Total Health by Meditation

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Total Health by Meditation TOTAL HEALTH BY MEDITATION 1 CONTENTS CHAPTER - 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Meditation in Modern Relevance 1.2 Research Methodology 1.3 Hypothesis 1.4 Limits 1.5 About the thesis CHAPTER - 2 SCHOOLS OF MEDITATION & THEIR PHILOSOPHIES 2.1 Yoga 2.2 Tantra 2.3 Vedanta 2.4 Jainism 2.5 Buddhism 2.6 Zen 2.7 Taoism 2.8 Judaism 2.9 Christianity 2.10 Islam 2.11 Sufism 2.12 Sikhism CHAPTER - 3 III. MEDITATION AND TOTAL HEALTH 3.1 Anxiety 3.2 Cancer 3.3 Cardiovascular disease 3.4 Chronic fatigue syndrome 3.5 Depression 3.6 Hiv/Aids 2 3.7 Infertility 3.8 Insomnia 3.9 Irritable bowel syndrome and alcers 3.10 Pain management 3.11 Psoriasis 3.12 Stress 3.3 Conclusion CHAPTER - 4 MEDITATION TECHNIQUES 4.1 Yogic meditations 4.2 Meditations from Tantras 4.3 Budhist meditation 4.4 Taoist meditation 4.5 Zen meditation Techniques 4.6 Meditation techniques from various schools 4.7 Pragyan dhyan kriya 4.8 Effects of meditation 4.9 Case studies BIBLIOGRAPHY . ] 3 Chapter-1 INTRODUCTION Meditation is a state of absolute peace and bliss. It is a state of being in the pure, divine existence of ultimate reality (cosmic consciousness / God / truth). To attain this state various techniques are developed which are also termed as meditation. The word meditation comes from the Latin word ‘meditatio’, which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning ‘contemplation’. The word meditation has two meanings. The first is continued, intent, focused thought. The second is a state of calm, unconditional countless awareness. According to the Eastern spiritual traditions like Yoga, Tantra, Zen, etc. the second meaning is equivalent to meditation. Meditation is a way which gives the practitioner a real experience and taste of full being which is beyond all habitual patterns. In the stillness and silence of meditation, the practitioner gets the glimpse of his deep inner nature which was lost due to mental distractions. The concise Oxford English dictionary defines the word meditation as “1 the action or practice of meditating. 2 a discourse expressing considered thoughts on a subject.” Meditation is to live here and now. Meditation is a state which goes beyond the thoughts of past and imaginations of future. Meditation is beyond time, space and matter. It is the connectivity with the eternal source of every existence. Meditation is the highest state of human consciousness. According to Swami Vivekananda, “The greatest thing is meditation. It is the nearest approach to spiritual life – the mind meditating. It is the one moment in our daily life that we are not material – the soul thinking of itself, free from all matter – this marvellous touch of the soul.” Soul is the existence of divine consciousness. It is eternal. To be in this eternal, infinite truth is meditation. Meditation is a method to focus and ultimately quiet the mind. The practice is said to produce a higher state of consciousness. Meditation is recognized as a component of almost all religions, and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Meditative disciplines cover a wide range of spiritual 4 and/or psychophysical practices which can emphasize development of either a high degree of mental concentration and stillness. Meditation is self regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry. This leads to self-realization. Evidence of the origins of meditation extends back to a time before recorded history. According to archaeological excavation meditation practices may have existed among the first Indian civilizations. “5,000 year old carvings from the Indus valley civilization depict a figure that some archeologists believe represents a yogi sitting in meditation posture.” Following is the photograph of this carving. The origin of meditative practices is very obscure. But it can be stated that the meditative practices will be still ancient than this carving. This is the historical reference of meditative practice. However the exact history of meditation cannot be dated on these sources. Meditation is the state to realize the ultimate nature of life and living. Its history will “Shiva-Pashupati” depend on the ancient evolution of human beings. It will depend on the evolution of human consciousness. Since immemorial time the human beings would had been practicing the techniques to realize the state of meditation. From ancient times till date, meditation in some or the other form is being practiced around the world. There are several other sculptures which gives light on the practice of meditation in that era. The following sculpture of Lord Buddha is Buddha Ajanta from Ajanta caves. The work on the Caves Ajanta caves was started during the 4th century AD. There are many techniques of meditation which can be classified 5 according to their focus. Some focus on the field or background perception and experience, also called ‘mindfulness’ whereas others focus on a preselected specific object, and are called ‘concentrative’ meditation. There are also techniques that shift between the field and the object. In mindfulness meditation, the meditator sits comfortably and silently, centering attention by focusing awareness on an object or process (a breath, or a sound, or a mantra, or koan or riddle evoking questions, or visualization, or an exercise). Concentration meditation is used in most religions and spiritual practices. Whereas in mindfulness meditation there is an open focus, in concentration meditation the meditator holds attention on a particular object (e.g., a repetitive prayer) while minimizing distractions; bringing the mind back to concentrate on the chosen object. In some traditions, such as Vipassana, mindfulness and concentration are combined. Meditation may be objective, or on qualities or purely subjective. In objective meditation the Sadhaka meditates upon an idol or picture of his deity (may be Lord Shiva, Rama, Krishna, Christ, Buddha, Mahavira or any other god or goddess). For him, the idol is something alive, vibrating with supreme energy. He may meditate upon the beautitude, the qualities, and the activities of his deity. In subjective meditation, he may meditate upon the all-pervading pulsating supreme energy which is within him and without, permeating everywhere. He may also meditate on his breath while inhaling and exhaling. All these techniques lead to the state of meditation. But to attain this state continuous focus is essential. To attain the flow of continuous focus, concentration is required. Fixing the mind on an external object or an internal point continuously without interruption for twelve seconds is concentration. Concentration transforms into meditation. When the mind is fixed on any object or subject for 144 seconds continuously without break is meditation. Meditation can be practiced while walking, talking, singing, dancing or doing simple repetitive tasks. Walking meditation helps to break down habitual automatic mental categories and regain the primary nature of perceptions and events, focusing attention on the process while disregarding its purpose or final outcome. In a form of meditation using 6 visualization, such as Chinese Qi Gong, the practitioner concentrates on flows of energy (Qi) in the body, starting in the abdomen and then circulating through the body, until dispersed. In Tantra there are various dancing mediations which purify all the meridians of the body, bring robust health and leads to samadhi. Meditation is a state of absolute peacefulness and blissfulness. It brings divine felicity. “Meditation is the gate that opens that infinite joy to us. Prayers, ceremonials and all the other forms of worship are simply kindergartens of meditation. You pray, you offer something. A certain theory existed that everything raised one’s spiritual power. The use of certain words, flowers, images, temples, ceremonials like the waving of lights brings the mind to that attitude, but that attitude is always in the human soul, nowhere else. People are all doing it, but what they do without knowing it, do knowingly. That is the power of meditation.” Meditation is not for some ascetics but is essential for all human beings. The individual self of a person unites with the higher self (source of existence) during deep sleep daily. This unknown union recharges the cells of a human being. Hence, when he gets up from his sleep in the morning there is a feeling of freshness, relaxation and full strength. This is a natural process for every human being. But if an individual could not sleep properly, he feels uneasy and is in a kind of fatigue. It is the experience of every human being despite of his race, religion, sex, caste, country, profession, etc. Every human being needs relaxation, strength, ability to accomplish his duties and for peace of mind. Meditation is a great invention of a human being to keep his inner self in union with the higher self in a wakeful state for longer periods continuously. In the schools of human insights like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, etc. the spiritual purpose and meaning is to merge the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness / ultimate reality / Source / truth. Meditation is the flow of continuous focus on one object (external or internal) / god /atman / supreme spirit / infinity. A sincere spiritual seeker meditates to realize the ultimate reality to understand the mystery of life and 7 death, to what is truth. Once he knows truth, he knows the ultimate reality, he becomes that, and there is nothing more to know. A person who has realized the truth, becomes truth, and lives in truth. Knowing is being. That is the highest state. Therefore meditation is not meant just for the ascetic. It is the highest state of a human being and it is extremely important in the day-to-day life of every human being.
Recommended publications
  • Yoga Studies Major (BA)
    Yoga Studies Major (BA) • TRA463 Meditation in Yogic and Tantric Traditions: A Practicum (3) "The technique of a world-changing yoga has to be as uniform, Anatomy sinuous, patient, all-including as the world itself. If it does not deal with Choose 3 Credits all the difficulties or possibilities and carefully deal with each necessary • PAR101 Experiential Anatomy (3) element, does it have any chance of success?"—Sri Aurobindo • PSYB332 Human Anatomy (3) A Bachelor of Arts degree (120 credits) consists of Core Curriculum (30 credits) and at least one major (36–60 credits), as well as Language minors and/or elective courses of the student’s choosing. • REL355 Introductory Sanskrit: The Language of the Gods (3) Naropa University's Yoga Studies program is dedicated to the Enrichment Electives education, preservation, and application of the vast teachings Choose 6 credits of yoga. The program offers a comprehensive study of yoga's • PSYB304 Somatic Intelligence: The Neuroscience of Our history, theory, and philosophy, as well as providing an in-depth Body-Mind Connection (3) immersion and training in its practice and methodologies. Balancing • REL210 Religion & Mystical Experience (3) cognitive understanding with experiential learning, students study • REL247 Embodying Sacred Wisdom: Modern Saints (3) the transformative teachings of yogic traditions while gaining the • REL277 Sanskrit I (4) necessary knowledge and skills to safely and effectively teach • REL334 Hindu Tantra (3) yoga. • REL351 Theories of Alternative Spiritualities and New Religious The curriculum systematically covers the rich and diverse history, Movements (3) literature, and philosophies of traditions of yoga, while immersing • TRA100 Shambhala Meditation Practicum (3) students in the methodologies of Hatha yoga, including asana, • TRA114 Indian Devotional and Raga Singing (3) pranayama, and meditation.
    [Show full text]
  • “White Ball” Qigong in Perceptual Auditory Attention
    The acute Effect of “White Ball” Qigong in Perceptual auditory Attention - a randomized, controlled study done with Biopac Reaction Time measurements - Lara de Jesus Teixeira Lopes Mestrado em Medicina Tradicional Chinesa Porto 2015 Lara de Jesus Teixeira Lopes The acute effect of White Ball Qigong in perceptual auditory Attention - a randomized controlled study done with Biopac Reaction Time measurements - Dissertação de Candidatura ao grau de Mestre em Medicina Tradicional Chinesa submetida ao Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto. Orientador - Henry Johannes Greten Categoria - Professor Associado Convidado Afiliação - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto. Co-orientador – Maria João Santos Categoria – Mestre de Medicina Tradicional Chinesa Afiliação – Heidelberg School of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resumo Enquadramento: A correlação entre técnicas de treino corpo-mente e a melhoria da performance cognitiva dos seus praticantes é um tópico de corrente interesse público. Os seus benefícios na Atenção, gestão de tarefas múltiplas simultâneas, mecanismos de autogestão do stress e melhorias no estado geral de saúde estão documentados. Qigong é uma técnica terapêutica da MTC com enorme sucesso clínico na gestão emocional e cognitiva. [6] [8-9] [13-14] [16] [18-20] [26-30] [35-45] Um dos problemas nas pesquisas sobre Qigong é a falta de controlos adequados. Nós desenvolvemos, recentemente, um Qigong Placebo e adoptamos essa metodologia no presente estudo. Pretendemos investigar se a prática única do Movimento “Bola Branca” do Qigong, durante 5 minutos, melhora a Atenção Auditiva Perceptual ou se é necessário uma prática regular mínima para obter os potenciais efeitos. Objetivos: 1. Analisar o efeito agudo de 5 minutos de treino de Qigong sobre a Atenção Auditiva Perceptual, medida por tempo de reacção.
    [Show full text]
  • An Interview with Adam Mizner Journal of Chinese Medicine • Number 120 •June 2019
    28 An Interview with Adam Mizner Journal of Chinese Medicine • Number 120 •June 2019 An Interview with Adam Mizner By: Peter Abstract Deadman Sifu Adam Mizner, though relatively young, is increasingly recognised as one of the most accomplished masters of (yang style) taiji in the world, as well as a dedicated practitioner and teacher of neigong and meditation. As Keywords: anyone can see from his many YouTube videos his skills are quite extraordinary. On a personal note, I can say Qigong, taiji, that having been around the internal arts (mainly qigong) world for nearly 40 years, I’ve seen a lot of fakery self cultivation, where students throw themselves around when subjected to the ‘qi powers’ of so-called masters. I had more or Chinese less given up hope of witnessing what Adam demonstrates. I hope this discussion will be of interest to anyone medicine. who is fascinated by the many dimensions of qi, health and emotional and spiritual development. rather than boxing or some other discipline for two reasons. One was that I knew someone training in Chow Gar Tong Long1 and the other was that I was inspired by a documentary I’d seen about the Shaolin monks and the way they lived – combining meditation with gongfu and the apparent superhuman feats they performed. So I thought that was more suitable for developing discipline of the mind and body rather than sport or getting into ring fighting with boxing. I was more interested in the pure discipline, in ‘the way’ so to speak. PD: I believe you started practising taiji in earnest when you were 20.
    [Show full text]
  • Cultivating an “Ideal Body” in Taijiquan and Neigong
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article “Hang the Flesh off the Bones”: Cultivating an “Ideal Body” in Taijiquan and Neigong Xiujie Ma 1,2 and George Jennings 3,* 1 Chinese Guoshu Academy, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China; [email protected] 2 School of Wushu, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China 3 Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF23 6XD, Wales, UK * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +44-(0)2-920-416-155 Abstract: In a globalized, media-driven society, people are being exposed to different cultural and philosophical ideas. In Europe, the School of Internal Arts (pseudonym) follows key principles of the ancient Chinese text The Yijinjing (The Muscle-Tendon Change Classic) “Skeleton up, flesh down”, in its online and offline pedagogy. This article draws on an ongoing ethnographic, netnographic and cross-cultural investigation of the transmission of knowledge in this atypical association that combines Taijiquan with a range of practices such as Qigong, body loosening exercises and meditation. Exploring the ideal body cultivated by the students, we describe and illustrate key (and often overlooked) body areas—namely the spine, scapula, Kua and feet, which are continually worked on in the School of Internal Arts’ exercise-based pedagogy. We argue that Neigong and Taijiquan, rather than being forms of physical education, are vehicles for adult physical re-education. This re-education offers space in which mind-body tension built over the life course are systematically Citation: Ma, X.; Jennings, G. “Hang released through specific forms of attentive, meditative exercise to lay the foundations for a strong, the Flesh off the Bones”: Cultivating powerful body for martial artistry and health.
    [Show full text]
  • Mihály Csíkszentmihályi 19 Wikipedia Articles
    Mihály Csíkszentmihályi 19 Wikipedia Articles PDF generated using the open source mwlib toolkit. See http://code.pediapress.com/ for more information. PDF generated at: Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:52:33 UTC Contents Articles Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 1 Flow (psychology) 4 Overlearning 16 Relaxation (psychology) 17 Boredom 18 Apathy 22 Worry 25 Anxiety 27 Arousal 33 Mindfulness (psychology) 34 Meditation 44 Yoga 66 Alexander technique 82 Martial arts 87 John Neulinger 97 Experience sampling method 100 Cognitive science 101 Attention 112 Creativity 117 References Article Sources and Contributors 139 Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 144 Article Licenses License 146 Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 1 Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi ( /ˈmiːhaɪˌtʃiːksɛntməˈhaɪ.iː/ mee-hy cheek-sent-mə-hy-ee; Hungarian: Csíkszentmihályi Mihály Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈtʃiːksɛntmihaːji ˈmihaːj]; born September 29, 1934, in Fiume, Italy – now Rijeka, Croatia) is a Hungarian psychology professor, who emigrated to the United States at the age of 22. Now at Claremont Graduate University, he is the former head of the department of psychology at the University of Chicago and of the department of sociology and anthropology at Lake Forest College. He is noted for both his work in the study of happiness and creativity and also for his notoriously difficult name, in terms of pronunciation for non-native speakers of the Hungarian language, but is best known as the architect of the notion of flow and for his years of research and writing on the topic. He is the author of many books and over 120 articles or book chapters. Martin Seligman, former president of the American Psychological Association, described Csikszentmihalyi as the world's leading researcher on positive psychology.[1] Csikszentmihalyi once said "Repression is not the way to virtue.
    [Show full text]
  • Zhan Zhuang QIGONG
    Andrzej Kalisz Zhan Zhuang QIGONG YOU CAN FEEL IT! YIQUAN TRAINING WORLDWIDE SUPPORT Copyright © by Andrzej Kalisz, 2005-2006 Author of this e-book agrees to any storing, copying and passing the document to any people or institutions, provided that there are no changes or omissions in the document. This includes posting the document on internet sites, FTP servers or any files sharing servers. To receive the right to publish this document in other languages you need to be an associate of Andrzej Kalisz’s Yiquan Academy. Information about associated school can be added to the translated document upon author’s approval. 2 I would like to express gratitude to: My parents. Thanks to their help I could enter the path of studying Chinese culture, martial arts and exercises for cultivating health. My teacher Yao Chengguang. He helps me to research the principles of studying and experiencing, and is generously sharing his own experience gained by over 40 years of practice. My students. They appreciate my efforts and their progress makes me sure that what I’m studying and passing to them is valuable. Andrzej Kalisz 3 This is because health, well-being, seeking beauty, balance and harmony are important in human life, that such forms of exercises like yoga, tai chi and chi kung have became very popular all over the world. But until recently yiquan and zhan zhuang were not widely known. Now they are rapidly becoming popular. Some people say that zhan zhuang is a Chinese yoga. Wide use of positional exercises resembles use of asana in Indian yoga.
    [Show full text]
  • The Insider׳S Guide to Tai
    THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO TAI CHI What You Need to Know to Learn and Practice Tai Chi BY BRUCE FRANTZIS Copyright © 2012 Bruce Frantzis All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Published by Energy Arts, Inc., P.O. Box 99, Fairfax, CA 94978-0099 The following trademarks are used under license by Energy Arts, Inc., from Bruce Frantzis: Frantzis Energy Arts® system, Mastery Without Mystery®, Longevity Breathing® program, Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body™ Qigong, Marriage of Heaven and Earth™ Qigong, Bend the Bow™ Spinal Qigong, Spiraling Energy Body™ Qigong, Gods Playing in the Clouds™ Qigong, Living Taoism™ Collection, Chi Rev Workout,™ HeartChi,™ Bagua Mastery Program,™ Hsing-i Mastery Program™ and Tai Chi Mastery Program.™ Editors: Sito Negron and Richard Taubinger Assistant Editors: Mountain Livingston and Kaualani Pereira Interior and Cover Design: Richard Taubinger Photo and Illustration Editors: Mountain Livingston and Kaualani Pereira PLEASE NOTE: The practice of Taoist energy arts and meditative arts may carry risks. The information in this text is not in any way intended as a substitute for medical, psychological or emotional counseling with a licensed physician or healthcare provider. The reader should consult a professional before undertaking any martial arts, movement, meditative arts, health or exercise program to reduce the chance of injury or any other harm that may result from pursuing or trying any technique discussed in this text. Any physical or other distress experienced during or after any exercise should not be ignored and should be brought to the attention of a healthcare professional.
    [Show full text]
  • 7 Ways to Activate Your Bodies Inherent Healing Ability
    Reiki Gong Dynamic Health Presents: 7 Ways to Activate Your Bodies Inherent Healing Ability By: Philip Love QMT RMT Qigong Meditation Teacher / Reiki Master Teacher & Healer 1. Mantra & Sound In the Bhaiṣajyaguruvaiḍūryaprabhārāja Sūtra, the Medicine Buddha is described as having entered into a state of samadhi called "Eliminating All the Suffering and Afflictions of Sentient Beings." From this samadhi state he [5] spoke the Medicine Buddha Dharani. namo bhagavate bhaiṣajyaguru vaiḍūryaprabharājāya tathāgatāya arhate samyaksambuddhāya tadyathā: oṃ bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajye mahābhaiṣajya-samudgate svāhā. The last line of the dharani is used as Bhaisajyaguru's short form mantra. There are several other mantras for the Medicine Buddha as well that are used in different schools of Vajrayana Buddhism. There are many ancient Shakti devotional songs and vibrational chants in the Hindu and Sikh traditions (found inSarbloh Granth). The recitation of the Sanskrit bij mantra MA is commonly used to call upon the Divine Mother, the Shakti, as well as the Moon. Kundalini-Shakti-Bhakti Mantra Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Namo Namo! Sarab Shakti, Sarab Shakti, Sarab Shakti, Namo Namo! Prithum Bhagvati, Prithum Bhagvati, Prithum Bhagvati, Namo Namo! Kundalini Mata Shakti, Mata Shakti, Namo Namo! Translation: Primal Shakti, I bow to Thee! All-Encompassing Shakti, I bow to Thee! That through which Divine Creates, I bow to Thee! [6] Creative Power of the Kundalini, Mother of all Mother Power, To Thee I Bow! "Merge in the Maha Shakti. This is enough to take away your misfortune. This will carve out of you a woman. Woman needs her own Shakti, not anybody else will do it..
    [Show full text]
  • Evangel Bible-Presbyterian Church, Malaysia 10Th Anniversary
    MARANATHA MESSENGER Weekly Newsletter of Private Circulation Only MARANATHA BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 8 May 2016 “Present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28) Address: 63 Cranwell Road, Singapore 509851 E-mail: [email protected] Sunday School: 9.45 am Sunday English / Chinese Worship Service: 10.45 am Sunday Chinese Worship Service: 7 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 8.00 pm Evangel Bible-Presbyterian Church, Malaysia 10 th Anniversary Our Lord has blessed the BP witness with the formation of many BP missions churches over the past decade In different Asian countries and you are one of them and certainly not the last. We are thankful to our sovereign Lord who has prospered and richly blessed the ministry of Evangel BP Church, Malaysia incepted providentially in April / May 2006 with a group of believers who had a burden to start a new church. We are indebted to Christ our Lord for His wonderful work in our midst. Over the past 10 years, God has opened doors and there many opportunities for outreach and evangelism and as a results of your zeal and faithful service. Many were edified and strengthened in the knowledge of the inspired and sufficient word of God and many have come to worship with us and quite a number have been saved by the grace of God and were baptised in Evangel BP Church by the higher hand of God. The Sunday school has also grown and now there is the YF and the monthly AF Bible studies as well. We see faithful stewards from Elder Dr Lim Yew Cheng to the various committed pro-tem committee members and even the choir, ushers and PA crew, ushers, musicians, Sunday School teachers, weekly editors, Bible Study and fellowship leaders, food stewards and those who drive the church van and many others as well.
    [Show full text]
  • BODY and KI in GICHEON: PRACTICES of SELF-CULTIVATION in CONTEMPORARY KOREA Yeonhwa Jeon
    BODY AND KI IN GICHEON: PRACTICES OF SELF-CULTIVATION IN CONTEMPORARY KOREA Yeonhwa Jeon BODY AND KI IN GICHEON: PRACTICES OF SELF-CULTIVATION IN CONTEMPORARY KOREA Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van Doctor aan de Universiteit Leiden, op gezag van Rector Magnificus prof.mr. C.J.J.M. Stolker, volgens besluit van het College voor Promoties te verdedigen op donderdag 6 juli 2017 klokke 10.00 uur door Yeonhwa Jeon geboren te Leningrad, Sovjet Unie in 1975 Promotor: Prof. dr. B.C.A. Walraven Co-promotor: Dr. K. De Ceuster Promotiecommissie: Prof. dr. R.E. Breuker Prof. dr. K.J. Cwiertka Prof. dr. Valérie Gelézeau (École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris, France) Prof. dr. Andreas Niehaus (Universiteit Gent, Belgium) Acknowledgements Many people have supported me in one way or another to complete this dissertation. In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Robert Winstanley-Chesters, Dr. Alla Burman and Sumi Lee for motivating me, discussing this work with me, commenting on the manuscript and helping in editing it. Table of Contents Preface........................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter One: Introduction ......................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Ki suryŏn as a contemporary phenomenon ...................................................................... 4 1.2 Immortality and nationalism in contemporary Korea .....................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Qigong As a Portal to Presence: Cultivating the Inner Energy Body©
    (Published in Oriental Medicine Journal, Spring 2003, Vol II, Issue 2) Qigong as a Portal to Presence: Cultivating the Inner Energy Body© Gunther M. Weil, Ph.D. “The key is to be in a state of permanent connectedness with your inner body– to feel it at all times. This will rapidly deepen and transform your life.” Eckhart Tolle Is there an underlying spiritual dimension behind the myriad forms of Qigong that by its very nature, invites us to simply and directly access deeper levels of being, pure awareness and the experience of Presence in daily life? If this is the original intent of Qigong, in what way can this ancient art be practiced as a Portal to Presence? These questions and the perspective that informs them stem directly from many years of my personal and professional experience as a psychologist, student and teacher of Qigong and Tai Chi Chuan. My own journey through the complex and often confusing landscape of these disciplines and practices has led me to some of the insights and ideas I would like to share in this article. Having studied and worked for many years with a variety of teachings, and masters of internal energy, martial and spiritual arts, I have personally experienced and observed many of the spiritual blind alleys and subtle dangers that are associated with complex systems of Qi training and hierarchical structures of spiritual development. The obvious risks include identification with a set of formal teachings, lineages, systems, or even the identity of belonging to an elite professional organization. The less obvious, more subtle dangers involve identification with a set of goals, or images of spiritual attainment, no matter how refined or ideal they may be.
    [Show full text]
  • The Qigong Workbook for Anxiety
    “Anxiety is part of the ‘broken brain’ syndrome that millions of Americans suffer from. Conventional medicine can mask the symptoms, but it doesn’t tackle the root cause. That’s what the total mind- body system of qigong does. In this groundbreaking workbook, Master Kam Chuen Lam shows us how to use our own life-force energy to lift our minds and bodies to a new level of wellness. Open this book to any page and you’ll find it’s one of the most practical, helpful, and friendly guidebooks to your own well-being you can imagine.” —Mark Hyman, MD, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Blood Sugar Solution “Master Kam Chuen Lam’s workbook is a valuable resource for anyone dealing with anxiety, worry, or stress. The ancient healing exercises he shares from decades of experience are presented in a format that is easy to understand, learn, and practice. Having worked with some of these exercises I can per- sonally say they cultivate more peace, calm, and body awareness. This is a book I will be recommend- ing to many of my clients for years to come!” —Tahir Bhatti, MD, wellness physician, director of Integrative Holistic Services, and associate clinical professor in the department of psychology at the University of California, San Diego “In a world where everyone experiences stress and worry, what a gift it is to read The Qigong Workbook for Anxiety. Master Kam Chuen Lam introduces readers to the ancient tradition of qigong in a friendly and accessible way. He teaches simple yet potent methods for relaxing both physical and emotional tension.
    [Show full text]