The Main Meridians (Encyclopedia Of Dim-Mak) [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Erle Montaigue (Author), Wally Simpson (Author) "The gallbladder meridian is the second longest meridian and has the most usable points in dim-mak..." (more)
Key Phrases: shi conditions, transverse luo, fingertip percussion (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Combining Master Erle Montaigue's expertise with that of one of Australia's foremost acupuncturists, this remarkable work addresses the healing and martial sides of dim-mak under one cover for the first time ever. Every point on each of the 12 main energy meridians is examined in depth.

About the Author
Erle Montaigue was the first Westerner to be granted the degree of “Master” in taijiquan and dim-mak. In 1995 Erle was invited to study with Liang Shih-kan, the leader and “keeper” of the now almost extinct forerunner to taijiquan, the Wutan Shan System of Boxing, thus becoming the only Westerner and one of a handful of people to be taught the nine qi-disruptive methods. He serves as head of the World Taiji Boxing Association (WTBA), which has schools in more than 30 countries. He is highly regarded internationally as one of the leading instructors of the internal martial arts, including taijiquan

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press; illustrated edition edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873649230
• ISBN-13: 978-0873649230
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #783,566 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Necessary Book of DIM MAK, November 19, 2000

By	M. A. Ramos (Florida USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is one of the two DIM MAK books required. (See my other reviews). If you're looking for a book with a detailed history and detailed information about dim-mak, this isn't your book. However,if you're looking for a book with some history and information, as well as an to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as well as learning about the various points and what happens when you hit them in the right manner, this book is for you. As it says, this covers the main 12 meridians, with volume 2 covering the remaining material.

It is fascinating how the points can be used for both damaging and healing purposes, all of which is covered (yes, even death points). This is a dangerous art which is not to be used lightly. Highly recommended reading if you're interested even the slightest in martial arts or TCM. This book is extremely useful. The details about the meridians are fantastic. There are a lots of photographs in vivid detail. each and every meridian is explained with set-up and antidote points. Healing details is what makes this book stand out. The location of points is described with a lot of medical terminology that a non-medical reader will struggle to actually locate the point. But the pictures are helpful.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is a total scam, December 11, 2006

By	Ronin - See all my reviews

As a trained acupuncturist who has practiced martial arts since 1982 it is my humble opinion that this is a fraudulent book, as is the other vol. It will be obvious to any acupuncturist that Mr. Montaigue, with the aid of a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner (Simpson), simply made use of TCM texts and reversed the application of energetically active points to suit "his" Dim Mak model. Anyone who has been in a real fight will not harbor an illusion that they can make use of minute accupoints to defeat an opponent. This is pure fiction and displays a total lack of understanding of Qi energetics. I don't dispute that Dim Mak once existed, but those capable of using it are people who were raised in temples where life revolved around simultaneous medical & martial training for many years; an existence most westerners cannot really understand. So Earl who bounced around from place to place and one thing to another does not even remotely fit this model. In his bio, he dedicates 1-single line mentioning his "main internal martial arts master", and makes no mention of being granted a rank of sifu or receiving a place in the lineage from this "master". So what great knowledge was really passed to him?

Ask yourself logically: How does Earl know the effects of striking all 360 + accupoints? Has he hit that many people and studied the effects? Did one of those old Chinese teachers he brags about give him such complete details? Or is it that he is just giving you the TCM obvious, like ST9? It does not take rocket science to know that striking a point where the vagus nerve & carotid artery are close will produce a negative effect. In fact, every true martial art is aware of such targets.

While Dim Mak makes perfect sense to me in theory, I am under no illusion that it is something I will ever perform in my lifetime. I have studied with, met, and observed many Chinese "masters", and I have yet to encounter a single one who has such command of their Qi. Unless you have lived like a monk uninterrupted for some 20-years under expert guidance, it is simply not realistic in this age.

The application of real Dim Mak is beyond any of us today. It is the equivalent of performing acupuncture treatments without using needles, but under combat stress. If you believe Earl is some high Qi master, then this book may be for you.

More likely, your martial path will be significantly enhanced by studying the legitimate positive effects of these points through a TCM text book. After learning to heal yourself you can consider healing others. Earl's "Dim Mak" would have you take that in reverse. Focusing your Qi to harm others, or even just entertaining the thought is a dangerous act that has no place in daily training and should only be reserved for life-threatening situations.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty damn interesting, June 25, 2000

By A Customer

If you're looking for a book with a detailed history and detailed information about dim-mak, this isn't your book. However, if you're looking for a book with some history and information, as well as a nifty introduction to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as well as learning about the various points and what happens when you hit them in the right manner, this is DEFINITELY your book. As it says, this covers the main 12 meridians, with volume 2 covering the "extra" stuff.

There's a lot of medical mumbo-jumbo ("...lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fourth thoracic vertbra.) but there are drawn diagrams that show where the points are. Don't let the medical stuff keep you away though, because this book is simply fascinating, especially how the points can be used for both damaging and healing purposes, all of which is covered (yes, even death points).

This is a frightening art, and as the book says, it's not to be used lightly. It's dangerous stuff, but it's mind-blowing and really opens your eyes to alternatives to western medicine as well as the power of the body. Highly recommended reading if you're interested even the slightest in martial arts or TCM.