Qi is Definition, features, properties and meanings

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Chinese practice of feng shui teaches a person to exist in harmony with the mysterious energy of qi. Modern science denies its existence, while the ancient peoples sincerely believed in it and tried to use it to achieve happiness, he alth, and we alth. Let's try to understand the definition of the word "qi". This is the most important term, without which one cannot understand the essence of Chinese philosophy, culture, medicine and even martial arts.

Primal Energy

In ancient times, people believed that there were energy flows penetrating the entire Universe, including living beings and man himself. If they are blocked, diseases, misfortunes and death come. In Japan, this phenomenon was called "ki", in Egypt - "ka", in Greece - "pneuma", in India - "prana", in Africa - "esh". In Christianity, the term "Holy Spirit" is used. It is difficult to define these words. "Qi" is the Chinese designation for the life-giving vibrational flow, which translates as "spirit", "air", "breath","vitality".

Thanks to him, according to beliefs, the Earth, plants, animals and people arose. Without qi, an active existence is impossible, therefore it is so important to be able to harmonize this energy.

How to touch the invisible?

Western people are used to the scientific approach. It is difficult for him to believe in the existence of qi energy, the description of which is impossible to give, because it has no physical characteristics. We feel this power intuitively, saying: "He is full of charisma" or "I am de-energized." But it is not yet possible to measure these invisible flows with instruments.

However, there are special exercises, thanks to which you can feel the movement of energy within yourself. Stand up straight with your legs slightly apart and bend your knees as if you were going to sit on a chair. Hands spread out to the sides, palms rise to the ceiling. If you hold the pose for 10 minutes, you can feel the movement of qi that descends through the palms.

If you wish, you can take the energy in hand. For this, the same starting position is taken. Arms extended forward, palms facing each other. You need to imagine that you are holding a tiny bird that breathes and moves. Slightly spread and bring your hands together, doing it carefully, and you will soon feel warm. You will feel as if there is a ball between the palms. It can be rotated, reduced or enlarged as desired.

Heavenly and earthly qi

The life-giving energy is actually much bigger than the balloon in your hands and permeates every corner of the universe. Qi is cosmic breath, which, according toancient Chinese, belongs to the heavenly dragon. It travels through the stars and planets, creates gravity, affects sunlight and moonlight. The weather and climate on our planet depend on heavenly qi. If harmony is lost, storms, hurricanes, downpours and other natural disasters begin.

Directly on our planet, qi flows along natural meridians (the so-called dragon lines). Where they are located close to the surface, the soil is fertile, gardens and forests grow, rivers flow. In places where the "dragon lines" run deep, the land is barren. Deserts, tundras and arctic regions are formed here. Such energy flows are called "earth qi", and their location is recommended to be taken into account when choosing a place to live.

Winds and roads

If you follow the principle of qi, then it is better to settle on a hilly or mountainous surface, where winding rivers flow, and there are no strong, gusty winds. In China, places with the maximum concentration of vital energy were called the names of celestial animals. It was in them that they tried to build cities.

Open areas, on the contrary, were considered unfavorable, since the winds carry qi away from them. In clean, rounded water bodies, energy is concentrated, but in dirty and covered with mud, it stagnates, which worsens its quality. With fast rivers and waterfalls, the life-giving force is carried away into the distance. She also does not like straight lines, high-speed roads. Another thing - curved highways with smooth movement of cars.

If a person is forced to settle in an unfavorable area, it is recommended to harmonize it. To do this, the Chinese equip courtyards, erecting artificial hills, ponds and gardens in them.

Indoor energy

Qi is a flow that should move smoothly and circulate without stagnation. This applies not only to the area in which you live, but also to your home. Basically, energy enters it through the door. It is very bad if there is a window opposite it, through which light qi will immediately fly out. The ideal option is large, spacious rooms through which energy can circulate in a tortuous path without encountering obstacles. This creates a favorable atmosphere in the house.

But sharp corners, dark nooks and piles of rubbish hinder the free movement of qi. Energy stagnates, becomes weak. In such a room, people feel lethargic, they have a depressive state.

Sequential arrangement of rooms, when energy flows in a straight line, is also considered unfavorable. In this case, the qi moves too fast and much of it is lost to no purpose. The owners of such apartments are often inefficient in their activities. You can correct the situation with the help of simple tricks, which are studied by the teachings of Feng Shui.

How to harmonize space?

When planning apartments, engineers do not take into account the circulation of life-giving qi energy. This leads to many problems that can be neutralized if desired. Experts advise:

• Take care of good lighting in all rooms in the apartment and especially the hallway.
• Keep your house in order and get rid of trash regularly.
• Ventilate spaces to bring in fresh energy.
• If the front door rests on a toilet or a wall, hang a mirror there.
• If the qi flows directly, hang wind chimes over doors or mirrors on opposite walls.
• To neutralize sharp corners, use real flowers in pots, mirrors, furniture, artificial fountains and bright lights.
• Drape overhanging beams so that they do not visually stand out, or decorate with bells.

Qi and the human body

If the apartment is equipped in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, but there is no harmony, then we can talk about the unfavorable energy of the person himself. After all, what is “chi”? Life energy, or, in other words, the substance with which the active functioning of the tissues and organs of each creature is maintained. In the human body, these flows run along special meridians, which are studied by Chinese medicine. Acupuncture practices are based on this.

Qi is a circulating energy that comes from the vast cosmos, penetrating human bodies and penetrating the earth. Leaving the post office, she can also stumble upon a person. At the same time, information is exchanged. If any meridian in the human body is clogged, the movement of energy is hindered, which leads to illness and a decline in vitality.

Physical practices

How to improve your he alth and realize your dreams using the qi principle? The Chinese believe that energy is replenished through breathing and nutrition. It is very good if half of your diet consists of vegetables and fruits. Breathing exercises also play a role. They should be done daily, preferably in nature or at least in a ventilated room. Learn to fill with air not only the chest, but also the diaphragm, to concentrate on inhalations and exhalations.

The practice of qigong, tai chi, kong fu is called upon to balance the movement of qi. Indian yoga can also be useful. It is built on slightly different principles, but involves working with human energy and aims to fully realize the life potential of the individual.

Spiritual practices

Qi energy is the life force on which not only a person's he alth depends, but also his mood, mental state. When it functions properly, we are positive, calm and confident. In this state, it is easier to cope with troubles, it is easier to build relationships with loved ones, colleagues and clients.

There are two ways to maintain your own energy at a high level:

1. Meditation. It is performed regularly. You need to focus on some image and drive away all other thoughts. For example, imagine yourself as a tree, the roots of which are saturated with energy from the earth. And the hands reach out to space and absorb the most powerful force from there.
2. Peace of mind. In order not to block the flow of qi, try to avoid conflicts. If you communicate with unpleasant people, mentally put protection in the form of a glass wall. Think less about the bad and learn to enjoy what you have now. Constantly look for new ways to get joyful emotions.

The Chinese have been studying the meaning and influence of qi energy on humans for thousands of years. You can be a skeptic and not believe in their discoveries, but it is difficult to deny the obvious facts. A change of interior, a he althy lifestyle and peace of mind can cure depression, relieve a person of headaches and energize for new achievements.