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SCIENCE-BASED BEHAVIORAL & NATURAL MEDICINE, REVERENCING THE SPIRIT

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST / DIPLOMATE IN BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE

DOCTOR OF NATURAL MEDICINE / CHINESE MEDICINE SPECIALIST

AUTHOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE DEAD MONASTIC MYSTERY BOOK SERIES (PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ABOVE UNDER "ARTICLES" FOR A FREE CHAPTER)

Click here for a PODCAST RADIO INTERVIEW with Brother Bernard. (Be sure to listen to the "PS" at the end added by the interviewer. Look for show #74.) http://www.shrinkrapradio.com/shows.htm

The National Catholic Reporter newspaper ran a well done article, primarily about by work with monastic interreligious dialogue. Here's the link http://http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-159921679.html

Chinese medicine and meditation captivate me. I use both of these modalities clinically, along with additional behavioral approaches to health and wellness, in my clinical psychology practice. Clinical Hypnosis and lifestyle assessment, for example, may also be utilized.

Advice on Asian medicinal herbs and Western nutraceuticals may be among the exclusively natural and non-invasive options offered. Saliva, urine, stool, and hair testing through certified clinical & research laboratories is available as needed.

Medical Qigong and other forms of Eastern / Western Bodywork Therapy are utilized when requested and appropriate. I give workshops throughout the country and abroad when time permits and as invited.

Brother Bernard's Chinese name, Cai De Ren (Chinese characters are above under English name), is a goal he strives for. It can loosely be translated as "the Doctor who practices virture, especially compassion toward patients."

PHOTO CAPTION: Oriental Medical Doctor Jampa Mackenzie Stewart (Austin TX), Qigong Master Duan Zhi Liang (Beijing China), and Brother Bernard around a campfire at a gathering of the National Qigong Association USA.

BROTHER / DOCTOR BERNARD SEIF, SMC, EdD, DNM is a Catholic Christian monk with private monastic vows and a Clinical Psychologist (DeSales University, Moravian College-BA, Catholic University of America-MA, Lehigh University-EdD), Board Certified in Behavioral Medicine.

He is also a Doctor of Natural Medicine (based on above degrees plus post-doctoral training at the Institute of Chinese Herbology, National Qigong Association USA, Crayhon Research Seminars, World Academic Society of Medical Qigong, and Hospital rotations in Asia, leading to a DNM from Arkansas College of Natural Health's 4,200 hour state authorized DNM Bridge Program for licensed health care professionals) specializing in Classical Chinese Medicine. Doctor Seif is Board Certified in Natural Medicine by the World Organization of Natural Medicine Practitioners.

Brother Bernard practices and teaches a healing Asian art known as Medical Qigong, does spiritual direction, and enjoys giving retreats and workshops. He has studied in both the United States and Asia and is well published in scientific and scholarly journals. All of this brings a certain depth and authenticity to his written and clinical work.

Doctor Seif is a Traditional / Classical Naturopath, therefore he is a specialist rather than a primary care doctor. More simply put, in addition to practicing clinical psychology & behavioral medicine, he provides complementary & alternative therapies, sometimes abbreviated as CAM. (See National Center for CAM / National Instiutes of Health link below.)

PS: In case the concept of Behavioral Medicine is new to you, here's a definition from the Society of Behavioral Medicine: "Behavioral Medicine is the interdisciplinary field concerned with the development and integration of behavioral, psychosocial, and biomedical science knowledge and techniques relevant to the understanding of health and illness, and the application of this knowledge and these techniques to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation."

ROOTED in over forty years of Catholic Christian monasticism, I believe that the world would be a more peaceful and less prejudiced place if we understood one another better. To this end, I have spent most of my life exploring Eastern spirituality and medicine. Jesus is my Master, and the 16th Century French saints, Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal, are my teachers.

These two famous models of spiritual friendship are depicted here (to the left) in a lively contemporary icon created by Brother Michael O'Neill McGrath, OSFS. The painting is bursting with symbolism that only the artist's explanation can do justice to. More of Brother Mickey's work can be viewed at Bee Still Studio http://www.beestill.com

God and the Sacred are found in the ordinary, be it the daily rhythm of a family unit, the busy workplace, a large monastic community, or a simple hermitage, such as the small Salesian Monastery in which I live out my private monastic vows of conversion of life, stability, and obedience. All people are called to holiness and the inner freedom it invites us to, not just clergy and monastics. We find this by being faithful to the duties of our state in life, whatever they may be.

I am respectful of all traditions but, due to my busy practice and teaching schedule, try to sort out those people and places where I would be most helpful prior to working with them. Some find my monastic medical mysteries and qigong teaching video helpful on their journeys through life.

MONASTIC VOCATION INFORMATION People sometimes contact us seeking information about becoming a member of our little monastery, i.e., a monk or nun. Our vocation is very unique and can be lived alone in the spirit of the early Church, or in common. If you are comfortable with a healthy amount of silence and alone time, simple work in community, and can do some part-time work in the local area to contribute to your support, feel free to click on the "View Articles" icon above and open the "Monastic Vocation Letter" and procede from there. We are content as we are but open to healthy and well-motivated candidates if the Spirit moves in that direction.

"There is nothing so strong as gentleness, and nothing so gentle as real strength." --Saint Francis de Sales

"Your contentment always comes first with me." --Saint Jane de Chantal

"All through love, nothing through fear." --Saint Francis de Sales to Saint Jane de Chantal

OFFICE HOURS are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. There is typically a waiting list of several weeks.

Patient / client individual sessions are often reimbursed to some extent by medical insurance.

Doctor Seif is a participating provider with Blue Shield, Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, United Behavioral Health, Magellan Behavioral Health, and a number of other health insurance carriers.

Workshops and retreats (see below for schedule) are given when invited by various retreat houses, hospitals, and other venues in the United States and abroad.

"Qi Days" are held each fall and spring at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (ashram), Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. These days are offered as a support for personal practice but are open to beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Many people find them enjoyable, educational, and restful.

Saint Benedict, the Father of Western Monasticism, teaches that: "The true monastic is the one who lives by the work of his or her hands." In light of this, the Salesian Monastery is a totally self-supporting, non-profit community.

To learn more about the ancient yet contemporary concept of "Monastic Medicine" please click on the WONMP link below or type in the URL address (on the right) on your computer.

IN THE FIFTH BOOK OF THIS MONASTIC MYSTERY SERIES, ABBOT FRANCIS TRAVELS TO HAWAII AND DISCOVERS THERE IS A FINE LINE BETWEEN MAGIC AND SPIRITUALITY.

When Brother Francis, Abbot of the Salesian Monastery, travels to Kauai, Hawaii, to present a workshop at a retreat center and speak at a Martin Luther King ecumenical celebration, this frequent-flyer monk discovers there is a fine line between spirituality and magic.

In this fifth complete book in a series of monastic mysteries, the magical island of Kauai, Hawaii, provides a fragrant setting for Brother Francis as he continues on his spiritual path while ministering as a clinical psychologist and doctor of natural medicine. During his month-long journey, Brother Francis encounters a gentle Daoist named Tian Wu, whose wife, Effie, a psychic, has just been murdered. There may be more to this event than meets the eye, and it brings out the sleuth in Brother Francis—along with a very special type of magic.

Meanwhile, back in Pennsylvania at the Salesian Monastery, the monastics must deal with the death of one of their own, coupled with a peculiar visit by a pair of CIA agents. Danger, death, and detective work are woven into this fifth volume in the Office of the Dead monastic mystery series, where not everything is at it seems.

VESPERS: Evening Prayer from the Office of the Dead ~ $11.95 (e-book $6.00)

OTHER BOOKS BY BROTHER BERNARD

OFFICE OF THE DEAD $10.95

VIGILS: from the Office of the Dead $12.95

MORNING PRAYER: from the Office of the Dead $12.95

DAYTIME PRAYER: from the Office of the Dead $11.95

(All are available thorough the Salesian Monastery, on-line at sites such as Amazon.com, iUniverse.com, bn.com, target.com, as well as at local bookstores. If you order directly from the monastery at the above address [or e-mail monk@epix.net], the first four books are only $10 each.)

ORDER BY E-MAIL. CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. NO CREDIT CARDS PLEASE.

QIGONG FOR THE SPIRIT (DVD / Video)

This one-hour color DVD / video was produced in response to requests from others for a teaching DVD / video by Brother Bernard aimed at helping people to learn Qigong at home. It includes a brief introduction to the nature of qigong (a 5,000 year old Chinese synthesis of moving, breathing, and meditating).

Brother Bernard explains that Qigong can be done in order to maintain health/healing (known as "self cultivation," and the focus of this DVD / video), or it can be practiced by a professional in treating others (medical/healing qigong). A series of warm ups and simple Qigong moves follows. After that the "Five Elements" Form of Qigong is presented in word and movement.

Produced in a beautiful outdoor setting, this DVD / video can be used by beginners as well as by those familiar with Qigong. Many of the moves can be done in a seated position (great for wheel chair users). One does not need a great deal of physical stamina to take advantage of the benefits Qigong for the Spirit offers.

$20.00 for DVD or video. Please specify. (+ 3.50 p&h)

(The Chinese calligraphy to the right was created by one of Brother Bernard's teachers, Shifu Jiang Jian-ye. The characters represent "Gentle Strength," the name and philosophy of our Qigong group and Doctor Seif's Eastern & Western herbal & nutraceutical product line.)

ORDER BY E-MAIL. CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. NO CREDIT CARDS PLEASE.

JESUIT CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH, Wernersville PA, Directed Retreat 7-24 to 8-1-09 Contact: Bonnie Staudt (610) 670-3642 or visit www.jesuitcenter.org http://www.jesuitcenter.org

WESTON VT (near Weston Benedictine Priory) VIRTUE & THE HEALING JOURNEY is a qigong workshop held on 8-14 to 8-15-09. Contact: Julie Wegryn, MS, MAT, NCC E-mail: julie_wegryn@msn.com

BUILDING BRIDGES OF INTEGRATION FOR TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, Westfields Marriott, Chantilly VA (near Washington DC), 10-15 to 10-18-2009. Changing Posture, Breath, and Intention for Optimal Health workshop within the conference - Brother Bernard will also be the meditation facilitator on Friday & Saturday. Details at http://www.tcmconference.org

WE HAD GREAT EXPERIENCES AT THESE PREVIOUS PROGRAMS!

THE ROLE OF RITUAL IN PERSONAL PRACTICE, Monterey CA, 6-27-09. A workshop given within the National Qigong Association's yearly conference. Contact: Ali Wolf 1-888-815-1893 or visit http://www.nqa.org

QIGONG FOR MIND-BODY HEALTH (Free workshop for the public within the Pennsylvania Psychological Association annual convention 6-17-09) Harrisburg Hilton, Harrisburg PA. Contact: Marti Evans (717) 232-3817 or visit www.papsy.org http://www.papsy.org

KIRKRIDGE RETREAT & STUDY CENTER, Bangor PA, "Qigong for Springtime" 5-1 to 5-3, 2009. Contact: Janet Lewis, Registrar (610) 588-1793 http://www.kirkridge.org

QI DAY for the GENTLESTRENGTH QIGONG COMMUNITY, led by Brother Bernard & held at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (an ashram), Saylorsburg PA, Saturday, 4-4-09, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Qi Days are Spring & Fall days of communal support and qigong for those already practicing qigong but there is lots available for those brand new to this ancient Chinese practice.) Pre register by contacting: Brother Bernard Seif, monk@epix.net or (570) 992-3448. The following website will introduce you to the ashram facilities where the Qi Day will be held, it is NOT for registrations. www.arshavidya.org http://www.arshavidya.org

GRANDMASTER JIAN-YE JIANG'S HEALTH PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION. Four seasonal workshops in Tai Chi & Qigong taught throughout the US & Canada in 2008 by Certified HPA Insturctors, including Brother Bernard. Next workshop: 12-13-08 9 a.m to 4:30 pm. Contact: Sifu Jiang in Albany NY @ (518) 459-6869 http://www.jiangtaichi.com

JOHN HEINZ REHABILITATION HOSPITAL, Wilkes Barre PA, "Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Mental Health Practice" sponsored by the Northeast Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Friday, 11-14-2008, 1 to 4 p.m. Contact & Details http://www.neppa.net

DAUGHTERS OF SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES RETREAT 10-17 to 10-19-2008, Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua NY (for members of this Associaton only).

MARIANDALE RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER, Ossining NY "Qigong for Autumn" Saturday 10-11-08 Contact: Sister Joan Fronc, OP (914) 941-4455 http://www.mariandale.org

MIND-BODY HEALTH WORKSHOP FOR THE PUBLIC within the Pennsylvania Psychological Association's 75th anniversary convention, 6-18-08, Harrisburg Hilton. Contact: Marti Evans, (717) 232-3817 http://www.papsy.org

MARIA WALD RENEWAL CENTER, Shillington PA, Guided Retreat, 6-1 to 6-08-08. Contact: Diane Ross (610) 777-0135 or visit Maria Wald's website http://www.hometown.aol

SAINT FRANCIS RETREAT HOUSE, Easton PA, 3-29-08 Salesian Spirituality: A Practical Way to Live a Spiritual Life in our Contemporary World. Two talks by Brother Bernard with a retreat. Public is welcome. 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Contact: (610)258-3053 http://www.stfrancisretreathouse.org

NB: Brother Bernard is both a National Qigong Association Certified Level IV Qigong Teacher (Sifu) & an NQA Certified Advanced Clinical Therapist. His qigong workshops and retreats, therefore, are accredited for those seeking NQA certification.

PHOTO CAPTION: Qigong Workshop, Kahuna Valley Retreat Center, Kauai, Hawaii

American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org

Breast Cancer & Traditional Chinese Medicine http://www.breastcancer.com

Classical Chinese Medicine http://www.classicalchinesemedicine.org

Chinese Medicine Directory http://www.chinese-medicine-directory.com

Coalition for Natural Health http://www.naturalhealth.org

Community Chiropractic Center http://www.ccc1011.com

Diagnos-Techs Laboratory http://www.diagnostechs.com

Great Plains Laboratory http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com

Monastic Interreligious Dialogue http://www.monasticdialog.org

National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine / National Insitutes of Health http://www.nccam.nih.gov

National Qigong Association http://www.nqa.org

Natural Eye Care http://naturaleyecare.com

Neuroscience Lab http://www.neurorelief.com

ProThera Nutraceuticals http://www.protherainc.com

Qi Journal of Traditional Eastern Health & Fitness http://www.qi-journal.com

Serenity Music http://www.serenitymusic.com

Shrink Rap Radio http://www.shrinkrapradio.com

Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation http://www.tcmworld.org

World Organization of Natural Medicine Practitioners http://www.wonmp.us

Qigong Institute http://www.qigonginstitute.org

PHOTO CAPTION: Prayer wheels, Dalai Lama's temple, Dharmsala, India.