Chinese philosophy understands qi as a microscopic material, constituting the entire universe, animating all living things, all objects and all phenomena. One can feel qi, but one cannot see qi.
We are born with a certain amount of qi. This original qi (yuan qi) is stored in the kidneys and when it is used up, we die. With the last breath, the last qi is exhaled.
In traditional Chinese thought, the world began as chaos without any form or movement. When this stillness reached its climax, it transformed into its opposite, into movement: the light parts rose and formed the heavens, the heavy parts descended and formed the earth. The original chaos divided into two opposing units: Chinese philosophy calls these two things yin and yang, or yin qi and yang qi. They oppose each other, but are always connected with each other: without above (yang), there is no below (yin); there is no warmth (yang) without cold (yin); and without light (yang) there is no darkness (yin). The sun is yang, the moon is yin; day is yang, night is yin; summer is yang, winter is yin; advancing is yang, retreating is yin; movement is yang, stillness is yin... In qigong, it is the Exercises to Absorb Qi from the Sun and Moon, for example, that make it possible to absorb pure yang qi and pure yin qi.
Just as all things in the cosmos, humans are composed of yin qi and yang qi. Chinese medicine possesses various theories and models to describe the different functions and interactions of qi in the human body. Treatment in Chinese medicine always has the aim of restoring the balance of yin qi and yang qi in the body.
In the process of division of the original chaos further phenomena were differentiated after yin qi and yang qi. These are the five elements, to which correspond the five colours of qi. These elements describe natural processes and correspond to processes in the human body: wood corresponds to the liver, the qi of the liver is green; fire corresponds to the heart, the qi of the heart is red; earth corresponds to the spleen, the qi of the spleen is yellow; metal corresponds to the lungs, the qi of the lungs is white; water corresponds to the kidneys, the qi of the kidneys is black. These types of qi can be found in a particularly pure form in certain trees: in qigong there are exercises with these trees which strengthen the relative organs.
Qi circulates in the human body in the so-called meridians or channels. These channels are similar to veins, but unlike the veins they are not visible. One cannot see qi, but one can feel it. The meridians correspond to the organs of the body. Unlike in Western medicine, however, when Chinese medicine speaks of the liver, for example, one does not only mean the organ, but all the functions the liver is connected with. The qi which circulates in the human body is connected to qi in nature and the cosmos. Along the meridians, there are points which connect the internally circulating qi with qi in nature and the cosmos. These points are used in acupuncture with the aim of improving the circulation of qi in order to treat illnesses. Qigong also works with the meridians: be it that the palms are held above certain points, as in Fan Teng Gong, or as in Nei Jing Gong, where certain finger movements activate the meridians which begin and end in the finger tips.
The term qigong refers to exercises which strengthen and develop qi in the human body. All arts of ancient China, from kung fu to Chinese medicine and calligraphy, achieved their pinnacle in connection with the possibilities of qigong. For instance, if a doctor is able to send out qi to his or her patients which s/he has absorbed through suitable qigong exercises, the treatment will be more beneficial. If a painter is able to transfer qi onto his paintings, the onlooker will be able to feel qi radiating from the picture. Those who practice qigong together with kung fu, will have stronger results and not only work with muscle power and skill.
When we practise qigong, we absorb qi from nature and the cosmos, the circulation of qi in the meridians is increased and blockages of qi are dissolved and discharged from the body. In Chinese medicine, good health is when qi circulates well in the meridians and the organs. Good health provides the basis for a long life and for the development of latent human abilities. Many of the possibilities of qigong are developed in the span of a long life.
Already in the first few minutes of practising, however, we can feel how the hands start to tingle, feel swollen, warm or cool. These are signs that the circulation of qi in our bodies is intensified. When blockages in the circulation of the meridians have been dissolved and the functions of the organs has been regulated, the qi we absorb during practice is stored in the lower belly, an area known as dan tian. At this stage the qi we use in everday life is the qi we have absorbed during practice rather than the qi we have inherited, our yuan qi: this is the basis of longevity. In Daoism it is said it is possible to lengthen one's life so we live as long as the earth and the heavens. It would certainly be a great achievement to live to an old age in good health! Prevention of illness is a fundamental aim in Chinese medicine and qigong.
The aims of qigong can be many, however improving and maintaining health is the first aim in qigong and the prerequisite for developing further possibilities. When latent human abilities are spoken of in qigong, such things as the opening of the third eye is understood. When the third eye is open, you can see things normally invisible to the human eye. An open third eye requires a strong and well developed level of qi: even when it is open it needs a good level of qi to be able to keep it open. Another latent ability is the capacity to foretell events. We have many of these abilities in our nature, but they lie unused because we do not know how we can develop them. Qigong with its hundreds, even thousands of years of experience and development, provides us with this opportunity. There is, however, one condition: one cannot seek these abilities, they are developed spontaneously in the course of practice - seek and you shall not find!
If one would like to realise some of the possibilities of qigong, one cannot limit oneself to learning the techniques of the exercises, rather it is necessary to practise regularly and persistently. That is the minimum. Anyone who is interested in qigong, can learn it. One cannot learn qigong without a master, from books or from videos. Traditional qigong is always transmitted from heart to heart.
Dao Yuan-School for Qigong
Steffensweg 155
D- 28217 Bremen