Our mind is a meeting point for all sorts of influences, pressures, initiatives, desires and connections to the world at large. Rooted in the body, the crosscurrents of thoughts, emotions and other fast flowing energies keep us in varying states of confusion or clarity. In meditation we can observe ourselves from an instance of our mind where we do not engage in the patterns of past response and habits to the mesh of these crosscurrents. By strengthening the root and cleaning the pathways of our body, we can free more energy for this direct perception of the underlying meaning of the contacts and directions we are constantly engaged in.
The concrete exercises of Qigong are designed to penetrate the veil of illusions that makes us separate the material reality of our body and daily life from the abstract universe of total meaning. When we bring the concrete and abstract levels of our lives together we start to resonate with spontaneous energy to other people and the environment. All our organs kicking, like babies in the womb; new life is constantly brought forward. As if connecting a circuit of electricity – we infuse our life with meaning and sparks of purpose ignite. We become aware of our total dependency on the world around us as well as our freedom and power to influence it. We polish the holographic nature of our mind and what we see in ourselves makes it possible to realise and use our contact with the outside more constructively. Starting to
see the energy flow of everything makes us able to make more informed choices and direct our energies with less waste and more benefit.
In our ever more fast moving society, where people and businesses put increasing demands on our ability to adapt to changing circumstances, the need to maintain and improve our energy levels are more apparent. Qigong offers a natural way of doing this. The benefits to our focus, creativity and power of judgement can help us find better balance in our personal lives as well as our professional careers.
A Qigong practitioner may start out to learn forms and discipline, basically following designs made by others, but as the practitioner grows in experience, strength and self awareness, these premeditated forms dissolve into spontaneity. The body becomes transparent, a vibrant symbol holding the meaning of individual life, open and connected to the universe.
The Chinese concept of Qi stands for the motive force and impetus for all change and transformation in the universe. Coming into expression in our lives and in the universe, this force is always expressed through the dynamic balance of opposite qualities, referred to as Yin and Yang. Attempts to give strict definition of these terms, and the primordial holder of all, the Dao, brings us to the limits of conceptual language.
Manifestations of Qi at the level of human beings, the three treasures:
Jing, – many meanings to do with congenital essence; substance of body.
Qi, – refined substance and vital transformative potency flowing through the body and beyond.
Shen, – spirit; dominant aspect organising Jing and Qi; directive and making choices; related to intent.
