Master H

I have been searching for a teacher for qi gong and I found Master H, a fifth generation Chinese qi gong master. Although a 45-minute drive away and fairly expensive, I thought I would meet him at least once for therapy and maybe take a class with him.

            His studio was in one of the remaining suburban houses converted to offices off the main drag of a commercial strip. The living room level of the 60’s era split-level was a mirrored studio. There I met the receptionist, while on the other side of the room, Master H sat at his computer. After filling out and handing back the requisite forms, Master H said, “Ready?” and we ascended to the bedroom level.

            “How long you had Parkinson’s?” After I answered he told me to lie on my back on the massage table. He worked on my torso, spending most of the time pressing my abdomen after directing me to distend my belly then exhale as he pushed. Very uncomfortable, but worse was when I turned over and he began work on my back. Pressing hard on various points on my back, he might give me a minute’s break then return with seeming even greater force. At the second break I said, “OWWW…” and he said, “Very strong?” I agreed, then he went at it again for a total, I’m guessing, of 20 minutes until I was groaning. The very worst pain was when he pressed two points at the base of my skull for about a minute.

            Finally, after several attacks on my back and a few forays on my head and feet, he began rubbing ointment and pressing objects onto my back. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was cupping. “What does that do?”

            “It takes out toxins and dampness.” The ointment burned and smelled like Tiger Balm and perhaps it was. He threw a blanket over me and left me for 20 minutes.

            Master H returned, silently removed the cups, rubbed my back roughly, and then said curtly, “Done.”

            “Can I ask you a few questions?” When he nodded I asked if there were any exercises he’d recommend.

            “Buy my book, also I have a DVD.”

“But are there any exercises good for Parkinson’s?”

            “All exercises. I have treated 20 people with Parkinson’s. Nobody cured, but symptoms improve, trembles go away. Can only hope.” He recommended his fasting class, that fasting would be good for me.

            I bought his DVD and drove home. That night when I went to bed I felt some discomfort in my back. I looked in the mirror. There were 6 red circles on my back and bruises arising that by morning were darker yet. So I wasn’t being a wuss. That was serious pain, but I would endure it again if I knew it would help me. I believe however, that qi gong exercise will suffice.

Re-evaluation Counseling

When I lie on the table for my FSR treatment once a week, inevitably I end up talking to Sharon about what I’ve been thinking, and lately, this past year, I have been thinking a lot about my life. Sharon seems concerned that she may not be qualified to advise me about some of my problems. So, she expressed relief when I told her I was investigating Re-evaluation Counseling, a peer-counseling system developed by Harvey Jackins.

             Cousin Leslie told me she has been involved with RC for years, thought I might benefit, and gave me a contact person in my area. Not long after I contacted the person, an introductory meeting was arranged at Sandra’s house. After learning more about the theory of RC, and practicing counseling each other, three of us, June, Meryl and I signed on for a 10-week class with Sandra.

I have had several opportunities to practice RC; the longest session was today when Meryl came to my house and we took turns speaking and listening for half an hour each. The theory is that we all are “loving, cooperative, intelligent, and zestful,” but these qualities become blocked by accumulated painful experiences. If emotional discharge can be affected, these qualities can be restored. In a counseling session, laughing, shaking or crying might achieve emotional discharge.

In RC, a person is free to talk and express himself or herself in a private session with a partner. The partner offers no feedback or advice only listens. As intelligent beings, Jackins deems that we ourselves are most qualified to solve our own problems, if we are not burdened with emotional baggage.

With a timer set, I easily talked for my half hour. I felt afterwards that I had been given a gift -- to be able to speak freely and be listened to with no apparent judgment. I think I’ve been needing that.