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The Healing Art of Qi Gong: Ancient Wisdom from a Modern Master
Dr. Liu describes how he risked his life under the Communist regime in China to study Qi Gong and meet secretly with a master who lived in a mountain cave above Shanghai.
If there is one concept that comes up in all forms of Chinese medicine it is that of Qi, or vital energy. Qi is the very backbone of the Chinese healing arts. It refers to the energy of the universe that is channeled from nature and runs through all of us. To have Qi is to be alive, while to have none is to be dead.
Qi Gong relies on the manipulation of this vital energy, and Qi Gong masters can see this energy. This book explores the basics of Qi Gong to create a guide for greater health, the Chinese way.
If there is one concept that comes up in all forms of Chinese medicine it is that of Qi, or vital energy. Qi is the very backbone of the Chinese healing arts. It refers to the energy of the universe that is channeled from nature and runs through all of us. To have Qi is to be alive, while to have none is to be dead.
Qi Gong relies on the manipulation of this vital energy, and Qi Gong masters can see this energy. This book explores the basics of Qi Gong to create a guide for greater health, the Chinese way.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
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97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 15, 2013
I had a yoga teacher tell a class I was in recently that a yogi should practice an inversion (headstand, shoulder stand, etc.) every day because it changes your perspective on things.
In a similar way, reading and thinking about the contents of Master Hong Liu with Paul Perry’’s book on The Healing Art of Qi Gong: Ancient Wisdom from a Modern Master has been an enlightening change of perspective on health and wellness for me.
There is a lot to say about this book. It appeals to a reader in different ways. The first of these is through a compelling partial autobiography of how Master Hong Liu, a western-trained army medical doctor with a focus on cancer was driven to also become a Grand Master in Qi Gong. I read this first part of the book very quickly in one sitting as it was a fascinating story of mainly his awaking towards Qi Gong and his humbling apprenticeship with Grand Master Kwan, who lived high in a cave outside of Canton. For eight years of his life, almost all of Master Hong’s free time was used to study under Master Kwan, who seemingly treated Master Hong Liu harshly at first, until he was conditioned to become a master himself. Master Hong Liu was also tested by outside pressures against his efforts to study Qi Gong as he was just turning to it after the Cultural Revolution ended. During the Cultural Revolution people could be jailed for practicing Qi Gong, and many of those prejudices against the ancient art still exist in China today.
The second part of the book is about studies in healing and uses several patient cases Master Hong Liu has had within his career to explore the Qi Gong healing approach for common health problems such as arthritis, cancer, stress, weight gain, hypertension, stroke and even AIDS. The format for these cases usually follows an interesting story about a patient, humanizing them for the reader, and then discusses the treatment they received, usually diagraming one or two exercises and offering a recipe for herbal or medicinal remedies they are given. I read this part of the book much more slowly than the first part because it is so full of practical advice and remedies with which one can experiment.
Additionally, the book diagrams all of the Basic Eight exercises for Qi Gong healing that Master Hong Liu has developed and used to help many people. These exercises open up healing meridians of Qi, or vital energy, in the patient and exercises along with diet modification seem always to be a part of his treatment. These parts of the book make it a true reference text for healing Qi Gong.
I also liked the book a lot for its addition of stories behind herbs – like how the honeysuckle got its name and its bits of Eastern philosophy– like “The principle of Yin and Yang is the basic principle of the entire universe. It is the root and source of life and death,” from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine.
My big take away from this book, though, is the idea that I can learn a lot from Qi Gong, and as Master Hong Liu would be the first to say, it can only compliment and strengthen western medicine, if needed. What I like about the whole approach to Eastern medicine is it seems to focus more on the root or cause of the problem rather than the symptoms that are so often treated by Western – let’s face it –pharmaceuticals. I also like the Chinese approach to medicine in that the patient must be an active participant in their healing, rather than a passive recipient who simply receives treatment.
This is an excellent book that made me reconsider my health in a very proactive way. It is also one of the more interesting personal life stories I have read. I wholeheartedly recommend it to others seeking a new, or perhaps even age-old way of addressing their health concerns.
In a similar way, reading and thinking about the contents of Master Hong Liu with Paul Perry’’s book on The Healing Art of Qi Gong: Ancient Wisdom from a Modern Master has been an enlightening change of perspective on health and wellness for me.
There is a lot to say about this book. It appeals to a reader in different ways. The first of these is through a compelling partial autobiography of how Master Hong Liu, a western-trained army medical doctor with a focus on cancer was driven to also become a Grand Master in Qi Gong. I read this first part of the book very quickly in one sitting as it was a fascinating story of mainly his awaking towards Qi Gong and his humbling apprenticeship with Grand Master Kwan, who lived high in a cave outside of Canton. For eight years of his life, almost all of Master Hong’s free time was used to study under Master Kwan, who seemingly treated Master Hong Liu harshly at first, until he was conditioned to become a master himself. Master Hong Liu was also tested by outside pressures against his efforts to study Qi Gong as he was just turning to it after the Cultural Revolution ended. During the Cultural Revolution people could be jailed for practicing Qi Gong, and many of those prejudices against the ancient art still exist in China today.
The second part of the book is about studies in healing and uses several patient cases Master Hong Liu has had within his career to explore the Qi Gong healing approach for common health problems such as arthritis, cancer, stress, weight gain, hypertension, stroke and even AIDS. The format for these cases usually follows an interesting story about a patient, humanizing them for the reader, and then discusses the treatment they received, usually diagraming one or two exercises and offering a recipe for herbal or medicinal remedies they are given. I read this part of the book much more slowly than the first part because it is so full of practical advice and remedies with which one can experiment.
Additionally, the book diagrams all of the Basic Eight exercises for Qi Gong healing that Master Hong Liu has developed and used to help many people. These exercises open up healing meridians of Qi, or vital energy, in the patient and exercises along with diet modification seem always to be a part of his treatment. These parts of the book make it a true reference text for healing Qi Gong.
I also liked the book a lot for its addition of stories behind herbs – like how the honeysuckle got its name and its bits of Eastern philosophy– like “The principle of Yin and Yang is the basic principle of the entire universe. It is the root and source of life and death,” from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine.
My big take away from this book, though, is the idea that I can learn a lot from Qi Gong, and as Master Hong Liu would be the first to say, it can only compliment and strengthen western medicine, if needed. What I like about the whole approach to Eastern medicine is it seems to focus more on the root or cause of the problem rather than the symptoms that are so often treated by Western – let’s face it –pharmaceuticals. I also like the Chinese approach to medicine in that the patient must be an active participant in their healing, rather than a passive recipient who simply receives treatment.
This is an excellent book that made me reconsider my health in a very proactive way. It is also one of the more interesting personal life stories I have read. I wholeheartedly recommend it to others seeking a new, or perhaps even age-old way of addressing their health concerns.
October 5, 2008
Thanks to Master Hongs Apprentice Arthur Adzair, I am aware of Master Hong. Arthur is forever in my heart, and so is his Master Hong. This book was truly a work of art for future generations of children. Arthur truly made this book flow, and all those who were behind it. Learn more about Master Hong here www.qimaster.com
The book has some very practical and spiritual Qi Gong movements that come straight from the caves of china, where he risked his life to learn from a Female Master. Arthur actually visited China and to share the message of love and compassion with Hong, and when he returned he had special stories for all. many of them pointed back to Hong and he always passed his friends a free book.
We look forward to going beyond the pages, to practice with Hong in person. If you are ever on the islands or in LA,CA stop through the Hong office, you will find his treatments are of the highest kind.
Let us know if you pick up or picked up a copy of the book.
Do that here, or stop through our weaving studio where we create work inspired by Master Hong and his flow.
http://web.mac.com/mediumisthemessage...
March 3, 2011
Amazing book, really makes you believe in the power of qi.
All is Qi and all returns to Qi. Qigong can heal most diseases with help of a Qigong master's diagnosis which are amazingly accurate, the motivation to do Qigong on the part of the patient, chinese herbs, and changed diet. Cancer has been cured before with these methods. The body loves it. You feel in control of your health.
All is Qi and all returns to Qi. Qigong can heal most diseases with help of a Qigong master's diagnosis which are amazingly accurate, the motivation to do Qigong on the part of the patient, chinese herbs, and changed diet. Cancer has been cured before with these methods. The body loves it. You feel in control of your health.
Read
December 8, 2008Yet another autobiography, this one is about a medical doctor who undergoes the journey of becoming a qi gong master. The book also contains remedies for common illnesses and a set of simple qi gong exercises called The Golden Eight.
November 1, 2010
My acupuncturist asked me to read this and wow, very powerful. Looking forward to learning more about it and hopefully getting videos of the exercises.
March 11, 2018
A fascinating and insightful read about how a medical doctor in China was drawn to become a Qi gong master. I was engaged by the stories of his self-effacing training requiring treks up to Grand Master Kwan's cave and the resistance of his fellow physicians to accept this seemingly magical form of healing. In my own work, I blend eastern and western traditions to help clients overcome fear, stress and anxiety that cause imbalances. So reading about Master Hong's training and the multitude of success stories was humbling and made me even more committed to my own path. I particularly appreciate the inclusion of Qi gong exercises, herbs and recipes for specific imbalances from headaches to prostate cancer. I did occasionally find myself questioning how much Paul Perry's voice was present in the writings but I quickly overcame those thoughts. I found the book a valuable contribution. I'm grateful that a client of mine alerted me about the Master coming to my area to teach a workshop which is what prompted me to read the book. I'm excitedly looking forward to the experience. The Master's work reinforces my own understandings that a healthy life is about the balance of energy--Qi, Prana, vital life force!
November 13, 2017
"The Healing Art of Qi Qong" is a provocative and compelling book which includes the author's autobiography highlighting his journey into becoming a Qi Qong Master. Dr. Liu also includes instructions and illustrations to the Golden Eight Exercises, specific exercises for particular conditions, herbal remedies, healing recipes and Chinese meals for overall health. What makes this book particularly compelling is Dr. Liu's background not only as a Qi Gong Master for 30 years with renown Taoist and Shaolin Masters including Qi Gong Master Kwan, but his background as a medical doctor in China with a specialty in the treatment of cancer and an advanced degree in herbal medicine. Perhaps the only weakness in this book that most Qi Gong books share is that the instructions and illustrations don't provide an optimal learning method compared to video and private instruction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, I would highly recommend this book.
August 22, 2020
There are two parts to this book. I reacted to them both differently.
Part 1: Becoming a master tells the story of the masters progression from apprentice to master. It’s interesting, engaging and full of wonder. I read it quickly. Definitely a 4 to 5 star section.
Part 2: Studies in healing is broken into sections based on different diseases. I found this tough going. Reading instructions on how to do Qi Gong exercises doesn’t work well for me - I’ve been using YouTube to find different routines to try. A three star section.
It’s taken determined effort to pick this back up and get to the end. Maybe I shouldn’t have needed to. But I did and so I have.
Part 1: Becoming a master tells the story of the masters progression from apprentice to master. It’s interesting, engaging and full of wonder. I read it quickly. Definitely a 4 to 5 star section.
Part 2: Studies in healing is broken into sections based on different diseases. I found this tough going. Reading instructions on how to do Qi Gong exercises doesn’t work well for me - I’ve been using YouTube to find different routines to try. A three star section.
It’s taken determined effort to pick this back up and get to the end. Maybe I shouldn’t have needed to. But I did and so I have.
November 26, 2022
Grandmaster Hong Liu gives us insight in his journey towards becoming an energy healer - eventually a Master and Grandmaster. His story begins in Communist China where he worked as a Doctor until he discovered his master. He takes a mixed approach (using Western and Eastern methods of healing) and goes through each major or common disease, describing the root of it, how it takes form in the mind, body and spirit, and finally how we resolve it. In other words, how we heal ourselves!
January 21, 2020
Inspiring information
Qui Gong is definitely something I will continue to study and follow. I find it fascinating and something I can use. The herbs and the exercises along with the stories really enhance modern medicine.
Qui Gong is definitely something I will continue to study and follow. I find it fascinating and something I can use. The herbs and the exercises along with the stories really enhance modern medicine.
September 20, 2024
很可惜，了解到大师的生平事迹时已经离世了，好想多读写他的故事。
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews