[QUOTE=Scott R. Brown;1046907]Qi quantity and flow is a naturally occurring function/process of a healthy mind and body. It is a misunderstanding that Qi requires any cultivation at all.
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Qi exists naturally in live person. No qi, no life.
Qigong is an exercise/process used to increase the level of qi and open channels in the body.
Each person’s qi level or amount is different at any one time. Qigong can be used to rejuvenate, heal, recover or just to supplement.
Think of water flowing down a river. It flows according to its own nature, not according to our wish for it to be watery. You cannot make water, more watery, you cannot force water to act against its nature! It does what it does because that is its nature. If one wishes to use water for their own purposes, it behooves one to understand the principles of water and work according to those principles.
The only thing that impedes water is something getting in the way of its natural flow. When a barrier occurs, water will continue to follow its nature by filling up the basin and then overflow and continue upon its merry way. If the water cannot continue to flow it becomes stagnant and contaminated.
Analogy is good for the flow of qi, does not address the creation of qi.
It is just so with Qi. It is the stagnation of Qi’s natural flow that causes problems for us. The body and/or mind does not create, cultivate or store Qi; it merely uses Qi that is available according to the naturally occurring functions of the body and Qi.
This is incorrect. Two main sources of Qi are Universal and through the body processes (metabolism).
Qigong increases the metabolic rate and/or connects to the universal source or both.
Qi is everywhere and always available for use. There is no scarcity of Qi anywhere in nature. However, if you impede your natural Qi flow through mental barriers, mostly created by emotional stresses, or through physical barriers, mostly created by physical injury, lack of exercise, poor diet, lack of sleep, impure water and air and/or exposure to other unhealthy substances, then you may experience what has been called a blockage of Qi. This blockage is not an absence of Qi, but an impediment to its natural function/flow.
The best way to improve your Qi flow is to be sure you do as little as possible to impeded its natural function. This is accomplished by keeping a healthy body and calm mind. There is no need to perform any form of Qi Gong exercises, there is no need to stand, sit, lie down etc. as a formal exercise. In fact, any of these forms, performed improperly, that is, for too long, or under less than optimal conditions, can be just as harmful as beneficial.
The emphasis above should on the word “need”, there being no “need” is not the same thing as saying these exercises are of no benefit. It is only that they are NOT “necessary” for a healthy natural flow of Qi. The belief that one “must” perform Qi Gong exercise in order to maintain a healthy quantity of Qi is a fantasy, and/or a misunderstanding and misapplication of the principles of Qi and Tao.
Yes, I’ve met some of the “just relax and everything will come back” people. This works “to some extent” in some people but others may have larger problems. Practicing a qigong will resolve the problem quicker than just relaxing. Relaxation is a very basic requirement in qigong.
Mediation allows the mind to relax and let go of emotional attachments that impede natural Qi flow, therefore your Zen practice should be sufficient. Exercises of any kind, performed in a regular manner, and not to excess, will also improve the natural flow of Qi within your body. And finally, eliminating, as much as possible, all substances that poison and damage the body will allow Qi to flow naturally, according to its own principles, throughout your body.
While I’m an advocate of Qigong I find there’s a lot of krap out there so it also depends on the qigong spoken about.
