HOW STRONG IS YOUR CHI?
We visited one of Beijing's universities, where the properties and power of Ch'i are the subject of a scientific study and are treated seriously. It is seen as science and all aspects of what is called 'grandma beliefs', superstitions, and folklore that have been accumulated over centuries, removed, and while ch'i is studied, no reference to the Tao is allowed, although the Masters we spoke with subtly acknowledged it.
In Australia. Master Cheng had explained and demonstrated the difference between soft Ch'i Kung, which focuses on healing, and hard Ch'i Kung, which is the source of the super strength behind the purest martial arts.
We were now to get a further insight into the power of controlled and focused ch'i in 'hard Ch'i Kung'. I knew a little about the legendary Shaolin Temple, and the feats of agility, flexibility, and superhuman strength the Shaolin monks practiced, while also mastering Buddhist spiritual practices.
Two men, looking a little like circus performers, stepped into the room, and I prepared to be 'entertained'.
One had a length of solid steel pipe about 1inch or so thick and about 4' long, it felt super heavy. He gave it to Master Cheng, Robert, and me to test for weight and strength, and we all confirmed it was solid steel.
He stepped back, took a strong stance, and twirled the pipe in big circles around his head, rapidly picking up speed until smashing it into his rib cage, with a sickening thud that left me grimacing in sympathetic pain. He repeated this several times.
He then just smiled graciously after giving his ribs a good, solid bashing and held the pipe above his head to show how much it had bent because of the impact.
The next ‘gentleman’ stepped forward and did a simple Ch'i Kung routine, this time focusing the Ch'i on his stomach area. His partner came over with a huge blade for us to test for weight and sharpness. It was heavy, and it was sharp!
He stood on two chairs, legs apart, and held the sharp edge of the blade against his stomach.
His partner took another heavy steel pipe, which again we verified for weight and density, and smashed it full force into the back of the blade against his stomach numerous times. The loud clanging of solid steel hitting steel resounded through the room.
As each blow was struck, delivered with an unrestrained force, I flinched with each blow!
At the end of the 'smashing', he removed the blade, revealing just a slight indentation in his stomach where the blade had been.
I was sure that if that had been me, I would have been sliced in half!
I was getting more insight into the power of focusing your Chi, and just what our potential was, both mentally and physically!
That night, when I practised my Ch'i Kung, I was relieved I was simply practicing soft Chi Kung, and that Robert didn't have a big blade wanting to try what we had seen!
But wait, there's more!
Next, another of the Masters the scientists were studying produced a new pack of cigarettes, which he opened in front of us, again having Robert verify their authenticity. Robert took one and lit it; the pungent odor of cheap Chinese cigarettes started to fill the room.
With a look of concentration, the Master passed it several times between a circle he formed with his thumb and forefinger.
He handed it back to Robert and asked him to smell it ...there was no smell...he asked Robert to light it and take a puff ...Robert took a big deep intake and exhaled...a look of surprise on his face.
“There’s virtually no taste, “ he said, “just tasteless like air.”
A bottle of Vodka was then produced, and a glass was poured. The same procedure was followed by Robert and me tasting it ... certainly strong Vodka and certainly cheap!
Again, a look of focus passed the Master's face as he placed his hand over the cup for a few seconds, and then, with a nod, passed the cup to Robert for a taste.
Similar answer...almost tasteless!!!!.
Where had the flavors gone? I felt in need of a stiff drink while I processed what we had just experienced!
Another believe it or not!
The Master opened his palm towards us, and the centre of his palm started pulsing rhythmically.
"I'm not using my lungs to breathe, I'm using my palms."
I didn't know what to think. It was a totally foreign concept that you could breathe through your palms, yet as I was to learn, many things would push the threshold of my experience and understanding.
Later, again through synchronicity, I actually found a book on studies the Chinese have been doing on Ch'i and supernatural powers, I'll share more about this later.
That night, as each day after I'd learnt something, I'd try it, I concentrated on my palm, staring at it, trying to connect with it externally and internally, transmitting Ch'i. But it just lay there impassively, and although I could feel a slight sensation just by focusing on it, breathing through it, I thought it would take an infinite amount of time, patience, and practice.
I decided I was happy just to let my lungs do their job, and I'd do my best to nurture and look after them!
The next morning Robert joined us at breakfast and told us how he had rubbed the blanket between his palms with the light off and had seen sparks, was he generating Ch'i ? Master Cheng explained this was indeed electricity but more of the static electricity variety as the blanket had such a high content of nylon.