The unexpected confrontation that revealed a door to unshakeable peace. I was taking a peaceful walk through my neighborhood one morning, feeling complete peace, deeply connected to the earth and the sky, when a woman in a black SUV suddenly pulled up and began screaming at me. To this day, I'm not sure what she thought I had done or who she thought I was. But she was furious—yelling insults, threatening to call the police, trying to run me out of the neighborhood. At the time, I was in what I call a state of pure consciousness—a state of deep inner stillness and clear awareness. I handled the assault with equanimity, even offering to call the police myself. She eventually drove away, and I never saw her again. Later, I went home and checked the mirror, half-believing I must have looked different somehow—like a homeless man perhaps? I felt deep compassion for homeless individuals afterward, realizing they probably face this treatment regularly. But no, just me. No changes. Then my body went into shock. For days, I was caught in emotional trauma, my mind desperately trying to make sense of what happened so I could protect myself in the future. I was confused—why was I suffering so much when I'd maintained such a clear state during the crisis? That's when I remembered a deep truth that helped me turn my suffering around: I am not my body . Peace amidst stormy skies The Four Things We Are Not This experience illuminated something crucial about who we really are—and more importantly, who we are not : We are not our bodies. Our physical form is temporary, vulnerable, and will eventually return to the earth. While we care for it lovingly, we are not limited by its experiences. We are not our thoughts. Those mental narratives that seem so real and important? They're just energy patterns flowing through consciousness. We are not our emotions. Feelings arise and pass through us like weather systems—powerful, but temporary. We are not our ego fixations. This might be the most liberating realization of all. These are the rigid patterns our mind creates to feel safe, but they're not our true nature. Understanding Fixations Fixations are the rigid patterns our ego creates to feel safe and in control. They're the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, what we need, and how life should work. Our ego fixates on being right, being safe, being special, being in control. The ego has particular trouble accepting things like suffering, aging, and death. When left unchecked, this constant state of non-acceptance creates what feels like endless work—always trying to fix, control, or avoid the natural flow of life. But here's the beautiful truth: when we remember we are not our ego, we can love that part of us while simultaneously rising above its limitations. The Power of Acceptance When I replayed my street encounter from this deeper understanding, everything shifted. Instead of judging my body's trauma response, I allowed it to do what it needed—cry, shake, feel the shock—without resistance. I wasn't identifying with these responses; I was simply allowing them to flow through. Almost instantly, the trauma cleared. I could actually watch thoughts forming before they became words, accept them, and feel them transform. I could see clearly that thoughts and emotions were not "me"—they were just energy moving through consciousness. Living as Pure Consciousness From this place of pure consciousness, we can approach each morning with a different framework. Instead of being caught in our usual patterns, we can choose: "I will not fix on my ideas. I am enjoying a playful life. I choose love, peace, happiness, and gratitude. I choose to stay in this clear state and manage my life in a harmonious way." This isn't about achieving some perfect state—it's about remembering that everything is energy. When we take the pressure off the physical and play with who we "are," we can discover incredible resilience and peace. We can reprogram our entire experience using what I call unconditional virtues—love, peace, joy, gratitude, and acceptance—not as emotions we chase, but as the very fabric of our being. The Freedom of Not-Knowing The most liberating part? Once we truly establish ourselves in this clear state, nothing else matters as much. How we act, what we say, what happens in our life—these become expressions of something deeper rather than desperate attempts to maintain our ego's story. There's no "moral high ground" to maintain, no image to protect. Our choices flow from a place of unity rather than separation, from love rather than fear. In that space, we discover what true resilience looks like: not the ability to avoid difficulty, but the capacity to remain free and playful no matter what life brings. We learn to dance with whatever arises, knowing that we are the awareness in which all experiences appear and disappear. And in that knowing, we find an unshakeable peace that nothing can ever take from us. -------- Megan Kaun is a certified Qi Science (Zhineng Qigong Science) teacher and healer by Master Wei Qifeng, a direct disciple of Grandmaster Dr. Pang Ming. Work With Me

Developing energetic intelligence is the next level of sophistication at our disposal for navigating the complex human dynamics in our evolving world. A study published in January 2025   provides the first comprehensive analysis of "biofield" therapy research, examining 353 clinical cases across multiple energy-based healing modalities. This research may significantly impact how we discuss, understand, and evaluate not only energy healing modalities, but also our awareness over how we, as fundamentally energetic beings, can potentially heal or harm those around us in everyday interactions. This study, titled Biofield Therapies Clinical Research Landscape: A Scoping Review and Interactive Evidence Map reviewed decades of research on what scientists term "biofield therapies"; healing approaches that work with the energy fields surrounding and interpenetrating the human body. The biofield refers to the complex system of electromagnetic and subtle energy emissions from living beings that is thought to regulate biological processes and maintain health. The analysis included 255 randomized controlled trials examining practices like Reiki and external Qigong (similar to Zhineng Qigong Science modalities ) across diverse populations and conditions. All of the individual studies included demonstrated measurable changes in patient outcomes after biofield interventions, which were documented through objective health measures rather than subjective reports alone. The research encompassed applications ranging from pain management to cancer support, with particular attention to chronic conditions. Notable was the inclusion of remote healing studies; energy work performed across distance, independent of physical proximity. These studies support the quantum science theory that work performed on the consciousness level of existence operates outside of the confines of regular space/time. This research introduces important questions about what we might call "energetic intelligence"—our capacity to perceive, understand, and work with the subtle energy dynamics present in human interactions. Think of "energetic intelligence" as the next level up from "emotional intelligence." Emotional intelligence helped us recognize that feelings significantly impact outcomes across all areas of life. Organizations now routinely assess emotional intelligence when hiring and promoting, understanding that technical skills alone don't predict success. Energetic intelligence could be described as the ability to understand the "vibe" of a situation or decision. Things can be 95% correct in the intellectual and even the emotional realms (it makes sense and feels good), but do we have the framework to notice when something is misaligned in the energetic/consciousness realm ? For example, you might be offered a job that looks perfect on paper and feels exciting emotionally, but something subtle feels off about the team dynamics. Even though it pays well, perhaps the role would require you to consistently give more energetically than you'd be able to receive back. Maybe you're considering a business partnership where the numbers work and you like the person, but you sense the collaboration would force you to operate from scarcity mindset rather than from abundance. You could be evaluating a project that seems logical and feels good, but energetically you sense it's trying to "fix" something that isn't actually broken, creating problems where none exist. Maybe you're in a relationship that appears healthy on the surface, but you notice a pattern where your authentic self gradually shrinks to maintain harmony, moving you away from rather than toward your true nature (you can learn more about the universal tenants of the energy/consciousness real m HERE.) If all three levels of existence—intellectual, emotional, and energetic— if the vibe is even slightly off, that energetic misalignment can persist like a slow leak, continuously undermining your wellbeing and success in ways that are difficult to identify through conventional approaches. What this study examines as "biofield" healing works directly with these subtle energy misalignments. When practitioners help stabilize these energetic patterns, the effects often ripple into the physical realm. This is one way of conceptualizing why nearly half of the 353 cases considered in this study showed positive outcomes for conditions that conventional medicine could not address. Developing energetic intelligence starts with recognizing that we constantly exist within and influence energy fields, whether we're conscious of it or not. You might experience this when walking into a room where people have been arguing. You notice it when you meet someone new and feel a sense of expansion or contraction for reasons you can't articulate. You observe it when certain people leave you energized while others seem to drain your vitality. These everyday experiences point to our natural sensitivity to energetic dynamics. This is the same subtle information that can alert us when something is misaligned at the energetic level, even when everything else appears to be in order. Most people discover energy practices like Zhineng Qigong Science when facing health challenges that conventional medicine struggles to address. They're often seeking solutions for conditions labeled as "incurable" or "chronic"; ailments that western medicine doesn't know how to treat effectively. They find encouragement in decades of research documenting this modality's effectiveness with seemingly impossible cases. Yet beyond the physical healing they initially sought, many practitioners discover something unexpected: the practice awakens their energetic intelligence. They begin recognizing how energy dynamics influence all their interactions and relationships, developing the same sensitivity that allows them to detect when something feels "off" at the energetic level, even when circumstances appear ideal on paper. The natural side effects of this expanded awareness often include greater career success, more authentic relationships, and increased confidence in navigating life's decisions with all three levels of intelligence ( intellectual, emotional, and energetic ) now working in coherence. This raises questions about everyday energetic influence. If trained practitioners can facilitate changes through biofield work, what does this suggest about our routine impact on others? Parents observe how their calm presence shifts a child's mood. Teachers notice how their energy affects classroom dynamics. Leaders recognize that their internal state influences (dare we say "heals"?!) their team. Energetic intelligence involves paying attention to the quality of presence we bring to interactions. It means recognizing that our internal state of openness or fear (contraction) may influence the energetic environment around us. This isn't about adding performance pressure but about acknowledging a dimension of human interaction that operates whether we're aware of it or not. The practical applications extend across professional and personal contexts. Healthcare providers, business professionals, parents, and others who develop sensitivity to energetic dynamics often feel more effective in their roles. They begin sensing when situations call for calm presence versus dynamic energy, or when someone needs space versus connection. The research validates what energy healing practitioners have observed: we participate in interconnected fields of energy and information where influence and transformation operate through subtle mechanisms. All pre-modern cultures had a cosmology around how to work with the invisible realm of energy fields. How modern science will choose to study, describe, and interact with this same phenomenon will continue to evolve. What existing research does suggest is that biofield interactions occur regardless of our awareness. Developing energetic intelligence is the next level of sophistication at our disposal for navigating the complex human dynamics in our evolving world. We're already participating in these energy exchanges every moment. The question is whether we're doing so with awareness and skill, or unconsciously by default.

What we resist, persists. What we hate, we give our energy to. The revolution isn't in the streets—it's in our hearts. The world feels heavy right now. Every day brings news that makes our hearts ache; violence, injustice, systems that seem broken beyond repair. If you're reading this, you probably feel it too: that urgent pull to do something , to fight back, to resist what feels wrong. I understand that feeling intimately. For a decade I threw myself into environmental activism with everything I had. I operated from a place of not accepting what was happening to our planet and fighting against the systems I believed were destroying it. I was fueled by anger and fear, convinced that if I didn't show up to battle these forces, nothing would change, that the “bad guys” would win. I was operating from a place of believing that things were fundamentally not okay—that the world was broken and it was my job to fix it through sheer force of will and righteous anger. I was praised for "saving the earth". Experience embodied activism through this powerful Zhineng Qigong Science practice. The Exhausting Truth About Resistance Here's what I learned from this approach: I was successful in changing some policies and creating shifts in the physical realm, but no hearts were opening. There was no internal healing being done; not in the people I was fighting against, not in the systems I was trying to change, and certainly not in myself. Of course, I completely burned out. The framework our world operates from pressures us to resist, to not accept, to live in fear, and to believe that things are fundamentally wrong and require our constant vigilance to fix. What I discovered through studying Zhineng Qigong Science with Teacher Wei Qifeng and my own experience integrating the practice, is that this approach is actually contrary to how energy works in the universe . What we resist, persists. What we hate, we give our energy to. From Resistance to Acceptance Mingjue is a word that means pure awareness —a state of unconditional love that comes from deep observation without judgment. What I learned the hard way is that true activism isn't about fighting against what we don't want; it's about activating unconditional acceptance through unconditional (mingjue) love, and activating peace, joy and gratitude deep within ourselves. This isn't passive. This is the most radical activism there is. When we do this inner work, we become anchors of light; stable points that activate these same qualities in others simply through our presence. We stop feeding the energies of hatred and fear that created the problems we're trying to solve. In the study of Consciousness Science , we talk of the concept of “Haola”, which means "all is well and getting better". It is essential that we can see the world through the lens of “ no problem " , that everything in this moment is exactly as it should be, regardless of any messiness or pain. When we tune into haola, we come into a deep trust, knowing that in the grand scheme of things, everything is perfect right now. I know how this sounds hard to believe when you're watching the news, when you're seeing suffering, when your heart is breaking for the world. It sounds impossible, maybe even irresponsible...but it is the only way out. This isn't about denying reality or becoming complacent. It's about accessing a deeper truth that allows us to respond from love instead of react from fear. Laying Down Our Weapons We all carry weapons—not physical ones, but internal ones stored in our cells, in our DNA, in the very fabric of our being. These are the weapons of judgment, resistance, fear, and hatred that we've inherited and accumulated over lifetimes. They radiate out from us and create our physical reality. When we have war in our hearts, the world becomes made of war. When we have peace in our hearts, we contribute to a world made of peace. Musical Interlude: When There Is Peace: Travis Knapp The work of radical activism is the work of laying down these internal weapons. It's expanding our capacity to stay in love and peace unconditionally, even when witnessing what appears to be the darkest aspects of humanity. This doesn't mean we don't take action in the world, but allowing the action we take to come from a completely different place; from love, from trust, from a deep knowing that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. The Courage to Love I spent years believing that if I wasn't angry, if I wasn't fighting and I wasn't caring enough. What I discovered is that it takes far more courage to love than it does to fight. It takes courage to stay open when everything around you is screaming to close down. It takes courage to trust when the world seems chaotic. It takes courage to believe in the universal truth that “all is well and getting better” when the evidence seems to point in the opposite direction. But when we develop this capacity, something magical happens. We become living examples of what's possible. We become the change we want to see, not through force, but through embodiment. The Real Revolution The revolution isn't in the streets—it's in our hearts. It's in our willingness to release the old patterns of fear and resistance that have been passed down through generations. It's in our capacity to serve not through being martyrs and sacrifice, but through joy, through love, through beauty, through pleasure, through connection. When we show up in the world from this place, things heal naturally. Not because we forced them to, but because we created the energetic conditions for healing to occur. This is the activism our world needs now, not more fighting, not more resistance, and certainly not more fear. We've had enough war. The change starts within ourselves, in our willingness to lay down our weapons, to expand our capacity for unconditional love, and to trust that when we do this work, we become part of the solution in ways we can't even imagine. The world doesn't need us to fix it. It needs us to remember who we really are; beings of love, peace, and joy, and to radiate that truth so completely that it becomes contagious. That is radical activism. ------ Megan Kaun teaches “consciousness engineering”; how to work with the finest levels of energy for enhanced health, vitality, and freedom. Megan is a certified Zhineng Qigong Science teacher and healer by Master Wei Qifeng, a direct disciple of Grandmaster Dr. Pang Ming. She is also certified in several modalities of somatic dream work. Learn more about Megan’s work at www.IntoTheHumm.com

As a Stanford-trained engineer, I was excellent at solving complex technical problems. But when I faced advanced cancer in 2020, I discovered that the most challenging problems in life require a different approach entirely. There are three levels of existence where you can create change. Each level functions within its own set of rules and guidelines. The higher level you address a situation from, the faster and more sustainable the change can be. I first learned about these three levels while studying Zhineng Qigong Science . Level 1: Physical Solutions - This level operates according to Newtonian physics. Most people focus here, changing things like schedules, processes, jobs, living arrangements, and relationships. These changes are important, but often address symptoms rather than root causes. Level 2: Mental/Emotional Solutions - This level is generally felt by and recognized by us through our central nervous system, through our 5 senses. This level includes shifting mindsets, beliefs, communication patterns, stories, and emotional intelligence. Many self help programs work here. These changes are more fundamental than Level 1, but still limited. Level 3: Consciousness-Level Solutions - This is the level of pure information. Most people don't even know about this level, and it has its own special set of rules. These "rules" can be found by reading sacred esoteric texts...or by studying quantum physics. This is where the fastest, most sustainable changes in the physical realm can originate from because you're working at the source. My Experience: When conventional solutions (in health, business, relationships, whatever) weren't enough, working at Level 3 through consciousness-based practices presented a powerful solution. For me, in my health and subsequent career journeys, the results I have seen from working with Level 3 have been remarkable. I've experienced a fundamental paradigm shift in how I approach health challenges, relationships, and leadership. The Real LIfe Application: People who learn to operate from clear, stable states of consciousness make better decisions under pressure, communicate more effectively, and create sustainable solutions rather than quick fixes. While we can look at these three levels discretely, in truth they are inseparable. It helps to see them separately because it allows us be more targeted in how we work with their individual properties, characteristics, and rules. When we ignore one level, we end up with major blind spots. The people who learn to integrate their work across all three levels are the people who are the most successful and impactful in life. This "Level 3" approach, which I call "consciousness engineering," is about learning to align with the laws of the consciousness field. Since most of us have zero experience working in partnership with this realm, having a guide can be life changing. What level are you primarily working from to solve your biggest challenges? Megan Kaun helps high-achieving professionals learn to work systematically at the consciousness level to create breakthrough results in business and life.

"If you want to heal, you have to be wild." - Master Wei Qifeng We've been conditioned to believe that accessing our greatest potential requires more discipline, more control, more careful management of our responses. But what if the opposite is true? What if the path to extraordinary health, creativity, and authentic power lies in returning to your wild nature? Your wild nature isn't chaos or recklessness; it's your original blueprint, that pure, unconditioned essence that existed before you learned to squeeze yourself into the boxes of social acceptability. Heng Ha Consciousness Science Practice Beyond Social Programming When we talk about returning to our wild nature, this isn't advocating for unconscious, reactive behavior. True wildness isn't about acting out carelessly or impulsively. Real wildness is returning to our true self, our original blueprint. It's releasing the control we've imposed on ourselves to constantly follow social norms and morality. Now, this doesn't mean social structures are inherently bad—they help organize our systems and provide useful guidelines. But here's something crucial: we often use social morality to control each other, and more importantly, to control ourselves. This control might keep us safe, but it also limits our creativity and freedom. The problem arises when we become so fixated on social norms that we equate following them perfectly with being a good person. This creates a constant state of judgment (of ourselves and others) which inevitably generates negative emotions and blocks our natural flow. The Cost of Staying Tame When we suppress our wild nature out of fear; fear of criticism, fear of ruffling feathers, fear of not being accepted, we don't just lose access to our authenticity. We also block our true potential, including our "super abilities." Think about the incredible physical feats humans can accomplish; extraordinary athletic performances, moments of seemingly impossible strength or agility, or even that "6th sense" that provides us with precognitive understandings. These emerge when we transcend our conditioned limitations and tap into our natural power. When we consistently prioritize social acceptability over authentic expression, we cut ourselves off from this wellspring of potential. Surrendering to our wild nature isn't just about personal freedom; it's about breaking old patterns, dismantling blockages, and opening up inspiration. It's about trusting ourselves and the universe enough to know that we'll respond appropriately in each moment, even if our actions might not always be socially conventional. Enter the Generals: Heng Ha Practice This brings us to the practice of Heng Ha. Heng and Ha are known as "the two generals". You'll often see statues of Heng and Ha flanking the entrances to temples in China. If military terminology makes you uncomfortable, as it initially did me, consider this: these generals represent incredibly powerful forces that reside inherently within all of us. They have the energetic capacity to manage and flow the energy of 100,000 soldiers. Imagine the executive presence, the energetic bandwidth, the ability to navigate complexity and conflict that would require. These two generals are known for banishing "devils" or "demons", in other words, the things that block us from accessing our true potential. We access the power of the generals in the Heng Ha practice. Heng corresponds to the lower dantian (behind the navel, source of our innate energy). When we practice Heng, we go down energetically, opening blockages in our foundational energy center. The Heng general is depicted with his mouth closed, representing this downward clearing of energy. Ha works with the upper dantian (center of the head) and helps re-connect this energy center with the raw power contained in the lower dantien, through the middle dantien (heart center). When we practice Ha, we move energy upward, clearing blockages in our upper energy centers. The Ha general has his mouth open, expressing this upward, releasing energy. The Practice of Getting Wild Here's the challenge: Give yourself permission to be a little wild How loud can you get? How free can you feel? Start with Heng: Practice using the full acoustic capacity of your abdomen—sound is a powerful way of unlocking stuck energy. Let the vibration resonate deep in your core, gathering and grounding your power. Move to Ha: Feel the energy rise and flow out through your head. This isn't about straining your voice or forcing sound from your throat—you're leveraging your full energetic capacity to move power through your entire being. Remember: You're embodying your inner generals, those powerful forces capable of dismantling whatever limits you. Initially, you might feel some strain in your throat area. This isn't cause for concern—it's actually the opening of that energy center. With practice, you develop the capacity to flow this energy freely without strain. The Invitation to Wildness Returning to your wild nature means remembering that you have a full toolbox of authentic responses available. You can be sweet and soft when the moment calls for it, but you're also not afraid to take decisive action, even to say strong words or make strong actions if truly needed, when the situation requires it. This isn't about aggression; it's about having access to your full range of natural responses. In our pure consciousness state, we can trust ourselves to know what's needed in each moment. We don't have to constantly check our responses against external standards of acceptability. We can act from our true self, our wild nature, our most authentic essence. Accessing our wild nature is "healing at the root." It's not about seeing something we don't like and cutting it out, it's about transforming the fundamental habits and patterns that created the limitation in the first place. The Courage to Be Authentic Returning to your wild nature requires courage. It means you might ruffle some feathers. You might face criticism from those who prefer the predictable, tamed version of you. But consider this: how much of your life force have you spent trying to fit into boxes that were never meant to contain your full essence? What conforming to other people's standards looks like Your wild nature isn't something to be feared; it's something to be celebrated and reclaimed. It's the part of you that existed before you learned to apologize for taking up space, before you learned to shrink to make others comfortable, before you forgot that your authentic expression is a gift to the world. The practice of Heng Ha gives us a concrete way to reconnect with this power. Through sound, through vibration, through the full embodiment of our energetic capacity, we remember what it feels like to be unrestrained, authentic, and powerfully alive. Your wild nature is waiting. Your true self is calling. The only question is: are you ready to answer? Ready to explore what lies beyond the boundaries of social acceptability? Your wild nature isn't something to fear—it's your greatest untapped resource for healing, creativity, and authentic living.

Last week, I had the profound honor of supporting Zhineng Qigong Master (Teacher) Wei's first-ever retreat in the United States at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, California. Next to Dr. Pang's calligraphy of the Hun Yuan Ling Tong Mantra Like many spiritual journeys, I arrived carrying burdens—struggling with triggers of rejection, finding it difficult to regulate my nervous system, and often losing my center. I was finding it hard to rest for long in the "observer observes itself" mingjue or pure awareness state that is the foundation of our practice. Little did I know that a teaching I'd heard dozens of times would suddenly click into place and transform my understanding of safety, trust, and freedom. "Enjoy self, love self." These simple words from Teacher Wei have been a constant refrain in his teachings. Yet sometimes the most profound wisdom needs to meet us at exactly the right moment, when we're truly ready to receive it. As I sat in the peaceful grounds of the Mercy Center, surrounded by fellow practitioners yet still wrestling with my internal storms, these four words finally unlocked something essential. The Gateway of Enjoyment What I've been playing with is a process, a pathway that begins with this fundamental instruction to "enjoy self, love self." When we're triggered or disconnected, self-love can feel impossibly distant. How do we bridge that gap? The answer, I found, can begin in the body. When I feel uncentered, my first step now is to intentionally find something—anything—to enjoy about being in this body, in this moment. It might be the comforting warmth of sunlight on my skin, the gentle expansion of my lungs as I breathe, or a warm feeling in my heart. There is always something available to enjoy through our sensorial experience, no matter how small. Jennifer Posada , whose work deeply explores self-love, speaks to this embodied approach in her book "The Oracle Within." She describes self-love not as an abstract concept but as "a physical experience of delight in your own being." This resonates with what I've been exploring—that enjoyment creates a bridge to love, particularly when we direct that enjoyment inward. "The body," Posada writes, "is not separate from the sacred—it is the very temple through which we experience it." When we find something to enjoy about our embodied experience, we open the door to genuine self-love. From this state of enjoyment, the leap to loving myself becomes infinitely more accessible. And self-love isn't just a nice addition to our spiritual practice—it's the foundation upon which all healing and awakening must be built. Trusting the Inner Compass The second step in this process came as a revelation during Teacher Wei's retreat: trusting myself completely. "I am mingjue trust." Before the retreat, I caught myself seeking safety in external circumstances—being surrounded by loving people, controlling my environment, avoiding triggers. I was looking outward for what can only be found within. Teacher Wei spoke extensively about the critical importance of trust—trusting your healing process, trusting your body's wisdom, trusting the consciousness field and its infinite love for you.Most importantly, Teacher Wei emphasized trusting that you are exactly where you need to be, doing exactly what you need to do—even when you're not in your pure mingjue state. What a relief this understanding brings! The path isn't about perfection; it's about trust. I realized that true safety doesn't come from controlling my surroundings or ensuring everyone treats me kindly. It comes from an unshakable trust in myself. When I trust myself completely, I am always safe, no matter what external circumstances arise. As Teacher Wei explained, from this place of self-trust, it simply doesn't matter if someone likes you or dislikes you, praises or criticizes you, accepts or rejects what you do. None of it threatens your safety when you're acting from your pure "baby heart" and trusting yourself completely. The Blossoming of Freedom The third step emerges naturally from this foundation of self-love and self-trust: "I am mingjue freedom." This is where the transformation happens. When we love ourselves genuinely and trust ourselves completely, we step into an infinite world of freedom—freedom from fixations, freedom from triggers, freedom from anything that would limit or control the expression of our true essence. This understanding connects beautifully with the complete mingjue mantra, the mantra of the clear observer: "I am mingjue love, I am mingjue peace, I am mingjue happiness, I am mingjue gratitude." These aren't just affirmations; they're invitations to embody unconditional virtues that arise naturally in the pure awareness state. Integration The three-step process I've been practicing—enjoy self/love self, trust self, and access freedom—creates a pathway from our separate self to our connected essence and back again. The gift of this practice is that it begins wherever we are. Even in our most triggered, disconnected moments, we can find something to enjoy about our embodied experience. From that enjoyment springs self-love. From self-love emerges self-trust. And from self-trust blossoms freedom—the freedom to be our most authentic selves. If our purpose as humans here on earth is to become the truest expression of our essence, then finding this freedom isn't just beneficial—it's essential. In the words of Howard Thurman, "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Coming alive—truly alive—can begin with those simple words: enjoy self, love self. And from there, anything is possible. Haola!

Spoler alert: it's all about trust and freedom. The consciousness practice we practice in this community is very simple. As teacher and guide, I use a suite of simple instructions and suggestions to help us enter a subtile brain state ("pure consciousness"). There is no way to do the practice "wrong"...and maybe in the same way no way to do the practice "right." The practice is outside of these black/white bounds, and with time students will see this for themselves. Though I provide students information, I do not expect students to believe what I say on faith. I expect them to eventually, through practice, experience and therefore KNOW the information for themselves. A pure consciousness practice can help one develop the capacity to view reality from multiple angles and frameworks. The point of the practice is self gnosis. "Gnosis" comes from the Greek word for "knowledge". Gnosis signifies a special kind of knowledge, often esoteric and mystical, that goes beyond ordinary intellectual understanding. It's often associated with a direct, intuitive, or experiential way of knowing. "Self-gnosis" specifically refers to this type of knowledge applied to the self, meaning a profound understanding of one's own being, purpose, and relationship to the divine or the cosmos.  This can be contrasted with more "dogmatic" spiritual or mindfulness practices which may have right/wrong rules and a more hierarchical role for the teacher. Dogma in this context is a "set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true". In this type of framework, it is a teacher's job to judge a student's progress and state, based on the pre-agreed upon rules. There is a right and wrong. Dogmatic or "exoteric" practices often come from self-gnosis "esoteric" traditions, and the dogma is often created to make it easier to roll out a tradition to a large group of people. Dogmatic organizational structures are far more common in our modern society than ones centered around self-knowing. When we are able to KNOW something for ourselves, we naturally become more confident and easy in the world. It is much harder for us to believe or be persuaded by information that is not for our best interest. It is easier for us to choose and create our own reality. We are also less anxious and less prone to disease. There is a lot of responsibility that comes along with a practice of self gnosis, both for the student and the teacher. A student on a path to know truth for themselves must not be tempted by the false power of using spiritual teachings for manipulation. It is a student's responsibility to represent the information they are receiving honestly, without guile, so it can support their own healing and the healing of the community. The teacher's role is to help students tune in to a healing reference framework and to help students understand the aim of the methods. A teacher also holds the energetic space of a practice to help students open up energy pathways and understand the teachings from a non-verbal level. Ultimately, it is not the teacher's job to tell a student what is "right" or "wrong".  If a teacher feels that a student is being swayed by limiting patterns/reference frameworks, it can be the teacher's responsibility to help a student re-tune; however, a teacher must trust a student to have the explorations they need to have, which may include testing boundaries. A teacher must always trust that a student will self-correct and eventually find their own middle path. Ultimately, both the teacher and student have a huge degree of freedom; to act as they will and do as they must, all in service of the greatest healing and the greatest good. This path toward "knowing thyself" can be a bumpy one, filled with ugly " qi purifications " and strange twists and turns. It is a long path, and as they say "it will all be OK in the end and if it's not OK it's not the end!"

When we hone our consciousness through ancient practices we become scientists; taking data and having direct experiences that prove (to ourselves at least) the theoretical aspects of quantum science. Qi or chi is an important concept to understand when working in the invisible or quantum realm. Here are a few frameworks for you to play with in your own explorations in the pure consciousness realm. Qi is energy. The type of qi we work with in practices like qigong, however, goes beyond what can be measured by instruments. Qigong teachers, including myself, say things like "everything is qi" including physical items, emotions, feelings, thoughts, etc. indicating that qi is the building block for literally everything in existence. It can be difficult for people to work with this explanation, however, because it can, at first, take a leap of faith. This is why I like to look at the question of "what is qi" from the standpoint of quantum physics. Einstein gave us a lot of clues into the true nature of reality, and one of my favorites is the theory of " wave-particle duality". Wave-particle duality suggests that everything in existence has two natures: that of a particle and that of a wave. It can be useful to consider that when we work in the framework of energy or qi, we are working with the "wave" nature of reality. Most humans understand the particle nature of physical reality quite well. The particle nature of something has a specific location and measurable attributes (like weight, size, etc.) I can hold a rock in my hand, measure it's weight, throw it up and watch it respond to gravity, and when I put it on a shelf it will likely be there when I check on it the next day. This is how I interact with something and its article nature. The wave nature of reality, however, can be a little more difficult to grasp. An object's wave nature is not really a wave like we'd think of an ocean or sound wave. It's more of a probability distribution around which the particles of an object "could" be located at any given time. The wave nature describes the likelihood of finding the particles of an object doing something at a variety of locations. As the theory goes, when not being observed or measured, the particles of an object have the potential to be at any number of locations. It is only in measuring or observing an object that collapses the wave nature of it down into one specific place and suite of physical attributes. The "double-slit experiment" is what famously proved this dual nature of reality in modern science. You can read more about the double-slit experiment online , but in short, it famously showed how subatomic entities, which make up all of physical reality, exhibit both particle (measurable, quantifiable) and wave (undefined, probability based) properties depending on how we interact with them. The extent to which an object displays its wave nature depends on its wavelength, which for macroscopic objects is incredibly small. The wave nature of physical objects is considered undetectable in everyday circumstances...but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist...and it doesn't mean that we can't find a way outside of everyday circumstances. Quantum scientists say that the quantum or wave-like nature of physical objects is "undetectable" due to decoherence - the interaction of countless particles with their environment that causes the wave-like quantum behavior to rapidly collapse into classical behavior. Bringing a system that is in a state of decoherence back into to coherence is exactly the point of a pure consciousness mind/body practice. Our habit of measuring something continuously can keep an object in a particle-like state from our perspective. When we enter a state of pure consciousness and have the capacity to allow things to flow outside of our expectation and forcing, we are also allowing an object to exhibit stronger wave-like properties. For example, here's what it could look like if I interacted with the wave nature of my rock. I'd first need to have the capacity to suspend any habit of tracking, measuring or making assumptions of the rock's physical qualities or location. I would then need to be able to feel into the potential of that rock to exist in infinite different ways. If my mind was able to be very clear on these two things, I could then allow my consciousness to choose one of the potential realities for the rock by "observing" the rock in that state. This would then collapse the wave-like nature of the rock and create the particular physical situation for the rock that I had chosen. Not surprisingly, this technique is a lot like the type of mingjue consciousness healing we are taught in Zhineng Qigong. The qi that we work with in energy practices operates in a gray area - more subtle than the physical but more pervasive than a single atom, allowing us to exhibit properties that bridge the quantum and classical realms in traditional understanding. Ancient practices like the Inner Smile take advantage of this inbetween zone by blurring the distinctions between form and formless, allowing us to program the invisible realm to create more positive and healthful physical realities. When I practice entering pure consciousness states with my students, we are together: Creating states of heightened coherence in our awareness that might potentially influence the coherence of physical systems, Establishing and connecting to strong quantum fields of intention that have the potential to temporarily reduce decoherence effects between particles, and Influencing physical reality at a level where wave-like properties are more prominent than particle-like ones. From a quantum perspective, decoherence happens when quantum systems interact with their environment, causing wave functions to collapse into definite (particle) states. The pure consciousness meditative state might be viewed as a way of creating a special environment where this collapse is less rigidly enforced. In other words, this interplay between physical and quantum reality is, from a theoretical perspective where miracles come from. While conventional physics wouldn't predict that consciousness could directly influence quantum decoherence in external objects like rocks, the philosophical framework of consciousness practices like Zhineng Qigong posits a deeper connection between mind and matter. The practice assumes that consciousness itself operates at a level where it can interact with the more fundamental and flexible, wave-like aspects of reality. In the least, this theoretical bridge between quantum concepts and pure consciousness practices offers a contemplative framework for practitioners, even if it extends beyond what current scientific models would predict. This is where a pure consciousness "spiritual" practice and the forfront of modern quantum "science" intersect. The experiential aspects of this type of mind/body practice may provide insights that science hasn't yet fully explored. In our work to hone our consciousness through ancient practices we are essentially scientists too, taking direct data and having direct experiences that prove (to ourselves at least) some of the most theoretical aspects of quantum science. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment https://www.labroots.com/trending/chemistry-and-physics/16256/wave-matter-duality-observed-biological-macromolecule-time

Meditation for Gut-Brain Health - how an integrated pure consciousness practice with body movements can rewire your second brain. I'd like to share some recent research* that has revealed fascinating connections between the type of practices I teach (e.g. pure consciousness mind/body practices) and healthy gut microbiome diversity. A healthy gut is like a rich soil; good things grow from here <3 First, it's important to understand the concept of the "gut-brain axis". The Gut-brain axis represents a complex communication network that connects our enteric nervous system (the "second brain" in our gut) with our central nervous system through neural (brain), immune, and endocrine (glandular) pathways. The gut microbiome—trillions of microorganisms inhabiting our digestive tract—plays a crucial role in this communication by producing neuroactive compounds that influence brain function, mood regulation, and cognitive processes. What this new research* is showing is that people who engage in meditation practices to hone consciousness integrated with body movemen ts show a significant increase in beneficial bacteria families in their gut like Prevotellaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae, which are associated with reduced inflammation and improved neural signaling. I was excited to see that these studies looked at both meditation AND movement practices together, which is the type of practice I have also found to be the most effective at helping people maintain health and emotional well being. The practices looked at in this study in particular, which found notable improvements in regulating the gut-brain axis, include: Coming back to the present moment: Bringing attention back to the body, noticing the senses, bringing awareness to the inner observer observing itself, and adjusting when the mind wanders. Accepting everything: Developing a pattern of non-judgement and seeing through any labels or stories. Finding an expanded perspective where you can stop fighting and find the goodness in everything Gentle movement: Combining a stable meditative state with simple movements and body awareness exercises. Integrating mindfulness practice into daily life: Practicing bringing this pure consciousness meditation state more and more into everyday situations. The studies* suggest that these types of practices were effective due to several key mechanisms: Vagal Tone Enhancement : Focused meditation activates the vagus nerve—the primary communication pathway between gut and brain. This activation increases parasympathetic activity, reducing stress-induced gut permeability and inflammation. Enteric Nervous System Regulation : Gentle, rhythmic movements stimulate mechanoreceptors in the digestive tract, helping to regulate motility and digestive enzyme secretion. Stress Hormone Modulation : Specifically, a pure consciousness/pineal gland-focused meditation component helps regulate cortisol and other stress hormones that, when chronically elevated, can devastate gut microbiome diversity. Microbial Metabolite Production : Regular meditation and movement practices appear to stimulate the production of short-chain fatty acids and other beneficial microbial metabolites that strengthen the intestinal barrier and reduce systemic inflammation. The specific health conditions that a regulated gut-brain axis could improve include thigns like: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) : Studies suggest improvements in symptoms within 6-8 weeks of regular practice, with reductions in pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements. Anxiety and Depression : The gut-microbiome changes induced by these types of practices correlate with improved mood regulation, with participants reporting significant symptom reduction after 8-12 weeks. Cognitive Function : Enhanced microbiome diversity following regular practice has been associated with improvements in cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and attention—benefits that typically emerge after 10-14 weeks. Autoimmune Conditions : The anti-inflammatory effects of improved gut barrier function may help manage autoimmune conditions, though these benefits typically require more sustained practice of 16+ weeks. Sleep Disorders : Pure consciousness-specific meditation practices that focus on the pineal gland appear particularly beneficial for melatonin regulation and circadian rhythm restoration, and can show sleep improvements within just 4 weeks. For those seeking to harness the gut-brain modulating effects of these types of practices, the research suggests a minimum of 20-30 minutes/day with about half of the practice in sitting meditation and the other in movement. Practitioners can start with 15-20 minutes/day and work their way up to 45 minutes/day as they find greater ease and benefits from the practices. If you're interested in learning more about these types of practices through the lens of Zhineng Qigong, check out my free 12-week introductory lesson plan for awakening consciousness. https://studio.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9RylFIA9TQkTTx0ElQ1etYreFMAutfWv The bottom line: practices that include both a pure consciousness AND body movement component may provide significant benefits for gut-brain health through multiple physiological pathways. As little as 20-30 minutes of daily practice, maintained for 6-8 weeks, appears sufficient to begin experiencing beneficial effects. It's wonderful when modern science validates ancient wisdom and direct experience! *References: Neurobiological Change s Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review : https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/11/2613 Possible Roles of Cyclic Meditation in Regulation of the Gut-Brain Axis : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8727337/ The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Stress and Depression https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10140437/ Rapid shift of gut microbiome and enrichment of beneficial microbes during arhatic yoga meditation retreat in a single-arm pilot study https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-025-04783-4

What if the why behind something transcends the what ... Envision yourself as a hybrid vehicle—drawing power from two distinct fuel sources: love and fear. Both fuels serve necessary functions; both exist within our capacity. Childhood-learned patterns often dictate which fuel propels our habitual actions. For most of us, life mastery involves releasing fear and learning to power our existence predominantly from the energy of love. When speaking of fear and love, I am referring to blocked versus unblocked energy. Energy science reveals how limiting patterns and emotions emerge when energy flow faces restriction. Fear-based emotions include shame, anxiety, unworthiness, blame, rage, depression, and apathy. Conversely, freely flowing energy allows us to discover positive meaning in everyday occurrences—enhancing beliefs of unconditional love, peace, joy, acceptance, and safety. David R. Hawkins maps the fear-love continuum in his consciousness framework, quantifying how "survival paradigm" emotions impact our bodies. Predominantly fear-based emotions lower our "energetic log"—blocking and depleting healing energy needed for wellbeing. States of serenity or bliss, however, enable us to receive exponentially greater healing potential—creating resilience and fulfillment. Most of us experience many of these states daily—from lower to higher energy flow - and this represents normal, healthy functioning. Problems develop when we become trapped in lower energetic patterns, and forget how to escape. Fear gets us to pay attention, which serves survival. That can be important! In today's world, however, institutions, media, and even some family and friends can continuously trigger our fear/survival response. This fear-based information field easily entangles us. Simple neuroscience-based consciousness practices coupled with surrounding ourselves with sources of good information can train us to naturally switch back to love's sweet fuel when we get caught by fear. This brings us to the "why" of an action being more important than the "what". From an energy science perspective, one's motivation, or the fuel source compelling one's actions, serves as key information. Consider this practical example: When I clean the bathroom from a hidden belief that I would not be a good mother/wife if I didn't, it suggests my action comes from a state of unworthiness (e.g. a belief in conditional worth or a fear of inadequacy). Noticing this pattern enables me to switch fuels. I can remember that I can also clean bathrooms because I love my family and enjoy cleanliness. Now I'm cleaning the bathroom out of love, not fear. This simple "why" shift makes all the difference when I leave the bathroom. Where the inadequacy "why" might leave me feeling resentful (notice Hawkins' guilt-to-blame progression), the love "why" allows me to leave feeling family connection and personal satisfaction. This type of regular mindfulness practice has transformed my base state out of fear and into love. The fear-based idea that we have to demonstrate our value by material means or face exile is an old myth that can be fed to the fire. We all belong; we all merit infinite love through our existence alone. There is never a need for anyone to "earn" their living or their right to live. When we are free to serve through love, everything is taken care of naturally and effortlessly. I wish someone had helped me understand this when I was younger but it's OK, better late than never! My old life was heavily fueled by a need to prove that I was worthy and good enough. When I wasn't feeling the fulfillment that I desired, I focused on changing my actions to amass more accomplishments. This only lead to burnout. Now I realize that my actions never were the heart of the matter, it was the story I told myself about why I was doing something that was the key. It is important to see what drives our actions in each moment because the "why" of an accomplishment may be a key to whether it brings us closer or further away from our true purpose and fulfillment. Of course, being aware of the fuel that my actions came from did result in a change of my work and daily habits, but that was a natural and organic process that was again, fueled by love and not running away from fear. It can be a process to re-program our actions to the love fuel but it's a worthwhile endeavor. It's necessary to bring infinite gentleness, self-love, and humor into the discovery process. You can start the exploration by asking yourself before any activity..."why?" When you respond, ask yourself "why?" again. I often recommend asking "why" 7 times to really get to the bottom of a hidden motive. When you get to your most basic answer, compare it with Hawkins' chart. Remember that it is always entirely within your own power to change the "why" story around anything that you do. From a broader perspective, it's ultimately your power and responsibility to shape your own reality through the meanings you assign to everyday life. I n this way, you can begin to see and track your fuel sources. In most instances, just making your hidden intentions conscious is all that's needed to train a new more positive habit. The fascinating things is...your actions need not change! There's no need to leave your job or stop cleaning the bathroom to find what you seek; not hollow accomplishments but true fulfillment.