Empty Force: The Power of Chi for Self-Defense and Energy Healing

by Paul Dong, Thomas Raffill

Ling Kong Jing, the "Empty Force," is the highest martial arts skill in China. This extraordinary technique harnesses the power of chi, the body's vital energy, enabling masters of the art to defend themselves against opponents without making physical contact. The book takes readers step by step from theory to the actual practice used to generate Empty Force, and shows how to use its remarkable power for healing as well as self-defense.

Genres: Martial Arts

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2006

Reviews

[Azia To · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

Different than my normal reads but it was refreshing! I enjoyed learning about the history of Chi, the stories and lessons from each Master, the power of Chinese healing - it really opened my eyes to the quantum realm in less of a scientific way, which personally, I found easier to digest!

I liked the comparisons to Western - North American - culture. Particularly, how Americans need the scientific validation to believe in medicine and healing and how training for multiple hours per day and taking years of practice to master the 'empty force' can be exhausting, daunting and less appealing. Whereas in Chinese culture, the concept of time is different. They rely less on instant gratification and are more disciplined when it comes to removing distractions. For example, it takes at least 3 years to learn how to create chi and in Chinese culture, they have more patience to learn this, but if Americans can't 'see' it - they don't believe it and they see it as a hoax, thus giving up quick.

I left this book motivated to dedicate patience and more time to master a craft.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book, even talks about one of my taiji teacher's teachers. Better to go to a good taiji class though to learn empty force proper.
(The "myrating" on the GUI to this "goodreads" thing doesn't work, hence I have been unable to give this book a rating)