| A Deeper Understanding of Qigong Qigong has been practiced in China for at least 5,000 years, yet it was only recently in the 1950s that the term 'qigong' was first used. Thousands of diverse and ancient movement forms have been grouped under the heading of ‘qigong’ – most often translated as 'vital life force skill or practice.' Qigong is the practice of working with life energy – a skill that is cultivated and honed, that deepens with intensity and richness over time. In his article "An Overview: Qigong Basics for Everyone" for Qi: The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health & Fitness, Steven Cardoza, M.Sc., L.Ac., suggests a more complete definition of 'qigong' would be: "...effort over a period of time put into the practice of working with the energy of life...for the purpose of being able to sense, acquire, store, and mobilize qi at will, in order to promote health, vitality, and longevity...As one progresses farther in qigong, it is used to cultivate power, which may be applied secularly, martially, medically, as an entry point into deeper spiritual practices, or combinations of all of those." When we understand this more complete definition of qigong, we better understand the practice itself. Qigong practice includes repetitive movements, yet it is not done by rote. Full awareness and focus is an integral part of the practice – otherwise it would just be exercise. Three Guidelines for Qigong Practice When practicing qigong, it is important to regulate body, breath, and mind. Regulating the body includes the relaxed yet open expansion of muscles, anatomy, and energy channels so the qi can easily circulate. Regulating the breath involves breathing diaphragmatically into the belly in a relaxed and natural rhythm to absorb oxygen and qi, to release toxins, and to nourish all the body’s systems. Regulating the mind involves focused attention on the body, breath, and sensations of qi. Though the mind is intently aware of what you are doing, it remains open and relaxed, easily releasing distractions as they arise. The three regulations of body, breath, and mind all require full effort without struggle or strain. Medical Qigong and Daoist Philosophy Lori’s qigong teachings encompass both medical and Daoist qigong philosophies. Medical qigong is practiced for maintaining health and for healing self and others, on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. The focus of Daoist qigong is to find alignment and harmony in balance with the life energy of the universe and the cyclical rhythms of nature. Dao translates as the ‘path’ or the ‘way,’ and can be expressed in three facets: First, at the highest, most philosophical level, Dao is the unnamable, the intangible, the essence of ultimate reality. Dao is everywhere and is beyond comprehension by the sense organs and the reasoning mind. Dao is the creative force for all creation. Knowledge of the Dao is not found by research or study, but by the practice of meditation. Meditation can release the invisible energy of the subconscious mind to reveal the truth through illumination and enlightenment. Dao must be experienced to be known. Dao is spirit, both infinite and eternal. It is never born, never dies, never visible, but always present. Secondly, Dao can also be expressed as the flow that exists in our universe which is in a constant state of change, moving through cycles of creation and destruction. This is evident by observing nature’s cycles of death and rebirth, the changing of the seasons, the cycles of night and day, the circle of life. Dao is literally the movement of all life. Thirdly, Dao can be understood on a human level. Daoism and following the Dao means going with this natural flow and following a living path. A human being follows the Dao by living in awareness and acceptance of the flow of nature and lives in harmony and peace with the greater spirit of Dao. Daoists seek answers to life’s questions through observation, reflection, and meditation on the nature of life. Yin and Yang From the Dao, all things arise. As stated by Laozi in Chapter 42 of the Daodejing, “Dao gives birth to One; One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to the 10,000 things.” Out of the Dao, the One arises. The One is the perfectly balanced connection and interrelation of the Two (yin and yang), from which all else arises. Yin and yang are the opposing forces existing in our universe that constantly cycle back and forth with each other. Yin can be described as dark, night, moon, cold, feminine, soft, smooth, stillness, and absorption. Yang can be described as light, day, sun, hot, masculine, strong, rough, action, and radiance. These opposites exist in perfect flow and harmony. Pure health is the balance and wholeness of the two. All is connected and interwoven in Oneness. Wu Wei Wu wei is the Daoist philosophy of non-effort. To understand wu wei, we first recognize that life is a cycle of ebb and flow, up and down, yin and yang. Rather than fight this cycle by struggling to be on the upswing or cursing the downswing, we begin to go with the grain, riding the waves of life with equanimity. Our entire universe flows with harmony through natural cycles of creation and destruction, and this rhythm is already inherently perfect. So to live the principle of wu wei is to go with the flow and accept that everything is just as it is. This surrender is not to be confused with apathy, laziness, or giving up. Rather, any action we take is effortless action – action that is spontaneous, that flows with the current and arises from a deep connection with the pulse of life. As Chapter 48 of the Daodejing suggests, “When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.” We act when inspired to act, work when we need to work, rest when we need to rest, and, most importantly, let go of the result, knowing that all is as it should be. Wu wei is a proactive and mindful approach, moving forward when inspired from a place of stillness and clarity. When we act in accordance with the Dao, following the natural flow, we accumulate virtues – life unfolds easily for us. When we go against the natural flow, we accumulate karma – life feels out of sync until we re-establish rhythm and flow. With regular Qigong practice and meditation, we learn to just be. Through inner stillness, we realize the innate Oneness within – the pure balance of yin and yang. We recognize and accept that life is both ease and struggle, joy and pain. We rediscover that we are woven into the fabric of Dao. The qigong forms are tools for growing and using qi toward its highest potential, which is returning to Oneness, merging with Dao, and as such, becoming immortal. Read Lori's essay on the Daoist method of Zuowang Meditation Read Ten Phases of Qi Back to Qigong page |
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| "Use emptiness to observe emptiness, and see there is no emptiness." -Qingjing Jing |
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| When nothing is done, nothing is left undone. ~Daodejing |