Science and the Spiritual Life:

T’ai Chi Chih and a Gamma Knife

by Liz Humphrey

Albuquerque, NM

Together, T’ai Chi Chih and a Gamma Knife® have brought the power of healing into my life.

Gamma Knife®: A state-of-the-art instrument that uses gamma rays (radiation) to target and destroy brain tumors within the brain non-invasively;

T’ai Chi Chih: Knowledge of the Supreme Ultimate.

The blessing of having both Dr. Marcus Keep, MD, Gamma Knife® neurosurgeon, and Justin Stone, T’ai Chi Chih originator, impact my spiritual journey is a beautiful balance of science and spirituality.

T’ai Chi Chih, part of my life since 1995, has led me to daily practice, meditation and prayer.

Recently, two years after brain surgery, physicians believed a tumor had returned. I continued daily T’ai Chi Chih practice. During the time of waiting – waiting to hear from physicians, waiting to see physicians, waiting for neurological exams, waiting for physicians to meet – I continued to do T’ai Chi Chih. During this time at the Tuesday morning teacher practices in Albuquerque, Justin often asked me how I was feeling and reminded me that I could do T’ai Chi Chih as many times a day as I needed.

The morning of the Gamma Knife® treatment, I did T’ai Chi Chih. I shared with the nurses and Dr. Keep that I did T’ai Chi Chih daily. I said that because of the T’ai Chi Chih movements/stillness, I had neurological balance, strength and calmness prior to the process. Their examinations confirmed my comments. I continued talking to the nurses: “I have no pain, no physical or mental symptoms, and I am not on medications.”

Dr. Keep said, “I hear you are the miracle one.” I had shared my story with many about the power of the soft movements of T’ai Chi Chih during the past two years, a time period for which medical data showed poor results for life expectancy.

Justin was always there reminding me that “only a higher power can make that decision – doctors are not capable of it.”

Before going into the treatment room, Dr. Keep asked me if I had any concerns. I said he should not be surprised if he saw white light and angels. He looked at me, smiling, and then said, “You don’t see them yet?” The T’ai Chi Chih movements at my bedside had created a very spiritual environment. I then bowed to Dr. Keep and his blessed hands. He had shared his concerns of possibly permanently impairing my vision with the impact of the radiation and location site.

The Gamma Knife® treatment began with the insertion of a frame into my head at four sites, to stabilize the frame to my brain. At this time, while experiencing pain, I practiced the “stillness” of T’ai Chi Chih and deep breathing – to the soles of my feet.

I was to be without physical movement for three 45-minute sessions. During those sessions Justin’s teaching of the Gayatri Mantra began to flow through my mind. “Om Bhuh Bhuvah Svah….” Again, Justin was so near.

The true beauty was that between the three 45-minute sessions the nurses allowed me to do T’ai Chi Chih while I was still attached to a head frame and IV site. Experiencing the technology for surgical advancement and the power and spirituality of T’ai Chi Chih at the same time – again, all was in complete balance.

After the treatment I was given a list of conditions to anticipate, things that commonly occur, including eye and face swelling, infection at the frame entry site, and/or headaches. I continued to do T’ai Chi Chih. Two days later I met with Dr. Keep; he asked about my symptoms. I was able to say that I had no swelling, infection or headaches. I was without any weakened neurological signs, including vision impact or other aftereffects of the Gamma Knife® treatment.

I demonstrated balance by doing T’ai Chi Chih. Dr. Keep called the nurses in and said, “She really is a miracle.”

My husband took me home to continue to rest. He understood that “rest” also meant T’ai Chi Chih. Justin calls to inquire, even though he knows I am ok. His thoughtfulness is always there. I am grateful. Indeed, angels are everywhere, and I continue my journey blessed with T’ai Chi Chih.

Thank you, Justin.