Binhui He

Recently many newspapers and magazines have reported some negative side effects or mental disorders from Qigong practice. Most notably, they cited cases of nervous breakdown, jumping from high building, and suicide. These reports have scared many Qigong beginners who are afraid of the similar "ultra deviation."

Indeed, can Qigong practice cause madness or mental deviation? The fact is that, through the history of Qigong practice, there were but a few in the tens of millions practitioners who did not get any benefits but have gone on to manifest some form of distress or deviation.

However, many so-called "disturbed" or deviated qigong practitioners have contacted me after experiencing difficulties in finding a cure for their condition. Under closer examination and analysis through, I have concluded that they have mistaken themselves as mentally disorder or simply "false report of deviation"

My own explanations concerning those who have had adverse reactions to Qigong practice are as following: These various mental disturbances or deviations are not a sign of madness, but rather a normal reaction during the qigong healing stage when potential diseases appear and old diseases re-emerge. A subsequent condition of intense pressure is experienced when the real qi (life energy) in our body tries to push through the three major gateways on the meridian. This accounts for the various somatic stresses one may feel: swelling at the cerebellum, loud echoes in the ear, swelling and pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms. At the onset of these feelings, one should increase one’s qigong practice: use your eyes to see through the "Baihui" point to help the qi pass through these major gateways. In light of these recent instances of misunderstanding, one without the benefit of a knowledgeable and experienced master may be inclined to reach the false conclusion that any disturbance is a prelude to madness or deviation. The unfortunate end result then would be that the person who most requires qigong practice would discontinue it, and for no better reason than fear and worry.

Of course, those types of reactions described above and all uncomfortable somatic feelings associated will subside once one stops practicing qigong entirely,and all without side effect. However, if the fear of mental disturbance is so strong that it provokes constant memory of the uncomfortable feelings, the memory itself as the consciousness can actually lead the person back to the previous Qigong practice condition, since the Qi goes with the mind; thus resuming the situation of getting the qi through the gateways. This, in turn, will generate more fear and stronger reactions, reinforcing erroneous conclusions that one is losing one’s mind and gone ultra deviation.

It bears repeating: Any fear or trepidation regarding so-called mental disturbances or ultra deviation stems entirely from a lack of understanding on the normal processes of qigong healing and practice. Any qualified master will address all such concerns and subsequently, all those equipped with proper instruction can proceed with confidence.

Another type of common problem includes what may be termed "involuntary movement" and "inability to close". These problems arise when a practitioner cannot relax and passively accept a natural flow of qi. Some may be alarmed when they experience rapid and strong movements during practice. If one tries to close prematurely or to effect the closing improperly then the strong free flowing qi may be scattered around instead of settling in the lower Dantian. In such cases, dizziness and discomfort may result. If one understands the principle of "Ultra static will turn into movement, and ultra movement will turn into static" and let yourself go with the flow and movement naturally, then you would not only fully recover from the uncomfortable feeling or uncontrolled movement, but also gain better health from the experience of ultra movement.

One other type of deviation is the new disease symptoms associated with Qigong practice. It may be noted that signs from any number of ailments or conditions may appear during Qigong practice. Some would term such things as abnormal reactions. However, it serves to remind that many who practice qigong had some chronic conditions in the first place. Some of these people may experience a range of symptoms, either old or new, specific to their health problems. This is a normal part of the qigong healing process: All ailments residing in your body -- past, present or emerging health problems -- will all appear before they are purged. The new symptoms are simply signs of strong Qi striking against the illness locations. Again, only those who do not fully understand the qigong healing process will misconstrue the appearance of certain conditions as abnormal reactions.

Lastly, there are those who practice qigong with less honourable motives in mind, namely, notoriety and wealth. There are those who seek what may be called a quick-fix, that is to say, immediate recovery and instant success. Some of them practiced Qigong for the purpose of reclaiming the supernatural power or of communicating with spiritual world. Needless to say, this wholly contradicts the basic principles of Qigong practice, "a life of simplicity and empty mind without desires". These ambitious and wrong-headed practitioners wish to distinguish themselves by mastering certain techniques such as: "Seeing with the Third Eye" levitation, moving objects by intention, and ability to communicate with the spiritual world. Those who seek such power and misuse it will soon find themselves exhausted of all inborn energy, deviated from normal qi flow, and became "mentally disturbed." All these unwholesome actions defy the laws of Nature and the Way.

There are others who want to pursue a high level of qigong status. They believe what they "see" in the Qigong status as real. There is the mistaken impression that one is communicating with God or spiritual world, but they could not tell the illusion in Qigong status further from the reality. These people have distinguished characteristics, which include, among other faults, absent-mindedness, strange behaviour, undue self-righteousness and acting like a schizophrenic. Friends and family of these practitioners are concerned, but the practitioner himself is blissfully unaware. Damage is permanent if corrective action is not taken promptly.

In conclusion, your qigong practice will be improved rapidly and successful if you can avail yourself to the natural flow of qi and if you adhere to notions "a life of simplicity and empty mind without desires" during practice. Only a reputable master, equipped with the proper knowledge of Taoism and Buddhism and experience of Qigong status, can facilitate a practitioner his natural practice, allowing the flow of qi and purging the body of ailments. Under the guidance of a reputable master, you will be able to follow the natural flow of qi without fear, understand the severe discomfort during the Qi striking the three gateways, and increase your practice when Qi strikes against illness locations causing more symptoms. When you are confronted with the Qigong illusion and imaginary sound during practice, you should take the methods of Taoism and Buddhism, "kill the Buddha and kill the Devil," ignore all the Qigong illusions, and continue practice without interruption. In this way you will never get into any deviation. On the contrary, your qigong practice may become harmful to you and toothers if you practice with wants and desires, seek for quick-fix or immediate success, or under the misguided influence of a "false" Qigong master.