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Qi Gong and Self-Cultivation in TCM
By Bill Helm The practice of qi gong exercises is one aspect of the art of self-cultivation in Traditional Chinese medicine and culture. Originally practiced as Tuna-breathing exercises and Dao Yin-guiding qi postures, qi gong has become well known as a variety of different types of health exercises from China. Through the use of breathing, movement, postural positions, relaxation and concentration, the vital qi is mobilized, circulated, directed, tonified, dispersed, concentrated and cultivated internally for health and personal growth. Through repetition and self-awareness, a greater sensitivity to the qi inside and outside of the body is developed. But this is only the beginning of the deeper path of self-cultivation. The ancient Taoist sages wrote of self-cultivation as a way of attaining union with the Eternal Tao. The art of self-cultivation required more than practicing exercises and increasing the strength of a person's qi. The Taoist sage Zhuang Zi described the person practicing self-cultivation as the "True person," stating "the True Person breathes with their heels; the masses breathe with their throats.the True Person of ancient times knew nothing of loving life, knew nothing of hating death. They emerged without delight and went back without a fuss. They didn't forget where they began (Eternal Tao); they didn't try to find out where they would end. This is what I call not using the mind to repel the Way (Tao)." Zhuang Zi states clearly that the path of self-cultivation is more than simply mastering breathing. Overemphasis on this aspect misses the subtle natural forms of the Tao. While the methods of qi gong are most definitely important for developing and maintaining health, they are not of themselves the practice of self-cultivation. Within the traditions of Chinese medicine, the Yellow Emperor's teacher in the Nei Jing, Classic of Internal Medicine, Qi Bo, reminds him of the fundamental importance of living in harmony with the ceaseless transformation of the yin and yang energies of the universe and the flow of the seasons. From this state, they created exercises to help maintain this way of life. Reine Deming, Chief Administrative Officer of Pacific College in New York, commented, "We received very positive responses, both from students and patients. This is quite an exciting time to be practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine." In an effort to become involved in the community by educating the public and addressing current national health issues, Pacific's New York campus plans on making events similar to Asthma Day a regular part of its outreach program each semester. The campus' next event is scheduled for August 9, 2000, when it will partner with the Asian American Women's Artist Alliance in offering lectures by Pacific College faculty on menopausal issues. The event, which will be held at an art gallery in Manhattan, is expected to draw approximately 100 people. For more information on this event, please call the New York campus at (800) 729-3468. In Chinese medicine, the observational skills used for assessing subtle energy states are used for healing and for cultivating the Self that can move with the changes of yin and yang and the seasons. The art of self-cultivation requires being able to monitor the internal and external movements of the Tao and act accordingly. As Chinese medicine moves more fully into the mainstream of western society in the 21st century, the challenge is to discover and cultivate the vital qi within as a bridge to the deeper path of self-cultivation. Integration of systems with different paradigms always means leaving something behind. The art of self-cultivation can easily be lost in the depersonalized systems of HMOs and large medical centers that like the cost-effective therapeutic methods of TCM but feel uncomfortable with the "un-scientific" aspects associated with qi. To ensure that these fundamental qualities of TCM are carried forward requires the practice of self-cultivation and its embodiment by the practitioners of TCM. Through individual involvement in developing the "mind of a Sage" and the "body of an Immortal," the art of self-cultivation will endure and be integrated into the emerging traditions of the 21st century.
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