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The Power of Information in Zhineng Qigong
Dec
In this article, we’re going to explore the power of information. We’re going to look at what information is according to zhineng qigong science and how this information contributes to our health and well-being.
What is meant by information?
In zhineng qigong, the universe is divided into three main levels of matter or substance. The first level is physical substance. All things that can be seen by the naked eye fall into this level. The second level pertains to the invisible fabric or fields that lie behind physical matter. And the third level is the level of information. But what is information?
In the natural world, there is a guiding intelligence that shapes and directs the flow of life. This intelligence in the field guides the growth of plants, the development of cells, the changing of seasons, the flight patterns and migration of birds – to name just a few.
Information in human beings…
For human beings, information is divided into two main categories. The first category is the innate information. This can be viewed as our genetic material. In TCM and in zhineng qigong, it is the “jing” which is stored in our kidneys. This information shapes our composition, our disposition, and is considered inherent.
The second category of information, which is the focus of this article, is our consciousness. Human beings are different to the natural world and to animals. Apart from the innate information which we share with all of nature, we have the ability to choose. Everyday, the human mind is making meaning from every experience. We think, we feel, we create images and scenarios in our mind. We look within and look without and tell ourselves a story about what it is that we see and what it is that we want to see. This story is influenced by the language, culture and beliefs of the society within which we live. In zhineng qigong, we call this our frame of reference. But are we aware of how this information in our frame of reference is directing our life, our health and the possibilities for our future?
In zhineng qigong theory, Dr Pang Ming emphasizes
that of the three levels of matter (as mentioned earlier), the level of information is the most important. This is because our consciousness guides the energy which guides our physical reality. More plainly stated, it is our thoughts and emotions that shape our reality and may even dictate what avenues we choose for our own healing.
Consider the following questions: What are your beliefs around sickness and healing? Where does healing come from? When you get ill, do you reach for the medicine cabinet? Do you make an appointment with an allopathic doctor, natural health practitioner or shaman? Do you drink a herbal tea, go for a walk in nature, meditate or do self-healing affirmations? What is the information that is directing your choices?
In the video below, Luise Kohl-Hajek, who healed herself from cancer, speaks about how the narrative in our mind dictates our approach to healing:
We need your consent to load the content of YouTube.The mind-body link
In zhineng qigong, healing purely by thought is a frame of reference that Dr Pang Ming encourages. At the huaxia centre, the medicine-less hospital, there was no particular diet or medicine used. Rather emphasis was placed on the daily qigong methods and the power of intention held in one’s consciousness. Astoundingly, many people would heal. But how is this possible? Mind-body interrelation is well known and documented throughout the ages, albeit more so in a spiritual context. However, modern medical science has been studying this relationship between the mind and body for at least the last sixty years. In the following paragraphs, lets look a little more at these findings.
Psychoneuroimmunology
is a field of study that looks at the relationship between thoughts and emotions on the immune system. Findings show that psychological stress can contribute towards a wide range of different illnesses, including cancer, psoriasis, heart disease and auto-immune conditions. Candace Pert, a neuroscientist and pharmacologist, found that for every emotion that we have, the body produces a chemical counterpart. Her findings in mind-body interaction are outlined in her fascinating book, “The Molecules of Emotion”.
Epigenetics
is another exciting new field of science that studies the effects of the environment on the cell. The environment not only means the intercellular fluids, hormones and chemicals, but also the beliefs, thoughts and emotions held by the individual. Research done by Dr Bruce Lipton, found that the genes are not strictly controlled by our biology, but rather that they are influenced by signals from outside the cell. In fact, it is the membrane of the cell, rather than the nucleus that controls the cells behaviour. And it is this membrane that is constantly receiving information from our brain. Research in this field finds that our thoughts and emotions, which are translated into chemistry, communicate with the membrane of our cells and turn genes on and off.
The placebo effect
Another interesting phenomena that highlights the power of the mind on the body is the “placebo effect”. To explain it briefly – the placebo effect is when a patients health condition improves after taking some form of medication that in fact does not have any medicinal qualities. A placebo could be a pill, a medicine or a surgery. A proponent of this theory, Dr Joe Dispenza believes that it is possible to replicate the amazing results of the placebo effect. In his book, “you are the placebo”, he describes the methods that are used to heal by thought alone. He emphasizes daily meditation to go beyond our critical mind and then to purposely insert the healing information into our mind. Similar to the achievements of the huaxia centre, thousands of people have healed or improved their condition purely by their state of consciousness, while practicing Dr Dispenza’s techniques.
The ongoing research in the field of mind-body medicine, tells us not only that the mind affects the body, but also that it is possible to change our state of mind and consequently, change our life.
How do we manage the information in our minds?
Author and motivational speaker, John Kehoe, who wrote the book, MindPower, describes the mind as fertile soil from which our reality grows. The seeds we plant in this soil are our habitual thoughts and emotions. If we constantly focus on negative circumstances and emotions, we draw to ourselves more of the same. But, if we cultivate a positive mindset, we begin to grow a rich, fruitful, fragrant garden.
So, we need to ask ourselves the question: “if our mind is truly that powerful in influencing matter, isn’t it worth our while to spend time everyday attending to the garden of our mind?”
Based on zhineng qigong theory, there are two key components to managing the information in our mind:
1) Awareness
Firstly, we need to become aware of the information in our mind. We need to unplug and create a healthy gap between ourselves and this stream of thoughts and emotions. Zhineng qigong emphasizes a quiet mind that remains in the present and observes itself. Rather than identifying with these thoughts and emotions, we become the observer of them. With practice, we can neutralize the charge of negatively held beliefs.
Exercise: becoming aware of yourself
At the beginning of each day, set the intention of observing yourself, your thoughts and emotions throughout the day. Make your best effort. When an uncomfortable thought or emotion arises, just observe it. Observe who is thinking or feeling. Keep a journal and notice the effect of this observation. What do you notice about yourself? Do the thoughts and emotions change when they are observed?
2) Intention
Secondly, we need to purposefully place the thoughts, images and feelings into our consciousness that align with our intention. In zhineng qigong, we design the information in our minds. We can do this through visualization, repeating affirmations or mantras, and looking at pictures that remind us of our intention.
Exercise: purposeful consciousness
For 3 months, set aside 10 minutes a day to imagine that your dream has already been realized. Use as much sensory rich language as you can – see, feel, hear, taste and touch your desired reality. Live it as vividly as you can for these 10 minutes. Keep a journal and notice if there are any internal or external changes in your life.
In conclusion, the affect of our mind on our body and life is an ever-growing field of philosophical and scientific enquiry. Here, at the Zhineng Student’s Hub, we encourage you to be mindful and to explore the endless possibilities and power of your mind.
References
Dispenza, J. (2014) The Placebo effect. London: Hay house
Lipton, B. (2008) The biology of belief: Unleashing the power of consciousness, matter and miracles. Carlsbad, CA: Hay house.
Kehoe, J. (1996). Mindpower. Canada: Zoetic Inc.
Pert, C. (1997) The molecules of emotion. New York: Scribner
