WHAT HAVE I LEARNED FROM THE WISDOM HEALING QIGONG RETREAT?

Introduction

If you have never heard of qigong, you are not alone. Many people are more familiar with other mind-body practices like yoga, tai chi, or energy healing techniques such as Reiki. My introduction to qigong happened at the Evolution of Psychotherapy conference in California back in 2008, where a psychotherapist offered a free early morning qigong session. It was a pleasant movement practice, and he later wrote a book detailing his qigong journey and the benefits he and his patients experienced (1).

Following this, my wife Tina told me about Chunyi Lin, whom she met at another conference, the Psychotherapy Networker in Washington DC. She later visited his office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During one visit, I accompanied her and received an assessment from him, the founder of Spring Forest Qigong. Master Lin identified some energy blockages in my back and offered remote healing, which I did not pursue at the time. Tina began practicing Spring Forest Qigong with DVDs, but it didn't become a daily routine for her.

Fast forward to the COVID pandemic, Tina embraced Chunyi Lin's free online practices, making qigong her daily practice. This inspired her to undergo certification, become a group leader, and provide qigong training in our community for the past two years. More recently, in the clinical setting of Tribe Wellness and at Cottonwood Public Library.

Now, let's explain what qigong is. Qigong is a mind-body healing practice designed to cultivate and balance the life-force energy known as qi (chi). The primary goal of qigong is to maintain the free flow of qi in the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, health issues can arise when qi becomes blocked or stagnant. Qigong aims to remove these obstacles to promote a healthy flow of qi, which is believed to improve overall health and well-being.

Qigong is an ancient practice, originating from shamanic traditions in China around 5,000 years ago. Over time, five distinct traditions or schools of qigong developed in China, each with its theories and characteristics: Chinese medical qigong, Daoist qigong, Buddhist qigong, Confucian qigong, and martial qigong. Despite their differences, all qigong traditions include practices intended to cultivate and balance qi.

As I mentioned earlier, Tina has been practicing qigong for several years, primarily focusing on the Spring Forest brand along with some Korean qigong at a center near Sedona, Arizona, called MAGO. A friend introduced her to Wisdom Healing Qigong during a sound healing session, which deeply impressed her. Inspired by this experience, Tina suggested we attend a retreat at The Chi Center in New Mexico. I eagerly agreed, seeing it as an opportunity to visit New Mexico, especially Santa Fe, one of the oldest cities in the United States, dating back to the early 17th century. It is known for its Pueblo-style adobe architecture, thriving arts scene, and rich Native American, Spanish, and Anglo cultural influences.

Founder

Dr. Pang Ming, born in 1940, is the founder of Wisdom Healing Qigong. He received extensive training in both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Over the years, he immersed himself in various wisdom traditions, including Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and martial arts. Drawing from these diverse sources, Dr. Pang synthesized their best practices to create Wisdom Healing Qigong.

In the 1980s, Dr. Pang established the world’s largest medicine-less Qigong hospital. Over two decades, this institution published around 3,000 research papers and treated 200,000 patients. One notable study from 1998 sampled 2,088 individuals over three months, yielding the following results: 731 individuals (35.01%) were cured, 488 (23.37%) saw very effective results, 863 (41.28%) experienced effective results, and only 6 (0.29%) showed no effect. The total effective rate was an impressive 97% (2).

These remarkable outcomes led the Chinese government to promote Wisdom Healing Qigong as one of the most effective forms of Qigong. While recognizing its potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs, the government also grew concerned about large gatherings. Consequently, in 2000, a law was enacted prohibiting Qigong practice in groups larger than one hundred. In response, Dr. Pang chose to disperse his teachings through his trained instructors worldwide.

The center founded by Dr. Pang has since trained thousands of Qigong teachers and numerous Master Teachers. It was at this center in 1997 that Master Mingtong Gu and his wife Linling, who later founded The Chi Center in New Mexico, received direct training from Grand Master Dr. Pang Ming.

The Chi Center

Prior to my visit to The Chi Center, I was unfamiliar with specific teachings of Wisdom Healing Qigong, so I had no particular expectations, though I mentioned on a questionnaire I filled upon arrival that I hoped to boost my vitality and alleviate occasional neck and low back pain.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the retreat center's serene natural surroundings, including beautiful landscaping, trees, flowers, and sculptures of Buddha and other Hindu and Chinese spiritual figures. A friendly staff member welcomed us, completed our registration, and escorted us to our room.

We then attended an orientation session where we were introduced to Master Mingtong, the retreat leader. His warm and approachable demeanor left a positive impression on me. He also introduced his small but dedicated team, including a chef specializing in vegan cuisine, which appealed to my dietary preferences.

The group of participants was relatively intimate compared to other retreats Tina and I had recently attended. This allowed us to get to know our fellow attendees better, share life experiences, practice qigong together, and enjoy more intimate activities like bonfires and nature walks. The small size fostered a sense of community and connection.

The welcoming environment, personable staff, and opportunity for deeper engagement with the group created a very meaningful and rewarding retreat experience.

Daily Practices

The six-day retreat began immediately with teachings and an evening healing session on the first day. Over the next five days, we engaged in a variety of activities from early morning after breakfast until late evening after dinner. On the second day of the retreat, I recorded the following in my journal:

"The second day in this amazing, unique place was rich with experiences. In the morning, Tina and I walked the grounds. After a decent night's sleep, I felt quite energetic. With the help of 2 to 3 cups of excellent coffee, I was even more invigorated and interactive. The program with Master Mingtong featured wisdom talks, moving practice, sound healing, Q&A sessions, dancing, small group discussions with a talking stick, and walking meditation that included visits to grandfather and grandmother trees. Master Mingtong is an outstanding teacher with a powerful voice, almost hypnotic during the movement practices, a good sense of humor, and a humble personality. He is deeply committed to nurturing presence through the experience of the body—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—emphasizing the connection with the body as the main path to healing and empowerment, contrasting with the biomedical model that focuses on symptoms and diagnoses.

He emphasized the importance of finding our true selves, which he described as the energy of a baby, demonstrated in the photograph displayed by his side on the podium, essential for longevity and health. He shared an anecdote about the chief editor of the magazine Health and Spirituality, who likened the body to a rented car. Master Mingtong expressed sadness at this view, explaining that the primary cause of the disease is disconnection from the body, which harbors unprocessed emotions until it can no longer cope. He stressed that emotions need to be expressed, experienced, and regulated for mental and physical healing. He also spoke about integration, equating it to connection, and made an analogy between the visible universe, which comprises 4%, and the physical body, which also makes up 4%; the rest is energy, formless that impacts the form. He recounted the story of an 80-year-old woman from Israel who was demented and in severe pain. Her son sought help through an email. The only solution Master Mingtong could offer was sound healing, which miraculously reduced her pain from 90-100% to about 20-30%. He believes that sound energy is the most powerful healing technology."

Sound Healing

In our room, I discovered a booklet titled "Sound Healing Technologies as Taught by Master Mingtong Gu," accompanied by a 2-disc set (2). This 36-page booklet outlines the Five Organ Integrative Sound Healing practice, which aims to heal and harmonize all dimensions of the body’s five organ systems. Master Mingtong teaches us to connect with the energy of the organs beneath the triggers of experience, bypassing the mind’s tendency to label and create narratives. The five organ systems involved are cardiovascular, kidney, digestive, purifying, and respiratory. For each system, there are three specific sounds we chant.

The first sound focuses on the cellular and physical aspects of the organ, awakening the life energy within it, ready to be moved and transformed. The second sound addresses the emotional energy of the organ, bringing forth the energy of our feelings. The third sound chant for each organ activates its mental and spiritual dimensions, encompassing the intelligence, purpose, and spirit of the organ system. This sound technology transforms the organ's energy back to its healthy pattern by integrating all three dimensions, restoring each organ to its natural state.

Another goal of sound healing is to unify the five major organ systems and harmonize the energy body. This is accomplished by following a specific sequence: starting with the heart, then moving to the kidneys, the pancreas, the liver, and finally the lungs, before returning to the heart. By resolving old energetic patterns through the application of targeted vibrational frequencies, sound healing frees up energy that can then be channeled toward transformation and healing. The harmonization of the organ systems and energy body facilitates a holistic rebalancing, allowing the individual to access greater vitality and wellbeing.

If you are interested in experiencing this powerful healing technology, you can. Master Mingtong offers it as a gift to everyone through this link: https://chicenter.com/sound-healing-technologies/ I highly recommend it because it is a unique experience unlike any other I have had, especially when done with a group, like on the retreat.

Silence

On the third day of the retreat, silence took center stage. Master Mingtong emphasized the importance of refraining from verbal communication, urging us to go deeper into our inner selves during this time. The silence began promptly at 4 PM.

Experiencing a period without verbal communication is novel for most people. During that time, I often had to write down my thoughts on paper to communicate with Tina or others. This intensified my connection with myself and my surroundings. I became more attuned to the meaningfulness of each experience, whether it was walking the labyrinth for half an hour, mindfully walking to the grandfather or grandmother trees, listening to the sounds of nature, or simply being present in the moment. All of these experiences were heightened during the 24 hours of silence.

Some participants were unhappy with Master Mingtong's instruction to separate from their family members or partners during lunchtime. I believe he was encouraging us to embrace new experiences, though one couple chose to leave the retreat at that point. This incident later sparked some dissatisfaction in conversations with others, but it didn't affect me directly.

During the dinner that evening, we practiced mindful eating. With our eyes closed, we took small bites of our food, chewing each piece thoroughly until we could chew no more, and then swallowing while observing the energy and sensations we experienced. This practice was designed to deepen our connection with the food before us and to deepen the integration of our physical bodies with the surrounding environment, cultivating a sense of oneness with all that exists, and allowing us to quiet the chatter of the mind and tune into the present moment.

Other Teachings

In his teaching, Master Mingtong explained that energy as used in Qigong transcends the current understanding of science. It is subjective, expansive, and elusive, yet undeniably real. He stressed the importance of staying with discomfort, as it offers a chance to deepen our connection with our bodies and sensations. Through practice, we break down old patterns and structures on all levels, making way for new ones to be put in place. This process may lead to worsening symptoms, heightened emotions, and feelings of mental disorientation. Master Mingtong called this a purification process. He shared his own experience during which he felt mentally lost, purposeless, and unsure of his actions. However, with continued practice, new and healthier structures emerge. By opening and contracting, gathering and sharing, we regulate our energy. This journey towards integration involves accepting all our experiences, familiar and new, intense and subtle, uncomfortable and pleasant, and gradually moving to deeper and deeper connections.

I appreciated the communal atmosphere of the retreat, which included about 50 participants. We had the chance to work in smaller groups of five, and we were instructed to connect with experienced practitioners forming a chi-buddy system. This allowed us to ask questions, share our current state of being, and simply spend time together. I got to know my chi buddy better, learning about her journey not only with Qigong but also with other programs and teachings. It is inspiring how much we discover about others when we connect on a deeper level. One of the key lessons was the importance of connection, emphasizing the three gates: the earth gate with our feet, the heavenly gate with the top of our head, and the human gate with our hands, to deepen our relationships and connections.

Something similar I noted in my journal:

“The teachings of Master Mingtong emphasize the three essential connections. The first is the connection with our bodies, the second with nature, and the third with each other. These connections form the foundation of love. Self-love arises from connecting with our bodies, the connection with nature symbolizes our bond with life, and connecting with others represents our unity with humanity.”

Six Golden Keys

Drawing from his teachings and an additional booklet (3), I present Master Mingtong’s six core principles that he used for his personal healing and spiritual transformation. These principles form a comprehensive framework for health, healing, and spiritual growth. They empower individuals by highlighting our interconnectedness with the world around us. Serving as a roadmap, they guide individuals toward cultivating self-love, trust, and alignment with the energetic field of life, leading to deeper personal satisfaction and harmony with the world. Here they are:

·        Haola “I am”

Haola means "all is well, so be it!" The principle of Haola is about activating a belief in the inherent goodness and wellness of our bodies, energy, and all aspects of life. The simple sound of "Haola" creates an energetic circulation and awakening of well-being. It is cultivating trust in the fundamental rightness of existence.

·        Inner Smile “I am love”

The Inner Smile taps into the inner medicine of self-love, relaxation, and unconditional happiness. By purposefully smiling inwardly, it brings kindness, joy, and acceptance to all parts of ourselves. This has a harmonizing effect on the body's energetic field, infusing it with love.

·        Service “I am connected”

This principle is about activating the energy of love and sharing it outwards. By dedicating healing practice to others, we amplify the power of transformation, not just for oneself but for the collective. It is about recognizing our interconnectedness and harnessing it. By sharing, we are cultivating chi (life force energy) together for the highest good.

·        Trust “I am enough”

The principle of Trust is about allowing oneself to fully participate in life, flowing from moment to moment with the faith that something greater is at work, even if it can't be seen. This empowers the mind to be more committed and trusting of the healing process, creating a beneficial feedback loop.

·        Chi Field “I am a co-creator”

By activating the collective power for universal desire, we tap into the accumulative energetic field of community and lineages. The more we align our individual healing with this collective purpose, the more we can embody and be empowered by the greater chi field.

·        Practice “I am NOW”

Ultimately, Master Mingtong recognized that deep healing and awakening must come from within each individual. While the other principles provide the framework, it is the regular, dedicated practice that makes healing and transformation possible. It is about fully inhabiting the present moment.

Finishing Touches

For any experience to be valuable, healing, and meaningful, it is crucial to establish the most conducive set and setting. "Set" refers to our internal state—our sensations, emotions, thoughts, intentions, and overall subjective condition. Personally, I was ready for the experience, open and willing to do what was necessary and optimistic about its potential value. "Setting" encompasses everything external to us. I found myself in a beautiful environment with welcoming, friendly people, a staff that enjoyed their work, and Master Mingtong, who was prepared to give his best. Our room was lovely. The only downside was the constant presence of mosquitoes, which threatened to spoil the experience.

Why did I resonate so well with Master Mingtong at the retreat? There was something unique about him—an energy, a warmth in his smile, and a distinctive way of interacting with us—that set him apart from other teachers I have encountered. His intellect, personal story, and engaging manner made me feel we were all the same, forming what he calls a "chi-field." In this field, we connect with each other more deeply and tap into a subtle yet undeniable energy that surrounds us. This vast energy can influence our physical well-being, enhancing vitality, longevity, and wellness or doing the opposite. Learning to harness this potential is the practice of Wisdom Healing Qigong.

That is why I didn't feel the ambivalence I had experienced with other teachings and practices. The smaller group size, a sense of humbleness, and the fact that the founder of Wisdom Healing Qigong is a physician likely influenced me to embrace it more and trust in its benefits. I am just beginning this journey and know I need to continue learning, connecting, embracing, accepting, and going deeper and deeper. 

As an intellectual, I recognize the importance of understanding and embracing all aspects of my being. I have relied on my intellect successfully all my life, and I see no reason to abandon it. Instead, I aim to broaden my horizons and engage with other, less developed areas within myself. By doing so, I can welcome new energies to flow through my entire existence. This perspective is intriguing, and I am curious to see where it will lead me.

To facilitate this process, I enrolled in the Qigong for Life Mastery program, which provided me with access to a vast library of teachings and practice resources through The Chi Center's comprehensive website (4). In the future, I also plan to start the Passages, program for individual coaching and guidance. My commitment to daily practice is firmly established.

1. Qigong in Psychotherapy: You can do so much by doing so little, by Patrick Dougherty, M.A., Spring Forest Publishing, 2007

2. Sound Healing Technologies, by Master Mingtong Gu, Chi Center, 2011

3. What Is Qigong? Lead Your Life Into Lasting Joy and Vibrant Health, by Master Mingtong Gu, Chi Center, 2011

4. https://chicenter.com/

THE CHI CENTER – TINA’S CONNECTION IN NEW MEXICO

Life in the fast lane – the American and my quest for success and survival and I did my best to live up to the image. Living in North Dakota most of my life, a few additional layers of stoicism and “living as you should” were included in this quest. When we moved to Arizona in 2019, my mind/body was in tough shape. Scoliosis, digestion, skin issues and chronic pain became part of my daily life. I never thought I would find myself here as I had finally created the life that suited me – yet here I was facing the mirror with frustration, irritation, sadness, and shame – emotions that I had carefully steered around and even when I began to be aware of them, they seemed to only increase.  

Then COVID happened, life moved inward, and Spring Forest Qigong practice went online with Master Chunyi Lin every day and training became an online option. I started with hope and dedication to learning which eventually grew into certification and sharing the practice with others. I was waiting for miracles to happen, my pain and discomfort to vanish and my heart to fill with joy. For me, my healing journey was not instantaneous. It truly has been more of a deep dive into what I believed, hung onto, and needed to let go of and open my heart to what really matters – love, freedom, and life with purpose. Qigong created a beautiful doorway, but little did I know that it would take a while to wake up to myself. 

The Chi Center was an opportunity to take this deep dive into the safety of a beautiful and sacred setting and the guidance of a master who had healed himself from serious conditions. It was “our vacation” and an adventure into ourselves.... exploring the ocean of awareness and pure consciousness...but it was challenging work too – hey just like climbing a mountain, right? Facing resistance and stubborn beliefs can be on par with one of those courageous nature expeditions that I had ruled out for myself. But here I was facing my fears, old conditionings, and layers of stress/trauma. Wisdom healing qigong practices and sound healing deepened my connection to God and myself, giving me windows to seeing the blockages that needed help. I realize that it has taken my physical/emotional challenges to bring me to this turning point in my life. Since returning home, I have felt increased confidence, a growing self-compassion, and a curiosity to living life feeling whole, complete, and connected. I noticed a new level of connection with my local qigong class that I facilitate. When I interact with others my eyes connect with theirs and I feel the energy of this connection. Even though my body is not done healing, I am trusting the process better and have faith that I am on the best path for myself. I encourage anyone interested in healing themselves to jump in and experience the power of You in connection with Life.