CHI NEI TSANG

HARA SHIATSU
The Nearest You Get To
Psychic Surgery
THIS amazing powerful hands-on therapy is prob-
ably the nearest you get to do psychic surgery
without actually doing psychic surgery!
CHI NEI TSANG (also known as CNT TRAINING is facilitated by
Organ Energy Transformation) Kris Deva North, Senior
is a form of Hara Shiatsu, an Teacher of Mantak Chia's
entire system of Taoist deep Universal Healing Tao and
healing that works with the founder of the London Chi Nei
energy-flow of five major sys- Tsang Institute.
tems: energy-meridian, fasci- Kris has taught CNT to stu-
ae-tendon-muscular, nervous, dents from beginners to pro-
vascular and lymphatic. fessional bodyworkers, physi-
The navel area, the centre cians, nurses and midwives
where all systems meet, con- including the University of
nects - or separates - our Greenwich School of
upper and lower parts, left and Midwifery, and the Zita West
right, front and back, inner and Clinic.
outer, mind and body - we feel During his time at Tao
our emotions here, causing Garden and on subsequent
internal blockage and distor- visits he was chosen to give
tions which often manifest as CNT treatments to Mantak
symptoms elsewhere... Chia and family.

Kris is offering a two-day Introductory Workshop, counting towards CNT

Level 1 qualification, on
Saturday & Sunday 14th & 15th September 2013 10am - 5pm.
at the Rosewell Shiatsu Centre, Holywell Road, Castle Bytham, NG33 4SL.
For further information and to reserve your place please contact
Sue Hix t: 01780 410072 m: 07949 835426
e: sue@[Link]
or visit [Link]/ht_taoisthealing.htm
 CHI NEI TSANG - HARA SHIATSU
Chi Nei Tsang, a branch of Taoist medicine, was introduced to the
West by the Taoist Master Mantak Chia. It is a method for releasing
the toxic winds of emotional energy, which can be either the cause or
effect of sickness.
Energy blockages arising from organ obstructions and conges-
tion in the abdomen can result in knots and tangles at the centre of the
body’s vital functions, impeding the flow of Qi, the life-force or bioelec-
tromagnetic field described by Deepak Chopra as energy-intelligence.
Emotions such as fear, anger, anxiety, depression and worry are related to
different organs. When the Qi of an internal organ is in a state of imbal-
ance, it emanates toxic wind. Diagnosing the energetic condition, the Chi
Nei Tsang practitioner uses intention and touch to influence the partici-
pant’s Qi and "chase the winds".
Wind is an energetic vibration which, whether toxic or the vital
source of life, enters the being through the "mountains", which include
the pointed bones of the nose, coccyx, fingers, toes, knees and elbows.
Winds drain out through "marshes" such as the anus, vagina, eye of the
penis, pores of the skin, mouth, armpits, backs of knees and front of
elbows. The mouth, navel, palm, sole and perineum are among the two-
way conduits. A practitioner disperses or directs winds through marsh or
mountain, often using supplementary meridians or points.
When obstructed the internal organs store unhealthy energies
than can overflow into other systems and manifest as negative emotions
and sickness. In search of an outlet these toxic energies create a cycle of
negativity and stress, festering in the organs and overflowing into the the turmoil inside, when just the surface tension is so dramatic - traumat-
abdomen, the body’s garbage dump. The energetic centre of the body at ic?
the navel becomes congested and cut off from the rest of the body. Treatment requires preparation: "opening the wind gates"; cen-
Experiment: sitting upright, relax shoulders, relax posture so tering, balancing and flushing the circulatory system, and detoxifying the
the abdomen is soft. Place the tip of your middle finger in your navel. lymphatic system. Toxic winds are thus provided with both physical and
Gently, and very slowly, keep the finger rigid and push inwards towards energetic escape routes. These preparatory processes may be spread over
your spine. How far can you comfortably go? When the finger can pene- a series of treatments as clinical experience has shown it counterproduc-
trate to the front of the spine, without pain, you are clear, free of the tive to detoxify in one session more than the body can eliminate - the
physical residue of long-past emotions. healing crisis can be too severe.
Where do you feel your emotions? The knot of worry, the slith- Escape-routes clear, work can begin on the organs themselves
ering eel of fear, the ache of desire, the heat of anger, the butterfly of or any knots, tangles and lumps found in the abdomen. Treatment
anxiety? They are intensely physical feelings, are they not? In and includes visual diagnosis of the navel centre for signs of pulls towards
around your belly. What is happening? Your being is energetically con- areas of congestion, scanning with the palm (PC8) the winds emanating
vulsed. The Qi, linking mind and body, rushes through the channels like from the organs, use of intention, focussed massage, and specific thera-
a hot torrent or a sliver of ice, the feeling as quick as thought, energy- peutic meditations such as the Healing Sounds which help cool and
intelligence in action. Nerves twist and tighten, cells react, connective detoxify. Visualisation by the participant helps the profound effect of this
tissues writhe, distorting the fasciae of capillaries, veins and arterioles, combination of physical, energetic and spiritual therapy.
muscles and organs. Focussed massage to points in the navel area slightly melts the
Such intensity of feeling cannot be sustained. Storms blow gelatinous coating around local cells, releasing suspended toxins into the
over, leaving after-effects. Knots, tangles and lumps remain in the lymphatic system and enhancing conductivity of the connective tissue,
abdomen - long after the rational self has "dealt with" the emotional con- enabling pain-relieving messages to spread through the embryonic merid-
dition - reinforced by repetition, layer of distortion upon layer, added to ians radiating out from the navel centre. Knots, tangles and lumps, the
by every feeling, the older the deeper, impeding the Qi, stagnating. aftermath of forgotten emotion, begin to loosen, ready to be unravelled
By working in the centre, the practitioner addresses the core of or dissolved.
a condition in its deepest hiding place, the junction of the meridians’ Toxic winds released are dispersed or directed out through
internal routes; the points of energy infusion; the vortices of the abdomi- marsh or mountain, combining other, supplementary, points and channels
nal energy-centres; and the residence of the deities of the internal uni- for specific purposes:
verse: the major organs in their membranous sacs of protective and con- Stomach Channel, elimination route from the front points
nective tissue, attached to and suspended from the spine and edged by either side of the navel (ST25 in combination with other Front-Mu or Bo
ribs, hips, pubis and sternum, and beating with life. points), particularly useful for disturbance of the spirit - emotional -
The great arterial aorta runs through, bifurcating at the centre, digestive, reproductive, back pain, cardiovascular conditions, stagnation,
pumping blood out to the distal parts while a cavernous vein passes the distortions of the fasciae;
other way lifting used blood back to the heart for recycling, and the Gall Bladder Channel for the sides, at the point of the 12th rib
vagus nerve runs the communications. A mass of tubes, bladders, repro- (GB25) for liver and pancreatic conditions;
ductive organs pack the spaces, attachments and connections with mesen- Urinary Bladder for the back (UB23 in combination with other
teric arteries, arterioles, veins and capillaries, lymph nodes and nodules, Back-Shu or Yu points) for depletion and kidney conditions; UB51 - par-
tendrils of nerves, endocrine glands, muscles in broad sheets near the ticularly effective for tumours and other deep abdominal conditions.
surface and the deep chunky psoas providing a tensile connection As always, the question arises: how many treatments do I
between spine and femur. Fatty tissues like rows of sweetcorn and need? As always, the answer depends on the condition, the participant,
bunches of small grapes cling to the sides of tubes and organs, and the the practitioner and the homework. Homework encourages participants to
whole and each part down to the smallest cell is protected and connected share in their own healing and might include self-massage and medita-
by webs of fasciae - the connective tissue, from the diaphragm to the tions such as the Inner Smile to strengthen the Qi of the organs and aid
perineum, from the centre to the limbs, from the navel to the wrists and in adjustments to self-perception and life-style, and the Microcosmic
ankles. Connective tissue is the common network for bodily systems and Orbit to harmonise energy-flow.
energy pathways. It would be unusual for less than four or more than twelve treatments to
Experiment: grab a handful of material of the clothes you are be needed, to reach the point where the finger can reach the spine and the
wearing, around the navel area, and twist. Feel where the tension goes. participant is free: of the physical residue of past emotion, or internal
See where the material distorts - what is the most distal point? Imagine distortions, lesions and adhesions of past surgery; or the symptoms of
presenting conditions have been addressed and, more often than not, She has again been diagnosed with a malignant tumour, this time in an
relieved. area just below where the left ovary would be. She said that her training
was telling her to go for chemotherapy/more surgery but her instincts
Summary of effects of Chi Nei Tsang in one practice wanted less invasive treatment.
Presenting Conditions Total Relief Partial Relief No Change CNT diagnosis: Liver felt hard and slightly painful, Heart
Abscess,cyst,tumour (independent medical diagnosis) empty, Spleen empty; abdomen latticed with scars and a small lump
60% 40% 0% could be felt in the area where the tumour was said to be. Visualisation
Emotional problems,stress 0% 80% 20% showed it to be dark brown and feeling like rough charcoal in texture.
Chronic headache 100% 0% 0% Treatment: opening the gates, clearing the exit channels, blood
Female Infertility 66% 0% 34% and lymphatic detox essential preliminaries over a series of four sessions
Joint pains 55% 0% 15% to prepare the hara. A further four sessions each of which included large
Menstrual/Menopausal problems 66% 34% 0% and small intestinal detox and direct work on the lump and UB51 led to a
Stagnation 75% 25% 0% feeling of it diminishing in size and breaking up. It was essential then to
open the exit points of ST25, GB25 and UB23 to allow toxins to escape.
Practitioner homework includes the Healing Tao practices to generate, Effect: After 8 treatments - one a week - Ms S went back to her
conserve and project their Qi and protect themself from depletion and specialist who found no sign of a tumour and suggested the original diag-
contamination. The main difference between a Chi Nei Tsang practitioner nosis had been mistaken.
and other therapists is the practice of the Healing Tao. Recommendations and follow-up: Her training makes her scep-
tical of the more esoteric aspects of CNT: she was intermittent with
Chi Nei Tsang can be integrated with benefical effect with such therapies "homework". She has since become involved in yoga, resolved matters
as Acupressure, Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic, Cranio-sacral, with her husband, finalised the divorce and moved to a different area.
Lymphatic drainage, Massage - Ayurvedic, holistic, remedial, Swedish,
Thai; Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Reflexology, Reiki, Rolfing, Case Study - Mr T: male aged 28. Repetitive Strain Injury. He was a
Shiatsu,Trager,Tuina, Western Medicine. professional guitarist, practising up to 10 hours daily, until tension and
pain in the left forearm prevented him moving his left fingers. Since then
References: was unemployed. He described himself as a worrier.
Chi Nei Tsang, Internal Organs Chi Massage, Mantak Chia, Healing Tao He had undergone physiotherapy, massage and shiatsu with
Books, 1990 various practitioners and described the treatments as affording temporary
Hara Diagnosis, Reflections on the Sea, Matsumoto & Birch, Paradigm relief, but then using his left hand again would make the condition recur.
Publications, 1988 He had received conflicting recommendations from different therapists.
Essentials of Chinese Acupuncture, Foreign Language Press, Beijing, His GP recommended surgery. Some of his fellow-guitarists had gone
1979 this route.
Body Mind & Spirit, Deepak Chopra, Quantum Publications, 1997 CNT diagnosis: Liver felt tight, Heart cool, Spleen painful;
solid mass around navel.
CASE STUDIES Treatment: initial approach to disperse the mass from the
abdominal centre provoked resistance. Working inwards from the periph-
Case Study - Mrs D: female aged 74. Arthritis since being in her early ery was more effective until he was able to move the fingers freely but
50s. Her left hip had been replaced at age 69. Other conditions for which still felt pain and tension in the forearm along the route of the
she was receiving medication: heart, liver and stomach problems, insom- Pericardium meridian. This was eventually dissolved with visualisation
nia, high blood pressure. Her spirits were low and she looked upon her- of steaming the embryonic meridians followed by PC meridian.
self as a martyr. She described herself as holding on to and supressing Effect: Over a series of treatments, once a fortnight for six
anger or expressing it sharply and then feeling regretful. months, he came to two realisations: that when he thought of playing the
Mrs D had been bedridden for 2 weeks prior to treatment and guitar his abdomen would tense up; and that when he had practised
walking with the aid of sticks for 6 months before that. before he had never been satisfied with his work. He was able to use his
CNT diagnosis: Liver felt hot and sticky, Heart hot and dry, left arm and hand but was fearful of the condition recurring.
Kidney empty; "cauliflower" feeling to abdomen. Recommendations and follow-up: Daily self-massage and med-
Treatment: opening the wind-gates, baking winds, skin detoxi- itation, regular stretching exercises for the inner arm, but mainly to be
fication. She was sensitive to pain and felt unable to take any deep pres- careful to stop practising as soon as he felt tension beginning. He eventu-
sure on the organs. Blood flushing was contra-indicated because of High ally went for surgery because, he said, he did not feel he could play pro-
Blood Pressure. She participated in Healing Sounds. fessionally again unless he could practise as much as he was before.
Effect: She slept for two hours following treatment. When she _______________________
awoke, she got out of bed and walked through her house, not thinking to
use the sticks. Originally published in and reproduced by kind permission of Positive
Recommendations and follow-up: Daily self-massage, Inner Health Magazine
Smile and Healing Sounds. She followed the recommendations and had
two pain-free years during which she received CNT once every three or Further Information
four months, had a second hip-replacement at age 77 and was able to
walk without sticks until shortly before her death of kidney failure aged Universal Healing Tao UK provides a complete, integrated and structured
80. program of Chi Nei Tsang/Hara Shiatsu training leading to a recognised
qualification, membership of a Professional Association, eligibility for
Case Study - Ms S: female aged 34. Abdominal cancer. She had twice insurance, and registration with the Complementary and Natural
previously received medical treatment including surgery for cancer in her Healthcare Council.
uterus. Both ovaries had also been removed and she had been pro- [Link]
nounced clear. She works as a nurse and is becoming involved in com-
plementary therapies. She separated from her husband some 18 months CNT Training is facilitated by Kris Deva North, Senior Teacher of
before and had no sexual partner since. She described herself as having Mantak Chia's Universal Healing Tao and founder of the London Chi Nei
been promiscuous before her marriage, ascribing this to lack of self- Tsang Institute. In addition to facilitating training at the London Tao
assertiveness and low self-esteem. She was in dispute with her husband Centre, Kris has taught CNT to nurses and midwives including the
over divorce and property matters. University of Greenwich School of Midwifery, and the Zita West Clinic.
During his time at Tao Garden and on subsequent visits he gave CNT
treatments to Mantak Chia and family.
 GRANDMASTER MANTAK CHIA KRIS DEVA NORTH ANAMARTA
Mantak Chia is the creator of the Universal Kris Deva North is the founder of the Universal Anamarta facilitates the Jade Circle and
Healing Tao System and director of the Healing Tao London, Chi Nei Tsang takes the Travelling Circle around the world.
Universal Tao Center and Tao Garden Health Institute, and director of the Zen School of I get my inspiration in the Mother Earth, in her
Resort and Training Center in the beautiful Shiatsu & Healing NLP Institute. essence and infinite resources, from the sea to the
Born in wartime London in the Year of the Dragon mountains, from the moon to the sun; in my beloved
northern countryside of Thailand.
and a hail of bombs, Kris spent his childhood in South partner Kris; in my travelling around the world and
Mantak Chia was born in Thailand to Chinese
America and teen years in the turbulence of Mau-Mau in beautiful people and teachers. The Taoist
parents in 1944. When he was six years old,
Kenya. At age fifteen the Wakamba tribe initiated him Practices guided me to continuing evolution and in
Buddhist monks taught him how to sit and “still the
as an honorary member. Dancing in their drum-circles my journey share this gratitude with others and help
mind.” While still a grammar school student, he
he witnessed fire-bathing adepts roll around in flames, the ones in need.
learned traditional Thai boxing. He was then taught
unharmed. Military action in South Arabia and Borneo At an early age Anamarta became aware of the
Tai Chi Chuan by Master Lu, who soon introduced
introduced him to real-life death. Service with the subtle energies and her own ability to commune with
him to Aikido, Yoga and broader levels of Tai Chi.
Gurkhas of Nepal steeped him in the culture and tradi- Spirit. Her grandmother initiated her into the family
Years later, when he was a student in Hong Kong
tions of these Kali-worshippers and theirrituals of lineage of esoteric practitioners. Anamarta's own
excelling in track and field events, a senior classmate
blood-sacrifice. 25 years in business and management explorations led to darshan with the Dalai Lama,
named Cheng Sue-Sue introduced him to his first
followed, until Kris changed his life, to oriental heal- receiving the Tibetan Tantric teachings, a connection
esoteric teacher and Taoist Master, Master Yi Eng (I
with the Indian spiritual teacher Dr Usha Sharma at
Yun). ing and martial arts.
her home in the Himalayas, and witnessing last rites
At this point, Master Chia began his studies of the In 1991, he set out to learn from masters through-
in Varanasi.
Taoist way of life in earnest. He learned how to cir- out Asia, Japan and USA. Impressed by the teachings
Exploration of the tantric path led to a meeting
culate energy through the Microcosmic Orbit and, of Mantak Chia, Kris embraced the Tao. In 1993 he
with Kris Deva North and formal Taoist and
through the practice of Fusion of the Five Elements, came home to the scepter’d isle, to found the
Shamanic initiation. She dedicated herself to the Tao
how to open the other Six Special Channels. As he Universal Healing Tao Centre, Chi Nei Tsang
and trained with Grandmaster Mantak Chia. With a
studied Inner Alchemy further, he learned the Institute, and Zen School of Shiatsu, the latter becom-
natural ability to teach, Anamarta qualified as a
Enlightenment of the Kan and Li, Sealing of the Five ing in 2010 the first Shiatsu School to achieve
Taoist Trainer of the London Universal Healing Tao
Senses, Congress of Heaven and Earth and Reunion University accreditation. He was closely involved
Centre, and developed the Kuan Yin Chi Kung and
of Heaven and Man. It was Master Yi Eng who with Skills for Health drafting the Shiatsu National
Jade Circle practices that she now shares with
authorized Master Chia to teach and heal. He stud- Occupational Standard and in 2009 was appointed to
women around the world.
ied with Master Cheng Yao-Lun who taught him the the Shiatsu Professional Board of the Complementary
Anamarta lives what she teaches, exploring, deep-
Shao-Lin Method of Internal Power. Master Pan Yu, and Natural Healthcare Council.
ening and integrating the essence of a personal prac-
whose system combined Taoist, Buddhist and Zen Kris Deva North has practised healing meditation
tice that includes Crystal Healing, Chi Kung and Tai
teachings also taught him about the exchange of Yin since 1972 and the Taoist Arts since 1985. He inte-
Chi, Yoga and Belly Dancing; and since connecting
and Yang power between men and women, and how grates Shamanic, Tantric and Taoist traditions from his
with a Kahuna in Hawaii, the sacred rituals of the
to develop the Steel Body. experiences, travelling with a Thai Buddhist monk;
Hula. In India where she spends part of each year
Master Chia tours the world teaching the satsang with Shiva Saddhus in the Himalaya,Shamans
learning and teaching, Anamarta immerses herself in
Universal Healing Tao system from his Tao Garden of Africa, North America and Hawaii; Aboriginal men
the culture of the Khalbelia Gypsy tribe of snake
Health Resort and Universal Tao Training Center. A of highdegree in Australia; darshan with the Dalai
charmers and their Sapera ' Gypsy' Dance in the
warm, friendly and helpful man, he views himself Lama; witnessing last rites in Varanasi and puja with
desert of Rajsthan.
primarily as a teacher. the Brahmins of Pushkar.
He has written over 35 books on the Taoist prac- To balance his grounding in ancient practices Kris
tices, including, with Kris Deva North, Taoist keeps up with the most advanced modern Life-train-
Foreplay and Taoist Shaman. ing techniques, from the Mind Dynamics of the 1970s
to state-of-the-art NLP of the new millennium. In
Other works include:
Awaken Healing Energy of the Tao - 1983
2006 he founded the Healing NLP Institute after train-
Taoist Secrets of Love: Cultivating Male Sexual Energy co- ing with Richard Bandler and Paul McKenna, pio-
authored with Michael Winn - 1984. neers of modern shamanic practice through their work
Taoist Ways to Transform Stress into Vitality -1985 with altered states.
Chi Self-Massage: the Tao of Rejuvenation - 1986 His UK national TV appearances include Bliss,
Iron Shirt Chi Kung I - 1986 Emma Freud’s series on Sex and Religion; Nick
Healing Love Through the Tao: Cultivating FemaleSexual
Hancock’s Sex and Stopping - History of
Energy - 1986
Bone Marrow Nei Kung - 1989
Contraception; and Carlton TV’s City Survival Guide.
Fusion of the Five Elements I - 1990 In 2004 Channel 4 made an observational documen-
Chi Nei Tsang: Internal Organ Chi Massage - 1990 tary of his teaching Taoist practices to a group of
Awaken Healing Light of the Tao - 1993 celebrities: Extreme Celebrity Detox.
The Inner Structure of Tai Chi co-authored with Juan Li - Published work includes the articles Zen as a Philosophical MATT LEWIS
1996 Discipline; Taoist Teaching, Taoist Practice, Taoist Life; An Chief Instructor of Universal Healing Tao
Multi-Orgasmic Man co-authored with Douglas overview of Chi Nei Tsang; Shiatsu - Ancient Medicine for the
Abrams1996 Tao Yin - 1999 21st Century; Calabash of Light - Hawaiian Huna Healing;
London Centre, Matt was first introduced to
Chi Nei Tsang II - 2000 and the seminal 1998 Interview with Mantak Chia, A Modern Mantak Chia's system in 1992 while studying
Multi-Orgasmic Couple co-authored with Douglas Taoist Master with whom Kris co-authored A Touch of Sex: Tai Chi.
Abrams2000 Shiatsu Secrets for Love republished by Bear and Co in July He began training with Kris Deva North in 1998.
Cosmic Healing I - 2001 2010 as Taoist Foreplay. Kris has also written the definitive
He has studied Tai Chi with Mantak Chia in England
Cosmic Healing II co-authored with Dirk Oellibrandt - 2001 Finding Spirit in Zen Shiatsu, published November 2006, and
Door of All Wonders co-authored with Tao Haung - 2001 contributed with Wayne Dyer and others to Bouncing Back: and Thailand and is a Certified Instructor.
Sexual Reflexology co-authored with W. U. Wei - 2002 Thriving in Changing Times an anthology on success in reces- He has trained widely in the martial arts, teaching
Elixir Chi Kung - 2002 sion, published February 2010. In November 2010 he pub- both Kick-boxing and Capoeira.
Tan Tien Chi Kung - 2002 lished The Taoist Medicine Wheel republished with Mantak His teaching combines experience in Taoist and
Chia as Taoist Shaman’ by Bear & Co in January 2011. His Shamanic practices with practical hands-on skills
lates is Zen Tao Tantra published by Amazon as an e-book.. from the martial arts.
 TAOIST TEACHING,
Beyond the physicality of the Iron Shirt pushing-rooting, the psychic self-
TAOIST PRACTICE, defence of Fusion of the Five Elements develops a kind of energy-armour. In the
TAOIST LIFE higher meditations of Kan & Li, armour becomes redundant as all pressures are
allowed to pass through the being without harm, as we develop and transform into
A personal view the light body. What effect can pressure have when there is nothing to press? No
by Kris Deva North buttons to push! These esoteric practices are available to everyone, and if applied
consistently they work well for everyone. But the work must be done by the prac-
Most people starting out on the Way try to copy someone else, usually titioner: use it or lose it.
Travelling around to appointments for teaching or healing, I use the time on
their teacher or facilitator. They seek guidance until understanding how
bus, tube and train to read, study and research. On these journeys of the earth I
to make their own way, and that too much help can weaken them. In the take the journeys of heaven, discovering connections between the heritages from
early stages it is kind - and productive - for facilitators to to help students the cradle of the earth. The evidence is there if you care to look. Taoists share
along, with their Frequently Asked Questions representing a quest for purification by sweat and worship by smoke with Native Americans; dream-time
reassurance. with Native Australians; animal (symbolic) sacrifice, ecstatic flight and shamanic
Many FAQs are to do with daily practice, how much time to spend in medita- dissolution with the Siberians; tutelary animals with the South Americans; the pro-
tion and exercise, how to integrate the practices into daily life, especially the sexu- tective circle of fire with Wiccans; the tantric circle with Indo-Tibetans.
al practices, and how to introduce these to partners ranging from sceptical to
inhibited to plain jealous. How wonderful if we could just say a word or two to The Tao is my personal journey. I prefer to travel on foot or by public transport,
help the asker towards realisation, but of course that would not be their realisation to resist the temptation of a car with its ease and convenience of getting about.
but just something we are handing them. Better for me to do things the hard way, to push myself into discomfort, to try to
Let me share some aspects of my practice with you. If you are an early seeker, understand myself better. What muscle ever got stronger by ease and comfort? So
you may find bits and pieces that are of use. If a seasoned traveller you may have with my own energy-field. And I am, after all, living the life of my choice - little
a little fun at my expense and think how much better your own practice is, or how shocks of discomfort help keep me awake. Ouspensky would understand.
superior your own teacher. You will learn something, even if only that you have The bath is my think-tank, wallowing in the womb of water, the ocean of cre-
nothing to learn. It doesn’t matter really - we are dancing the same spiral with dif- ativity, the palace of death and conception, inspiration. Archimedes knew it. Stuck
ferent steps. on an article, a business situation, an emotional conflict, I lie in the bath and wait
for possibilities. Few choices need to be made, the right way seems to unfold. Its
Start the day with a Smile. In 1972 - just after leaving the army and before my not always what my rational mind would have chosen.
first meditation weekend - I went on a sales course, where they said the same,
these hard-nosed business chaps who taught the mindfulness of skilful manipula- Teaching the Tao gives satisfaction; teaching the practices gives me the oppor-
tion. We were advised to smile at ourselves in the mirror, to set ourselves up for tunity to practice. I offer overviews for those thinking of stepping out on the Way
the day. Two decades later the Taoist Master Mantak Chia was telling me to smile or just checking it out, courses of meditational experiences from basic initiation
at my internal organs, the Inner Smile in the tradition of four millenia. Must be into small heavenly cycle, Inner Smile, Healing Sounds and Iron Shirt, through
something in it! People who live beyond 100 are generally of a cheery nature, the heart-opening practices of Healing Love or Taoist Tantra, the challenging self-
according to Deepak Chopra, who knows these things. healing of Fusion, Tai Chi the Dance of Life, or Advanced Practice Development
So now, when I wake up, I smile. Nothing formal, not sitting up, let alone in for graduates of Kan & Li, with shamanic journeying, meditation on death, and
seiza or lotus, just lying in bed watching the light slip by the curtains. An Inner ecstatic flight. Group work helps me with the transmission to others.
Smile, to myself, my being, my energy field. A smile to my mum, long gone, and Teaching Shiatsu also gives the chance to incorporate the body of taoist mysti-
my dads - I had two, one who started me off before leaving this world, and his cism as a background or even a bedrock. Chi Nei Tsang, the taoist massage that
brother who took over for the hard part. A smile for my kids and theirs. My ances- releases the winds of stagnation and helps free the bodymind from emotional trau-
tors and descendants, teachers and students. No lists, no enumeration, just a big ma, QiGong Healing Therapy, a derivative of pre-taoist shamanic practice calls on
grin of gratitude to the whole energy field around me. the energies of the cosmos, to heal energy-fields. All these use the Healing sounds,
Time past and present condenses into the now, individuals blend in the moment to recycle the energies to find harmony within the being.
of a heartfelt smile, and I am everyone I have known and all that has happened to Mealtimes are occasions for practice too, eating what I choose mindfully and
me. I thank the universe for the many gifts and blessings - records of my ances- letting go the strictures and restrictions of any formal dietary system, following
tors, knowledge of past lives, totems of insight and grace, leadership and love. the way as it manifests. If there is a time in the day when I catch myself not prac-
Thus the day begins with Gratitude, awesome in its power and effect, and flow- tising, I give myself a pat on the back for awareness.
ing naturally into the sexual practices, the essence of the Tao, honouring the Way I prefer the time either side of midnight for the more structured sexual medita-
which gave me my ancestors and descendants, opening the gateway through pleas- tions with their tremendous sense of universal power as the life-force rises and cir-
ure to bliss. If alone I will work with arousal energy, opening the small heavenly culates in the small heavenly cycle.
cycle and recycling the chi. If with my partner and plenty of time, we might prac- Working - playing - with the cool unaroused sexual energy, practising sexual
tise dual cultivation, or solo cultivation together. Sexual practice in the morning breathing, moving into the arousal energy, staying with it, taking it with me
has a wonderful clarity and spontaneity. through some Iron Shirt practices, some Tai Chi, some still meditations, then on
Throughout the day opportunities arise for moving and still meditation: Chi into the orgasmic energy field,bathing in the fountains of Fusion, using pleasure as
Kung - imperceptibly adopting the ready position waiting for a bus or train, Taoist the gateway to bliss. On into the subtle clear light of Kan& Li, an altered state,
reverse breathing sitting at the computer, "Tai Chi walking" up a flight of steps. A with ecstatic flight or astral travel, awareness of the possibility of existence
patch of green grass offers a place for Bone Marrow breathing, or the powerful beyond sensory perception, of consciousness of the energy-stream beyond this
earth-connection of the Tai Chi Chi Kung form, or the "Hands of Light" form of incarnation.
QiGong Colour Healing Therapy. Parks and avenues become arenas for "embrac- And very last thing to end, the Healing Sounds. I have used them throughout
ing the tree" and the yin-yang breath exchange. the day for harmonising situations or recycling emotions and now, as I lay me
down to sleep, the Triple Heater sound sings sweetly in the three burners, a restful
Interacting with people, with other energy-fields, opportunities arise to recycle completion to a day of walking in the Tao.
the emotions of the Five Energy-Phases or Elements, seeking to transform impa-
tience into love, worry into serenity, depression to courage, fear to gentleness, First published in, adapted from and reproduced by kind permission of
even anger into kindness, thinking of Mantak Chia’s encouragement "every day Qi Magazine
we get many chances to forgive". I use the Healing Sounds individually for each
occasion as it happens - a discreet hiss can dissipate some minor annoyance, or a
loud HHHAAA! dispel impatience....when done with the right intention.
Iron Shirt grounding, rooting and centering taught me how to take a push, phys-
ically in the first instance but, as I progressed through my training, extending my
ability to take an emotional push or withstand financial pressure. I might practise
the postures while waiting to start a teaching-session. One great attraction of mak-
ing my living from this work is the limitless landscape of practice. It is my job to
do what I love. Can’t get better than that! Teaching helps keep me keep up my
practice. I realised that my original nature/conditioning (hard to tell the difference
when you’ve been doing this stuff for a few years) swung me between activity and
inertia. This helps towards harmony.