A Russian Neurologist Talks About Falun Gong

On March 14th 2004, the St. Petersburg Radio Station broadcasted a special programme called, “How much is good health worth?” in which they interviewed a Falun Gong practitioner, Dr. Soltanok a neurological specialist, to discuss the relationship between traditional morality and health.

Dr. Soltanok first introduced the listeners to the relationship between good health and moral standards from a medical point of view. Later he cited the reason why practicing Falun Gong can bring real health benefits to people and provided some examples.

Here are some of Dr. Soltanok comments:

”Throughout many ancient human civilisations there existed various cultivation methods for refining mind and body, helping people to lead a better life and thereby obtaining greater purity in morality, good health and longevity. Today I want to introduce to you such a traditional cultivation method. It is a type of Qi Gong*, a cultivation practice for improving one’s body, mind and spirit. This practice is the widely acclaimed Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa.

*(chee-gong) - A form of traditional Chinese exercise which cultivates qi or “vital energy.”

Kindness and good health knows no national borders - Falun Gong practitioners may be found all around the world.

Falun Gong originates from China. Its founder is Mr Li Hongzhi. He developed this ancient traditional cultivation method, so that modern people could use it for cultivation. Falun Gong is very easy to learn and understand which has facilitated its popular spread around the world. It’s also widely practiced here in Russia.

Its emphasis on assimilating oneself to the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, the easily understandable explanations about humankind and the universe, plus the five gentle and easily learnt exercises, have attracted many people to take up Falun Gong practice.

As a medical doctor and researcher, I must take full responsibility for what I say. Regarding Falun Gong, I cannot help saying some good words about this excellent practice, which I have been practicing myself for six years.

During the period of my practice, as a medical expert I have collected a vast amount of data showing Falun Gong’s beneficial effects to ones health. Many of these cases are my friends who also practice Falun Gong. There are also patients who just started practicing. Typically, they used to suffer from serious sickness such as tumours, high blood pressure etc, but after practicing Falun Gong have escaped from these sufferings.

One particular woman showed symptoms of lung cancer. After a few months of practicing Falun Gong, the doctor was surprised to find in a check up that the X-ray picture of her lung showed no symptoms at all. Many drug addicts have also escaped from their reliance on drugs by practicing Falun Gong.

My whole family, my wife, daughter and granddaughter, all practice Falun Gong. My daughter used to suffer from great long-term pain caused by the lowering of her kidney but now her symptoms have disappeared.

However, the most precious thing about Falun Gong is not, in fact, its ability to cure illness. Falun Gong does not promote its magic effects. People come to Falun Gong for cultivation, gradually realising that the real reasons behind their suffering are actually negative elements within themselves. Falun Gong teaches that the suffering and illnesses of humankind are intimately related to humankind’s moral standard and spiritual well being. Knowing and aligning oneself to the higher-level principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance during ones daily life will make one realise one’s negative aspects and correct them, leading to improved well-being. Clearly understanding the importance of moral standards in one’s life and acting based upon them and through changing our attitude to the suffering, sickness and difficulties encountered in our daily life, we will be well on the way back to true well being.

Aside from curing physical problems, the spiritual environment in our family at home has also improved greatly. The relationships between family members have become more harmonious. We tolerate and treat each other with kindness. I am not trying to say that there are no more conflicts, but we have learnt to solve our problems with compassion.

I would also like to emphasise that because Falun Gong directly points to one’s heart and kind nature, people change according to innate kind and good character. Our innate goodness is a powerful factor, which can correct all the bad aspects in ourselves and in society.

Falun Gong founder Mr Li Hongzhi has said: “Cultivation practice itself is not difficult, and neither is upgrading one’s level itself difficult. It is because they cannot give up the human mind that they call it difficult.” from Zhuan Falun, Lecture Nine. Mr Li’s book Zhuan Falun can help everyone to understand Falun Gong. In this book, how civilisation has developed, the origin of man’s supernatural abilities, various cultivation methods, and the relationship between morality and sickness as well as humankind’s fate are clearly discussed and explained scientifically