The concept of Qi energy has been an integral part of eastern philosophy, art and medicine for thousands of years. Qi is central to Taoist philosophy, it is the natural force which fills the universe, the universe spirit, the energy behind the continuous movement of the molecules and atoms. In India is called ‘shakti’ or ‘prana’ and in Japan it’s called ‘ki’. In Hawaii it is known as ‘ha’ or ‘mana’. Native Americans call it ‘Great Spirit’ and for Christians, it is the ‘Holy Spirit’. The ancient Egyptian’s referred to it as ‘ka’ and the ancient Greeks as ‘pneuma’.
The Chinese believe in Three Powers of the universe:
1. Heaven (Tian) Qi -> The most important Qi of the Three Powers, Consisting of forces such as sunshine, moonlight, gravity and energy from the stars and planets.
2.Earth (Di) Qi -> Is controlled by Heaven (Tian) Qi and according to Chinese theory it is made up of lines and patterns of energy, the earths magnetic field and underground heat. Each individual person has their own key field which always seeks balance. All natural things including humans, plants and animals, grow within and are influenced by the natural cycles of Heaven (Tian) Qi and Earth (Di) Qi.
3.Human (Ren) -> Within the human body there are two major types of Qi:
a) Congenital Qi (Prenatal or Ancestral Qi) which is the Qi that we are born with;
b) Acquired Qi (Postnatal) which is the Qi that we generate within our lifetime from air that we breathe, the food and all environmental exposures via our 6 senses.
The ultimate goal is to practice Qigong to harmonize our Ren with the fist two powers and universe.
The Qi that flows at the surface of the body, as a protective sheathe, is called Wei Qi or protective Qi.
Each internal organ also has its own Qi. According to the Daosit cosmology, the two most fundamental forms of Qi are Yin-Qi and Yang-Qi – the primordial feminine and masculine energies. As well as Heaven Qi and Earth Qi. Many Qigong practices utilize the Qi that emanates from trees, ocean, flowers, wildlife and mountains.
If our eating and breathing patterns are healthy, and our Qigong practice is strong, we can generate a surplus of acquired Qi, which can then be used to supplement our Congenital Qi. This can at aid many inherited conditions. We depend on nature for our development and growth, everything in the world comes from the interaction of Heaven Qi (Yang) and Earth Qi(Yin). We breathe to absorb Heaven Qi and eat to absorb Earth Qi. The essence of the food we consume is transported by the spleen to the lung while combining with fresh air we breathe to produce Zong Qi. Supported by Original Qi stored in the kidneys, Zong Qi is then transformed into True Qi which in its Yin aspects become YING Qi ( which goes through the meridians) and in its Yang aspect becomes Wei Qi (which protects us from external pathogens).
In Daoism, Qi has four major actions:
1. Ascending
2. Descending
3. Entering
4. Exiting
When Qi is flowing smoothly, and there is a balance between it’s ascending/descending and entering/exiting functions, then we are healthy. The inner alchemy reveals the human body to be the meeting place of Heaven and Earth. During Qigong practice we draw Heaven Qi down from above and Earth Qi from below. Even when we’re not doing Qigong practices, we absorb Heaven Qi with every breath we take an Earth Qi through the food we eat. This is why there aren’t any specific exercises for different conditions as Qigong helps balance and harmonize the Qi. When the Qi is in Order the Mind, Body and Soul will also be in order.
