Qigong Transforming Your Mental Health
On Mental Health
Defining mental health in the West is not that straightforward.
To get an idea of what we consider Mental Health to be, we can look at varying descriptions of mental health in the context of various labels, principles and philosophies.
Let us look at mental health in today’s terms.
The Mental Health Foundation states;
‘Good mental health is characterised by a person’s ability to fulfil a number of key functions and activities…
Taken from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary that says;
Definition of mental illness
: any of a broad range of medical conditions (such as major depression, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, or panic disorder) that are marked primarily by sufficient disorganization of personality, mind, or emotions to impair normal psychological functioning and cause marked distress or disability and that are typically associated with a disruption in normal thinking, feeling, mood, behavior, interpersonal interactions, or daily functioning
The philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche says;
“Great health” is an ability to digest our experiences. To digest or metabolize experiences is to take whatever is given in any moment—any thought, feeling, or sensation, any cruel word, kind act, or humiliating fall—and transform it—by chewing, mashing, churning, breaking it down—into a sweet stream of energy capable of nourishing our ongoing bodily becoming.
Friedrich Nietzsche.
The Imperial College London states;
Mental health is often seen in terms of mental ‘illness’, a term which does not encompass a range of complex human processes, feelings and behaviours.
There is a wide spectrum of mental health difficulties ranging from severe mental illness to general psychological or emotional difficulties.
The College recognises that there are other models and languages for describing these human experiences apart from the medical/social that the College used in this document.
Imperial College London
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/counselling/mental-health-guidelines/definition/
From a personal perspective, I would sum it up as;
1. A being’s mental ability to cope with everyday thoughts to be able to live in a harmonious way.
2. A being’s mental ability to cope with everyday thoughts to be able to live harmoniously.
2. What are considered the Warning Signs of Mental Health [Coping With Mental Health]We are all in constant motion and movement within the ongoing stream of life. Our external senses, especially when awake, are immersed in a consistent flow of information as we process the world around us.
From conception, we begin our journey into an Earthly life as we set up our foundations and conditions for health, happiness and good living.
We all have a set of life circumstances that set up varying degrees of stability. Our Influences at a young age will set the platform and foundations to build for the coming future.
Trauma, accidents, cultural influences, ignorant parenting and poverty are all examples of what may later establish delicate cracks that become more significant in later times.
As we grow through our teens and beyond, we can be influenced by watching the news or reading newspaper headlines. These may have a negative impact as we consider the stories that warn of hardship and challenging times ahead.
The continued overuse of social media breaks our natural interaction on a human to human contact. Online trolling and bullying are becoming ever more apparent. Some suffer significant self-harming and even suicide as self-esteem gets attacked or challenged.
So how are we equipped to cope with the negative external bombardment of the outer environment?
What warning signs of a person’s feelings and behaviour when a person’s mental health is in decline or question?
• Comfort Eating or Forgetting to eat regularly
• Increased Avoidance of Social contact
• Unusually Reduced Energy Levels
• Emotionally numb
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Feelings of helplessness
• Increased Smoking, drinking, or drugs use
• Marked confusion or forgetfulness
• Sensations of being on edge,
• Extended worry.
• Outbursts of yelling and aggression towards family or friends
• Lingering or prolonged mood swings
• Persistent negative thoughts
• Hearing voices
• Thoughts of self-harming or hurting others
• Inability to perform basic everyday tasks
• Feeling Anxious
Defining Mental Health can be complicated and perhaps even misunderstood. Later we will look beyond the Western perspective of Mental Health. ?????? See Below
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NEW : Re Gran Below : Feb 2023
Defining Mental Health can be complicated and perhaps even misunderstood. What then does Science say?.
Defining Mental Health can be complicated and perhaps even misunderstood. Let’s look at it from the Traditional Chinese Medical perspective.
The Family Dynamic - Why is Mental Health Important?
Modern Allopathic Medicine
Qigong Meditation - Transforming Mental Health
Why is Meditation more important now tha ever?
In this rapidly changing world, it has become apparent that Mental Health has nose dived into fear anxiety and daily stress.
It is important to keep the mind as relaxed as possible and to have clarity olf mind throughout the day. This is because it makes evryday life easier to manage and it helps the immune system to keep strong and healthy.
When a person has negative thoughts it sets off a chemical process throughout the body. These chemicals can then set off signals that attack the immune system.
That is why now more than ever we need to keep our mind stable and harmonious.
With Shaolin Cosmos Qigong, we teach clear instructions on practising standing meditation. Meditation is, integrated as part of a daily 15-minute qigong session.
Wuji or standing mediation, and being upright and relaxed, are all part of the training of genuine Shaolin Cosmos Qigong. To enter into Wuji enables students to benefit better results in everyday life.
In our school, meditation is an integral part of a students skillset. Wuji enhances our practice of Qigong, Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) and even our Kung Fu.
If a practitioner is interested in Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) or Kung Fu, the Wuji stance enables better combat efficiency and application. They would become more effective in their marital arts.
From a scientific perspectice we are now seeing evidence that mediatation has a huge beneficial effect on physical health, the immune, system and our everyday energy.
In a recent study Dr Joe Dispenza states;
“Mediation has a significant effect on the nervous system, and that it can help, healing, happiness, empowerment and freedom.”
And to quote our Great Grandmaster Ho Fat Nam he states;
“Heart thinks, Events materialize.”
“Heart” in Chinese here means mind. These are not empty words, they are very real experinces that one can attain when mental health has been harminised.
Training of Mind
Meditation simply means, training of mind. It takes 15 minutes of qigong a day to train the mind.
There are many levels to mental pathology. Starting at the foundation level or releiving any type of suffering will help leaps and bounds.
It is important to follow things through
When it comes to mental health, Cosmos Qigong doesn’t just have a magic pill that will sort out all issues immediately. It takes time and self-commitment for you to follow through.
As it’s your life that needs change, taking on self-responsibility is an integral part of the ongoing therapy process.
You will learn genuine qigong skills and techniques using simple forms that will effectively promote good health, energise and reduce stress.
On the courses, you will progress quickly. All students are gently encouraged and guided to practice what you have learnt in each weekly class.
You will find our expedient training methods highly effective as you experience deeper health benefits faster and easier, you will also begin to experience a clarity of mind that will help deal with everyday living with more ease.
When we integrate meditation into our daily lives, we reap the great benefits of a calmer and clearer mind. Our qigong becomes deeper. The beneficial health results become more than some could have ever imagined.
We do not just integrate mediation for a calmer and clearer mind. It helps enhance everyday living, gives us focus, cultivates us spiritually, helps us build internal energy & vitality and eventually benefits our overall holistic health and long and short term illness.
Mediation is essential when practising qigong. However, it is not the sole factor in the success of genuine qigong.
In ancient times, genuine qigong was very rare to find.
Finding genuine qigong today is still as rare now as it was back then.
Sifu James Lawrence
