The nature of qi versus its effects (scrutiny, mystic, verse)

[Scarlett Wampus]

Hey all.

After seeing some heated debate on a thread on another forum I thought I'd bring something up here for your perusal: -

Taoist practices such as qi gong are known for being great for health and also complimentary when used in conjunction with meditation and self-reflection. The health benefits and sometimes unusual abilities that qi gong practitioners gain are well documented and have been the subject of many studies that confirm qi gong's effectiveness. That's rarely controversial. However, the theory behind qi - how it works, what it is, etc. often comes under attack because its runs counter to or separate from what we've learnt from science. Also, attempts to demonstrate the powers that theories of qi suggest people should have beyond the mental & physical health benefits don't hold up well when subjected to systematic testing. So, some questions:-

1) Does it matter to you personally whether the nature of qi can't be confirmed through science if qi gong works for you?

2) Does the fact that current theories of qi don't hold up to scrutiny mean that if we did discover why and how qi gong was beneficial we'd be able to formulate more effective qi gong exercises?

3) Do you agree that theories about what qi is and how it works contradict and/or can't be confirmed by science?

[Somkid]

I believe qi is real, qi is part of every living thing that exists, it is life force it is also meant as "air" or "breath" and that is real. When I think about qi I think about the electrical impulses running around in my body sparking my brain running to my fingers to make an action or movement. Qi can be scientific in some ways as it can be measured as far as qigong goes it is a moving form of meditation that calms the mind and body there is also medical science to back that claim up.

I'm not sure what you are saying about the theories of qigong holding up, they do in medical science and many hospitals have qigong programs to promote health and well being.

I'm not sure how you are defining qi if you are trying to define it as something mystical it is not it is simply life force it is like trying to measure consciences we don't know what exactly it is but we do know it is real.

And just for the record qigong has nothing to do with Taoism in the philosophical sense or the religious sense

Here is a link that can give you tons of information about the topic

Qigong - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[sandy whitelinger]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Wampus

The health benefits and sometimes unusual abilities that qi gong practitioners gain are well documented...

Before I go any further could you define these please?

[Somkid]

Originally Posted by sandy whitelinger

Before I go any further could you define these please?

This might explain.

Energy Medicine: An Overview [NCCAM Backgrounder]

Health Today Online

[sandy whitelinger]

Originally Posted by Somkid

This might explain.

Energy Medicine: An Overview [NCCAM Backgrounder]

Health Today Online

I am well versed in the concept of qi after 21 years of practicing T'ai Chi. I know of some quite absurd claims that arise from qi practices and was wondering what Scarlett was refering to before I comment further.

[Master Vigil]

Chi (Qi) is scientific. They just call it something different, chemical energy. And notice it running near the meridian systems as the central nervous system. They are the same, people are just so stuck on terms.

Here is a vid that demonstrates my use to Chi to blow out a candle from about a foot away.

[sandy whitelinger]

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

Chi (Qi) is scientific. They just call it something different, chemical energy. And notice it running near the meridian systems as the central nervous system. They are the same, people are just so stuck on terms.

Here is a vid that demonstrates my use to Chi to blow out a candle from about a foot away.

that's a specific kind of chi. On a grand scale chi is the force that binds the universe.

[sandy whitelinger]

Hey Scarlett, you started a thread and disappeared. Are you still there?

[Francine]

Originally Posted by sandy whitelinger

that's a specific kind of chi. On a grand scale chi is the force that binds the universe.

Kid, I've flown from one side of this world to the other. I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me believe there's one all-powerful Chi controlling everything. There's no mystical energy field controls my destiny! It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.