Rhandi’s arguement is not something that stands or falls by his credibility as you put it. BTW you did not specify what the problem is with him, and, if you do specify it, can you prove it?
In philosophy, an attempt to ridicule an arguement by calling a persons character into question is a well known fallacy called ‘argumentum ad hominem’ and such things are rightly dismissed.
Rhandi is not the only source, I for example listed three.
In my challenge, I suggested that the scientific journal ‘Nature’ be invited to adjudicate and publish the results.
BTW, I have investigated trance states, healing, chi and many, many other related phenomena since the 1970’s and am a consultant in complementary medicine in the UK . It isn’t simply a case of scepricism for its own sake, but more a question of providing proof for certain claims.
I’m more than familiar with the usual ‘mystical’ responses that pass for reasoned research and am long unimpressed by them.
There is a very serious side to all of this, and that is the the quackery that goes on with claims to cure illnesses such as cancer - sometimes in children. I have known people die as a result of following the advice of chi-gung ‘masters’ - whose only authority came from cultish suggestion techniques and dogma, issued to sick, terrified and vulnerable people.
To make it absolutely clear, I am not saying that effects do not exist - however - the atribution of said effects (with certainty and dogma) to specific causes (e.g. chi and meridian channel manipulations) has no basis in proof at all.
The different explantions worldwide, for these effects are usually hijacked as evidence in favour of one cultural or emotional belief.
It is said that the other explanations/theories are ‘just chi’ (for example, under a different name. That relatavism is almost never applied to the favoured culture. To do real research, it would be necessary to eliminate what is unnecessary in the understanding of what are very diverse practices - cultural baggage that hides rather than reveals any active agency.
A useful comparisson is western healing and chi-gung - exactly the same (apparent effects) but, no meridians, no accupuncture points, no breatrhing exercises are necessary.
About the ‘making of money’ - in my published challenge I suggested that any takers could donate the money to a charity of their choice - and pointed out how a successful delivery of proof would revolutionise world medicine leading to the saving of millions of lives - still - no takers.
A scientific study of chi-gung breathing exercises (using measurements in end tidal C02 regulation with an infa red mass spectrometer) - show that they are hyperventilation exercises, which create a state of respiratory induced alkalosis in teh brain - a natural inducer of trance states. Much psychiatric literature since the 1960’s has pointed out the role of Central Nervous System alkalosis in mental disorders and transitory first rank schizophrenic symptomology.
We, we martail artists, should not be afraid to face up toi these things in case the magic bubble bursts - we should (must) have the courage to find the truth. If our art is anything more than elaborate ritualised BS we have nothing at all to fear and we may advance the sum of human knowledge enough to help a lrage numebr of suffering souls.
