qigong and Immunity

These days our immune systems are coming under increasing and unremitting stress. Fortunately, there has been tremendous anecdotal evidence over millennia of the ability of Qigong and T’ai Chi practitioners to enhance their immune system functions. No one really knows exactly how this occurs, at least in term of the prevailing Western medical paradigm. However, in recent years there have been an increasing number of medical studies endeavoring to measure and delineate this immune enhancing effect.

Protective Energy and General Immunity
Qigong is thought to have a protective and immune enhancing effect on an energetic level. This protective or Guardian Chi energy extends outside the body and forms a shield, deflecting environmental and negative emotional energies from other people. The strength of this Guardian Qi establishes a defensive perimeter that helps one resist the invasive nature of detrimental energies that can cause disease.

In a study published in Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Dr. Steven K.H. Aung states that in the view of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), disease is triggered by: “…external pathogenic factors in conjunction with…anger, sadness and anxiety, TCM has developed various proactive measures for…immune-enhancement…Certainly, Qi Gong…is a key protective…seeking to build up and enhance the protective energy and immunity of both patients and practitioners.¹

Tantric Qigong Healing Tao

Cellular Immune Effects
On a cellular level, qigong practice tends to balance the quality, quality, and phagocytic activity of key immune system components such as neutrophils and Natural Killer cells

In a study by Quan-Zhen Li et al, the life span of neutrophils (white blood cells) increased in Qigong practitioners, while the cells responsible for inflammation decreased. The ability of the white cells to “eat” pathogens (neutrophilic phagocytosis) was significantly increased in Qigong adepts. The authors conclude that Qigong practice regulates immunity and this may be occurring at a genetic level.²

Higuchi Yuzo of the Tokyo Institute of Technology notes that “…Effective results have been achieved in regular qigong sessions…after a 40-minute session…a marked increase in the level of NK (Natural Killer) cell activity was detected…These results suggest that by conducting qigong practice, immunity and adjustment functions are enhanced.”³

Reduced Tumor Growth and Cancer Survival Rates
Several studies have examined the effect of qigong practice on cancer survival rates, decreases in tumor size, reduced side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, improved immune function, and quality of life.

A review of 50+ studies of Qigong cancer therapy in China showed that the Qigong groups displayed more improvement or had a better survival rate than those who did not practice Qigong. In vivo studies found that groups using Qigong as a treatment modality have significantly reduced tumor growth or longer survival.4

A clinical study of Qigong as a therapeutic aid for patients diagnosed with advanced cancer showed improvements 4 - 9 times greater than the control group in strength, appetite, and other markers. The phagocytic rate, a measure of the immune function, improved in the Qigong group but decreased in the control group.5

Dr. Wang and colleagues advise cancer patients to practice qigong exercises while receiving treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. They found that that the general health of the group practicing Qigong improved. The general health of the control group deteriorated and had a concomitant decline in white blood cell count.6

It is great to have these clinical studies validate the healing power of Qigong. This is especially valuable for academicians, policy makers, and the general population of people who have yet to practice Qigong. For those of us who partake regularly of the joy and healing power of Tantric Qigong, the results are self-evident. © 2009 Keith E. Hall and www.inner-tranquility.com.  All rights reserved.

Learn to Meditate:

Learn Tantric Qigong ™

.

.

Qigong, Immunity, and Influenza

With debate raging over the efficacy and side effects of the H1N1 flu vaccine, which contains mercury (as thimerosal) and may contain other adjuvants, perhaps it is appropriate to consider carefully some natural alternatives to increase one’s immune response.

It is well known to practitioners of T’ai Chi and Tantric Qigong that these arts demonstrably improve one’s overall health and vitality in a gentle, non-stressful manner. The relevant question here is, does the practice of these ancient Qi generating exercises convey additional immunity to protect oneself specifically from influenza infections?

In one study, conducted by Dr. Yang, et al and published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine (35(4):597-607), researchers found that Qigong and T’ai Chi can definitely enhance immune response. A group of 50 adults was divided into two groups. One practiced qigong, meditation, and T’ai Chi forms, while the control group did no exercise. The Qigong – T’ai Chi group attended three one-hour Qigong and meditation classes each week.

All of the participants in the study got vaccinated for the flu at the beginning of the study and had blood titres performed periodically during the succeeding months. Results showed that the group practicing Qigong and T’ai Chi had significantly higher antibody responses to the influenza virus than the control group. In the Qigong – T’ai Chi group, results showed a 173%, 130% and 109% increase in antibodies to the flu at 3, 6, and 20 weeks while the control group showed only a 10% -  58% increase in influenza immunity.

From the Abstract of the American Journal of Chinese Medicine:
“… This study was intended to examine whether 5 months of moderate Taiji and Qigong (TQ) practice could improve the immune response to influenza vaccine in older adults… Baseline pre-vaccine blood samples were collected. All subjects then received the 2003–2004 influenza vaccine during the first week of the intervention. Post-vaccine blood samples were collected 3, 6 and 20 weeks post-intervention for analysis of anti-influenza hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers. We found a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the magnitude and duration of the antibody response to influenza vaccine in TQ participants when compared to CON. The vaccination resulted in a 173, 130, and 109% increase in HI titer at 3, 6, and 20 weeks post-vaccine, respectively, in the TQ group compared to 58, 54, and 10% in CON. There was a significant between group difference at 3 and 20 weeks post-vaccine and at 20 weeks the TQ group had significantly higher titers compared to the pre-vaccine time point, whereas the CON group did not. A higher percentage of TQ subjects also responded to the influenza A strains with a protective (> 40HI) antibody response (37% TQ vs. 20% CON for the H1N1 strain and 56% TQ vs. 45% CON for the H3N2 strain…”¹

What does this mean?

After 20 weeks, the practitioners of Qigong had an average of over 10 times the immune response to the flu than the control group (who were vaccinated, but did not practice Qigong). Additional immunity specific to Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu was detected in the Qigong group.

More ways to reduce the risk of contracting the flu:

–Wash your hands frequently

–Eliminate or reduce white sugar in your diet. Excessive sugar consumption can have a debilitating effect on the immune system.  See some other dietary guidelines for increasing immune function.

–Take a high quality source of omega 3 fats which help strengthen cell membranes, improving resistance to infection.

–Optimize your vitamin D levels. An optimal level of vitamin D can help you fight infections of all kinds.

–Get plenty of sleep.

–Manage your stress. When you are stressed your body does not have the reserve of Chi necessary to fight off viral infections.  See more about programs for stress management here © 2009 Keith E. Hall and www.inner-tranquility.com. All rights reserved.

Presencing ™: The Art of Being Present

Instruction and coaching

Winterize Yourself

Qigong and Immunity

Tantric Qi Gong ™

Learn to Meditate:

My Teacher: Yung-ko Chou

In an age where anyone who takes a couple of weekend workshops can call him or herself a “Master”, Professor Chou was the real deal. He never referred to himself, nor encouraged his students to refer to him, as “master”.  Over the years, my personal experience has led me to believe that a teacher who deeply desires to be called “Master” probably isn’t one. Chou was a master by virtue of his actions, lack of hubris, and the scope of his embodiment of Taoist art forms.

Professor Chou came to the United States from Taiwan in the 1970’s. In his 60’s at the time, Professor Chou, with his nimble intellect, was able to learn to speak and write American English, and deal with the not insignificant culture shock of his adopted country. Professor Chou was in his sixties and seventies when I studied with him, but due to his abundant Chi his physical appearance was more like someone in his forties. He had dark hair, an attentive mind, and was remarkably flexible, equanimous, and quick witted. He walked every where he needed to go since he did not have or need a U.S. driver’s license. Professor Chou was a exceedingly quiet and unassuming man with an almost dry sort of wit and a sense of cosmic humor. If you were drawn into this inner circle, he would often gently and subtly tease you while also promoting your commitment and discipline to the art form.

For the first semester or so of my study with him, he spoke little English, and what he did speak was heavily accented at that. His students were forced by this predicament to rely on copying and imitating his movements, posture, and breathing patterns.  His didactic, limited to simple directions, was not understandable to my ear (due to his thick accent), thus we were forced by circumstance to be present, centered, and attentive in a somatic and spiritual mode. The verbal explanation modality was not really accessible to us in any practical way. I think this was an excellent way to learn: shut off the speech centers and their concomitant cerebricity and just be attentive, focused, and present.  If you couldn’t do that, then you probably weren’t going to be able to learn the forms.

Professor Chou taught the T’ai Chi Chuan Yang style long form, Push Hands, applications for self defense, the Song of the Free Hands Fighting, the Eight Treasures Qigong (known in those days as “The Ancient Exercises of China”) and Ba Gua (Pa Kua). Very few of his students elected to pony up the discipline to learn and embody the gift of all of these arts.

His approach to cultivating student motivation and discipline was simple and threefold:

– Set an invariable schedule of forms to teach weekly: three forms each class
– Encourage students to practice twice a day: he repeated this in every class
– Allow students to take as many classes as they wanted to each week

So he had a set schedule for teaching the forms and encouraged self-responsibility in his students by reminding them to practice morning and evening, and offered the opportunity to attend multiple classes at no additional charge.  I believe that Professor Chou realized that only the most committed students would take advantage of and follow this structure.

He had a remarkable gift for teaching his students, who were at many disparate levels of awareness and spiritual awakening, in an individual and personal manner. He could tell what your level of awareness was, and seemed to slightly adjust his teaching to support one’s unconscious level of spiritual desire. He was able to teach a roomful of students who had very different desires, intentions, and skill sets simultaneously. Some students were there to learn “Chinese exercise”. Some were focused solely on the martial art aspect. Some were merely curious, with no firm intention or commitment to learn the form. A few were gifted with the opportunity to learn all of these aspects and Self-Mastery too. He subtly supported his students’ desires on multiple levels at the same time, with humor and boundless patience.

Professor Chou’s style of teaching was a combination of holding the static positions so students could copy his biomechanical model, and continuous movement to foster an experience of flow. Periodically he would do corrections, which can be quite important, but he did not torture new students with excessive fussiness over the details. His “middle path” approach gave students both a feeling of the precision of T’ai Chi Chuan, while also facilitating the experience of being in flow.

I felt privileged to study with this Master at a time when the height of learning technology was the electric typewriter and the Xerox machine. There were no videos, widgets, YouTube, phone apps, or other near useless electronic diversions to distract one from the opportunity to be physically in the presence of one who had deeply mastered the art, and who cared deeply about transmitting it to whomever could receive it.  Electronic technology will never be able to duplicate being in the presence of a Master. Not a day goes by that I do not feel gratitude for the great good fortune to have had the time and opportunity to study with this remarkable Sifu.  © 2009 Keith E. Hall and inner-tranquility.com.

Rev. Keith Hall’s Bio

Instruction & Coaching

The unemployment rate has reached its highest levels in recent memory. Major U.S. and international companies are restructuring, laying off employees, or just going bankrupt. Food prices are up, oil prices continue their slow rise after Obama’s election, and the economy is giving itself a chunky swirlie.

More importantly, my favorite el-cheapo movie theatre has permanently closed it doors. Oh, and that global warming, starvation, and pestilence thing continues unabated.

Something is happening here. But you don’t know what it is. Do you, Mister Jones? If you have been addicted to ever increasing levels of external, material gratification as part of your self-definition, ya surely gotta be jonesing by now. Or freaking out. Probably both.

Last year, about 2.5 million Americans lost their jobs. We could have another 2 to 3 million jobs evanesce in 2009.  For many people, losing their job results not only in a loss of income but also self-respect, even their raison d’etre. Despondency, despair, a feeling of victimization, shame, melancholia, terror and anger may quickly follow. Thirty percent of those who have not lost their jobs report “burn out” syndrome due to corporate downsizing. Not that the CEO’s salary has been downsized, I mean the number of employees has.

Trying to do more with less, these companies lay off employees and pile the extra work on their remaining serfs. A study published by the Institute of Behavioral Science with a grant from the National Institutes of Health* shows that these retained employees are prone to greater job demands that may contribute to alcohol and drug abuse, depression, and work related injuries. In addition, the study found that layoff survivors often experience worsening physical health: They tend to eat poorly, smoke more, suffer from neck and back pain, and increase their use of sick days.

“None of the effects are good,” says psychologist Frank Landy, author of Work in the 21st Century. “Layoffs clearly have emotional and practical consequences for companies and workers.” Those psychological consequences can be long-term, lasting six years, according to the study published by the Institute of Behavioral Science. In addition, the effects of surviving multiple layoffs tend to be cumulative. They add up over time.

“It only takes one action of distrust to lose basic confidence in the employer…Once the trust has been undermined, it’s very, very difficult to recover,” says Landy. “There’s no data that suggests workers become more resilient. ‘I’m a survivor, hear me shout’? It doesn’t happen.” Whip a dog long enough and it stays hangdog whipped.  © 2009 Keith E. Hall & www.inner-tranquility.com. All rights reserved. Contact us for reprint information.

Part 2: Zen and the Art of Crisis Management

Our classes and meditation / stress management audio programs help you create a core of empowered Being!

.

*Moore, Grunberg, et al. Physical and Mental Health Effects of Surviving Layoffs: A Longitudinal Examination Institute of Behavioral Science, November, 2003

Follow us on Facebook

What is Qigong?

Qigong (Chi Kung) is a system of Taoist exercise and meditation developed at least 4000 years ago in China. Some attribute the Yellow Emperor and / or his teacher, Qi Bo, with the discovery of the principles underlying qigong practice. The word “qigong” perhaps can be best translated as “energy mastery.” It is a method of balancing mind, body, emotions, and spirit through a series of external and internal movements with mental concentration. These movements, along with certain stances and biomechanical body alignment, are coordinated with the breathing and the mind.

There are many forms of qigong and associated practices such as jing dong, dong gong, zuo gong, wushu gong, nei kung, etc. T’ai Chi, often translated as “supreme ultimate” or “supreme ultimate energy,” can be regarded as a particularly evolved form of moving qigong. For our purposes here, we will consider any of these various forms of Taoist energy exercises and meditations as a form of qigong.

One can consider qigong to be a kind of Taoist form of moving yoga, though qigong postures tend to be less strenuous than many yoga asanas. With some adaptation, qigong can be performed by virtually anyone, regardless of physical condition, as long as the practitioner is able to concentrate mentally.

Sometimes qigong is divided into subcategories depending on its application. So there are medical qigongs, martial qigongs, health qigongs, and spiritual qigongs. Qigong can also be classified by the direction and intention of the energy generated. External qigong generates life force internally and broadcasts this energy externally. So, martial qigong could be considered a form of external qigong, as could medical qigong. In medical qigong, the qigong master generates the chi and directs it toward a patient who needs healing. This is akin to a sort of “laying on of hands” in the western traditions of spiritual healing.

Qigong on the Mountain

Internal qigong generates energy and circulates it within the practitioner. One application of this form is internal self-healing, where one circulates energy to remove physical blockages or imbalances. This form, along with medical qigong, is somewhat related to the disciplines of Oriental Medicine such as acupuncture and herbology, which seek to balance a patient’s life force. Another application of internal qigong is for spiritual development. Here, spiritual power is generated and circulated internally through energy channels and the chakras for the purpose of clearing karmic effect, attaining self-knowledge, expanding or dissolving ego boundaries, and direct spiritual experience.

In terms of karmic intention, martial qigong could be considered to be the lowest form of qigong, as its intention is to control or harm others. Medical and health related qigong would have a higher intention, as they work to relieve suffering and generate health. Spiritual qigong has the highest intention, as it concerns itself with self-realization, expanded or mystical awareness, and enlightenment, which this planet needs so desperately at this time.

Qigong can be characterized as a gentle form of non-impact aerobic exercise and stretching suitable for warming up for more strenuous exercise. An example of this would be Tiger Woods, who reputedly has practiced qigong. Qigong can be used as a stand-alone form of gentle physical maintenance as well. It is also a highly effective form of stress management when used to calm the emotions and center oneself. Qigong as a spiritual discipline is a moving meditation particularly well adapted for restless western minds and active, stressed, and time-challenged lifestyles. © 2006 Keith E. Hall and Inner-tranquility.com. All rights reserved.

Rev. Hall has taught Tai Chi, Qigong, Tantra, & body / mind modalities for 30 years & is a senior student of Prof. Yung-ko Chou, with permission to teach. He has studied at East West Schools across the world & with Dhyanyogi Madhusudandas, S. Saraswati & others. He practices Bioenergetics, Bagua, Tumo, Vipassana, Zen, Spiritual Bodywork, various Yogas, & other East West disciplines. He has published articles on Tantra & Taoist arts in numerous journals & is the Founder of Jade Garden Tantra and www.inner-tranquility.com

Instruction & Coaching

Tai Chi Yang Style Short or Long Form?

Q: Glory Asks: I have started taking a Yang short form Tai Chi class because that was what the recommended teacher in town was teaching and I wanted to start learning Tai Chi. I have only gone twice so far. I like it. The same teacher is starting a Yang long form class in the near future. He thought it would be really confusing to take both at once. I think this is probably true. Could you please tell me which would be better to do, the short form or the long form ~ and maybe why if you have the time.

Last but not least, I wanted to tell you something else about Journey to the Primal Sea. I really liked it how you started out “Relax your xxx – that track – I thought it was very effective how you had just your words first and then after a bit the music started, rather than starting with music. The music was this little treat that kind of snuck in after you started relaxing. I enjoyed that effect.

A: Thank you for your kind words. As to your question, I would have to say that there is quite a bit of controversy among Taiji “experts” as to whether the short form or the long form is better.

Yang Style Short Form

Chen Man Ch'ing

The short form is an abbreviated form taking about 10 minutes to perform that has become quite popular in our attention deficit oriented culture. It is said to contain 37 unique postures or forms, though this depends on how you count them. The form is a relatively recent (1946) version of the Yang style invented by Cheng Man-ch’ing AKA Zheng Manqing who was born in Zhejiang Province. Cheng was often referred to as the “Master of Five Excellences” because of his skills in Chinese medicine, tai chi chuan, calligraphy, painting and poetry. In 1964, Cheng moved to the U.S., where he taught at the New York T’ai Chi Association.

I studied briefly one summer in the 70’s at the New York School and enjoyed the form, but their teaching method did not resonate with me. They seemed very fussy with new students, making you stand for extended periods of time in static positions while they did “corrections.” These corrections were often things like moving your hand a half an inch. While one could readily access the anality of this method, flow was virtually absent from this practice. And if there ain’t much flow, ya got clogged Tao! I would feel fatigued and vaguely annoyed after an evening at this school.

One of the teachings I did appreciate from Cheng Man-Ch’ing was his famous statement to his students that one should “Invest in Loss.” There are layers of potential meaning to this assertion. The general Taoist principle is that Yin overcomes Yang, that there is power through yielding, and strength through softness. In both Taijiquan and the philosophy of the I Ching (Yi Jing), this simple statement has a multitude of subtleties. In its martial aspect, this is often taken to refer to the ability of the practitioner to become yin. To be receptive and to withdraw. This is the Taoist (Daoist) philosophy of ‘Wu Wei’, non action overcoming action.” The literal meaning of Wu Wei is “without action” or “non-doing.”

Tao of Pooh

The Sage is occupied with the unspoken

and acts without effort.

Teaching without verbosity,

producing without possessing,

creating without regard to result,

claiming nothing,

the Sage has nothing to lose.

– Lao Tzu (Laosi, Lao Tse, Laotze, Lao Zi, Laocius) Tao Te Ching, Chapter 2

Wu Wei (woo way) is a state of perfect equilibrium and alignment with the Tao and results in an irresistible “soft and invisible” power. In a more humorous vein, Benjamin Hoff’s The Tao of Pooh implies “Wei” means monkey/claw, therefore “Wu Wei” means “No Monkeying

Wu Wei or No Way!

Around”. Wu Wei is also the central principle of the Church of the Subgenius and is referred to as “Slack” (See chapter 5 of the Book of the Subgenius.)

Chen Man-Ching’s statement about loss also often reminds me that there are no mistakes - only learning opportunities. We may “fail” many times while learning to succeed.

Dancemaster Chungliang Al Huang
At the other end of the T’ai Chi spectrum from the New York School, is Al Huang. When I studied with Master Huang, there was very little emphasis on the details of the form. Chungliang seemed to be interested in giving his new students an experience of the flow of Tai Ji, so he didn’t do corrections, which can obviously interrupt the flow. Some martial artists say that Huang is more of a dancer and artist than a T’ai Chi/Qigong

teacher, but he does have a gift in giving rank beginners an authentic experience of this Taoist art.

Huang's flow of Tao

“I use my body as a link to the sky.

I funnel the sky chi into my body.

I then dig down and connect to the earth chi

like the grass and the trees.

Even though we are small and finite,

we can tune in and connect to this eternal expansive chi.”

–Chungliang Al Huang

Yang Style Long Form

The form that I teach is the Yang School Long Form, one of the most recognizable forms worldwide, which I studied with Yung-ko Chou in the mid 70’s. This is the “Full Monty,” no shortcuts, all of the postures and principles. There are 84 forms or postures organized into three main sections. There are thirty-some independent forms (depending on how you count them) so there is repetition of forms to bring the number up to 84. I think the repetition is important so that one has more than one “crack” at the performance of the postures during each “Playing the T’ai Chi” practice session. It tends to open the body and “burn in” the benefit of each posture a bit more.

Keith Hall-Play arm like fan

Professor Chou’s style of teaching was a combination of holding the static positions so students could copy his model, and continuous movement for an experience of flow. Later he would do corrections, which are important, but he did not “beat up” new students with excessive fussiness over the details. This “middle path” approach gives students both a feeling of the precision of T’ai Chi Chuan, while also preserving the experience of being in flow. My personal style of teaching, though slightly different, mimics Professor Chou’s in this regard. I believe that students should have an experience of the flowing nature of this Daoist practice while also learning the details so they can have a standardized, repeatable form to practice with on their own. © 2009 Keith Hall. All right reserved.

T’ai Chi Classes in Baltimore / Washington email for info.

Instruction & Coaching

Read more about T’ai Chi here

Rev. Hall’s Bio