Category: Tai Chi-Qi Gong

Grandmaster Wang, Zi-Ping (1881-1973)

by admin, posted in Tai Chi-Qi Gong

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Grandmaster Wang, Zi-Ping (1881-1973)

“His deep-set eyes were radiant, always shining. In addition, his long silver beard flowed over his chest like a shimmering waterfall.” —Grace Xiaogao, grandaughter.

Wang, Zi-Ping was born in 1881, during the unsettling time of the last Chinese empire.  He started his Wushu training at age six and became an expert in many styles of Wushu.  He was well versed in all the major weapons, in qinna, shuaijiao, free fighting, hard qigong, soft qigong, light body techniques and many more.  He was acclaimed as a well rounded martial artist.  At the same time, he was also a famous expert in traumatology.  He combined his adept knowledge of qinna with his bone setting skills.  He developed what came to be a well known system of treatment for sport and Wushu related injuries in Northern China. Wang, Zi-Ping was the head of the Shaolin College at the Central Guoshu Institute.  He was the vice chairman of the China Wushu Association, the highest Wushu organization in China.  He had many other titles and responsibilities, including being the advisor to major hospitals in China.  Wang, Zi-Ping lived until he was 93 years old and on in 1973.

Wang, Zi-Ping was born in the Hebei Province, in a town called Cang, also known as Cangzhou.  In ancient times, Cangzhou was a very isolated area.  During the dryer seasons, Cangzhou would be like a dry desert.  During the wet seasons, the water from the uncontrollable Yellow River would flood the entire country even Hough it was almost 200 kilometers away.  Eventuallly, a canal was built, that ran right through Cangzhou.  This was because Cangzhou was midway between the Beijing and the Yellow River.

In the later part of the 18800’s, because Cangzhou was next to the ancient canal, it became a well known port.  What really made Cangzhou famous was the fact that there was someone that practiced Wushu in every family in Cangzhou.  In the martial arts community, Cangzhou was nicknamed the “Wushu Nest”.  Throughout history, one generation after another, there have been stories about famous martial artists from this area.

Wang, Zi-Ping was born in this town which was composed predominantly of the minority people of the Hui ethnicity.  Most of the Hui people were of the Muslim faith.  It was only logical that many of the Muslim children would go to the mosque for free schooling.  This was especially so for the Muslim families that were unable to send their children to the expensive schools.  As a consequence, many of the children were also well versed in Arabic!  Wang, Zi-Ping grew up in a strict Muslim home and strict martial environment.  There he became an exceptional scholar and martial artist.

Both Wang, Zi-Ping’s grandfather and his father were well known martial arts experts.  It is ironic that Wang, Zi-Ping’s father initially did not want him to practice Wushu.  His reasons were that he believed his son was not physically developed enough for his age and that studying books and business skills were viewed as being more important and suitable for him.  Wang, Zi-Ping’s father felt that his family had always practiced Wushu from generation to generation and they had always just gotten by.  He wanted his son to be able to focus on another trade to become prosperous.

The incredible skills Wang, Zi-Ping observed from his father and grandfather, demonstrated time after time, were fascinating to him and became deeply rooted in the young boy’s mind.  He wanted to be just like them!  Even though his father resisted teaching him, he was not discouraged.  With the support of his loving mother, he defied his father’s wishes and trained secretly.  It was his strong will and tenacity that drove him to become an incredible artist.

At age six, when his father initially refused to teach him Wushu, young Wang, Zi-Ping went to the outskirts of the village without anyone knowing.  He dug a hole in the ground and began imitating the jumping training he observed his father and his father’s students do.  He jumped over the hole, then in and out of the hole.  He was determined to be a great martial artist.

It took his worried mother several hours before locating him.  With tears in her eyes, she held the young Zi-Ping in her arms and with a loving and encouraging voice, she said to him, “Good boy.  If you want to train, you just go ahead and train.  I will keep some food for you.  But, you must have perseverance and not ‘have the head of the tiger and the tail of the snake’.  I believe you will become a great martial artist.”  With the support of his mother, Wang, Zi-Ping trained day and night.  As he grew, he dug the hole deeper and wider.  Within a few years, he was able to jump over ten feet forward and eight feet back from a standing position and he could easily jump over high fences.

As Wang, Zi-Ping grew older, he took what he had learned and understood to heart.  He realized that the masters of the older generation were successful because they included the training of Beidougong and Luishuigong.  Beidougong and Lushuigong were not specific training methods.  Rather, they implied training times.  Beidou, literally means the Big Dipper, implying the night time when the stars come out, a time to train your Wushu.  Lushi, literally means the morning dew, implying the dawn, which is also time to train your Wushu. In addition to personal instruction from his father, Wang, Zi-Ping trained everyday by himself during the early evening and dawn, with only the stars and the dew as his companions.

As Wang, Zi-Ping grew, his determination to reach the peak of Wushu continued to grow as well.  He set a very demanding training regimen for himself.  He would get down on his hands in a push-up position, half crawling and half hopping, on his hands and feet for nearly 3 kilometers to a quiet place to train.  The quiet place was the woods next to the neighboring Ma villagers’ graveyard!

Wang, Z-Ping knew that the training of martial arts included, bravery, strength, attainment, then technique.  The graveyard provided the perfect place to train.  There was hardly anyone there during the day, not to mention at night.  The woods and the graveyard were his perfect training room, complete with all natural training equipment. 

On the way to the graveyard, there was a river.  He would swim with weights to develop his endurance and strength, as well as , move huge boulders around in the water to develop his rooting.  When he arrived at the graveyard, he would greet to the stars.  When night noises attempted to interrupt his training, he would welcome the visiting spirits as his training companions.  To go back home, he would again get in the push-up position and half crawling and half hopping on his hands and feet go all the way back home.

Earlier in his training, when he arrived back home, his father would have locked the entrance to the courtyard, indicating his disapproval of his disobedience to his wishes.  Wang, Zi-Ping would have to climb over the high fence to get back into the house.  Over time, he was able to jump right over the high fence with ease.  When he got inside the fence, he would glide smoothly in the dark to the special hiding place where his mother had placed a few pieces of food for him.  Then he would slip into his room and lie on the beams above his bed.  He would sleep on the beam to develop his balance sensitivity while sleeping.  A few hours later, it would be dawn, he would get up and start his training routine all over again.

By the time he was sixteen, Wang, Zi-Ping was already known for the incredible strength he had developed from his training.  Later on, he would be nicknamed the King of Thousand Pounds with Spiritual Strength  Through his hard work he developed an amazing strength that he was able to use at will.  He could be hard or soft in his applications:  he could jump high and far;  and he  utilized ti, da, shuai, and na at will.  One of the most authoritative Chinese Wushu historians, the late Tang Haowrote in the Grand View of Chinese Matial Arts, “Wang, Zi-Ping is an outstanding person from Cangzhou.  He inherited his skills from his family.  He is an expert in Baji, Pigau, Xingyi, Taii, Chaquan, Huaquan, Hongquan, and Paoquan… He can lift over one thousand pounds of weights and therefore was better known as a Thousand Pound strong man, more than an expert in Wushu.  In the 8th year of the republic (1918), he defeated a foreign strong man who claimed to be the world’s strongest… I had the chance to exchange techniques with him during  our duty as judges in national competitions.  Just saying Wang, Zi-Ping is a strong man is an understatement…..”   

Wang, Z-Ping was born in the later part of the decaying Qing Dynasty.  He survived two Chinese civil wars and World War II.  He lived during a time when many nations were exploiting China.  He stood out in those turbulent times not just as a strong man, not just as a martial arts expert, but he was also a well-known patriot.  Time after time, he defeated foreign challengers in many official and unofficial challenges.

Wang, Zi-Ping’s patriotism and Wushu ability quickly spread all over China.  In 1928, when the Central Guoshu Institute was formed, Wang, Zi-Ping was invited to become the head of the Shaolin Division.

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Metaphysics and Human Possibility

by admin, posted in Energy, EMF's, HEF's, Qudra-Reiki, Tai Chi-Qi Gong

“If an electron can be at two places at one time, why can’t we?” This is an exciting proposition, and it reminds me of a story my Pakcik told me about his experience in his younger days.

It happened when he was in Mecca for the Muslim pilgrimage, over three decades ago. He was there with his late father, but had left his wife and children back home in Kuala Lumpur.

 

One day he met an elderly Spiritual Teacher, who invited him home and gave him daily lessons on religion, and on healing. When he met the Teacher, he was alone, and was always the only one with the Teacher at the latter’s home during the lessons. So, one day, he decided to bring his father.

 

To his amazement, he could not even find the house that he had been going to every day. The house had actually disappeared! On the next day, he had no difficulty at all finding the house when he went alone for his lessons.

 

On one occasion, when he was missing his wife so much, the Teacher asked him whether he would like to be home with them for a while. He jumped at the offer. He was asked to close his eyes and hold the Teacher’s hands while the latter recited certain verses in supplication. Then when he was asked to open his eyes, he found himself standing in the middle of the main hall of his house in Taman Ibu Kota, a suburb of Kuala Lumpur!

 

His wife was busy making cookies and their young children were playing around her. But he could not speak to them, and they could not see him or sense his presence. He was allowed to stay for as long as he desired, and when he was satisfied, he found himself in front of the Teacher again.

 

Many years later, back in Malaysia, he came across a book about Malay Muslim Teachers and discovered from the descriptions and drawings that his teacher was Shaykh Daud al-Fatani (from Pattani, which is now a province in Thailand), who had died over 100 years ago.

 

My Teacher also told me a similar story, except that this time he was physically transposed and everyone could see him. This happened over two decades ago when his own Teacher was alive and they were in a city in Pakistan.

 

One day he asked the elder Teacher whether it was possible to travel to another place in an instant, as he had heard and read so much about it. The elder Teacher replied in the affirmative, and asked him if he would like to experience it. He of course accepted the offer. He was asked to walk straight through the wall of the room they were in. When he tried, he hurt his face when he banged it against the wall.

 

Next, the elder Teacher held his hand and asked him to close his eyes and they smoothly walked through the wall together. When he opened his eyes, he was doing the tawaf (circumbulating) around the Kaabah in Mecca. He was physically there, jostling among the thousands of people doing the tawaf. Several weeks later, back in Pakistan, a neighbour who said that he was behind my Teacher during the tawaf, returned his (my Teacher’s) pen which he had dropped but could not retrieve while doing the ritual circumbulation. Not only was my Teacher physically transposed to Mecca, there was proof because the neighbour brought back his pen via the usual physical way.

 

What is Metaphysics?

By Dr. Amir Farid Isahak

Metaphysics is the science and philosophy relating to the transcendent, or reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses. It investigates and tries to explain the supernatural and the abstract, just as conventional science (and physics is one branch of it) investigates and tries to explain nature and natural phenomena. However, metaphysics is more spiritual and philosophical than scientific.

Quantum physicists (scientists who study the nature and behaviour of atoms and their components, and the forces that govern them) have long known that certain fundamental particles (the smallest components of all physical matter) actually have a dual existence. They can exist either as energy waves, or as particulate matter, and that the expectation (mind) of the observer influences the behaviour of these energy/particle entities.

For the people described above to be transposed, there must have been some change in the energy/matter behaviour of their physical bodies. Depending on the energy form that the transposition involves, the transposed form may or may not be in the form that is detectable by our physical senses (or even scientific instruments). The realm of spirits, energy, and transposition of matter are exciting subjects that can only be fathomed if we accept that there is existence beyond what science knows.

In other words, where physics ends, metaphysics begins.

Electrons and healing

Electrons are the fundamental particles which surround the nucleus of an atom. They travel so fast that their position at any one time cannot be determined. The paths they traverse are described as electron clouds, and the electron particles themselves seem to be at many places at one time. The energy of the atom determines the level or distance that the electrons orbit from the central nucleus. But unlike the orbits of moons and planets, their orbital planes always change, and it is easier to visualise their orbital shells rather than orbital planes.

Energy and electrons basically determine the behaviour of atoms, and are involved intimately in how our cells survive and function. Health and disease ultimately can be traced to the cellular and biochemical levels, and a good understanding of these levels will help us tremendously in our quest to resist and recover from diseases.

We now know that electrons play very important roles in the workings of free radicals and antioxidants, both of which are crucial in our understanding of health, ageing, chronic diseases and cancers. Electron flow is essential in the production of electricity, and in all things electronic. Low-current electricity is the basis for many healing gadgets, some of which I have discussed in previous articles. Electronic medicine is an area that is fast gaining popularity.

Qi = quantum energy

In trying to understand qi and its healing effects, scientific tests have been carried out. But the complete understanding of qi has been elusive, because qi appears to be scientific as well as unscientific. It behaves like some of the electromagnetic energy forms (for example, infrared and infrasound); it behaves like the forces that hold sub-nuclear fundamental particles together (for example, gluon); defies physical laws (by being intelligent); and seems to have memory and emotions. Trying to understand qi requires a quantum leap from conventional science.

Qi is not only energy, but a lot more. Just like the saying about Tao: if you know it, it is not Tao. So it is at the moment with qi. If you can fully describe it, it is not qi!

And just as physicists discovered that the energy/particle nature of the smallest units of matter is determined by the observer, the nature of qi is also determined by the master. The Qigong master who understands most the variabilities and capabilities of qi will most likely be able to utilise more of the potential of qi in healing, and in many other areas.

Likewise, practitioners of other healing arts which involve energy or esoteric elements would be more effective if they understand metaphysics. Aromatherapy, aura healing, crystal healing, flower remedies, homoeopathy, phytobiophysics, vibrational therapy, and the whole gamut of complementary therapies can all benefit from a better understanding of metaphysics.

Automatic qigong

When automatic qigong is demonstrated, my students often asked if I had summoned spirits to do the movements that ensue. To the uninitiated, it could easily seem so, for when qi is summoned, it becomes a force of power, bravery, fearlessness and determination. When qi is summoned for healing, it becomes a force of compassion, empathy, gentleness and softness.

It can also be harnessed as a force of peace and wisdom. The Jedi Masters of the Star Wars hexalogy are the best examples of masters who use the Force for self-defence, peace and wisdom. May the Force, Peace and Wisdom be with you, too.

Qigong: Life Force Energy Transfer to Heal

by admin, posted in Tai Chi-Qi Gong
Grand Master Wang Zi Ping (1881-1973)

WHAT IS QIGONG?

DR AMIR FARID ISAHAK
 
Qigong is a special art of mind-body exercise done with mental awareness, relaxation and conscious & co-ordinated breathing. The practice of Qigong increases oxygen utilization, improves blood circulation, and increases the level and flow of Qi ( internal healing life-force or energy, pronounced as “Chi” ). These maintain optimum health and allow healing of diseased cells and organs. Qigong is an amazing energy-producing movement technique that many doctors now recommend for relaxation, reducing stress and even helping the body to heal from diseases. Regular Qigong practice can reduce pain, stress and the effects of sickness from the body. Many Qigong practitioners have been able to recover from severe chronic diseases like hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, sciatica and even from cancers. So it is a valuable part of a healthy lifestyle that should include a nutrient-rich diet, physical exercise, sufficient rest and sleep, detoxification, stress management, and clean living.
 
Although Qigong requires focused concentration with movements, and conscious breathing in a controlled way, its simplicity makes it easy to learn and easy to do for most people.
 
Qigong works on the body’s life-force energy or “Qi” (pronounced as “Chi”). It is the energy responsible for life, propagation ( sexual energy ) and healing.
 
How does Qigong help one feel better?
 
In Chinese Medicine, illness is related to energy congestion. Any practice or method which increases the flow of the life-force energy also helps relieve congestion and therefore, is beneficial to health. When Qi, or life-force energy is blocked within the body system, according to the Chinese model, then the body eventually manifests some physical imbalance or sickness. This is because congestion of Qi results in a build up of Qi where it may not be needed or wanted, much like water will dam up a river and flood over into surrounding areas. On the other side of the energy imbalance scenario, certain parts of the body do not receive sufficient Qi. There is an imbalance of energy flow and it effects the entire system eventually, usually resulting first in fatigue or general tiredness and then ultimately, in illness.
 
One great value of Qigong is that it helps the body remove blocks and increase the flow of energy throughout the system. When it flows freely and evenly, Qi energy helps the body heal and restore itself naturally, efficiently, and consistently. If you speak with those who practise Qigong on a regular basis, some of their personal stories may seem to border on miraculous but it’s simply the nature and natural function of the human body to regain health and vitality, if it is given the tools to do so and Qigong gives the body, mind and Spirit the energetic support that is needed to realign with health in a natural way.
 
The scientific evidence
 
Much research has been done on the healing effects of Qigong, but most are in the Chinese language, and have not reached the western scientists yet. Fortunately, now that westerners themselves have embraced the art, more research is being done and reported in the west.
 
Furthermore, studies relating to a practical art are difficult to perform in the same model of studies done on drugs. However, the proof of having hundreds of patients with advanced/terminal cancer recovering after practising Qigong cannot be denied (as documented in China). Even here in Malaysia, we already have dozens of terminal cancer cases who recovered.
 
The healing effects of Qigong are not restricted to cancer only, but can be beneficial to all diseases. For some it may be the only effective therapy, for others it may complement other treatments. If it can even reverse advanced cancer, then it has the potential to reverse any disease.
 
If practising Qigong can reverse many diseases, it surely means that those who are already healthy will maintain their good health and will not develop any of these diseases. Indeed, it should be practised as a preventive measure rather than wait till there is sickness and suffering. Prevention is better than cure!
 
How do you learn Qigong?
 
There are many styles of Qigong, each with their own set of exercises and special discipline. All are beneficial. Some exercises have been found to be especially effective in preventing or reversing certain diseases. For example, Guolin Qigong exercises have been proven to be very effective in overcoming cancers and many doctors now recommend it to their cancer patients. It is recommended by several universities in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and is the official exercise of the Cancer Recovery Clubs throughout China.
 
You should not wait until you are sick before starting to learn and practise Qigong. Prevention is always better than cure, especially when finding the cure is not always easy, nor successful.
 
It is best to learn from a teacher or Master, and not just from books. It is a practical art that is difficult to accurately practise from written words or drawings. As with any skill, working with a recognized Master of that skill increases effectiveness in utilization of the skill. Working with a Qigong Master can assist you in learning simplified exercises to improve your health and well-being, in the shortest amount of time and with the highest rate of success. It is helpful to see a demonstration of the exercises on videotape or VCD only if you cannot learn first hand from a teacher.
 
Let the wisdom of the ancients bring healing and balance into your modern world through the ageless and magical practice of Qigong. 
 

 

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