In 1972 president Nixon discovered that Traditional Chinese Medicine was being practised within hospitals in China.
He saw how, through the use of acupuncture needles, surgeons were able to carry out operations on fully conscious patients without them feeling pain.
Since then, investigating teams consisting of U.S. physicians have been to China to witness acupuncture anesthesia being applied in open heart surgery, cesarean section, renal surgery, tonsillectomy, and dental extraction.
The doctors were not only amazed to observe that the patients were conscious, alert, and responsive to the surgeons, but these physicians were also intrigued by the fact that some acupuncture needles were placed far away from the surgical sites with no apparent Western anatomical relevance between them. [1]
Ever since then, Chinese internal arts have been spreading around the world and have been used to refine one’s body, emotions, mental and psychic energy to become a mature, balanced adult.
QiGong is the first basic method for achieving that. And it is only by great effort and genuine humility that a person gets there – the energy of one’s body and emotions need to be strong and balanced.
What is Qi?
Put simply, Chi or Qi is our-internal life-force energy, it is that which gives life. In terms of the body, chi is that which differentiates a corpse from a live human being. It is the foundation of acupucture and all Chinese medicine, as well as the power behind the internal martial arts. It is the life energy people try desperately to hold onto when they think they are dying.
A strong life force makes a human being totally alive, alert, and “present,” while a weak life force results in sluggishness and fatigue. Consequently, the development of chi can make an ill person robust or a weak person vibrant; it can also enhance mental capacity.
The concept of “life force” is found in most of the ancient cultures of the world. In India, it is called prana; in China, chi; in Japan, ki; in Native America, the Great Spirit. For all these cultures, and others as well, the idea of life force is or was fundamental to their forms of medicine and healing.
What is Qi Gong?
A literal translation of Chi Gong would be “energy skill” or “energy work”. It is the art of internal energy development, the practice of learning to control the movement of the life force internally, using the mind to direct energy in the body. Physical movement may be used, but are not required.
Chi gung exercises are designed to build and work with this energy through a combination of controlled breathing, slow gentle movements and a calm mind. Practitioners of Qi gong enable their internal energy (Qi) to flow more efficiently through the various internal pathways of the human energy system, to help it move smoothly rather than being blocked. This leads to increased health, a stronger immune system, lower stress levels, greater mental clarity, and spiritual attainment, amongst other benefits.
If you are ill, Chi Gung will provide you with a means to become healthy; if your mind is disordered, Chi Gung can give you a way to attain balanced discipline and perseverance. If you are healthy, Chi Gung can raise your energy level in a balanced fashion, release suppressed talents, and prepare the body/mind/spirit to succeed in Taoist meditation.
In the West, Qi gong or the associated art of Taiji and the benefits of these two practices can be felt by anyone willing to spend a couple of months practicing. But much of the Western practice of the internal arts is based solely on physical movements and mental visualizations. Many students only imitate the external movements of their teachers, believing that this type of practice will increase their flow of chi, thereby giving them power and health. The secrets of internal power have been kept secret and are not taught to the general public, but are privately transmitted only to select family members and inner-circle disciples.
The Benefits of QiGong vs. Western Exercises
Most exercise in the West, such as jogging, swimming, bicycling, bodybuilding, and so forth, work primarily on the muscles (including the heart) and the lungs. But Chi Gong is thought to be of a higher level. Why is that? Find out in the next one.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3796320/