Holistic Health
Qigong: A Vision of Transformation
by Master Mingtong Gu and Jaelle Draigomir
Many people would argue that war is inevitable. However, humankind has largely engaged in war because we are hiding our true nature from ourselves, the nature of Oneness. Many ancient spiritual masters have expounded upon the Oneness of all things and recent scientific findings in the field of quantum physics have informed us that we are, indeed, one collective energy field. The ancient masters also taught that peace and harmony must first be cultivated by going inward. One way to do this is through the practice of Qigong (Chi gong). Originating in China over 5,000 years ago, Qigong is a system to cultivate energy in order to transform and integrate environment, body, mind and spirit. It is a healing art that is part of the newly revitalized science of universal energy (Chi), the unifying element of Oneness.
Although we perceive ourselves as separate individuals, through the practice of Qigong we can dissolve this false belief. Practicing the Qigong method, we experience Oneness directly. An example of this would be to sense the presence of light with your eyes closed. You can perceive that the light not only shines on the surface of your body but also penetrates into the body. Gradually, with Qigong practice, you can go deeper and even recognize the quality of light within your cells.
There are many ways to practice Qigong. Yoga, meditation and a spiritual practice are all activities that work with the energy field because they help us recognize that which exists beyond our perceived, limited existence. Also, when we sleep, we are working with the Chi. The mind and body are in a more relaxed state, the energy body is not as contracted and the exchange of energy between the body and the rest of the energy field happens more fluently. Sleep, however, is a habitual process. Practiced in the state of awareness, the Qigong method uses the conscious mind to guide the body to relax but not to fall asleep. In this awake, yet completely relaxed state, you can amplify energy. This promotes well-balanced functioning of the physical body. Additionally, when we are consciously practicing Qigong, there is the connection of mind and body. It is important to allow our minds to participate with the process of life within our bodies that goes beyond our body’s physical functions.
In A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, author Eckhart Tolle states, “Spiritual practices that involve the physical body, such as t’ai chi, qigong, and yoga, are increasingly being embraced in the Western world. These practices do not create a separation between body and spirit and are helpful in weakening the pain-body. They will play an important role in the global awakening.”
Energetically, in this global awakening that Tolle speaks about, everyone can rediscover and experience, even transform, the ocean of energy from one of disharmony to one of peace. Qigong becomes a path to the ultimate realization of Oneness, taking the physical experience to the spiritual dimension. Qigong offers a vision for community, harmony, prosperity, and peace—not just for people, but also for the earth and all living beings. Our spiritual, educational, creative and environmental values all speak to the desire to move toward a higher human evolution.
Unfortunately, we have come to the point in our evolution where many people perceive themselves as having only a physical existence. For example, we see a room and we only recognize the objects in the room. We forget about the space between the objects. We forget that the room is filled with sunlight. With limited perception, we organize our life and the mind is participating in this life in a very limited way. The universal energy field is unfathomable and to recognize its influence is profoundly important. The Qigong method allows us to see a much larger picture of existence. In this way, we can further our evolution. With the feeling of peace and the experience of Oneness, war can eventually be a distant memory for humankind. Peace will be within—and without.