The Root of Chinese Qigong. Jwing-Ming Yang

Qi circulation theory and acupuncture reached a peak. More documents were published about medical Qigong than the other categories of Qigong exercises.

      3. Religious Qigong practice remained secret.

      4. Qigong exercises had become more popular in Chinese society.

2-4. From the End of the Qing Dynasty to the Present ( )

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      Before 1911 A.D., Chinese society was still very conservative and old-fashioned. Even though China had been expanding its contact with the outside world for the previous hundred years, the outside world had little influence beyond the coastal regions. With the overthrow of the Qing dynasty in 1911 and the founding of the Chinese Republic, the nation began changing as never before. Since this time Qigong practice has entered a new era. Because of the ease of communication in the modern world, Western culture now has great influence on the Orient. Many Chinese have opened their minds and changed their traditional ideas, especially in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Various Qigong styles are now being taught openly, and many formerly secret documents have been published. Modern methods of communication have opened up Qigong to a much wider audience than ever before, and people now have the opportunity to study and understand many different styles. In addition, people are now able to compare Chinese Qigong to similar arts from other countries such as India, Japan, Korea, and the Middle East.

      I believe that in the near future Qigong will be considered the most exciting and challenging field of research. It is an ancient science just waiting to be investigated with the help of the new technologies now being developed at an almost explosive rate. Anything we can do to speed up this research will greatly help humanity to understand and improve itself.

       References

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CHAPTER 3

       Basic Concepts of Qigong

      There are a number of special terms that are commonly used by Qigong practitioners, and are found in the documents which have been passed down from generation to generation. Since most of these terms are key words which will help you to grasp the basic concepts of Qigong practice, it is important that you understand their real meaning. In this chapter we will discuss the major terms which are directly related to Qigong training. Other terms will be discussed in Appendix.

3-1. The Three Treasures – Jing, Qi, and Shen

      Understanding Jing (Essence, ), Qi (internal energy, ), and Shen (spirit, ) is one of the most important requirements for effective Qigong training. They are the root of your life and therefore also the root of Qigong practice. Jing, Qi, and Shen are called “San Bao” (), which means “The Three Treasures,” “San Yuan” (), which means “The Three Origins,” or “San Ben” (), which means “The Three Foundations.” In Qigong training, a practitioner learns how to “firm his Jing” (Gu Jing; , Gu means to firm, solidify, retain, and conserve) and how to convert it into Qi. This is called “Lian Jing Hua Qi” (), which means “to refine the Jing and convert it into Qi.” Then he learns how to lead the Qi to the head to convert it into Shen (also called nourishing Shen). This is called “Lian Qi Hua Shen” (), which means “to refine the Qi and convert it into (nourish) the Shen” Finally, the practitioner learns to use his energized Shen to govern the emotional part of his personality. This is called “Lian Shen Liao Xing” (), or “to refine the Shen to end human (emotional) nature.”

      These conversion processes are what enable you to gain health and longevity. As a Qigong practitioner, you must pay a great deal of attention to these three elements during the course of your training. If you keep these three elements strong and healthy, you will live a long and healthy life. If you neglect or abuse them, you will be sick frequently and will age fast. Each one of these three elements or treasures has its own root. You must know the roots so that you can strengthen and protect your three treasures.

       Jing

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      The Chinese word Jing means a number of things depending on where, when, and how it is used. Jing can be used as a verb, an adjective, or a noun. When it is used as a verb, it means “to refine.” For example, to refine or purify a liquid to a high quality is called “Jing Lian” (). When it is used as an adjective, it is used to describe or signify something which is “refined,” “polished” and “pure without mixture.” For example, when a piece of art work is well done, people say “Jing Xi” (), which means “delicate and painstaking” (literally, “pure and fine”), or “Jing Liang” (), which means “excellent quality” (literally “pure and good”). When Jing is used to apply to personal wisdom or personality, it means “keen” and “sharp.” For example, when someone is smart or wise, they are called “Jing Ming” (), which means “keen and clever.” When Jing is applied to a thought, it means “profound” or “astute,” and indicates that the idea or plan was well and carefully considered. When used as a noun for an object, Jing means “the essence” or “the essentials.” When it is used for the energy side of a being, it means “spirit” or “ghost.” Since Chinese people believe that the male sperm or semen is the refined and the most essential product of a man, Jing also means sperm or semen.

      When Jing is used as “essence,” it exists in everything. Jing may be considered the primal substance or original source from which a thing is made, and which exhibits the true nature of that thing. When Jing is used in reference to animals or humans, it means the very original and essential source of life and growth. This Jing is the origin of the Shen (spirit) which makes an animal different from a tree. In humans, Jing is passed down from the parents. Sperm is called “Jing Zi” (), which means “the sons of essence.” When this essence is mixed with the mother’s Jing (egg), a new life is generated which is, in certain fundamental respects, an intertwining of the Jings of both parents. The child is formed, the Qi circulates, and the Shen grows. The Jing which has been carried over from the parents is called “Yuan Jing” (), which means “Original Essence.”

      Once