Ted Cibik's Inner Strength

Meaninglessness Of Words

Ted Cibik — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:39:12 GMT

In my recent book, Armageddon of the Mind, I quickly realized that the intellectual exercise of writing about emotions (and especially spiritual things) is very difficult for one to accurately create a depiction of for readers. The things we hold most dear in the deepest reaches of hearts and minds are the most difficult to describe. Who really has written a true definition of pure altruism? Who has written a true representation for the pure love of God? Yet these two emotions have prevailed throughout history and are infused in many of our most sacred books. The most familiar way of describing these acts is by the telling of stories or myths.

The transference of ideas from one human being to another through the use of words in books, the Internet and in college writing all have their place and importance in life. Not being able to read a road sign and grasp its meaning could be fatal or not being able to read directions on consumer products could also cause enormous misery - That is not what I am speaking of here.

I am considering, as many philosophers before me such as Hume, Kierkegaard, Reinhold and Bacon, who through their incredible intellect, argued the validity of words. Unlike their minds however, I believe that words are only unfitting when used to describe emotions and spiritual experiences.

Words are meaningless if there is no cognitive conscious reference the mind can tangibly attach to. In other words (no pun), the uses of words to describe thought have no significant meaningÅ if they are not attached to an object of the senses. The senses, or portals in Chinese medicine, are the sentient component that limits us to this plane of existence in comprehension – corresponding to the left-brain. For example, most of our orientation in this world comes from our vision. Imagine what your perception of a sunset would be if you were blind from birth? Could you understand the color? Could you understand the way the light contrasts with the clouds? The way a blind person may write about sunset would be different than a person with sight. The use of the portals or senses is critical as that is how we portray tangible things and objects in our mind. Even how we depict a kiss or romance is often defined by what we see in life, movies and pictures and the sounds associated with them. This is the earthy plane of our defined reality.

By contrast, the heavenly plane: that of feelings or right brained is where we can grasp and bring to consciousness the feelings of Love and laughter for example. We all know what those experiences are like, and mankind has tried to capture them in writing for centuries from poems to plays to books. In reality, when someone can capture just a portion of those feelings correctly, and can emotionally move someone in their reading, they are considered a brilliant author.

A definition of earthy vs. heavenly in that all experiences are earthy when they can be described from references points of things created on earth - including paintings and objects under a microscope – even science. The heavenly realm, however, is untapped in possibilities. It is what we have not seen or incomprehensible due to lack of reference. It is the last frontier of discovery. Therefore, when you try to lock in a continually repoducable definition that fits all cases – you will fail. The uniqueness of the human experience such as Love, altruism and God, are ultimately things that are heavenly. John Locke, who amongst other things, influenced our founding fathers, the American revolutionaries and whose philosophy can be seen in the Declaration of Independence states, “Natural Philosophy [the study of nature] is not capable of being made into science.” This thinking is actually a very Taoist point of view.

In Armageddon of the Mind, I propose methods for tapping into that exact frontier of heaven - while embodied here on earth. It is a way to open your mind to a new paradigm of thinking, feeling and experiencing God. See www.armageddonofthemind.com for more details.

Å Significant meaning here refers to the ability to transfer a concept(s) or thought accurately from one person to another without misconception. Otherwise this thought is indigenous to the creator of that thought.

Copyright control of this article, the title and ALL content remains with Inner strenth, Inc. at ALL times. Content may not be copied, altered, edited, disseminated, or reproduced in any way.

AutoImmune Disorders Worse in Fall and Winter

Ted Cibik — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:01:14 GMT

Well it is that time of year again. I am sure that all of you are thinking the same thing….the time of the Kidneys in Classical Chinese medicine! Many people become acutely aware and worried this time of year because the immune system becomes severely challenged; especially for asthma, COPD, Emphysema, common colds, flus and even panic attacks ….. all do increase this time of year.

In a recent article in CHEST it states: “Health-care utilization for children with asthma changes with the seasons, peaking in the fall. Using data from the United Healthcare database, researchers from the University of North Carolina reviewed health-care utilization patterns and asthma medication usage in children aged 2 to 5 years and 6 to 12 years from 2002 to 2004. Results showed that health-care utilization was minimal in the summer; however, September consistently served as a point of increase for health-care utilization for both age groups. In October and November, peak emergency department visits for the two age groups were approximately 2.4 to 2.8 times higher than in July; outpatient visits were approximately 3.1 to 3.3 times higher; and hospitalizations were approximately 3.7 to 5.6 times higher. Asthma controller and reliever medication claims increased beginning in September and peaked in December. Rates for health-care use and claims for asthma medications also were elevated in February.”

So you can see we are right in the middle of one of the worse times of year for people with breathing disorders. Fortunately, I have a solution for many of you: Asthma QiGong.

See www.inner-strength.com/Products.htm for more information.

It takes only 6 weeks of training inQiGong/Taiji, according to a recent article in CHEST, to have immense positive physiological and emotional changes. Remember that Taiji is QiGong, especially the way it is taught in America. According to the report, “…..patients showed significant improvements in peak flow variability, asthma control test score, negative inspiratory pressure, 6-minute walk distance, and quality of life. Patients also increased their maximum work rate, maximum oxygen consumption, and exercise endurance time. Researchers conclude that QiGong training could be an effective, nonpharmacologic, adjunctive therapy for patients with persistent asthma to help them achieve better asthma control and quality of life.”

QiGongis one of the best-kept secrets for any person with an autoimmune disorder.Please start becoming pro-active in your health care and taking care of yourself with these easy to perform and effective exercises for body and mind.

Multiple Sclerosis From a Integrative Medicine Perspective

Ted Cibik — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:00:42 GMT

Multiple Sclerosis, also known as disseminated sclerosis is a chronic relapsing/remitting disease of the central nervous system that affects 2.5 million people worldwide, with women affected one-and a half times as often as men. Symptomatology includes weakness, numbness, balance problems, impaired vision, bladder dysfunction and psychological distress and changes.

Western diagnosis is usually made after several sclerosed or scarred, locations throughout the brain and spinal cord are located either by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging or MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy). The western prognosis is bleak as the body’s immune system begins to attack the protective insulating cover of the nerves and causes destruction to the axon (nerve body) itself. This autoimmune disease, where the white blood cells attack normal body tissue, is also categorized in lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases of inflammation.

Ever since I spoke at The National QiGong Conference about my protocols for Multiple Sclerosis, I have been flooded with calls from patients and practitioners alike. In every case where the patient is compliant, the Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.) has been placed into remission permanently - defined as either no further demyelination and no loss of muscle control or reverting to a state of normal movement prior to being diagnosed. In a recent case, three large lesions on the Sea of Marrow (spinal column) completely disappeared with confirmation from an MRI. I was hesitant to publish such findings until I had built up enough conclusive cases (over 100), but I believe more good can come of disseminating this information rather than keeping “a lid on it” until this happens.

As an educator, I believe that communication and understanding are critical to the success of any process. As a healer who has had to heal himself of cancer and a congenital autoimmune disorder, I understand what is required and what is asked of a person physically, emotionally and spiritually (the three Dan Tiens) to heal. In my clinic and in my classes, I try to communicate the process of healing – a method that is not always defined by a schematic drawing, college curriculum, or a flowcharted progression; but moves in cycles like the Tao. My intention, therefore, in this article is not to provide a step by step procedure to “cure” M.S.; but, to share insights and information that has lead to the reversal of classic symptoms of M.S. in vivo. The sharing of available insight and information overrides my concern that this will be looked upon as a panacea for M.S. treatment.

As my teacher Jeffrey Yuen stated, “There are no incurable diseases, only incurable people.”

One of the pleasures of being a Laoshi (teacher) is to follow students progress through life changing realizations that forever transform the nature of how they look at themselves. In Chinese you might refer to this as LingTao or the way of the soul. As a Medical QiGong instructor, I have the privileges of seeing many students gain insight into their true potential as human beings and become aligned with the Tao. As I can attest, frequently health related challenges and trials become the catalyst for such change.

Inflammation as the Root

Inflammation, in my professional opinion, is the root cause of many chronic diseases and ailments. Labels such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies, COPD, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, rheumatoid arthritis, Reflex System dystrophy (RSD or RND) and some forms of cancer are but a few ailments attributed to the inflammatory processes, albeit though different mediators. Inflammation is not an infection per se, but is a part of a reflexive reaction of protection whereby the communication process intrinsic to the body/brain becomes systemically caught in an incessant cycle of aggravation.

In recent findings at Emory School of Medicine, the mast cells normally studied in the respiratory tract and in the skin (asthma and allergies sufferers) may be releasing agents (histamine) into the central nervous system damaging the myelin sheath. In my lifelong study of asthma, I have realized that histamine and other inflammation markers were one of the keys in determining how to re-balance the body, so I continued to look for the root cause of these imbalances.

From a western perspective, The spleen is an immunologic filter of the blood. It is made up of B cells, T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and red blood cells. Aside from capturing foreign materials (allergens or antigens) from the blood that passes through the spleen, migratory macrophages and dendritic cells bring antigens to the spleen via the bloodstream.

In the Nan Jing, Difficulty 42, it states “The Spleen governs the blood.”

In Chapter, 8 of the Ling Shu it states. “If there is Spleen Qi deficiency, then there will be lack of agility in the four limbs.” Such is what typically manifests as M.S. progresses until a person cannot walk or move their arms often succumbing to a wheelchair.

Etiology of M.S.

Common predominating assessments that I have observed in M.S. patients is excessive Liver Yang and Kidney Yin Deficiency, mostly combined with Spleen Qi deficiency. Additionally, I see overwork/stress, excessive animal fat consumption and alcohol creating a Damp condition as well. Occasionally I have noticed excessive sadness and grieving, usually as yearning for something to be as it was in the past (real or imagined) consume and injure the Lungs.

This injury to the Lungs causes a further depletion of Wei Chi fields. The Wei Chi fields in Medical QiGong are 3 distinct regions each attached to a Dan Tien (Upper, Middle and Lower) that are further controlled by the Lungs. As the Lungs become injured, the Wei Chi or defensive Qi lessens, allowing external pathogenic factors to invade (especially to the sinews) causing additional difficulty.

During acute flare-ups, allopathic treatment include corticosteroids that are used in high to diminishing dosages to reduce exacerbation. Corticosteroids ultimately deplete the Wei Qi field further inhibiting the Lungs ability to disseminate Qi inside and out, above and below.

Excess Liver Yang

Intrinsic to Chinese medicine is the concept of heat in a Yang state. The expansiveness due to dilation of blood vessels and increased blood flow (hyperaemia), oedema and the stretching and distortion of tissues all can be categorized by the definition excessive Yang or sometimes Yin deficiency. Think of this heat as being a toxic burden to the fluids of the body, especially the blood and more specifically the white blood cells.

Lesions in the Sea of Marrow

An interesting observation has occurred in several cases that causes me to postulate the potential root cause of M.S. exacerbation - excessive anger/frustration turned inward. Excessive amounts or consistent states of heat producing emotions, such as anger/frustration or even jealousy, can cause the rising of Yang Qi toward the head or brain. The excessive heat generated by suppressed anger, or frustration appears to “bake” the Sea of Marrow (spinal cord/brain) and produce fissure like aberrations called lesions as well as degrade the myelin sheath. These lesions have a tendency to coagulate in the area of the head called the occipital pass.

This consistent underlying state of aggravation also taxes Kidney Yin, eventually causing the drying of JinYe or fluids, especially the Ye. Remember, the Ye functions as a lubricant that fortifies Jing-essence and Sui (marrow). This causes the Spleen to work overtime trying desperately to separate fluids and send this crippled post-natal- Qi to the Lungs.

The SanJiao now has become crippled by the extra heat in the body and the wounding from many personal negative experiences now affecting the Pericardium, the Hearts protector, which is paired with the San Jiao. These personal negative experiences can be the lack of answers and integration among departments of medicine when fighting a disease as crippling as M.S. or the consumption of life energy (Qi) that such a disease takes to just “get through the day.” This pathology is well documented in the Thirty-sixth Chapter of the Ling Shu.

The combination of drying of fluids, the heat in the blood and the depletion of Qi causes an enormous assault on the Shen. The effect on the Shen will be another article in a future issue.

To be clear, I do not believe that every case of M.S. is caused by a consistent state of anger, resentment, frustration or a longing for something to be. However, there is some trigger/catalyst/event (which can be emotional states) that begins a transformation that switches on a specific pathogenic process - whether that be a mutation of cells or an interruption in vital communication between systems. I believe this switch to be the cause of many cancers and autoimmune disorders and unique to each individual based on post-natal occurrences.

Hun and Dreams

Another pattern that I have observed is the lack of dreaming in many patients with M.S. Many people report not remembering their dreams, but most know that they in fact had them. What I am referencing to here is the total lack of dreaming with repeatedly waking and “being in a bad mood.” This could be partly by the heat generated by the Liver via the anger/frustrations that causes the Hun to flee. I have also observed that when the patient begins to dream again after Medical QiGong treatments, the process is beginning to reinstate a comfortable place for the Hun to reside and the patient is on their way to healing.

The Hun will also allow communication between the conscious and the subconscious which are sometimes referred to as “Heaven Within.” This is a natural way for the conscious to become aware of problems of a deeper nature and most importantly its solution. Remember the Taoist phrase, “As above, so below” when thinking of this relationship between heaven and earth. When the Hun (Yang/Heaven) remain, the intrinsic communication process of managing the disease process becomes less convoluted, tempered through instinct, “gut feelings’ and the important messages imprinted by the Hun to us via the Divine. These messages have to be interpreted by the Shen or Heart and the Yi or Spleen. If there is a blockage here, the Medical QiGong Doctor can help to reestablish connection and communication.

In the practice of Taoist medicine, the dreams and their meanings are quite different from a Freudian approach to dreams. In Taoism, we look at integration among the various systems (i.e. the physical, the emotional and the spiritual) of which the Hun can communicate regarding all three. Remember in Taoist medicine, the blood contains a holographic template of our entire existence of all our experiences and thoughts. This extensive library of information is recorded and kept by the Hun and at the time of death is returned back to heaven.

The understanding of the communication process does take education, awareness and experience, but it ultimately is a very powerful tool. The messages and internal signals from the subconscious and the Divine reveal a method of progression that then can be utilized by the healer to facilitate an appropriate healing response. Obviously, this varies from patient to patient depending on what pre and post—natal conditions and experience the patient brings to us.

The diet and pH

Food selection for M.S. patients including various supplements, could be an article unto itself, however, several guidelines should be met. Most importantly, begin to think of food as energy, rather than proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and begin to envision the matching and mixing of (Yin and Yang) of the energetics of food.

First, the pH of the body, or another way of saying post-natal Qi, is critical to the recovery process and re-myelination of the sheath. The pH needs to remain a constant 7.34 (the same pH as blood), otherwise, the body will prioritize the stabilizing pH levels prior to doing any additional healing. The body keeps a certain amount of energy reserves available for healing, but if the body has to stabilize its own internal milieu, then that is where the energy will be utilized.

Second, the elimination of prostaglandin 2 producing foods needs to be eliminated or reduced. Prostaglandin 2 is an inflammation marker that encourages lymphocytes to increase in activity as well as the inflammation process to increase dramatically hence activating an autoimmune response. The Swank diet, which speaks of the reduction of alcohol, high fat foods and meat are sound advice and have been used with success. The Swank diet is similar in nature to how we would treat a damp condition in Chinese medicine.

Damp conditions are best resolved with eliminating raw, cold and sweet food especially dairy, yeast (as in too many wheat bread products) beer, sugars and sweeteners and saturated fats - especially hydrogenated fats found in most preprocessed crackers, chips and cookies. Be sure to include more aduki beans, green tea, daikon, pears, apple peels, grapes, seaweed, sardines and clams. These foods allow damp and heat to be dispersed.

Third, increasing prostaglandins 1 and 3 becomes necessary to calm the immune system. The most common way to do this is to increase the number of cooling vegetables consumed and well as Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA) most commonly found in evening primrose oil, borage oil and black current seed oil. I have personally found that borage oil works best as it has a higher GLA content.

Lastly, the adding of a supplement called Resveratrol, derived from red-wine, balances Yin and Yang in the Sui . The supplement prevents the bone destroying cells called osteoclasts (Yin) from forming and then balance the bone-building cells (osteoblasts (yang) ) to proliferate and stabilize the Sui. Additionally, this supplement has shown promise in reducing plaque associated with Alzheimer disease – or a sea of marrow issue in Taoist Chinese Medicine.

Herbals as Food

The use of herbal medicine can also be considered food and follows very well with the philosophy of naturopathy and Taoist Chinese Medicine. The original formula that I used in called Pingfu Tang with slight modification based on assessment of Wei Chi fields.

The basic formula ingredients consists as follows:

Huang Qi, GouQi Zi

Fresh Bie Jia Zhi MuChai Hu

Dang Shen Huang Qin

Nu Zhen Zi Dang Gui

Bai Shao Bai Zhu

Mai Men Dong Ban Xia

Fu Ling Gan Cao

Sheng Di Huang Da Zao

The Doctor of Medical QiGong uses Wei Qi fields to assess patients much like the acupuncturist uses pulse and tongue. Once correct assessment is made, the Doctor can adjust the ratios of herbals in the formula as well as add to the formula depending on other conditions being displayed.

Assessment of Wei Chi fields becomes a critical part of interpreting what is the root condition of the patient. The Wei Chi fields of M.S. patients are usually deficient in their density and thickness. The texture is quite a different feel from other autoimmune diseases as it is porous around the outside edges of the trauma while the point of trauma, or the “eye” is usually congealed and hot. Often times when scanning these areas, the patient will begin to stir out from his comfortable state. Taking note of where these areas are in regards to channel divergences and Ashi points all paint a picture leading to solve this individual mystery.

Medical QiGong Prescriptions:

The importance of stabilizing post-natal Qi becomes critical to allowing a healing environment. Medical QiGong in its elaborate simplicity becomes a cornerstone of being pro-active in the disease process. The following Qi prescriptions are basic for a beginner to become accustomed to the intangible world of energy. As you read through these QiGong exercises, keep in mind that the Qi level is where all possibilities occur!

Ascend the Yin descend the Yang

This exercise is relatively simple to perform and should be performed three times per day. Foundationally speaking, the three Yin channels run up the inside medial side of the leg and the three Yang meridians run outside or laterally down the outside of the leg, The hands, specifically using PC8 as a vacuum cleaner of sorts begins to dredge the Qi blockages on the inside of the medial Yin channels and release them through the “hollow” organs of the Yang on the lateral aspect of the leg. This is done by breath expression: inhaling on the Yin and exhaling on the Yang. Using the intention or Yi of the mind is critically important as is the breath. The mind must “feel and see” the blockages being removed and then feel the smooth and easy flow of Qi flowing through the channels in an unobstructed stream of energy. The mind must command the Qi with an implicit set of instructions and depth of understanding of what is happening in order to be effective. Fear and doubt have no place in the mind for true healing to occur.

Tone therapy for breaking up stagnation in the three Dan Tiens

The three Dan Tiens become a critical focal point for therapy for M.S. patients. Keeping the three in balance in important for everyone, but the tendency for M.S. patients to have a congested Middle Dan Tien is more prevalent. The communication process between the three Dan Tiens becomes critical for remission and progress to be made. For a complete description of the three Dan Tiens and how they relate to western anatomy, pH function as well as each other, see the book Air Passages.

The Three Sounds and their locations:

Ohm Upper Dan Tien M-HN-3

Ha Middle Dan Tien CV15

Reeem Lower Dan Tien GV4

The hands become an important focus point to lead the Qi to specific points on the body (see figure 1.1 thru 1.3). The Large Intestine becomes the area where we want the stagnation lead to for eventual elimination, so we use the index finger as a pointer per se, to give the body instruction on where to drain the Damp Heat.

On the inhalation, pull up the Huiyin point to Shenque and place the tongue on the Heart position. As you inhale, gather Qi from the environment and allow a large ball of Qi to form in front of you, slowly absorbing the Qi ball into your tissues as you continue to inhale. During the pause between the breath, feel the Qi swirling in the tissues counterclockwise, much like swirling water inside a glass to rinse it. On the exhale, open the Huiyin point and drop the tongue to the Earth position to allow for purgation. Lead the Qi into the former points for each Dan Tien as you audibly emit the tone for each proper area. As you do this, the combined focused Qi and the vibrational tone will begin to purge stagnation/inflammation/Heat from the three Dan Tiens and lead it out through the Huiyin point to be disbursed into the Earth. Remember, imagination leads the Yi as the Yi leads the Qi.

Conclusion

Incorporating Medical QiGong and food therapy are the ultimate way of controlling inflammation-based diseases like Multiple Sclerosis. Through pro-active means and support, the M.S. patient can begin the journey of healing from within, the place where the true journey lies in all of us.

Dr. Ted J. Cibik, PhD, ND, DMQ (China), CHFS, Zhong Yi 中醫 is executive Director of Inner Strength, Inc. located near Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Cibik has studied healing methods and martial arts since childhood. His interest in the Chinese medical classics, the ancient Wu and Yi as well as modern physics allow for a unique synthesis and insight brought forth in his teaching at Inner Strength Campus.

For more information on upcoming seminars treating inflammatory disease, contact him at (724) 845-1041 or on the web at www.inner-strength.com.

Copyright control of this article, the title and ALL content remains with Inner strenth, Inc. at ALL times. Content may not be copied, altered, edited, disseminated, or reproduced in any way.

Asthma, Allergies and Staph Infections

Ted Cibik — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:46:32 GMT

As a researcher at Inner Strength, one of the activities I like to do is to pull together information that has not been previously linked together or perhaps not linked together in a helpful organized manner to the consumer. This is true with a very common condition linking asthma and allergies, which I have been researching for many decades.

My observations have lead me to believe that people who are afflicted with asthma should be checked for Staphylococcus aureus (SA) on a constant basis to make sure that the ratio of this bacterium, that is normally on the skin and in the nose, does not begin to flourish exponentially – leading to periods of exacerbation of asthma and atopic flairs. Any decrease in immune function (such as a simple cold or exposure to concentrated allergens) or challenging of the system (stress) can lead to imbalance.

In the recent Journal of Immunology, it states,“Staphylococcus aureus (SA), a primarysource of bacterial superantigen (SAg), is known to colonize the human respiratory tract and has been implicated in airway inflammation. Studies have documented a role for SAgs in respiratory disorders, such as nasal polyps,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic rhinosinusitis, and asthma. However, cellular and molecular mediators involved in SAg-mediated pulmonary disease have not been clearly identified.”

In otherwords, how all of this is linked remains a mystery. Most of these staph infections remain local to their area, but breaks in the skin or surgery, evena paper cut can cause the pathogen to go deeper. People can also ingest foodthat has been infected with SA.

Several diseases can be caused by this spherical bacterium leading to osteomyelitus, urinary tract infections, toxic shock syndrome, diarrhea, sinusitis, pneumonia,boils and carbuncles, scalded skin syndrome as well as asthma and severe atopic dermatitis.

Major ingested culprits that contain SA are meat and meat products; poultry and egg products; salads such as egg, tuna, chicken, potato, and macaroni; bakeryproducts such as cream-filled pastries, cream pies, and chocolate éclairs;sandwich fillings; and milk and dairy products. The more the food is handled or kept at an elevated temperature, (heat lights) the greater the risk.

SA can also exist exist in our air, dust, ventilations systems, sewage, water, on food equipment, and any environmental surface. Humans and animals are the primary holding areas – especially the skin. SA is present in about half of the population considered to be 100% healthy (This statistic varies depending on who you listen to)! So you can see that SA is enormously available.

Treating this bacterium is very difficult at best. Many antibiotics have been used successfully, but super strains like MRSA have been creeping in neutralizing pharmaceuticals effectiveness.

For the asthmatic and the chronic skin sufferer, I have developed several formulas using essential oils and household products that not only alleviate the symptoms (when the bacterium in finally under control), but also can be used to keep the whole system in balance. These products are something that I use personally and I am beginning to share with my clients.

Please contact my office for further information at www.inner-strength.com

Copyrightcontrol of this article, the title and ALL content remains with Inner strenth,Inc. at ALL times. Content may not be copied, altered, edited, disseminated, orreproduced in any way.

Alternative Medicine vs. Biomedicine

Ted Cibik — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:56:59 GMT

I have been meaning to write about this for a long time,perhaps this is a bigger project than just an entry on the Blog, but here are some thoughts on the “two camps.”

Like all literature, scientific or otherwise, it is dictated and written by ones experiences, education, political climate (consider writing during the time of the Inquisition or in China during the Cultural Revolution), as well as the period of history we are in (blood tests are normal now - 200 hundred years ago we could not see aspergillus niger (a fungus that can grow in the lung).

So before I continue, I wanted to give a very brief account of my experience & education to allow you to see through my eyes on this topic.

Growing up in the 60’s having been diagnosed, as “one of the 10 worst asthma cases in the world” with a “severely compromised immune system”was the impetus for my education. Being told that I may not live past the age of 5, 12, 16, 18… etc was common in my world from different physicians and hospitals around the country. Every spring and summer we would “tour” different hospitals and physicians in order to help me – always looking for “the answer”. If you can’t tell, my parents were incredible. My father worked three hard, physical jobs to pay for all of this out of pocket expense. My mother worked outside the home as well when needed. Ahh, in hindsight, a tenacious work ethic is demonstrated clearly to me.

The necessity of self-preservation can drive the youngest of minds to search and seek knowledge (conventional and unconventional) in order to survive.

At age eight, I was reading high school biology books to try and understand myself. I was training in Ch’an Buddhism and martial arts to regulate my mind and body. My after school play time was spent in meditation to calm my breathing (so I could breathe) and practicing QiGong and martial arts to exercise and move my blood (circulation). I read only textbooks at this tender age (except for the comic book on Saturday night after church (a big treat by the way!)).

I read about and incorporated vitamins, herbs, tinctures, movement therapy or exercise science (back then it was called physical culture or “ radical”),different isolation diets, sunlight therapy, pharmaceuticals (several of which I was the “test subject” for), mindfulness training, TM, all before the age of 12. Libraries were my friends. I kept myself alive and I kept optimistic. I was doing health research well before the eligibility for a Ph.D.

Most of my true education was outside of conventional school- this continues to this day.

So when I hear the word “alternative medicine” it makes my blood boil. Did one particular therapy or camp (alternative or biomedicine or allopathic serve all my needs?

Hell No! It was all needed. True Integrative healthcare.

If we use any word to describe medicine it should ALL be complimentary - which includes ALL camps.

But see, there is the difference between medicine and healing. Medicine is something we “do to someone” - healing happens from within. Medicine can augment the healing process, but is cannot do it alone. We still need the miracle of the human body/mind and spirit.

When we begin to stop segregation of medicine, embrace humanity and become pro-active and accountable in our own healthcare – we will begin to heal the true diseases of prejudice and separation.

If you like this kind of thinking, come to Inner Strength Health and Wellness Center for one of our seminars – I would love to meet you before or afterwards. See www.inner-strength.org for details.

Copyright InnerStrength, Inc. All rights reserved under state and federal laws. Copyrightcontrol of this article, the title and ALL content remains with Inner strength,Inc. at ALL times. Content may not be copied, altered, edited, disseminated, orreproduced in any way.

QiGong, Exercise and Cancer

Ted Cibik — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:36:10 GMT

Cancer and your QiGong Workout

I have been a proponent for QiGong as a therapeutic modality for cancer patients for over 10 years now and I would like to offer some tips on your QiGong practice for those teaching QiGong and exercise in general for cancer patients regardless of the phase of cancer they are in.

The American Cancer Society states that at least 30 minutes a day of dedicated exercise above and beyond the usual activities of daily life on five or more days a week is needed to really reduce your cancer risk. Most of us could use more activity in our day and QiGong is another way to provide that daily recommended dosage. So whether you have cancer, want to prevent cancer or just want to add another aspect your workout these tips and ideas are for you!

Recent research has found that exercise is more effective at combating cancer-related fatigue than the usual care provided to patients. I have a special program called QiGong Exercise Specialisttm that teaches QiGong for cancer as well as other autoimmune diseases. The Exercise Specialist program teaches all of the below tips plus much much more on movements that could be contraindicated in cancer patients (and other diseases) and how to adapt the movements for safety and actually make them more effective saving time, energy and risk of injury.

If you have had a lot of vomiting or diarrhea from your chemotherapy, for example, – this could lead to the level of minerals in your blood, such as sodium and potassium, not being balanced. So, ask your doctor about your blood tests. If it is ok with your doctor (hopefully he/she is a progressive thinker), drink plenty of fluids before during and after exercise – mostly just water with a little fresh-squeezed lemon juice in it (it has an alkalizing effect). Think sips – not gulps.

If you are very tired and don't feel up to exercising for your normal length of time -cut the exercise session in half or a third of what you plan to do that day.

If you still have a catheter (tube that goes into your body), avoid swimming in pools, lakes and wading in the ocean etc as this could cause the site to become infected. Additionally, certain resistance training that uses muscles in the area of the catheter may dislodge it, so make sure you talk with a professional prior to just “trying” something.

If you have had radiation therapy, don't expose skin that has had radiation to the chlorine in swimming pools and be careful about exposure times to the sun as well.

If you have cancer that has spread to the bone, perform only weight bearing exercises and avoid machines, barbells and dumbbells that could put too much stress on the bones and potentially break them. In reality, I like bodyweight exercises as a preferred method of fitness even for those without cancer for the quickest results (more on this in another Blog).

And of course, if you notice swelling, pain, dizziness, or blurred vision, or bleeding (from blood thinners or otherwise) call your doctor right away.

Buy a heart rate monitor and have a fitness professional set up a routine for you. It will be your best friend and will, without prejudice, show you if you are exercising too much or too little.

Any questions please email me at ted@inner-strength.com.

See our website at www.inner-strength.org for private training on becoming a QiGong Exercise Specialist.

Circle of Life

Ted Cibik — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:25:59 GMT

Part of the marvelous experience of taking some time off from work, is to relax and (hopefully) let events slow down enough so that you can enjoy some of what are called life's simple pleasures. Me, I am the observer. I like to watch and then dissect and contemplate about what I had just witnessed, as though I were seeing it from some else’s mind or perspective.

Such was the case as my wife and I walked the beaches of Pacific Grove, CA. I had some time to enjoy the power of the ocean crashing against the quartz encrusted, massive rocks of the bay, and felt myself centering and sinking into just enjoying the moment of this beautiful land carved by the hand of God.

I started to notice the number of youth and seasoned veterans of life walking and jogging in the area, some with their dogs and some without, some with partners, some solo. As I watched, I noticed certain patterns evolved in their movement. As a Doctor of Naturopathy, a personal trainer and martial artist, I have been around exercise and movement for most of my life, but I started to really see and feel the differences in their workings of their bodies. This came to an epiphany, when I was on the rocks of the bay doing my daily Qigong practice. I looked to my right, and on down the beach I noticed and elderly man doing a combination of Qigong and Tai chi Chuan movements. It was then that I knew.

Our life is so dictated by sharp angular definitive appearances. The look we want in our own bodies in youth is sharp defined, muscular, ripped and physically powerful. Our leading men and actresses all strive for this “fit” athletic look that so defines acceptance these days. Our young people are so enthralled with this “thin is in” look that 10 and 12 year old have already developed eating disorders to look the “part”. For the first time in history, physically thin means “power and allure”.

As I went to the gym that day, I noticed how people move when they work out. Single plane movements of linear exercise resistance are all that are used in machine and in free weights. Set after set, repetition after repetition, all exercises are done in this same order. Our life appearances have now dictated our workout form and practice. This linear up and down motion, moving in one plane categorizes most of our exercise sessions. Even walking and running is utilizing this motion, even if it is an elliptical motion in some of the better trained. Lying in our beds at night sleeping, sitting in our cars driving to work as well as in our offices, we are all using one plane of motion for the most part.

How do we most often times acquire injury? Well if you talk to chiropractors or naturopaths who have to adjust these individuals after their injury, it usually involves some form of twisting. Twisting to get out of the car, twisting to lift and place an object overhead, twisting to get out of bed in the morning but all of it involves some form of trunk, neck or knee rotation.

What am I getting at here? Well think back to the elderly gentleman on the beach doing Tai chi Chuan and Qigong exercises. These movements involve a combination of linear and circular movement in their exercise form. A combination of both movements is superior to one singular plane. Why? Well in the real world, you are bound to do both kinds of movements eventually in your day, although people will go to great lengths to avoid circular movement if possible. You are only as strong as your weakest link and that usually is circular movement. Your form in your structured exercise program should prepare you for your day’s activities as well as keep you healthy and away from injury. Form meets function.

Another important point that sometimes we may not think about is that seldom, if ever, do we just move in one direction and then stop. We never just move into a position, stay there a minute or so and then move on to the next position. We are all too busy for that. Even when we think we are being still, we typically are fidgeting and moving, (Just ask someone who has never meditated before to sit unmoving for 45 minutes or so!) We continuously move in a multitude of directions and our training of our body should reflect those directions.

Okay, so maybe now you are starting to think about your own daily movement patterns and, hopefully, your exercise program as well. Here are some points to consider in designing your exercise program for linear and circular health.

Count the number of linear movements in your current workout and then the number of multi-plane movements or circular movements. The number should be an equal one. If it is not then you need to add movements that are more circular. The number of circular movements is infinite, just as there are an infinite number of linear movements we keep inventing for exercise. The current singular wheels used for abdominal workouts come to mind as well as such devices such as Bowflex.

The Asian concept of allowing the inner ligaments and tendons to pull, rather than the muscle tissue itself may be new to you, but it is one to explore with a qualified teacher. By constantly using the muscle tissue the body overworks the muscles, which typically will acquire knots and tension. Movements such as yoga and tai chi chuan use this tendon and ligament training as their “secret” to maintaining strength well into their senior years of life. By allowing the tension to release within the muscles tissue and pull or push with the ligaments and bones through proper alignment, the body can move in a relaxed state with power.

Start to use your waist, trunk and hips in all that you do. Involve exercise and movement that rotate, gently twist and coordinate the core of your body with your foot and legwork. Incorporate the head, wrist, elbows and shoulders, with the simultaneous movement of footwork. Remember that the core of your body is where all stabilization originates from and as you strengthen the core of your body, you strengthen your entire body as well as improve your overall balance and stability.

If we observe nature and its origin of power, we begin to understand perfection of the circle from the crashing of waves in the oceans, to the power of a tornado; we see the strength of circular movement. Our own bodies are not angled or sharp in form, from the very construction of a human cell, to the rounded curves in our arms, legs and trunk to the design of the human skull; all with the inherent strength of circles or curves. Perhaps what nature, evolution and survival is telling us is that we need to move our bodies in more circular patterns to flow with nature, rather than to fight it in a straight line.

Copyright control of this article, the title and ALL content remains with Inner strenth, Inc. at ALL times. Content may not be copied, altered, edited, disseminated, or reproduced in any way.

Ignorance and Wisdom

Ted Cibik — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:46:41 GMT

Excerpts from Dr. Ted Cibik’s ongoing Taoist Lecture series at Inner StrengthRetreat Center in Leechburg, PA on Wisdom and Ignorance

Two of the greatest detriments to our sanity, peace andhappiness are Ignorance, and through Ignorance, the inability to manifest ourWisdom. This creates, what I like to call, being off-center.

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama Stated, ”…..I believe thatall suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in theselfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction.”

In this regard, Ignorance causes reality of situations tobecome distorted – especially in the mind of the afflicted. As Thich Hat Hanhstates: “ Reality is merely anillusion, albeit a very persistent one.”

When I am speaking of ignorance, I am not just speaking ofbeing discourteous or rude, or even easily angered, although this can be aby-product of the form of ignorance I am referring.

The ignorance I am referring to is lacking awareness,especially within - the inability to get to know yourself on a deep personallevel – to become your own best friend. The “demons” within can be a constantthreat to the masks we wear in the form of ego. Any violation of that mask orthreat to the ego, can cause an internal anger to rise up and manifest itselfin inflicting pain, being unkind or uncompassionate to others. This can be inthe form of hurtful actions (physical) or emotional weapons called words, eitherway, damage can ensue to those we profess to love. Often then, people movefurther and further away from us and we “feel” detachement, as they are nolonger our friends. I believe that we must be friends first with those we love:spouse, brother, sister, mother father etc.

So often we look for that “best friend” external - fromanother source, as it cannot possibly be within me. How can I like, let alonelove myself, or even want to be alone with myself (a quiet mindful relationshipwith self) when I, deep down, loathe who I am? So we search for someone to fillthat void of what we want/need in our lives and expect that person to performto our expectations in the form of a partner or friend or colleague. My, thoseare some pretty big shoes to fill and quite an unfair burden I might add.

This loathing is a result of Fear (See Inner Strength Lecture onFear at www.inner-strength.org)

Fearmakes it almost impossible to be “alone with your self” – your mind. As soon aswe are quiet and alone with our thoughts – for example, we have to distractourselves with “being busy”, - a basicFear of self.

We always fear that which is unknown. It is unfortunate thatmany times, this is ourselves.

Ignorance is not just impotence of real wisdom. It is alsothe refusal to want to know – which can stem from Fear.

I see this syndrome a lot in my practice – and notsurprising is one of the true catalysts of disease - mental and physical. Theinability to love that, which God created, causes such misery and suffering onour planet. This suffering causes other behaviors now manifesting external: alcoholism,drug addiction, gambling, depression, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), Fibromyalgia,cancers, neurological disorders – the list goes on.

To be clear: I am not saying that this IS the cause, but itcan manifest this way - as evident in many client cases that I have worked with -and abated their suffering. Oh,the mind is so complex and the spirit even more. The beauty of being human, inall its’ wondrous glory, is indeed confusing with its’ complexity.

Simplicity

Ted Cibik — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:40:40 GMT

The following is an excerpt from Dr. Ted Cibik's classes on Formless Taoism which are held the third Saturday of every month here at Inner Strength in Leechburg PA. Previouse topics have included Fear, The Warrior and the Priest, and Being in Center. Some of these are recorded and can be found at www.inner-strength.org

One of the special features of true Taoism is that issupport the value of simplicity. As we become more technologically advanced with nanobots and Richard Branson (founder of Virgin records) speaking of building a team to inhabite Mars (yes, the planet), there is a tendincy to move away from simple appreciation - to all that is complicated and modern.

Do not get me wrong, I love science, my computer and all the things technology can do. However, I still marvel at the rain. Did you ever notice that no two rainstorms are ever the same? Each rainstorm has different qualities, timing of the raindrops as well as different sizes of drops and direction. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. In Taoism, we understand that one could never do justice to describing the beauty of a rainstorm – so perhaps just go out and watch, and appreciate the fact that raindrops are what supports all life on this planet.

I also love to watch birds here at Inner Strength. The Chinese believe that birds are very spiritual creatures and can communicate with heaven. I love to watch their eyes as they feed at my bird feeder. The eyes of all creatures reveal so much about their very nature and the soul that inhabits them. No two eyes are ever the same either – not in humans, nor in animals. Each speaks something different to me and can change within the same creature quite quickly. Needless to say, it never is boring and the learning curve is immense.

My point is that there is so much around us that we do not know about – so much to explore and learn – or just watch and relish in the pleasure of their being. Joy can be found in the simple things right around us- if we care to look for it. Joy is around us all the time - mostly in nooks and crannies hiddenfrom the casuual observer – just waiting to be explored. My teaching or coaching, is to illuminate the way so that people can see and feel all that they are missing in their lives – which is usually right next to them.

This brings to mind of two lovely, but lonely people who recently discovered each other over the Internet in a chat room. As we know, the Interent allows communication to people all over the world. As they began to talk more frequently and more privately, they were amazed at the fact that they lived across the street from each other in the same housing plan. I am sure there are several lessons here.

In Taoism, we try to become a good observer by practicing awareness and mindfullness meaning that there can be more Joy and happiness in your life. I believe that we are all born with everything that we need to succeed and be happy – we just have to find it within.

Trials and tribulations are simular to hiking in the wilderness. The boulders and jagged rocks are your trials, but by their sheer presence it clearly illuminates the clear and navigable path lying beside the boulders. We all have our crosses to bear, so to speak, but we have immeasurable blessings and gifts as well. Sometimes the thing we curse the most (the rocky path), can illuminatethe way for us like a guide – if we care to be aware.

All of this takes training and the willingness to look within ourselves with truth (awareness). Truth, as Gandhi says, is God. Blame, resentment, and hostility of what afflicts you will not move you closer to God, nor endear you to other people. See the boulders in your life as perhaps trailmarkers and an opportunity to see that which others do not see.

If you need some assistance finding your true destiny, answering questions on why it is you have become ill, or why life has lost its sparkle and excitement, contact us here at Inner Strength to start on the journey of a joy-filled, self-actualizd life.

Copyright control of this article, the title and ALL content remains with Inner strenth, Inc. at ALL times. Content may not be copied, altered, edited, disseminated, or reproduced in any way.

Death and Transition

Ted Cibik — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:08:44 GMT

It has been a very sobering week for me as I have had 4 people I cared about - die within 5 days. Like most deaths, these were sudden, out of the blue, that leaves you shocked and at a loss for words. My training (mind) tells me that we are all born to die - however my human-ess (heart) feels the pain of loss. No matter how well read you are, how versed in your particular faith and its practice, I believe we all feel this pain when the person who passes on is close enough to you to affect your heart. Yes, dying is a part of life – I understand, but it does cause you to reflect on the things that are non-tangible and omnipotent - Love, Compassion for the living, and Spirit.

As we open our hearts more in our practice, it also allows us to become more vulnerable in a sense to feeling pain. First, we feel the pain of those around us - those we are closest to. Later, as we go deeper into practice, we begin to feel what the world would call strangers. We begin to realize that all human beings share this understanding of death and loss - and in a strange way perhaps – it makes us all connected. As we come together in loss, we feel the love that each individual had for the departed, and through this unification find compassion for each other.

I believe that this unification is the final and greatest gift offered by the one who has transcended the confusion between the left and the right brain. Let me explain. The left brain is the about the worry and predictions of the future. It is the brain that sorts the details out and itemizes them into categories of time. Our left hemisphere thinks in language - that ongoing brain chatter we Taoists call monkey mind. It is also the side that causes us to be that individual that says I need to do this and that and I should be doing this or wonders how other people perceive us.The right brain is about the present moment. The right side thinks in pictures and kinesthetic movement like when you fall in love and the whole world feels right in that moment - with love and connectedness for everyone.

I am not unfamiliar with dying, or even death. As a child and teenager, I was “pronounced dead” twice in hospitals respectively, and had my last rites (Catholic) performed twice. The first experience was written up in JAMA and the Lancet, two very prestigious medical magazines. According to records, I was “dead” almost 14 minutes before “Coming back to life.” This intrigued so many physicians, psychologists and clergy that my case was followed for almost 10 years thereafter – becoming one of the leading case studies for Near Death Experiences – Only, I argue that I was not near dead – I was dead. You can read more about this in my book “Air Passages Surviving Asthma Naturally.” I do not, however, write anything in the book about what I seen after death or what happens to you when you die – as the book is about what I did to survive, when all the physicians were in agreement that I could not live.

Once people hear my story they ask, what happens after you die? What you see after you die? What is heaven like? Are your pets and loved ones there etc.?Many have also asked, so why don’t you go public about this, write a book and become famous like so many others who reported their experiences?

The truth is, I answer these questions privately, as death or dying is a solitary act in itself – very sacred. As a Taoist priest, I believe in affinity, that those who need to speak with me - will find me. Patients, who come to me with MS, ALS or phase IV cancer for example, always ask these questions and we have lengthy conversations and how to prepare for the inevitable (We all die – but for each person it is different).

I will tell you this – That I do not fear death – as I have been to the “Valley of Death” and back. Upon returning, is when I knew I was to become a healer – but I had to heal myself first – and most of my youth was figuring out how –this was the greatest education that I could ever hope for - and it was all self-directed.In retrospect, it is always the living that has to heal and have to suffer. And so, my real compassion at the funerals - were for the people who were living.