Complete Guide to Chi-Gung (eBook)

Daniel Reid (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2000 | 1. Auflage
336 Seiten
Shambhala (Verlag)
9780834823747 (ISBN)

Infos

Chi-gung,which literally means 'energy work,' is a system of cultivatinghealth, vitality, and longevity that is based on the fundamental principles ofTaoism and the laws of nature. Practiced by the Chinese for thousands of years, chi-gungworks with the energy found in all living things to help rid the body of theimbalances that sap our strength and give rise to disease. The simple,meditative movements, breathing exercises, and massage techniques that are thebasis of chi-gungcan be practiced by anyone, regardless of age or physical fitness.

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Chi-gung, which literally means "e;energy work,"e; is a system of cultivating health, vitality, and longevity that is based on the fundamental principles of Taoism and the laws of nature. Practiced by the Chinese for thousands of years, chi-gung works with the energy found in all living things to help rid the body of the imbalances that sap our strength and give rise to disease. The simple, meditative movements, breathing exercises, and massage techniques that are the basis of chi-gung can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age or physical fitness.

Textauszug

Fromthe Introduction

BasicTerms and Concepts

Chi-gungis an ancient Chinese system of self-cultivation developed specifically as ameans by which each individual may take full personal responsibility forprotecting health, promoting vitality and prolonging life, while cultivatingspiritual awareness and insight. Based on the primordial principles ofclassical Taoist philosophy, chi-gung is simple and practical—,the practitionerlearns how to harness the fundamental forces of the cosmos (Heaven), balancethem with the elemental energies of nature (Earth) and harmonize them both withthe essence, energy and spirit (i.e., the 'Three Treasures') of human life(Humanity). Chi-gung thus enables the individual to amplify his or her personalpower with the infinite power of the universe.

Knownin traditional Chinese thought as the 'Three Powers', Heaven (tien),Earth(di),andHumanity (ren)representthe sum total of all the forces and factors at all levels of human existencewithin the universe as we know it. It is by virtue of the balance and harmonyof these powers that we may enjoy health and vitality, attain power andlongevity, enhance our mental awareness and spiritual insight, overcome ourinstinctive fear of death, and realize the primordial immortality of the humanspirit.

Thoughusually associated in popular Western imagination with medicine, monks andmartial artists, chi-gung was also practised in traditional China by ministersof state and judicial magistrates, princes and prelates, poets and painters,each of whom utilized its power to cultivate their own particular talents,improve their professional performance, protect their health, enhance energyand prolong life. In today's highly competitive, stressful world, chi-gung'sversatile utility as a personal tool—,for promoting productivity, preventingdisease, balancing emotions and calming the mind—,has greater practicalpotential for the individual, and for society, than it ever has before. Forbusy people without the time or inclination for elaborate exercise programmes,expensive sports and difficult to learn manoeuvres, chi-gung provides a quickand easy system of self-healthcare that is both safe and simple to learn, andcan be practised any time of the day or night, at home or at work, indoors oroutdoors, without requiring any special equipment, expensive facilities orathletic skills, and only the most basic training. Yet simple as it seems, sopotent are the healing powers and other benefits of chi-gung that some of thecures and other effects it achieves are discounted as 'miracles' even byeye-witness observers—,despite the evidence—,or scoffed at by increduloussceptics as 'anecdotal evidence'. That's simply because there is a lot more tochi-gung than meets the eye. In fact, what meets the eye in chi-gung is merelya small tip of a massive iceberg floating serenely in the vast sea of universalenergy.

Chimeans'breath' and 'air', and by extension it also denotes 'energy' and 'vitality'. Gungisa general term meaning 'work' and is used in reference to any technique orskill which requires time and effort, patience and practice, to perfect. Hencethe term 'chi-gung' may be translated as 'breathing exercise' as well as'energy work', and indeed the subtle skill of breath control is the key tocultivating control over the flow and balance of energy in the body andharmonizing human energy with the elementary energies of nature and the cosmos.

Chimanifestsitself in myriad ways throughout the realms of nature (Earth), the cosmos(Heaven), and the human system (Humanity). For...

Produkt-Details

• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Gesundheit / Leben / Psychologie ► Alternative Heilverfahren
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Gesundheit / Leben / Psychologie ► Lebenshilfe / Lebensführung
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Allgemeines / Lexika
• ISBN-13: 9780834823747 / 9780834823747