The Core of Ling Qi; Chinese Reiki
There are many mysteries in the world of health. Quite often new and/or misunderstood concepts come under scrutiny and become a point of controversy until results are seen and some explanation can be put together to define the practices’ achievements. Only a couple decades ago chiropractics was under the gun and those who practiced it were thought by some circles as quacks, and con artists. Now we know better and nearly everyone has at one time or another enjoyed the benefits of a chiropractic adjustment. Now the lime-light of scrutiny is cast on practices such as kinesiology, acupuncture, and reiki among others, who are slowing proving their benefit and place in the world of healing arts.
The main reason there is scepticism surrounding many of these arts is because they are abstract in there science and difficult for the lay person to conceive what is happening or in some cases if anything is happening at all. The need exists, to realize that these practices are sciences, only deeply enveloped in abstract thought processes and unconventional thinking. The persons practicing them must adhere to specific guidelines to become skilled, knowledgable and make further progress. However there is great room for interpretation, using what works for the individual, creating a style specific to their own needs and growing beyond the concrete rules of the “book” and developing highers skills..They are a science hidden in a shroud of art. The benefits of these practices however drastically speak for themselves so a leap of faith, a little research and patience to find a good practitioner may well be worth the effort to find. Especially if it could mean the difference between continuing pain and suffering with an injury or health problem and healing to a state of well-being again.
Ling Qi is the origin of Reiki. Like many things Japanese, the concept was first borrowed from the Chinese and then simplified and/or improved upon and made “Japanese.” In the instance of Reiki, the healing system was simplified, catagorized and made into a more rigid style that had great value to many ailments over a very broad spectrum of people. Ling Qi is a much larger art, more diverse and complex, more difficult to master and gain initial skill with, however it also has wonderful results, and once accomplished equal and in many cases outshining those of their modern counterparts.
Three very important principles to the art of Ling Qi make up the core of its philosophy ; human touch, circulation, and attitude.
We all instinctually understand the importance of touch. Whether enjoying a good massage, rubbing our eyes when they are tired or putting our palm over a newly acquired bruise, science has shown touch to be one of the most instinctual, beneficial and instrumental practices in healing. Scientific studies have shown when infants are neglected from being held their development is slowed and it affects everything from their I.Q. to their health and possibly their longevity. There is nothing quite as relaxing to make us feel better, more invigorated and enlivened as a good massage. Petting an animal has been shown to improve our longevity and increase our awareness, attitude and ability to relax. Contact from another human, whether a friend or lover, signifacantly affects our moods, feelings, ability to relax and cope with stress, all of which increase the quality of our lives. In healing as well, doctors are taught how to touch their patients to create an atmosphere of relaxation and ease their moods. To comfort them and start a tension release so healing may occur easier. Massage therapists who are well skilled become masters of this ability and it is also one of the most important principles of a Ling Qi practitioner.
Circulation is another principle in Ling Qi and the very center of what all healing is about! Areas that get no circulation, wither up and die. The principle of circulation is to create a balance of flow through out the body, evening the places receiving too much and “unblocking” and opening flow to the areas not getting enough. This is the same principle in massage, acupuncture and many other styles of healing. Recently scientists have been able to correlate the acupuncture points directly to the nervous system, showing how, when affecting a series of points it correlates to specific nerves. By manipulating the points, and therefore the nervous system, practitioners are able to begin a process of healing by controlling the inflammatory response in the body, issue circulation as needed to areas and balance the system over time to regulate itself and heal. This is the same concept used by massage, kinesiology, reiki and many other practices of healing even in Western concepts. It is all about circulation.
A third principle of great importance is attitude. It completes the core of training and may very well affect the growth, skill level and ability toward effectiveness the practitioner may develop. Attitude is everything from bedside manner to personal drive and self worth. Bedside manner is of course, an important factor in health and healing. Many studies have shown two people with the same life threatening disease in identical stages being treated with the same exact conditions, medications and processes where the one who makes it through to recovery and health only differs in attitude. The only notable factor seeming to pull them through to a healthy life was their ability to laugh, relax, enjoy life and carry a positive attitude. Many times a healer, whether they be a doctor or massage therapist can affect the very outcome of the healing by setting the pace with their own attitude.
Smiling and the ability to carry a positive outlook is not all there is to a great attitude. It also includes being able to grow and push ourselves to limits, break through new boundaries, grow, achieve and strive for better. Embracing life and continuing to learn and experience new things, turn to new chapters, welcome change and the unknown in ourselves as well as our surroundings are all factors in attitude. To share a positive philosophy to those around us and lead by example are also a necessity. To be a living inspiration, to be empathetic, compassionate above all will lead us to the greatest ability, to heal. This is the core of Ling Qi.
For more interest in learning about Ling Qi, stay tuned to this page or contact us about our training program. As always thanks for continued interest!
道功夫精神少林
The Tao of Kung Fu 道功夫 