Customer Reviews

China Falun Gong, Revised Edition

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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 for consumers and re-engineered to suit modern sensibilities and market demand. It's the real thing, and probably not what you have read before. It takes some effort. The rewards, however, as suggested by Falun Gong's explosive popularity (70 million people in China took it up within just seven years of its introduction to the public), make that effort well worth it, I would say.

I guess maybe somebody who has actually READ this book should take some time to review it.

It seems that the Chinese government has stepped up their efforts to smear Falun Gong. And now they are even trying to use Amazon.com as a vehicle to stop people from reading the books. What are they so afraid of - that people might actually make their *own* decision?

I *have* read this book, and I can tell you that it is nothing more than a simple, straightforward introduction to the popular practice of Falun Gong, which has recently been banned by the Chinese Communist Government because the sheer number of people practicing it is greater than the members of the Communist Party.

This book explains the exercises clearly, with pictures and descriptions, so that people can try it out and decide for *themselves* if the practice of Falun Gong is good for them. (It's called Freedom of Belief. It's in our Constitution - China's too, by the way).

Anyway, I highly recommend this book because it so clearly describes the practice of Falun Gong. All of this information is available for FREE download from the Falun Dafa website, as well, as is ALL Falun Dafa books and music, but if you would rather have an actual book right in your hand, then this is a great one to get!

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.

My introduction to Falun Gong came on a weekday afternoon when a smiling young woman handed me a leaflet as I exited a subway station in a major U.S. metropolitan area. I read of gentle exercises, improved health, and an emphasis on truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Books and videos were available for download from the Internet, and free, in-person teaching was available at a variety of locations. I went to the FalunDafa web site and downloaded video clips containing exercise instructions. I followed the directions closely and began practicing. After about a week, my wife remarked how much more patient I had become. I myself noticed that my ritual of opening a bottle of beer the minute I came home from work was becoming a less frequent practice. I wanted to learn more, and so I obtained the book, Falun Gong, and began to read it. As an individual with a firm foundation in Western philosophy, I was not ready for what I read.

Falun Gong teaches that Li Hongzhi himself (founder of the practice and author of the book) would use "spiritual beings" to "adjust my body" in preparation for the "installation" of a Falun (or law wheel) in my lower abdomen. The Falun is "an intelligent being composed of high energy substances" and existing "in another dimension." It would transmit cosmic energy to me as it rotated in a clockwise direction, and disperse energy to those around me as it rotated in a counterclockwise direction. It would rotate automatically, nine times in each direction, continually "refining the practitioner."

I read that through my exercises and cultivation of xinxing (high moral character), I would never again be sick, I would be "forever young," and the molecular structure of every cell in my body would be changed to something different. My "third eye" would open, permitting me to see into other dimensions, and demons would watch me and attempt to sabotage my progress as I cultivated to higher levels. Some practitioners would even develop supernormal capabilities, such as precognition, clairvoyance, and the ability to walk through the rain without getting wet!

I have nothing against Falun Gong and plan to continue practicing the exercises to help reduce stress. But its theoretical foundation is rooted in a different view of the universe, one that some might consider "primitive," "magical," or "superstitious." However one characterizes it, many will find it extremely difficult to reconcile with Western science and culture.

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.

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.

I was always feeling lost in this modern society. I worried about my heath, my job, my family and my future. After reading the book Zhuan Falun and doing the five sets of movements, I feel so peaceful, so happy and so healthy now.

In my own opinion, this is the most concise and powerful spiritual teaching I have researched. Based on truth, compassion and tolerance, Falun Gong teaches a way to upgrade spiritual levels and gradually clean oneself of harmful habits and tendencies that are all to common in society.

As a university student I've really benefitted and harmonized from these teachings.

Many things discussed are beyond the present knowlegde of empirical science but, I think its best not to limit our natural progression by the confines of what we presently know, of course in the furture we always look bach at previous beliefs as narrow and quite limited in their acceptance of new theories.

I started this practice about a year ago and I'm simply more enthused about the teachings. Some things were hard for me to understand at first but then I started to see the reality of what Li Hongzhi is teaching, which is how to go up not down, promoting Truth, Compassion and Tolerance and doing it for free. These books are free online.

falundafa.org

Falun Gong is an excellent book by Mr. Li Hongzhi that serves as an introduction to the practice Falun Gong (Falun Dafa). From my understanding of this book, Falun Gong is an ancient Chinese cultivation practice of mind and body, based on the universal principles of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance. In this introductory book on Falun Gong, Li Hongzhi illustrates the importance of focusing on xinxing (moral character or heart nature), the relationship between karma and virtue, the origin of illness, as well as teaching the exercises of his practice, which increase health and vitality. The book Zhuan Falun expounds on these issues even further, being the most comprehensive book on the teachings of Falun Gong.
The ways I have benefited from the practice of Falun Gong, this book and Zhuan Falun are too many to be mentioned here, but I will attempt to list a few. After practicing Falun Gong for about a year, I find myself a more Tolerant person, able to get along with others with much more ease. Practicing the exercises leaves me calm yet energized, and I have never felt healthier. I value integrity much more and try to act Truthfully, and in turn I feel better about myself! Compassion that I never knew existed in me is emerging, and now I am learning from Falun Dafa the meaning of unconditional kindness and what it means to be a genuine, warm-hearted human being. The principles set forth by Mr. Li Hongzhi, Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, have truly enabled me to become a better person and at last achieve happiness.
I recommend this book and Zhuan Falun for anyone interested in improving their hearts, happiness, and health.

Reading the book, learning the exercises, and practicing, is the only way that you will realy know. Other's comments and judgements can only delude your own. Follow your heart...