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Qi (Chi)

Dragonfly

Dragonfly

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Knicked from Wiki:

In traditional Chinese culture, qi (also chi or ch'i) is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as "natural energy", "life force", or "energy flow". Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts.
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What are your thoughts on Qi?
 
As I understand it, qi is the energetic network connecting all life. Supposedly, mastering it gives one supernatural powers to heal and a path to spiritual enlightenment. I don't think there's any scientific validity to the concept but it's an integral part of Eastern medicine and mysticism and is a rather fascinating enigma.
 
I'm not buying the supernatural aspect of it.

I do think there's a valid point to being able to focus your Qi to achieve some things others might believe to be unlikely.
 
I'm sorry, but I'm not getting it. If you take out the supernatural, what's left to focus?
 
I don't believe in it in any kind of supernatural sense, but I do recognize a form a chi/karma in my life that needs to be centered and peace oriented. I think it has to do with anger begets more anger and peace begets more peace.
 
Dragonfly said:
I'm not buying the supernatural aspect of it.

I do think there's a valid point to being able to focus your Qi to achieve some things others might believe to be unlikely.
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The bolded would be supernatural, would it not?
 
lizzie said:
The bolded would be supernatural, would it not?
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Not necessarily. A good teacher, and some training can help you to focus your qi.

Think about the guys who break concrete with their bare hands without getting hurt.

That's not supernatural. Is it?

When I think supernatural I think moving objects with your mind. That sort of thing.
 
Dragonfly said:
Not necessarily. A good teacher, and some training can help you to focus your qi.

Think about the guys who break concrete with their bare hands without getting hurt.

That's not supernatural. Is it?

When I think supernatural I think moving objects with your mind. That sort of thing.
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But to believe that there is a force of energy which can be focused with the mind is not a natural concept. It can't be seen, or otherwise sensed with the five senses, and it can't be scientifically proven to exist. To think that it can be focused with the mind, in order to achieve something abnormal for humans, is a bit of a stretch as far as nature goes. I'm not saying that I don't believe stranger things (which I do). I'm saying that believing that there is a force which can be controlled or influenced by the mind is not what I consider natural.
 
RabidAlpaca said:
I don't believe in it in any kind of supernatural sense, but I do recognize a form a chi/karma in my life that needs to be centered and peace oriented. I think it has to do with anger begets more anger and peace begets more peace.
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That's where I am with it as well.
 
lizzie said:
But to believe that there is a force of energy which can be focused with the mind is not a natural concept. It can't be seen, or otherwise sensed with the five senses, and it can't be scientifically proven to exist. To think that it can be focused with the mind, in order to achieve something abnormal for humans, is a bit of a stretch as far as nature goes. I'm not saying that I don't believe stranger things (which I do). I'm saying that believing that there is a force which can be controlled or influenced by the mind is not what I consider natural.
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I wonder how much of what your saying is because Qi is a completely foreign subject to most westerners?

I doubt it's supernatural, or extra-natural to many in the east.
 
Dragonfly said:
I wonder how much of what your saying is because Qi is a completely foreign subject to most westerners?

I doubt it's supernatural, or extra-natural to many in the east.
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Your point is well taken, but it is a concept which is very familiar to me, as one who tends to give credence to eastern religious ideas. It is still just as "supernatural" as prayer, and actually has some characteristics which make it a comparable practice.
 
chiburger, chiburger, chiburger
 
Chi is basically a supernatural explanation for a physical phenomina.

Most of what is chalked up to "Chi" is simply utilizing tools inherent in our bodies, specifically training to be able to recognize those tools and use them to their fullest.

Take one of the most basic known stereotypes of martial arts; the kiai. For those that don't recognize the term, it's the loud yell you generally hear in conjunction with an attack in those old martial arts films ;) A kiai was thought to be a forceful projection of ones energy upon striking an enemy, allowing one to be more powerful. In reality, it's doing a number of perfectly natural things that help ones strike to be stronger. It's a forceful excel of air, keeping you from potentially holding your breath in anticipation for the hit which naturally keeps you tighter and thus allows for less power in the strike. Additionally, the act of a forceful, aggressive, battle cry of sorts triggers a quick little burst of adrenline.

There are monks over in the east that I remember seeing specials on who are able to do crazy things, such as survive in very cold temperatures with very little clothes. Again, this is chalked up to a notion of chi but seems to simply be an extremely heightened mastery over the abilities of the body.

From a martial arts stance, I always love to see the mystical notions of the past be taught or spoken about, but also explained in a more modern way as I think there are definite uses and benefits to the things of old but that those benefits are even more attainable if you have a clearer understanding of the how/why.
 
Having thought about this more.

I prefer Qi helping people do some superhuman things rather than supernatural. :mrgreen:


We know very little about the power of the brain.

We've all heard stories of people under duress being able to do all kinds of crazy things.

Perhaps the ability to focus and harness an inner energy (Qi), is like tapping into some of that unknown power of the brain.

Bringing that energy and power out when in complete control, rather than under duress or through fear.
 
We do know quite a lot about the anatomy of the central nervous system which carries the electrical signals from the brain to the body, and it doesn't follow the same lines as the "Qi" maps do. As for the things people can do under duress, that's more likely to be adrenaline than an invisible force. It can't be superhuman if humans do it.
You can see the Kiai in action in women's tennis.
 
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Manc Skipper said:
That's more likely to be adrenaline than an invisible force. You can see the Kiai in action in women's tennis.
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Women's beach volleyball seems to affect me in a supernatural way :)
 
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