Sundo Taoist Energy Healing

*Kouk Sun Do is an ancient Korean Taoist system of hermit monks who resided in the mountains of what is now known as Korea. The lineage of the system is unknown. However, a little known reference to the system can be found on [Hwarangdo.com] under the history link there is reference to "kuksondo" (KoreanHangul characters shown on site are the same, this English spelling is different)...". Hwarangdo's lineage is also traced back to a monk.

Kouk Sun Do system contains a meditation and healing art, which may appear similar to otherChinese Taoist (see Taoism) practices, such as Qigong(which is Kigong in Korean) but it is considered to be a much deeper and more comprehensive graduated practice. Kouk Sun Do buildschi, or Ki in the Korean language of Hangul, or life energy in the practitioner's body and balances their mind, body and spirit. The Ki energy practice roots may be from Tao Yin which literally translated from Chinese means "stretching and contracting the body".

Kouk Sun Do was originally developed in the region now known as Korea over the past 9700 years or so, according to Chung San Guh Sa (Chung San) who came down from the mountains of Korea to spread Kouk Sun Do in 1967. At that time martial arts were taught along with the healing art until a decision was made to only promote only the healing art aspect of the system.

Kouk Sun Do (KSD) was practiced on the mountains secretly for hundreds of years by hermits, then in 1967, Chung San came down from the mountain to spread Kouk Sun Do, as instructed by Chung San's master. When Chung San first came down from 15 years of 10 hours a day training on the mountains of Korea, he did magnificent demonstrations that were thought to be impossible for ordinary humans. For instance, he sat on a burning fire for 15 minutes but his body was not burnt. After such demonstrations, in 1970 March 15, the first Kouk Sun Do center was established in Korea. Since then, numerous Koreans have practiced Kouk Sun Do, and there are currently over 100 Kouk Sun Do centers in Korea. Also, on a visit to the first center in Columbus, Ohio with seven other masters, he went into a lake and stayed underwater for 18 minutes.

In 1983, Chung San went back to the mountains. Nowadays, no one knows where he is. However, since then, Kouk Sun Do has slowly become famous in Korea. In one of the Korean dramas that were broadcast in the Korean national TV, one of the protagonists practiced Kouk Sun Do, proving KSD's wide recognition in Korea.

While Chung San was spreading Kouk Sun Do, he wrote two books on Kouk Sun Do, which are published in Korean and only available in Korea. The first book talks about Chung San's life in the mountains as he learns Kouk Sun Do from his master; the second book talks about various aspects of Kouk Sun Do such as purpose, origin, method, etc.

Kouk Sun Do healing is similar in effect to Chinese traditional medicine, i.e. acupressure points are used during the practice, the practitioners gradually learn to focus their Ki then circulate it through the energy meridians, they focus on energy centers and levels in the body. Acupuncture Principles such as the five elements were founded by Taoist monks and are a part of the Kouk Sun Do system. In the USA acupressure is taught in many different massage schools as well as at seasonal retreats.

The process first works in the lower DanJeon (energy center, Dantian in Chinese) and progresses to the middle and upper DanJeon. The healing is more gradual than an acupuncture treatment which can enforce and speed up the healing process but cannot advance the practitioner to the level ofsam we il chae or balance of the three energy centers which the practitioners strive for. The resultant effect of balancing the three energy centers through continued practice is more powerful than acupuncture itself yielding a spiritual development leading to enlightenment.

A simultaneous healing of imbalances in Ki energy through building, balancing and release of energy blockages begins in what is referred to as the exterior level in acupuncture. With persistent practice and advancement to higher levels of Hang-gong (positions similar to yoga's asana), along with more advanced breathing and visualization practice, healing continues deeper into the interior levels.

The aimed result of the practice is longevity or what in ancient times was referred to as Immortality Through the balance and conservation of bodily energies as in other non-religious Taoist practices. Of course the monks practiced the martial arts for self-preservation.

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*Reference Sundo Academy

*Wikipedia