Cultivate that Qi.
Jing (精) → Qi (氣) → Shen (神)
Understanding Qi in the context of Jing and Shen. Yet only basicly now, a few words on Qi cultivation that is the basis of Qi gong. Something that many takes lightly.
Without strong Jing, Qi cultivation can cause imbalance, or can be insufficient. Thus Qi gong is never only about excercises , but lifestyle. Also mind questions, habits, morals and ethics. Topics of emotions, as that is the area, mind, emotions where we leak a lot of Qi.
Once again, Qi gong is difficult or not-working when we do not have enough Qi. Further on this Qi must be refined, condensed, moved, stored, etc.
Finding energetic centers such as lower dan tian 丹田, also takes time, consolidate, build, circulate integrate, it takes years if not a decade.
Further exploration of the dan tian and channel system, openings and such work now clear to see to require: authentic, true instructions and daily, committed practise. Who says differently practise only symbolic or shallow version of the internal arts.
Going through the authentic process of nei gong might take 8-12 years, so here is where transition to nei dan might only begin. With diligent daily cultivation, of qi gong excercises, lifetslye moderations, healthy living principles and moral cultivation.
I hope I managed to map out very roughly the Qi gong, nei gong, nei dan path. So as to help eliminate confusion caused by people using these terms loosly, and quite bravely nowadays.
With nei gong we talk about such outcomes and requirements as: stable emotions, natural stillness, noticable increase in vitality and robust health.
Nei dan, the term that many uses nowadays for attraction starts where all these above solidifed, and ready to step into nei dan practise, somehwere from 10-15 years of solid daily practise, period of retreat and seclusions etc.
I myself am very far from nei dan. Hardly scratch the surface of nei gong. Attracting anyone with buzz words like alchemy ( nei dan ) and such things, is misleading on a beginne rlevel. As if it is tried early without preparation: 1) doesnt work at all, waste of time, cause confusion 2) if works by accident can cause great harm and imbalance as the system is not ready or well prepared. As few already reached out to me already, suffering from symtpoms of Qi gong problems or too early „alchemical” practises.
Please be safe, sane, use clarity and appretiate Qi gong properly, and approach Qi as a sacred thing with caution.
Interesting mix it is, confusing Qi with snesations and total misleading, or having the proper tools but not practising sufficiently enough to go and find Qi for further developments…
Photo: Edo, Lotus Nei Gong Rome Foundation team.
