TFFOO

Legends and Heroes of the past

2011-07-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

Legends and Heroes of the past

What is a hero? What is a legend? It is all someone's perception of a certain individual who stand out above the ordinary. They must have done something great to merit being called a hero or legend. He/she does not always have to be the best fighter. Obviously they are many masters who does not fight for their personal glory and are seldom in the limelight. These masters lived a hermit live in the jungle or mountain such as Wudang Shan, Soong Shan, Wah Shan, Kunlun Shan, Ermei Shan and etc. Founding Legendary Master Chang San Feng of Wudang seldom venture out of Wudang. Damo (Boddhidarma) the legendary Indian Buddhist monk that teaches the Shaolin martial arts also seldom fight. Then there are others who will try every mean to challenge the established masters to become famous. Fong Sai Yuk was known for "his bronze skin iron bones" (invincible). When he was small, his mother Miu Chui Fa (daughter of Miu Hin one of the 5 masters who escaped the burning of the Southern Shaolin Temple) used to beat him up daily and soak him in a barrel fill with medicinal herbs purportedly to make him impregnable. Most part of his body was like steel. He was a mischievous person who love to fight and get himself into all sort of troubles. Kind of remind us of Bruce Lee when he was young. In those days they like to have fight to death/submission "luitoi" matches. His victory over Lui Low Fu (one of Canton 10 tigers made him very famous and he became extremely arrogant). He was always looking for a fight. He was accidently killed by Ng Mui See Tai (Wu Mei Ser Tai) in a "luitoi" platform fight. She had no intention of killing Fong Sai Yuk. Ng Mui See Tai was just trying to teach Fong Sai Yuk to be humble and not to be too arrogant (and think too highly of himself as if there was no one who could beat him). Ng Mui See Tai and Fong Sai Yuk's grand father Miu Hin were masters from the southern Shaolin Temple which means she was considered grandmaster to Fong Sai Yuk.

We see movies about Shaolin Temple but most of us are not aware there were two Shaolin temples. The northern Shaolin is on Soong Shan (Mount Soong) while the Southern was in Fukien Province. Most of the stories were exploits from masters from the south such as Hung Hei Kun (Hung Shi Kuan in Mandarin). Wu Chu Chuan (Five Ancestors Fist) are martial arts based on the five masters (Miu Hin, Ng Mui See Tai, Pak Mei Tow Yan (became Taoist and turned traitor), Fung Tow Tak (became Taoist and turned traitor) and Jit Sin Sim See (the Cha'an master that taught Hung Hei Kun the Tiger style) of Southern Shaolin that managed to escaped the burning of their temple by the Manchu Emperor during the eighteen century. The Southern Shaolin were thought to side with the previous Ming dynasty and used to fight against Japanese pirates trying to rob the local people living along the vast coastline.

One of Ng Mui See Tai's disciple was Yim Wing Chun, the lady founder of Wing Chun. A bandit chief wanted to marry Yim Wing Chun by force. They agreed to a duel in which if the bandit chief was to win she would have to marry him. If Yim won, he would have to call her mother. Yim Weng Chun knew she would not be able to match the bandit chief with pure raw power (external martial art). She had to come out with something special that can counter and neutralized his powerful external martial art. Together with the heavy spear he used, there was no way she could absorb and neutralized such powerful strikes. She was on the verge of given up hope and resigned to becoming the bandit's wife when she suddenly remembered some of Ng Mui See Tai's teachings. She thoroughly analysed what her master told her. She came out with Wing Chun techniques to neutralize and overcome him. It is kind of David vs Goliath. Of course there are other famous figure such as Hung Hei Kun, the Southern Shaolin rebel that escaped capture and end up as the founder of Hung Kuen. There are people who attribute Wong Fei Hung's Hung Kuen to Lok Ah Choy a fellow disciple of Hung Hei Kun.

Chinese martial arts is like a religion which entails more than the art of fighting. In the olden days, the masters test your patience and character before accepting the prospective student to be a disciple. If the master choose the wrong disciple, the disciple might be a danger to others. With power comes responsibilities. The master need to choose his disciple carefully. You have to have the right aptitude and attitude to be considered as a potential student. Therefore there were equal emphasis on martial arts and ethics of a master. Through this rigorous trainings of both mind and body it would equip the prospective disciple to be a future master, There is a Chinese saying of "Yat yat wai see chong san wai fu (It ret wei ser chong sern wei fu in Mandarin)". It simply means a master of one day is a father for life. So becoming a disciple is a very serious matter. It is not like the westerner's concept of teacher student relationship where the teacher is paid to teach the student. In many organization such as Wudang or Shaolin, the disciples are given names by their masters (as one would give to one's children). For instance, You Li Tai and You Li Han are all foreigners and disciples of Grandmaster You Xuande, the head of Wudang Pai. You will notice all the students follow the master's surname You and a middle name Li probably to distinguish the generation. Then each disciples are given a special name by the master. This is usually done in a ceremony attended by all the heads of the various Wudang Palaces. It is available in Youtube. Of course due to western influence, many masters now are actually more realistic and following the western teacher student relationship rather than the ancient disciples master relationship. The masters now charged thousands of dollars for a few days qigong classes. Previously the master had to absorb the disciple's food and logging and get nothing in return (treat the disciple like his own child). When the student had reached a certain standard, the disciple can help earn some money by demonstrating his martial arts skills and perform certain escorting tasks on behalf of the master. Some masters teach very little and try to test your patience. In many circumstances you learn practically nothing other than to be a more patient person. You get beaten up for trivial matters, humiliated in front of outsiders, doing temple works and end up learning nothing useful purely because the master think the time is not right for you. I wasted 6-7 years learning how to be more patient. In the end I was not interested in making statues and talismans of Buddha and monks which the master wanted me to do.

Legendary Master Huo Yuan Jia was not allowed to learn martial art as he was frequently ill when he was young. His father was probably afraid it might tarnished their reputation should he lose to some unworthy opponents. He even lost to smaller and younger kids and was therefore deemed as not suitable material as a martial artist. He had to peep behind the bushes to watched his healthy brothers trained. He secretly trained on his own for the next ten years. One day a martial artist who lost to his father Huo En Di during his younger days came to seek revenge. As the father was not in the condition to fight, his sons fought on his behalf and were soundly beaten. The atmosphere in the room was very tense and rather embarrassing as the intruder started to gloat about how pathetic and useless they were. Suddenly the "untrained" Huo Yuan Jia stepped out to the horror of everyone. No one gave him any chance since he was not trained in wushu. Unexpectedly he made the intruder yield in submission. His father was pleasantly surprised and pleased with what he saw. From then on he was permitted to learn wushu like his other brothers.

Master Wong Fei Hung did not have such problems as he was able to learn from his father Grandmaster Wong Kei Ying of Canton 10 Tigers fame and many of his father's friends. He was born in a top martial artist's family and was destined for greatness. He was expected to surpass his father since he was learning from so many other great masters.

It is a matter of opinion who was the best fighter. You have the Ten Tigers of Canton with their disciples who might be good fighters. You also have the Shaolin and Wudang masters and disciples. There were so many martial arts clans and schools in China all fighting for fame and prestige. That might be probably why Master Wong Fei Hung's Po Chi Lam had to close down when he died in 1924. Some of his sons and disciples were killed earlier on. His fourth wife Mok Kwai Lan together with his remaining two sons and disciples left the hostile environment for Hong Kong in 1924. Chin Woo never fought for territorial control had no such problem even after the death of GM Hou Yuan Jia.

Bordhidharma (Damo) and Chang San Feng represent Shaolin and Wudang Pai respectively. Without them, Shaolin and Wudang would not be famous for their martial arts. So their legendary status as founding fathers of the two most famous martial arts styles cannot be questioned. Then there was Grandmaster Wang Chung Yang who was the head of a Taoist sect called Chuan Chern Pai which was the dominant Taoist sect before Great Grandmaster Chang San Feng founded Wudang Pai. After Wang Chung Yang's death, there was no one capable of taking over. Later on they were so impressed with Great Grand master Chang San Feng that they decided to be absorbed into Wudang Pai. Even today you can still see Chung Yang Pai or Chuan Chern Pai within Wudang.

Fong Sai Yuk's reckless and disrespectful attitude should be a lesson for all arrogant peoples. There is a need to be humble knowing that someday somehow someone will be better that you. Nothing last forever. Hung Hei Kun was a famous fighter who fight against all odd to try to get rid of the Ching Dynasty. Though he did not accomplished the mission, his Hung Chuan passed down for future generations deserve mentioned as a folk hero. Pai Mei Tow Yan and Fung Tow Tak both converted to Taoism and turned traitors against the Southern Shaolin and therefore cannot be considered heroes. Then you have the Ten Tigers of Canton who were considered the ten best fighters of Canton.

GM Wong Fei Hung (1847-1924)

Wong Fei Hung was a great master and folk hero probably due to the publicity from many sensationalized movies and prior to that by famous story tellers such as Lee Tai Soh. It was also rumoured that he was a great healer and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He did not collect money from the poor for his services and was a good example of how a hero should be. It was surprising that he and his students were often ambushed by triad and local martial art organizations. China was a lawless society where survival of the fittest was most evident even in Canton. His eldest son Wong Hon Sam and favourite disciple Leong Foon were killed in fights. Master Wong was invited to perform at the opening ceremony of Chin Woo Athletic Association's Guangzhou branch in 1919. While he might not be a Canton 10 Tigers and get ambushed all the time, he was still one of the most well known person in both Canton and China.

Bruce Lee (1940-1973)

Bruce Lee came out as the first man to mainly use legs in a movie The Big Boss. There were very few high kicks in Chinese movies either from karate or wushu. The speed of the kicks and punches of Bruce Lee were exceptionally fast and powerful. There were big demands for such types of movies. Currently most martial artists can kicks high kicks and some even have more exceptional kicks. Bruce's second film Fist of Fury (Ching Woo Men in Chinese) was about Chan Charn (a fictitious disciple of Master Huo Yuan Jia) seeking revenge for Master Huo's death.

Bruce Lee only learn 5 years of Wing Chun from Grandmaster Yip Mun and his disciples. After that he learned other martial arts such as Taekwondo and karate from his friends and associates. He modernized his training methods to be in the best of shape physically. He also look after his nutrition saying that one cannot expect the body to perform if it is fuelled by inferior fuel. He also said that one should take whatever that is good from anywhere and discard those that are useless. He trained harder than everyone else and his doctor said he had the body of an 18 years old (when he was actually 32 years old). Very soon he went into a coma and died. Bruce Lee was a western educated intellectual who trained the way any western educated man would. Somehow modern science is flawed and has not catch up with ancient Chinese science. The pot bellied Wudang founding legendary master Chang San Feng lived well past a century and founded Tai Chi Chuan in his golden years. Somehow the balance of Yin and Yang is more important than a perfect body like Bruce. No doubt he remind me of Fong Sai Yuk's arrogance. Before he left for America, Bruce was always involved in gang fighting around his school. The police informed his father that should Bruce be involved in one more fight they will have no choice but to put him behind bars. So he was a street wise person. Bruce Lee trained harder than everyone else but his martial art hardly qualified as wushu. His students were Karate Champions and has nothing to do with wushu. However for his part in promoting martial arts in movies, he deserve to be in the hero status. He did bring back much pride and respect for the Chinese (and Asian) and smaller size people all over the world. Whether he meant to do it or not, he had done for the Asian more than anyone else and deserve to be respected and admired. His master Yip Mun also became very famous after it was revealed that Bruce lee had learned Wing Chun from him. There were 2 movies starring Donnie Yan Chi Tan which sensationalised Yip Mun as if he was a real legend.

Other notable names not mentioned so far are General Choi of North Korea who was credited as the founder of Tae kwon do after the second world war. He compiled the moves and patterns with more emphasis on legs. The Chinese has a saying "Nan Chien Pei Tui" (or Nam Kuen Pak Tui in Cantonese) meaning Southern Fist, Northern Leg. So it is not surprising the Korean were good at legs as they were greatly influenced by their Chinese neighbor who were once the most advanced country in the world. The South Korean formed their own Taekwondo organisation calling it World Taekwondo Federation with its head office in Seoul, South Korea. Fearing being persecuted by.the South Korean, General Choi moved to Canada and open his International Taekwondo Federation. It is said that the WTF (South Korean) wanted TaeKwondo to be a sport while ITF (General Choi) wanted Taekwondo to be a martial art meant for real combat. This probably why you see some Taekwondo classes with injuries and bloodied nose/mouth while the other look very tame. Jhoon Goo Rhee or Jhoon Rhee is a 10 dan black belt with ITF now residing in the US credited with opening of several Taekwondo organisation especially in the US. He was also credited to have taught Bruce Lee the side kick which became famous in his movies. Jhoon Rhee also acted in several Golden Harvest movies. He could lift an adult with his leg.

There are lots of other masters, some even more powerful which might escape being mention here. I am aware of the Tai Chi Chuan masters like Chen Fa Ke, Huang Shin Shyan and others. As there is no way we can compare any living person with people in the past, I have chosen not to mention any living person here.

GM Huo Yuan Jia (1867-1910)

Master Huo Yuan Jia was assisting his father to provide security for caravans around northern China when he defeated a bandit chief. Later on as a porter he was able to save his employer Nong Jin Sun's pharmaceutical company from paying ransoms to a large group of bandits by defeating the bandit chief and forcing them to disband. Nong Jin Sun saw his exceptional martial arts abilities and pointed out to Huo Yuan Jia that the Chinese were helpless and oppressed by foreigners even in their own country. There was a need for someone to come out and help the Chinese people. After Huo Yuan Jia had managed to defeat/scare away more foreigners and bandits, Nong Jin Sun requested Master Huo Yuan Jia to set up a martial art school (Chin Woo Men) in Shanghai with the noble aim of providing training for all Chinese youth to enable them to learn the essences of Chinese Martial Arts to strengthen both their body and mind to fight/protect themselves and their country against foreign oppression/occupation. There were millions of martial artists in China but only Huo Yuan Jia came out to fight against the foreigners. He invited the other martial artists/organizations to join him and help their country. The others including Wong Fei Hung, masters from Shaolin and Wudang were only active against local Chinese triad and martial arts schools. Huo Yuan Jia never fight against local triad or other schools since very few Chinese would want to look unpatriotic. He was never fighting for control of any area/territory. All he wanted was to help the Chinese people get back their self respect and pride. If only he had lived longer, I am sure Chin Woo would have been a more powerful organization. None of his students had his abilities and his mizhong chuan is now things of the past.

Chin Woo Men became the first registered Wushu institution in both Shanghai (where most foreigners were active) and China. It took real heroic courage to open shop in the "tiger den" where the real lawlessness and free for all was most evident. Shanghai was in the control of foreigners such as Japanese, British, US, Russian, Portugal, Spain and French. Wong Fei Hung had a torrid time fending off other local martial art schools and triad members in Canton. He even lost his eldest son Wong Hon Sam and favourite disciple Leong Foon. Wong Fei Hung himself was injured many times in ambushes by his enemies. So you can imagine how much more difficult it was in Shanghai where guns were frequently used to settle disputes. They even had signs such as "Chinese and Dogs not allowed" in many areas. Everyone were fighting for territories with protection from triad and foreign countries. It was survival of the fittest in a "dog eat dog world". With that kind of gut and no apparent fear of his own personal safety, Master Huo was the real Chinese hero.

With many foreigners defeated or chickened out against Master Huo, he became a national hero of China. Unfortunately it would be only a matter of time for the foreigners to seek revenge. He was poisoned by a Japanese doctor who happen to be a martial artist who had lost to Master Huo's students. When the 10 Japanese experts tried to ambushed Master Huo simultaneously, Master Huo quickly floored them and in the process injured the Chief instructor and some others. Since Dr. Sun Yat Sen was hiding in exile in Japan, Nong Jin Sun (a Dr Sun's man and financier backer of Chin Woo) must had encouraged Master Huo to see the Japanese doctor for his illness. I personally think Master Huo was naive to think the Japanese would still help him after he injured their Chief instructor. Japan was a powerful nation and such a loss of face would normally get them to commit suicide by slashing their own belly and a friend on hand to chopped off the head to ensure the man was dead to atoned for such humiliation to their race and country. To complicate matters, the Japanese were pretending to help their fellow Asian such as China. They were really trying to get rid of their other competitors such as US, Britain, France, Russia, Portugal and Spain. Then they want to take over China and Asia. Next they were after the whole world. They were really motivated and highly ambitious. Their first step was trying to get rid of anything that can bind the Chinese together. If the Chinese were united, they would not be so easy to manipulate. They cannot allow Huo Yuan Jia to lift up the Chinese spirit and pride. He would have to be eliminated.

Sometimes we let our guard down and paid the price. China was politically unstable and economically weak and often known as the sick man of Asia. There was no way the Chinese government would dare to accuse Japan a super power then of such hideous deeds. Everything was quietly swept under the carpet until many many years later when his body was relocated. There were traces of arsenic poison. If Dr Sun Yat Sen is the father of modern China surely Grandmaster Huo Juan Jia is the father of modern Wushu. He was the one that provide the opportunity for all Chinese to learn Wushu and encourage other martial arts schools to share their skills and knowledge at Chin Woo. No other individual or group has managed to gather so much support for Wushu. Therefore he was truly the legend and hero of the twentieth century without actually seeking to be anything but ordinary. He was a hero and legend forced by circumstances beyond his control. He was a pawn manipulated by politicians. He was often sick yet he had more courage than everyone else to fight against the foreigners and bandits. I am still wondering why the millions of other martial artists (especially those experts from Wudang and Shaolin) did not come out to help. When the big size Westerners make fun of Chinese and calling them sick men of Asia and the Japanese write in their books that Chinese and Koreans were worst than pigs and deserve to die, no one bother to fight back. Chin Woo does not belong to Huo Yuan Jia. He was only the chief instructor for military training and martial arts. The money was from Nong Jin Sun, the first president of Chin Woo Shanghai. After that it was in the hands of his students. So Huo Yuan Jia did not have any reason to risk his life other than being plain heroic fighting for the Chinese people. The only thing he gained at the expense of his life was the recognition from some individuals who are aware of his sacrifices. Bruce Lee was fighting for fame and wealth in his movies. Wong Fei Hung was also after fame and wealth or else he would never be attacked by triad and other martial art organization in Canton. So obviously the true hero and legend should be Master Huo Yuan Jia.

See my articles on Bruce Lee, Wong Fei Hung and Huo Yan Jia for more details.

Bruce Lee - The Almost Perfect Martial Artist

2011-04-15T23:44:00.000-07:00

Bruce Lee -The Almost Perfect Martial Artist
(in my opinion)

Early Life

Bruce Lee Jun Fan was born on 27 November 1940 at San Francisco, United States Of America. A nurse gave him the name Bruce. His father was Lee Hoi Chuen a well known Cantonese actor in the Cantonese opera and movies in the sixties. His mother was Grace Ho of mixed Chinese German parentage. Bruce was able to have some small roles in Cantonese movies when he was young.

He was not a very healthy child and was occasionally bullied. It was then that he decided to take up Wing Chun at the age of thirteen. He learned Wing Chun from the age of 13 to 18 from Grandmaster Yip Mun and other Wing Chun instructors. From then on, he really loved fighting. Initially, he used Wing Chun in his fights. He was said to have beaten British champion boxer Gary Elms (when he was a teenager) by way of knockout in the third round of the 1958 Hong Kong Inter-School amateur Boxing Championships (by using Wing Chun traps and high/low-level straight punches) . He was also involved in illegal gang fights around his school. One day the police warned his father that if Bruce Lee was to be involved in another illegal fight, they would have no choice but to put him behind bars. His father had no alternative but to put him on an ocean liner to San Francisco USA when he was only eighteen years old (to get him out of trouble and for his own good).

He was also good at dancing and had won some dancing competitions. When he was aboard the ocean liner heading for America, he used his dancing abilities to earn some money. At first he was in the lowest class as he had only $100 in his pocket. Very soon he was able to live among the best (due to his dancing abilities). His life after he landed in America was somehow similar. This time it was due to his martial arts abilities.

Nutrition

According to Linda Lee (his wife), as soon as Bruce moved to the United States, he started to take nutrition seriously and developed an interest in health foods, high-protein drinks, vitamins and mineral supplements. He later concluded that in order to achieve a high-performance body, one could not fuel it with a diet of junk food. If we use "the wrong fuel" for our body, it would not perform properly. Lee also avoided baked foods and refined flour, describing them as providing calories which did nothing for his body. Lee consumed green vegetables and fruits every day. He always preferred to eat Chinese or Asian food due the varieties. He also became a heavy advocate of dietary supplements, including Vitamin C, Lecithin granules, bee pollen, Vitamin E, rose hips (liquid form), wheat germ oil, Acerola — C and B-Folia and etc.

Training Methods

In United States he befriended lots of martial artists from diverse backgrounds such as Japanese, Chinese and Koreans. They mutually benefited from their relationships such as learning from each other and get associated. In 1964 Long Beach Karate Championship he met Jhoon Goo Rhee (also known as Jhoon Rhee), a Korean living in America. Jhoon Goo Rhee taught him some Taekwondo kicks. Jhoon Goo Rhee is credited as the founder of several Taekwondo associations under ITF (International Taekwondo Federation founded by General Choi) and is a 10 dan black belt. Bruce Lee also learned other martial arts. He had many such mutually benefiting relationships with other martial artists. He set up his first Jun Fan Gung Fu school in 1964. His certified instructors included Tacky Kimura, Dan Insanto and James Yimm Lee (who were also his associates and friends sharing his enthusiasm in martial arts). From then on his fighting style had evolved as his perception of martial arts changes. He uses his legs more often. He trained harder than everyone else and became extremely fast and agile. He used the latest methods of training such as making use of gymnasium equipment to build his muscles. His kicks and punches were extremely fast and powerful (enough to send his co stars and stunt mans flying) and injured. Prior to him, the Chinese movies displayed martial arts moves at a very much slower pace and were less realistic. Previously the stunt-men and stars seldom get injured. Later Jacky Chan brought the injuries list a notch higher with dangerous stunts which almost killed himself (Jacky) on several occasions.

Bruce was a pragmatic, street wise, western educated intellectual who devised him own training methods targeting to develop certain muscles, strength, speed and agility of his body to help him perform beyond the normal. He trained harder than most people and rightfully reap the fruits of his trainings. He had a very impressive v shaped body and the agility of an eighteen years old (at 32 years old according to his doctor).

The weight training program placed heavy emphasis on his arms. He could perform single bicep curl at a weight of 70 to 80 lb (about 32 to 36 kg) for three sets of eight repetitions, along with other forms of exercises, such as squats, push-ups,reverse curls, concentration curls, French presses, and both wrist curls and reverse wrist curls. The repetitions he performed were 6 to 12 times. While this method of training targeted his fast and slow twitch muscles. Lee was documented as having well over 2,500 books in his personal library. Bruce would love to experiment with his training routines to maximized his physical capabilities, and pushing the human body to its limits, beyond human endurance. He employed many different routines and exercises including skipping rope for bodybuilding purposes.

Lee believed that abdominal muscles were one of the most important muscle groups for a martial artist. Virtually every movement requires some degree of abdominal work. Bruce always felt that if the stomach was not developed, you had no business doing any hard sparring. According to Linda Lee, Bruce would frequently perform sit ups throughout the day even while watching the television. Bruce was a fanatic about abdominal training. He was always doing sit-ups,chair movements, leg raises and V-ups.

Lee's training include stomach, flexibility, and running from 7 am to 9 am. From 11am to 12pm, he would do weight training and cycling. A typical exercise for Lee would be to run a distance of two to six miles in 15 to 45 minutes, in which he would vary the speed in 3–5 minute intervals. Lee would ride the equivalent of 10 miles (about 16 kilometers) in 45 minutes on a stationary bike. Lee would sometimes exercise with the jump rope and put in 800 jumps after cycling. Lee would also do exercises to toughen the skin on his fists, including thrusting his hands into buckets of harsh rocks and gravel. He would do over 500 repetitions of this on a given day. Then there were also claims of him doing 800 side kicks per leg. No wonder he was so fit and agile. When a doctor warned him not to train excessively, Bruce said that the human brain can overcome anything, even real pain.

He was however unable to withstand the pain of strenuous training and frequently took pain killing drugs to bring the pain under control. There was one incident when he lifted a hundred over pound barbell without any warm-up and suffered almost fatal consequences. He was hospitalized. The doctor asked him to take a rest and stay in bed. He was also asked to give up martial arts forever. For several months he followed the doctor's advice. He had problem to even stand up and walk properly. He later decided to take matter into his own hands and made himself well again. He did eventually regain his mobility, martial arts skill and speed. But somehow he would never be the same again.

His life in United states

After he landed in America in 1959, he worked as a waiter in a restaurant owned by Ruby Chow, a family friend. He also attended high school and graduated in 1960.
In March 1961, Lee enrolled at the University of Washington, majoring in drama according to the university's alumni association information. The other subjects Lee studied included philosophy and psychology. It was at the University of Washington that he met his future wife Linda Emery, a fellow student studying to become a teacher. They got married in August 1964. They had one son Brandon Lee and a daughter Shannon Lee.
He opened his first Jun Fan Gungfu School in 1964 after his marriage with Linda.

In 1964 Oakland, California Chinatown, Lee had a controversial private fight with Wong Jack Man, a disciple of Ma Kin Fung known for his mastery of Xingyiquan, Northern Shaolin, and Tai Chi Chuan. According to Lee, the Chinese community issued an ultimatum to him to stop teaching non-Chinese, martial arts. Bruce refused to comply and was challenged to a combat match with Wong. If Lee were to lose, he would have to shut down his school. If he won then Lee would be free to teach anyone.

Wong had a different version of the incident, stating he was only responding to a challenge issued by Bruce Lee during one of Lee's martial arts demonstrations at a Chinatown theatre. Wong himself did not discriminate against any non-Chinese so why would he tried to stop anyone from teaching non Chinese?

Bruce Lee said the paper had all the names of the masters from Chinatown, but they didn't scare him.

If the other masters were against him teaching non Chinese, they would all be around. The fact that most of them couldn't be bothered about the match means it was only a private match as pointed by Wong Jack Man. It was probably Bruce Lee's way of drawing attention to himself. Everything was in Chinese, so Bruce Lee probably made use of the occasion to make himself famous. It was their words against his. His mother was half German and his wife was a white American so naturally they would want to side with him. Actually he was more American than Chinese at that moment of time.

Individuals known to have witnessed the fight included Linda Lee, James Lee (Bruce Lee's instructor and associate) and William Chen, a teacher of Tai Chi Chuan. According to Linda Lee the fight was a no holds barred fight which took only three minutes. Bruce got the man down to the ground and the man gave up. It was a decisive victory for Bruce.

Wong Jack Man later published his own version of the fight in the Chinese Pacific Weekly, a Chinese-language newspaper in San Francisco. Wong and witness William Chen stated that the fight lasted around 20–25 minutes. Wong requested for a public rematch. Bruce did not respond to Wong's article nor were there any further public announcements by either party. Bruce had continued to teach non Chinese without any harassment from anyone. Bruce Lee could have ignored the first challenge as well if he had wanted to. Everything was probably sensationalized as a ploy to get more students. Master Wong Jack Man and other masters were teaching non Chinese (long before Bruce started his school) so what was the big deal? For instance how did Karate and some Japanese martial arts came into existence? Some Japanese learned from some Chinese and the rest is history. Till this day the Japanese are still using some Chinese words together with Japanese words in their written language.

You must remember that Bruce had just got married and open his first martial art school. They were also expecting their first child (Brandon Lee February 1965) due in several months. He needed money to live. Therefore he needed more students and publicity. Once that was achieved, there was no need for any fight. If it had been an easy fight, Bruce would had gleefully agreed as he really love to fight.

As his circle of acquaintance grew, he was able to meet people in the film industry. He was given a part in a Television series Green Hornet after the director saw his martial art abilities. In the movie, his role was Kato a Japanese who follow the order of his master. There were lots of discriminations against Asians actors. They did not dare to take the risk on him and offered many movies meant for him to others like David Carradine. Not satisfied with the discrimination against Asian actors, he move back to Hong Kong. He managed to land a contract for two movies from Golden Harvest Production, a newly established studio owned by Raymond Chow (who was a key personnel for Shaw Brothers the largest Asian Movie Producer). Bruce used the Chinese screen name Lee Xiao Loong (meaning little dragon). His English name remained as Bruce Lee (but Xiao Loong instead of Jun Fan). His first movie "The Big Boss" was a huge success becoming the first Hong Kong / Chinese movie to gross over HK$3 millions in Hong Kong in 1971. At that time there was very few usage of legs in karate or Chinese Kungfu. His 3 flying kicks (the Taekwondo/ Karate type as the Chinese normally use both legs) was credited for the HK$3 million grossing. His next movie was Fist of Fury an even bigger hit of HK$4.5 millions. The story was about Chin Woo Athletic Association after Grandmaster Huo Yuan Jia was poisoned. Bruce Lee played the student Chan Charn (a fictitious disciple). This movie should had some influence on his perception of martial arts. Legendary Master Huo's Mizhong Chuan talk about formless martial art as opposed to set moves of traditional wushu. All his other movies were very successful catching the interest of even Hollywood. His next movies were "The Ways of the Dragon", Enter the Dragon" and "Game of Death" which he was unable to complete. He never went back to his root which was Wing Chun or see his master Yip Mun according to some Chinese newspapers which criticized him at that time. However Grandmaster Yip Mun did become famous when it became known that Bruce Lee learned Wing Chun from him. To date, Donnie Yan Chi Tan has starred as Yip Mun in 2 movies which were well received by fans making Yip Mun almost legendary. There were lots of demands for Wing Chun classes after Bruce's death especially from Grandmaster Yip Mun's lineage.

His Philosophies

Let us examine some of the popular sayings that came from his mouth. Be formless, shapeless, like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You pour water into a bottle; it becomes the bottle. You put water into a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow, or creep or drip or crash! Be water, my friend. In the ancient days, wushu follow set patterns/moves and this notion about being formless and shapeless probably came after he acted in the "Fist of Fury" or "Chin Woo Mun" (Chin Woo Association} where he played the fictitious Chan Charn a student of Legendary Master Huo Yuan Jia and get to know Mizhong Chuan (mysterious fist). If he was really following what he uttered, I honestly believe that he might be still alive today. The Taoist and Tai Chi Chuan are asking people to be like water or cloud. Their movements are like the clouds, slow and graceful. You need to be really "soong" or loosened /relaxed to be able to do this. This in opposition to the powerful kicks and punches of Bruce Lee. To be like water means one must be able to react and adapt to situations. Water may be soft but it is able to break through rocks which happen to be in its way. To be like water is hence the target of Taoist (as shown in the Tao Te Ching by Master Lao Tze). Water does not instantaneously break down all rocks but together with momentum slowly eroded the rock until it is able to eventually break through.

Bruce also said that we must use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it. This is evident in his learning of other martial arts from his friends and associates such as Karate, Taekwondo and etc. He have over 2500 books in his library about martial arts. His training methods was no longer like those when he learn Wing Chun from Grandmaster Yip Mun. He modernized his training methods to get the most out of his body.

He also said that, All types of knowledge, ultimately leads to self knowledge. You need to do meditation and seek within yourself to know yourself. If he did have self knowledge, he would have limited his training to what his body and mind could accept. His inability to adapt to the pain of overtraining ultimately lead to his over reliance on pain killing drugs. He tried to have the perfect body, limbs and the speed and physical power to make himself an extraordinary human fighting machine. Ultimately, it is self survival that is most important. No matter how good you are, it would be pointless if we don't survive. Machine can be repaired but human cannot. Human beings can die. Learning martial art without learning to cultivate the mind leaves much to be desired. He should realize that all man will grow old and die. No one can reverse the aging process. Bruce's doctor said that he had an eighteen years old body just before he died. But this is modern science. It tells you how to get the perfect shape, muscles and the required nutrition (and what to avoid) to make you almost perfect physically. Suddenly he was dead. It does not make sense. It does not understand the mental aspects of a human. Eastern health science developed several thousands of years earlier are much clearer in such matters.

His Death

His love for fighting and his fame always get him in trouble. Frequently he would be stopped by someone either a martial artist or someone trying to be famous and get into a fight. When someone taunted him, he would accept a challenge from that person. Most master would like to avoid fighting if possible. He really did enjoyed fighting. While he was mostly victorious in his fights, he would definitely got hit sometimes. This coupled with his tight filming schedules and stringent training methods would stretched his mind and body beyond human endurance. Injuries was common for a martial artist. His tight filming schedules left him with little time to rest and get rejuvenated. He was always in pain. His over reliant on painkilling drugs took its toll. His body could not take the pain anymore and he went into a coma. Bruce Lee died in actress Chin Pei's house on 20th July 1973 at the age of 32 years 8 months.
There were lots of speculations on how he died. Even today many people find it difficult to believe that he died from a swelling in his brain caused by consuming too much pain killers (drug). Elvis Presley died of similar circumstances when he consumed drugs to keep his nerves under control due to his wife eloping with his karate instructor, his singing career and other worries. Then there was this Indian marathon runner in his forties who just collapsed and died during one of his routine run. A marathon runner is someone who is very fit and have plenty of endurance. So you see what a western doctor see as healthy might just be a death trap.
There were people who speculated that he was killed by the triad when he refused to cooperate with them by helping them earn some money in the lucrative film industry. There were also people (especially Malay and Indonesian) who actually believe that Bruce was killed by an Indonesian who challenged him to a duel. In the process of the fight, Bruce managed to win but he was hit by an Indonesian version of delayed Dim Mak technique (where the injury only surfaced several days later).
There were also speculation in the Chinese media that he died while making love with sexy actress Ting Pei. It was quite common for people to suddenly die while making love due to stoke(chung fung).
As far as I am concerned, these are all mere speculations and cannot be proven.

With so much attentions on nutrition and exercises, he should be very healthy and in perfect conditions. Theoretically, he would have been very perfect. However our modern health science is sometime paradoxical. Looks can be deceptive. Nature has never intended anything to be perfect. There is so much western science does not understand. For something so perfect, you need to go beyond human endurance. To do this would be fatal when you have not mastered the spiritual side. Using your mind to ignore the pain is foolhardy and so is the continuous consumption of painkilling drugs. I remembered I almost went crazy and had nose bleeding everyday for several years. It was hell. He was my idol and inspired me to train harder than everyone around. I had learned my lesson that there is a limit to human endurance. He found it out too late and paid the price.

Bruce looked awesome and very impressive especially to someone with a western perspective. He had a v shape and agile body. His doctor claimed he had the body of an eighteen years old. So how can such a healthy body according to modern western science be so fragile? It irrefutably prove that there is much that modern western science does not know. Ironically, the internal martial artists from Wu Dang and Tai Chi Chuan with pot bellies and imperfect bodies seems more healthy. Somehow the balance of Yin and Yang is more important than a beautiful body. Too much of anything is bad for us.

If you look at the external martial artist and their hard qigong, many of them have injuries which came out later on. For instance the Muay Thai exponents can break tiles and bricks with their shin as a result of constantly hitting the areas with something hard. The Shaolin monks can break iron rods with their heads. The pain is very real and no amount of Iron Shirt or Iron Head Kung fu can take the pain away (it only get numb after numerous hits). They try to cut off the pain like Bruce did. Eventually these people will have all kind of problems like Mohammad Ali, Bruce Lee and etc. There are people who lost the ability to walk, move and all type of blockages due to previous injuries not properly treated.
Mohammad Ali did not have the hardest punch but his ability to withstand pain was legendary. George Foreman's punch was reported to be able to break the skull of a small cow. Joe Frazier who could go the distance of 15 rounds with Mohammad Ali could only last 2 rounds with Foreman. Mohammad Ali on the other hand was able to withstand the punches thrown at him and defeated George Foreman in 8 rounds at Zaire. Most people would have been killed by just one punch from George Foreman. Now Mohammad Ali have lots of problems arising from his previous fights. The pain is very real.

By now Bruce Lee had managed to get the attention of people all over the world to respect Kung Fu and become a martial art legend. His martial arts would hardly qualify as Chinese Wushu. None of his students ever enter into a Wushu competition. Bruce had instructed several World Karate Champions including Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, and Mike Stone. Between the three of them, during their training with Bruce, they won every Karate Championship in the United States. Many celebrities were his students. He charged USD275 per hour and was one of the most expensive martial arts instructor. His ideas of martial arts was westernized and modernized. He came out with his own version of martial art calling it Jeet Kune Do, the way of the intercepting fist. The idea here is to anticipate and intercept your opponent's moves and counter attack. For instance you see your opponent is about to kick you with a side kick, you just jam his leg with your leg (place your feet just on top of his shin and he cannot kick out with that leg) and counter attack with a punch to his face/throat/vital parts etc. It is kind of like Muay Thai kicking your opponent's legs to make him less mobile (by injuring the legs). Here you prevent your opponent from attacking you with blocks and quick counter attacks.
Nowadays, everyone uses legs whether in Taekwondo, Karate, Muay Thai, Shaolin, Wudang and etc. So it is no longer so fearsome or special as before. About 30 years ago, most martial arts were afraid of legs as hand to hand combats were more common.

Linda returned with Bruce's body to her hometown in Seattle. He was buried at lot 276 of Lakeview Cemetery. Pallbearers at his funeral on 31st July 1973 included Taky Kimura, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Chuck Norris, George Lazenby, Dan Inosanto, Peter Chin, and Lee's brother Robert.

Conclusion

The above is my view of Bruce Lee, my idol and a real life person. You have the absolute right not to agree with my views. He is probably the most important person in martial arts in the 20th century after the founding of Chin Woo Athletic Association by Master Huo Yuan Jia. Master Huo Yuan Jia tried to revive wushu by incorporating all types of wushu into Chin Woo and also invited Masters from other schools to teach there. This revolutionized Wushu and allow everyone to learn all types of martial arts. This view was also shared by Bruce when he said use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.

Bruce Lee on the other hand learn Taekwondo, Karate, western boxing and other martial arts. He uses modern methods of training to keep himself agile, fast and powerful. He was probably the first mixed martial artist and should more appropriately be known so. There is no doubt in my mind that he would have achieved much more for martial arts if he had lived longer. Bruce Lee show us there is a limit to everything. He was definitely one of the best mixed martial artist. He was probably the most perfect external martial artist. in term of physical appearance. The point is you cannot go beyond human endurance. You need to have patience. External martial art use of physical strength must be balanced by the introduction of internal martial arts. Then, he would be able to reached a higher stage. He tried to portrayed himself as an educated, physically attractive and modern intellectual using the latest technology in training like any modern educated man would do. But modern science is flawed and cannot explain lots of things. The doctor give him an excellent health status and claim he had the body of an eighteen years old. Yet very soon he died. There are many diagnosed with incurable diseases yet get healed (including myself). Over reliance in something flawed is also a problem. Eastern science has gone through thousands of years of trials and errors is more reliable in certain aspects. It is just one side of the coin. It is your choice to accept or reject it. In ancient times, the master would always goes into seclusion to improve their abilities in martial arts by way of meditations. This involve the mastery of the physical body and the spiritual body. Therefore it was not uncommon for grandmasters of the past like the legendary Wudang founder Chang San Feng to live well past a century and founded Tai Chi Chuan in his golden years while in seclusion.

Despite all his short comings, Bruce is still one of the most popular and famous martial art superstar of the 20th century. Never has martial arts being so popularly promoted. He know how to market himself and be adored by millions of fans worldwide. His name will always be remembered as the man who revived interest in martial arts and ironically Kung Fu. Of course other film stars such as Jacky Chan (with Chinese opera background), Jet Li (was Shaolin 18 weapons champion) and others also contributed to the popularity of Chinese martial arts. But they were never near his level of perfection. Chinese martial arts have now become a global product not confine to the Chinese community. Even Hollywood use action superstars and directors from Asia (especially Hong Kong, China, Thailand and Taiwan. Chin Woo have also promoted Chinese martial arts through its branches all over the world making it one of the biggest wushu association in the world. The interest in Wudang and Shaolin martial arts gather huge demands and earned much tourists revenues as a result. Opening of Wudang and Shaolin temples over the world also help to fan interests in Chinese wushu.

WONG FEI HUNG,

2011-03-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

Wong Fei Hung was born on July 9, 1847. He was probably one of the most famous modern era Chinese martial artist and folk hero (of the 19th and early 20th century). Much of his fame was spread by Cantonese Star Kwan Tak Heng portrayal of him in the sixties in Cantonese black and white movies and by famous Cantonese story tellers such as Lee Tai Soh (of Singapore Chinese Radio Station) making him a folk hero. During the sixties, many people could not differentiate between Wong Fei Hung and Kwan Tak Heng (who was the first actor acting the role of Wong Fei Hung in a movie). Kwan Tak Heng mostly acted in Wong Fei Hung's movies. As movies were a major source of entertainment, no other actor had managed to take on the role of Wong Fei Hung as sensationally as Kwan Tak Heng and the villain part by Sek Kin (who also played the main villain in Enter the Dragon against Bruce Lee). Jet Lee (Once Upon A Time in China Part 1-3 with his Shaolin martial arts were box office hits), Jacky Chan (several movies were also box office hits) and many famous actors sensationalized and make him exceptionally famous. Previously one would have thought he never got married as all these movies by Kwan Tak Heng, Jacky Chan, Jet Li and others never mentioned about his family (other than his father Master Wong Kei Ying). New information are now available to give a more correct view of Master Wong Fei Hung.

Wong Fei Hung's father was Master Wong Kei Ying one of Canton's 10 Tigers (10 best martial artists of Canton). These 10 martial artists were supposed to be high profiled and esteemed Grandmasters in Canton. Wong Fei Hung learned the Hung Ga style (traced back to Hung Hei Kun) and traditional Chinese medicines from his father. Hung Hei Kun managed to escape being captured by the Ching soldiers (as China was then ruled by the Manchu which started the Ching Dynasty without any attack as General Wu San Kuei (Ng Sam Kwai in Cantonese) opened the gates of the Great Wall of China to allow the Manchu in). Many Chinese peasants rose against the corrupt Ming government who underestimated Li Cher Chern's (Lee Chee Seng in Cantonese) capabilities. As the Ming Government surprisingly collapsed, the Manchu pretended to be the saviours marched into the capital Beijing without any resistance and set up the Ching Dynasty. Li Cher Chern's army was too busy celebrating and failed to realise General Wu San Kuei of the Ming Dynasty had allowed the Manchu in without a fight. The main reason was Li Cher Chern try to take Ng Sam Kwai's most loved woman Chan Yin Yin for himself. This is why they say that the Great Wall was meant to keep the invaders away but China fall without a fight (when General Ng Sam Kwai opened the door due to a beautiful maiden).
Hung Hei Kun met with Fong Wing Chun (nothing to do with Yim Wing Chun who founded Wing Chun), daughter of Fong Sai Yuk. She taught him the Crane Style to balance the Tiger style he learned earlier from Ji Sin Sim See. They later got married. Hung Hei Kun established his own martial art style Hung Ga (also known as Hung Chuan in Mandarin or Hung Fist). He was also thought to hide in some Chinese Junks (known as Hung Chuan or Red Boat) to avoid being captured by Ching soldiers. Some people credited Wong Fei Hung 's Hung Ga to Lok Ah Choy a fellow Shaolin student of Hung Hei Kun. Many people think there is only one Shaolin Temple in China. The fact is that the Southern Shaolin was in Fujian Province (was always active against foreign invaders and Japanese pirates during the Ming Dynasty and later form the source for anti-Ching movements) while the Northern Shaolin is on Mount Soong. The Ching emperor burned down the Southern Shaolin temple for harboring rebels such as Hung Hei Kun and others purportedly trying to restore the Ming Dynasty. Wu Chu Chuan (Five Ancestors Fist) is a martial art based on the 5 masters from Southern Shaolin who managed to escape the burning of the Shaolin temple. Among them are the notorious Pak Mei (converted to Taoist) and Fung Tow Tak (Taoist) were considered traitors, Ng Mui See Tai (or Wu Mei See Tai) credited with teaching Yim Wing Chun (lady founder of Wing Chun), Miu Hin (father of Miu Chui Fa and maternal side grand father of Fong Sai Yuk) and Ji Sin Sim See (Cha'n master who taught Hung Hei Kun the Tiger style)
Some people think Wong Fei Hung was also one of Canton 10 tigers. There is however no evidence. Some call him the Tiger after the 10 Tigers of Canton. There is also some rumor that he was the trainer for the Canton Provincial Ching Army. In fact Master Lam Sai Weng also served in that capacity later on.
When Wong Fei Hung was 13, he learnt Tit Sin Kuen (Iron Wire Fist)from Lam Fuk Sing (林福成), a student of Tit Kiew Sam (Iron Bridge Three) Leung Kwan. He met Lam during a street martial arts performance in Douzhixiang. Leung Kwan (nicknamed Tit Kiew Sam) was ranked number three in Canton Ten Tigers (Gongdong Sup Fu). Master Wong later learnt Mo Ying Keok (No Shadow Legs meaning they were so fast you can hardly see them) from Sung Fai Tong (宋輝鏜). He was also thought to have learned Drunken Fist (Chui Kuen) from So Hut Yi (Beggar So Chan also one of Canton 10 tigers).

In 1863 at the age of 17, Wong Fei Hung set up his first martial arts school in Shuijiao. Twenty six years later in 1889, he opened Po-chi-lam (寶芝林) at Ren'an. Po-chi-lam (寶芝林) is the name of his centre where he teaches martial arts and used traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients . He was known to offer free services to the poor (those who could not afford to pay for the services).

Please note that Master Wong was able to learned all these martial arts from the Canton Ten Tigers or their disciples due to his father Master Wong Kei Ying being one of them. It was explained in my article on Huo Yuan Jia, father of Wushu that previously it was forbidden to learn martial arts without the consent of your master. Prior to that you have the saying "Yat yat wai see chong sang wai fu" (literally translated as one day master, whole life father). Learning martial art was a serious matter since your master of only one day become a father for life to you. Following the Confucian beliefs on filial piety means you have to obey and respect him for life. Further you are not to learn any other martial art without his permission. In big martial art organizations such as the Wudang, Emei or Shaolin any breach of conduct could have the whole organization hunting you down like the secret societies hunt their ex-members. You could be killed or paralyzed for just peeping at someone learning martial art. Even Master Huo Yuan Jia was forbidden to learn Wushu as he was constantly sick. When Master Huo set up Chin Woo to spread Chinese Wushu to all Chinese, he also invited lots of masters from other schools to teach their wushu at Chin Woo. This revolutionized wushu enabling Chinese youth to learn all types of Wushu and their true essences with the aim in strengthening them.Chin Woo was founded by the legendary Master Huo Yuan Jia, the man who loosen all rules and allow everyone the opportunity to learn Wushu. For more information please refer to my article Master Huo Yuan Jia, father of modern Wushu. In 1919, Master Wong was invited to perform at Chin Woo Guangzhou opening ceremony. This show he was indeed a famous martial artist of high esteem in Canton.

Leong Foon, Lam Sai Wing, Tang Fung, Wong Hon Hei (his son) and Ling Wan Kai were his most well known students. In most movies about Master Wong Fei Hung his favorite disciple was Leong Foon who was considered the most handsome and talented. He was killed in a lui toi (platform) fight with an enemy of Master Wong. Lam Sai Weng skill was no where near that of Leong Foon and Ling Wan Kai. When Master Wong was not around, Leong Foon would be looking after Poh Chi Lam. If Leong Foon were to follow Master Wong, Ling Wan Kai would normally be in charged. As there is little information on Ling Wan Kai, we can safely assume he must had died earlier like Leong Foon. Master Lam Sai Wing and Tang Fung were the disciples that spread his teachings all over the world. Many people claim their Seekong (Great Grandmaster) to be Master Lam Sai Wing which is hardly surprising. During that time China was politically and economically unstable with many masters becoming bodyguards to politicians and rich people. Master Wong Fei Hung and his disciples were constantly fighting against other schools and secret societies (and triads) trying to outdo each other for territories and fame. Many of his students and disciples (including his sons) were killed as a result. Even with their fame and martial art skill, Master Lam Sai Wing and Master Wong Fei Hung were frequently ambushed but managed to fight their way out. There were also stories of how Master Wong Fei Hung and Master Lam Sai Weng managed to escaped hundreds of axes welding killers in a theatre. Master Wong was well known for helping the oppressed. So it is quite surprising that he had so many enemies. Probably they were all fighting for fame and territorial control.

Master Wong married four times during his lifetime. His last wife was Mok Kwai Lan. He had four sons from his marriages. The oldest, Wong Hon Sam (黃漢森), was shot to death by a colleague in a drunken brawl in 1923. His son Wong Hon Hei did learn some martial art but is not mentioned much and could have end up dead like the elder son. His other sons were not taught martial arts as Wong Fei Hung probably feared that they would get into fights and end up dead like the other sons.

Master Wong died of illness on May 24, 1924 in Chengxi Fangbian Hospital in Guangdong. He was buried at the foot of Baiyun Mountain (Bak Wan San or White Cloud Mountain). A museum dedicated to Master Wong was built in Foshan (Futsan or Buddha Mountain). Some sources claimed he died of injuries from fights and ambushes. He was already 77 years old. I am wondering what type of cowards would fight an old man at 77. No doubt he would still be a very good fighter and not easy to handle but he would not be able to match the younger opponents in term of speed, agility and stamina (especially when he was also injured). But then again in time of war, it is the people he was aligned to such as the Ching government and later on the warlord he supported that would decide his fate.

After Wong Fei Hung's death, Po Chi Lam ceased its operations. Probably, this is how the famous phrase "Wong Fei Hung sau tong" (translated as Wong Fei Hung close shop) started to be used. They did not want to be targeted by the triads and martial arts schools.

Master Wong's 4th wife, Mok Kwai-lan (莫桂蘭), and his remaining two sons, along with his disciples Lam Sai Weng and Tang Sai King (鄧世瓊), later moved to Hong Kong and established martial arts schools there. Among those linking to Master Lam Sai Weng are the Lau brothers of famous actor Lau Kar Fai (Liu Jia Hui of 36th Chamber fame and other martial arts movies), martial arts actor Lau Kar Weng ( Liu Jia Rong in Mandarin) and Lau Kar Leong (famous director Liu Jia Liang in Mandarin). I used to have a house mate about 30 years ago who learn Hung Chuan and claimed his lineage to Lam Sai Weng. They are also some linking to Tang Fung.

While care is taken to separate the facts from fictions, please do correct me if you have facts (not those from Wong Fei Hung movies and stories which are not reliable). Most of the stories of the past are passed down from mouth to mouth without any historical records or proofs. For instance, some writers said he was known for upholding the Chinese's pride and dignity against the oppression of foreigners. If that happened it would be widely published in newspapers not mouth to mouth version. Unlike Master Huo Yuan Jia (who was poisoned by the Japanese doctor he seek treatment from), Master Wong was never the target of foreigner. There should also be no comparison between Chin Woo (one of the largest Wushu organization in the world even after Master Huo was poisoned) and Poh Chi Lam (which closed down after Wong Fei Hung died in 1924). His disciples and family members moved to Hong Kong and set up several martial arts schools there. Not withstanding the above, Master Wong Fei Hung was always one of the most famous fighter of his time (especially in Canton). He was never on the wrong side of the law and therefore was never hunted down by the Ching soldiers. In fact he was working on the Ching Canton Provincial army in the capacity of military trainer. Later on Lam Sai Wing took over from him in the same capacity. This goes to show he had good relationship with the Ching Canton government. This might however made him the target of anti Ching movements. After Dr Sun Yat Sen (father of modern China) died, China was divided and ruled by many warlords which try to outdo each other. If he was aligned to any warlord, the other warlord would see him potentially as an enemy. Therefore it was not an easy period to live in China.

INTERNAL MARTIAL ARTS

2011-01-19T20:06:00.001-08:00

Martial Arts can be classified into Internal and External martial arts. Martial arts is the art of combat either with or without any weapons (excluding guns and etc). External martial arts can be classified as overcoming your opponents with your aggression, speed, techniques and tactics. Internal martial arts can be classified as overcoming your opponent through maneuvering, balance, momentum, techniques and tactics. Of-course there is the spiritual martial arts where the master invoke a spirit (as in a trance). In many cases the master will be able to access to martial arts abilities even if he had never learn or practice martial arts. I had the privilege to see my housemate with no martial art background invoking a spirit to help him do some demonstrations.

You can be good in external martial inside 2 years of painful training like the Shaolin and Muay Thai students. Of course there is Silat (the Malay and Indonesian martial art), Taekwondo, Karate and etc. Please look out for my next article on external martial art. Internal martial arts is harder to master. It take around 20 years for someone to be good at it. To really reached the top level it might have to take more than a life time. Knowing the moves is one thing. Using Yi to move Qi and visualization is another. To be able to go another level up the spiritual path is yet another. It required lots of focusing, concentration, visualization and meditation. You cannot hurry up things.

The Taoists Priests have been practicing internal martial arts even before the legendary Chang San Feng founded Wudang around the end of the Sung Dynasty (around 1200 AD). There were Chuan Chern Pai under Grandmaster Wang Chung Yang and other lesser known Taoist sects. Later they were integrated into Wudang Pai. Even today you still find martial arts in the Youtube aligning to Chuan Chern Pai and Chung Yang Pai under Wudang. There is also claims from Emei Pai to be the earliest form of Chinese Martial Arts. Contrary to previously known sources such Jin Yong (author of many well accepted Wu Hiash /martial arts tales) always depicting Emei Pai as being a female/amazon Taoist sect which is opposite to Wudang Pai. Recent sources however have changed such perception as we are now able to see there are female as well as male Taoist priests in both Wudang and Emei Pai. Wudang Pai is currently led by Grandmaster You Xuan De with lineage directly link to the founder GM Chang San Feng.. The Emei Pai is currently led my a male grandmaster.

Previously you need martial arts for self defense and also for military purposes. With the invention of modern weapons such as guns, the importance of martial arts for military purposes has diminished though still important at close range encounter. The military of many countries still use martial arts training for the soldiers. Likewise it can be useful for the police too.

The legendary Huo Yuan Jia (Fok Yeen Kap in Cantonese), the father of modern Wushu started Chin Woo Physical Training School in Shanghai in 1909 (with the help of Nong Jin Sun) as the first registered martial arts school in China, to allow all Chinese the opportunity to learn Chinese martial arts and strengthen themselves in order to defend the country (against foreign oppression). China was labeled "the Sick Man of Asia" and there were many places for foreigners with signs such as "Chinese and Dogs not allowed". The foreigners came with their western boxing and Japanese martial arts such as karate and judo. They tried to challenge the traditional Chinese Wushu Schools which were declining in quality and quantity. This was not helped by the traditions among Wushu masters to teach their skills to a selected few. These students may then pass their skills to one or two students. Wushu was therefore limited to a selected few. The skills would be lost if the selected ones did not pass their skills down to anyone. On top of that, many do not teach the weak and female (Hou Yuan Jia was not allowed to learn Wushu because he was often sick). Some masters would keep some secret techniques for themselves as protection just in case the next in line were to rebel. He realized that If each master were to keep a few moves to themselves very soon there would be not much left to learn. Hence, the standard of Wushu skills in China were steadily deteriorating over the years.

He named his school "Chin Woo" - "Chin" meaning "high spirit" and "Woo" meaning "martial art". His objective was to provide the people of China with the essence of Chinese martial arts with the aim of cultivating knowledge, benevolence and courage and improving the health of the people, in addition to continuing the spread and preservation of Wushu skills. He encourage the masters from other schools to teach at Chin Woo where they contributed to make it great again. It become a melting pot for all kinds of Chinese martial arts.

So the real aim of Wushu is not to pick a fight. All martial arts have their own code of conducts. The Japanese and Westerners normally have a gung-ho attitude and love to pick a fight with others. The Japanese would commit harakiri (suicide) whenever they lose. That was the warrior (samurai) spirit which many Japanese were proud of. Now you do not need to take it that seriously. Martial arts is not for showing off. It is an art of self defense. We respect all human beings regardless of creed, race or religion. We respect all martial arts and masters. We have no need to prove ourselves since sooner or later we will all grow old and die. Sooner or later there is bound to be someone better than us. We should admire Grandmaster Huo Yuan Jia for without him wushu would be restricted to a selected few and with each passing year, more and more secrets would be lost until it become a totally lost and useless art. For instance Bruce Lee had influence from being western educated and having 2 instructors and friends who were Japanese which explain his arrogance and love for fighting.

It is well known in Chinese Martial Arts that Shaolin is the leader of External Wushu and Wudang is the master of Internal Wushu. It has always been that way since Chang San Feng (or Cheong Sam Foong in Cantonese) established Wudang Pai. This is not to say that Shaolin monks learn only external martial arts. There is Northern Shaolin Nei Gong, Southern Shaolin Iron Shirt Qigong, Shaolin Wu Chu Chuan (Five Ancestors) Qigong and etc. Grandmaster Anthony Wee's root is more on the Shaolin Wushu, Shaolin Nei Gong and Qigong plus other systems. Therefore he was able to go under the wheel of a 9.3 ton bus at the age of 45. Master James Chee is a son of the late Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong of Shaolin Wu Chu Chuan Malaysia.

When a person get older he obviously cannot be as fast or powerful as before. He need to refine his techniques where he uses less physical/muscular movements and conserve energy. Notice most good soccer players would be in excellent form from late teen to early thirties. The same hold for tennis and badminton. Not everyone can be like Bruce Lee who was awesome at 32years old. Even Bruce Lee succumbed to taking pain killers to withstand the pain of "over training" (or how else could he had the body of an eighteen years old as confirmed by his doctor when he was actually in his thirties?).

Tai Chi Chuan is quite a sly martial art. The master conserve his energy and use it in the most efficient way. Some of them are plain common sense. Internal martial arts like Tai Chi Chuan is about momentum and balance. You try to follow the Taoist idea of be like water or cloud. Water is soft yet able to break through rocks while cloud floats around slowly. When someone rushes at a Tai Chi Chuan master, the master just side step and follow the momentum by pushing him (off balance) toward the direction he was heading. Since he is already heading toward that direction (off balanced), a simple push would be enough to send him flying. Of course there are many variations such as stepping on the opponent's front leg and push him to the ground and etc. He can also just hit him at the private parts, throat and etc. In my Youtube channel is a video of Grandmaster Anthony Wee accepting a chop from a former world heavyweight champion. There is also some Ki masters taking kicks from an American Football player at the private parts. So if these masters are prepared for the attacks, it might not harm them. They somehow managed to cut off the pain (which is very real). However under normal circumstances it can easily kill most people so please do not try it.

In lot of videos in the Youtube regarding rooting, Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang's rooting is certainly on a very high level. He stand on one leg and drink water while being pushed by Master Shi Jia Ke (Taekwondo 6th dan black belt). Then 8 taekwondo black belts experts tried to push him to the ground but were instead themselves pushed to the floor. This is no ordinary task. You need to stand like a big tree (in a good stance) by grounding your qi. A sudden jerk from the master would be able to send the people to the ground since everyone is leaning forward (off balanced). Of course masters like Grandmaster Huang Hsin Shyan, Grandmaster Chern Man Ching, Grandmaster You Xuande and Lama Dondrup Dorje (Dr. Yeong) are all very good in their Tai Chi Chuan.

Do not think everyone who practice Tai Chi Chuan can do such things. They might have learn the techniques but because Tai Chi Chuan is an art not science, each individual reach different levels of abilities. For instance there are many people learning around 20 to 30 years of Tai Chi Chuan but can barely even feel qi. There are some people who can feel qi within hours of training. The late grandmaster Chern Man Ching of Yang Tai Chi was reported as saying that it would be difficult to bring your qi to the Baihui (crown chakra). My late yoga master Swarmi Maharishi just took several hours to initiate me and the energy went straight up to the third eye and then to the crown about 25 years ago.

Grandmaster Chern also said that it would be easy to bring the energy down from the baihui (crown). Apparently, it was not the case for me as I spend the next few years trying to bring the energy down. I had frequent nose bleedings, migraine, fever and the feeling like my head was going to burst. I cannot even eat creamy cake as I was prone to feeling unwell after consuming peanut cream cake. If given the chance I would have gladly not learn Kundalini Yoga and reversed the process (if it was possible). Fortunately, I did not follow my idol Bruce Lee. Each individual is differently constituted and has different reactions and achievements. My spiritual master helped me to stabilized the energy. Of-course years of meditations has enabled me to learn qigong faster than most people. Most people can only talk about soong (loose/relax) and using Yi to direct the Qi. But it is easy for people who have done lots of meditation.

Internal Martial art beside being used for fighting can also be use for health purposes. For instance qigong is normally structured to produce certain desired results. You can strengthened your immune system and help your internal organs function more effectively. Internal martial arts is also about proper breathing to strengthening your diaphragm. Many Wudang, Tai Chi and Qigong Masters have pot bellies as a result. They are different from the normal pot bellies. Try poking your finger into a master's belly and you will be able to feel the softness of the belly on the outside. When you really push your finger in, you will be able to feel the tissue the resistance from within without any effort from the master. It is normal for grandmaster to be as soft as cotton and yet as hard as steel. This is like someone punching into a bag of cotton and if the master so wish, he can make it as hard as steel. Obviously a lots of things are pure logic. When you punch a Shaolin monk he use hard qigong to withstand and cut off the pain. When you punch an internal martial artist, you will see him suck in his belly and which will caused the attack to be several inches short and off target (making the punch not as deadly as intended like hitting a bag of cotton). By the time your fist reached him, it is already waning and he can counter by pushing out his belly (with Yi and qi) sending the fist flying backward and the person off balanced thrown backward. Everything is about perfect timing (split seconds sucking and releasing the belly) and plain common sense. Just like if someone were to punch my palm very hard, definitely I will feel the pain. But if I move along same timing (by slowly withdrawing my hands which look like being hit) but as I move my hands several inches backward, the momentum of the hit is lost and I can simply pushed him backward with my palm since he will be off balanced leaning forward.
Manipulation of qi is the domains of advanced qi practitioners. First you must be able to feel qi very strongly and use yi (mind/intent/will). It is no magic. Quantum theory talk about the electro-magnetic, strong and weak forces/waves. Qigong promotes 5 flows such as electromagnetic, vibratory, neuro chemical, heat and blood. The weak and strong forces are the Yin and Yang. Actually there are much things in common. Maybe they are talking about the same things from different perspectives. The history of yesteryears would need to be rewrite since new discoveries and clues have produced different results. This goes to prove that what is fact today might turn out to be false sometime in the future. The Earth was once thought to be flat. The atom was once considered the smallest indivisible item like a ball bearing until they discovered the sub atomic particles such as proton, neutron and electron. Now they are talking about vibrating strings so small that normal people cannot see them. Ancient technologies such as the Pyramids have baffled scientists for ages. They do not have any clue how such big monuments could be build to such precision. Similarly science cannot prove the existence of a soul and qi. Scientists have no answer to what happen when a person die.

Theoretically, all Tai Chi Chuan practitioners should be using yi to move their qi and visualization of the desired outcome. Apparently many people just conveniently ignore the qi and yi part (as they cannot feel the qi) and the visualization is even harder. They just concentrate on their movements. Many instructors do not even bother to correct the mistakes of students under their care. Sometimes it becomes the blind leading the blind. Even in qigong, different people practice differently. Some really follow the breathing while others don't. Sometimes even instructors are doing it wrongly. Therefore there is always the disparity between practitioners. Most people would always assume someone who has practiced 20-30 years of Tai Chi Chuan / Qigong would be better than someone only with 2-3 years of training. In reality it does not always have to be the case. If someone is dedicated and put lots of efforts into learning and practicing there is no reason why he cannot progress faster. For instance I only started Qigong in November 2007, Theoretically, I might not be as well inform about certain things but what is most important is the ability to use Yi to move Qi and visualization. My training in Yoga meditation became really useful in aiding my progress. As I adhere strictly to the breathings methods used, I was able to heal myself of dermatitis induced psoriasis (which specialists say there is no cure), sweaty and cold limbs, nasal blockage and running nose (doctor propose minor surgery) and a host of other health problems. Please refer to my earlier articles on "How I heal myself of incurable diseases & Part 2".

Martial arts has nothing to do with race or religion. It does not matter whether you are Chinese, Asian or Westerner. It does not matter whether you are Buddhist, Christian, Muslim or Taoist. Of-course being Taoist and being Chinese does have its advantages in understanding Yin Yang and the Chinese Medical sciences. There are some westerners who are more Chinese than most Chinese. They dressed in uniforms found only in Wudang and Shaolin. Their behaviors are affected by Taoist and Buddhist teachings. They have lots of knowledge of Chinese cultures and martial arts. Some of them can even do Chinese Calligraphy. Among them are disciples of Grandmaster You Xuande such as Master You Li Tai from Italy and Master You Li Han from Germany. Many of their students are like them.

There are many Chinese who would like to follow the modern ways and discard the ancient ways due to inferiority complex. They are afraid of people calling them old fashion or conservative. They have no interest in things Chinese but how to make more money and have fun. There are many Chinese who have no abilities in martial arts and yet have the nerve to show up in Youtube making malicious comments on subjects they have no idea about. They become more westernized than the westerners. It has nothing to do with race, creed or religion. If you do not understand something it would be appropriate for you to ask and abstain from commenting. Similarly if I know nothing about Tennis, how would I be able to understand the spins of the tennis ball and appreciate the excellent skills of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal? If I do not understand abc how would I be able to read or write in English? Civilized people must act like civilized people not barbarians.

I am only asking everyone to be open-minded and look at possibilities. Part of becoming a good master is to remain humble and try to learn from others (even those who might not look likely to have more abilities than ourselves). Learning martial arts also involve cultivating the mind. According to many masters, half of the time in martial arts should be used to cultivate the mind so that the students become better persons. Unfortunately, many masters who went over to the western countries are more westernized and money motivated. They have to prove their abilities by accepting challenges from other martial artists to get famous and therefore more students and income. Please refer to my article on Bruce Lee. They charge more than a thousand USD for 3-4 days Qigong seminars. They would spread the rumors that only they are genuine and that those under the communist rules are the fake masters and etc. There are real and fake masters all over the world.

In Youtube there are lots of videos for everyone to view. Some of these are from well known masters who are already famous and have no need to promote themselves. Wudang's Chief Priest Grandmaster You Xuande is indeed a powerful man and does not have problem throwing anyone 30-50 feet away. He is not a normal master, but the head of Wudang. As explained above, most of the time he is only following the momentum and pushing someone who is already off-balance. Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang rooting against the Taekwondo masters is exceptional. There is no point for the Grandmaster to use everything he know on someone very low in skill. A tiny finger should be sufficient to kill an ant why bother using an atom bomb? Everything is only a tip of the iceberg. They only revealed what is sufficient to get you interested.

When it come to manipulating qi, there are many people using their qi to burn newspapers as in John Chang, Yin Yang Kung and Gathering Qi. The main point here is the masters had to do meditations to enable them to make use of the Yin energy at Hui Yin-perineum (between the anus and sex organ) and Yang energy at the Tan Tien (2-3 inches below the belly). The fusion of these two energies can possibly be used to create fire as claimed by John Chang. Obviously it is not something easy and need lots of meditations. The Mo Pai system supposedly teach by John Chang is misinterpreted by most westerners. Mo (no) pai (sect or group) means no alignment to any faction. Traditionally all the good martial arts would be from sect or martial arts organizations such as Wudang Pai, Shaolin Pai, Emei Pai, Kunlun Pai and etc. Mo Pai mean it does not have a brand name. For instance Rolex watches are well known and so is Shaolin and Wudang Pai (for martial arts). This means it is not originated directly from any known sect or martial art organization. This is common as many masters take something from here and there to be their martial art such as Jeet Kune Do (the art of the intercepting fist) by Bruce Lee.
Then there is Master James Chee of Shaolin Wu Chu Chuan (Five Ancestors Fist) Australia with his Qi manipulations. I have personally witnessed his abilities. Next is Master Shi Ming with his amazing abilities as shown in "Qigong Master Projecting his Qi energy".

This Qi Projection thing is very misleading. I do not think any qi is being projected. He said, "My thinking (Yi Nen) is over there. See how it affects him". He visualizes in his mind of the outcome. He use his Yi (mind/intent/will) to direct his energy to affect his student's back or anywhere he wish to direct it to. As the qi is visualized and directed at the back of the student, the student become affected by it according to his visualization. So where is the qi projection? He can place his hand at your hand but his Yi (mind/intent/will) is on the leg and visualizing it being affected by the qi. So you see him jumping like a monkey because the Yi (direct the qi) to the leg not his hand. Similarly, when Master Shi placed his hand on top of the reporter's, his Yi is on his student's leg not the reporter's hand. That is why it affects the student's leg and not the reporter's hand. It is not easy to follow the logic. Previously, I couldn't understand how it was being done then. It doesn't make sense at all. Anybody would have thought it is fake. It took me quite awhile to figure it out. My abilities are nowhere near the master's. I have actually tried it on myself and found out it works. This is advanced stuff. Pertaining to Master Shi practicing in the park in Beijing, it clearly shows he have nothing to hide. People like me can easily get free lessons by having a few glances at what he did. He was gracious enough to allow people to film him. This show he is still not a money motivated or westernized master. Of course I expect him to teach the more advanced techniques at another location or he is a really selfless man. The American student clearly knows what he want and is willing to learn patiently. Learning to master Yi to direct Qi is not for people with no patience. Previously I used to get caned by my spiritual master for trivial mistakes. It is all part of character building. The opportunity cost of four years with Master Shi is time lost and can be used to learn Muay Thai, Shao Lin etc. He would have reached a very high level and have more measurable results. Apparently he chooses to study under Master Shi. If Master Shi is after money like some of the other masters, he would not train in the public. He would charged the westerner thousand of USD for several days classes and market it as secret qigong seminars. At the more advanced level you might have to even pay double that. They always claim they are teaching some ancient secrets techniques known to very few.

More advanced user can even get you to hop around as if there is something in your pant or you have the kangaroo's genes. Please check out "Discourse with the Heart Sutra with Qigong Part 1-4" for a better explanations on what actually happened. This time Lama Dondrup Dorje (Dr. Yeong) invited some karate instructors from a local dojo to be his "monkeys". These karate instructors (among them a 3rd dan black belt) would explain what happened. Lama Dondrup Dorje was the former Dr. Yeong a martial arts expert before he became a Tibetan monk. He is well versed with most version of Tai Chi Chuan, Eagle Claws and etc. He is talking about merging his qi with his opponent and make his opponent unwittingly cooperate with him. He also talk about compassion and some Buddhist teachings on the Heart Sutra. This is even more unbelievable but it is achievable considering how long Dr. Yeong has been practicing Tai Chi Chuan.

Of course everyone know about the Kial master vs MMA. Ki/qi masters must be aware of their opponent's abilities. You can't accept the challenge from everyone. After a number of challenges, he could have depleted his ki/qi. Anyway you can't beat everyone by manipulating ki/qi alone. Surely there is someone more powerful than you in term of ki/qi. You wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of masters like Grandmaster You Xuande of Wudang. Beside this Japanese Kial master is not that exceptional. Any amateur martial art student would have the ability to block some punches or kicks of a karate man. Apparently this Kial master is more a ki master only and has no martial art ability (as he can neither block a simple punch or kick). If it was Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang or Grandmaster You Xuande or just Master Chen Shixing, the karate chap could most easily be injured. Then there is Malaysian Faith Healer exposed. The famous Ustaz Arif used to demonstrate his "extraordinary" power on many TV shows. He used to show how a 4 feet long fluorescent light can be lighted up and off as he so wishes. Randy, a magician who became famous for exposing famous psychic/magician Uri Geller and lots of other celebrities explained that Ustaz Arif was wearing a slipper with an electrical switch inserted. He can trigger the switch to send a low voltage current flowing into his body to light up the lamp and later off it. Another trick is the use off eggs to roll over the patient body and when he opened it there seemed to be blood in it. Color dye can be injected in the egg before hand and when he open the egg there will be either red or black dye in the egg. Another trick is the use of test pen with battery inserted, it only cost US 30 cents. Normal test pen will not light up when on contact with any part of your body. I have no doubt that Ustaz Arif is very good at some types of Yoga and martial arts. But trying to use some magic tricks to hoodwinked some unsuspecting victims who have incurable diseases is shameless and unforgivable. He not only cheat his victims of their money but also their valuable time to find a cure.

The intention of this article is to dispel uncertainty and give a balanced view of internal martial arts and qigong. Most people have not reached the level to know what exactly happened.

Huo Yuan Jia - The Father of Wushu

2010-12-21T19:26:00.001-08:00

Huo Yuan Jia was born in the Xiao Nan He village on the outskirts of Tianjin in 1867. He was the fourth child in the family of 10 brothers and sisters. His father, Huo En Di, was a well known martial artist who served as security escort for caravans travelling to the Northeast. In those days anyone important or precious items were given protection by a security firm or some well known martial artists for a fee. The martial artist and his men will provide security services to ensure the person or goods reached the destination safely and in good order.

During his childhood, he suffered from yellow jaundice. He was reported to have lost to smaller kids. The family would lost face if he was to lose to unworthy opponents. This would tarnish the family's reputation. Therefore, his father refused to teach him martial art. He encouraged him to be a scholar. All his other healthier brothers were taught Wushu. Young Huo Yuan Jia was therefore forced to hide behind the bushes to watch his father trained his brothers. He secretly practiced on his own for the next 10 years.

One day, a man who was once beaten by Huo En Di when he was offering escorting/security services, turned up to seek revenge. Huo En Di was now in his fifties and had rheumatic problems. As he was in no condition to fight, his sons fought on his behalf. All of his sons with Huo Jia (Fok Kar in Cantonese) martial art training were soundly beaten. The situation became quite tense and was rather embarrassing. As the challenger started to gloat about how useless Huo Jia Chuan was, the "untrained" Huo Yuan Jia suddenly stepped out to the astonishment of his family members. He unexpectedly gave the intruder a sound thrashing. His father was pleasantly surprised by his son's martial art skills. From then on, he taught Huo Yuan Jia everything he knew.

Famous Cantonese story teller Lee Tai Soh used to tell stories of historical personnel such as Wong Fei Hung and Huo Yuan Jia (Fok Yuen Kap). He related that as a youth Huo Yuan Jia was frail and small in size. One day he caught a strange looking turtle with six legs. He ate the turtle and over night grow in size to 6ft tall.

Huo Yuan Jia later joined his father in the escorting job. Their job were to escorted a group of monks. A group of bandits surrounded them. Huo Yuan Jia was able to defeat the bandit chief and escorted the monks safely to their destination.

In 1901, there was a Russian wrestler in Tianjin who claimed to be the strongest man in the world. The wrestler had openly insulted the Chinese, calling them "Asian weaklings" because no one would accept his challenge to a fight. Huo Yuan Jia was persuaded by a group of martial artists to fight the Russian. He reluctantly accepted the challenge to protect the honor of the Chinese people. The Russian wrestler however decided not to fight. He revealed that everything was only a ploy to make money. This was widely publicized by the newspapers. In another version by Lee Tai Soh, the Russian defeated lots of Chinese martial artists. As the Russian gloated about his invincibility and that he could punch the weight of 1000 katis (600kg), Huo Yuan Jia accept the challenge to fight him. Huo Yuan Jia won the fight and became very famous.

During that time, China was in a state of turmoil. It was around the end of the Qing Dynasty and China was weak and politically unstable. The country was suffering from one natural disaster after another. To make matter worse they were oppressed by foreigners in their own country. The Chinese people were regarded as invalids (hopelessly useless people similar to dogs) because of the miserable economic conditions and natural disasters. The British tried to introduce opium into China. The Chinese were fed up with the oppression from other countries. Many martial artists started a boxer rebellion targeting foreigners. Huo Yuan Jia did not agreed with their views and was known to rescue the foreigners. When the Chinese martial artists attacked and burned down the British opium and attacked some foreiners, a declaration of war was issued jointly by the British, French, Japanese, German, Portuguese, American, Spaniard and Russian. It was known as the Eights Countries Combined forces attacking Beijing. The Empress Dowager ruling China at that time surrendered (after Beijing was captured by the combined forces) and were forced to make unreasonable concessions such as ceding Hong Kong to the British for 100 years, ceding Macau to the Portuguese for 100 years, Shanghai to the Japanese and other compensations. The westerners were free to trade in opium.

Many foreigners arrived and referred to the Chinese as the "Sick Men of Asia". Phrases such as 'No Dogs and Chinese Allowed' were widely used by the foreigners that were occupying territories in China by force. Even the Japanese who previously were afraid of China now wrote in their school text books that the Chinese and Koreans were worse than Pigs and deserve to be killed.

Numerous foreign martial arts and boxing schools had arrived in China (such as western boxing and Japanese martial arts) making the situation worse. They openly challenged the Wushu schools and try to defeat them in fights. This was not helped by the traditions among Wushu masters to teach their skills to a selected few. These students (after they become masters) may then pass their skills to one or two students. Wushu was therefore limited to a selected few. The skills would be lost if the selected ones did not pass their skills down to anyone. On top of that, many do not teach the weak and female. Some masters would keep some secret techniques for themselves as protection just in case the next in line were to rebel. Some only revealed their techniques when they are about to die. Hence, the standard of Wushu skills in China were steadily deteriorating over the years.

In contrast, Japanese martial arts while being copied from Chinese martial arts were more direct and aim to maim or kill. The Japanese were always challenging for honors. As the spirit of the samurai raises, they were constantly issuing challenges to the Chinese martial art schools. Losing to the Japanese would further dampened the already depleted Chinese's spirit. The Japanese martial artists could not afford to lose either as losing to the Chinese would bring dishonor to their family and race. Japanese warriors would committed suicide to atone for such sins.

Huo Yuan Jia was then working as a porter in a pharmaceutical company owned by nationalist Nong Jin Sun. One day a group of bandits raided the pharmaceutical company. Huo Yuan Jia was able to defeat the bandits single handedly. Nong Jin Sun noticed Huo Yuan Jia martial arts abilities and pointed out to Huo Yuan Jia that the Chinese were weak and often bullied by others even in their own country. In order for the Chinese to rise again, the people need to be healthy and strong (both physically and mentally). Nong Jin Sun encouraged Huo Yuan Jia to set up a martial art center to help China restore the pride and morale of the nation. The financial aspects were all taken care off by Nong Jin Sun.

In 1909, Hercules O'Brien, an American boxer of Irish descent came to Shanghai. He was giving performances of his power. Along with demonstrating his strength, he would issue challenges of hand to hand combat to any Chinese willing to take him on. In Shanghai there was no master strong enough to beat him. Later, some Wushu masters invited Master Huo to Shanghai to accept the challenge on behalf of the Chinese people. O'Brien, however, chicken out and left without competing. Thus, Huo Yuan Jia's fame had spread far and wide. He was able to restore some pride to the Chinese but at the same time attracting hatred from the foreigners he defeated.

Master Huo then challenged all the various foreign martial arts organizations and won. Master Huo started Chin Woo Physical Training School in Shanghai in 1909 (with the help of Nong Jin Sun) to allow all Chinese the opportunity to learn Chinese martial arts and strengthen themselves in order to defend the country. He named his school "Chin Woo" - "Chin" meaning "high spirit" and "Woo" meaning "martial art". His objective was to provide the people of China with the essence of Chinese martial arts with the aim of cultivating knowledge, benevolence and courage and improving the health of the people in addition to continuing the spread and preservation of Wushu skills. Nong Jin Sun became the first president and Huo Yuan Jia the chief instructor for martial arts and military training. Many people speculate the man behind all these was actually Dr. Sun Yat Sen the founder of modern China who was forced to flee to Japan and temporarily resided there. Masters from other schools were encourage to impart their knowledge and teach at Chin Woo. This would in turn raise the standard of Chinese martial arts.

For the first time everyone would be allowed to openly learn from another master. Previously this would be considered treason and punished accordingly (such as disabling the ability to use wushu by breaking the collar bones). Now wushu is opened to all willing to learn.

It was reported that Huo Yuan Jia was seeking treatment from a Japanese doctor who made prescriptions for his illness. Upon learning Huo Yuan Jia was a famous martial artist, the doctor invited Huo Yuan Jia to his Dojo. It was suppose to be a friendly competition with his disciples. When the Japanese lost the fight, a real brawl broke out between Huo Yuan Jia's students and the Japanese. In the fight, many Japanese (including the chief instructor) were wounded. As word of his victories spread, so did the Chin Woo spirit. You must remember the Japanese were a dominant race then and any loss of face was a disgrace to their race and country. It was not uncommon for them to commit suicide (hara kiri) due to any such dishonor. The Japanese doctor provided him some medicine with arsenic poison inside and Master Huo passed away on 9 August 1910. He was only 41 years old. Master Huo became a national hero and his name is still revered and honored as a great martial artist/ fighter. He is indeed the father of modern Wushu (kung Fu). If not because of him, Chinese martial arts might still be limited to the privileged few. Some people pointed out that arsenic poison was commonly used by eastern doctors and his students did not suspect foul play. One should realized that Japan was a strong nation China was in no position to confront Japan over such "trifle" matters. Everything was sweep under the carpet as if nothing happened so as to appease the Japanese.

There can be no replacement for Master Huo. His life was short but meaningful. The British introduced opium into China to destroy their minds. Master Huo tried to restore the pride and health of the Chinese people through Wushu. Normally, when you are famous everyone want to challenge you. Even Master Wong Fei Hung, Lam Sai Weng and later Bruce Lee get challenged and sometimes even ambushed. Somehow Master Huo did not have any such problem. His opponents were mainly bandits and foreigners. They either chickened out or were defeated by him or his students. Due to his selflessness, no Chinese would want to be seen challenging him. After all, everything was for the good of the whole nation and people. When you are a real legend no one want to fight you.

Undaunted by Master Huo's death, his students Chen Gong Zhe, Yao Chan Bo and Lu Wei Chang reopened the Chin Woo school. Master Huo’s younger brother, Mr. Huo Yuan Xiang, and his son, Mr. Huo Tong Ker (Huo Yuan Jia's son), continued to teach at the Chin Woo Association and later invited many famous martial-arts masters from Long Fist, Eagle Claw, Praying Mantis and other specialized schools to teach in Chin Woo. These include Liu Zheng Sheng, Zhao Han Jie, Zhao LianHe, Zhang FuQuan, Lee ZhengJiang, Ye Feng Khi, Chen Wei Xian, Sun Zhan Xuan, Huo Yuan Qing, Lee ZhanFeng, Sun Yu Feng, Huo Dong Ge, Zhao LianCheng, Zhao Guan Yong, Ye Shu Tian, Chen Zi Zheng, Luo Guang Yu, Lee Yu Ting, Liu Zhi Xiang, Lee Jian Ming, Lee Lian Chun and Wu Jian Quan.

Chin Woo became a famous and popular martial-arts association in Shanghai. Many provinces opened their own Chin Woo branches and in 1918 the Hong Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association was formed. In 1915, the members bought a new building, reorganized the school and renamed it "The Chin Woo Athletic Association". The reason behind the change of name was not to attract any attention for being a martial art school. They were afraid the Japanese and foreigners might interpreted it as military training and might bring uneasiness to other countries. China was very weak and do not want to offend any country. They purposely added caligraphy, cultural dancing, sporting activities and etc into the association to allay suspicion from other countries.

In 1919, the Guangzhou branch of The Chin Woo Athletic Association was officially opened. Among those invited to perform was Master Wong Fei Hong in his seventies.

In July 1919, Shanghai Chin Woo Association sent five representatives to Southeast Asia to perform a missionary program to expand the Chin Woo activities overseas. They were Chen Gong Zhe, Li Hui Sheng, Luo Xiao Ao, Chen Shi Zhao, and Ye Shu Tian. They made their first stop in Saigon, Vietnam. There, they opened the first Chin Woo School and later more were established in parts of Malaysia and Singapore. To prove their skills, they were often required to give demonstrations or accept challenges. By 1923, these five Chin Woo Masters had opened Chin Woo schools all over Southeast Asia and visited nine different countries.

Currently Chin Woo is one of the largest Wushu organizations in the world with branches in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Poland, Canada, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Surprisingly, Malaysia have the most Chin Woo branches as they even have branches in districts and towns. The art and culture of Chinese martial arts is becoming more widespread everyday and valued relationships are growing between an ever increasing number of countries.

Please note that the dates used in this article is from Chin Woo's website. The year of birth can be either 1867 or 1868. Similarly the time of his death could be 1909 or 1910. This is probably due to the Chinese system of adding one year to a person age after his birth.

Wushu - Modern Chinese Martial Arts

2010-12-21T19:19:00.001-08:00

History
The real martial art as we know today can be traced back to Bodhidarma's (also known as Damo in Mandarin) preaching of Buddhism (after 523 ad) at the Shaolin Temple during the Tang Dynasty (approximately 1500 years ago). When he saw the monks were not healthy and often attacked by bandits, he taught the monks some moves which I think could be from some Indian martial art such as kalari payat or it could possibly originated from Bodhidarma (Darmo) himself since it was reported that he spend 9 years meditating in a cave on top of Mount Soong.. By watching the movements of animals, he further added more moves. Very soon the Shaolin Temple becomes well know for their martial arts skills. There might be other martial arts schools which might exist earlier but become extinct due to various reasons such as unable to compete with other schools and got beaten up by other schools.
In the ancient time, China had a system of hsiah ( like samurais and knights) whose existence were to study martial under well known masters. They had the noble aim of helping the oppressed and support the righteous path. The modern days organized triad and secret societies were off shoot from them (and many still have similar rules). They fight against each other for honor to elevate their own or their martial art school's standing. The top schools would try to destroy the others that they feel are perpetrating evil deeds (sometimes more as a pretext than a social obligation to eliminate a competitor). From these established schools they select their supreme leader of the Wu Lin (Martial Art World). The supreme leader would most of the time be from the school with the best fighter. The established organizations were invited to select a nominee to represent them. These nominees would vote for the supreme leader. In the event of a stalemate, the nominees would fight it out with the eventual winner proclaimed the supreme leader (Men Ju) of the Wulin (martial arts world). The Wah San Clan, Iron Palm Clan (Tieh Chang Pai), Chuan Chern Pai (Taoist Priest) and etc were the elite then. Normally monks and priests would not be involved in the Wu Lin as they were deemed to be detached from worldly interest. However, the Shaolin and Wudang (Chuan Chern Pai was integrated into Wudang) have always been in the forefront of Chinese martial arts. In fact there is a saying in China that Shaolin is the leader of external martial art while Wu Tang is the leader of internal martial arts. Because of their fame, almost any tom, dick and harry would want to challenge them but most of them never came out alive as these places were normally heavily guarded by skilled disciples. In ancient time, learning a martial art without the permission of a master is tantamount to stealing and would be severely punished (such as breaking your collar bones purportedly to disable your ability to use martial art.

During the Ching Dynasty, the Shaolin temple was burned down by the Manchu Emperor for harboring famous rebels such as Hung Shi Kuan (or Hung Hei Kun in Cantonese) who managed to escape. Hung Shi Kuan was the founder of the Hung Chuan. This was passed down to his son before it reached Wong Kei Ying (one of Canton 10 Tigers) and later on passed down to his son Wong Fei Hong (also one of Canton 10 Tigers). In fact most of those studying Shao Lin or Hung Chuan (Hung fist) today can be traced to Lam Sai Weng (a disciple of Wong Fei Hung). Shaolin Kung Fu is mainly external kung fu. Hard Chi is Kang (hard like metal) as oppose to Rou (soft like water) which uses deliberate soft and slow movements. You will also notice that breathing follows the movements. External martial arts will let out a sharp noise in order to enhance the force of the strike . You barely hear anything from from an internal martial artist as he regulate and manipulate his chi with his yi. Most people can play with chi but do not know anything about yi (will/mental power). When you are capable of using yi you are already a step ahead of those who cannot. In fact there are many masters who are unable to use yi. See my other articles on meditation and spiritual path for more information.

Wu Tang was founded by a Taoist Priest Chang San Fung (Cheong Sam Foong in Cantonese) during the Soong Dynasty. That would be around 800 years ago. Taoism is based on Lao Tze's Tao Te Ching (The Way which is about 2 to 3 thousand years old). Its followers will always try to be like the water which is soft yet able to penetrate through rocks that happen to be in its way. It have the Ji Xing Jen (seven stars swords formation), Ba Gua Chuan, Tai Yi Chuan, Tai He Chuan, Tai Chi Chuan, Tek Fa (kicking skills) and etc. Wu Tang 's kung fu is internal martial art at its best (based on the soft overcoming the hard while Shaolin Kung Fu concentrate more on hard overcoming the soft). The Taoist gather Yin Chi at night and it is not uncommon for Wu Tang students to gather at burial grounds (is considered the highest concentration of Yin Chi as dead people are Yin) to gather Yin Chi. Such mysterious practices is often view by the Shao Lin and others with skepticism since these people learn to absorb the Sun's ray which is full of Yang Chi. Many people think Tai Chi Chuan is only an exercise and not for combat. Tai Chi Chuan was founded by Chang San Fung in his golden years and probably one of his greatest contribution to mankind. Tai Chi Chuan means the ultimate martial art. Its deliberate slow movements belies a superior martial art which can absorb and redirect the opponent's energy to hit back at the attacker. If properly trained, the master can beat almost everyone. Many Tai Chi masters were undefeated in combat. In the original form Wu Tang Tai Chi Chuan founder Chang San Fung was undefeated and call it the ultimate martial art. Many Shaolin people would like to think that Chang San Fung was a Shaolin monk. There are several stories on how he escaped from Shao Lin to Mont Wu Tang and eventually establishing the Wu Tang Kung Fu. Personally I think it is very mischievous since in the ancient days you can only learn from a single master and kungfu school. The Shaolin monks would not be that forgiving to allow him the luxury to open his own school at Mont Wu Tang without their blessing and to add salt to injury the opening of a Taoist Temple. At that time the Chuan Chern Pai was the main Taoist martial art clan. He would have been hunted down and killed or at least disabled his martial art ability (by breaking his collar bones making him harmless). Beside Taoism and Buddhism do not mix. Chang San Fung would not change from Buddhism to Taoism overnight. Chang San Fung should be the best fighter of his time since no Shaolin attack on Wu Tang has ever been recorded. Many of the lesser school would have been over run and looted for their Kung Fu manuals. Any school that was deemed a threat to the security of the martial art world would be hunted down and their martial art manuals confiscated by the supreme leader of the martial art world (Wu Lin). It is not much different from the way former US President George Bush hunted down former Iraqi President Sadam Hussain purportedly for hoarding weapons of mass destructions.

Currently there are many Wu Tang clans at Mount Wu Tang. You have the Xuan Wu Pai under Grandmaster You Xuande (the Chief Priest of Wudang) who is the most well known among them, San Fong Pai have Master Chen Shixing and Grandmaster Zhong Yunlong, Chung Yang Pai, Chuan Chern Pai and etc. Many new Wudang schools crop out with new masters due to overwhelming demand for Wu Tang kung fu.

The Tai Chi Chuan we know today can be traced to Chen Chia Kow (Chan Kar Kui in Cantonese) or Chen Ravine (Village) which is said to have 3000 peoples with 2500 learning Tai Chi Chuan. It suddenly appeared during the 19th century Ching Dynasty. Chen Chia Kow was famous for Chen Tai Chi Chuan. It was described as punching into a bag of cotton. The Chen Tai Chi Chuan were only taught to male family members until Yang Lu Sian (Yeong Low Sim in Cantonese) managed to become a disciple. Yang Lu Sian then modified the Tai Chi Chuan to make it the more graceful Yang Tai Chi Chuan. Today you have all types of Tai Chi Chuan. Of course the original Tai Chi Chuan is from Wu Tang and is Taoist in nature. The people from Wu Tang is still doing it the original way oblivious of what other Tai Chi clans are doing. In recent years many people have the impression that Tai chi Chuan is only some exercises for the sick and elderly. Anyone seeing Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang's Chen Tai Chi would agreed he is hell of a fighter. If it can help even the sick and elderly surely it can be useful for everyone. The only reason why it does not appeal to the younger generation is its deliberate slow movements. The reason for the slow movements is to learn to move your chi. You also learn to use Yi (mental power). Therefore you cannot have fast moves. When you fight you automatically moves quickly in tandem with your opponent. When you train you moves slowly in order to train yourself into using yi to move and feel your chi.

In China almost every mountain is occupied by a clan or temple famous for martial arts. Shaolin is on Mount Soong, Wutang is on Mount Wutang, Emei is on Mount Emei, Kunlun on Mount Kunlun, Wahsan is on Mount Wah and etc. There are thousands of martial arts schools in China. Of these the most famous are Shaolin and Wutang. They have schools and performances all over the world.

Chi, the Universal Energy

2010-08-18T01:07:00.000-07:00

Chi the Universal Energy

What is Chi / Qi ?
Qi, Chi, ki, bio-magnetism or whatever name you call it, is an invisible energy which is available everywhere. Chi is loosely translated as energy, air bubble or breath. There are all kind of Chi in our body or around us such as yang chi, yin chi, primordial chi, stagnant chi and etc. It can be either cold or warm energy (yin or yang). Yin and Yang are the duality of the universe as a pair of opposite action/reaction opposing yet complementing each other as the male and female. We get chi from our surrounding. In the grave yards and the moon we get "yin chi" (negative chi). In the Sun we get "yang chi" (positive chi). The chi on its own is neither good nor bad. When we are weak and fail to control the chi resulting in an imbalance, we will become sick. But if we are able to control the chi and direct it at will, we will be able to perform healing on others (even from a distance). Chi in itself is neither good nor bad. It is only good or bad depending on how it is being used. Therefore the negative or positive chi is similar to the negative or positive in electricity. We cannot see it but we can feel it. Of course highly trained people can feel and see Chi. When water boils do we not see the steam rises from the boiling water? Similarly in a very hot day we can also see air bubbles coming out of the walls. In the toilet where the wall is often wet do we not see air bubble coming out of the wall? Of course advanced levels masters in Yoga and Qigong cam see less apparent energies which normal people cannot.

It doesn't exist because scientist cannot measure it?

Scientist can accept Quantum Theory and String Theory (as the mother of all theories) but it can only be proven correct mathematically. The theory talk about us having 10 copies of ourselves in other parallel universes. Of course it cannot be proven but it is the most perfect of all theories. If western scientists can accept so far fetch thoughts as the mother theory (which cannot be proven), I cannot see why they cannot accept chi. I know they would have to change lots of their theories but is it not better than believing in something more ridiculous like the String Theory?

We can accept the electricity and even use it in our daily life yet no one can see electricity. Similarly, you use your car which run on fuel such as petrol. Your mobile phone need a battery to keep it running. Surely you do not expect your life to exist without a fuel/energy source such as chi. It is your parents' primordial chi that set up life for you. Without your parents, there can be no you. If you are to equate food as energy then fat people should be full of energy. How is it that fat people cannot run with so much energy in them? There is a limit to what our body can convert as energy. The rest is stored as fat.

There are many people with blocked blood supply causing the chi to be blocked as well. I have a colleague whose mother could not sleep for several days due to pain in her left shoulder and her fingers were stiff and cringed tightly together. She went to a clinic but the pain remain and no one including me have a clue. The area around her shoulder was swollen and painful to even light touch. I just massage her arm and hand to allow the blood to flow. I use my chi to stimulate her swollen shoulder. When she becomes more relaxed and the blood started to flow better then only I begin to massage the swollen areas. Before long her hand was already much better and no longer in pain. Upon questioning, I found out that she had a habit of leaning on that left shoulder whenever she sleep. I told her not to lean on that shoulder or she might get it blocked again.

While western medicine is good for curing certain diseases, it is hopeless against chi related illness.

Qi has its roots in Chinese Medical Science

Chinese medicine has been in existence for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the Viscera a general term for the internal organs (zhang fu). There are five yin viscera (zhang) and six yang viscera (fu). The five yin viscera are heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney. The six yang viscera are gallbladder, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and triple warmer. The viscera are linked by meridian points (nadi for Indian) to help the body function. The Five Yin Viscera main characteristics are to generate and store chi. The Six Yang Viscera main characteristics are to receive and transport food and waste.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a system of healing based on Viscera incorporating the Five Element theory, Yin and Yang theory and the concept of Chi.

The Yin and Yang theory is the duality in nature as opposite and conflicting yet harmonious and attracting each other. The Chinese since more than 5000 years ago believe in the duality of nature. There is Man and Woman; the Sun and the Moon; the day and the night and etc. The man is by nature masculine while the female feminine. We cannot say which is better as everything in this world serves a purpose. In the ancient Chinese book Nei Ching states that “In Yin there is Yang and in Yang there is Yin”. The Chinese believe that in every male there is also some feminineness and in every female there is some maleness. The male force is called Yang and the female Yin. Accordingly, mankind is Yang and the underworld or ghost is Yin. Instead of using Yin or Yang, we can also substitute them with – (negative) or + (positive) as in electricity. In this context the negative element is the Yin element and the positive element is the Yang element. In the context of the body, the Yin Qi is at the perineum between the anus and the sex organ. The Yang Chi is stored at the Tan Tien about 2 inches below the belly. This positive and negative chi must be combined by way of meditation in order to gain access to a higher level of chi mastery.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a person’s Chi of both yin and yang must be in equilibrium in order for him or her to stay healthy. If a person has too much Yang Chi, he/she is short of Yin Chi (such as when a person has fever). The opposite can also happen (such as when a person got cold). At times, our body releases too much yang chi, could not sustain it, causing the fever to change into a cold and vice versa. At certain time our body produce certain type of chi and therefore affects our health when the chi is not in equilibrium.

Each of us has our own equilibrium Chi level above or below which we might fall sick. We cannot have too much chi or too little chi as this will make us unwell. Basing on this, I am inclined to think that as long as we decrease the chi level of those with too much Chi and increases the Chi for those in need for more Chi, most of the Chi related illness can be cured. Of course we must know where to add or subtract or else the patient might get worse.

Only in China can a surgery be performed without any form of anesthesia. In fact they used to talk to the patient who is fully conscious and can converse normally as if nothing is happening. All they do is poke some acupuncture needles on the meridian points relating to the areas they operate on, perform the operation and close the wound.

The Practical and Logical Path

God give us lots of tools to carry out our activities. It is we who limit ourselves by placing placing obstacles on ourselves. It is so much easier not to try to understand Chi (and you do not need to know what chi is). Human beings are very complex people who would fight over trifle matters. Yet the chi that has been the foundation of Chinese medicine is never place in high esteem. Most western educated people might not even accept its existence.

We are all born unequal. Some are born into wealthy families while other have to be contented to be just alive. Our fingers are never of the same length. If it were of the same length we would probably not able to use them. Each of us are given different abilities and roles in life. Not everyone can be a president, a doctor and etc. Our destinies are never the same. Some are bound to achieve greatness while others are hardly noticed in the ocean of humanity.

Yoga masters, Chi Kung masters, Martial Arts masters and healers have cultivated chi to quite high levels. However, many of them do have all kind of health problems. How is it possible you may ask. It is simple, learning chi to a high level does not guarantee you perfect health. A master must also learn to look inward and learn to give up worldly possessions. Automatically you have less needs. A sexy girl is another human being. Food all look the same as you eat only what your body requires. Even I cannot eat much due to the large amount of chi circulating around the Tan Tien and the belly. I can eat one meal per day and still wondering why my tummy is so full. At times I would like to eat but I can resist them since there is no need for me to eat for the sake of eating. If a grandmaster cannot control himself of such greed, he will suffer like normal people. We choose the appropriate response and consequently pay for our follies with our own life.

Then there is this tale of a Malay spiritual master teaching his students to walk across a river. He taught his students some mantras telling them to have faith and everything would turn out fine for them. So the students went to the river to practice and all the students managed to cross the river without getting wet. Finally the master himself try to cross the river but got himself wet. The thing with some masters are they taught things they themselves does not believe in. The students' faith in their masters enable them to achieve what their master cannot.

Many of these masters can do seemingly impossible acts such as pulling a Boeing 747 with his hairs, have a double deckers bus run over his body and etc. In Taiwan, there are people who trained their penis to be able to withstand / lift up weights of hundreds of kilos. Some are even able to pull a bus filled with passengers. It is another version of chi kung. These things take lots of years of training and mind control. It is certainly not for ordinary people.

Normal people cannot see energy. If we have never heard of ABC how the hell would we be able to read or write in English. Similarly, if our mind have never being conditioned, we would not be able to perform any kind of visualization or meditation. Some people give the impression that such things are sacred and mysterious. If magician do not practice their hands regularly, their acts would easily being seen through by the audiences. If we do not practice the mind, the mind will not be able to respond to our instruction.

Of-course not all these masters are genuine. Many of the claims pertaining to kundalini yoga and the exercises that provide you with eternal youth are all over exaggerated. We will all get older whether you do "fountain of youth" exercises or not. Look at the swarmi, non of them ever get younger. If they are ninety years old, they would probably look around 80 years old. They cannot be looking like 40 years old. Similarly the claims of achieving psychic abilities by the activation of the kundalini shakti (fictitious dormant serpent at the base of the spine) is not true or so simple (at least not for me). There are also claims of appearing more attractive to the opposite sex which I personally doubt it. There are people who practiced Yoga for twenty to thirty years yet still have asthma. I had running nose, dermatitis induced psoriasis and cold hands even with all my chakras opened more than 20 years ago. Please refer to my article on How I heal myself of incurable diseases. The chakras are opened but the internal organs were extremely weak. There are "masters" who take advantages of those most in need of help. Some masters claim cure for all illness and ask for legal documents with lawyers where a big portion of your properties would be given to him when you happen to get cured. These are scavengers not human! Then there is the famous Chakra Alam Grand Master Ustad Arif which was exposed by a magician name Randy on the Korean Television. He claimed that his Chi was so strong that the test pen lighted up. There are several types of test pen. The type will battery will light up regardless whether you have lot of chi or not. He would also roll an egg on the body of the patient. When he opened the egg, there is traces of blood either red or black. The trick here was to insert color dye in the egg before he rolled the egg. Then there is the lighting of a long fluorescent light with his chi. The trick here is the wearing of a slipper inserted with an electrical device capable of emitting low dosage of electricity. With due respect to Ustad Arif, I am sure he is a good martial artist and have high healing abilities but using magic tricks to cheat customers and give them false hope is unethical. I have watched several videos on Youtube where the masters can create fire to burn newspapers with just mastery of chi. There are also masters who can create heat almost to the boiling point. You can watch them at youtube.com/user/tffoo7.

Similarly there are people who practiced Chi Kung / Tai Chi Chuan for over thirty years and yet achieved nothing significant. I have heard of grand masters getting heart diseases and all sort of ailments. Of-course they can only blame themselves for not doing enough exercises and eat excessively /unhealthily. People come to learn Yoga /Chi Gong to get healthy. The instructor /master would always ask people to be dedicated yet these masters cannot resist woman, wine and food. In this context I do not say we must abstain from sex or food but be moderate in everything. The Chinese have always taken the middle path knowing too much or too few of anything is not good. Even at my level I can understand why Buddhist monks can survive on one meal per day. It can only mean the master cannot resist the temptation of good food etc. It is self discipline. Then there are masters who try to get famous by doing highly dangerous things such as pulling a busload of passengers with the penis, pulling a Boeing 747 with his hair and being run over by a double deck bus weighting 9.3 ton. Some might never recover from their performances. From the outside there seem to be not a scratch but we do not know the pain such people endured in the name of mastery of chi. Likewise the western scientist would advocate jogging, walking and lot of exercises. Doctors are perplexed by the death of an Indian marathon runner in his forties with no bad habit. Then there are people who get injured playing tennis, badminton etc. Even people who does not know how to jog properly can get injured. You must have a proper running surface and suitable running shoes for such surfaces. Therefore things are not as simple as we think it is.

Do not question the existence of chi, work hard and you will be able to get to feel it. It is more mental than muscle. I might be a novice in chi gong but I am ahead of many people because I have more than 25 years in Yogic meditation. I have many masters with exceptional abilities. I have trained very hard, much harder than most students. My instructor thought it was impossible for me to become good in chi gong. He used to tell me I was doing it the opposite way. Recently he told the class that as long as your chi moves, the movements are not important. This means you must be able to use your Yi (mind/will power) to direct the chi which is exactly what I have been doing. Do not think a UK trained accountant will accept anything my masters tell me. In fact I am very sure some of the advices from them try to scare me and might be a good advice for beginner. For instance I was told giving chi to others is not good as you might not have any chi left. His assistant also tell me how she gave chi to her grand mother for only 5 minutes and she was exhausted. I have been a chi healer for more than 20 years and have healed all types of people from baby to old people. Some patients took a lot out of me but I always recovers after a short nap or meditation. I know more about handling and releasing chi than most normal people. Most people are unaware that we absorbed each other's chi even though there is no contact. Chi moves around freely and unobstructed. It is energy and therefore no touch is necessary. Therefore it is possible to affect others without them realizing it. While chi is everywhere, the chi from a novice and a master are different. A master can accumulate lots of chi and has better ability to use them. The body's internal organs' natural functions is to generate and store chi for the six Yang viscera to use. A novice's chi is quite basic and he does not even know how to gather or use the chi. Similarly, mastering chakra meditation as in Yoga does not guarantee you are healthy. In fact with so much chakras activated, it is like a generator functioning well but the homes that it is suppose to supply electricity to are in the dark due to the connection between the generator and the homes. Similarly, the chakras are activated but the internal organs and meridians are all not functioning properly. How do you explain 20 over years of chakra meditation and yet infected with all kinds of incurable diseases diagnosed by specialists/ doctors who does not have any clue on how to cure them. It only took me less than 2 years to get these diseases permanently cured without the need for medicine. Please refer to my earlier articles on How I heal myself with chi part1 & part 2. I also become stronger mentally and spiritually. I noticed that I can become stronger if I incorporate my chi in whatever I do. For instance I also try experimenting it with my friends and staffs like a normal handshake. Without the knowledge of using chi I probably would not be able to defeat people with arms twice that of mine and half my age. With chi, nobody would want to try because I make a big dent in their hands and also their pride. Many people half my age and have lower arms twice that of mine cheated by sinking their thumb nail onto the back of my palm. Or how do you explain how my soft palm is able to squeeze the hell out of most people who are not only younger and more muscular than me? It is just being able to use chi. I have also use my chi on house hold spiders, lizards, ants, cats, dogs and etc. I have also heal many people with just warm water and my chi massage.

How I heal myself of incurable diseases - Part 2

2010-08-09T03:06:00.000-07:00

How I heal myself with the aid of Chi only Part 2

In the earlier article I have included 2 photos of my legs recovering from dermatitis induced psoriasis which according to my doctor was incurable. I have spend a fortune trying to get healed. My mother even bring me to see traditional herbal healers in the remote villages/areas.

In this part 2, I will show you how much my legs has been healed.

Notice the difference between the top photos and the bottom photos. The colored areas represent the newly healed areas. The white spots are also healed but that is the scars left from the dermatitis induced psoriasis. There is no need for medication of any kind. Notice the growth of new hairs on the legs. This allows the skin to breathe.

Remember there is no cure for acute skin problems in western medical science giving the excuse that they do not know what you are allergic to. There can be so many causes and etc. They even asked me to take injections to control it from getting worse (not a cure). With western medicine you must also expect some drawbacks like loss of memories and hairs.

I am very confident that Chi Kong will work in most similar cases. Try it and you will be convinced. There are several reasons why it can be successful. Chi Kong work on the internal organs and your immune systems making you healthier and less stressful. When Chi is able to get to the affected areas it means the blocked areas has been cleared enabling your blood and Chi to move unobstructed.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body consist of blood, chi and body fluid (such as sweat etc). When the blood circulation is bad you will have problems arising from that particular area. For instance if you have problem lifting up your hand (either side) then you probably have bad blood and chi circulation at your shoulder or your arm joint or both. Therefore you need to clear the clogged blood vessel at the joints and shoulders. This can be done by using massaging and acupuncture techniques to stimulate the clogged areas. The above should be repeated until the blood circulation is improved and the patient has no problem lifting up the hand. Medicated oil might be helpful for those who do not have enough chi. The oil will stimulate the blood flow and heated up the affected area. For those who can manipulate chi proficiently there might not be a need to use medicated oil. Similarly, the acupuncturist can use mild low voltage electrical shock on the needles to stimulate the meridian points.

For more details of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) please refer to my article on Traditional Healing. Basically, it is based on Viscera a general term for the internal organs (zhang fu). There are five yin viscera (zhang) and six yang viscera (fu). The five yin viscera are heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney. The six yang viscera are gallbladder, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and triple warmer. The viscera are linked by meridian points (nadi for Indian) to help the body function. The Five Yin Viscera main characteristics are to generate and store chi. The Six Yang Viscera main characteristics are to receive and transport food and waste.

Some treatments of diseases are plain common sense. For instance if someone has fever, he will need to reduce the chi in his body. You can either exercise until you sweat or drink warm water and hide under a blanket hoping to sweat. Whichever way you are able to sweat is not important. As long as you sweat you fever is gone. If you are feeling cold you need something hot. Hot food and drink will help. Of course Chi healer can help you by reducing your Yin Chi (negative) and increasing your Yang Chi (positive) with Chi massage. There are many people who cannot sleep due to pain / blockages at various part of the joints, shoulders etc. They cannot make use of their limbs due to pains. If you can unblocked the blood flow and allow it to function normally again. When the blood is able to transport the Chi to the required area, your problem disappeared. Of course not everyone know how to unblock the blood and Chi. Piles can be the result of unhygienic anal care. If you constantly wash your anus after excreting, the chances for getting piles is minimized. Many people just use the toilet tissue. The friction from usage of tissues on the anus can cause pile.
These are all common sense. You do not need to be a doctor to understand it.

My skin problem was minor but due to prolong usage of antibiotic and steroids, the skin become weak. It get the wrong messages from the brain start to barricade itself with hardened cells some of which overlapped causing difficulty for the skin to breathe. This will cause itchiness to the affected areas. You might be able to abstain from scratching the areas during the waking hours. When you scratch them unconsciously during your sleep, they will get infected and the areas will grow larger. It is a gruesome sight. If you still prefer western medicine, it is not my problem. However do try some Chi Gong to help you.

If you have any enquiry please do not hesitate to contact me.

Self Healing

2010-05-10T00:07:00.000-07:00

Self Healing with Chi Kung and Meditation

How I heal myself of sweaty palms, feet, incurable skin disease (dermatitis and psoriasis), sinus and a host of other health problems.

Since childhood, I have always had delicate health problems. Whenever I became nervous, I would sweat a lot at both my palms and feet making them easy targets for skin problems (which surfaced on my fingers when I was 17 years old). I had no control over my nervousness. My nose was so sensitive that washing my face can cause running nose for several hours (especially in the morning). Even a sneeze could start my running nose. I was easily stressed up and had all kind headache. I decided about 30 years ago that I would not want to use panaldo or aspirin for relief of headache.
I only took up sporting activities after I left high school. I took up Tae Kwon Do when I was 18 years old. It did not help my skin problems or my sensitive nose. I look for all types of medicines (both traditional and western) but to no avail. I took up meditation courses and Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY) in 1985. By 1986, I had completed the Master Course for SKY conducted by by the late founder of SKY, Swamiji Maharishi from India.
I now found myself saddled with another problem which I was not able to handle. The Master had left and now we had to train on our own in Malaysia. I was not able to control the strong energy rising up to my head (crown and third eye chakras). I had nose bleeding and fever most of the time for about two years. That is the power of Kundalini Shakti. I managed to get the help of a Buddhist/Taoist master. It was during this time that I started having skin problems at my legs. Prior to 1985 I only have the skin problems on my hands. I was a disciple of the temple for 7 years. Still most of my problems remain intact.
My family members would ask me to see all types of traditional healers which I duly oblige. I even see skin specialists until my boss blocked this medical benefit. I went to a skin specialist belonging to a colleague's sister. Samples of my tissues were cut from my buttock and taken to the laboratory for studies. The laboratory's report stated that I had Dermatitis induced Psoriasis. Dermatitis is a skin disorder. Psoriasis is a severe skin condition where several layers of skin cells are formed on top of each other. Severe skin problems can be attributed to stress, allergies and a host of other problems making them difficult to cure. Western doctors will try you on all types of antibiotic and steroids. The doctor told me to be rational and accept the fact that there is no cure for the disease. I was told there was only one drug available to control the problem. Please note that control means not to let it get worse. It is not a cure and it had several side effects such as loss of memory and loss of hair. I would have to sign a paper accepting the conditions before they inject the drug into me. As a Finance & Administration Manager of a four star hotel, it would be impossible for me to carry on with a loss of memory. It could be very costly to the hotel since I was involved in every aspects of the hotel 's financial operations. I provided solutions to their every problems especially on matters pertaining to the financial aspects of the hotel. I had to find an alternative cure or I have to move on. The worst come to the worst I would only be inconvenienced by my skin disorder. Loss of memory was something I could not accept. I remember my Fung Shui master saying that I try to heal others yet I could not even heal myself.

Back to my nose problem, I was told that the nasal holes were too small for my nose. I might need a minor operation to solve my sinus problem.
That was about 8 years ago.
About 3 years ago my Fung Shui master recommend me to take up Chi Kung to increase my chi level. Since then I have taken two courses (Five Element Palms (Wu Xing Chang) and Five Element Gentle Mind Hands (Wu Xing Rou Yi Sou). The courses were on hard and soft chi kung and how to use yi (mental power). I also enroll myself for Chi Kung weekly classes.
Due to more than 20 years in various meditations, I have accumulated quite some chi. Learning Chi Kung accelerate this accumulation. Before learning Chi Kung my hands were normally cold (more yin chi). After starting Chi Kung for about 1 year, I discover that I no longer have nose problem, sweaty palms, feet and etc. My dermatitis on my hands have all been healed. My legs can now be considered 98% healed of all skin problems. I did not take any drug. I do however supplement it with some Chinese herbal pills for blood disorder. My nose is no longer afraid of water. I can wash my face without getting any running nose.
My hands are warm and glowing. The perfect hands for a healer.

The following are some of my self healing methods which might be helpful to those who have the basic to understand them :
a) Nose / Lung problem
Do lots of breathing exercises. Joining a chi kung class will be good. Focus on your lung (middle of chest or heart chakra) with the centre of your palms (Lao Gung) facing your lung. Notice the glow and warmth in your lung. Do this for half an hour everyday and feel the difference. Regular exercising of the lung can help strengthen your lung and this will in turn help in your nasal problem. They are interrelated. You can also focus on the tip of your nose or alternate between your lung and nose. There are several ways of strengthening your lungs. You can breathe in through your nose. Hold your breath for 10 seconds and breathe out through your mouth, forcing all the air out from your lung. Try doing this for about half an hour in the morning and half an hour at night. You can also do like the Yogis do by inhaling through the nose. Place your left thumb over your left nasal hole and forcefully blow it out the air through your right nasal hole. Repeat the same procedure with your right thumb over your right nasal hole. Doing this for 10 minutes each day would be very good for your lung. At first you might have phlegm and running nose blocking your air passage. If you manage to forcefully expel them from your system you will be able to breathe in fresher air. Do feel free to contact me if you require further information.

b) Skin Problem

The above are proof of my skin conditions which are almost healed. It will probably take another two months before total healing can be achieved. However some markings from previous use of medicines such as antibiotics / steroids and etc will still be apparent. It will not be as ugly as the above once the normal skin is formed. Currently the affected areas are only a third of the above. I will up date the photos in about 1 month time.
Take two blood cleaning pill once in the morning and once at night. Avoid too much water at the affected areas. Some skin oilmen might also help. Over reliance on antibiotic / steroids will have side effects. The reason for clearing the dead skin is to allow new hair growth and allow the skin to breathe. Psoriasis normally involved several layers of skin. It is when the skin try to breathe and is covered by another layer of flesh and hardened skin that brings a lot of inherent skin problems. When you scratched the affected area, it will become inflamed and bleeding will occur. If your finger nails are dirty, the affected areas can be infected. Sometimes weeping skins can occur. Weeping skin is a condition where the skin is injured and some liquid cannot stop flowing out.
Focus your chi on the affected areas. Run your palms above the affected areas. Always keep the affected area dry but soft. the use of some oil on the affected areas to prevent it from getting too dry and cracked. Joining a chi kung class will definitely help. Remove dead skin carefully to ensure no damage to the affected areas. Always ensure you do not keep long dirty fingernails. If a certain part is itchy, do no not scratch it or the area will become infected, inflamed and bleeding. It will become more difficult to heal. If you require more information do call me or write to me.

C) Sweaty palms and Legs
Always wear cotton socks to ensure your feet are dry. You can also use talcum powder to ensure your feet are dry. If your feet are wet and sweaty you might get broken skin under your feet. So no plastic socks please. This can cause skin irritation at your feet. Exercise your feet and palms regularly. Chi Kung exercises will be most suitable for palms and feet. You can also place your hand about 8 inches apart with both palms facing each other. Feel the energy at the middle of the palms responding like magnets. Feel your hands glowing and getting hot and hotter. Do this exercise at least half an hour each day and very soon sweaty palms will be a thing of the past. Of course you can also supplement it with some basic hand movement exercises. First you move your wrists (both hands) to your left and then turn it back to the right. You do not need to turn fast, just turn it left and right for 5 minutes. Next you place both palms facing the sky at about waist level bounce the palms upward and let it fall downward. Do this exercise for also about 5 minutes. The next exercise is the opposite of the previous exercise. With your palms facing the ground, lift your palms up and let the momentum bring it downward. Do this exercise for about 5 minutes. After having down this exercises you will normally be able to see how red your palms and fingers has become. This is a common thing for chi kung practitioners.
As for sweaty legs, you need to do the exercises bare footed for faster result. Chi Kung exercises will definitely help especially when you are standing in a chi kung stance. You can also massage your feet. Acupressure is an ancient healing method where you press your toes one by one. Then slowly move downward beneath the toes and the areas. beneath. Next you move to the middle of your feet and press them. If there is a pain at any area means you might be having problems at certain area. Next you can move downward to your heels. Then you press the side of your legs. The toes represent the head area. The area beneath the toes represent your shoulders. The middle of your feet is your stomach. Your heel area is your leg.
Of course not everyone have the patience to learn Chi Kung and want faster result. This can only happen if you are lucky enough to meet someone who have lots of chi due to lots of training. Some people are con men and take advantage of those in need most of help and compassion. The famous Cakra Alam case where the master uses egg to roll over the body of the patient and then break it open to show the patient blood in the egg. The reality is that the egg has been injected with colour to trick the patient. Then there is the lighting up of a long fluorescent lamp with his "energy". The trick was a slipper with a switch underneath. When the switch is on the electricity pass through his body to light up the lamp. These are are magic tricks as exposed by Randi a magician. These people are not only wasting the patients' precious time (some do not have much time to live) but also stealing from the desperate. It is unethical and unscrupulous. People with fatal illness should be careful of such con people (parasites). I remember I met a Master Wong (at his free Chi Kung Preview) and told him about my skin condition was incurable. His eyes lighted up when he heard the word incurable and ask me to see him at his office to discuss the matter further. I heard from my chi kung instructor that Master Wong would ask his clients to sign contracts with him. Should anyone get healed they will have to give half of their properties to him or a very big sum of money. Be careful as this world is full of con people who are after the very desperate. If they are more keen on your money than helping you please look elsewhere. Talk with experts and find your options. There are of course people who quietly healed others.

INTROSPECTION

2010-01-29T22:46:00.000-08:00

Introspection

This is the process of analyzing, rationalizing and getting a total understanding of oneself.

In this materialistic world, it is not easy to get enlightened. We get easily irritated by others including our loved ones. We have too much pride and ego to let other put us down even if it is just with mere words (our pride is dented). We have lots of prejudices against those who we do understand and are perceived as different from us. All this make us easily agitated and unhappy. I do not understand how anyone would want to laugh at a clown's performance. The clown make a fool of himself and the crowd burst into laughter (as if we are really that sadistic to enjoy other's misfortune. In many developing countries, when your car fail to function near a highway, lot of people will slow down their cars to watch but with no intention of helping. When someone actually try to help, please do be careful as he might be a conman. He not only waste your time but also con you of your money for services not required (he tell you your fan belt is not working but actually it is your radiator that is leaking). With so many sick minds around, it is little wonder that we live an unsatisfactory life.

We have to be rational. Each of us come into this world for a reason. Each of us is given different abilities and talents to pursue each own path and destiny. Some may be living a long healthy life while others might only have a short span in this world. Some will be born in a rich family while others might be poor. So how can anyone say he is in charge of his destiny? You can however try to float along and get the best out of your life. Bruce Lee, the martial icon used to tell his students to be like water. Taoism tell us that water find its own path. Water might be soft but it can break through hard rocks that happens to be on its way. If you are in a stormy sea, if you do not know how to maneuver your way out of the storm, you will be drowned. Like wise if you are good at handling wind and storm, then you would be able travel faster. You anticipate the moves of your opponents/life and try to adjust to it. It is a matter of adjusting to your destiny. Man can plan whatever he want but it is heaven that decide the outcome. Apparently, we are not in charge of our destiny. Bruce Lee might be great but he have a short life which he cannot avoid. Having make the best out of his life, remembered for his contribution to the martial arts world and opening the doors to Asian actors to make it big globally (as in Jacky Chan)is the best anyone can achieved.

Therefore, we need to reconnect with ourselves. By doing so we can find out our purposes in this world. If our destiny is to be a healer, we cannot be satisfied by becoming a business tycoon. Like an RPG (role playing game), we have not achieve what is set out for us (being a healer) and therefore fail in our mission. Like Mother Theresa who contributed to society by helping the less fortunate in India. She could have enjoyed living in a better living condition but choose to be among the less fortunate. The world remember Mother Theresa not because she is wealthy but because she put other people's comfort before herself. She is known for her contribution to mankind. We must understand our role in this world before we can achieve anything substantial. Even the Ultra Mind Control talks about discovering our purpose in this world and work toward achieving it. It is sayings things that are different from the previous stand of what the mind conceives and believe can be achieved. In doing so perhaps we might also make the best out of life.

Introspection is a practical methodology for sublimating the negative emotions of greed, anger, vengeance, etc., In order to have his character reformed; to get enlightenment and to enjoy a peaceful and happy life, the aspirant has to undergoes important psychic practices under the process of Introspection.

Synopsis
Practical self-analysis tools designed to take stock of positive and negative characteristics in your personality.
Eliminate the unnecessary and incompatible aspects of your character.
Strengthen the habits of good thought, word, deed and discerning and rejecting the habits unwanted.

Five primary aspects of introspection
Analysis of Thoughts.
Moralization of Desires.
Neutralization of Anger.
Eradication of Worries.
Who am I - Realization of the Self?.

These practices will make a man understand the value of his own existence. By constant research and by leading a virtuous way of life, he dissipates the imprints of sins day by day. As a result, the soul becomes pure and perfect and his mind is peaceful.

Benefits
By exposition and practical techniques of introspection, one is enabled to suitably modify his or her hereditary and past traits.
One is able to change one's personality and bring out the latent talent and innate strength resulting in cheerful and successful life.
The process of analyzing and getting a total understanding of oneself. A systematic practice to get this understanding and to lead a life without causing pain to self and others.

Two Fold Moral Principle
In my lifetime, I will not cause harm to the mind or body of myself or others, in the present or in the future.
I will try to remove the suffering of others to the maximum extent possible.

Introspection helps us to achieve the two fold moral principle framed by Shri Vethathiri Maharishi to lead a harmonious life.
While Introspection enables us to identify the necessary steps for bringing about a harmonious transformation, Simplified Kundalini Yoga strengthens and provides the necessary power, to our mind and thoughts emanating from it, to complete the transformation.

Below are the topics covered under Introspection

1. The need of Introspection. The Greatness of Silence.
2. The Philosophy of Life.
3. Analysis of Thoughts.
4. Moralization of Desire
5. Benefits of blessing
6. Neutralization of Anger
7. Eradication of Worries
8. Realization of Self
9. Sinful Imprints and ways to eliminate them.
10. Life and Mind
11. Philosophy Of Mind
12. Evolution of Universe
13. Action Imprints - Cause and Effect
14. Karma Yoga - Purifying of genetic centre
15. Peace in Family
16. Why Men differ?
17. Before Birth and after Death
18. Astronomy and Astrology
19. Evolution of Universe
20. Brahma Gnanam and Philosophy of Action and Result.

Silence Programme:
There is a unique programme in which we maintain Silence in a Retreat . Yogiraj Vethathiri says that when one is silent, God talks to him.

When one sits in a calm place and just keeps quiet, he can observe the numerous thoughts that come into one's mind. Where do these thoughts come from? The thoughts are nothing but the expression of the mind. Mind's frequency is but the frequency of the Life Energy Particles. The Mind records whatever we do at our genetic centre and when we are quiet replays it for us. Our Mind shows that we have all these imprints inside ourselves and keeps showing us these imprints when we get into that state of mind again.

So when we are quiet and silent, when others do not disturb us, we are doing meditation and conserving our Life Force. But our purpose should be during this time to concentrate on the Inner Self, and treasure what we get due to this contact and live by them.

If you would like to know more about Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY) or introspection do click here http://vethathiri.org/Home/

Even Buddha ask us to seek inwardly within ourselves. The real Buddha is within ourselves not without. Some people will think I am crazy for trying to talk to my inner self but that is meditation. If you are unable to communicate with yourself, how can you communicate with others (spiritually)? How can you develop any physic ability? How can you be enlightened? This is why we need to do introspection.

We come into this world with nothing, we will leave this world with nothing.

INTROSPECTION (poem) by Swamiji
The state of Awareness

Is the light of lights with which

you should rescue and steady

your untrained mind,

that is now being tossed about

in a whirl pool as it were

of likes and dislikes.

Introspection intense

Would charge your life with love

and consciousness would develop

to trace its origin.

Truth would shine forth

In pristine effulgence

and misery would abate

in the onset of peacefulness.

Then and then alone

Would you be enabled

to terminate for good

The cycle of birth and death ---

The Spiritual Path

2010-01-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

THE SPIRITUAL PATH

To many people, Yoga is just some stretching exercises in tight revealing clothing. In fact, most Yogis wear loose fitting clothes in the East where it actually started. Most practioners will wear loose fitting clothing so that you do not distract other students with your sexy body or get distracted by others. Learning Yoga is a sacred thing. Similarly you do not fool around with Kung Fu or any other martial art. You can get seriously injured when you are distracted. You learn everything from a master / sifu / guru whom you have high esteem of. It is inappropriate and disrespectful to dress in tight fitting clothes. In fact many people wear tight fitting clothing and thinks it is sexy. They do not understand the implication to their health. Most people do not know about blood and chi circulations. Tight clothing hampers our movements. It also can cause the chi or blood to be blocked. Please read my article on Healing FAQs below or visit my website www.TFFoo.site11.com for more information. Even sleeping on a certain side of the shoulder can cause chi and blood blockage as explain in the mentioned article. I have nothing against anyone wanting to be sexy. It is funny to think that meditation and Yoga exercises are suppose to make you healthy mentally and physically. The fact is there are many Yoga instructors, monks, nuns, masters and students actually seek treatments for all kind of physical damages / discomforts.

Many years ago, I would never thought of myself as willing to do any manual work. Now I do it everyday. I was the Finance & Admin manager of a hotel belonging to a listed groups of companies. I am used to using my mind all the time and had neglected the physical aspect of my body. I guess it is karma that I do my own business. I have more time to pursue my interest in spiritualism and learning to get detached and rational about life.

A fellow collage mate ask me on how to solve stress and weight problems.
If your stress is from works, you have to face it head on. Be honest with yourself. Jot down which aspect of the work that stress you most. Take one little step at a time. How about try solving part of it first. The rest will be much easier. You need to set your priority right. The worst outcome would be to change job or business whichever is applicable. Always make sure you have done your best before going back. Remember that it is pointless to worry over something which you cannot change. For instance if you know your car battery is faulty, you should change it immediately. There is no point worrying your car might breakdown due to the faulty battery. In life people choose different path and have different destinies. There is no point worrying after you have done your best. You have to be rational.

You can do some chanting such as " Om Mani Padme Hum" if you are Buddhist. For Muslim maybe you can try "La i la ha i la wa" one thousand times. Some meditation will also help to calm down your mind. There are plenty of meditational centre everywhere.

Chi Kung if practiced on a regular basis under the guidance of a qualified master/instructor can bring you many benefits such as lowering your heart beat, promotes better chi and blood circulations. This should take care of most minor ailments. If you are tired you will naturally sleep better. You will also be able to become stronger when you are able to control and manipulate the chi. At this point you can even become a healer. I am not sure it will reduce your weight. You need to control your consumption of food. When you have reached a certain level perhaps you might not be that interested in food. I do not take much food but I am heavier and never hungry. There are many masters who are not disciplined with their consumption of food and doing daily exercises. Even they might get heart problems. You have to set your priority right.

Yoga is a system to help you live your live to the fullest.
Yoga can be divided as follows:
1) Exercises to tone up the muscles and bio-magnetism / chi
2) Meditation to tone up the bio-magnetism / chi and the mind
3) Introspection and Spiritual Awakening

Taoism

Regardless of whether you are Taoist, Buddhist or Hindu the above path is almost similar. For instance a Taoist disciple from Wu Tang Clan will have Wu Tang Kung Fu to tone up their muscles and bio-magnetism. Then they follow the Wu Tang's Taoist meditations. After that they have the Tao Te Ching and their masters' guidance to guide them on the spiritual path. Taoism is about cultivating Tao. The Tao is littary translate as a path or highway. The Tao is a way of life basing on the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tze. The water might be soft yet it still manage to cut through the rocks that happened to be in its way. A hero might be valiant but is no match for the beautiful maiden's trap (as in Samson and Delilah). It is because we see beauty that we see ugliness. It is always a comparison between this and that. If there is no comparison there is no beauty or ugliness. It is because you do not believe in someone that you make him/her a liar. How about my favorite Tao Te Ching's wisdom:

To know when one does not know is best,
To think one knows when one does not is a dire disease,
Only those who recognizes the disease as a disease,
Can be cured of the disease.

A lot of us are unable to differentiate what is right or wrong. To a drug addict, the drug is medicine while to others it is poison. Due to our lack of understanding of the nature of things, we are sometimes not able to differentiate what is right or wrong. Our perception of things might not be correct. It is when we are ignorant and still believe we are right that is most vile. Nothing can be done to help such people unless they are made to realize they are on the wrong path. For example, meditation is said to be good for our physical and mental health but trying to do meditation on our own without the guidance of a good master can be very dangerous. Some have gone mentally unstable to the extent of being insane. Over doing meditation for a novice can cause nose bleeding due to fever, migraines and the blood rushing to the head (which I had experienced about 20 years ago). Another example is, if someone fall down and out of compassion you might want to help him. If you are ignorant of first aids, you should call the ambulance and let the experienced medical personnel take care of him/her. If you ignorantly try to help, you might cause lots of irreversible damages and possibly permanent disablement to him/her. A lot of sufferings in this world can be avoided if only we are able to restrain ourselves from acting out of ignorance. Some of us even have the audacity to try to teach a "duck" (master/guru) how to swim.

This is the difference between a "superior" person who is one with Tao (ren sang ren) and the others. His heart is pure and with the ordinary people but take no credit for educating, prodding and helping them. Everything seems to happen on its own accord. That is Tao.

Buddhism

Similarly the Shaolin disciple will train on the Sholin Kung Fu, Buddhist meditations and Buddhist's scriptures and teachings. Buddhism is about the 4 noble truth, the 10 abstinence and 8 percepts.
The Buddha's first sermon after his Enlightenment centered on the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of Buddhism. The truths are:

1)The truth of suffering (dukkha)
2)The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)
3)The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)
4)The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)

The ten abstinences are :

1)Not killing
2)Not stealing
3)Not misusing sex
4)Not lying
5)Not abusing intoxicants
6)Not talking about others' errors and faults
7)Not elevating oneself and blaming others
8)Not being stingy
9)Not being angry
10)Not speaking ill of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Teacher/ Master)

Eight Percepts are :

1)Right View
2)Right Intention
3)Right Speech
4)Right Action
5)Right Livelihood
6)Right Effort
7)Right Mindfulness
8)Right Concentration

The Path is divided into three main sections: wisdom, ethical conduct and mental discipline.

Wisdom: Right View and Right Intention are the wisdom path. Right View is not about believing in doctrine, but in perceiving the true nature of ourselves and the world around us. Right Intention refers to the energy and commitment one needs to be fully engaged in Buddhist practice.

Ethical Conduct: Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood are the ethical conduct path. This calls us to take care in our speech, our actions, and our daily lives to do no harm to others and to cultivate wholesomeness in ourselves. This part of the path ties into the percepts.

Mental Discipline: Through Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration we develop the mental discipline to cut through delusion. Many schools of Buddhism encourage seekers to meditate to achieve clarity and focus of mind.

Of course these are only some basics of Buddhism. Hopefully I might have sown the seed for your quest for greater knowledge.

Indian Yoga

The Yogi's will have their stretching and breathing exercises to tone their muscles and bio-magnetism. They will normally be doing the Kundalini meditations. Then they will have introspections and spirituals discourse by their guru to help them. The Simplified Kundalini Yoga method by Swwarmiji Mahrishi is on how to live your life in a more rational way. If you want to know more about Simplified Kundalini Yoga courses in Malaysia (please click here). Beside meditations, those wanting to go far in spirituality should also look within (introspections) as follows:

1)The need of Introspection. The Greatness of Silence.
2)The Philosophy of Life
3)Analysis of Thoughts.
4)Moralization of Desire
5)Benefits of blessing.
6)Neutralization of Anger
7)Eradication of Worries
8)Realization of Self
9)Sinful Imprints and ways to eliminate them.
10)Life and Mind.
11)Philosophy Of Mind
12)Evolution of Universe
13)Action Imprints - Cause and Effect
14)Karma Yoga - Purifying of genetic centre
15)Peace in Family
16)Why Men differ?
17)Before Birth and after Death
18)Astronomy and Astrology
19)Evolution of Universe
20)Brahma Gnanam and Philosophy of Action and Result.

These are all included in four stages of Introspection courses. Of course you also learn many types of meditations.

What is the point of doing lots of meditation if your heart is not pure? Even in Taoism and Buddhism there is mentioned of being selfless, egoless, detached and leading a simple life. We must be able to rationalise everything. If something bad happens, do not be too sad. If something good happens do not be too happy. We should try to be detached and moderate (never in excess). Rationalised all the events and you will be able to have peace of mind.

It is the harnessing of the Chi/ Bio-magnetism / Prana that enable us to become stronger physically and mentally. It is through meditations that we started to get to know our inner self. It is the books / scriptures and gurus / masters that help us understand and overcome the difficulties on our spiritual path. Please refer to my article on meditation below for more information.

POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

2009-12-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

Mind Control & Positive Thinking

Western meditation is based on teaching people to look at the positive side of life (positive mental attitude) and how to reprogram yourself (neuro linguistic programming) to lead a more meaningful existence. Most of these courses are based on how the mind functions. You will learn about the pituitary and pineal glands in our brain, the areas controlling our intuitions and extra sensory perceptions. Then you will be taught about the left and right brain function. You will also learn about the Alpha, Beta and Delta level of consciousness. Meditation is by way of sitting on a comfortable chair, relaxing, listening to the soft background music imagining and visualizing out what the course master teaches. This will normally take 3 to 4 days to fire you up on positive thinking and try to break away from phobias and bad habits. It is a way of reprogramming our mind to function more effectively. There is no focusing on the chakras or meridians points. Here you work at the subconscious level of your mind. It preaches you about mind over matters. What the mind conceives and believes can be achieved.

I can still remember how more than 20 years ago I was first introduced and learn what such mind control courses are about. The lecturer Dr. AJA Peter was a qualified Silva Mind Control instructor. Since then I have brought and read hundreds of books by authors such as Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich", Dr. Maxwell's Psycho Cybernetics series, Vincent Price's Positive Thinking series and Napoleon Hill's Positive Mental Attitude. Most of the books wrote about the importance of our thoughts. Some of these people even claim that the thought is more important than the end product itself. I think such statement is over zealous and does not make sense since we receives all kinds of thoughts whether good or bad. Dr Peter might want to suppress all bad thoughts but I think it is a futile attempt. We have to let it in and knowingly reject all bad thoughts not hiding from it. It is like a star sales person making a sales statement. If we do not accept the logic behind those frivolous statements, no sales will come from it no matter how good the sales person is or what he/she says. It is our acceptance of the thoughts that we have the end result. If I were to think of having fun with a certain movie star, it does not mean she will actually accept me. How can I have fun with her when she might not even accept me as her friend? While thoughts are a powerful tool, it can only be realized if we truly believed it will happen. What the mind conceived and believed can be achieved. For instance, if we noticed a person in a trance and who truly believed himself/herself to be a god, he/she is a god at that moment of time and can do lots of seemingly impossible acts such as walking barefooted on fire, cutting, poking himself with swords and sharp objects, speak in alien language, miracle healing, eating glasses and porcelain and many other normally impossible acts. Normally these people does not feel the pain even when they are bleeding. It is when they are out of the trance that the pain begin to be felt. If I really think I want to kill someone, it is only thinking and unless and until I have performed the act, it is only in the form of thinking. While thinking itself is bad enough and should be rejected straight away, it is not a crime to just think. If you keep on having negative and harmful thoughts, it will be hardly surprising if you do not enjoy life. But it is not a crime for killing someone mentally (i.e in your mind only and the person is totally unharmed). Unless someone can prove you have the psychic ability to manipulate your mind to kill someone and the person is dead, there is no crime committed. Some people when faced with such thoughts feel guilty and disturbed. Let me assure you that you have no control over the suggestions that surfaced in your mind (just as you cannot control what you dream). You can however reject the thoughts straight away (just like you can wake yourself up from a nightmare). Why waste time on a useless thought /dream when you can move on to something better. Be rational these are all not real.

We must always be positive in our thoughts. If we think we will lose/fail, it is almost certain we have already lost without even trying. Therefore when things does not look bright, always put up your best and who knows your next punch might put down your more powerful opponent. In life, we do not always have sunshine everyday. Therefore we must make the hay while the sunshine last. We should always be positive in our thinking and reject all bad and harmful thoughts. We have to reinforce our positive thinking and always look for the silver lining in the sky no matter how bad your current situation is. Always have a positive mental attitude. Maybe things are not as bleak as what we imagined. There is always a way out if we really put our mind to find it. If we give up there is absolutely no hope of success. Who knows, your unwillingness to give up might spring you some surprises when you finally see light at the end of the tunnel of darkness. Do not give up but fight on with whatever little resources you might have and sooner or later you might find success.

The most important thing pertaining to human beings is the ability to use the brain to analyze and think. A human mind is always preoccupied with something regardless of whether it is positive or negative. If a human mind is endowed in negative thinking, he/she will be gloomy and living in fear of what lies ahead. On the other hand if a person is always thinking positively, he/she will be cheerful and looking forward to the future. In this world of ours, positive thinking alone will not guarantee us lasting happiness or what ever we are seeking for. The practicality and reality of everyday life has made it almost impossible to predict or diagnose. We have to be cautious and mindful of our actions to avoid the many traps set up by con-artistes /hypocrites (pretending to be your friends) and including naive people (who actually believe they were helping you but actually unwittingly make your life more miserable). Therefore we have to strike a balance between being totally positive (which is naive and easily conned) and pure negativity (which is fatal).

Badminton superstar Lin Dan was quoted as saying "There is no such thing as genius. In order to succeed, one has to perform the skill over and over again until it becomes natural. We have to work very hard to improve our weakness. It is this hard works which people normally does not notice that make one look like a genius executing extraordinary shots with precision and skill above the ordinary". Albert Einstein said he has no special talent but he was extremely curious. Thomas Edison have thousands of failures after failures until he finally managed to invent the electric light bulb. Beside the real on the field practices, many sport stars now do mind conditioning to help them focus on their games. For instance Tiger Wood would visualised the ball being hit over and over again to see himself successfully hit the perfect "hole in one" shots. Most stars now employ psychologists to help them condition their mind to perform at their peak. Similarly we cannot expect to be good in meditation or mind control without putting extraordinary efforts. Therefore some people took up Tai Chi or Chi Kung or Yoga for more than thirty years without much progress. There are others who took less than a year and yet become more successful. It is the effort and willingness to work very hard toward your objective that bring you results. If these seemingly invincible people have so much failures (certainly more than an ordinary person), it would be hardly surprising if the ordinary can also be successful too if they set reasonable and achievable goals and work very hard toward achieving them. Do not be afraid to fail. When you fail, you must try to learn from your failure. Analyse why you fail with friends, coaches and mentors. By improving yourself you become more and more likely to succeed the next time. If we are too afraid to fail, we will never be successful too. Ultimately it is the one success that matters as no one cares about the previous 10000 times Thomas Edison fail in making the electric bulb. Ben Franklin says "I have not failed. I have found 10,000 ways that do not work." Similarly it does not matter how many times the superstars fail, it is the trophies that ultimately matters and made them the champions. If we are to measure it the other way round you will find Thomas Edison as having one of the most failures in life. Similarly normal people who is either too lazy or afraid to try will have the least of failures and success.

Some of the authors of western meditation now has ventured into Yoga's terrain, where there is mention of chakras and ancient meditation. But ultimately, mind control is the science of reprogramming yourself (self hypnotised) to have a positive mental attitude, breaking phobias and bad habits. There is also mention of psychic abilities. Our mind is a super computer. If we really believe we can walk on fire, the fire will not harm you. The difficult part is to stop oneself from doubting himself / herself. What the mind conceives and believes can be achieved. Recently, it has also come to my attention that some authors are trying to tell people who want to be successful that we must be doing what destiny have in store for us. If our destiny is to be a healer, we will not be successful doing something unrelated. It make sense since each of us have different fates and futher it is easier to explain why some people can never be successful.Even the Ultra Mind Control talks about discovering our purpose in this world and work toward achieving it. It is sayings things that are different from the previous stand of what the mind conceives and believe can be achieved. In doing so perhaps we might also make the best out of life.

Alternative Healing

2009-12-23T19:52:00.000-08:00

Alternative Healings

Western medicine treats illness from physical evidence of symptoms. For instance, if you have fever, then the medicine will be panadol and etc. It seldom look at the source of the problem. Eastern medicine look at the source as they were around for thousands of years. Using the same example, the Chinese or Indian physician will use massage with herbal oil, acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedy or a combination of the above. There are others who use Chi (Bio-magnetism) and Yi (mental energy to visualize) to heal.

To the person in the East, the concept of chi /prana / life force/ bio-magnetism is nothing new as it has been in existence for thousands of years. These kind of things can make a western minded person nervous. Normal people cannot see energy, as clearly as those who have undergone the necessary trainings or those who are born with the ability. If we have never heard of ABC how the hell would we be able to read or write in English. Similarly, if our mind have never being conditioned, we would not be able to perform any kind of visualization or meditation. Some people give the impression that such things are sacred and mysterious. If magician do not practice their hands regularly, their acts would easily being seen through by the audiences. If we do not practice the mind, the mind will not be able to respond to our instruction. Chi (bio-magnetism) is an invisible energy which is available everywhere. It can be either cold or warm energy (yin or yang). Yin and Yang are the duality of the universe as a pair of opposite action/reaction opposing yet complementing each other as the male and female. We get chi from our surrounding. In grave yards and moon we get "yin chi" (negative chi). In the Sun we get "yang chi" (positive chi). The chi on its own is neither good nor bad. When we are weak and fail to control the chi resulting in an imbalance, we will become sick. But if we are able to control the chi and direct it at will, we will be able to perform healing on others even from a distance. Evil people learning the black art can place curses on others from a distance. I wish to stress again that Chi in itself is neither good or bad. It is only good or bad depending on how it is being used.

Those who practice meditation and Chi accumulation exercises regularly might be able to do healing without even touching the patient. Here visualization is very important. It involves the patient sitting on a chair, the healer will visualize the chi coming from the middle of his palms descending onto the patient. In many type of Chi kung/ Reiki and Yoga there is the visualization of Chi permeating into the patient body and act on the parts with disorder. Most Reiki books do not mention of cure once the healing session is completed. They just hope the chi would act on the affected areas and hopefully manage to heal the patient. If massage and acupressure or acupuncture are incorporated into the healing process then the patient can be healed faster. I have managed to cure most patients within one session. Only complicated cases involving joints and more serous illness will require further treatment.

Now let us go back to the earlier example of fever, if we were to trace it to the source, it can be just plain fever from eating hot food such as chili or the weather is too hot, some panaldo or herbal tea should be able to take care of the illness. However if the fever is due to complications from meditation, no amount of panaldo or herbal tea will be effective. If the physician does not know anything about meditation, any prescription will be useless. The blood rushes to the head causing heaviness and headache. There is a need to reduce the energy at the head so visualization of energy to the head might not work as there is already too much energy there. You need to know how to release the energy not add more energy. Acupuncture and acupressure would be more suitable treatment as it can release the chi accumulated in the head area. Therefore treatment depends on the source of the illness. In more serious cases, even acupressure and acupuncture can only provide temporarily relief. This is normally due to the activation of the third eye chakra and the crown chakra causing too much chi to go to the head. The healer must be able to reduce the energy going to the head of the patient. Novices should beware that the patient's chi might be absorbed by them and could caused them to be sick as well. Therefore no one should attempt to heal others unless he/she is powerful enough to redirect the chi away. Just like in an exorcist, the healer must be more powerful than the patient or the healer would need to be healed. Nothing is more ludicrous than when the healer need to be healed as a result of absorbing the patient's chi. Now this is not funny as it is happening all the time. About a year ago the assistant instructor told me she had tried to heal her grandmother who is around a century old. Every time she heal her grandmother she would feel very weak and totally exhausted even after 5 minutes of healing. Even our chi kung instructor would say if we give away our chi, we will be short of chi. Of-course I know they do not understand chi and how we absorbed each other chi all the time without even realising it. That is why some people get sick all of a sudden. Many Yoga masters, Chi Kung masters, Reiki masters and chi/bio-magnetism practioners get sick trying to heal others. In my earlier articles I mentioned about each person having their own optimum equilibrium chi/bio-magnetism level. After so many years of healing, I can withstand a higher level of chi. Similarly when I start doing some pest control jobs about a year ago, I would get cramps on both legs. Now I do not feel anything at all. It is all a matter of getting stronger and stronger both mentally and physically.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body consist of blood, chi and body fluid (such as sweat etc). When the blood circulation is bad you will have problems arising from that particular area. For instance if you have problem lifting up your hand (either side) then you probably have bad blood and chi circulation at your shoulder or your arm joint or both. Therefore you need to clear the clogged blood vessel at the joints and shoulders. This can be done by using massaging and acupuncture techniques to stimulate the clogged areas. The above should be repeated until the blood circulation is improved and the patient has no problem lifting up the hand. Medicated oil might be helpful for those who do not have enough chi. The oil will stimulate the blood flow and heated up the affected area. For those who can manipulate chi proficiently there might not be a need to use medicated oil. Similarly, the acupuncturist can use mild low voltage electrical shock on the needles to stimulate the meridian points.

For more details of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) please refer to my article on Traditional Healing. Basically, it is based on Viscera a general term for the internal organs (zhang fu). There are five yin viscera (zhang) and six yang viscera (fu). The five yin viscera are heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney. The six yang viscera are gallbladder, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and triple warmer. The viscera are linked by meridian points (nadi for Indian) to help the body function. The Five Yin Viscera main characteristics are to generate and store chi. The Six Yang Viscera main characteristics are to receive and transport food and waste.

Preventive Healing

Before you get sick, would it not be better to try to prevent ourselves from getting sick? Prevention is always better than cure. If we lack vitamin C, it would be good to eat more fruits containing this vitamin. Of-course extracts from plants containing vitamin c are being made into pills for convenience. Similarly the wealthy ancient Chinese, Korean and Japanese have been using various type of Ginsengs each with its special healing power to cure deficiencies and excesses in our bodies. Vegetables and herbs have for thousands of years play a vital part in promoting health and longevity in the eastern civilization. Even today Ginseng is regarded as a power booster and Chinese Radish is a good de-booster. Chinese tea is good for cooling down the body, used as antiseptic to clean wounds, removes fats from our system and etc. Cure for all kind of ailments can be found in the jungle or in the Bio Technology farms around the world.

The Asian has for thousands of years used Yoga, Reiki, Chi Kung, Tai Chi and other Chi enhancing methods to become healthier physically and mentally. Most people who can accept the existence of chi will think the more chi the merrier. They probably have the misconception of equating chi to inner strength. Just as water can be harnessed to create electricity, chi can be harnessed to provide psychic / supernatural abilities. Having lot of chi but without the ability to use it is like getting a flood due to overflow of water. It can be dangerous. Similarly electricity, if it is harnessed it can be used to cook food but if it is out of control it can be a disaster. Such surplus chi need to be released or the patient will have to endure great sufferings. In Chi Kung, the practitioners can store the chi at their Tan Tien (two to three inches below the naval). Some Chi Kung techniques make use of 3 tan tien. The crown is the upper Tan Tien, the heart chakra is the middle Tan Tien while the lower Tan Tien is 2 to 3 inches below the naval.

Tai Chi Chuan / Chi Kung / Yoga all have breathing exercises to promote the blood circulation and general health of a person. It is not so much the fanciful moves but the breathing techniques and mind (yi) that is most important. You can learn Tai Chi for 20 years and yet not progress much due to the inability to master the breathing and visualization techniques (yi). What is the use of all these fanciful moves if the proper breathing is neglected? It is at most like doing normal exercises which might help in promoting blood circulation. However, if a person is able to master the breathing and visualization techniques (using yi), I am sure that person can do healing of normal ailments such us backache, headache, migraine, sprains, cold limbs and etc as in Reiki (Japanese Ki Healing) and Chi Kung. I have taught a staff of mine a single move and within one week he has managed to provide treatments to family members. After two weeks of self training, he was able to provide treatments to his friends. Of course the Chi alone would not be able to cure a person of some of those ailments. There is also a need to have sufficient knowledge of massage and how the human body functions. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body consists of blood, chi and body fluid (such as sweat and etc.). The blood transports the chi and body fluid around. If the blood is not moving properly, you will get bad blood circulation resulting in stagnant chi. Chi Kung /Yoga / Reiki enhances the circulation of the blood and chi. When everything is functioning properly, you will be less susceptible to ailments. It is not surprising to see people in their fifties looking from ten to twenty years younger due to constant harnessing of chi. Many Yogis and Chi Kung masters can do stunning things such as pulling buses and even planes with their hairs, teeth and other parts of their body.

Before I realized what Chi and Yi are, I always assume it is not important how we breathe. We are breathing all the time so what is so special about mere breathing? Surely it must one of those fanciful moves such as "Mei Yan Chue Keng" (maiden looking into a mirror), "See Tow Pai See" (disciple paying homage to master), "Wong Kow Seh New" (yellow dog pissing urine), "Siong Loong Chut Hoi" (double dragons crossing the sea), "Hoi Tai Lau Yip" (scooping leave from the bottom of the sea) and others. My mother and elder brother both claim to have 20 to 30 years of experience in either Tai Chi Chuan / Chi Kung or both. I also know of another person learning Wai Tan Kung. None of them were taught to pay emphasis on breathing techniques and yi. From my observation, they look ordinary. When I ask them whether they can feel the chi at the centre of their palms (Lao Gong), the answer was always sometimes only.

After having gone through some short courses in Shao Lin Chi Kung and see the ability of the master, I finally realized I have actually neglected training on proper breathing. Once I incorporated proper breathings into some simple moves, I was astounded by the results. My staffs (in their twenties) are not even half my age and who do manual works (their arms are about 1.5 to 2 times the size of mine) used to shake hand with me. I could not beat them but neither could they beat me. It was always a stalemate (I have martial art ability which offset their youth and muscular strength) as neither could make the other yield. After learning some breathing techniques, I can now make them yield. Imagine a middle aged man making young men with arms almost twice that of his yield. I can also stop their punches with my bare soft palms. Of course I can do all sort of thing an ordinary person cannot. I am in no way implying that the moves of Shao Lin are better than Tai Chi, Wu Tang or any other martial arts. I am only stating the fact that a lot of people learn Tai Chi or Chi Kung without really able to master the correct breathing techniques and most important of all understand yi. It is not how many years you have studied or practiced the techniques but rather doing it correctly. My mother said she had practiced Tai Chi 18 styles Chi Kung for more than 30 years. While she might be stronger than most around her age, she would definitely be better if she had practiced it with the correct breathing technique and yi. Even though I have only learned the Tai Chi 18 styles Chi Kung from video, I can confidently state that all martial arts and breathing exercises are good for health. I have seen from video how Tai Chi masters are able to perform death defying moves such as 3 huge westerners lifting up a big log and ramming it into the old master. The master in his eighties was not even moved by the impact but rather those westerners were thrown back by the impact. The old Tai Chi Master was also able to withstand punches rained on him by the same westerners. Many Yoga and Chi Kung masters can harness enough electricity to light up bulbs with their chi and yi. Of course some of those learning mind control and meditation can also harness such energy. Such powerful chi can be used to help people with deficient chi, poor blood circulation and other diseases. Some people has abuse the trust of the sick by claiming cure for un-curable diseases such as cancer. Until the cure is validated, we must be vigilant against such con artists who conned the sick of their hard earned money. There are people who themselves need healing but try to convince other he can cure all disease. If they cannot even cure themselves, how can they cure others? There are many masters and even grand masters with health problems. While we can practiced to a high level we must also be disciplined enough not to over abuse our body by knowing our limit and eating healthily.

The harnessing of chi can be vide hard strenuous kung fu exercises such as Shao Lin Kung Fu (with powerful kicks and punches) and also the soft kung fu of Wu Tang (such as the seemingly effortless and graceful movements of Tai Chi and Wu Tang martial arts). The general misconception of Shao Lin martial art is that it is based on only hard chi. There are of course slow movements and soft chi exercises in Shao Lin too. In fact, there are also Buddhist meditation techniques in Shao Lin Kung Fu.

Shao Lin Kung Fu is a Buddhist based Kung Fu started by Damo (a priest from India who became the First Patriarch ). He was credited as the person who spread Buddhism to China. Martial art was meant as a self defense and health enhancement. Damo might have taught the monks some ancient Indian martial art such as kalari payat. Later the movements of animals were incorporate into a martial art form. Shao Lin Kung Fu also borrows some Taoist ideas such as the Five Elements (i.e. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water) as in the “Five Elements Palm”. In "Iron Shirt Chi Kung" the exponent are able to absorb deadly blows without much injury. Exponents can also withstand heavy weights such as being run over by a car, bus or truck. Such acts can only be performed by the true master. Ever try asking someone heavier to stand on top of your abdomen and you will know what I mean. It can break your pelvis bone and get you hospitalized. In some cases it can be fatal. Therefore such acts can only be performed by those who regularly practiced deep diaphragm breathing and some form of Iron Shirt Chi Kung or Golden Bell technique. Of the people known to perform such acts, I think Grandmaster Anthony Wee went under a double deckers bus weighting 9.3 tons practically unharmed. Many masters have broken their pelvic bone and get hospitalized even at 3 tons. There are masters who get killed as a consequence.

Contrary to popular belief that Shao Lin is using only hard Chi as in those deadly Shao Lin Kung Fu moves. I have personally witness astonishing and incredible chi kung demonstration where Shaolin Wu Chu Chuan Master James Chee use chi to throw several person off balance from a distance of several meters. At first I was inclined to think it must be some form of hypnotism or collusions. When I tried the same techniques on a staff of mine (6 meter from me) and he actually nearly fell down and complain of feeling like he wanted to vomit that I become convince there is something to it. I only directed a half strength chi at him. That same staff was lying down with his back facing me and probably asleep a week later when I playfully flick my fingers to target his left ear. I was at least 2 meters away so I never physically touch him and there is no way he can see me. He immediately wake up after the flick and look bewildered at me. He told me he felt some energy hitting him on his ear and part of his face. I purposely did not say anything just to see if he was telling the truth. If he had said he feel some heat near his hand or other than the left ear I would immediately know he is lying. On another occasion, I asked the same staff to go out of the room. The door was closed so that he cannot see me. I took my time to direct my chi at him (after 2 minutes). If he was to yell before I even started, then he would be faking it. Somehow, when I started to direct my chi at him, he yelled. I quickly opened the door and found him balancing himself against the wall. He told me he was about to fall and he lean against the wall to balance himself. People with more chi will definitely be able to overcome those with weaker chi and accordingly have control over them just like when a ghost take over the body of a victim (it is always someone mentally weaker at least at that moment). I have also experimented with some household spiders. The spiders have fast reflexes and move away from danger quickly. When my chi hit the spider in my office, there was no movement from it for over 3 hours until one of my staff pushes it with his finger. The spider as if suddenly awaken from a trance or meditation ran off never to be seen again. I have also experiment on household lizards. I directed my chi mentally on a lizard. The lizard retreated each time I directed the chi at it until it finally run out the window never to be seen again. I have done the same experiment on lizards at my sister's house and my mother's house and have yet to see any of the lizards.

Wu Tang is a Taoist based kung fu based on the Yin and Yang harmony (Rou Tai Kang – soft yet hard), Ba Gua (8 Trigram) and the five elements theory. The Ba Gua Zhen (8 Trigram Formation), Chi Xing Jen (Seven Stars Swords) and Tai Chi Chuan are all based on Taoist principles. Taoist monks are different from Buddhist monks. The Buddhist monks are shaven bald while the Taoist monks keep their hairs knotted. Shao Lin and Wu Tang have always been among the elite martial arts in China.

According to ancient records, the founder of Wu Tang was Chang San Fong (or Cheong Sam Fung in Cantonese) a former Shao Lin apprentice monk who happened to guard the Shao Lin library containing the best martial techniques available then. In the midst of a trespassing by some other party to steal some of the books, he somehow managed to get hold of some books and fled to Mont Wu Tang where he established the Wu Tang Clan. In his golden years, he founded the Tai Chi Chuan (which means the ultimate martial art). Experts of Tai Chi Chuan are able to deflect and absorb normally fatal blow effortlessly vide the interplay of Yin and Yang chi. The modern Tai Chi Chuan taught today originated from the Chen family. Probably someone from the Chen clan managed to learn it from a disciple or has been a Wu Tang disciple and modified it to what it is today. As Chinese martial arts were passed down from generation to generation usually within the same family, Tai Chi Chuan was only taught to the Chen family (male only). Somehow Yang Lu Sian (Yeong Low Sim in Cantonese) managed to learn it from the Chen and modified it into a more harmonious Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. Therefore the modern Tai Chi Chuan is either an offshoot from the Yang style or the Chen style. It is different from the Wu Tang's original Tai Chi Chuan which is still being taught in Mont Wu Tang.

Yoga make use of postures and breathings exercises to promote blood circulation and vital energy (prana). They also have various meditation styles such as Raja Yoga, Hatta Yoga and others. These all promote the flow of the vital energy through the awakening of the chakras. Yoga based on the Kundalini method is the most dangerous and might not be suitable for everyone and must be taught by a qualified master. Kundalini Yoga is based on the belief of a dormant serpent coiled up at the base of the spine. Once awakened the serpent at the base of the spine unleashed its full power and rose to the head. This might be too much to handle for most people learning without a master. In fact I have nose bleeding, migraine, fever and etc for almost two years which is more than most people can endure. I have over zealously practiced on my own far more than others resulting in the suffering. Therefore I would advise those interested in meditation to tread the path cautiously. You might not need to suffer as much as I do. Take it a step at a time and you will have much lesser to regret.

In conclusion, not all eastern healing methods are good or useful. You learn Yoga/Chi Kung for health but it really depends on each individual's need. Accumulation of chi / prana / bio-magnetism is good but if you go beyond your limit / tolerance level, it might not be good for you. If you have too much chi rushing toward your head, you might have fever, headache, nose bleeding and etc. It is a real nightmare for those who have been in similar situations. Too much chi is not good and need to be removed. On the other hand if you have become an expert, your tolerant level will be much higher and you will be able to redirect the chi with your yi (mind). At this stage you can use the chi to heal others and yourself. Therefore an over zealous beginner will suffer for his folly of learning impatiently and getting himself in the "spider web". Only a master can control the chi properly. A lot of books exaggerate on the achievements as a result from certain training methods especially in regard to learning Yoga. A lot of books especially ancient texts will tell you that mastering Kundalini Yoga will bestowed powerful magical power to the student. I have almost gone crazy trying to master it but after more than 20 years I still do not consider myself having any magical power. My chakras have been activated and I can direct the Chi to any part of my body and anywhere I choose to(as in the case of the insects and lizards experiments). I can look directly at the Sun without harming my eyes. Of course many people get blinded by a half strength sunlight. Most of it must be taken with a pinch of salt. The Taoist books tend to be flowery and coded resulting in wrong interpretation for those who venture unguided. The book "Elixirs of the Golden Flower" is actually a Taoist divination method using meditation to achieve a certain stage of progress. The translation is simply a golden pill to achieve the stage but because it is Taoist, it is not the physical consumption of the pill but the intricate meditation trainings involved. It is like the taoist masters alchemy of preparing a golden pill. It takes at least 49 (7 x 7)days of slow preparation. It is just like a meditation. Therefore it is always advisable to learn from a master who can help you in your journey to better health. Learning from books might have certain limitations such as when you have a problem there is no one to turn to. Unless you are already an expert then there is no harm in reading the books to increase your knowledge. On the other hand who would reveal their special techniques in a book. You only get the ordinary materials. Many masters charge thousands of dollars for a few days of excercises.

Buddhism - The Science of the Mind

2009-12-08T00:41:00.000-08:00

All religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism propagate high morals values and preaches good deeds. I am in no way a religious person nor am I an atheist. I am just expressing my views on certain issues concerning Buddhism. I sincerely believe that truly religious people irrespective of race or religions have compassions for all human beings irrespective of race, gender and creed.

Buddhism is a religion based on the cultivation of the mind. The mind is the most complex subject in a human. This involves the person’s character, behavior, value system deciding on what he/she ought to do and not to do. We should be mindful of what we do or say and how it affects others.

In Buddhism, the only thing that is certain is suffering from illness, aging, dying and etc. Since we do not bring anything into this world we will take nothing out of this world. We are all born naked with nothing tangible. When we die even the clothes we wear will decayed and therefore we take nothing out of this world. The aim of all Buddhist is to liberate themselves (and for some undergoing the avalokesvara path such as the Goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin it include liberating all sentient beings as well) from the wheel of sufferings (where one does not get reborn again and therefore cease from sufferings). It is much easier said than done.

Many people think making donations and giving alms would generate lots of merits (kung ter) or good karma. Whether it bears any merit depends upon our own expectation. We should not expect to be rewarded for whatever good deeds done as such an expectation will render the deed as having no merit. The point here is to do things out of compassion for others and without expectation for any reward. The thoughts of helping others out of compassion and not for rewards will bear good karma and merits. We have to treat everyone with kindness and compassions. Our mind should be free of greed, hatred, lust, anger, vengeance and all kind of negative emotions. We should also not be too happy or proud over whatever achievement or look down upon others. We must give up attachment to everything knowing it is transient. We should not have egos. We should be humble. We should forget about our present selves knowing it is only a vehicle for us to get to another destination. Upon achieving all these then only can we see our true nature and achieve enlightenment.

The mode of trainings and rituals might be different in different parts of the world but the above objectives and ideas are still the same. For instance the Buddhists monks in China are vegetarian. The monks in Thailand eat whatever the devotees gave them and in some cases meats. Some Thai monks even smoke cigars bought by devotees. Similarly the lama of the Tibetans order is divided into red hat and yellow hats and their supreme ruler was suppose to be the Dalai Lama until the Chinese Communist took over in the 1940s. The Tibetans eat meat as their land can hardly grow any vegetables. I am not trying to say which system is better. For instance, if we want to reach the top of a high rise building, there would always be many ways of doing so. We can climb the stairs; we can climb the building from the outside like the French "spider man"; we can take the lift:; we can take a private helicopter and many other ways. Some methods are easier than others and depending on what you have in mind, you should choose the method that is most suitable to you. Many people would think climbing all the way to the top to be too slow and tedious and many people does not have what it take to climb to the top. For those who make it through the hard way, the rewards are bountiful and treasured for the rest of their life. These people become stronger and more focus on what need to be done to get to the next stage. Similarly, taking the lift is the simplest way but it might not leave any lasting impression. There is not much to gain here. If you continue to take the easiest way out, it would be hardly surprising that you have no lasting impressions of the training you have undergone.

Definitely we do see lots of difference between the Tibetans Vajrayana order and the Chinese Mahayana Buddhism and the Pureland schools that arises on the beliefs that simpler methods of attaining enlightenment is available. I have a former house mate (and fellow student of a Buddhist temple in Ampang) who claimed he wants to be free from being reborn and free himself from the wheels of sufferings. It is good to be free of these worldly sufferings but when our thoughts and desires are still attached to it, how can we escape reincarnation? As far as I am concern, a person's mind must reach the egoless stage where he care for the general suffering of others more than of himself (he seek no fame and has no worldly desire). He is not hurt by words or deeds of others nor does he hurt others with words and deeds. Otherwise, there is no way a person fill with so much ego and worldly desire can become enlightened. If one is not enlightened, one has no business wanting to be free of rebirth. Such people obviously do not qualify either on merit or on their deeds. If you do not train your minds you cannot hope to be enlightened. This is mere wishful thinking.

Once enlightened, we should try to help other sentient beings to overcome their problems. It is not about helping ourselves and our loved ones but helping those requiring our help most irrespective of whom. This is because as an enlightened being, he/she is compassionate and kind to all sentient beings regardless of whether the person is an enemy or friend. There is, however, a danger of trying to help others when we ourselves are riddled with imperfections. The Dharma expounded by us might be inaccurate and deceiving due to our own imperfect knowledge and understanding. In Tao Te Qing, there is mention of how the most dangerous thing is not knowing what we do not know. In other words, it simply means that if we do not know that we actually are unclear about a certain matter whether it is through ignorance or simply naive, we might endanger ourselves and others by thinking we know. A lot of us are unable to differentiate what is right or wrong. To a drug addict, the drug is medicine while to others it is poison. Due to our lack of understanding of the nature of things, we are sometimes not able to differentiate what is right or wrong. Our perception of things might not be correct. It is when we are ignorant and still believe we are right that is most vile. Nothing can be done to help such people unless they are made to realize they are on the wrong path. For example, meditation is said to be good for our physical and mental health but trying to do meditation on our own without the guidance of a good master can be very dangerous. Some have gone mentally unstable to the extent of being insane. If we were to help an accident victim out of compassion but due to our lack of understanding of first aid, we might actually do more damage than good. The accident victim might become paralyzed due to our inadequate knowledge. Similarly, preaching wrong dharma unknowingly can be the activation of bad karma naively.

My fung shui master told me not to do healings or give healing lessons for free. He reasoned that people are suffering due to past karma. If we heal the person out of compassion and get the bad karma pass to ourselves, is it worth it? Further, you can use part of the fee received to do good deeds. That is why you do not get cheap fung shui consultation I guess. If we are to care only about ourselves, it would be hardly surprising we will not go far spiritually. Even if we are to be punished for trying to mess with other's karma, surely we will be rewarded for helping others (not that I really care). It is the satisfaction that you have helped someone suffering from some ailment which the doctor cannot cure and that it is a very good feeling regardless of the reward if any. If the patient is unable to pay you due to poverty, so be it as it is a noble cause. However, I really detest the people who has lots of money to pay the doctor and specialist (who unfortunately could only make matter worse to the extend that he wishes to be dead). Some do not even bother to thank the person that healed them. Perhaps it must be some previous karma.

Some ignorant people will think that calling out to Amithaba Buddha will deliver them directly to the Pureland of the west (Kek Lok Sai Kai) and allows them to attain enlightenment. According to the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng (also known as Wei Lang), if you have not cultivate yourself to an enlightened stage, it is unlikely the Amitabha Buddha would deliver you to the Kek Lok Sai Kai. There is also no Pureland of the West as the people living in the east would like to be reborn in the West hoping for a change in their fortune and vice versa. If the person is born in the west commit a sin, where would he/she ask to be born next? In other words you must have kindness and compassions, self detachment, no ego, humble and enlightened before you can join the other enlightened beings who managed to free themselves from the wheel of sufferings. Imagine the unenlightened getting the chance to become a Buddha, such a person will be egoistic and come with all the imperfections he/she has still not overcome. Even if I am allowed to be a Buddha in such a way (which is actually not possible), I will not accept it as I know, with my imperfections, I am not worthy to be a Buddha (there is always a tingling doubt inside my head reminding me of my own imperfection). Outwardly, we might be able to conceal our imperfections, we cannot lie to ourselves. We know exactly what our imperfections are. Reflect on yourself, listen to your true self (inner voice) and you will be able to see exactly what I mean. Knowing your own imperfections, you should strive to overcome them. At least we know we are improving day by day, gaining more wisdom and enlightenment. To the enlightened, everywhere is the same (Western Pureland). Only the unenlightened would seek for another place to be born in, knowing they have not reached the required level to free themselves from the wheel of sufferings. If we happen to be such an undeserving person, why waste time hoping for a fluke shot to become a Buddha. Why not double up your efforts and deservingly become enlightened. It might take more than one lifetime but so what? You do not need to seek the Buddha elsewhere as it is inside all of us. Seek inwardly within ourselves for the Essence of Mind. As long as the mind is pure, it is the Western Pureland of the Essence of Mind. The real Buddha is within ourselves not without.

Meditation

2009-12-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

Meditation

Introduction :

Meditation is a method of relaxation and conditioning of our mind. People do meditation for various reasons (i.e. religious such as in Buddhism, Sufism and etc.; meta physics and psychic advances; relaxation and free from stress; martial arts advances, longevity, health and etc.. There are various methods of meditation. Some do it in a standing position, sitting in a chair, sitting on the floor, in sleeping position and etc. As long as you are able to relax and achieve what you want, it does not really matter which position you choose. Different master teach with their own peculiar emphasis and views of what is best for the students under them. Some masters do not reveal much to their students and insist the students follow them blindly resulting in most of the students not achieving much progress. While there are other masters who might not have much ability but are still willing to share whatever they know which at least allows the students to progress faster (at least at the beginning). Therefore do not look for a famous master and end up learning nothing. What is most important is the ability and willingness of the master to impart his knowledge to the student. Of course if you are learning from someone (or even the books) who has neither the knowledge nor the right aptitude required to teach, some misleading matters would be inadvertently or innocently passed to the students. Furthermore, you might not be in a position to know if you are doing it correctly since you do not have a master to guide and correct you when you are doing something wrongly. In Tao Te Ching (a Taoist book) it mentioned about how dangerous it is to assume we know something when in fact we are in no position to presume so. It is akin to taking drug and assuming it to be safe. Our knowledge of things might not provide us with the ability to decipher what is right or wrong. Out of compassion we might decide to help someone involved an accident. If our knowledge of first aid is limited, we might be doing more harm than good. The poor fellow might be doom for life (paralysed) due to our inadequate knowledge. Therefore leave those things to the expert (i.e the guru / sifu / master).

TYPES OF MEDITATION

Basically, meditation can be group into three distinct types. The first type involve soothing music and is mainly used in modern mind control meditations. The second type involve the master doing initiation on the students and send forth his chi / bio-magnetism to help the students. This second type belong to Indian yoga and Taoist Yoga. The third type involve the chanting of mantras only. This third type normally belong to some Buddhist groups chanting "Namo Amitabha Buddha" and "Om Mani Padme Hum'; Muslim groups chanting La ila ha ila wa (there is no other god other than Allah) and other chanting meditation. Of course there are many meditation groups using a combination of the above types of meditation. For instance some Taoist practitioners have to undergo training rituals by eating charmed water and paper, chanting secret verses and do meditation for 49 days (7 weeks without a break) to learn "Maosan" (a Taoist method of divination). There is of course the spiritual Kung Fu where the student learn to summoned god and deities to perform healings and spiritual kung fu. If a master were to pass some of his chi or bio-magnetism to his students, the students will be able to attain a higher level at a shorter time. Do not assume all chi are the same. The master (or those who is good at manipulating chi) will always have superior chi at his/ her disposal. If a real master strike you with his chi, it can cause some damage to you. On the other hand if an ordinary person will to do the same thing, it would not amount to anything.

In Tantric Buddhism (Tibetan), the need to obey the master whole heartedly cannot be over emphasis here as they reasoned that if a ship is in the storm, the words of the captain should not be disputed as by the time you try to reason out things, the ship might have been drowned. The captain should know his works of steering the ship out of danger. Similarly, the master should be able to chart the spiritual path taken by his students. The master might test your patience, ego and etc to ensure he is passing the knowledge to someone worthy. They might be slightly more lenient to a westerner who is not accustomed to eastern culture where the master is held in high esteem. In Yoga, the Indian students frequently kiss the feet of their master. To the older Chinese (most modern Chinese might treat the master differently), the master for one day is a father for life (yat yat wai si chung san wai fu). That was also why in Chinese Kung Fu, a disciple had only one master /one type of Kung Fu for life. If the student had advanced beyond the ability of his master, the master could recommend a friend or colleague to be another master of the disciple. If the disciple acted on his own accord, he would be disowned and disabled (in martial arts). This is to ensure he/she will not be able to use the martial art again. There is no way a Shao Lin disciple can be allowed to learn Wu Tang's martial art and vice versa.

Many people do not realize that chanting is the first step into meditation. Normally when we do chanting, we must be relaxed and free of thoughts. Chanting must be done in a respectful manner as normally it invokes the names of Buddha, God and etc. Under such condition, we are actually moving into conditioning the mind (i.e. the subconscious mind). Of course there is no condition requiring everyone learning meditation to start with chanting but it does help to ease you into meditation.

Therefore before taking up meditation we must be clear on what our real objective is. Without having a clear idea of what we aim to achieve, it is pointless to begin. Once our objective is set, we can then work step by step toward our ultimate goal. For instance, if we are interested in health and longevity, then we can start with learning Chi Kung and Yoga meditation. The more effort you put in the quicker the result will come. Of course you should always learn it from a master or you will have much to regret later on. You are not in a position to know what is best for yourself due to you inadequate knowledge and understanding of the processes. This is probably the real reason why people can learn 30 years of Chi Kung, Tai Chi and etc. yet have less progress than some who only took it up for a year or two. Many are amaze why I can have so much progress after several months of learning Chi Kung when no one bother to check that I have over 23 years of Yoga meditation and martial arts training as my foundations. This is an entire different scenario as there is a limit to how fast one can progress. There is no possibility that an entirely newcomer can surpass the master or his assistant in a couple of months or years. There are many people who yearn for progress but due to their pig headedness and stubbornness they managed to accomplish little progress. They work very hard learning from all kind of books and attend all kind of courses/seminars hoping to make advances. The problem with most books are that the authors might not be really good and what is revealed might not be an improvement to what we have learned from another book or master. We could end up like a dog chasing after its own tail. As mentioned earlier, you might not be in the capacity to know whether you are learning something useful or just learning a similar skill over and over again which might be a waste of time. This is the same as when an accounting student took his 1st job as an accounts assistant. If 20 years later he is still an accounts assistant, we can safely say he gain little experiences as all that he is capable of doing is the accounts assistant job. On the other hand if he has progress to become an accountant, he has made steady progress from accounts assistant to accounts supervisor, accounts executive, assistant accountant and finally being an accountant. He would have to upgrade his knowledge by attending professional accountancy courses. You cannot be an accountant without being an associate member of a recognised professional accountancy body such as the Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, Malaysian Institute of Accountants and etc. There is no way an accounts assistant can be a financial controller but the accountant might be able to in due time. The accounts assistant knowledge and experiences are repeated over and over again resulting in him remaining stagnant. Similarly if a Chi Kung or Yoga student were to learn the same type of moves over and over again, there will be not much progress for him or her unless and until he/she learn to improvise on the moves by way of breath control and etc. If the student were to learn from a good master, he/she will progress faster.

All form of meditation involves conditioning of the mind. Meditation is the process of self discovery and self interaction with our inner self. This process can enhance us mentally and physically. Basically to meditate, we only need to find a quiet place. Relax and let go of all thoughts. Close your eyes and be really relaxed. You can sit on the floor with your legs crossed in a lotus or half lotus style. You can even sit in a chair. The point is to be relaxed. You can start by concentrating on your breath. You inhale slowly and fill your lung with air. Let your thought and consciousness follow the breath. Then you exhale slowly still following your breathing. Do this for about 15 minutes every day and you will find how refreshing it is. In Buddhism there is also the concentration on the candle light. At this point it is advisable for you to seek a master to guide you. There are many Buddhist temples, Yoga centers, Taoist centers, Martial Art centers and etc conducting meditation courses for beginners. I have gone through the master program more than 20 years ago but even I went back to redo the master program from scratch. If you think too highly of yourself and refuse to learn the basic, you will not be able to learn anything with a poor foundation.

In more advance Buddhist esoteric, Taoist and Indian Yoga meditation, we focus our energy at the seven nerve centre (chakra) in our body. The seven chakras are located at 1) the base of the spine -mooladhara (beside the anus), 2) three inches above the sex organ (tan tien), 3) naval, 4) heart (middle of the chest or middle tan tien), 5) throat, 6) third eye -agna (the area between the eye brows and the middle of the fore head) and 7) the top portion of the head -thuriyam (the crown / Baihui). Their eight chakra is an imaginary chakra located about 1 foot above the crown chakra. There are other books that does not have the Tan Tien which is replace by the solar plexus. From my personal experience, I can feel the back of the spine, tan tien, naval, spleen, heart, throat, beginning of eye brows and crown very powerfully. It is not a speculation as I have them working perfectly. When activated the energy at the nerve centre (chakras) will move in a whirl fan like movement. According to yoga, each centre serves a certain function. If meditation is not taught by a qualified master/guru we might encounter lots of potentially damaging effects such as going crazy and hallucination. Therefore I will not go into details as there are lots of things to learn. If wrongly activated you might regret ever delving in meditation as it can give you nose bleeding, migraine and fever. Some people have actually gone crazy. Beginner should never try to do meditation on your own as it can be hazardous to your mental and physical health. You must have a good master to train you. If you persisted on training on your own, you might regret ever delving in meditation. About 20 years ago, I enrolled for some mind control program. After that I continued to train on my own. Later I took up Yoga lessons from a visiting Swami. When the Swami left and I continued to train alone, I begin to have had nose bleeding and migraine almost every day. I took herbal medicine and young coconut water almost every day but could not control the burning sensation especially in my head and the nose bleeding. Nothing seems to work. I even try to seek advice from another Yoga Center and ask my seniors for help but all was in vain. Later I became a disciple of a Buddhist master who managed to help me control the energy. Since then I do not have nose bleeding unless I am involved in very strenuous sports

Beside the chakras or energy centers, there are also some chi routes that require to be opened especially if you are doing Taoist meditation and aim for longevity. You will need to open the Ren Mai and the Tu Mai and the 8 extra meridians around them. This will either increase your appetite due to better flow of chi or because your diaphragm is filled with chi, you do not feel hungry at all even if you do not eat. In esoteric Buddhism, there are also another three energy route beside the seven chakras before you can obtain Samadhi (the blissful state). They are the left and right channels and the centre channel. Before you reach that state, you must have noticed a change around the neck like a collar bone (with a rounded neck). When your chi is full you have less need for food, when your sperm (ching) is full you have less urge for sex and finally if your life force (shen) is full, there is less need to sleep.

The next step is visualization involving imagination. Visualization should not be undertaken without the help of a trained master who have undertook the same path before and understand the dangers involved. It can caused a person to be mentally unstable. When a person really believe he is a god, he is a god at that very moment and can do many seemingly impossible acts. It is what happened when a person is in a trance. The person in the trance is being control by another entity or at least that is what it seemed. If we really believe we are communicating with another entity, it will be impossible for others to convince otherwise. I have actually witnessed many masters/students of paranormal sciences showing off their abilities. Some master can even passed on some specific abilities like chanting or speaking in an "alien" language only understood by the master alone by just doing some simple rites such as asking the adept to drink charmed water and eating blessed beetle leave. Even the person speaking the language does not know what he/she is mumbling about. I am confident that it is something from their heart. It should be something about what the other disciples have done or said from that particular disciple's perspective/heart. It is probably sort of a CIA/FBI report. Many time the master would be able to ask you about things which you thought was not known to him. In advance yoga meditation, we learn about aura expansion, introspection, thoughts expansion, astral travel, nine planets meditation and etc. This just an indication for those interested on what is available. Each system has their own emphasis and methods which are not exactly the same. I would like to think them as complementary systems instead. You can visit the SKY (Simplified Kundalini Yoga) sites in India or Singapore for more details.

In ancient civilizations, the epitome of most skills end with meditations. In martial arts for instance, you have physical training to equip you with physical skill such as Karate, Kung Fu , Tae Kwon Do and etc (as in Bruce Lee / Jacky Chan/ Jet Li). The cultivation of internal energy (Nei Kung) as in Tai Chi Kung Fu style and Chi Kung (Tai Chi 18 style Chi Kung, Ta Mo Chi Kung, Wo Toh Shaolin Chi Kung, Wu Mei Iron Shirt, Goldern Bell and several types of Chi Kung) where there is a mixture of physical and breathing exercises to cultivate internal energy. Masters of Tai Chi and Chi Kung are known to be able to absorb normally fatal blows without any injury to themselves and at times they can deflect the blow back to the attacker causing fatal injuries to the attacker. The next logical step is to learn to control the mind through meditations. Master James Chee of Shaolin Wu Chu Chuan Australia, demonstrate to his students how he can stop them in their track (temporary disabling them with his chi) by using his wu xing rou yi kung.

In Yoga there are exercises and meditation techniques for the students. The Guru /Master/ Sifu will initiate or activate the area between the eyebrows (activation of the third eye) of the disciples. He will also explained to the students and try to clear any doubt that arise either in group or individually. The initiation is the first of many processes to open the "third eye" (the area between your eye brows and the center of your forehead). Only when it is fully open/ activated can you have accurate 6th sense and see things differently. Of course some people would like to point out that intuitions and extra sensory perception depend on each individual. Some people are born with some special abilities. They will take to paranormal sciences like a duckling starting to learn how to swim. While others might have to go through strenuous mental training to be able to go far in paranormal sciences. Just as our fingers can never be of the same length as each finger serve a different purpose to provide us with a good grip and holding abilities. Each of us are different in some way to make us unique to enable us to serve different purposes and destinies. Confucius said "Out of a group of three person walking there must be a master for me". What Confucius meant was that there must be something we can learn from each others. One person might be good in martial art, another might be good in his studies while another might be good at computers. Therefore if we remain humble and egoless, no matter how smart we already are, there must still be something we can learn from others. Some people might not be bright and below average in most things but certainly there is something he will be better at. Just as the blind cannot see and therefore have to rely on his sense of hearing making it more sensitive than normal people. Ultimately, it is always the "smart and intelligent" people who get into all sort of trouble because they think they are smarter than others and fall easily into traps laid by the street smart con people.

Even if your third eye has been activated, it does not necessary mean you can actually see anything more than the ordinary people. Most people cannot even see energy. For the benefit of those not into advance level meditation, the third eye is the area between the beginning of the eye brows and the middle of the forehead. In many people we might be able to see some markings as proof of having learn meditation or that their chakras have been activated (sometimes inadvertently). Even with the activation of the third eye through initiation by the master, the adept cannot see anything more than the ordinary. Various techniques have been deviced to enhance the abilities of the adept. The first sign of the adept can see things is normally through seeing energies coming from our hands and body. It is believe that in order for us to see through the third eye, we will need a len. The len need to be build by various yogic and tantric methods such as eyes exercises, breathing exercises and meditations. There are many books on the opening of the third eye. Some books mentioned about being able to see the purple colour. Of course there are many other colours such as blue , red, green, gold and black. There is also mention of throat frictions such as that in certain Chi Kung exercises. Ultimately, those who really want to go far in religion and meta physics should learn to curb their ego, pride and has lesser things to say as they are mindful of all their actions and karma. They will have to do introspection to be one with the inner self. This will make them more "god like" (Brahmin) or a perfect vehicle for achieving Buddha-hood. Here the adept will learn to expand his aura and mind to the universe.

In Taoist Yoga , the adept will also take charmed water and paper regularly to enhanced their abilities. These charmed water and papers have been charmed by the master and can help the student get the desired result faster. It really all depend upon the master. The student can do automatic writing, healings and wizardry once they have mastered the process. Some can even go into a trance invoking some "gods" or spirits. These people can communicate with spirits and deities.

In Yoga , there are some people who can do astral travel or out of body experience, There are people known to be buried alive for weeks in India and were still alive when they were dug out. Some Yoga master can use their hair or teeth to pull heavy objects like the Mighty Subramaniam who managed to pulled a Boeing 747. Chi Kung Masters are known to be able to withstand heavy weights being stacked on them or being run over by a double deckers bus. Grand Master Anthony Wee of Chi Dynamics was able to let a 9 ton double deckers bus move over him. Martial art exponents are known to be injured or even killed by a 3 ton vehicle. Then there is Master James Chee who is a son of Chee Kim Thong founder of Shaolin Wu Chu Chuan Malaysia, who is able to use chi to stop a person in his track, injures a person with his chi and etc. It looks like magic but it is all about the manipulation of chi /bio magnetism. Meditation is a method of gathering chi /bio magnetism and manipulate it with our mind. There are many people who can light up a bulb with their chi /bio-magnetism /mind. Those with lots of chi or bio-magnetism within them or around them can do healing. The extend of their ability lies on how much knowledge they have of various healing methods such as acupressure, acupuncture, traditional Chinese Medicine System, Ayuthveda and etc. For those interested to learn more on healings do click on the relevant topics below.

In most eastern philosophies such as Yoga and Taoism, there are methods of longevity such as the transmutation of sexual energy to spiritual energy. Many western books on meditation and positive thinkings such as "Think and Grow Rich" and "Centering" have also mention this subject. Yogist and Taoist Yoga also have their method of transmuting sexual energy (life force (prana / ching)) into spiritual (shen) energy. I will only divulge the methods to those seriously interested in longevity and is ready to curb their sexual desire. I am not saying about not having sex but in a control manner befitting someone intending to be a master. In Taoism, there is the transmutation of Ching (sperm) into Chi (Bio-magnetism); Chi into Shen (spirit) and Shen into life force (prana). Under the Simplified Kundalini Yoga system, there is Kaya Kalpa Yoga to help you stay younger and etc. If you are interested in Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY) do click on the link to SKY Malaysia on the right hand side to have some ideas of what SKY is about. Of course you can visit the World Community Service Centre (www.vethathiri.org)from the link provided.

CONCLUSION

In life, sooner or later we will find things are never so clear cut as one plus one equals two. All of us are born with different abilities and inborn talents. We grow up under different conditions, circumstances and choose different path in life. The only things that are certain are growing older, sickness and death. Maybe death is only a prelude to another journey such as the caterpillar morphed into a butterfly. Many will weep unwittingly at the passing of the caterpillar. If they are able to realized that the caterpillar has become a butterfly, they will instead rejoice on the demise of the caterpillar. Similarly we are not sure what exactly happens upon death. We would definitely rejoiced if our loved ones has evolved into something better like an angel. All sentient beings have their own destinies and serve different purposes in life. Some are meant to be stepping stones for others, some have to step on others, some decide not to and some sacrifice themselves for others. On the surface it would seems that the one who use others as stepping stone will be successful but life is full of surprises and sometimes the one being step on becomes the winner when somehow the person on top drop down unexpectedly.

If you have encountered some difficulties in meditation, perhaps I might be able to help. If you want to know more on any of the above topics covered, do feel free to contact me.

Numerology

2009-12-08T00:11:00.000-08:00

NUMEROLOGY

Objective

The aim of this article is to provide basic information on the subject of Numerology. It is my hope that this article can help aspiring numerologist as a stepping-stone into the occult/ mystic / paranormal world.

Introduction

What exactly is “numerology”? As the name implies, it is a scientific method of prediction basing on numbers. What most people do not know is that numerology can also be applied on alphabets as well as numbers. For instance, ACH 9692 is 1359692 and it all added up to be 35 which gives the meaning of “generally advancing without much effort”. If it is only 9692 you will get 26, which gives the meaning of “association with the wrong people and a warning of the path one is treading”. While both numbers are octaves of 8 (2+6=8 and 3+5=8) their meanings are not exactly the same. Some numerologists tend to treat them as the same probably because it is convenient to do so.

Basing on the date of birth and name of the person we will be able to read the mental state, personality and destiny of a person. The same can also be applied on a city, a district and even a country as long as the required data are available. We can also theoretically change part of our destiny by changing the name we use to introduce ourselves. This is a not magic, non fung shui and non religious way of finding a more meaningful existence for oneself.

The famous astrologer /seer Cheiro who had been consulted by almost any one of importance during his time believed we are all influenced by the day of birth and have wrote books on this subject. Numerologist/ astrologer Montrose translated the Hebrew Quaballah of numbers into English.

Numbers are ancient. It is believed that numbers have vibrations according to their octaves. There are nine basic octaves ranging from 1 to 9. Within the octaves, you have range of numbers giving different meanings to each number.

You probably might have noticed that certain numbers keep on appearing in your life. It can be either lucky or unlucky events. Ancient civilizations in China were known to keep records of events happening to come out with a lunar calendar that can tell when there is a full moon and etc with precision to aid fisherman, farmers and the ordinary people in their daily works.

Numbers are numbers and by themselves are neither lucky nor unlucky. Most Chinese like the number 8 (sound like wealth) and interprets it as lucky while, 4(sound like death) is interpreted as unlucky. Numbers such as 8888 will cost an amount in excess of RM10,000 while number like 4 will hardly attract any interest among the Chinese. As far as numerology is concerned, these are mere beliefs or superstitions.

The Meaning of numbers

There are nine basic numbers and octaves ranging from 1 to 9. Zero has no meaning of its own. In fact there is no zero. Any number in excess of nine can be subtracted against nine with the remainder as the number. For example 10 is the octave of 1 (10-9=1). Below are a summary of the octaves of numbers and its meanings :

1 – Positive : Creative, strong, the beginning, determine, positive, definite in views
Negative : obstinate and dislike being restrained.

2 – Positive : Gentle , imaginative, artistic, romantic, inventive
Negative : Restless and unsettled, lack of continuity, lack of self confidence, oversensitive, easily despondent and melancholic.

3 – Positive : Ambitious, very independent, excellent in giving orders and discipline, conscientious in carrying out duties, often rise to high position.
Negative : Tolerate no restraint, Proud and never compliments to others, dictatorial, never satisfy with subordinate position and desire for authority. Make enemies.

4 - Positive : Accomplished work through will, experience, action and realization, deliberate, cautious, very positive, indifference to the accumulation of wealth
Negative : See things from an opposite angle to others which brings oppositions and secret enemies. Rebel against rules and would reverse the order of things. Can be easily despondent, melancholic, lonely and isolated.

5 - Positive : Fundamental sex number, make friends and get along with others easily.
Negative : Exhaust the nervous strength to nervous breakdown and become irritable and quick tempered, born speculator, dislike manual or hard works and drift toward devising ways of making money quickly, live on the nerves and crave excitements.

6 - Positive : Make friends and get along with others easily, artistic home, admire, paintings, fond of music, Try to make friend happy but do not tolerate jealousy and discord, willing to die for the cause he upholds, extremely magnetic and can attract others, loved and worshiped by subordinates. Very determined in carrying out plans.
Negative : Might be obstinate and unyielding unless he becomes deeply attached, then, no slave can be more devoted.

7 - Positive : Associated with water, owner or captain of ships, very independent, original, strongly marked individuality, love change and travel, good writer, poet, dreamer, intuitive, clairvoyant, magnetism over others.
Negative : Good ideas about business but seldom carry them out.

8 - Positive : Great strength of individuality, a great success or a great failure, hold high office, concentration of purpose, see the side of the prosecuted, kindhearted, involved great sacrifice.
Negative : Generally misunderstood, fatalistic and fanatical in religion. He will fight all opposition for what he believe in. See things from an opposite angle to others which brings oppositions and secret enemies. Rebel against rules and would reverse the order of things. Easily despondent and melancholic, lonely and isolated. Upheaval, revolution, anarchy, waywardness and all kind of eccentricities.

9 - Positive : Fighter in all things in life. Usually difficult childhood but through grit, strong will and determination is successful in the end. Independent and want to be own master. Great courage. Make good soldiers.
Negative : Brings oppositions and cause strife whenever their vibration is felt. Quick temper, impulsive in words and actions, often wounded or killed in war or life generally. Prone to accident from fire and explosion and rarely get through life without such causes. Will do anything for sympathy and affection. Must learn not to be impulsive and control excessive temper and violence.

The above is only a summary of the meanings of the nine numbers and octaves. Range of numbers under the same octave does not necessary have the same meanings. In our earlier example, ACH 9692 gives a vibration of 35 while 9692 is 26. As mentioned, 35 gives the meaning of “generally advancing without much effort” while 26 gives the meaning of “association with the wrong people and a warning of the path one is treading”. Most books will give the meanings of numbers up to 72.

Alphabets and how to use it in numerology

As mentioned earlier we can use alphabets in numerology. You must be wondering by now how I manage to get ACH 9692 to be 35. Below is a conversion table :

VALUES
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A B C D E F
I G H
J K L M N U O P
Q R S T V
Y X W Z

From the above table we can see ACH = 1+3+5=9. If we add (9+9+6+9+2) we get 35. It is as simple as this. Numerology is not that difficult after all, right?

With the above table, we can use it for calculating names of person, streets, cities and whatever you wish to know. Whether living in Kuala Lumpur is suitable for you and etc can be explained by numerology.

For example, Alex (1+3+5+5=14) intends to live in Kuala Lumpur (2+6+1+3+1+3+6+4+8+6+2=42). The combine number is 56 (14+42). The reading give the meaning that he can inspire others and gain fortune and distinction by moving to Kuala Lumpur . Of course it is not as simple as this if you want to find out the mental state and personality of a person and town as well which is beyond the scope of this article.

Specially for 4 & 8 people

For people born on the 4th, 8th, 13th, 17th, 22nd, 24th, 26th and 31st of any month or if you find your life is related to similar numbers, then you are either 4 or 8 person. Malaysia was officially born on 31st August 1957. Notice the day is 31 (3+1) which adds up to 4, August is of course the 8th month and 1957 is (1+9+5+7=2+2=4). Our Wawasan 2020 is 6+1+6+1+3+1+5=23 and 2+0+2+0=4. The number 23 gives the meaning of cleverness, daring, learn easily and opportunity for betterment. The number 4 gives the reading of seeing things from a different angle as others, which brings oppositions and secret enemies. If you add the numbers 23+4=27 denotes success from the seed sown from productive and creative intellect. Our former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir initiated the Vision (6+1+3+1+7+5=23 same as wawasan , a coincidence?) 2020. Everything makes sense right? Even the darkest day in Malaysian history, the May 13 riot was also 4. Is this a coincidence or what? The “Prosper Thy Neighbours ” concept and ‘Smart Partnership for 3rd world countries” initiated by our former prime minister are good examples of octave 8 vibration (helping the oppressed poor countries and get the displeasure of developed nations).

My surname is Foo (8+7+7=22). My date of birth is 4th of May. My day of birth and my surname happens to be four and my car ACH 9692 add up to 8. My parent house number is 31. But then my name add up to 60 and therefore my endeavor to make 6 my lucky number instead. Of course when I won my first social welfare lottery about 20 years ago, the prize money was RM1,500.00 which is actually 6(1+5). My recent winnings on the 4 digits numbers, all matches with the number 6 or multiple of six such as RM12,000.00 and etc.

My country Malaysia is15 (4+1+3+1+1+3+1+1=1+5=6) is octave 6. The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur 42(2+6+1+3+1+3+6+4+8+6+2=4+2) is also on the octave 6. The number 6 is a number for making friends and therefore it is not surprising that we also manage to make lots of friends and have good bilateral relations with most countries. The Nine Malaysian Plan is for 15 years (1+5=6).

Please note that sometimes we might alternate between different octaves. As octave 8 is either very successful or a total failure, we do have example of successful business riding on the vibration of octave 8. A good example is Public Bank which has won numerous awards for being the best managed local bank and one of the top 3 (medium size) bank in Asia. Public Bank’s logo looks like an 8. It opened for business on (if I am not mistaken) 17th August 1966. The day and month are both 8 and the year is 4.

Recently, I was with a group of Fung Shui practitioners / masters and students touching on the subject of numerology. A student gave his details and after the normal calculations, we found out that he was a 4 person born on the 4th, his name add up to 8 and his car registration numbers add up to 8. He seeks my advice on the number to tender for his car and I ask him what he had in mind. He was thinking of the number WPB 100 (6+8+2+1+0+0=17=8) which all added up to 8. As a person born on the 4 or 8 octave it is best not to use number that added up to 4 or 8. At times these numbers tend to be fatalistic and fateful (control by the planet Saturn which will be beyond your control). Even in palmistry, a long fate line (Line of Saturn) is not necessary good as it could mean you will have to work even in your old age. Another student claimed her date of birth should be on the 14th basing on checking her Ba Zhi, a form of Chinese astrology. From her name and her car number matching with the octave 8, there can be no doubt she was born on the 13th and not the 14th. Furthermore the person close to her is also born on the 4 octave.

Conclusion

Do not think all the bad things happen only to 4 and 8 people. It can happen to any person. About 15 years ago, my landlord, who happen to be my “ser siong” (senior) of a Buddhist temple, were discussing about fate and destiny. I told him according to western astrology he might have to go through the surgeon knife more than one time. He laughed and said “Sure you have known me for so many years and you know the accident I was involved in several years ago, it no big deal”. It is written in the book but because he did understand English, he thought I was trying to show off. He was born on either 1st or 10th April. It does not matter as 1st or 10th, both belong to octave 1. Using the `nine periods of the year’, he belongs to period 9,which happens to be under the influence of Mars (March 21 to April 27 – Aries positive). He was already around 51 years old and he thought it unthinkable for him to be operated on again. Furthermore, I was not a god and could not possibly predict such an impossible event. I told him to be careful as it might happen and ask him to take the necessary precaution. Unknown to him, he had a stone in his kidney and true enough he was operated on about one year after that. He was again in the operating room several years later due to complication from previous operations.

For persons not born on the 4 or 8 octaves, it is not always bad to have numbers such as 4 or 8 as long as the outcome from the reading is favorable. If the out come is unfavorable, it should be fine tuned to a more suitable number. For example 22 is not a good number to have (a person living in a fool’s paradise, surrounded by danger, false judgment due to influence by others) while 35 is good (and gives the reading of inheritance and peaceful life).
Playing around with my car numbers 9692 had given me the numbers for a first prize 9962, a second prize 2699 and numerous winnings. The above numbers add up to 26 on octave 8. During company annual dinner parties, I had won prizes with number such as 4 and 26. Therefore no single number or octave is absolutely good or bad.

Some people ask me for four digit numbers to bet on. I would normally tell them that if I give you the number, you will never buy it. Most people think I am just finding a way out. If you do not possess the luck, you would not want to buy the number. A former colleague of mine ask me for a 4 digit number to bet on and when I heard he have problem with his motor cycle, I just mention why not buy the four digit of his motor cycle. What actually came out was his old motor cycle number in 3rd prize and most importantly he did not buy it as he buy the new motor cycle number. The next incident was some staffs of mine making fun of mine surname and I told them that I am actually 007(ie Foo read backward). I went further to state that the government of Malaysia has confirmed it in my identification card by giving me a similar number and ask them to have a look but no one seems interested. On the following day they bring in the betting result and there was my ID card number in 2nd prize. None of them were smart enough or have the luck to buy the number 5007 (Magnum 4D) since none of them bother to look at my ID. Similarly, I had some problems with my car and van and ask my staffs to bet on them. My van was 1351 but the number came out 3115 (Magnum 4D) for 2nd prize and the car 9692 came out in 1st prize (Sports Toto). One staff bought the number on the previous occasion but did not buy it the following day. It just simply means they do not have the luck to win extra money. I do not simply give numbers to others to buy. I am only an ordinary person.

As numerology is a very professional subject, I have chosen to end it here and let only those truly interested in this subject to probe further. It is suffice to mention that there are topics that I purposely omitted such as how to calculate your destiny number, metal state and personality and most important of all how to draw up a birth path chart to calculate a person/s fate and destiny and how to make the necessary adjustment which the ordinary people will not understand without proper guidance from a master numerologist.

Healing FAQs

2009-11-09T00:22:00.000-08:00

Healings - Frequently Asked Questions

There are all types of questions people ask me in my years as a part time healer. I will try to answer them as simple as I possibly can. Should you require more help feel free to contact me.
I wish to stress that while I do possess some special healing abilities, I am neither a doctor nor God. I can heal lots of illness that a normal doctor cannot. Similarly the doctor can operate on patients which I definitely have not and would not try. I know the limit to my abilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the difference between Western medicine and Eastern medicine?
Answer :
Western medicine treats illness from physical evidence of symptoms. For instance, if you have fever, then the medicine will be panadol and etc. It seldom look at the source of the problem. Eastern medicine look at the source as they were around for thousands of years. Using the same example, the Chinese or Indian physician would find the source of the problem to be unwittingly absorbing the sunlight (Yang Chi/ Bio-magnetism). The remedy is to decrease the Yang Chi by the use of massage with herbal oil, acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedy or a combination of the above. The point is as long as the person sweats the fever will be gone (even if you do not use any medicine). When you sweat the heat is released causing the fever to go down. Therefore drinking lots of warm water will definitely help.

2) What is Chi ?
Answer :
To the person in the East, the concept of chi /prana / life force/ bio-magnetism is nothing new as it has been in existence for thousands of years. These kind of things can make a western minded person nervous (unless he/she learn and experience it). Normal people cannot see or feel energy, as clearly as those who have undergone the necessary trainings or those who are born with the ability. If we have never heard of ABC how the hell would we be able to read or write in English. Similarly, if our mind have never being conditioned, we would not be able to perform any kind of visualization or meditation. Some people give the impression that such things are sacred and mysterious. If magician do not practice their hands regularly, their acts would easily being seen through by the audiences. If we do not practice the mind, the mind will not be able to respond to our instruction.

Chi is the Chinese term loosely used for all kind of energy and breath. Prana is the Indian word for life force or energy. Bio-magnetism is used by Simplified Kundalini Yoga as similar to chi in many aspects. Basically they refer to the same thing. Chi is in abundant everywhere around and inside us. For instance we breathe in Chi all the time without even realizing it. It is in everything (anything living and dead). The walls of our bedroom absorb the chi from sunlight and they have chi in it even though it is not a living thing. Even corpses while decaying have chi in it. When we walk in the hot sun, the energy from the sun is automatically absorbed by our body. We have no control over it unless we can bar the absorption of chi. Masters highly skilled in chi might be able to feel the influx of negative chi but to shut oneself from the chi requires a higher degree of Chi manipulation/ competency. Similarly, if we mingle in a crowd, our chi will mingle and we absorbed each others’ chi. In winter or in cold weather, we automatically absorb Yin Chi. We needs CHI to survive. The generally held belief is that the more Chi one has, the more powerful one becomes. Many people would ask me to donate Chi to them. I would always reply that I can give them Chi but they might not be able to cope with it. Each of us have our equilibrium and optimum Chi level, above or below which, we might become unwell. Too much or too little Chi will make us become sick. Those familiar with Kundalini Yoga will know the ascent of the imaginary serpent from the base of the spine to the crown chakra can be far more dangerous (for certain people)than is revealed. I had nose bleeding and fever for several years despite taking young coconut water and Chinese herbal medicine (Wong lo Kat) every day.

3) What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Answer:
Chinese medicine has been in existence for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the Viscera a general term for the internal organs (zhang fu). There are five yin viscera (zhang) and six yang viscera (fu). The five yin viscera are heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney. The six yang viscera are gallbladder, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and triple warmer. The viscera are linked by meridian points (nadi for Indian) to help the body function. The Five Yin Viscera main characteristics are to generate and store chi. The Six Yang Viscera main characteristics are to receive and transport food and waste.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a system of healing based on Viscera incorporating the Five Element theory, Yin and Yang theory and the concept of Chi.

4) Why do people get ill?
Answer:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a person’s Chi of both yin and yang must be in equilibrium in order for him or her to stay healthy. If a person has too much Yang Chi, he/she is short of Yin Chi (such as when a person has fever). The opposite can also happen (such as when a person got cold). At times, our body releases too much yang chi, could not sustain it, causing the fever to change into a cold and vice versa. At certain time our body produce certain type of chi and therefore affects our health when the chi is not in equilibrium. For instance, you might feel totally healthy in the morning and take a walk in the blazing sun. Then you all of a sudden feel heated up and have a headache. The reason is that you have unwittingly absorbed too much yang chi from the sun. The chi moves to the head causing headache and fever. You need to release the excess chi or you will fall ill. Similarly when a person is overcome by emotions when visiting the graves of a loved one, the environment on a say raining day can cause us to fall sick due to too much Yin Chi.

5) What are the kind of illness you can heal?
Answer:
The following are some of the illness which I have no problem healing:
a) Not enough chi
Some people do not take care of their body especially when engaging in sex. Strenuous sex can cause either person to lose too much vital fluid. I have cured an Indian man in his mid twenties who was a friend of my house mate in 1987. He wore 4 layers of clothing and yet he was still shivering. His whole body was cold.

b) Too much chi
Some people think having the more Chi the better you are. People take lots of Ginsengs and exotic meats will have lots of Chi. A sudden surge of Chi is not good. Everyone have his/her own optimum Chi level above or below which he/she might become ill. Similarly if you walk in the hot sun you will absorb lot of Chi from it causing you to feel unwell. Of course if you are very weak on Yang Chi, some sunlight might be good for you.

c) Headache and migraine
The Chi rushed to the head causing headache and migraine due to stress, environmentally absorbed chi and etc. It is common everyday happening. You absorbed the sunlight from the sun. This can caused you to have a fever or headache. Similarly you can a flu or cold due to the chilling temperature.

d)  Blocked chi or blood circulation causing pain and unable to move affected areas
Frequently we cannot move a certain part of our body due to injury whether knowingly or unknowingly. The area become bruised and the blood and chi cannot pass through. It is not paralyzed just blocked circulation. Once the circulations have become smooth, the part of the body become normal again. My former Chairman from Ipoh complained that he cannot lift his hand high. After an hour of massaging the hands, triple warmer, shoulder and the meridian points involved, he was able to lift his hand highly again. In another case a fellow Chi Kung student told me her mother could not sleep for 3 nights and seek my help. She did not know why or how her shoulder suddenly has a swelling which was painful on even a slight touch. Earlier that day she had even gone to a medical clinic for treatment without any success. I massage her hands, triple warmer and the back of her shoulders and the meridian points involved. I did not touch the swelling until I have managed to get her blood and Chi circulation moving correctly. After that she does not feel much pain as the swelling also receded. On further probing I was able to pinpoint her problem as sleeping on that particular side of the shoulder. The blood and Chi get blocked causing the swelling and pain. No wonder she could not sleep. Of course there are people who met with an accident and have problem using either or both limbs. Sometime it is more psychological than the actual situation. For instance, if a person has lost the will power and is really down, he or she will not bother to exercise and therefore resulting in the limbs getting weaker. No amount of healing will make him or her healed in such situation. The onus is on the person to bravely face life and start living again.

e)   Cold
Too much Yin Chi (Cold Chi) and lack of Yang Chi (Hot Chi). When a person get a cold it is almost certain that she would need to get more Yang Chi to offset the Yin Chi. Here we need to reduce the Yin Chi and increase the Yang Chi to get back to the equilibrium point. In the earlier example in (a) above, once the Yang Chi move in, the person does not require to wear four layers of clothing. The heat returns to the body.

f)    Fever
Too much Yang Chi (Hot Chi) and lack of Yin Chi (Cold Chi). Similarly, when there is too much Yang Chi we will need to increase the Yin Chi and reduce the Yang Chi. If we stand in the sun for awhile, we might unknowingly absorbed Yang Chi from the sun. With the Chi around your head, it would be reasonable to expect you to feel unwell.

g) Backache
Caused by using or bending the back such as lifting up things too high or heavy and etc. A used car dealer neighbor claimed he was paying a Chinese Healer RM5,000.00 to learn healing and hypnotism. This person has some serious back problem which I have successfully healed several weeks earlier. He picked up another back problem while holidaying with his family. He seek treatment from his master that operate a massage clinic. However, he was bed bound and unable to move after the treatment. He asked a neighbor to locate me. He was asking if someone could shoot him dead as the pain was unbearable to him. After about 2 hours of treatment he was able to turn around without pain.

h)  Sprained limbs
Over use of certain part of the limbs. Sometimes when we lift heavy objects we strained our limbs. It is also possible to sprained it while walking. For instance, an employee of mine sprained his ankle while doing some work. The next day he complained that it was painful and bruised. There was also swelling around the ankle. I took about half an hour to treat him providing almost instant relief. The swelling took a day to go down.

i)    Ear ringing
Too much Chi in the ear causing the hearing of sounds. Most of us can hear some sound when it is quiet at night. Some people will think other people are placing spells on them. We can only be controlled by others when we are much weaker than the other party and it is not easy. Here we can release the energy at the head and ears (including the meridian points around them) to decrease the sound. Otherwise it is a normal phenomenal and if we leave it alone the sound will go off by itself.

j) Problems arising from meditation
When the chakras (energy centre) are activated, some people have all kinds of reactions. There are people who become unstable as a result. Those who learn kundalini yoga and get the dormant serpent coiled at the base of the spine activated will be able to feel a surge of energy going to the crown chakra. In extreme cases, he/she lost the ability to control the energy resulting in migraine, nose bleeding and high fever.

k) Cold limbs
This can be together with back pain or on its own. I was talking to a pest control client in his office. Suddenly he stand up flick his hands vigorously and holding his back in pain. I actually gave him the address of one master nearby. One of his staff asked me if I could do something for her boss. I just ask the client to lie down on a bench and do some pressing at his backs, fingers, hands, shoulders and head. I also warm up his hands with my chi. Within 10 minutes he was healed.

l) Lung problems
This will be where people have difficulty in breathing properly. Many time people will say they have a heart problem. The heart is actually on the left hand side. Sometimes the energy is circulating at the heart chakra (which encompassed the lung and the heart). There is a need to reduce the energy here. For those with sinus the heart chakra is one of the areas we need to heal. Similarly those with asthma will also need to concentrate on the heart chakra and learn chi kung breathings to heal themselves. Of course a person with lots of chi will be able help accelerate the process.

m) General well being
The general well being of a person is at optimum when the chi is balanced at the equilibrium. Most people are either having too much chi or not enough of the right chi. There is a need to tone down the excessive and replenish the exhausted chi. We all have Yin (negative) Chi and Yang (positive) Chi. These Chi need to be in equilibrium.

n) No strength in limbs or any part of the body
This is due to lack of muscle or chi or both. There are people with muscle dysentery where the will to walk can lead them to walk again despite the actual lacking in muscles. This will to walk has build up the chi to provide the strength to walk. Here we are normally dealing with the weak or elderly helping them to increase their chi level. However there are people with psychological problems who somehow lose the will to move and like to sleep or lie down most of the time. Therefore the muscles get weaker and weaker resulting in them unable to lift the hand or/and walk properly. This is due to the weak muscles and not due to blockage of chi and blood. I am confident if the person make use of his/her muscles regularly and systematically, the strength will eventually come back.

o) No appetite
People complain of lost of appetite and feeling unwell all the time. The real problem is actually quite simple, the chi is not in equilibrium. One of my Chi Dynamics fellow student said that she only took fruits for one whole week as she lost appetite on food after a bout of illness. Within 10 minutes of fine tuning, she started to eat like normal.

p) Others
There are all kind of different illness not identified here which I might be able to heal. Among them are arthritis, rheumatism and etc. These illness need the performance of certain chi kung exercises to strengthen the body and limbs. For instance, before I learn Chi kung, I had cold and sweaty limbs. Every time I washed my face, I would have running nose for at least 15 minutes. After learning Chi Kung, I do not have cold and sweaty limbs anymore. I do not have problem with washing my face anymore. Not everyone learning Chi Kung will be able get cured in months since everyone chi level and abilities are different. Some might never be cured unless someone with a high level of chi were to treat him or her. For illness like high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and similar illness, there is a need to look into daily exercises and food intake. If you keep eating unhealthy food and seldom exercise, your chances of an early death is heighten. Therefore we must take care of ourselves.

6) How can you tell when a person is deficient in either yang or yin chi?
Answer:
From the look at a person's face, we can normally tell whether the person is ill or not. We can also tell whether the person have enough rest. If a person have dark rings around his eyes like a panda, the person certainly do not have enough rest for sometime. To some people it can also mean he is involved in strenuous sex (but not necessary for me). If the face is pale and grey, then he is having too much yin chi and probably exhausted. If a person's face is reddish in colour, he is having too much yang chi rising to his head causing headache and fever. The head should not be cold or hot on touch. The skin should not be too red or dark in colour (in comparison with the normal skin colour). Person with too much Chi do not look well and beside I can actually see the chi coming out from any person.

7) What can we do when we have too much Chi or too little Chi?
Answer:
If you have too much Chi, there is a need to release the excess Chi. You can try young coconut water, herbal tea such as wong lo kat (not the can drink), lots of hot water and etc. Of course you can seek treatment from people like myself who can reduce your chi in minutes.
If you do not have enough Chi, you will need to increase your Chi by consuming products like Korean Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng and etc. You can also see a Chi Healer like myself who have the excess Chi to increase the Chi level which is of course the faster cure. You can also enroll in a chi kung, tai chi , yoga and etc course and slowly increase your chi level.

8) Do we need to strip to do treatment at a certain sensitive area ?
Answer:
I will only touch the areas you allow me to. Generally you do not need to even open a single button of your shirt. As I am using chi to treat you, it really does not matter whether you take off your clothes or not. In most case I am the one to insist the patient remain fully clothed. In the East, many people are still shy when taking off their clothes in front of a stranger especially a person from the opposite sex. I know of ladies who rather suffer the pains of block chi and blood circulation than to seek treatment as the area include the chest. I can heal such people if they allow me to. I do not need to touch their chest or even open one single button of their shirt. All I need is my chi directed at the back of the shoulders. Of course it will take more time but I am confident, after several treatment, the woman would be much better than before (depending on the seriousness of each case). You do not need to show me your chest or any sensitive area as I can heal you with my chi.
Chi is an energy that is like electricity which most normal people cannot see. Chi can be directed via the hands and mind (through the eyes). Theoretically a person can be healed from a distance provided the healer's chi is strong enough. It is almost the same as when a witch doctor or bomoh is trying to harm an unsuspecting person from a distance. With my mind and eyes focus on a lizard about 7 meters away, I can chase the lizard away from my office, my sister's and parent's house without making any movement. Many people have witnessed how the lizard move in tandem with my chi and disappeared. The strange thing is that the lizards never show up again when I am around. My chi can also make a car mechanic sweat profusely without the need to touch him. Whether it is male or female, as long as you do not wish to be touched at certain sensitive areas, I will give you my assurance that I can heal you without the need to touch any areas sensitive to you. It might however take a little bit longer to heal.

9) What medicine or solutions do you use in your massage?
Answer:
Nothing but pure Chi only. I do not use any massage oil, medicated oil and etc. because I feel my chi alone is enough. Previously I used to apply medicated oil on my patients because my chi was not strong enough. Now I do not need to use anything other than a glass of warm water and my Chi.

10) How long does a normal treatment takes?
Answer:
A normal treatment take an hour to complete. This include massage from head to limbs. This is for the general well being. Specific healing depend on the nature of the problem. If your problem is only your back, a 15 minutes back massage will do the trick. If you have a serious back problem and is bed ridden it might take more time probably one or two hours. Everything depends on the nature and seriousness of the problem. In most cases only one treatment is required to solve the problem. However in really serious cases, more treatments might be required.

11) What is the difference between an acupuncture, massage, Reiki and your Chi treatment?
Answer:
An acupuncture treatment put needles on the meridian points to stimulate the affected areas. In a way we are doing the same things. Instead of needles, I use my fingers and hands to stimulate the meridian points. The plus side of my treatment is that I uses my chi and massage on the patient.
An ordinary massage stimulate the blood circulation. I uses almost the same method as them but in addition I uses chi and acupressure to help my patient.
A Reiki treatment is similar to my treatment in that the Reiki expert will use his chi to hopefully help the patient. In most Reiki books there is no mention of cure but most will say they hope the chi will help in healing the patient. The problem with many similar healings methods are that the healers does not know how to fine tune the patient's chi and in many cases the healer even get sick as a result of absorbing the patient's chi. Now why would anyone require such type of healings?
On the whole, my healing is actually incorporating Chi Kung, massage, acupressure, reflexology, Traditional Chinese Medicine and etc. There are people who pay several thousands of ringgits to learn Reiki and similar healing methods but still does not know how to fine tune the patient's chi. I remember the first time I saw someone do healing in front of me during a mind control course. The healer keep on giving chi to the patient. If the patient's head is already flooded with chi, he would need a toning down. Imagine someone taking Ginseng everyday. Surely that person would be filled with chi to the point of fever, nose bleeding and headache. Is it not ridiculous to pay so much money to get yourself sick without knowing why? Again it is the equilibrium of chi that is most important not the amount of chi!!!! Why must people be so worried about losing chi when chi is everywhere. The problem is not many people know how to make use of it. It is funny how there are even Chi Kung instructors telling students not to give chi to others. If you do not use your limb's muscles you will slowly lose the ability to move. Similarly, if you do not give chi to others, you will always have that amount of chi only. How can one be a master of chi / bio-magnetism when one is not confident of using it.

12) Why do treatment sometimes not work out?
Answer:
As far as I am concern most of my healing only take a single treatment to heal. Occasionally, there might be an odd one who is trying to prove my treatment does not work. There was this pest control technician who complain of a back problem. I took about half an hour to treat him. He feel good and start to do all types of back breaking exercises most normal people cannot do just to satisfy himself that he is 100% healed. He went off quite happy. The next morning he complain of a recurring back problem. When you get a serious back problem, even though the problem has been healed, it does not mean you can over exert it as if the back never has any problem. Even when the doctor operate on a patient, the recovery period is several days to weeks. We should at least give ourselves a day or two to recover fully before we do any really strenuous work. I redo the same treatment for the technician and ask him not to over exert his back.

13) A fellow collage mate ask me on how to solve stress and weight problems.
Answer:
If your stress is from works, you have to face it head on. Be honest with yourself. Jot down which aspect of the work that stress you most. Take one little step at a time. How about try solving part of it first. The rest will be much easier. You need to set your priority right. The worst outcome would be to change job or business whichever is applicable. Always make sure you have done your best before going back. Remember that it is pointless to worry over something which you cannot change. For instance if you know your car battery is faulty, you should change it immediately. There is no point worrying your car might breakdown due to the faulty battery. In life people choose different path and have different destinies. There is no point worrying after you have done your best. You have to be rational.

You can do some chanting such as " Om Mani Padme Hum" if you are Buddhist. For Muslim maybe you can try "La i la ha i la wa" one thousand times. Some meditation will also help to calm down your mind. There are plenty of meditational centre everywhere.

Chi Kung if practiced on a regular basis under the guidance of a qualified master/instructor can bring you many benefits such as lowering your heart beat, promotes better chi and blood circulations. This should take care of most minor ailments. If you are tired you will naturally sleep better. You will also be able to become stronger when you are able to control and manipulate the chi. At this point you can even become a healer. I am not sure it will reduce your weight. You need to control your consumption of food. When you have reached a certain level perhaps you might not be that interested in food. I do not take much food but I am heavier and never hungry. There are many masters who are not disciplined with their consumption of food and doing daily exercises. Even they might get heart problems. You have to set your priority right.

You do not have to agree with me. If you have a different view do post your opinion and I will try my best to have a constructive discussion with you on the above subject.

For enquiry or comments which you do not want to be published please call TF Foo : 012-6570647
Or email me at tiockfeng@hotmail.com
If you want to know more about healings do log onto my website tffoo.site11.com.

Traditional Healings

2009-11-08T23:58:00.000-08:00

Healings – no medicine required

The Chinese and Indian were among the earliest to come out with treatment methods that are still applicable today. Most of us have either use or seen an acupuncture treatment, acupressure, chi treatments, reflexology, herbal remedy and etc. As the title suggest, we will focus more on non medical treatments such as chi treatment, massage, acupressure, acupuncture and etc where no pills or medicine is being dispensed or taken.

The Methods of Healings

There are many methods of healings. Some people take pills and injection with the hope of getting healed. Some people turn to faith healers who do not use any medicine at all other than the blessed water. The Japanese Reiki directs the Chi to the patient hoping the chi will act on the affected area and cure the patient. The mind control method is also similar to the Reiki method. The former two methods have minimal physical contact. Western medicine is not suitable for most of the ailments pertaining to blood circulation and chi since the concept of chi is still not widely accepted in the west. Most Chi Kung, Yoga, Reiki and similar methods will use chi to heal. The results are highly unpredictable and you might need to go several times before you get cured. Sometimes the healer got ill as a result of absorbing the patient‘s Chi.

My method encompassed several techniques such as acupressure, massage, chi treatment, foot and hand reflexology and others. I also used the Traditional Chinese Medicine system.

Traditional Chinese Medicine System

Chinese medicine has been in existence for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the Viscera a general term for the internal organs (zhang fu). There are five yin viscera (zhang) and six yang viscera (fu). The five yin viscera are heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney. The six yang viscera are gallbladder, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and triple warmer. The viscera are linked by meridian points (nadi for Indian) to help the body function. The Five Yin Viscera main characteristics are to generate and store chi. The Six Yang Viscera main characteristics are to receive and transport food and waste.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a system of healing based on Viscera incorporating the Five Element theory, Yin and Yang theory and the concept of Chi.

Chi is loosely translated as energy, air or breath. There are all kind of Chi in our body or around us such as yang chi, yin chi, primordial chi, stagnant chi and etc.

The Yin and Yang theory is the duality in nature as opposite and conflicting yet harmonious and attracting each other. The Chinese since more than 5000 years ago believe in the duality of nature. There is Man and Woman; the Sun and the Moon; the day and the night and etc. The man is by nature masculine while the female feminine. We cannot say which is better as everything in this world serves a purpose. In the ancient Chinese book Nei Ching states that “In Yin there is Yang and in Yang there is Yin”. The Chinese believe that in every male there is also some feminineness and in every female there is some maleness. The male force is called Yang and the female Yin. Accordingly, mankind is Yang and the underworld or ghost is Yin. Instead of using Yin or Yang, we can also substitute them with – (negative) or + (positive). In this context the negative element is the Yin element and the positive element is the Yang element. Even in Chinese Kung Fu there are two streams. You can train in the physical as well as the mental side. In Shao Lin Kung Fu you have the physical training in the various techniques. Of-course when they reached the higher level, mental training is necessary. As Shao Lin Kung Fu is a Buddhist system based on Ta Moa’s Mahayana Buddhist teachings, there should be lots of mental training. Mental training involved breathing exercises and meditation techniques. History has shown us that the weak can triumph over the strong as in David and the Goliath; Samson and Delilah and others. The Chinese has a saying “Hero cannot pass through beautiful maiden’s trap”. It simply means the hero might be strong and valiant but he is no match for the beautiful maiden. In Tao Te Ching (The Way) we find the admiration for water, which is soft but is able to slowly break down the hard rocks that happen to be in its way.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a person’s Chi of both yin and yang must be in equilibrium in order for him or her to stay healthy. If a person has too much Yang Chi, he/she is short of Yin Chi (such as when a person has fever). The opposite can also happen (such as when a person got cold). At times, our body releases too much yang chi, could not sustain it, causing the fever to change into a cold and vice versa. At certain time our body produce certain type of chi and therefore affects our health when the chi is not in equilibrium.

Each of us has our own equilibrium Chi level above or below which we might fall sick. We cannot have too much chi or too little chi as this will make us unwell. Basing on this, I am inclined to think that as long as we decrease the chi level of those with too much Chi and increases the Chi for those in need for more Chi, most of the Chi related illness can be cured. Of course we must know where to add or subtract or else the patient might get worse. This is where the method of treatments will be most important. Most methods does not need the knowledge of meridian points, chi distribution, blood circulation and etc.

What is Chi / Bio-magnetism ?

Chi is the Chinese term loosely used for all kind of energy and breath. Chi is in abundant everywhere around and inside us. For instance we breathe in Chi all the time without even realizing it. It is in everything (anything living and dead). The walls of our bedroom absorb the chi from sunlight and they have chi in it even though it is not a living thing. Even corpses while decaying have chi in it. When we walk in the hot sun, the energy from the sun is automatically absorbed by our body. We have no control over it unless we can bar the absorption of chi. Masters highly skilled in chi might be able to feel the influx of negative chi but to shut oneself from the chi requires a higher degree of Chi manipulation competency. Similarly, if we mingle in a crowd, our chi will mingle and we absorbed each others’ chi. In winter or in cold weather, we automatically absorb Yin Chi. We needs CHI to survive. The generally held belief is that the more Chi one has, the more powerful one becomes. Many people would ask me to donate Chi to them. I would always reply that I can give them Chi but they might not be able to cope with it. Each of us have our equilibrium and optimum Chi level, above or below which, we might become unwell. Too much or too little Chi will make us become sick. Those familiar with Kundalini Yoga will know the ascent of the serpent from the base of the spine to the crown chakra can be far more dangerous than is revealed. I had nose bleeding and fever for several years despite taking young coconut water and Chinese herbal medicine (Wong lo Kat) every day. With the help of one of my masters, I was able to control the energy. What I lack then was the ability to release the energy from my head as I had more chi than I could handle. Now my body can withstand much more chi.

Chi is an invisible energy that helps us to become healthier, younger and stronger. All of us have Chi and the capacity to harness it. According to traditional Chinese Medicine, the body consists of blood, chi and body fluids (such as sweats and etc.). The blood transports the chi and body fluids around. When the blood flow is obstructed and the Chi cannot reach the area, we will have problem at that area. For instance, if we were to make a habit of sleeping on a certain side, that side of the shoulder would slowly become blocked causing the shoulder and fingers to feel painful and stressed. Over a period of time it will become more and more unbearable. This is due to the flow of blood and chi being obstructed.

Five Elements Theory

There are five main elements. They are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Wood produces Fire which in turn produces Earth which in turn produces Metal which in turn produces Water which in turn produces Wood. Fire destroys Metal which in turn destroys Wood which in turn destroys Earth which in turn destroys Water which in turn destroys Fire. Fire exhausts Wood which in turn exhausts Water which in turn exhausts Metal which in turn exhausts Earth which in turn exhausts Fire. Any person who is interested in ancient Chinese knowledge such as Fung Shui, Traditional Medicine, Astrology, Martial Arts, Meditation and others should endeavor to perfect their understanding of the Five Elements.

Elements Production Cycle
Wood --------> Fire ---------> Earth ---------> Metal --------> Water ---------> Wood

Elements Destruction Cycle
Fire --------> Metal ---------> Wood ---------> Earth --------> Water ----------> Fire

Elements Exhaust Cycle (opposite of the Production Cycle)
Fire --------> Wood---------> Water ---------> Metal --------> Earth ----------> Fire

The Five Elements can be used on a person body as follows:

Wood = Liver , Finger
Fire = Heart, Blood, Eyes
Earth = Stomach, Spleen
Metal = Lung, Large Intestine, Head, Skin
Water = Urinary Bladder, Kidney, Ears

Meridian points

These are points in our body where the acupuncture and acupressure physician will concentrate on to ensure your blood and chi circulations are in optimum level. The Indian term for meridian is nadi. Blockages in blood or chi circulation can be the cause of many illnesses which remain incurable to a Western trained doctor. I have personally cured an elderly lady who complained of pain near her shoulder. She had been unsuccessfully treated by the western trained doctor. She did not even know how she got the pain or why. It was only on probing further that I discovered she was actually sleeping on that side of the shoulder each night. After unblocking the blood and chi circulation, she was able to sleep peacefully without feeling any pain.

You do not have to agree with me. If you have a different view do post your opinion and I will try my best to have a constructive discussion with you on the above subject.

For enquiry or comments which you do not want to be published please call TF Foo : 012-6570647
Or email me at tiockfeng@hotmail.com
If you want to know more about healings do log onto my website tffoo.site11.com.