I’ve gotten numerous questions or comments about Qi (or chi or ki) that I feel compelled to write a frequently asked questions about Qi and my thoughts on it. If you already have a preconception of what Qi is, good for you. If you are going to feel offended reading other people’s interpretation of it, you can stop reading now. Otherwise, please take a step into my world of Qi.

1. What is Qi?

As far as I can tell, it is a human construct. We have created this word to explain the unexplained. This does not mean that it doesn’t exist. It is just a convenient reference for something that we do not understand or more accurately, cannot comprehend using our conscious mind.

2. You haven’t answered my question yet.

Right on. So what exactly is Qi? I can only say that it is a common thing that runs through everything in the universe. That is why some people refer to it as a universal life force. However, it is not quite accurate as life force assumes it only appears in living things, which it doesn’t. It appears everywhere and in everything. This reminds me of the same definition of tha Tao. If you think you know what Tao is, that is not Tao. Same thing for Qi. In fact, I think Tao could be another word for Qi. It is The Way. But The Way implies the process and Qi could be the points that intersects The Way that could be understood in the human realm.

3. So Qi is not Tao?

I apologise if I am confusing. The closest thing I can think of is that of light. It is made up of discrete matter called photons, but although you can measure photons, you don’t recognise light as photons. Light is light. Photons is just something you are able to measure. So Tao is like Light whereas Qi is like the photons.

4. Ok. Now I am really confused. What exactly are you trying to say?

What I am trying to say is this. It doesn’t matter what Qi is, just like it doesn’t matter what photons is, as long as you are able to use the torchlight to light the way. If you treat your body with respect, your Qi will flow and your body will serve you well in whatever you are trying to do. Your mind will be calm and your actions will be conscious ones.

5. But my teacher can fly?

Ok. Some people has learnt the art of manipulating Qi. When you manipulate Qi that is against the natural flow, something has got to give. It might be your own body, or someone else’s body. On the positive side, if you were to use your Qi to heal someone else, you need to recuperate that Qi. Otherwise, you are exhausting your own Qi for others. Others will thank you for it. Your body won’t.

On the other hand, if you were to use your Qi to break an object, or break a human being, you have just concentrated your Qi into a very focused spot. The object (or human) has suffered as a result of that. It will take a lot more Qi from elsewhere to make that object or human whole again. That way, you are using Qi in excess, and we know what excesses do, they give rise to more waste.

6. What? You are saying I am wasting my Qi?

Not just your Qi. You are wasting the universe’s Qi, and they can’t be reduced, just like enthropy. I believe balance will be found somewhere else. Enthropy is probably balanced out by anti-matter. There is probably some anti-Qi that will absorb these increase in Qi, but I am only speculating. I only wish that the bad Qi you have created by harming someone else will come back to you, like karma, but that’s just me.

7. So what do you do with Qi?

I don’t do anything with it. For me, Qi is a measurement. I used to get real excited when my palms feel that tingling sensation. “Look! Look! I have Qi!” But I realise now that the feeling is just that, a feeling. Everyone is born with it. Discovering it is exciting, but that shouldn’t be your purpose. Your purpose is to make your life whole, and since we are born and have assumed the form of a human being, to make our life whole, we have to take care of the vessel we are in. Our body. We will know our body is in top condition when Qi flows well, not when we forced the Qi to flow in a certain way.

8. I think you have just spewed loads of crap

First, I thank you to have read this far. I have to emphasise that this is my interpretation of Qi. My understanding may change in the future. But at this point, this is how I understand it.