Qi/Chi (the vital energy)

In traditional Chinese culture, chi (氣, pinyin qi, and pronounced as "chee") is the permeating force that gives life to the Universe. Its literal translation is "air" or "breath". Vedantic philosophy refers to this concept as prana (breath), which suffuses all living forms but is not itself the Atman or individual soul. Finally, the ancient Greek called it pneuma (breath, spirit or soul). Other mystical traditions have used different terms to identify the life force, i.e. mana in Polynesian (Hawaiian and Māori), Melanesian and Micronesian cultures which refer to it as the impersonal force existing in the Universe that is intrinsic to people, animals, and inanimate objects.

On the other hand, Western cultures are reticent about acknowledging chi simply because it is not tangible or measurable. Hence, pseudo-science. However, if you remove yourself from technology and advanced and complex thinking and then go outside to the natural environment and simply start to "feel" and breathe in and out then you will be a step closer to this elusive concept. Because this is how chi can be felt, by stripping ourselves off mental concepts, by letting ourselves go. It works!

Chi in the human body comes in two forms:

1. Yuan Chi or Congenital Chi. It is the chi that we are born with. It is essentially limited and the quality and amount of this Qi represents our basic constitution. This type of chi resides in the kidneys which is converted from the converted original jing (essence) received before birth.

2. Hou Tian Chi or Acquired Chi. It is derived from the foods we eat and the air that we breathe. The quality of acquired chi depends on our lifestyle habits such as food quality, balance of emotions, physical exercise and so forth. This type of chi resides in the [i]middle tantien[/i](solar plexus).

Both types of chi combine in the xia tantien (lower tantien), which is located in the lower abdomen, approximately three inches below the navel, and together they circulate down, passing into the Governing Vessel (Du Mai channel, back part of the upper body, yang) from where they are delivered to the entire body.

The original chi is also called "Water Chi" (Shui Chi) because it is able to cool down the acquired or post-birth chi, which is called "Fire Chi" (Huo Chi) as it is absorbed into the body externally (yang energy). "Fire Chi" brings the body to a positive-yang state, which stimulates the emotions and confuses the mind (notice for example how alcohol confuses our emotions since it is yang energy in its extreme form and as a result drunk people lose control of their minds). When the "Water Chi" cools your body off, the mind will become clear, neutral and balanced. We can say that "Fire Chi" sustains the emotional part of the body, whereas "Water Chi" supports the wisdom part.

Once the both types are mixed, the resultant Chi will not only circulate to the Governing and then down to the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai channel, front part of the upper body, yin), but will also replenish the "Thrusting Vessel" or Central Channel (Chong Mai, yin and yang) which will lead the combined Chi (yin and yang mix) directly up through the spinal cord to nourish the brain and energize the spirit (shen).

It is very important to cultivate "chi" since it will lead to the following benefits:

1. Purification of the lower centres of the energetic body and transmutation into spiritual energy.

2. The structure and functions of all the organs and viscera are improved, including the liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidney, gall bladder, small intestines, stomach, large intestines, bladder, pericardium.

3. Alteration of brainwave patterns.

4. Synchronization and coherence of the hemispheres of the brain.

5. Regeneration of neurons.

6. Natural regulation of the limbic system and areas related to generation and storage of emotions.

7. Control of the shift between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

8. Activation of brain areas with unknown functions.

9. Massage of the brain and cerebellum.

10. Stimulation of the thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands to release unique secretion of hormones.

11. Opening of the sinuses and stimulation of the olfactory bulb.

12. Improvement of eye sight.

13. Reactivation of major nerve plexus.

14. Control of mental, emotional and consciousness states.

15. Development of special functions of the body, mind-psyche, spirit and soul.

16. Functions of the Nervous and Endocrine Systems are improved.

17. Activation of the natural micro movements of the cranial sutures.

18. Circulation of the cerebrum-spinal fluid in the medulla oblongata and the brain

19. Accession of each vertebra of the spine.

20. Re-establishment of the original independency of each vertebra.

21. Decompression of the inter-vertebral discs.

22. Lengthening and balancing of the vertebral muscles and spine muscles.

23. Self-treatment and rehabilitation of arthrosis, arthritis and rheumatism.

24. Regeneration of the marrow and bones.

25. Joint mobility, regeneration of cartilage, decalcification.

26. Loosening and opening of the joints of the limbs.

27. Regaining of full motion and flexibility.

28. Optimization of the exchange of mass-matter/energy/information on the cellular level.

29. Regeneration on the cellular level.

30. Lymphatic systems and nodes are cleansed, detoxified and brought to full working capacity.

31. Functions of the circulatory and lymphatic systems are improved.

32. Positive influence on a series of nerves that are directly connected to the heart regulation of arrhythmias and cardiac weakness with optimization and expansion of cardiac output and input.

33. The blood is enriched, revitalized, cleansed and purified.

34. Arteries and veins are cleansed, elasticized and strengthened.

35. Improvement of peripheral blood circulation.

36. Circulation increases and smoothens becoming fully optimized.

37. Changes in blood biochemistry.

38. Change in hormone levels.

39. Influences on DNA.

40. Auto-therapy for chronic and autoimmune disease.

41. Strengthening of the immune system.

42. Rehabilitation and maintenance of the immune system.

42. Oxygenation reaches the utmost fulfillment of its purpose.

43. Changes in the skin's electric resistance.

44. Creation of high coherence and negentropic fields.

45. Control of the metabolism of the body-mind system.


Note: I have experienced that Vipassana meditation also produces identical physiological, psychological and spiritual changes.


Additional Recommended Reading:

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, The Root of Chinese Qigong. Secrets for Health, Longevity & Enlightenment, YMAA Publication Centre, Washington, MA, USA, 1997.