A once-secret healing art

Though eight years back, the video clip on CNN was so amazing that it still sticks to mind. The scene was during the anti-Chinese riots in Jakarta. Hundreds of demonstrators, some carrying molotov bombs, were about to charge a nervous platoon of policemen. From behind the phalanx sprang a dozen unarmed men in black. Lined up with left arms across tummies, they aimed right fists at the mob. Fifteen feet away, the assaulters suddenly fell to the ground as if they had crashed onto an invisible wall. What was that?

The answer came only recently with an invite to watch a Kalimasada practice at the U.P. Vanguard Bldg. in Diliman, Quezon City. It turned out that the secret of the Jakarta policemen is an ancient Indonesian martial and healing art, once known only to a noble family in East Java, but declassified a dozen years ago "for human good." What had stunned the rushing mob was powerful energy harnessed from the bodies of the Kalimasada-trained cops. The force is not lethal if the user does not – in fact, should not – intend it to be. But it can be potent enough to heal oneself and others of mild pains or serious asthma, emphysema, stroke, diabetes, high-blood pressure, cataract, vertigo, arthritis, muscle atrophy, obesity, kidney stones, cirrhosis, and other lung and heart ailments.

Anything western science is unable to explain can only be demonic. But Tetada (Science and Therapy) Kalimasada cannot be such. Practitioners begin and end their exercises with prayer, and any application or healing must implore the aid of the Almighty. It does not matter if the believer is Christian, Muslim or Buddhist, for there is only one Truth. Sessions start with deep-breathing rhythms, in lotus position, eyes closed, to put oneself in "alpha", the state when the brain is most alert and sensitive. Akin to yoga or t’ai chi meditation, the brain’s bio-electricity pulsates at only seven to 14 cycles per second (cps or hertz), unlike in "beta" when the body is active, eyes are open, and vibration is at 20 cps. In the "alpha" meditative state, practitioners communicate with the one God.

There is no self-hypnosis ("theta" state, four to seven cps) or psychic ability ("delta", less than four cps). Yet after meditating, the practitioners perform jurus or exercises in concentrated unison. Each of the nine jurus is aimed at awakening and sharpening the seven chakras, the body’s energy centers: sacral for feeling, root (base of the spine) for instincts, navel for power, heart for balance, throat for communication and creativity, brow for third eye, crown for consciousness or wisdom.

After the closing prayer, again with deep breathing to meditate, some new practitioners at the Vanguard Bldg. tested their harnessed inner force. One "wrapped" a light bulb with body energy flowing from the palm, then dropped it two meters to the cement floor. Astonishingly the bulb did not break but just bounced thrice. Another did the same with a florescent lamp, placed it on two bricks a foot apart, then stepped onto it. Again, the lamp did not break. A third "energized" three leaves of a newspaper on the floor before a man stepped onto it. Four women, one on each corner of the paper, lifted him a meter high; the sheer newsprint did not tear under his weight. (Don’t try it at home, please, but these and more will be featured tonight at 11 on IBC-13’s Linawin Natin). A couple practised "sensing" each other’s aura, detecting without touching which part of the other’s body was suffering stress or muscular pain. This is in preparation for the Tetada Kalimasada level where healing of self and others is taught. Through each of the applications, the pilati (instructors) reminded the TK members to strengthen their faith in God in order to gain confidence in their skills.

"Kalimasada" is taken from the Javanese version of the Mahabharata tale. It is the sacred weapon of Yudisthira, eldest of the five Pendawa brothers. That weapon is virtue of principles. The Kalimasada insignia, two overlapping black and white circles, represents the balance of physical and spiritual life working in harmony. After practising it exclusively for 500 years, the Surohadi family decided in 1991 to spread the martial and healing art to the world. Grandmaster Eddy Surohadi founded the TK Institute for Development of Inner Power in Jakarta, assisted by his doctor-wife Ida. TK soon set up chapters in other Indonesian islands, then spread to Asia, Europe and America. Leo Villarosa of Subic Freeport, a business partner of Pa Eddy’s brother, introduced Kalimsada to the Philippines in the mid-90s after a year of intensive training.

Students can be as young as 12 or as old as can be. One of the first Manila members is retired Col. Tem Rodriguez who, at 68 in 1995, signed up in search of a cure-all to aches and pains that come with a human body’s planned obsolescence. He could not climb a flight of stairs then without having to stop every few steps to catch his breath. Today he remains sprightly even after a two-hour exercise, twice-weekly. Others are there to keep fit or to learn healing. Training consists of beginner and higher levels, to which members graduate every three months of 20 sessions, National Pilati, Col. Gil Aganon says.

Enrollees may contact the following: U.P.-Diliman or Mandaluyong-Pasig, Ms Bing Angeles, (02) 9281302 or (0917) 8903120; Cubao-Quezon City, Mr. Louie Ortiga, (02) 6819508 or (0918) 9090967; Cebu City, Mr. Warlito Lim, (032) 4149420 or (0916) 6140414, and Ms Edna Vantandoost, ((0916) 3930749; Davao City. Ms Lucy Ortiga, (0917) 6221960; Cagayan de Oro, Mr. Bert Tan, (0917) 7068187; Subic, Mr. Leo Villarosa, (0917) 5213456. Mailing address: Unit 205 Le Gran Condominium, 45 Eisenhower St., Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila 1504.

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