Science and Subtle
Energy
Dr. Liz Newby-Fraser
The healing potential of
subtle energy manipulation modalities is increasingly
recognized by Western Science and medicine. Research
has shown the effectiveness of acupuncture, Qigong,
Reiki, Shiatsu, Tai chi and Aikido to mention a few in
addressing a wide range of physical and mental health
issues.
One modality in
particular, Qigong has had a series of scientific
investigations and research devoted to its healing
potential recently. Qigong is “an art and science which
promotes the use of the mind’s intelligence to direct
chi to cultivate the integrated potential of the
holistic body, thereby uplifting the consciousness of
the practitioners to that of awakened wisdom,” quotes
Dr. Pang Ming, founder of Zhineng Qigong.
In Qigong Mediation
and Personality Traits, it is hypothesized that
Qigong meditation can reduce the level of Neuroticism as
measured by the Eysenk Personality Inventory. The data
shows there is a significant negative relationship
between the number of years practicing Qigong and one’s
Neuroticism score on the Eysenk Personality Inventory.
Thus the more one practices Qigong, the less neurotic
they appear. Qigong may develop treatments for people
who are highly neurotic.
In
Chicago,
psychology student Francis Gaik recently conducted a
study regarding the relationship between Qigong practice
and clinically diagnosed Major Depression. In this
research, 39 subjects who had a DSM-IV diagnosis of
Depression were instructed to perform 40 minutes of
Qigong exercises every day for a two month period. As
measured by the Beck’s Depression Index-Revised, there
was a significant decrease in depression with some
scores falling as much as 50%. The researcher states an
obvious observable change in personal presentation
between first and last meeting, from sad and somber to
joyful and excited expressions. So far this appears to
be the first study done on Qigong and major depression
in the United States.
Another psychology
student at the Lauren Sergio School of Kinesiology and
Health Science in Toronto, conducted an experiment on
whether Qi energy can be directed and measured by
scientific instruments. Four adult males with a self
reported ability to project Qi energy were invited to
project the Qi energy at a series of copper coils that
were designed to measure slight alterations in the
electromagnetic environment. The results demonstrated a
significant increase in electromagnetic power during
test phases as compared to control phases. The analysis
also indicated that the change in electromagnetic
frequency was directional, as detected by stimulation of
one coil, two coils and all three coils per testing
instructions. These results suggest that it is possible
for human beings to alter the electromagnetic
environment around their hands at will. Whether
electromagnetic energy and Qi energy are one and the
same will have to be further discovered.
The California
Institute for Human Science is one of the few Graduate
schools and research Institutes that provides programs
that explain the scientific basis of the role of subtle
energy or chi in health and well being, as well as the
opportunities to conduct sound scientific research in
this area. The founder and president of the school, Dr.
Hiroshi Motoyama, has been internationally recognized
for his research and publications in the field of subtle
energy, and for the development of the AMI (apparatus
for meridian identification). This is possibly one of
the most extensively used devices for researching energy
and health.
On Saturday, January 21st,
CIHS will be holding an open day for the public from
11:00 am and will
be presenting a talk and demonstration of the healing
value of Qigong with Fay McGrew a well known San Diego
Qigong teacher. The effect of Qigong will be indicated
by the energy flow in the meridians shown by the
AMI
device.
