|
|
Close This Window
What Is Qigong
Meditation?
Author: Kevin Schoeninger
Kenneth Cohen
translates qigong as "working with life energy, learning how to control
the flow and distribution of qi to improve the health and harmony of mind
and body" (The Way of Qigong, New York: Ballantine Books, 1997, p.3). Such
practices have been prevalent in China for 2000-3000 years. The term
qigong in the sense that we are using it, the practice of cultivating and
refining qi, is a relatively new usage. In ancient China, these exercises
were commonly called "dao-yin" which Cohen translates as "leading and
guiding the energy" (The
Way of Qigong, p. 13).
The
grandfather of Chinese Daoist philosophy, Lao Zi (or Lao Tzu), describes
dao-yin practice in his Dao De Jing (or Tao Teh Ching) written in the
third and fourth centuries B.C. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal
Medicine recommended dao-yin
exercises in the first and second century B.C. to cure colds and fevers,
to attain tranquility, and to cultivate vital energy. A folded piece of
silk from the second century B.C., called the Dao-yin Tu, shows four rows
of painted figures representing "all major categories of modern qigong:
breathing, stances, movement, and self-massage from standing, seated, and
supine positions. Of great interest are the captions that name specific
disorders, such as kidney disease, flatulence, painful knees, lumbago,
rheumatism, gastric disturbance, and anxiety, suggesting that by 168 B.C.
specific exercises were used to treat specific illnesses" (The Way of
Qigong, p. 18).
Today, according to Qigong Master Tianyou Hao, there are over 35,000
different forms of qigong exercises. Master Hao says that "A Qigong form
is a specific mental and/or physical exercise or coordination of a series
of exercises all prescribed to train, develop and condition the mind and
body for the purpose of health, healing, longevity, and opening wisdom"
(from Master Hao's Qigong Instructor Training Course).
Although there are so many forms of qigong, the underlying theory,
energetic anatomy, and principles of practice are common across most
forms. The system taught in my Learn Qigong Meditation Program is a
complete system of meditative qigong, along with some simple movements to
release tension and increase energy flow.
Meditative qigong is called jing gong or quiet form (with standing and
seated versions). This is in contrast to moving qigong forms, such as
Taiji (or T'ai chi), which use bodily movement to mobilize qi. The
emphasis in meditative qigong is the development of mind and spirit
through the calm entrainment of body and emotion. This is accomplished by
using your mind to relax your body, adjust your emotional attitude, and
lead qi along specific pathways through your body.
Qigong meditation develops our ability to feel qi, build and store qi, and
circulate qi smoothly throughout the body. The effects of meditative
qigong are holistic: they positively affect all four levels of our being.
The smooth flow of qi is the key to physical health, emotional balance,
mental clarity, and spiritual integration. Cultivating awareness of qi
flow is a path of personal growth. If you are interested in more articles
in this series or in the Learn Qigong Meditation Program visit: http://www.learnqigongmeditation.com
Copyright 2006 by Kevin Schoeninger
About the author:
Kevin Schoeninger: M.A. in Philosophy, Certified Qigong Instructor,
Personal Trainer, and Reiki Master.
Close This Window
|
