“Looking back, one year ago, I did not dream this would all be possible” said Chiwen Su as she excitedly shared part of her fashion doll collection at a symposium held at Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Los Angeles on June 21, 2014. Chiwen is a graphic designer and collects fashion dolls as a hobby.  She now looks radiant and happy, so it’s hard to imagine that just one year ago, before she joined Tai Ji Men, she had been battling with anxiety and panic attacks large and small for 6 months. She recalled, “I often suffered from insomnia and other symptoms such as ‘racing heart,’ chest pains, feeling weak and dizzy, and numbness in my hands. One time my symptoms were so sever that I thought I had a heart attack and was sent to an emergency room. That was truly terrifying!”

At the time, every day, two thirds of her waking hours, she would suffer from the symptoms from head to toe. She would take tranquilizers prescribed by the doctor, but the medications could only provide temporary relief and came with side effects.  Therefore, she would try other remedies to relieve her symptoms. She would eat light meals and take Chinese herbs 5 times a day. In the morning, she would exercise in the park, and in the evening, she would do all kinds of simulated exercises using Wii, but only to wake up with more muscle pains. She even bought a deluxe massage chair. Nevertheless, mini panic attacks would continue to haunt her throughout the day. After a few months of attempt, she had no choice but to give up her work. She was often in tears and couldn’t help thinking: “I am only 41 but live and feel like an old lady!”  When she was out of ideas, her friend called and recommended her to practice qigong at Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Los Angeles.

“For the first time in my life, I learned how to breathe properly,” said Chiwen after the first qigong session at Tai Ji Men, “and I learned how to slow myself down with mindful breathing.” She also learned that her problems were the result of imbalance between her mind and body.” She practiced qigong diligently every day since then, and very soon her symptoms started to get milder and milder. Her body learned to detox on its own, and gradually she was able to cut her medication dosage until she no longer needed medication during the day.  She was very pleased with her improvement.  She felt that Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy is full of happy energy, and she felt very relaxed there.  Gradually, her way of thinking became more positive, and she felt less anxious and more relaxed.  She stated, “In the past, if I were in a room or an enclosed space, I would have claustrophobia within 10 minutes, starting with dizzy spells followed by involuntary heart palpitation. Now at the academy I often laugh heartily when I chat with other Tai Ji Men members. I feel very secure and calm, so I can remain seated for a long period of time, and when I come home, I sleep well at night.” Chiwen mentioned that her Shifu, Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, often says, “The heart is the root.  Having a healthy mindset is essential for good health.”  Chiwen remarked, “I now pay more attention to the interaction between my mind and body.  This is actually the most precious kungfu.” Chiwen has started to learn the power of the heart and has learned to look within: “I was spoiled as a child.  I used to be impatient and self-centered. At Tai Ji Men, I have learned to reflect on my own thoughts, words, and actions and have learned to be a nicer person and more considerate to others. Through the improvements both in the heart and the body, I have gradually obtained boundless happiness and energy.”

Because she has significantly improved mentally and physically, she has not only resumed her graphic design job, but also her passion for fashion doll collection.  Born into a well-to-do family, at a very young age she had been introduced to fashion dolls from Europe, the U.S., and Japan.  However, when she suffered from panic attacks, she was too weak to even change clothes for her dolls. Now that she has restored her health, she feels that it is much joyful to share her private collection with others.

Besides, she also has a deep understanding of her Shifu Dr. Hong’s words: “If everybody acts according to his/her conscience, then world peace will become a reality.  If everybody is cheerful, then all families will be happy.” Now that she has regained her health and happiness, she wishes that more people can be happy like her.  She uses her spare time and her talents to promote the movement of “An Era of Conscience,” co-organized by the Federation of World Peace and Love, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, and the Association of World Citizens, NGO in consultative status with ECOSOC and associated with the UN DPI.

Chiwen moved from Taiwan to Australia when she was in middle school and later studied French and Japanese in a university in Australia. She utilized her language skills to invite the Consuls General of Japan, Korea, Spain, Italy, etc. in Los Angeles to participate in the movement of “An Era of Conscience.”  She also invited the principal, business owners in her neighborhood to join the movement and to “protect the conscience in our hearts and create an era of love and peace!”  Through these efforts in support of “An Era of Conscience,” Chiwen wishes to help consolidate more positive influences to make our world a better place.

Your words of conscience and acts of kindness are a positive contribution to your family, society, nation, and the world.  Since “An Era of Conscience” started on Jan. 1, 2014, there have been over 1.1 million visits to the movement’s website.  Tens of thousands of people from 593 organizations in 156 countries have taken part in the movement.”  We would like to cordially invite you to submit your words of conscience (100-300 words) with your photo to the movement’s website at www.aneoc.org. or send your video or audio recording (about 30 seconds) or drawing, painting, or comics to info.aneoc@gmail.com.  Organizations are welcome to jointly promote the movement of “An Era of Conscience.” If you have any questions about the movement, please contact Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Los Angeles at (909)468-1362.