Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy

The Risky 20 Hours

My job is to be responsible for expanding businesses overseas. I spend half of the time working abroad, and I am used to it. One Friday in the April of 2010, I was on a plane to India to sign an important contract. I felt a discomfort in my chest around noon, somewhat like having a bad flu but perhaps a bit more serious. Initially I did not take it seriously as I was thinking that this may just be exhaustion from all the travel around Chinese New Year time, which had put a strain on my body. And since my triglyceride level was within the normal range, this should not be a heart related problem. However, I felt even worse around 7: 00 p.m. when I was about to execute the documents. I thought to myself, “I flew all this way to India to close a deal, and I am so close to the finish line.” So I used what I had learned at Tai Ji Men and started to practice qigong – inhale and exhale slowly to allow my body to calm down. After the successful completion of the signing ceremony, I rushed to the airport and took the 11:00 p.m. plane via Hong Kong back to Taipei.

While it was already mid-night on the plane back home, I did not dare fall asleep. I continued to practice qigong to relax my body and soul and try to keep positive and happy thoughts. I tried to not over-worry and to preserve energy and a good spirit. Following what Shifu had taught me – the wisdom of staying calm and steady during difficult times and continuing to practice qigong, I was able to safely spend the night on the plane. When we were getting closer to Taiwan, I calmly called my wife and asked her to arrange a few things for me. I was able to arrange and plan out things I had thought about even when I was at the critical moment of life and death. I was still calm and peaceful and remembered that Shifu had taught us that wisdom would arise in tranquility.

Immediately when we landed in Taiwan on Saturday, I was rushed to the emergency room. The doctor immediately concluded that I was having myocardial infarction. However, he advised that no surgery was necessary but only an angioplasty procedure was needed, where a thin tube with a balloon would be used to push open the walls of the artery. I was over the moon as there was no need for me to go under the knife. It took the doctors one hour to complete the procedure, and it was successful. I spent three days in the emergency room because there were no spare beds available. Every day different doctors came to check on me, and by ER rules, each one of them had to take a detailed medical history from me. Every one of them was amazed that I was able to survive this ordeal and told me that my life was a miracle. I however did not feel anything extraordinary.

Later I finally understood why the doctors said what they said. According to statistics, heart disease is ranked number two on the top 10 list for causes of death. The initial three hours when it happens are the most dangerous and critical hours, and two thirds of the patients are dead before the doctors even arrive. And it is very important that extreme caution is exercised while moving or transporting the patients. What was so extraordinary for me is that it was 20 hours between the attack and the ER care. I was able to take an international flight all on my own from India to Taiwan and was able to survive it. Looking back on this risky journey, I feel extremely lucky.

“Take it easy” is easily said than done. In the past, I was a very short-tempered person and oftentimes I would be short with my co-workers as I wanted the business to be done. I would also bring the bad moods home and impact the harmonious atmosphere at home. I would be in a bad mood even for very little things. I often felt unhappy and did not know how to smile or divert the bad moods and moodiness. I could not sleep well either. I remember I used to get really upset with the taxi drivers when they took a route that was not what I had in mind. I would bottle it up all in even past the time I was off the taxi. Recently I was in a similar situation, but I remembered what Shifu had taught me, “Always think the positive thoughts. You can spend a day being happy or sad.” I started to reflect on this, “Is it really worthwhile for me to be upset over the 5 or 10 extra dollars?” I needed to be happy and enjoy the taxi ride. So I started to chat with the driver and really enjoyed talking with him. I was thinking to myself, “It is such a wise thing to buy a ride full of happiness than worry about the extra 5 or 10 dollars.”

Ever since I joined Tai Ji Men, I have slowly understood and practiced the concept of relaxing myself. It feels wonderful. When I am calm and happy, I can handle difficult and challenging situations with wisdom and make the right decisions. Just like this time, I did not know that I had a heart attack, but I had stayed calm and kept a steady mood. This has avoided additional burden on my heart and expansion of the blockage, therefore preserving my life. I am extremely lucky to practice qigong at Tai Ji Men and to learn life wisdom, which has saved my life at a very crucial moment.