A General Discussion on Qigong
By Master Ng Ming-Yin
Qigong is an ancient treasure of Chinese Culture. This art has been developed over a 4000-year period. It has all the best features of Chinese Philosophy. We should value it, develop it and teach what we know to others so every person can benefit from it.
Qigong is a practice, an exercise and a way of life. The way of life associated with Qigong is a combination of effort at bringing mind, body and life forces together to help the practitioner. The training starts with a person’s intention of mind working with their body. This intention is a motivational force that activates all organs and physiological activities of the body to work together for one goal - accumulation of life energy, which we call Qi. By accumulation of Qi, human beings can live longer and their minds can be fully utilized. Perception can then be expanded to other levels, which will enable one to better understand his or her relationship with Heaven and Earth.
In order to do Qigong, we should follow certain guidelines that will enhance the quicker and safer development of Qi.
1. Regulating Consciousness (which the Chinese call Heart).
2. Regulating Qi.
3. Regulating one's body.
Definitions: Regulating means controlling, adjusting, tuning or mixing.
Heart means the total consciousness of the human being.
1. Regulating the Heart is the foundation of Qigong. The regulation of heart (consciousness) means relaxing all awareness without any thinking activities happening inside the mind. Because the thinking process is so natural to us, anything that happens inside our mind means nothing more then just being alive. So, sometimes when we are tense and frustrated, we think of nothing but the frustration and tension and their causes. Instead we should allow our minds to take control. In order to relax our mind, it is essential to have nothing dwell there except one thing - the replacing of all thought with emptiness. This will allow us to relax.
2. Regulating Qi: Usually, when our mind is relaxed, our breathing is also relaxed. However, since we have been living in a conditioned way, sometimes it is hard for us to realize when our breathing is relaxed. Therefore, it is essential for us to have a way to check whether or not our breathing is relaxed. At the same time, if we are not able to relax our minds then relaxing the breath will influence the mind to relax. The way to check breathing is simple. Make sure the breathing is long, gentle and natural while still being comfortable. Sometimes when we are unable to concentrate on the quality of emptiness the best thing to do is to count cycles of inhales and exhales. Count the breath cycles up to ten and then count them down from ten. Do the counting continuously. This will direct the mind into a simple level of consciousness. Once a simple feeling of just existing is achieved then slowly cease counting.
By performing steps 1 and 2 we are already practicing Qigong. However, in order to have the better effect of experiencing Qigong we have to emphasize the form of the body. Therefore step 3 is required.
3. Regulating the body: The physical body is the observable form of human existence. Having the right form is better because it is natural and being natural is always the right form. In other words, during the practice of Qigong, our body is functioning in accordance with nature. The body is relaxed and without tension. During the exercise of Qigong, we should constantly check ourselves. Our mind, body, and Qi should be attuned into one harmonic piece free of tension. Is this relaxation and sense of harmony a natural state, free of ego? If the answer is yes, then we are already in the state of Qigong.