Introduction to Taiji Five-Element Qigong

[Method of Self-Healing 自愈法]

Introduction to Chinese Taiji Five-Element Qigong

Kevin W Chen, Ph.D. MPH

Chinese Taiji Five-Element Qigong (a.k.a. Taiji Five-element Qigong) is a qigong system developed by master Binhui He, based on his years of clinical experience with thousands of patients.  The purpose of this qigong system is to rapidly reveal practitioner’s self-healing potential and to boost immune function and internal healing capacity for various chronic diseases.  It is one of the major qigong systems used in clinical applications of qigong anti-cancer therapy.  Taiji Five-element Qigong (TFQ) is the core component of the Taiji Five-Element Self Recovery System.

Taiji Five-Element Self Recovery System (TFSRS), the new name master He used in the U.S. market, was designed in response to the fact that modern medicine has failed to provide a real cure to many chronic diseases and that most of the drugs used to treat these diseases have lasting side effects.   This system has organized the essence of traditional Chinese Daoist philosophy, medical qigong practice and a drug-free healthy-living lifestyle into the following major components:

• A yin-yang philosophy of disease and health.
• Taiji Five-Element Qigong forms
• Broad applications of intention/mind healing.
• Bigu (energetic fasting) and periodic fasting.
• Strong qi and group qi adjustment.
• Adjustment of attitudes, lifestyle, behaviors, and diet by listening to your own body.

TFSRS was not designed for a specific disease but it is very effective in aiding in the recovery of many chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, allergy, asthma, arthritis, cancer, chronic pain and others. It works by increasing your self-healing capabilities, including the immune functions, self-recovery and self-regeneration capability of your body.   It is an effective tool for both treatment and prevention.  Three factors contribute to its high efficacy: a drug-free approach to avoid the side effects of pharmaceuticals; use of innate self-healing power; the following of TCM philosophies and a healthy lifestyle.

The Contents of TFQ

TFQ is mostly static form, or meditation, including both standing and sitting meditation (it’s OK to practice TFQ even laying on the bed).  At one point in its history, TFQ included some movement forms as a supplement, but master He removed them later since he found movements sometimes distracted the practitioners’ attention, and slowed them down in getting into deep meditation status for communicating with sickness.

TFQ applies the five-element theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to absorb the universal qi energy and to rapidly uncover and strengthen self-healing capabilities. It is simple and easy to learn, yet powerful and effective for helping to relieve symptoms, improve recovery, and gain general health resilience. Above all, TFQ is a healing system that uses one formula for various health conditions by working on improving the immune system, the self-recovery and self-regeneration capabilities. This qigong works directly on the root source of the many health problems instead of just the symptoms of these illnesses.

TFQ is suitable for people of any age group and any physical condition as long as they are able to follow the instructions in the practice. The system includes the following forms:

1.  One-Step Classic Meditation (60 minutes)

• This is the core of TFQ, designed for relaxation, the gathering of energy from the universe, the restoration to order of the internal five elements, cleansing of the whole body, and the achievement of a state of tranquility.
• It can be practiced any time of the day and repeated as many times as you like.

This is classic Daoist meditation with the following key components: Preparation, regulate your body (relaxation), breathing (abdominal breath), and mind state (tranquility); light up the furnace (warm up lower Dantian) with intention and breathing coordination, follow recorded instruction to absorb qi energy of the Moon and the Sun from the poles of skin at inhale, and send it to lower abdomen at exhale to gather qi. Gathering energy from five-elements planets: first, gathering green energy from Jupiter through your three eyes, and send it to your liver; then gathering red energy from Mars through your tongue and send it to your heart; gathering yellow energy from Saturn through your month or your skin, and send it to your spleen and stomach; gathering white energy from Venus through your nose, and send it to your lung, and then gathering purple energy from Mercury through your ears and send it to your kidneys.

The purification procedure in this mediation applies guided imagery to walk toward a waterfall of sacred water and to cleanse your body outside and inside (Daoism calls it bathing or visualized shower).  “The sacred water from the waterfall rushes into your brain through the opening in your head, forming a very strong whirlpool.  The rushing water starts to wash through the brain tissue.  The water washes away all the sediment clogging your brain tissue.  With the sediment gone, the blood circulates through your brain very smoothly.  The nerves in your brain are relaxed, and the brain cells are nourished.  The sacred water continues to flow inside your head.  It forms strong whirlpools to wash away sick cells in your nose, your eyes, your ears, your mouth and your throat, cleansing and washing away all sickness….” You will follow the instruction to cleanse your lung, heart, liver, stomach and spleen, kidney and reproductive organs, as well as the areas you feel uncomfortable and with diseases…. Then you will learn how to integrate your breathing, mind and body into “Oneness” state — focus attention to lower Dantian to get into the oneness state — relax completely without falling asleep (keep awareness up!),  always do the closing at the end of meditation.

2.  Standing Meditation for Magnification (20 to 40 minutes)

• This is a form of standing meditation that supplements the One-Step Classic form.
• It helps to activate qi and restores our congenital vitality.
• It is best to practice it in the morning to energize our day, and/or after sunset to replenish ourselves at day end.

A powerful Daoism-formless standing meditation, designed to to unlock the blockages in your body, to magnify qi energy, and to help strengthen your body, your immune system, and increase your ability to recover from illness.  It is most effective when done in conjunction with the Classic Meditation (see below). You should carry out this meditation while standing, with your feet shoulder-width apart, and your knees slightly bent. Hold your arms out in front of you with your palms facing your body.  Your arms, hands, and fingers should form a circle.  Pretend you are wrapping them around a large balloon…..  Lightly close your eyes.  Breathe naturally.  Let your entire body relax.  Visualize a large balloon or energy ball spinning between your arms.  It begins to spin in a clockwise direction.  It is spinning faster and faster.  In your mind, watch the balloon spinning between your arms.  Let the balloon spin as fast as possible.  Imagine the balloon is so light that it can lift your arms up. ….  If you body feels like to move, let it come, and follow the qi flowing, since you body is actually responding to the qi energy around and within. Spontaneous movement is great results of such standing meditation.  It was said Taiji Quan was originated from this type of standing meditation.  So do not feel strange if you started doing Taiji-like movements during this standing meditation…. which will help you quickly breaking the qi-blockage in your body, and you will feel great relief after the spontaneous movement.  However, if your body is still moving at the end of the tape, don’t do the closing procedure, let the body flow until it stops itself. (Then you can do the closing).

3. Meditation for Purification (30 minutes)

• This is an intensive detoxification process for those with serious illnesses.
• It is best to practice this form with the One-Step Classic Meditation (1) above.
• This can be practiced at any time of the day, but not more than once a day.

This meditation is designed to purify your body and get rid of toxic matters including drug residuals and tumors.  It is best suitable for those who are bedridden or who have difficulty getting up. You should practice Purification 1 only after first practicing Classic Meditation (see blow).  You can stand, sit or lie down for this meditation.  If you choose to stand, let your hands hang loosely at your sides.  If you sit, place your hands on your thighs with palms facing down.  If you lie down, let your hands rest at your sides and palms face down.  This meditation can be carried out anytime, anywhere, provided you are able to disregard everything around you and remain uninterrupted for a period of at least 30 minutes.   As the purification mediation is so strong, you should not practice more than once a day even though you feel need more detoxification.  The guided imagery and visualization designed for purifying the body may also get ride of some good energy.  Therefore, make sure you will do at least one or two times of Classic Meditation on the day you practiced Purification.

About Master Binhui He

Master Binhui HE

Mr. Binhui He is a renowned medical qigong master from China who has created the Taiji Five-Element Self-Recovery System.  Master He was the founding president of the World Institute for Self Healing, Inc.(WISH)  He was the director at the Chinese Society of Qigong Science, heading its Anti-Cancer Research Project. Master He served as the vice chairman of the Chinese Society of Clinical Medicine, vice president of the Chinese Association of Modern Medical Practitioners.  He is regularly invited as a guest lecturer and researcher to several colleges and research centers in China and in Hong Kong. He is highly respected in the field of qigong and traditional Chinese medicine.

Master He began qigong practice at the age of 13, and later became the sole disciple of Master Zhang Zhongchuan, a respected Daoist qigong lineage holder and the chief-master (主持) at a Daoist temple in the Loufu Mountain.  After recognizing the problems that modern medicine had with chronic diseases, Master He developed a complete medical qigong system to help people with various chronic diseases. He introduced the method to the public in 1990 and ever since has consistently obtained extraordinary results.  He has helped thousands of people recover from “incurable diseases.”  Many of his patients came to him as their last hope, after being turned away from hospitals and their doctors stating that there was nothing further that could be done.  Time and time again, Master He has amazed doctors by healing such patients with qigong. He has been called the “cancer killer,” and is known by the Chinese media as the medical practitioner who dares to challenge “terminal diseases.”  Although he does not have a degree in medicine, Master He has studied extensively in traditional Chinese medicine and was named by the government in 1998 and 1999 as one of the 100 best healers in China, based on his outstanding achievements.

The Taiji Five-element Medical Qigong CDs with instruction booklet is available for sale in Ebay by World Institute for Self-Healing, Inc.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186233503489 

The Anti-Cancer Evaluation Report

TFQ as a form of anti-cancer qigong is not just a marketing label or Master He’s self-promotion.  It was officially evaluated by a group of physicians and scientists, and recognized by the Chinese Society of Qigong Science.  In December 1996, a group of 13 scientists and medical professionals gathered in Guangzhou city, (Guandong, China) to evaluate the reliability and values of TFQ anti-cancer clinical and laboratory results.  Following is translation of some sections from this official evaluation report:

“Through five years of clinical experience with a number of intensive anti-cancer training workshops, more than 3,000 students from all over the country with manifold diseases attended these medical Qigong training, and most of them achieved significant improvement.  During the evaluation conference, the experts carefully listened to Mr. Binhui He’s report on the theory and methods of Qigong anti-cancer therapy, evaluated 20 cancer patients’ medical records case by case, and assessed the results of Qigong scientific experiments: “Inhibitory effects of Chinese Taiji Five-Element Qigong on transplanted hepatocaricinoma in mice,” by Zhongshan Medical University.  After careful discussion and analysis, the expert evaluation committee agreed that Chinese Taiji Five-Element Qigong is an excellent and effective therapeutic method for treating cancer. 

We were extremely impressed that so many late-stage cancer patients who were literally refused by modern hospitals have regained their lives through Qigong therapy, and we have the following unified conclusions:

1. The anti-cancer theory and method by Chinese Taiji Five-Element Qigong is unique, safe and effective in treating cancer without much financial pressure. The successful recovery stories of the late-stage cancer patients brought new hope and confidence for all cancer patients. The case studies and scientific experiments have all proved that the significant achievements through practicing Taiji Five Element Qigong are reliable.
2. The achievement of anti-cancer therapy by Taiji Five-Element Qigong has opened up new paths and alternatives that brought hope to cancer patients. It is of great social value that will benefit the entire society.
3. Binhui He creatively developed a medical Qigong by combining scientific research with traditional Chinese medicine. This form of Qigong has a comprehensive and systematic method with five clear steps: Conceptual /psychological change, Qi cultivation and practice, collective Qi adjustment, energetic fasting (Bigu), and shatter tumor by strong Qi. This new anti-cancer therapy has made a significant contribution to the traditional Chinese medicine.
4. We highly appreciate Mr. Binhui He for his courage to challenge cancer and other terminal diseases, for his respect to science and reality, and for his hard work and dedication to human health.

In conclusion, we all believe that the achievement of anti-cancer therapy by Chinese Taiji Five Element Qigong is significant for humans to overcome cancer, and should be promoted to the public.

Under the evaluation document are the following members of the Experts Evaluation Committee:

• Yingjie Li—Committee Chair, professor of the First Military Medical University, member of British Royal Medical Academy
• Bingwu He — Deputy Chair, President, the General Military Hospital in Guangzhou, Chief Physician
• Pengyao Zhang –Deputy Head, Research Director of Chinese Society of Qigong Science
• Changde Yu–Director of Beijing Xinglinyuan Cancer Rehabilitation Center
• Yan Tian–Director of Information Department, the General Military Hospital in Guangzhou
• Ganquan Liu–Associate Professor, Physiology Dept, Zhongshan Medical University
• Shouyi Wang–Associate Professor, the First Military Medical Univ
• Xiaojun Chen–Professor, Zhongshan Medical University
• Xuepan Chen–Professor, Electronic Dept at Zhongshan University
• Yiping Zhang–President, The Second Workers Hospital of Guangdong Province, Chief Physician
• Yali Zhang— Director, Department of Recovery, People’s General Hospital of Guangdong Province
• Zhongpeng Lin— Director of Chinese Society of Qigong Science, President of Chinese Qigong Academy.
• Yiqun Lin — Professor, Electronic Engineering Department, Zhongshan University

[Note:  As a founding member of WISH, Dr. Chen had been a translator and coordinator for master He’s Qigong workshop in the U.S. from 1999 to 2006.  Dr. Chen has taught the Taiji Five-element Qigong at the Qigong Self-Healing Retreat in Baltimore, Maryland in June 12-18,  and Sept. 11-17, 2016:   http://www.cim.umaryland.edu/healingretreat/]

If you are interested in learning this form of Qigong, please join us on each Sunday 9am in September 2024, we will teach and practice this form during our weekly Qigong for Health class, online from Zoom platform as following:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ucuysrzgoHNS6oLKIzrartSZJMQE97b19 

Kevin W Chen, Ph.D. – is an associate professor at the Center for Integrative Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine (USA).  Dr. Chen was educated in the universities of both China and the United States, and has years of experience and training in blending eastern and western perspectives, and in the practice of life-nurturing methods. As a long-time practitioner of Qigong Yang Sheng, he is one of the few scientists in the U.S. to have both hands-on knowledge of mind-body practice, and an active research career in mind-body medicine, which is funded through grants by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and various foundations.  Dr. Chen devotes his career and life to the practice of Yang Sheng, and promotion of self-healing and mind-body-spirit integration through the non-profit organization, World Institute for Self Healing (WISH)