Falun Gong for Graceful and Positive Aging

Presented at the 8th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality, 29-30 October, 2019, Canberra, Australia.

ABSTRACT:

This presentation explores the mindful practice Falun Gong for graceful and positive aging. 

The promotion of mind-body and spiritual health for positive aging has undergone cultural changes and hence requires on-going considerations. People from diverse cultures are seeking antidotes from Eastern meditative practices.

Falun Gong, an ancient Chinese spiritual practice, with its roots in Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, serves as one such mind-body spiritual way.

Dr. John H. Court, retired professor of psychology from Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, California (U.S.A), identified in Falun Gong essential values, such as:

“knowledge, love, meaning, peace, hope, transcendence, connectedness, compassion, wellness, and wholeness” as qualities “congruent with healthy human adjustment and widely espoused in all spiritual traditions.”

(Dr. J.H. Court in Trey, 2016, p. xii)

Court stated that it is feasible to practice Falun Gong and reap benefits. He stated that it can be done “without invoking a strictly religious framework” (Trey 2016, p. xii).

Graceful and Positive Aging with Falun Gong

The Australian survey confirmed that the mindful way of Falun Gong could contribute towards graceful and positive aging. Findings showed the benefits of practicing Falun Gong for people from all ages and all walks of life.

There is a lack of research and literature exploring the impact of Falun Gong for older people.

However, studies on similar Eastern meditative practices, like tai chi and qigong, indicated the benefits of these practices for older people.

A review of 36 randomized controlled tests (RCTs) with 3,800 respondents showed that tai chi and qigong are beneficial for older adults (Rogers et al., 2009).

This paper and presentation provide insight and experiential learning about Falun Gong for graceful and positive aging.

Keywords: Meditation, mindfulness, graceful aging, Falun Dafa