Franklin Fick - Immortal Fang’s Longevity Qigong: Rubbing the Abdomen to Prevent Illness and Prolong Life

Immortal Fangs Longevity Qigong

Rubbing the Abdomen

to Prevent Illness and Prolong Life

Translated by Franklin Fick

Shen Long Publishing

shenlongpub.com

Shen Long Publishing

shenlongpub.com

Originally Published 1723

English Translation Copyright 2018 by Franklin Fick.

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book, expect for brief review, may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any

means- electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,

or otherwise without permission in writing from the publisher or

author.

Disclaimer

This book is intended for informational purposes only. The author (s),

translator (s), and publisher of this book disclaim all responsibility

for any liability, loss, injury, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is

incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly from reading and or

following the instructions contained herein.

Please consult your physician before starting any exercise program.

Table of Contents

Translators Introduction

I have the habit of searching used book stores and online sites for old books. While browsing one day, I found an old hand bound book about preventing illness and prolonging life. Intrigued by the preview the bookseller provided, I decided to purchase it.

When I received the book, I found that the hand bound copy included information from several different sources. One section illustrated a set of exercises that I recognized as being part of the system that one of my late teachers taught.

After doing some research, I found that the section of the book I was interested in was reprinted in 1984 and that it seemed to be a lot longer then what was included in the hand bound copy that I had. Naturally, I ordered a copy of this reprint. But, I found that the additional length of the 1984 reprint was actually a second book about Traditional Chinese Medicine (Wan Bing Hui Chun Return of Spring for all Diseases) that was reprinted along with the book I was interested in.

What you have in your hands, is a translation of a book originally published in 1723 detailing Daoist Fangs method of Rubbing the Abdomen to Prevent Illness and Prolong Life.

This book has gone through a series of reprints over the years. Each time it has been made available, the story behind the reprint is strikingly similar. Somebody received a copy of the book from a friend, tried the exercises, and found that they had good results, then decided to make the information available to a wider audience by publishing it.

• It was originally published in 1723 by Song Xinru. (see Original Introduction and Continued Introduction)
• It was republished by Zhu Tianfu in 1860. He received a copy from Mr. Rans collection. He used the exercises to improve his health. He made the information available and other people also received good results from the exercises. (see the Continued Introduction)
• It was republished again in 1925 by Lu Yisu. Lu was originally a Xingyi Quan student of Jin Yunting. He received the book from his friend and coworker Wu Heshou (who received it from his friend and coworker Government Offical Peng). Lu Yisu slightly organized and revised the text with the help of his teacher Jin Yunting and he republished it because no original copies still existed. (see Introduction and Postscript)

This method of Rubbing the Abdomen to Prevent Illness and Prolong Life as passed on by Daoist Fang consists of nine exercises. Exercises 1 through 8 should be done in sequence and repeated for a number of repetitions. Then you close the set with exercise 9.

When you first start, you should do 3 repetitions (of exercises 1 through 8). Then 3 days later you should do 5 repetitions. Then 3 days later you should do 7 repetitions.

According to the text, 7 repetitions is the complete practice and the set should be done at least twice a day, morning and night.

The set can be done standing up or laying down. And, No matter if you are a man or a woman, it is suitable for all people, except for pregnant women who are forbidden (to practice).

Because of my years of experience as a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as a Qigong practitioner, and as a Qigong teacher, I have first hand experience and have seen that simple exercises, like the ones presented in this book, can have tremendous positive results for people who take the time to practice them. As I present the English language translation of this book in 2018, my hope is similar to those that came before me in reprinting this volume, namely to make this available to a wider audience so that more people can benefit from the content.

Franklin Fick, October 31 st 2018, Taipei Taiwan

Introduction

My body was formerly frail. I had lung disease. Sometimes it would stop and sometimes it would act up. I exhausted all options with doctors and medicines. I was aware that Xingyi Quan can cure this disease and I thought about practicing it. It just so happened that, Mr. Jin Yunting traveled south from the big city and he is an expert in this practice. We discussed this and practiced for a few years. My disease reduced and disappeared.

I hoped to cure those who have the same disease as me, so I discussed with Mr. Jin about publishing his secret scroll on Xingyi Quan that he collected. I already paid the DaDong (Great East) Bookstore to print the manual with the explanation and picture, therefore it sounded appropriate to ask.

In Wu Jin, Government Official Peng and I were good at Yang Sheng (Nourishing Life), white hair but a ruddy complexion and a zesty demeanor. This Spring (return of good health or youth) is the essence of this book. This year I am 76 years old. My body is still healthy. I practiced this method for several decades without stop.

He had the same aspirations (as me). He gave me this book. I opened and read it once. It is mostly methods of getting rid of disease and it is not in the same category as Xingyi Quan. It is about the mechanism of generation or birthing (the endless cosmic force of creation). The changes are miraculous. It uses movement to transform stillness and uses stillness to facilitate movement. Compared to Xingyi Quan, it is more easy and comfortable.

This book was written in Yongzheng (1723-1735) and continued (to be circulated) in Xianfeng (1851-1861). Today none of the original versions exist, scattered like (the incident at) Guangling. Because of this, Mr Jin and I examined it in detail, slightly revised it, and printed it for people with a common interest. As for the 10 methods I practiced, it is recorded in detail and explained with pictures so I will not repeat it here.

First half of the second winter month, year Yi Chou (1925)

Basic outline by Lu Yisu, in the Capital of Baxian

Original Introduction

Yan Tai Daoist Fang, his age is unknown. People associated with him said that their grandfathers practiced together with him about 100 years ago. His voice is powerful like a bell, (he stands) 7 chi (feet) straight and solid, and he can stun you like an awl (sharp iron point). As a game he can use a long rope tied to his wrist and drag several tens of people behind him or he can pull and control over ten people in the front. He can use two fingers to hook two people and suspend them and raise them up like they are flying. A person chasing him can never reach him. He very often spontaneously goes to Tong Zhuo city for cakes (buns), walking for over 40 Li (Chinese miles) and coming back. The cakes are still hot when he returns. People call him Di Xian (Ground Immortal).

When I was young I had many diseases. I tried medicine, Daoyin, and anything that could cure my diseases. At last, I got to know Mr. Fang. I tested him by playing around and with some games. I wont describe it in detail. I begged for his prescription for getting rid of diseases. Mr. Fang says, The cleverness of my Dao (way) is to cure without medicine. The principles of the body are easy and simple. It complies with the movement of fate. When Heaven complies with it, then its movement is healthy. When humans comply with this, life is extended. It is not only for curing disease.