In an interview with The Epoch Times on Aug. 30, Dr. Jason Liu, M.D., director of the Mind-Body Science Institute in California, talked about the benefits of the first International Chinese Vocal Competition to be held by New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) in New York in October 2007.
"As a doctor who uses music as medicine and as a medical worker who specializes in wave movement medicine, I was thrilled by NTDTV's ideas and initiatives to promote traditional music, and wanted to sincerely thank the TV station for its sponsorships of a series of important events spreading traditional culture."
Dr. Liu believes that the vocal competition is a start for mankind to retrieve the essence of vocal culture that has been passed down for thousands of years.
"The music and songs that express pure truth, pure goodness, and pure beauty are capable of redressing the heart and repelling diseases, playing a role not to be replaced by medicine."
Dr. Liu explains, "The competition will not only offer a platform for professionals to share their experience in their trade and help spread the traditional arts, but also provide right directions for various aspects of human society, including the health and well-being of humankind."
Dr. Liu is well trained in both medicine and music. He treats and hypnotizes his patients with music and, at the same time, composes therapeutic music himself.
In the mid-1980s, he was selected and sponsored by the World Health Organization (WTO) to study in Japan and received his Ph.D. in medicine. In the early 1990s, he did post-doctorate research and clinical work at UC Davis School of Medicine and University of Miami School of Medicine.
Thereafter, he dedicated himself to the study of meridian theory in Chinese medicine, sound wave and music therapy, music hypnosis therapy, and psychological therapy.
After 10 years of dedicated research and clinical experiments, Dr. Liu invented Brainwave Meridian Therapy (BMT) treatment, a natural effective method that requires no acupuncture and medicine. It has been certified by the Association of Alternative Medicine and the Society of Hypnosis Medicine in the United States.
Caption: The experiments on water crystals conducted by Dr. Masaru Emoto, director of International Health Management, show that water produces beautiful hexagons of crystals when it is exposed to pleasant and peaceful music such as "Silent Night" and gives off ugly and irregular crystals when it receiving jarring heavy metal music.
Traditional Music and Modern Music Affect Human Mind and Body Differently
Dr. Liu says that music therapy belongs to wave movement medicine, and that music, thought, and language are all typical wave movements. A human life comes from an energy system in the universe, and when it receives harmonious waves that are in line with the special nature of the universe, its mind and body will respond positively to them.
Dr. Liu has treated many patients with music. He works to combine the therapeutic theory of yin and yang and the five elements in traditional Chinese music with the spatial effect of modern electrical music, highlighting the role of traditional Chinese music in patients' physical and mental health and their spiritual life.
"Numerous clinical cases in my experience show that traditional music is miraculous in opening body channels and passages, broadening mind, and increasing wisdom."
Dr. Liu continues, "A beautiful piece of music can unite heaven, earth, and man into one and purify a person's spiritual realms, so his or her body becomes healthy naturally. In fact, a person's body and mind are one, and to treat one's body, it's inevitable to adjust his mind first."
When he was asked about the difference between classical music and modern music in their effects on a person's mind and body, Dr Liu said the difference was simply obvious.
Many studies in the world suggest that modern music, such as rock-and-roll and disco, are harmful to people's health, and juveniles who often listen to them tend to do worse at school and have poor health. They also tend to have a shorter span of attention and depression. On the other hand, those who love classical music usually have a steady mental state, focused mind, and higher morals in their behavior.
Dr Liu says that his music therapy makes use of traditional music's exquisite rhythm and balance and the expressiveness of electronic music, and is filled with energy that comes from wave movements and is highly effective in treating illnesses.
Traditional Music's Healing and Nurturing Effects
Dr Liu believes that a good musical instrument player or a singer must have a solid foundation by cultivating the body and nurturing their nature. Listening to music and songs is not merely entertainment; it is also a process of cultivating one's nature and nurturing the health.
A real brilliant singer can transport his or her audiences to a magnificent world, bringing them inspiring messages and vitality. A singer who sings traditional songs must be physically and mentally healthy, so his or her songs may convey that health to audiences.
Dr Liu says, "A good concert is a unique physical therapy and spiritual recharge. I was fortunate enough to have watched NTDTV's global galas, and had had that kind of memorable feelings. Among modern music, such an evening is hard to find indeed. Listening to unhealthy music will only cause disorder to people's internal organs, tissues, and nerve systems. Therefore, I suggest our readers learn to pick healthy music and songs for their enjoyment."
Traditional Music Makes a Person's Mind, Body, and Spirit One With the Universe
According to Dr Liu, music therapy can trace its root to ancient divine culture. The Chinese have always used music to treat illnesses, and they used to say, "Music is as good as medicine. Music precedes medicine."
The Chinese character for the word "medicine" came after the character for "music," and with an addition of a part that means "grass" it became the character "medicine." The music in heaven and the grass on earth are health treasures for man.
Traditional Chinese music, especially music from the Imperial court, requires the balance of yin and yang and the harmony of the five elements. It is based on the principle of the universe that the five elements and the five notes correspond to the five organs and five emotions.
Dr Liu says that the essential role of music is to make its listeners' mind, body, and spirit one with the universe.
"The messages in music are expressed in tunes, rhythms, and notes, but they are more than all of those. They are what a cultivator musician comes to understand as the real meaning of life reflected in the art of music."
Dr. Liu adds, "In this sense, classical Chinese music is actually heavenly music."
He says that Western classical music is of high artistic value too, and may boost people's spirits. Earlier Western classical music was all played in churches, praising God. The music was solemn and compassionate, understanding and tolerant. When people today listen to it, they feel awed and feel that they are in direct communication with God.
The Vocal Competition Means to Restore Tradition
Speaking on NTDTV's International Chinese Vocal Competition, Dr Liu said, "I feel grateful to NTDTV for its effort because it is really a good thing to do. It not only provides a good opportunity to professional vocalists, but also is of far significance to everyone and the whole world."
He adds, "Through this competition, people will be motivated, work harder, and set a higher standard for themselves. Meanwhile, the competition will enable people to understand better what is traditional vocal art and the criteria for it. It is also a learning and sharing process for vocalists, through which more people will know about traditional vocal art."
"Traditional vocal art should become the spiritual food for everyone in human society."
To find out more about Brainwave Meridian Therapy, please visit Dr. Liu's site at: http://www.mindbody-science.com.
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