This winter we will experience the water dragons’ transformation
As you may recall, in Taoist Cosmology, 2012 was the year of the water dragon. For most of this year we were quite fortunate because the strong nature of the dragon was partially tempered by the water element which acted as a controlling force or counter balance.
During dragon years all events are heightened and it is quite easy to experience very strong emotions that usually accompany these major national and global events. This year however, thanks in part to the water element possible problematic scenarios were lessened, still strong, but not as strong as the full potential could have been. We will explore the past years events in the light of Taoism, in another article later this week.
What is of most concern for us now as we enter the peak of the winter season, is the influence the water dragon will have over the next 1.5 months. An important distinction is the winter solstice is not the first day of winter, according to the Taoist system; the solstice is actually when the winter season is reaching its peak. Winter actually began back on November 21st, which explains the so called early snow storms and Nor’easters often associated with winter.
Between the end of December and the end of January we may observe the very nature of the water dragon which acted as a counterbalance for most of the year, join together and create a late surge of Wind-Water energy combined with the strength of the Dragon which may create tremendous, record breaking, snowfall, blizzards and rainstorms. This may affect most of the country, Canada and parts of Europe and Asia as well, but in particular the following regions of the USA: Northeast, Northwest and Midwest. If the Midwest blizzard is any indication, we would do well to prepare our homes, bodies and families for what may arrive over the next few weeks.
According to Master Zhongxian Wu in his “Winter Greetings newsletter”:
“This winter will be extremely cold, and many areas will have record breaking snow and rain storms. It will be especially intense during the time period between November 21 2012 – January 20 2013. The angry Water Dragon will be stirring up some trouble in Nature and for many of us before it takes off in February. The extremes of cold and damp energy this winter will prove challenging for those with weak kidney, heart or digestive function.”
If you recall in the prior article, winter is also the time to retreat, conserve-store energy and rest. It is especially important this winter to maintain our internal pressure and heat while strengthening our kidneys, heart and digestive functions with the Tao of Revitalization exercises or gentle Qigong forms. In particular: the kidney exercise, Meridian massage, stomach rubbing, liver and stomach massage and the 8 Directional exercises. The deer-turtle-crane exercises will help store and circulate the energy within thus helping to protect your body from any potential illnesses or weakness.
Bruce Frantzis advised recently in an email message:
“For the Taoists, the winter solstice has always been an important energetic day and time of year. On and around the solstices is when the potential of change is the greatest. It is a perfect time to clarify your intentions for the coming year and to let go of anything not useful or serving you in your life.”
As you spend time with family and friends the next few weeks concluding this year of the Dragon and preparing for 2013 which will be the year of the Water Snake, take time to also reflect on the past year and prepare your goals and intentions for the coming year.
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Ancient advice from a Taoist sage for Gabby Douglas and all of us
If you followed the London Summer Olympic Games or watched any news afterwards, then you are probably aware of the strange obsession the media in general and petty people in particular have with “celebrities” appearances.
In general, this might not be a major issue or anything new, however, when people via Twitter, Facebook and even during televised interviews, begin to question the hairstyle and appearance of a 16 year old girl who is representing her country in the highest level of athletic competition, then this definitely reveals a more sinister element at work.
Not long after Gabby Douglas won gold in the ‘Women’s Individual All Around Final’, there was a tremendous response through various social media networks, in particular Twitter. Comments ranged from support & admiration on one side to mean-loathing-hateful and petty on the other. The trending comments of the petty nature mostly revolved around people harshly critiquing the appearance of Gabby’s hair, and why her hair was not “done” or styled properly. Some of the worst comments began to verbally attack her mother and family for letting her appear on TV “looking like that”.
To the credit of every decent and self respecting person, for every negative comment there were thousands of comments supporting and encouraging Gabby to ignore the negative people.
Several things were revealed through this incident. One is the power of social media and the internet to increase the collective ability for petty people to bully others. This is balanced by good people using the same sites and service to elevate people and humanity through mutual support and universal love and compassion. Perhaps, the most serious is the complete disconnect some people are developing with reality. The people writing the condescending comments had no concern of the impact their comments would have on a child’s self esteem and emotional well-being.
What we will never know is what affects the negative comments had on Gabby’s performance in the individual events of the uneven bars and balance beam. What we do know, is that the people leaving the negative comments would not care anyway.
In a classic text of Taoism, Chuang Tzu, there is a wonderful section that reminds us that not only are petty people nothing new, but that it is the petty person who is hurting and suffering the most!
“The sage regards what is thought to be necessary as unnecessary, and therefore he is not at war with himself. The multitude of men think that what is unnecessary is necessary, and therefore they are at war with themselves. Those who rely on this strategy of war resort to it in all their activities. But reliance on such a war leads to destruction.
The understanding of the small man [emphasis added] does not go beyond the details of giving presents and writing memoranda. He wears out his spirit in what is inconsequential and meaningless but wishes to participate in guiding others to the dao and bring about the unity of all things. But he falls into error regarding space and time. Restricted by his bodily form of finite existence, he is kept from the knowledge of the great beginning. In contrast, the perfect man focuses his spirit on what was before the beginning and finds repose in the unknown, in the realm of nothingness. Like water, he flows on without the constraint of matter and flourishes in great purity.
It is a pity! People are engrossed in things as insignificant as a hair [emphasis added] and do not comprehend the great rest! (Zhuangzi, Hyun Hochsmann and Yang Guorong, p.303)”
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(Article) White rice is the great equalizer
Recently, white rice has been getting some bad press. Let’s take a look at some of the apparent conclusions the researchers made. “Eating white rice could increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, Harvard researchers claim….The study authors wrote in the British Medical Journal, ‘we found that higher white rice consumption was associated with a significantly elevated risk of Type 2 diabetes. This association seems to be stronger for Asians than for Western populations… ‘ The researchers noted that compared with brown rice, white rice has a lower content of many nutrients including fiber, magnesium and vitamins, some of which — especially fiber and magnesium — are thought to protect against diabetes… White rice is the most common type of rice eaten worldwide. The researchers claimed that people in Asian countries eat it an average of three to four times a day, compared with an average of one to two servings a week for people in Western countries. March 16, 2012, NewsCore, www.foxnews.com”
WebMD Health News had a similar report from Denise Mann with the added suggestion of “… choosing whole grains instead of white carbs. This is not to say that a person can never eat white rice. It is all about moderation: ‘Eating white rice one to two times per week is fine.”
Over 8,000 years of rice cultivation
Rice is the most difficult of all the grains to grow, cultivate and harvest. It can only grow in a few parts of the world and requires almost perfect growing conditions, with the proper amount of water and sun along with the ideal elevation and temperature. Rice has been cultivated in China for more than 8,000 years. Even more impressive is the fact that archeologists have discovered rice wine distilleries in China also dating back to at least 8,000 years ago. This means that not only were the ancient Chinese cultivating the most difficult grain, they also were distilling rice into wine as well!
Approximately 60% of the world’s population consumes rice on a daily basis, with rice being the main component of each meal. Rice has been so important to the Chinese (ancient and modern) that according to Qigong Master Zhongxian Wu in his book Vital Breath of the Dao, p.75“…In the classical Chinese Medicine cannon, Huangdi Neijing, only thirteen formulas were recorded. Rice soup was the first formula and its function was to strengthen energy. Why rice? Because it grows in a water place that holds high-quality Yin energy. It also needs good sunshine to gather Yang energy. Rice cannot grow everywhere in China. Rice is the symbol for nutrition [emphasis added by Taoism examiner].”
Major Diabetes research that paints a much different picture
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization funded a study conducted in 2008 and published by “The Lancet, June 25, 2011” titled: “National, regional, and global trends in fasting plasma glucose and diabetes prevalence since 1980: systematic analysis of health examination surveys and epidemiological studies with 370 country-years and 2·7 million participants.
The study found that the regions with the highest increase [emphasis added] in Fasting Plasma Glucose (fasting blood sugar levels) were:
- Oceania (Australia, New Zealand and surrounding Pacific Islands)
- South Asia
- Latin America
- Caribbean
- Central Asia
- North Africa
- Middle East
- North America
- Western Europe
The areas with the lowest levels of FPG were:
- sub-Saharan Africa
- East & Southeast Asia
- high income Asia-Pacific”
Notice that East & Southeast Asia make up approximately 48% of the world’s population with over 2.1 billion people and they are in the category with the lowest levels. That’s over 2.1 billion people eating rice, for the most part white rice, on a daily basis and they have the lowest levels of fasting blood sugar levels (the baseline test for diabetes) in the world. Did you notice that North America and Western Europe made the list for areas of the world with the highest fasting blood sugar levels?
What does The International Diabetes Federation say?
“The International Diabetes Federation estimates that there are 246 million adults with diabetes. The Western Pacific region and Europe have the highest number of people with diabetes, approximately 67 and 53 million, respectively. The highest prevalence rates are found in North America (9.2 percent) and Europe (8.4 percent)…The number of people with diabetes is expected to increase alarmingly in the coming decades, rising to 380 million people in 2025. Developed countries have higher prevalence rates than developing countries, but the latter will be hit the hardest by the diabetes epidemic. Increased urbanization, westernization and economic development in developing countries have already contributed to a substantial rise in diabetes [emphasis added by Taoism Examiner]” (Ohio State University Medical Center).
You read that correctly, The International Diabetes Federation listed increased urbanization, westernization and economic development as the contributing factors in the substantial rise in diabetes. In other words, as other countries become more “westernized” and take on the western/modern diet and lifestyle, they have an increase in diabetes cases. Wow, so not from humanity consuming more white rice!
Benefits of White Rice
In The Tao of Balanced Diet, Dr. Chang advises, “Do eat white rice and in general grains which have been milled to remove the shell around the seed. The shell of brown rice is very hard to cook, chew, and digest. Although brown rice is a good source of nutrients, none of its nutrients will be missed if white rice is eaten with dishes balanced in the Five Tastes… You may find that white rice complements your meal better, since white rice plays an important role as an equalizer. Rice equalizes, complements, and neutralizes any dish, so that upset stomachs, heartburn, or ulcers are prevented. It is especially good for those who have too much stomach acid. So eating rice with your meals will make any meal safe.” White rice has the added benefit of neutralizing acid in/from food, thus helping to bring balance between acid & alkaline food.
Master FaXiang Hou in Unleashing the Power of Food states, that white rice nourishes the spleen and stomach. In the Tao of Nutrition Dr. Maoshing Ni lists the benefits of white rice as “moistens Yin, clears heat, diuretic, reduces swelling [and is good for] febrile diseases, swelling, vomiting of blood, nosebleeds and nausea.” Dr. Henry C. Lu, PhD, Executive Director of the Council of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Schools of Canada, states in Chinese Natural Cures that white rice is used as an energy tonic and a spleen tonic and that it effects the spleen and stomach.
The extra nutritional value of brown rice exists in the shell, which is very difficult for the body to digest, turning acidic and disrupting the balance of food. The body must utilize a lot of energy in order to break down the shell. Also, brown rice has a short shelf life (less than 6 months), compared to white rice, as the oils from the shell break down the rice turns rancid. White rice on the other hand is alkaline and balances any meal, promoting proper digestion, reducing the risk of overeating and making any meal safe, with regards to acidity.
We are reminded by Confucius (Kung-fu Tzu) to: Eat not for the pleasure you may find therein. Eat to increase your strength. Eat to preserve the life you have received from heaven. At some point today, enjoy a nice bowl of steamed white rice along with your favorite vegetables and a small portion of meat, and rest assured that more than 60% of the world’s population will be doing the same and has done so for over 8,000 years.
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(Article) God: the source of everything
There is a growing trend in the United States and the World to promote Atheism as the only rational and logical conclusion with regards to the age old questions: Where did everything come from and Is there a God? There have been marches on Washington, rallies in Universities and countless magazines, newspapers, television programs and doctoral thesis promoting Atheism and the belief that there is no God. In this article, we will address what the world’s oldest philosophy & science has to say about God.
Taoism has always been concerned with following/walking with God, many writers, scholars and sages have referred to God in many different ways. Some prefer; the One, the Source, the Sage, the Creator; throughout time, however, the preferred method was to simply call it Tao. Tao refers to the One and Only God. Let us examine a few sections of the Tao Teh Ching and see what Lao Tzu, the great Taoist sage had to say about this One Source, Tao.
Tao Teh Ching translated by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English:
Section 21:
The greatest Virtue is to follow Tao and Tao alone.
The Tao is elusive and intangible.
Oh, it is intangible and elusive, and yet within is image.
Oh, it is elusive and intangible, and yet within is form.
Oh, it is dim and dark, and yet within is essence.
This essence is very real, and therein lies faith.
From the very beginning until now its name has never been forgotten.
Thus I perceive creation.
How do I know the way of creation?
Because of this.Section 14:
Look, it cannot be seen- it is beyond form.
Listen, it cannot be heard- it is beyond sound.
Grasp, it cannot be held- it is intangible.
These three are indefinable;
Therefore they are joined in one.
From above it is not bright;
From below it is not dark:
An unbroken thread beyond description.
It returns to nothingness.
The form of the formless,
The image of the imageless,
It is called indefinable and beyond imagination.
Stand before it and there is no beginning.
Follow it and there is no end.
Stay with the ancient Tao,
Move with the present.
Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of Tao.
God is…
The ancient sages did not envision God as an old man seated high above the earth, issuing punishments (lightning bolts etc…) when they sinned. Since Tao is omnipresent, it is everywhere, inside all of us and everything, as long as we are alive, because of this you can experience God in your daily life.
According to Dr. Stephen Chang (The Great Tao p. 15) “Tao is God, according to the Chinese, who translate Gospel John 1:1 thus: ‘In the beginning was the Tao, and the Tao was with God, and the Tao was God.’ According to the English translation of the Bible, the Word is God. And according to the original Greek version of the Bible, Logos is God. The word Logos generally connotes life, light, creation, power, wisdom, love, healing, spirit, force, knowledge, rational, logic, reality, and method. The Chinese word Tao has the same connotations as the word Logos. That is why the word Tao was used in the Chinese Biblical translation.”
To understand the origin and the Source, God or Tao, we must imagine what is was like in the beginning, before anything else existed, the state of pure being that preceded the creation of the cosmos/universe. If we go back far enough, even before the Big Bang event, we would find a state that the ancient sages would often write about: “What thought could be the only thought that could possibly arise in that infinite state of omnipresence that preceded the creation of the cosmos? We know that a thought arises due to its perception of an object in the world but what would be the nature of a thought if the world of objects had not yet been created?”(Dr. Chang, The Great Tao, p. 19)
What could be the first thought in the Universe?
The only thought possible in this state of being would have been the realization of its own state of being Omnipresent! The first possible thought in the Universe could be: Tao (God) realizing that it is Omnipresent, or Tao thinking/realizing “I Am Omnipresent”! The second logical thought would be, since I Am Omnipresent, I am all powerful and can create anything.
What we call creation are God’s/Tao’s thoughts being created and “dying” with each successive thought. Each thought created more energy, the energy would gather and collect and begin to vibrate less and less until solid matter was formed. Solid matter after all is nothing more than energy vibrating at slower and lower levels. From the Taoist perspective, the basic purpose of Life is to Live and to exist, life will continue to evolve and change in order to live.
From this knowledge we can see that everything is made from one substance, the whole universe is alive, emptiness is not really empty, the One Universal Energy is Intelligent, God has the ability to materialize and create whatever it wants and God is One (Tao: The Way of God by Master Waysun Liao).
Our abilities to see, hear, taste, smell, touch, think, speak, walk, create, dream, make love, declare war, observe and create the sciences etc… is only because God is in each and every one of us. In Chinese terms, our Qi or energy/life force as well as our Shen or spirit is the piece of God inside of us.
One of the signs that man has God in each of us is our pursuit of perfection and improvement as well as our constant desire to understand the inner workings of the Universe. The original purpose for the sciences and universities was/is man’s attempt to understand and get closer to God, to be reunited with God. To assist our fellow humans, man created many ways to improve our condition: education, health care, healing & wellness programs, services for the underserved, agriculture, constitutions, philosophy, religion etc…
Humankind must guard itself from the tendency to disconnect from God, to insist that our will is mightier than God’s will or even more tragic, to deny God’s will in its entirety. To do this will run the risk of disrupting the delicate balance that exists in the natural order of the world, including our own evolution; body, mind and spirit.
Every day we have three options:
- Move towards God and goodness/light/harmony
- Move away from God and towards evil/darkness/disharmony
- Stay the same distance, neither moving towards or away from God
The choice is the same for all of us and exists every moment of the day. Which way are you moving?
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(Article) Red meat can be good for you
You may have heard on the news that, according to Harvard Medical Researchers, eating red meat is now… bad for you. CNN’s health.com had a detailed article by Anne Harding listing all the cons of eating red meat, even several promoting a vegetarian diet. What was missing from the article, however, was any mention of the potential benefits of meat in general and red meat in particular. This brings up an interesting question: Is the report and research suggesting that red meat is bad for you, actually an attempt to justify and legitimize a vegetarian or vegan diet?
What did the “experts” say?
Let’s look at what the “experts” were quoted as saying in the health.com article by Anne Harding, March 13, 2012:
“Our message is to try to reduce the red meat consumption to less than two to three servings per week,” says lead author An Pan, Ph.D., a research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston. “We don’t want everyone to be a vegetarian,” Pan says, though he adds that avoiding processed red meat altogether may be a good idea. “It’s better to go with unprocessed products and plant-based foods.”
Interesting, so Dr. Pan does not want everyone to be a vegetarian and the study was not designed to promote a vegetarian diet. Yet, Dr. Dean Ornish, M.D. is quoted by the health.com article as saying: “…a plant-based diet provides a “double benefit” in that it reduces a person’s exposure to the harmful substances in meat while also providing valuable nutrients [emphasis added by Taoism Examiner]. “There are literally hundreds of thousands of protective substances that you find in fruits and vegetables and whole grains and legumes and soy products that prevent disease,” says Ornish, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study”.
Dr. Robert Ostfeld, M.D. added this concise statement: “If you eat more red meat, on average, you may be eating fewer fruits and vegetables, so you’re getting the bad things from the red meat and you’re not getting the good things from the fruits and vegetables,” says Ostfeld, who did not participate in the study. “My preference is for people to have as little red meat as they can, and I think it’s ideal to avoid red meat [emphasis added by Taoism Examiner].”
Are they promoting a vegetarian diet?
The purpose of the study as proven by the researchers own comments appears to be to promote a vegetarian or vegan diet. If the research was intended to show the harmful effects of “over eating” red meat then the emphasis would have solely been placed on that theory, however, by laying the claim that people would be well served to avoid red meat and meat entirely, the true premise is revealed.
Truth about Meat especially Red Meat
According to Taoism and its 6,000 year record of success, meat is an essential component in a person’s diet. The problem is not meat per say, but the improper portion size and preparation of meat. When prepared and consumed properly meat actually enhances a person’s health and improves the vital organs and systems. A Vegetarian diet according to Taoism is just as unhealthy and unnatural for humans as an all meat diet.
Let’s have a look at what red meat is good for and how to properly prepare and consume it.
According to Dr. Stephen Chang (Tao of Balanced Diet, p. 113) , we must “eat meat if your body needs the high energy level that only animal protein can supply.” So unless you are meditating 16+ hours per day and living a life of zero physical output or labor than you must eat meat. The problem with meat is not from meat itself, however, the problems are the result from added stimulants and growth hormones which are widely used by producers of the meat sold in most stores. The second problem is from the viruses and diseases that exist in the blood of the animals, the additives and diseases are detrimental to our health ONLY if we consume them.
First, we must buy meat that is natural or organic preferably from trustworthy farms or stores that have high integrity with the farms they purchase from. Examples, Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s or even Publix Supermarkets “Greenwise” label. Buying from natural and organic farmers is only the first step. The second step involves properly cleaning, preparing and cooking the meat (Tao of Balanced Diet, by Dr. Chang).
- Place the lean meat (3-4 oz., per person) in a shallow dish and cover with water, soak the meat for several hours changing the water as the blood is soaked out of the tissues. Remember the harmful toxins and germs are only in the blood.
- When the water no longer turns pink, drain the water again, and slice the meat very thinly removing as much fat as possible.
- Return the meat to the shallow dish and cover the meat with strong alcohol (Vodka or Whisky etc…). This process will remove any parasites and remaining germs from the meat. You can also add your favorite spices to this marinade. Marinate the meat in the alcohol/spice mixture for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the meat quickly at high temperatures without burning, always cook well-done, no pink flesh remaining.
If you notice in steps 1 & 2 it is recommended to buy only lean meat and then to trim as much fat from the meat as possible. This is because animal fat especially beef fat is extremely difficult for the body to digest. In fact beef fat was used for many years in factories to coat the machinery, since it does not melt or break down until it is heated to over 600 degrees Fahrenheit. When fat is consumed, it thickens the blood and clogs the arteries and organs, the same is true for saturated animal and vegetable fats! So yes, vegetarians can have the same problems with fat in their blood as people who eat too much meat. Second notice, the amount of meat suggested is only 3-4 oz. per person, this is within a 24 hour period, not per meal.
Are there Benefits to eating Red Meat?
Most Definitely!!!
According to FaXiang Hou, Master of Qigong, Traditional Chinese Medicine and author of “Unleashing the Power of Food”, Red Meat (Beef) has the following benefits:
- Nourishes the blood
- Replenishes vital energy
- Strengthens the spleen and nourishes the stomach
- Strengthens the bones and muscles
- Promotes the circulation of body fluid to relive swelling
According to Dr. Maoshing, Ni, Ph.D, C.A., author of “The Tao of Nutrition”, in addition to the above benefits he also lists:
- Tonifies Qi (energy) & blood
- Dispels dampness
As you can see even beef or red meat can be beneficial if consumed in moderation while being properly prepared and cooked.
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Morikami Japanese Gardens offers the art of Bonsai workshop for beginners
Bonsai is the Japanese term for “plants in a tray”; it is based on the word bon which is a tray like pot. The art is based on ‘an earlier meditation and self cultivation practice of Taoism called penzai, which means “tray scenery”.
The main distinction between the two styles is bonsai focuses on the tree and tray, where as penzai is designed to create (or recreate) an entire scene, whether a mountain, plains, seaside etc… all contained within the small tray, with the tree(s) only being one component of the overall scene, rather than the focal point as in bonsai. The art of bonsai came about when Buddhist monks and Imperial diplomats returned to Japan from China and brought with them many examples of the Taoist art of penzai. The National Taoism Examiner will address this connection in future articles on bonsai and penzai.
You can learn this wonderful meditative and contemplative art by attending workshops led by masters of the tradition. This weekend (Sun. Jan. 20th 9a-12p) The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, FL is hosting “The art of Bonsai for beginners”.
According to the organizers:
“The art of bonsai creates the illusion of age and maturity of a tree that has developed and sustained the effects of nature for many years. Students will become familiarized with horticultural aspects of growing bonsai including styling, care and maintenance.
Materials: Fee includes bonsai learning manual, pruning tool, one beginner’s bonsai tree, bonsai pot and use of wire and bonsai soil. Additional trees will be available for students to work on with an option to buy from the instructor
5-week session: Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17
Cost: $91 (Members $81) + Material fee of $35 of total for 5 weeks payable to the instructor”
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Do you have a story, photo or video from your area that would be of interest to Taoists? Feel free to email (TJ@theQiInstitute.com) and they may be included or featured in a National Taoism Examiner article.
Winter: the season of conservation, storage and rest
Many people associate winter with: colder weather, storms, snow, holidays, family, gifts, New Year’s etc… Farmers and gardeners are aware that this is the time of year to cultivate and harvest certain frost and freeze friendly…(read more)
International Chinese martial arts championship finals in Orlando, FL
The “International Chinese Martial Arts Championship” is a worldwide circuit promoting friendship through the martial arts. According to their website (www.kungfuchampionship.com) they “… are not a formal federation or association but simply an organization…(read more)
NQA Day 2012 continues with an introduction to Qigong event
Most of the events for the National Qigong Associations “NQA Day 2012” were held last Sat. October 6, however, there is one more event scheduled for this Sat. October 13. The event is an “Introduction to Qigong” and would be a good opportunity to introduce people to this ancient and powerful healing system that is deeply rooted in Taoism.
“Introduction to Qigong Open House”
Saturday October 13, 2012
13959 West Illinois Highway Suite #2
New Lenox, IL 60451
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
“Come out to White Cloud Inner Arts and join us for an introduction to Traditional Chinese Qigong. Qigong literally means cultivating the body’s life energy. This modality integrates the mind-body healing method using the coordination of breath and gentle movements of the body. Focusing intention and cultivating energy, aka “Qi” (pronounced “chee”); while practicing allows for the body to increase energy to rebalance itself and function on an optimal level. Learn to cultivate one’s own healing energy, feel a palpable energy field with Qigong practice and quiet the mind. Qigong is gentle, burns calories fast, increases metabolism, circulates blood flow, strengthens the body, mind and spirit, creates confidence, empowers & transforms you, while reducing stress. Feel free to dress in relaxed comfortable clothing. (www.nqa.org)”
For more information contact: Tony D’Angelo, 815.463.0122 or www.whitecloudinnerarts.com
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Do you have a story, photo or video from your area that would be of interest to Taoists? Feel free to email (TJ@theQiInstitute.com) and they may be included or featured in a National Taoism Examiner article.
NQA Day 2012: Cultivate, energy, wisdom, health and peace
“The NQA’s Regional Committee is excited to announce the First Annual NQA DAY, being held Saturday October 6, 2012 at locations around the country. Events are already scheduled in Florida, New York, Illinois, Colorado, and California… The National Qigong Association is the premier membership organization for qigong. Be a part of the Qi Flow and the Qi Excitement that is moving through our country. The mission of the NQA is “Enhancing and nourishing the quality of life through Qigong for all… (www.nqa.org)”
Carefully review the list of events, organized by regions, and feel free to contact each person in charge for more information. Not only will you be able to practice with like minded individuals and learn new skills, you will also be able to encourage the development and growth of the Qigong community. This is a great opportunity to share the many benefits of Qigong with those whom are unfamiliar with this ancient science, which is rooted in Taoism and is one branch of the Tao of Revitalization.
Northeast Region
Qigong in the Park
“Mineral Springs”
Saturday October 6, 2012
Central Park West, W. 69th Street
New York City, NY 10019
10:30a-1.30p
“Qigong in the Park on October 6th 2012 celebrates the cultivation of energ-qi through movements, massage, laughter, dance, animal frolics, and stillness. No experience required. Teachers from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania will present a varied program. This NQA DAY event is sponsored by the Eastern Regional Committee of the National Qigong Association (NQA). All ages are welcome. (www.nqa.org)”
CONTACT/HOST: Lamont Thomas, ldtlamont@sbcglobal.net, (203)843-1595
Southeast Region
“Qigong Equinox by NQA”
Saturday October 6, 2012
Brook Run Park
4770 North Peachtree Road
Dunwoody, GA 30338
12:00 – 4:00 PM
“Qigong Day” – Saturday October 6, 2012 – celebrate the energy of Qigong. Enjoy various forms of Qigong for healing or for martial arts, try out some Taichi and learn a few martial arts moves! No experience required. Several teachers will present so that you can “sample” many types of qigong. This NQA DAY event is sponsored by the Regional Committee of the National Qigong Association. All ages are welcome. (www.nqa.org)”
CONTACT/HOST: Christina or Peyton, The Rising Lotus Qigong, Christina@therisinglotus.com, www.TheRisingLotus.com, (404)721-2326
East Central Region
“National Qigong Day Celebration”
Saturday October 6, 2012
Kankakee Farmer’s Market
South Schuyler Ave. at Station Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Five Treasures Qigong to begin at 10:00
“Come join us to learn about the health benefits of practicing the “Energy Arts” of Qigong and Tai Chi. We will practice the “5 Treasures Qigong” routine, and have information and classes (including weekly sessions) in the area. FREE DVDs will be given away throughout the event. (www.nqa.org)”
CONTACT/HOST: Gary Paruszkiewicz, gfprelax1@gmail.com, (815)342-4803, www.relax1.net
West Central Region:
“2012 NQA DAY”Saturday October 6, 2012
Washington Park Recreation Center
701 South Franklin Street
Denver, CO 80209
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
“Denver, Colorado, by far last year’s largest National Qigong Association Day Celebration! A fun and refreshing day of qigong for all ages! Bring family and friends and enjoy a wide spectrum of qigong experiences:
- Meditative rejuvenation
- Power up intentions and focus
- Qigong Movement and Healing to enhance vitality and relaxation
- Heartfelt connections with new and experienced qigong practitioners
Valuable qigong information and drawings for gifts throughout the festivities. Free admission. Donations are graciously accepted. (www.nqa.org)”
CONTACTS/HOSTS: Eric Imbody, eimbody@earthlink.net, (720)917-9999,
Debra Lin Allen, DebraLin.ChiWellness@gmail.com, (720)427-0406
Sarah Horn, Sarah.WholeHealth@gmail.com, (720)530-8948
“NATIONAL QIGONG DAY CELEBRATION”
Saturday October 6, 2012
12409 W. Indian School Rd.
Avondale, AZ 85392
8:30 – 12:00 noon
“ Wellness Avondale would like to say thank you to the community by celebrating the 1st Annual NQA DAY Saturday October 6th. We will be offering free classes to the community for NQA DAY. Come celebrate with us!
- 8:30 AM — Sitting 3 Hearts, 9 Gates Qigong
- 9:00 AM — Standing 3 Hearts, 9 Gates Qigong
- 9:30 AM — 6 Healing Sounds Qigong
- 10:00 AM — Golden Chi Ball Qigong
- 10:30 AM — Tai Chi Foundations
- 11:00 AM — 24 Yang Style Tai Chi
- 11:30 AM — Wudang Tai Chi Sword/Fan (www.nqa.org)”
CONTACT/HOST: Kristen Burkhart, Kristen@zenwellness.com, (623)229-9139
West Coast Region:
2012 NQA DAY
Saturday October 6, 2012
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center’s
Garzot Building, Libby Park
7985 Valentine Ave and Pleasant Hill Ave
Sebastopol, CA 95472
10:00 – 11:30 AM
“Come join Shifu Michael Rinaldini and his students to celebrate the First Annual NQA DAY. This will be a special event for both new and old NQA members to practice qigong together, and support a Regional National Qigong Association Community. NQA members and non-members from throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay area are invited to attend. Puerh tea and snacks will be provided and a raffle of NQA Logo Bags made from recycled material will be offered. Information on the National Qigong Association will be available. (www.nqa.org)”
CONTACT/HOST: (707)829-1855, Lichangdao@gmail.com
“NQA DAY”
Saturday October 6, 2012
Cloverdale City Park
Cloverdale, CA
9:30 – 11:30 AM
Potluck Picnic to Follow
“Everyone is invited to join us to celebrate this healing exercise that has been practiced for thousands of years. The simple range of motion movements of qigong will be done from a standing position. These are massaging exercises that massage every joint and every organ of the body. The movements will also increase flexibility and help with maintaining bone strength and improve balance. Qigong is a mind body exercise. The mind is brought into the loving service of the body and this intention gives qigong its unique and powerful healing ability. Many studies are currently available on the amazing healing qualities of qigong. Just Google it! (www.nqa.org)”
CONTACT/HOST: Janet Seaforth, seaforthjohnson@att.net, www.PYNKQigong.com
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