The Chinese practice of Feng Shui teaches a person to exist in harmony with the mysterious energy of qi. Modern science denies its existence, while ancient peoples sincerely believed in it and tried to use it to achieve happiness, health, wealth. Let's try to figure out the definition of the word "qi". This is the most important term without which the essence of Chinese philosophy, culture, medicine and even martial arts cannot be understood.
Primordial energy
In ancient times, people believed that there are energy flows that permeate the entire Universe, including living beings and man himself. If they are blocked, disease, misfortune and death ensue. In Japan, this phenomenon was called “ki”, in Egypt - “ka”, in Greece - “pneuma”, in India - “prana”, in Africa - “ash”. In Christianity, the term "Holy Spirit" is used. It is difficult to define these words. "Qi" is the Chinese designation of the life-giving vibrational flow, which translates as "spirit", "air", "breath", "vitality".
Thanks to him, according to popular beliefs, the Earth, plants, animals and people arose. Without qi, active existence is impossible, therefore it is so important to be able to harmonize this energy.
How to feel the invisible?
Western man is accustomed to a scientific approach. It is difficult for him to believe in the existence of qi energy, the description of which is impossible to give, because it has no physical characteristics. We feel this power intuitively, saying: "He is full of charisma" or "I am de-energized." But measuring these invisible flows has not yet been possible with instruments.
However, there are special exercises, thanks to which you can feel the movement of energy within yourself. Stand straight, spread your legs slightly and bend them at the knees, as if you were going to sit on a chair. Hands are spread apart, palms rise to the ceiling. If you hold the pose for 10 minutes, you can feel the movement of qi, which descends through the palms.
If you wish, you can take energy in your hands. For this, the same starting position is adopted. Hands are stretched forward, palms are directed at each other. You need to imagine that you are holding a tiny bird that breathes and moves. Move your arms slightly and bring your hands together, doing this carefully, and soon you will feel warm. You will feel as if there is a ball between your palms. It can be rotated, reduced or enlarged as desired.
Heavenly and earthly qi
The life-giving energy is actually much larger than the ball in your hands, and permeates every corner of the universe. Qi is cosmic breathing, which, according to the ancient Chinese, belongs to the heavenly dragon. It passes through stars and planets, creates gravity, affects sunlight and moonlight. Weather and climate on our planet depend on heavenly qi. If harmony is lost, storms, hurricanes, downpours and other natural disasters begin.
Directly on our planet, qi flows along the natural meridians (the so-called dragon lines). Where they are located close to the surface, the soil is fertile, gardens and forests grow, rivers flow. In places where the "dragon lines" lie deep, the earth is barren. Deserts, tundra and arctic regions form here. Such energy flows are called “earth qi”, and their location is recommended to be taken into account when choosing a place for housing.
Winds and roads
If you follow the principle of chi, it is better to settle on a hilly or mountainous surface where winding rivers flow, and there are no strong, gusty winds. In China, places with the highest concentration of vital energy were called by the names of celestial animals. It was in them that they tried to build cities.
Open territories, on the contrary, were considered unfavorable, since the winds carried away from them. In clean rounded water bodies, energy is concentrated, but in stagnant and muddy waters stagnates, which worsens its quality. With fast rivers and waterfalls, the life-giving force is carried away. She does not like straight lines, expressways. Another thing is curved highways with smooth movement of cars.
If a person is forced to settle in an unfavorable area, it is recommended to harmonize it. To do this, the Chinese equip courtyards, erecting artificial hills, ponds and gardens in them.
Energy of premises
Qi is a flow that must move smoothly and circulate without stagnation. This applies not only to the area in which you live, but also to your home. Mostly, energy enters through the door. It is very bad if there is a window opposite it, through which a light qi will immediately fly out. The ideal option is large, spacious rooms, through which energy can circulate in a winding way, without running into obstacles. This creates a favorable atmosphere in the house.
But sharp corners, dark corners and piles of rubbish inhibit the free movement of qi. Energy stagnates, becomes weak. In such a room, people feel lethargic, they have a depressed state.
The sequential arrangement of rooms, when energy flows in a straight line, is also considered unfavorable. In this case, qi moves too fast, and most of it is lost aimlessly. The owners of such apartments are often ineffective in their activities. You can correct the situation with the help of simple tricks, the study of which is engaged in the teaching of Feng Shui.
How to harmonize the space?
When planning apartments, engineers do not take into account the circulation of the life-giving energy of qi. This leads to many problems that can be neutralized if desired. Experts advise:
- Take care of the good lighting of all rooms in the apartment and especially the entrance hall.
- Maintain order in the house and regularly get rid of trash.
- Ventilate rooms to let in fresh energy.
- If the front door rests on a toilet or wall, hang a mirror there.
- In a direct flow of qi, hang music of wind or mirrors on opposite walls above the doors.
- To neutralize sharp corners, use fresh flowers in pots, mirrors, furniture, artificial fountains and bright lamps.
- Drap the hanging beams so that they do not visually stand out, or decorate with bells.
Qi and the human body
If the apartment is equipped in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, but there is no harmony, then we can talk about the unfavorable energy of the person himself. After all, what is qi? Life energy, or, in other words, a substance by which the active functioning of the tissues and organs of each creature is supported. In the human body, these flows lie along the special meridians studied by Chinese medicine. Acupuncture practices are based on this.
Qi is a circulating energy that emanates from a vast cosmos, permeating human bodies and penetrating the earth. Coming out of the mail, she can also stumble upon a person. At the same time, information is exchanged. If some meridian in the human body is clogged, the movement of energy is hindered, which leads to illness and a decline in vitality.
Physical practices
How to improve your health and realize your dreams using the principle of qi? The Chinese are confident that energy is replenished through breathing and nutrition. It is very good if half your diet is vegetables and fruits. Breathing exercises also play a role. They should be done daily, preferably outdoors, or at least in a ventilated room. Learn to fill not only the chest with air, but also the diaphragm, concentrate on inhaling and exhaling.
The qi gong, tai chi, kong fu practices are called to balance qi movement. Indian yoga may also be helpful. It is built on slightly different principles, but involves working with human energy and aims to fully realize the life potential of the individual.
Spiritual practices
Chi energy is a life force, on which depends not only the health of a person, but also his mood, mental state. When it functions correctly, we are positively tuned, calm and confident. In this state, it’s easier to deal with troubles, it is easier to build relationships with loved ones, colleagues and clients.
There are two ways to maintain your own energy at a high level:
- Meditation. It is performed regularly. You need to focus on some image and drive away all other thoughts. For example, imagine yourself to be a tree whose roots are saturated with energy from the earth. And his hands reach out to space and absorb the most powerful force from there.
- Peace of mind. In order not to block the flow of qi, try to avoid conflicts. If you communicate with unpleasant people, mentally put protection in the form of a glass wall. Think less about the bad and learn to enjoy what you have now. Constantly look for new ways to get joyful emotions.
For thousands of years, the Chinese have studied the meaning and influence of qi energy on humans. You can be skeptical and not believe in their discoveries, but it is difficult to deny the obvious facts. A change of interior, a healthy lifestyle and peace of mind can cure depression, relieve a person of headaches and energize for new achievements.