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Published on: 8/8/2009
Last Visited: 8/8/2009
IKF Magazine April87, Introduction to Chi Kung (PDF)
Chicago Tribune - Qigong Article June03, Large Print (PDF)
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Chi Kung is an ancient Chinese system of energy cultivation which enables you to develop internal power.
It is the same source of power behind the Chinese internal martial arts, and without which, the movements in these arts are only calisthenics.
For centuries, Chi Kung has been used for health, vitality, increasing longevity, transforming martial art and athletic ability and accelerating the mind.
Ultimately, it can help you achieve your personal vision by strengthening the "muscle of your WILL."
Chi Kung is often confused with meditation.
Chi Kung is different.
In most meditations, the mind is calmed and simply registers the flux of consciousness to naturally reach a state of pure awareness for eventual union with the Absolute.
In Chi Kung, the mind is focused on directing energy, not on thinking or not thinking.
The principle is called "Hsing Chi" meaning "wherever the mind goes, the energy follows."
Neither is Chi Kung a form of visualization.
Visualization is something created in the imagination, something not existing or not yet existing, as in Creative Visualization.
In Chi Kung you are not visualizing the energy condensing, circulating or projecting through the use of images... you are actually doing it, physically.
It is the conscious directing and use of the energy.
The energy transformed in Chi Kung exists in three states, like ice, water and steam.
The first state is called Chi.
Chinese Taoists believe that there was a single eternal power that moves the universe.
They called it Chi.
In Chinese the word has several meanings.
It can mean "air," "power," "motion," or "life.
It is the "intrinsic energy.
Everyone possesses it.
Accumulating or circulating large amounts of Chi by itself, however, will not produce great benefits.
Like gasoline in a motor, the Chi must be condensed and burned to produce power.
The name of this internal power is Jing.
It is the second state of energy transformed in a complete system of Chi Kung.
When Chi is converted into Jing, it is the same as converting your internal energy into your internal power.
Chi is the energy source, Jing is the power, and Chi Kung is the method of transformation.
The concept that allows you to transform internal energy into internal power is called the Condensing principle.
It is the single most important element of Chi Kung.
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The last stage of Chi Kung is to apply the Projecting principle.
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First, find a complete system of Chi Kung which contains all four of the essential elements of internal power work, namely, Condensing, Macro Cosmic circulations, the Micro-Cosmic circulation and Projecting techniques.
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The elements I'd like to explain are Chi Circulations, Chi Kung, Nei Kung and Gold Bell Training.
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The purpose of this article is to explain cultivating your vibration through using Chi Kung, Nei Kung and lastly, Gold Bell Training.
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The elements of The Daily Practice Routine are built upon the main elements of Chi Kung.
In The Daily Practice Routine first comes The Condensing Principle which is the single most important element of Chi Kung.
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The next part of Chi Kung is The Micro-Cosmic Orbit.
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Gold Bell Training relates directly to Chi Kung in its martial application.
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After you learn Condensing Breathing, the next piece you must learn and practice is "Chi in Voice and Action" or "Hung and Ha Training.
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To become proficient in Tai Chi takes a long time, but to utilize Chi Kung in your life can happen almost immediately.
When I say utilize Chi Kung in your life I'm referring to real life applications, not Tai Chi applications.
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GJC: Chi Kung is an ancient Chinese Taoist method for rejuvenating your internal energy systems - your Jing, Chi, and Shen.
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IFK: Many articles are now appearing in martial arts and new age magazines on Chi Kung.
With your busy practice, have you had a chance to read them?
And if so, what are your conclusions?
GJC: All the articles I've read have been too superficial to do justice to this Nei Kung practice, so deep-rooted in Chinese culture.
People have been led to believe that if they sit in the lotus posture and stretch one hand over their head and hold the other at tan tien while they abdominal breathe, that's Chi Kung.
No way!
Chi Kung means internal energy work, internal training!
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IFK: Many of these articles describe "abnormal reactions" or "danger signals" occurring as a result of practicing Chi Kung.
Have you seen these reactions in your students?
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Everyone has to understand that when we're talking about Chi Kung or internal Kung Fu training, this stuff takes awhile to learn.
No, I don't mean they should get ripped off by thinking that it will take ten or twenty years.
If a student has the right teacher, the right material, and is really motivated, then he can excel in a relatively short time: say, from six months to two years.
He doesn't have to sit on the doorstep for five or ten years before the "venerable Master" decides to share a secret or two.
So, you have to listen to where the articles are coming from.
Does the person giving the warnings really know what he's talking about?
Usually the warnings are coming from a place of fear, of trying to protect the system.
IFK: But isn't there a kernel of truth in the articles regarding headaches, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and emotional catharsis that might be triggered by this meditation?
GJC: Yes, but these aren't problems to worry about or to deter you from practicing Chi Kung.
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However, when you're practicing Tai Chi or Chi Kung, it's a continuous thing.
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IFK: So you consider exposure to the "Three Treasures" theory important for success in Chi Kung?
What about elusive concepts of Chi, Jing, and Shen?
GJC: Most books confuse this and make it impossible to understand.
I'd rather give the student four or five sentences he could relate to and say: "I know what he's talking about.
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IKF: So how does this contrast with the famous "Chi" or "ki" so often written about?
GJC: With Jing you can transmit its energy, or the manifestation of your internal development, to another person and they can feel it.
So here, if I hold both of your hands and decide to give you a shock, the feeling you can get from my cultivation of raw Jing, and its release, the fah, is pure Jing.
"Fah Jing" is the "mysterious" power of the great Tai Chi Masters.
It's sometimes labeled "Fah Chin.
Jing can be transmitted for healing purposes also, but when we're talking about Chi, the energy of Chi can manifest as a sensation I feel that has nothing to do with the vibrations I can transmit to you.
Chi energy (internal energy) has a completely different vibratory frequency.
Chi vibrations are in the next level and are shorter, smaller, and faster vibrations.
Jing vibrations (internal power) are more guttural, more physical, and a slower.
Chi of course, moves the entire universe, and is in all of us from our first embryonic breath as the source of organic change and movement, of breathing, eating, walking, fighting, thinking, and even aging too.
But to sense it and use it with purpose takes technique, practice, and work.
An analogy is helpful here to my students.
An internal combustion engine must have an energy source, gasoline, and a method of igniting the energy, the ignition system, into the more usable form of energy, horsepower.
For us, Chi is the energy source, Jing is the power, and Chi Kung is the method of transformation.
IKF: So how do you put this mechanism to work?
How do you harness the Chi and make it work for you?
What's your basic approach here?
GJC: The concept that cuts through the fog of ignorance and secrecy, the concept that allows the student to use Chi with purpose, to cultivate Jing, to develop and "burn" it into form, to become a dynamic self-powered individual is "The Condensing Principle.
"The Condensing Process" is one of creating an inner vacuum with Chi, Jing, and Shen all at the same time.
It's the process of packing the essence of things into every thought, intention, and action.
Here's one basic condensing technique for developing Jing: whatever the posture, on the inhale focus on the body to expand, and at the same time focus on the inhaled Chi to contract, to condense, into the core of the body; then, on the exhale focus on the body to contract, and at the same time focus on the inhaled Chi to expand.
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Chi Kung is such a great system of meditation, and coupled with Tai Chi, its the ultimate.
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Most articles treat Chi Kung as a form of visualization - wrong!
This is not.
My concept of visualization is something created in imagination, something not existing, or not yet existing, like in the method of Creative Visualization.
In Chi Kung you're not visualizing Chi condensing, circulating, or dispersing through the use of images, you are actually doing it, physically.
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In Chi Kung, the person develops as a total unit, more fit for living.
IKF: You've talked ab
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