China Falun Gong

The first time I heard about Falun Gong was through watching a television program called ABC Nightline, sometime in July 1999. It was about the Chinese government killing people who practice Falun Gong in China. Two people were interviewed by the host of the program. One person was the ambassador from PRC, the other person was a spokesperson for Falun Gong. The ambassador spoke like a gangster without proper manners. On the other hand, the spokesperson for Falun Gong was very polite and resembles someone of excellent breed. By just comparing the demeanor of both the speakers, I easily discern who is good and who is wicked. Six months later, I began learning Falun Gong. I read an earlier edition of this book. A month after that I went to a practice site in Minnesota to learn the movements from veteran practitioners. There were about 20 people practicing at that site, and they are friendly people, just like the Falun Gong spokesperson that I saw on TV. Some are Chinese, some Caucasians and others. Today I am in Florida and I still practice because I benefit from it. Hope you don't miss it.

As a long-time student of Chinese culture and internal alchemy, I have to say this is an exceptional book. It offers a range of insights into the phenonmenon of qigong and is written in an accessible, down-to-earth manner. The contents of the book far exceed those of the several dozen other qigong and tai-chi books I have read. It is the best place to learn what Falun Gong is about or to learn about Chinese qigong more broadly. The books offerings, I would say, are twofold. First, it gives something of a succinct tour de force of the world of qigong, illuminating many of its not-so-well understood aspects and intricacies. It makes sense of a range of phenomena not well understood, including supernormal functions, the mind-body connection, the deeper origins of sickness, the multiple levels of healing, and the historical relationship between China's spiritual traditions (namely Buddhism and Taoism) and qigong. Most any scholar of qigong will confer that these aren't things typically discussed with the general public; the author has done something bold in disclosing the heart of his decades of qigong training and self-cultivation. Second, the book is a practical guide, complete with photo illustrations and technical specifics, as to how a person "practices" or does Falun Gong. Most any question a beginner could think of is answered, while veterans of the practice with whom I have spoken share that they still get a lot out of reading the text. It discusses the practice in rather concrete terms and goes through the basics of both the exercises/meditation and self-cultivation component. As such I would recommend it for people new to qigong over Falun Gong's other core text, Zhuan Falun. The test of a theory is of course its results, and it is results that compelled me to write this review. Since reading the book and taking up the practice I have been delighted -- and pleasantly surprised -- by its effects. I found my years of chronic food allergies, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Wilson's Syndrome (a thyroid system disorder) at last resolved. I sleep better, am far more relaxed, have a better temper, find myself consistently upbeat, have lots of energy, and best of all am not constantly dwelling on my health problems. In this vein the feeling is one of freedom, and for this I'm grateful. While I have a long way to go in the practice, admittedly, I would definitely say it has already effected something of a shift in consciousness -- one away from self-defeating negativity, judgemental thinking, and self-absorption towards a form of more compassionate, joyful, balanced living. The sense of well-being you get from doing Falun Gong is downright visceral. The others I 've met who do Falun Gong in my city report similar benefits, and I would have to say they are the nicest, most giving people I've ever met. I think the trick, of course, is to approach the practice with an open mind and a healthy dose of patience. This isn't ESPN'ized yoga -- tailor made

My life has been completely changed ever since I read this book (and Zhuan Falun) a year ago. Knowing the purpose of human existence and how the universe operates, the quality of my life has improved immensely. I am healthier than I have ever been, and I never realized that I could be so peaceful and serene, and that many negative things have no impact on me. It is truely a wonderful feeling! People owe themselves to read this book. This book uncovers a lot of profund principles in a subtle way therefore keeping an open mind and reading it a few times will be very helpful. People who read this book with a critical mind will for sure keep themselves away from the truth. They are actually doing themselves a disservice.

If you have read this book, and you want to continue practice Falun Dafa, I highly suggest that you read Zhuan Falun which is a complete text for cultivation of body-spirit-mind. If you know the history of the Chinese Communist Party, you would know why they are so afraid of such a righteous teaching. Falun Dafa teaches people to be truely good, from physical body to inner self. Hope you enjoy practicing this great cultivation system.