Simple Chi Kung_ Exercises for Awakening the Life-Force Energy - Mantak Chia [6]
People watching Chi Kung see only slow graceful movements or simple stretches. They often ask, “How can that get you in shape or train you to be a better martial artist?” But there is a lot more to Chi Kung than meets the eye. Like an iceberg, what you can see of a Chi Kung practice is only the surface of a much deeper and potent internal power. As we mentioned earlier, Chi Kung is simple: it requires no equipment, little space, and can be practiced in a short amount of time. Yet it gives an incredible amount of healing power to the practitioner, so much so that some of the cures and other effects it achieves have been called “miracles” even by direct observers. Chi Kung can enhance your body’s natural healing potential, allowing you to tap into your inner resources to bring forth whatever is necessary for you.
THE TAO
“The Tao that can be told is not the real Tao” is the first line of the Tao Te Ching, the original classic of Taoist thought. This passage describes the paradox of the Tao—that you can allude to it, but you can truly know it only through experience. The term Tao transcends precise definition and is better understood by direct contact, by mirroring the movements of nature and sensing the life-force energy within the body and in the universe all around.
The original Chinese ideogram for “Tao” consists of the symbols for “head” and “walk.” As a noun, Tao generally means “way” or “path,” while as a verb it means “to say” or “to know.” These meanings imply that the Tao is a path of life that leads to fulfillment. It also indicates that the Tao is the original source of all knowledge and ultimate truth.
The word Tao also signifies the way of nature and the way of the universe. Think of it as “the path of natural reality.” It also alludes to a way in which we can open our minds to learn more about the world, our spiritual paths, and ourselves.
The Tao is both a philosophy and an energy science for seeking and finding the truths of the universe, nature, and humanity. Its focus goes beyond one single path or viewpoint. The Tao is not a religion, as it requires no initiations or ceremonies, steers away from dogma and strict rules of conduct, and focuses on what truly empowers the individual to find freedom.
Instead of being a religion about life, Taoism embodies the spirit of life. It is perhaps the only philosophic system in the world that revolves more around practice—Chi Kung and meditation—than preaching. In fact, Taoism includes many practical disciplines that can restore lost youth, energy, and virtues while awakening our deepest spiritual potentials. Taoists regard these practices as technology that can help us learn universal truths.
Taoists often lead without words, through example and experience. Thus the Taoist way of life precludes the common hypocrisy of preaching one thing while practicing another, for by definition the only way to know the Tao is to experience its power in practice, not just to talk about it in theory.
Chi Kung is an integral and essential component in the ancient Taoist system of health care, life extension, and spiritual self-cultivation. Cultivating spiritual virtues such as wisdom, compassion, patience, and tolerance is every bit as important in Chi Kung practice as cultivating physical strength, health, and power. The goal is balance—equilibrium for the body, mind, and spirit.
The goal of the Universal Healing Tao system has always been to develop a practical system of Taoist practices that are a balance between the mind, body, and spirit, and not just a philosophy of the mind. It is understood that by cultivating a true sense of the Tao—of real knowledge and wisdom—we will enable ourselves to make wise decisions in our lives.