By Dr. Margaret Trey | 2016
The Mindful Practice of Falun Gong marries research evidence with the art of storytelling. The book heralds the author’s Hearts Uplifted project that aims to revive the lived experiences of individuals whose lives have been profoundly touched and transformed by Falun Gong—a spiritual meditation practice. Drawing from a labyrinth of research findings and the on-going study, the author effectively weaves facts from the academic inquiry with a compelling story of one woman’s journey to wellness with Falun Gong.
The book presents the results from the Australian survey—a doctoral study—that investigates the health-wellness effects of Falun Gong, as perceived by those who practice it.
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REVIEWS
“I will confirm that The Mindful Practice of Falun Gong now provides many people with the opportunity to become acquainted with Falun Gong in a ‘socially factual’ manner–surpassing the innuendo and superstition that has plagued so many mind-body practices.“
— Dr. Heather Mattner, Health Psychologist, Adjunct Associate Professor, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
“This book is a service to those who may use this source as a springboard for further work. At the same time, the more human face of lived experiences is woven through the text to provide striking illustrations of the kind of beneficial changes that can occur withFalun Gong practitioners.”
— Dr. J. H. Court, former Program Director of Counseling at The University of South Australia, Adelaide.
Dr. Margaret Trey presents some very convincing evidence of the health, healing, and stress-relieving benefits of this ancient Chinese exercise and meditation practice. Relating first-hand experiences of Falun Gong practitioners together with results from a scientific study in an engaging style, Dr. Trey paints a comprehensive view of the practice and its positive effects on wellness. This book helps the reader understand the baffling situation reported widely in the press. After Falun Gong was introduced to the public in 1992, within a few years about a hundred million people in China had taken up this practice. In 1999, the Chinese Communist Party quickly moved to stop Falun Gong from returning that country to its traditional values because these altruistic values were out of line with its communist ideology. A must-read for anyone wishing to explore the world of health through meditation practices beyond the traditional yoga class.
— Dr. Lucia Dunn, Professor of Economics, Ohio State University
FROM THE AUTHOR
This book is the fruit of more than 15 years of commitment. It first started out with a single-case study for my Master’s degree (counseling) in 2001. Then I got a job at two country medical centers where I was able to integrate Falun Gong with my counseling work … and it blended beautifully. I was inspired to explore the health-wellness effects of Falun Gong. In 2003, a window of opportunity came when The University of South Australia School of Psychology, Social Work, and Social Policy opened its doors for the first time to offer the Doctor of Counseling degree. I applied and was accepted into the program. In July of 2003, I embarked on my Falun Gong research journey. It was a ‘lonely’ journey; there were hardly any studies investigating the health-wellness effects of Falun Gong despite its popularity and appeal to millions of individuals around the world. Fortunately, I came across the field studies by Professor David Ownby, whose research inspired and steered me in my own research path. The outcome is The Mindful Practice of Falun Gong, which heralds the Hearts Uplifted project.