There are several ways to write the word in English: ”Qigong” or “Qi Gong.” Also “Ch’i Kung” or Chi Gung are most common. This site uses “Qigong” and “Chi Kung” interchangeably.
Pronounce it: “chee gung.”
Symbological Meaning
Qigong in Chinese words: 氣 功
First is Qi (chi, or ch’i) 氣
Which is rice 米 in a cauldron with steam 气 rising upwards. These words are symbols: the cauldron is our lower abdomen; the steam is our breath. An understood fire heating that pot is our creative urges.
So Qi is “energy.” A universal creative energy tied to our breathing deeply in the abdomen.
Next is Gong 功
This ideogram is made up of 工 ,“work,” and 力, “ strength.” The symbol is a human pushing a plow. Tilling the soil is long, hard exertion over time. It requires a strong will-power and concentrated attention.
Generally speaking Qigong means energy work. For our purposes Qigong also means the cultivation and use of creative energy.
Actually the term qigong only gained popular usage in the last half of the 20th century. Historically such energy work was described by many other terms, most often Tao Yin or Daoyin ( Chinese 導引 ) "guide and pull [qi-energy]"
Other Similar Energy Traditions
Consciously using, directing, and becoming one with the energy of life is not unique to China. India has Prana, Japan has Ki. French philosopher (and Nobel Prize winner) Henri Bergson called it élan vital (vital force). Wilhelm Reich experimented with Orgone. Franz Mesmer used hypnotism to move bio-energy to create his Animal Magnetism. Baron Dr. Carl (Karl) Ludwig von Reichenbach. the inventor of kerosene, paraffin, and phenol wrote about life energy, calling it Odic Force.
One of the best definitions of Qi is “The Force” in the Star Wars series. Obi-Wan Kenobi says it is "an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." The Force is life, and life is the Force. Some think of the Force as a sentient entity that may be capable of intelligent thought—almost as if it were God; others just manipulate and use it as a tool for their own purposes. (George Lucas has Obi-Wan's teacher named Qui-Gon Jinn in other words: "Qi Gong Genie.") To Top
More About Qigong
Qigong means working with body energy, breath, and positions and movements of the body, and visualizations--all with a focused mental awareness--to direct the flow of the energy of life.
Most everyone does it anyway: simple stretching or breathing deeply to calm yourself are both qigong-like techniques that open blockages allowing creative energy to flow more freely.
Qigong practice traditionally is used for improving health and fitness, and to heal illness, to improve martial arts skills, and for spiritual development. More hidden is qigong practiced for the gaining of paranormal abilities. There are many documented cases--both past and present--of extraordinary powers gained. The superhuman feats in Chinese movies (as in those of Bruce Lee), and in American movies--for example the Matrix--are based on actual occurrences.
With proper study such energy work can also profoundly enhance artistic creativity.
Witness the following, from perhaps the first book on the history of art:
"Real paintings come from beyond form. Remove the forms and instill qi-energy instead. it is the heart of paintings. " Zhang Yanyuan Records of Famous Paintings. ca. 847 C.E.
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History Up to the Beginning of the Common Era (1 A.D.)
In Asia from the earliest of times has been a knowledge and working with life-force-vitality-energy. (Africa too practiced this art/science.) However because the western mind-set is mechanistic in its need to weight and arithmetically measure in order to understand something, what is so obvious has all too often escaped our attention. Not so in China.
Prehistory
Shamans in what is now northern China and Mongolia studied the forces of nature in order to survive. When energies were in balance things were good; when energies were not harmonious there were floods, blizzards, draughts, earthquakes. Animals, better than humans, withstood the eccentricities of nature.
Over two thousand years ago there was ritual known as the Great Exorcism where a shaman would wear a bear mask having four golden eyes and lead villagers themselves costumed as zodiac animals (Dragon, Horse, Tiger, etc.) in ritualistic songs and dances. In doing this consciousness was altered and the energy-forces of the animals were gained.To Top
Shamans in modern times (early 20th century): Ainu (people of probable Mongolian
origin living in extreme Northern Japan). Observe the Bear Head lower center.
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Circa 27th Century BCE Huangdi (Huang-di)(Huang-ti) (know as the Yellow Emperor).
One of the earliest legendary Chinese rulers. Certain myths have him as one of the founders of Taoism. He is also said to be the author of the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine, the first medical treatise in the history of China. Furthermore Huang-di is credited with the creation of mankind, the invention of writing, the compass, the pottery wheel, and his wife with the breeding of silkworms.
According to one mythic tradition, Huang-di spontaneously came into being as a result of the fusion of energies that marked the beginning of the world. He created man by placing earthen statues at the cardinal points of the world, leaving them exposed to the breath (Qi) of the world's beginning for three hundred years. When they were totally pervaded by the energy (Qi) of that breath, the statues were able to speak and move. In this way the various races of mankind came into being.
information from: http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/huang-di.htmlTo Top
Huangdi
According to tradition Huang Ti practiced a form of exercise called Tao Yin, “guiding and leading [the Qi]." The movements of the limbs guide the circulation of the blood so that the tissues throughout the body can be repaired and cleansed. The movements also lead the breath [Qi] in and out of the lungs to energize the body. Huang Ti's exercises were also know as T'u Na. The word T'u means "exhale," and Na means "inhale."
(from: Dau Liu. T’ai Chi Ch’uan and Meditation. 1986, p. 3.)
12th Century BCE The I Ching - Book of Changes. (Yi Jing - Book of Change.) was probably the first Chinese book related to Qi. It introduced the concept of the three natural energies or powers (San Cai): Tian (Heaven), Di (Earth), and Ren (Man). Studying the relationship of these three natural powers was a first step in the development of what was to become Qigong.
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6th Century BCE, Jade Pendant Inscription
Preserved at the Museum of Tianjin is a small twelve surfaced jade cylinder with forty-five carved Chinese words:
“With relaxed concentration, inhale deeply, calmly. Direct the breath downwards. In quiet it will accumulate and solidify. Then as you exhale, it will sprout upwards, growing to the upper regions. [with such controlled breathing] press it up to the crown of the head; press it down through the whole body. Following this practice brings life. Acting contrary to this brings death.”
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Circa 6th century BCE
Tao Te Ching - (Dao De Jing ) by Lao Tzu (Lao Zi) (literally “Way of Strength/Virtue, Scripture”). A basic text of Taoism.
This statue of Lao Zi is carved from the stone of a mountain,
reflecting the harmony of the Tao
From chapter 10: “Carry vitality and consciousness, keep their unity. Concentrate your breath-energy (qi), become as supple as a newborn child. Can you wipe clean your mental vision until all is without a blur?”
From chapter 55: “The mind mastering energy (“qi”) is called strong.
(However the Tao Te Ching warns against gaining power for its own sake. Chapter 55 continues:)
“When beings climax in power they wane; this is called being unguided. The unguided die early.”
[Thomas Cleary translation].
Occultist author Aleister Crowley is even more direct with his translation: “All devices for inflaming life, And increasing the vital Breath [Qi] by mental effort are evil and factitious.”
To Top Aleister Crowley
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(circa 372-289 BCE) Mencius
Chinese philosopher, follower of Confucianism.
“The will is the leader of the vital force, and the vital force pervades and animates the body.” Also: “If the will is concentrated, the vital force [will follow it] and become active.”
Mencius
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Circa 4th Century BCE
The book Chuang-Tzu (Zhuangzi), titled after its author, is a classic of mystical Taoism and of allegorical fiction. For millennia, it has been a favorite of Chinese intellectuals, poets, and artists.
Zhuangzi dreaming of a butterfly (or a butterfly dreaming of Zhuangzi)
Unify your attention. Do not listen with the ears, listen with the mind. Do not listen with the mind but listen with the vital breath (qi). The ears only listen to sounds. The mind is only aware of its objects. But to focus on the vital breath is to be empty and await the arising of objects. (from chapter 4).
(circa 3rd Century BCE)
In 1973, archeologists in China excavated the tomb of king Ma who lived in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD). In this tomb at Mawangdui, on the outskirts of the city of Changsha in Hunan Province, they discovered medical manuals, compilations, and a silk scroll on which were drawn 44 humans in various poses or postures. Under each pose, or Dao-yin diagram, was a caption with the name of an animal or the name of the disease that the posture might help cure.
(from: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/esb.htm citing: The Wonders of Qigong, 1985, pp. 13-17).
A section from the Dao-yin Tu (Tao Yin Tu).To Top
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The above short history, presents the foundations from which most of today’s styles of qigong have developed.
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In summary: Qi is a Chinese word meaning "vital energy flow." It is the essence of life, as well as the core of consciousness. All persons, places and things eminate qi. All movement--or potential movement--is caused and controlled by qi. In living beings qi forms itself into thoughts, emotions and passions. All physical and mental activities are manifestations of qi: sensing, right and left brain cogitating, emotions, as well as all body processes such as breathing, digesting, and procreation. Each of us are made from qi. We bring it into our bodies, are nourished by it, transform it; and transmit and project it.
For our purposes Qi is the sparkle of someone special entering a room. It is the electricity of a superstar rock band in concert. It is the screaming energy of the writings of Jack Kerouac, or the crystalline precision of the poetry of Emily Dickinson. It can be darkened and made melancholy as in the paintings of Edvard Munch. It is the necessary life blood of all artistic creation.To Top
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For Further Study
Books
Barbara Brown. Qigong. [a lovely introduction to the art of working with energy].
Robert Olen Butler. From Where You Dream: The Process of Writing Fiction. Grove.
L.V. Carnie. Chi Gung. Llewellyn. [great for the beginner or the advanced].
Thomas Cleary. Vitality Energy Spirit. [esoteric Taoist texts for the advanced student].
Mantak Chia. Awakening Healing Energy Through Tao. Aurora Press.
Mantak Chia. Taoist Cosmic Healing: Chi kung color healing principles for detoxification and rejuvenation. Destiny Books.
Ken Cohen. The Essential Qigong Training Course. [book & DVD]
Ken Cohen. The Way of Qigong. Ballantine Books. [comprehensive overview].
Garri Garripoli. Essence of the Healing Dance. Health Communications.
George A. Katchmer, Jr. The Tao of Bioenergetics. [relates qigong to Jung, Wilhelm Reich. Out-of-print].
Shoshanna Katzman. Qigong for Staying Young. Avery.
James MacRitchie. Chi Kung. Element.
Michael Tse. Qigong For Health & Vitality. [introductory theory and simple movements].
Dr. Yang. The Root of Chinese Chi Kung. YMAA Publications.
DVDs/Videos For Further Study
Francesco & Daisy Lee-Garripoli. Qigong Beginning Practice.
Francesco & Daisy Lee-Garripoli. Qigong for Cleansing.
Shoshanna Katzman. Qigong for Staying Young. Swing Pictures/Maddog Films.
Dr. Paul Lam. Qigong For Health: The 5 Element Qigong. East Action. [Easy and basic]
Qigong: Ancient Chinese Healing for the 21st Century. Living Arts. (PBS program, an excellent non-technical introduction).
Dr. Yang. Eight Simple Qigong Exercises For Health: The 8 Piece of Brocade.To Top
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Links
http://alternativehealing.org/qigong.htm
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/esb.htm
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/linksqg.htm#Kung (Excellent bibliography)
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/index33.htm
http://www.feeltheqi.com/
http://www.qi.org/
http://www.taoistsanctuary.org/
http://www.wujiproductions.com/index.htm
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