Soul masters

Chinese healers integrate ancient Eastern healing traditions with scientific principles from the West

Filmmaker Sande Zeig wasn't interested in healing. And she definitely wasn't seeking enlightenment. But somehow she was compelled to direct and produce "Soul Masters," a film to be screened in the islands next week.

'Soul Masters' » Friday: 7 p.m., University of Hawaii-Manoa, Spalding Auditorium. Followed by a Q&A with Zhi Gang Sha. $10. » Next Saturday: 7 p.m., Kalani Oceanside Retreat, EMAX, Pahoa. Followed by Q&A session. Free. » Information: Call (888) 339-6815 or visit www.drsha.com. » Online: www.soul-mastersmovie.com

"Soul Masters" follows the work of two Chinese healers, Zhi Gang Sha and Zhi Chen Guo.

Guo, as a researcher, developed an herbal formula that helped contain the SARS outbreak in China. He has also contributed to the understanding of diseases including diabetes and cancer. At his clinic in China, some people claim he can cure the incurable.

Sha has integrated ancient healing traditions of the East with scientific principles from the West to establish a healing system known as Power Healing and Soul Mind Body Medicine. A New York Times best-selling author, his most recent book is "Soul Wisdom: Practical Soul Treasures to Transform Your Life" (Heaven's Library, 2007, $16).

For Zeig, it all began when Sha treated her father. "He had gangrene. Five doctors told him that if he didn't amputate his leg, he'd have three months to live. He refused to have the operation," she said.

Zeig's brother, Jeffrey Zeig, a psychologist, met with Sha during a visit to Phoenix, Ariz. "Master Sha came into our lives and did this healing for my dad," she said. "He didn't seem to do anything, but he was doing a spiritual healing for my father. We taught him how to chant and it was like a miracle. He was in hospice care but lived for another year and a half."

Zeig decided she needed to make a film about Sha. "Literally 10 days later, I was in China with him and a group of 60 students. I just knew that this was something that I had to do. ... It was so clear that there was a movie here."

At Guo's clinic, the film crew underwent tongue examinations, herbal treatments and massage, Zeig said. "The experience was way more than I expected. ... All of the practitioners are connecting to their patients on a soul level. It's not just healing physical ailments. They are dealing with them in multifaceted ways."

Zeig hopes the film gives viewers a deeper understanding of the two healers' work in a short time. "I felt transformed when in their presence."

Zeig is the president of Artistic License Films, a distribution company that has handled more than 100 films. Her own short film, "Central Park," was presented at more than 30 film festivals in 1994, including Sundance, Berlin and Toronto. Her first feature, "The Girl," premiered at Toronto (2000) and Berlin (2001). She is working on a new documentary, "Apache 8," focusing on White Mountain Apache women firefighters.

"Soul Masters" may not fit her typical style, but she says she was transformed by the process.

"I had the extremely precious opportunity of being backstage ... behind the scenes with these masters. I interviewed them about things that many of their students may have never heard them speak about," Zeig said. "I just wonder what my friends are thinking now."