The Basics of Shen Wu’s Musical Qi Gong
On the top of the character for "music", there are two characters for "silk" on either side. Music played with the musical instrument, silk (or strings), can touch the heart and soothe the heart meridian. Also, the music strengthens the heart and keeps the spirit and the soul circulating throughout the body. One, having recovered from illness would express joy. Therefore, the character "music" came to represent joy. Judging from the above explanations, music and musical instruments offered medicinal care to the human body. In ancient times, people used music as a kind of therapy. According to "The Yellow Emperor's Manual of Internal Medicine" written five thousand years ago, a doctor named Mio‑Fu, sat on the floor, playing a bamboo pipe as medical treatment. As time passed, people discovered that herbs could be useful in treating physical ailments. People then added "grass" to the top of the character for "music", completing the word for “medicine”. Gong, Shang, Jieu, Zhe, and Yu are five notes, corresponding, respectively, to the five tastes--sweet, sour, bitter, salty and spicy. The idea of medical treatment using the five notes came before that of the five flavors, but both were popular among the people of the time. However, with the increase in efficacy of herbal medicine, the use of music as medicine vanished completely. Apparently, politics was alive and well in ancient China. The disappearance of music as medicine has an interesting history. In the beginning of Spring and Autumn (about 722‑484 B.C.), patients went to doctor "Tsu Yo" for medical treatment. Tsu Yo would wave a tender bamboo stick in an orderly rhythm, making simultaneous sounds like a song or melody. Gradually, the emperor chose this music for its calming qualities. The ruling class, however, feared that people would be so intoxicated with music that the military forces would be weakened and the country would become defenseless. Therefore, they tried to monopolize the music, dictating that music could only be played in the palace. Subsequently, saint Confucius decided to rate music, allowing each level to be listened to in accordance with one’s social class. During the Chin Dynasty, the ruler burned all the books and killed the scholars. All the musical scores were burned and music as a medical treatment disappeared. Though recollected by the people in the Tang Dynasty, to serve as medical treatment, music was only permitted for the royal families. The rulers of the Shung Dynasty regarded music as an extravagant way of life, thus rendering it unpopular.
Brief history of Chinese Music and Medicine.
Music has been a part of human existence for an incredibly long time; it is generally believed that human species lived on the land of China in the Paleolithic period about a million years ago. Archeologists have found musical instruments in China that are over 100,000 years old. These ancient people lived very close to nature. Music played an important part in the ceremonies connecting and harmonizing people with nature, their bodies, families, community, ancestors and spirit. The first evidence of music used for healing was about 8,000 years ago. The Chinese tale of a Master healer named Fu-Shi, he used music and specific musical tones, tones were associated with organs and the health of that organ could be improved by music having those tones. For example, the heart is associated with stringed instruments, the lungs metal, such as bells. Music became the first and oldest form of medicine practiced in China. This has been confirmed by archeological lands and writings for that time. About 5000 years ago, which is 3000 years after Fu-Shi a very famous person in Chinese medicine appeared Wang Di. Wang Di translates to yellow Emperor, Wang Di created many of the concepts that form the basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine today, he developed the concept of Qi, meridians, yin yang, acupuncture points, 5 elements and tones. This foundation has been built on for 5000 year, the well-known book The Yellow Emperor's Manual of Internal Medicine was written about 2,700 years ago. This classic book was written over 2,000 years after Wang Di; Emperor Yu is believed to have created the first Qigong exercise about 4,000 years ago. His people became very sick from a flood. Their legs swelled, joints ached and they were in a great deal of pain. The Emperor created steps and a dance for healing; the people followed the instructions and became healthy. Qigong or energy exercise was born, 4,000 years have passed since Fu-Shi used music as medicine, now 4000 years ago China has music, Qigong, and the concepts introduced by Wang Di. As time passed herbs were being discovered to have healing properties and became a part of Chinese Medicine. This can be seen in the Chinese character for medicine. A Chinese character is composed of the form and the meaning. The Chinese character medicine has the word grass or herb on the top and character for music on the bottom. China’s history has been marked by periods of innovation, learning, and enlightenment and periods of fear, tyranny and destruction. There have been Dynasties that supported literature, philosophy, arts and medicine and dynasties that destroyed the great works of prior dynasties in fear that knowledge could overthrow their rule. Around 2000 years ago the Chin Dynasty burned all the books and killed all the scholars they could find. Fortunately, some of these texts and knowledge was saved, but it is certain a great amount of wisdom accumulated over thousands of years has been lost, knowledge was passed on secretly and after at great risk. Many times having this knowledge or texts was punishable by death. This has persisted into recent times. Later the Tong Dynasty supported music as a medicine, however it could only be used by royal families and was a closely guarded secret. Over the past 2000 years Chinese medicine became separated into the tangible forms which include acupuncture and tui-na or massage and the intangible forms which include music and Qigong. Only royal families could use the intangible forms. The Sung Dynasty and more recently the Cultural Revolution considered this knowledge dangerous to their rule and banned from the general population.
Master Wu has dedicated his life to rediscovering this ancient wisdom, bringing it to people and combining it with modern science, technology and medicine. He has a unique combination of intelligence, family background, Chinese culture, healing gift, musical talent, desire to help others, good heart and hard work. He wants to help people become healthier, more at peace and harmony with themselves, others and nature. He has studied the original works of Chinese Scholars. Some at these are familiar to the west such as Confucius, many are not familiar. He learned Kung Fu and Qigong from his family and other master teachers. He is a professional musician and able to play many types of musical instruments. He understands and uses the mathematical concepts that are basic to Chinese culture. These concepts relax tones, frequencies and rhythm to specific internal organs and bodily functions. His music is created to heal the mind, body and sprit bringing a person into harmony with nature. Master Wu then combines this with Qigong and we have a very powerful healing force. The music and Qigong exercises are available to everyone. Finally combining Master Wu's music, Qi Gong with a healing treatment from Master Wu can open a person to the possibility - there is a great deal more to life and health than we may have previously believed. Master Wu describes his treatments as putting good Qi energy into a person at the point area or organ where the person's own Qi is low or blocked. His analogy as when we jump-start a car the car will start and run. Another analogy is the flow of energy is similar to one road on highway system. When there is an accident a traffic problem the flow slows or stops until problem is cleared. Qi energy flows like this and can be slowed on blocked. The more good Qi energy we have the stronger and healthier we are. Master Wu treats the intangible energy body and we can measure the affects on our tangible physical body. One of the first and most common benefits noticed by patients is less or no pain. To be and feel truly healthy both our tangible physical body and intangible energy body must be balanced, flowing and healthy. Whether you have an illness or injury, are currently healthy, wish to enhance your own health, feel and look better, maintain good health for a long happy life or are a professional world class athlete, or a health practitioner wanting to improve. Master Shen Wu and Music Qigong have something to contribute. Combining ancient wisdom with modern science, technology and medicine to contribute to the health, well-being peace and happiness of all peoples. |
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