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'''Zhi Gang Sha''' ([[Traditional Chinese character|Traditional Chinese]]: 志鋼沙) is a [[faith healing|spiritual healer]] who claims "the Divine" has given him the power to download "soul software" and heal a range of ailments.<ref name="wired">{{Cite web| url=http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/04/drsha_0405 | title = Dr. Sha, a Healer With a Modern Spin: He Downloads New Organs | publisher = Wired | accessdate=2009-03-22}}</ref>
 
Sha has an [[M.D.]] and a degree in [[traditional Chinese medicine]]. He has also studied [[Qi Gong]] and [[Feng Shui]]. He teaches his patients that chanting mantras in Mandarin Chinese can heal their ailments.<ref name=ts>{{cite news|last=Mawhinney|first=Janice|title=Mind's power helps heal body|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/421022241.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+26%2C+2003&author=Janice+Mawhinney&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Mind's+power+helps+heal+body+%3B+M.D.+developed+system+involving+Eastern+practices+Mantras%2C+postures%2C+visualization+and+affirmation+used&pqatl=google|accessdate=25 July 2011|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=26 January 2003}}</ref> He has also claimed to be able to replace organs using a technique he describes as a "soul software download",<ref name="wired"/> and practices what he refers to as "soul healings".<ref name=spt>{{cite news|last=Ann Moore|first=Waveney|title=New Age physician|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/378741901.html?dids=378741901:378741901&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+02%2C+2003&author=WAVENEY+ANN+MOORE&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=New+Age+physician%3A+Heal+thyself+Series%3A+RELIGION&pqatl=google|accessdate=25 July 2011|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=2 August 2003}}</ref>
==Biography==
 
Sha has written a book titled ''Soul, Mind, Body Medicine'', which placed on the The New York Times bestseller list.<ref name="wired"/>
In [[2002 in science|2002]], he was named Qigong Master of the Year at the Fifth World Congress on Qigong in San Francisco.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.eastwestqi.com/wqf/wqf.htm | title = The 6th American Qigong Association Conference | work = World Qigong Federation | accessdate=2008-04-16 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080416155108/http://www.eastwestqi.com/wqf/wqf.htm |archivedate = 2008-04-16}}</ref>
 
Sha's practices have been controversial and their effectiveness has been called into question. An ophthalmologist who examined patients treated by Sha reported that none of their conditions were helped by his methods.<ref name="wired"/>
==Belief System==
===Divine Channel and Servant===
Dr. Sha states that he became channel for the Divine in July 2003, when the Divine appeared to him at a retreat in Toronto. He claims that he was taught how to download “soul software” into people and that he was given authority as a divine channel to download new souls from the Divine, clear personal [[karma]] and ancestral tree karma, and create divine healers, divine writers, divine editors and more.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5lmvHvPiP | title = Divine Channel | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-02-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5lmuGuFGK| title = The Divine Chooses Master Sha | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-02-26}}</ref>
 
===Core Teachings===
Master Sha states that his total life mission is to transform the consciousness of humanity and all souls in the universe and enlighten them in order to create love, peace, and harmony for humanity, Mother Earth, and all universes.” <ref name="About Dr. Sha">{{Cite web| url = http://www.drsha.com/index.php?id=575 | title = About Dr. Sha | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref>
 
His core teachings include that everything has a [[soul]], including, organs, cells, cells units, spaces, DNA, and RNA etc., and also businesses, finances, relationships etc. The soul has the power to heal, with power over the mind and body. The soul must be healed first to heal the mind and body or for any other kind of healing. Chanting mantras are used to heal the soul, which can be used for self-healing, healing others, healing a group, and remote healing. He teachers four methods to accomplish this, which include: soul power, mind power, body power and sound power. Dr. Sha also teaches that bad [[karma]] (from many lifetimes of [[reincarnation]] as stored in the [[Akashic Records]]) is the root cause of all blockages (illnesses, financial issues) etc. in life, and that it takes many lifetimes of “universal service” to work off bad karma.<ref>{{Cite book| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=voTEBnluyccC| title = The Power of Soul, Chapter 1 | publisher = Atria Books | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref> He tells the public and his followers that there are ways to speed up the process of good karma and receive virtue through universal service to humanity by using the secrets of ancient wisdom.
 
Dr. Sha teaches that depending on a person’s soul standing, the soul resides in different [[chakra]]s of the body, and to receive [[Enlightenment (spiritual)|enlightenment]] is to uplift one’s souls standing into a higher chakra. Individuals whose soul resides in their sixth chakra have [[third eye]] capabilities. Individuals whose soul resides in their eighth chakra are considered to have reached the divine realm of "Tian Wai Tian", or "Heaven beyond Heaven" (also known as the [[Tao]]) and stop reincarnation. Until the beginning of what Dr. Sha calls the "Soul Light Era" on August 8, 2003 only two [[saint]]s were in Heaven-beyond-Heaven (the Tao), but since Dr. Sha became a Divine Channel, six more saints (e.g. [[Jesus]]) have entered Heaven-beyond-Heaven.<ref name="The Power of Soul, Chapter 1">{{Cite book| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=voTEBnluyccC | title = The Power of Soul, Chapter 1 | publisher = Atria Books | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref>
 
==Training==
Dr. Sha's devotees can register to become a “Universal Servant”, a total ''GOLD'' (Gratitude, Obedience, Loyalty, Devotion) unconditional universal servant to the Divine. The requirements of the program include attendance of a weekly [[teleclass]], and the provision of four hours of weekly volunteer service for the Institute of Soul Mind Body Medicine.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.drsha.com/index.php?id=88| title = Universal Servant | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref>
 
Upon making the vow of unconditional servant (devotee), one is expected to experience spiritual testing.<ref name="The Power of Soul, Chapter 1"/>
 
Dr. Sha offers “Divine Transmissions” for those who seek to become Divine Healers by becoming a channel of divine healing power, participating in Master Sha’s healing channel; they can also be trained for “Divine Direct Communication”. There is an application (soul reading bow-down) process and certification is required.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://divinedownload.drsha.com/index.php?id=23 | title = Divine Transmissions | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://divinedownload.drsha.com/index.php?id=63 | title = Divine Direct Communication Channel | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref>
 
==Business Structure==
According to his website, Dr. Sha’s mission is supported by the "Institute of Soul Healing and Enlightenment".<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.drsha.com/pagefooter.php?id=1 | title = About the Institute of Soul Healing and Enlightenment™ | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-05}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Payments go to the California registered business of Zhi Gang Sha LLC.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.drsha.com/pagefooter.php?id=2 | title = The Institute of Soul Healing and Enlightenment™, Payments| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-05}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
 
Only the "Institute of Soul Mind Body Medicine", which is a vehicle for the training courses<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.instituteofsoulmindbodymedicine.com/| title = instituteofsoulmindbodymedicine.com| publisher = instituteofsoulmindbodymedicine.com | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref> is registered as a non-profit organization.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://watchdog.net/ein/204729155/international-institute-of-soulmind-body-medicine| title = International Institute Of Soulmind Body Medicine| publisher = watchdog.net | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref>
 
Books and Divine Writers/Editors editors are managed by the Ontario, Canada business of "Heaven's Library Publication Corp".<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.drsha.com/pagefooter.php?id=2 |title = Contact Us, Heaven’s Library Publications| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-11}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="webcitation.org">{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5lahvfyeA | title = How to Become a Divine Writing Channel of Master Sha | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-11-01}}</ref>
 
The documentary movie "Soul Masters" ''(see '''[[Zhi_Gang_Sha#Works|Works]]''')'' is distributed by 926363 Ontario Ltd,<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.imdb.com/company/co0235011/ | title = 926363 Ontario [ca] | publisher = Internet Movie Database | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref> which is managed by one of Dr. Sha’s representatives, Allan Chuck <ref>{{Cite web| url = http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/allan-chuck/10/383/156 | title = Profile for Allan Chuck | publisher = linkedin.com | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref>
 
==Criticism==
{{Criticism section|date=September 2010}}
Dr. Malcolm Ing, an ophthalmologist who researched patients with severe eye problems treated by Sha
said "As an objective scientist, you have to look at the real results. Frankly, none of the patients got any improvement. But they all appreciate his efforts."<ref name="wired" />
 
Book reviewer Araminta Matthews described the Power of Soul book "as wildly commercial, created of shoddy workmanship, and suspiciously simplistic... of [[Kevin Trudeau]] proportions ", and that it "offers up some very laughable concepts that I fear could sway a lesser intellect to start a [[cult]] of the computerized and downloadable soul, selling flash drives for spirits and $5,000 soul transplant requests from the author's professional assistants"<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.frontstreetreviews.com/Soul.html | title = The Power of Soul Review | publisher = frontstreetreviews.com | accessdate=2009-12-06}}</ref>
 
Book reviewer Deborah Adams pointed out that his status as [[bestseller]] is influenced by orchestrated book campaigns wherein followers buy books in lieu of payment for "Karma Cleansings and other blessings ''(see '''[[Zhi_Gang_Sha#Works|Works]]''')''.<ref name="Curled Up POS review">{{Cite web| url = http://www.curledup.com/powrsoul.htm | title = Curled Up POS review | publisher = curledup.com | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref>
 
==Works==
===Books (and Book Campaigns)===
Dr. Sha has written numerous books, for which some of the writing and editing is completed by "Divine Writing Channels" who enter a contract with Dr. Sha. In exchange for writing a book, a Channel receives four "writing treasures" from Sha as well as an [[honorarium]].<ref name="webcitation.org"/><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.drsha.com/index.php?id=90 | title = Divine Writing Channels | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref> According to Dr. Sha’s website, the Divine “borrows the mouth” of the Divine Writer to flow and write out the divine teachings in the books.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5lxdCd3wk| title = Heaven’s Library | publisher = freepublicity.com | accessdate=2009-12-01}}</ref> The books state "I would like to explain clearly that I am flowing this book from the Divine. Every sentence, every word flows from the Divine’s heart."<ref>{{Cite book| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=voTEBnluyccC | title = The Power of Soul, Page 63 | publisher = Atria Books | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref>
 
Each of the book releases has been accompanied by a Book campaign, wherein followers could obtain services by purchasing an equivalent value of books on a certain day, and have achieved [[bestseller]] status on Amazon.com, New York Times, USA today etc. for a few weeks each, summarized and sourced as in the following table. Dr. Sha claims that the [[Divinity|Divine]] directly told him about/how to do book campaigns on May 24, 2004, a process he calls "soul marketing".<ref name="Curled Up POS review"/><ref>{{Cite book| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=voTEBnluyccC | title = The Power of Soul, page 221 | publisher = Atria Books | accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5m57FhAoV | title = Power Healing Book Campaign | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-16}}</ref> However, promotional material for “Author Market Service” provider [http://www.destinies.com/ Peggy McColl] attributes the bestseller status of Dr. Sha’s book “Power Healing” to services she provided for Dr. Sha in 2004.<ref name="freepublicity.com">{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5lxbfOcrK | title = How to Make Your Book an Amazon.com Bestseller, Exhibit 6, Page 10 | publisher = freepublicity.com | accessdate=2009-12-01}}</ref>
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Book
! Book Campaign Date
! Bestseller Status
|-
| * ''Divine Soul Mind Body Healing and Transmission System'' (2009)
ISBN 978-1439177662
| November 9, 2009<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5llsmoN3P| title = Divine Soul Mind Body Healing and Transmission System Book Campaign - November 2009 | publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref>
| NEW YORK TIMES Hardcover Advice #1 Nov 19, 2009<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/books/bestseller/besthardadvice.html | title = Hardcover Advice Best Seller List | publisher = nytimes.com | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref> Amazon #1, November 10, 2009<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5lAmtIvut | title = Amazon Best Seller List | publisher = www.amazon.com | accessdate=2009-11-10}}</ref>
|-
| * ''Divine Soul Songs'' (2009)
ISBN 978-1439129654
| June 9, 2009<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5ln6Kk0kB
| title = Karma Cleansing and Divine Soul Songs Book Campaign| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref>
| NEW YORK TIMES Hardcover Advice #1 June 19, 2009<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/books/bestseller/besthardadvice.html |title = Hardcover Advice Best Seller List | publisher = nytimes.com | accessdate=2009-10-03 | date=2009-06-28}}</ref>
|-
| * ''The Power of Soul: The Way to Heal, Rejuvenate, Transform, and Enlighten All Life'' (2009) ISBN 978-1-4165-8910-5
| January 6, 2009<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5llrir6Lk
| title = The Power of Soul Book Campaign| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref>
| NEW YORK TIMES Hardcover Advice #1 January 16, 2009,<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/books/bestseller/besthardadvice.html |title = Hardcover Advice Best Seller List | publisher = nytimes.com | accessdate=2009-10-03 | date=2009-01-25}}</ref> USATODAY# 16 January 15, 2009<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://content.usatoday.com/life/books/booksdatabase/default.aspx?book=322504 |title = Book detail from USA TODAY's best seller database| publisher = usatoday.com | accessdate=2009-10-03 | date=2009-07-29}}</ref>
|-
| * ''Soul Communication: Opening Your Spiritual Channels for Success and Fulfillment'' (2007) ISBN 1-60023-018-0
| October,2008<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5m57aADRY
| title = Soul Communication Campaign| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-16}}</ref>
| NEW YORK TIMES Hardcover Advice #3 November 7, 2008<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/books/bestseller/bestpaperadvice.html |title = Hardcover Advice Best Seller List | publisher = nytimes.com | accessdate=2009-10-03 | date=2008-11-16}}</ref>
|-
| * ''Soul Wisdom I: Practical Soul Treasures to Transform Your Life'' (2007) ISBN 1-60023-016-4
| June 30 - July 19, 2008<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5llsbOr3s
| title = The Power of Soul Book Campaign| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref>
| NEW YORK TIMES Paperback Advice #1 July 20, 2008<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/books/bestseller/0720bestpaperadvice.html
|title = Press Release: “Soul Wisdom” Paperback Reaches New York Times #1 Best-Seller Ranking Within Weeks Of Publication … | publisher = nytimes.com | accessdate=2009-10-03 | date=2008-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://web.archive.org/web/20080804152151/www.drsha.com/press.php?id=11 |title = “SOUL WISDOM” PAPERBACK REACHES NEW YORK TIMES #1 BEST-SELLER RANKING WITHIN WEEKS OF PUBLICATION …| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref>
|-
| * ''Living Divine Relationships'' (2006) ISBN 1-60023-010-5
| Dec 11 to 13, 2006<ref>{{Cite web| url =http://www.webcitation.org/5lxcEipH4
| title = Living Divine Relationships Book Campaign| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-11}}</ref>
|
|-
| * ''Soul Mind Body Medicine: A Complete Soul Healing System'' (2006) ISBN 1-57731-528-6
| May 24, 2006<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5ln21CLdm
| title = The Soul Mind Body Medicine® Book Campaign| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref>
| NEW YORK TIMES Hardcover Advice #3 for 3 weeks June 25, 2006<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E2D91031F936A15755C0A9609C8B63&scp=6&sq=zhi+gang+sha&st=nyt |title = Hardcover Advice Best Seller List | publisher = nytimes.com | accessdate=2009-10-03 | date=2006-06-25}}</ref>
|-
| * ''Power Healing: The Four Keys to Energizing Your Body, Mind and Spirit'' (Hardcover 2002, Paperback 2004) ISBN 0-06-251780-5
| Jun 2, 2004<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.webcitation.org/5lxdQeLQT
| title = Compassionate Power Healing Book Campaign| publisher = drsha.com | accessdate=2009-12-11}}</ref>
| Amazon #11 on June 2, 2004,<ref name="freepublicity.com"/> #3 “The Economist” International Bestseller<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.economist.com/search/search.cfm?rv=2&qr=zhi+gang+sha&area=1&x=8&y=66 | title = Economist.com | publisher = Economist.com | accessdate=2009-12-11}}</ref>
|}
 
Other books include:
* ''Sha’s Golden Healing Ball: The Perfect Gift'' (1997) ISBN 0-9680595-3-8
* ''Soul Study: A Guide to Accessing Your Highest Powers'' (1996) ISBN 0-9680595-1-1
* ''Zhi Neng Medicine: Revolutionary Self-Healing Methods from China'' (1996) ISBN 0-9680595-0-3
 
===E-books===
* ''Living Divine Relationships'' (2006) ISBN 978-0-9780790-0-0
* ''Music as an Expression of the Divine'' (2006) ISBN 978-0-9780790-2-4
* ''The Divine Educational Process of Adolescents'' (2006) ISBN 978-0-9780790-1-7
 
===Movies===
Soul Masters is a documentary movie about Master Sha and his Chinese teacher, Master Zhi Chen Guo, produced by [[Sande Zeig]].<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/09/20/features/story01.html
| title = Soul masters | publisher = Star Bulletin | accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref>
 
==References==
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhi_Gang_Sha"