Article by Simon Blow
To help initiate the healing process in others, it’s important that our own energy system is flowing smoothly. Exercising of our physical body as well as our internal body and regular meditation practice are important prerequisites to working successfully over the long term in the healing industry.
All traditions have a system of self maintenance and the basic principles are similar. I personally discovered the Chinese tradition while I was recovering from a major car accident. I suffered over 25 fractures below the hips and multiple fractures to other parts of my body. I sustained severe head injuries and nearly died more than once. I spent 15 weeks in hospital, the first nine in a semi-conscious state. This experience left me to walk a very tough road, but I found inspiration in the obstacles that lay in my path.
I commenced studying Tai Chi in 1987 and found many benefits in this practice, but I was mainly interested in the spiritual aspect and this lead me deeper into the study of Qi (Chi) and Qigong.
Qi, pronounced ‘Chi’, is the foundation for Taoist thinking and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Taoist Master Hua-Ching Ni, in the book Tao – The Subtle Universal Law and The Integral Way of Life, explains, “Chi is the vital universal energy which composes, permeates and moves everything that exists. Chi may be defined as the ultimate cause and, at the same time, as the ultimate effect. Chi is the ultimate essence of the universe as well as the law of all movement. When Chi conglomerates, it is called matter. When Chi is diffuse, it is called space. When Chi animates form, it is called life. When Chi separates and withdraws from, it is called death. When Chi flows, there is health. When Chi is blocked, there is sickness and disease. Chi embraces all things, circulates through and sustains them. The planets depend on it for their brightness, weather is formed by it, and the seasons are caused by it.” So, it is Chi, or vital energy, that activates and maintains all life. Chi animates all processes of the body: the digestion and assimilation of the food we eat, the inhalation and exhalation of air by the lungs, the circulation of the blood, the dissemination of fluids throughout the body and, finally, the excretion of waste products of the metabolism.”
Qigong, pronounced Chi-Gung, is one of the great treasures of Chinese culture and is one of the components of the holistic system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its origins trace back to the Tangyao period of 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. It was clearly outlined in the book Huangdi Neijing or The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Canon of Chinese Medicine, which originally dates from 2500 BC and was published from 500 BC. These theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine are still used today. Medical books published from the Han Dynasty, 200 BC, show detailed theory and clinical practice of Qigong techniques for treating disease and improving health. Silk scrolls known as the Daoyin Diagrams unearthed in the year 1972 at an archeological dig in Changsha, China show detailed illustrations of Qigong exercises and have been dated to 168 BC. From ancient to modern times, Qigong self healing exercises have been used to help improve people’s quality of life.
Qigong is a relatively new term, used since the early 1900s to describe all the Chinese energy or Qi techniques. Qi or Chi is a term meaning ‘life force energy’ that flows through the energy system or meridians in the body and connect with the energy of the universe. Gong or Gung translates to work, mastery or skill, literally, a way of working with the energy of life. There are three main categories – Martial, Medical and Spiritual.
The art of Qigong consists primarily of meditation, relaxation, physical movement, mind-body integration and breathing exercises. There are thousands of different styles and systems, either done standing, moving, walking, sitting or lying. Tai Chi is one popular style.
For thousands of years, millions of people have benefited from Qigong practice. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, good health is a result of a free-flowing, well-balanced energy system. Ailments both physical and emotional occur when the flow of Qi is blocked or impeded, causing imbalance and dysfunction in the body’s energy system. With regular practice, Qigong helps to cleanse the body of toxins, restore energy, and reduce stress and anxiety, and assists individuals to maintain a healthy and active life.
Qi is a flowing energy and is often compared to water. When water flows through a river system, the environment, plants and animals gain nourishment from this fresh energy supply and will be in good health. When this flow of water becomes blocked or stagnates, the environment around it suffers. I don’t think there is good and bad energy – it’s all just energy. Similarly, after rain, the stagnant water flows again through the network of channels, streams and along the major rivers giving life again to the environment. Our own body is a micro representation of our environment and works similarly to the river system. With the correct approach, we can cultivate and transform the stagnant energy in our body into fresh sustaining energy. This flow of energy or Qi in our body is directly related to our posture and body movements, breath and mental condition. When the mind, body and breath are in harmony, our Qi will also be in harmony. It will flow naturally through the energy channels or meridians of the body and with loving kindness, we as conscious beings are able to let our energy merge with the energy of the universe.
Is Qigong a spiritual practice?
It’s a good question, because the understanding of spirituality is different to all of us. There are many variables that depend on our background and culture, even the type of work we do. But what is clear to me is that through the process of work, or ‘Gong’, we are able to refine our energy or ‘Qi’, clearing the blockages. This calms the emotions and helps us become aware of ourselves as a living spirit in physical form. Then we can express ourselves as a spirit and use our energy or Qi to contribute to the development of the human race.
I haven’t worked it all out – life is an ongoing journey, but I get many ideas and positive feed back from students and the people I meet. I’m not sure if we have original ideas or if, when the heart opens and the Qi flows, we are simply all one.
Simon Blow has been a full time professional teacher (Laoshi) for over 15 years. A near fatal accident at the age of 19 lead Simon to investigate various methods of healing and rejuvenating, a path he has followed for over 25 years. He has received training and certification from Traditional Hospitals and Taoist Monasteries in China and has been given authority to share these techniques. Simon has received World Health Organisation Certification in Medical Qigong clinical practice from the Xiyuan Hospital in Beijing and has been initiated into Dragon Gate Taoism and given the Taoist name of Xin Si, meaning Genuine Wisdom. He is also a Standing Council Member of the World Academic Society of Medical Qigong, Beijing China.
Contact:
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