For today’s purposes, we will explore the concept of “life force essence” through the lens of “qi” and how qi relates to personal health, balance, vitality and well-being.
The traditional Chinese symbol for qi depicts steam rising over cooked rice. Originally, it depicted “mist that rises from the Earth to form clouds,” “heat waves rising” and “exhaled breath seen on a cold day.” The modern Chinese symbol for qi represents steam, air, gas, vapor, the breath. These components are often invisible and intangible. Yet, steam can power an engine to move. We can think of Qi as the impetus for movement and transformation.
Ideally, qi flows through open channels throughout the body, facilitating health, vitality and well-being. Like a flowing river vitalizing surrounding habitats, qi supports the distribution & circulation of nutrients and oxygen and the elimination of toxins and waste products. Qi keeps the wheel of life in motion. It is vital in the formation and structure of body systems. It keeps them running and functioning optimally. Qi is what allows your heart to beat and your mind to think. It is the life force or impetus that influences the substantial and functional components of life.
Let’s explore the life elements that we can categorize as structure, containment and/or function. For example, within the human body, there are the substantial structures of the skeletal and muscular systems with bones, muscles and tendons. The nervous system has a structure which includes the brain, spinal cord and extending nerves. Organs such as the stomach, intestines and heart, as well as blood vessels, cells and skin, have structure but also an element that contains, that holds food, blood or fluids, for example. Qi allows these substances to develop and maintain their structure, form and qualities of containment.
In addition to qi supporting the substance of life, qi supports the functions of life as well. For example, the heart organ is structured with chambers and valves and acts as a container to hold blood, but without its function in which the heart muscle contracts and “beats,” blood would not flow throughout the body. Qi is the impetus that allows the heart to beat, thereby circulating blood to all the organs, tissues and cells.
The impetus or functioning component of qi is not tangible. The intelligence of qi is insubstantial to our ordinary senses. Without advanced instruments, we cannot see electric signals fired from the brain. We cannot hold in our hand, the cellular communication that takes place within the human body.
Meditation is an example of functional qi influencing the body. The changes in brain and body chemistry that result from meditation and positive intention can be measured, but the impetus, the awareness that directs the flow of thoughts and produced the change, cannot be measured.1
Yet, beyond the commonly known five senses, we have an inner sense of wellness, health and vitality. By tuning in and being mindful of experiences, we can subjectively recognize the influence of qi on our state of health and well-being. Simply stated, when we feel energetic and full of vitality, we can say that our qi is strong. When we feel tired and run down, we can say that our qi is weak or deficient.
Lack of qi diminishes the body’s ability to balance, heal and thrive. As a result of occurrences within life, stagnation or blockages in the flow of qi may develop. This can happen due to emotional and mental stress, insufficient nutrition, or lack of sleep, to name a few. Injury, wrong medication, environmental conditions and weather can also impact the flow of qi.
One function of qi is to transport blood and fluids. When this function is impaired due to injury and inflammation, for example, blood will stagnate, resulting in the experience of pain. Fortunately, the body is a well-designed, intelligent system. The natural healing wisdom and innate body systems will resolve minor, occasional blockages and/or stagnation in qi. Blood flow improves. Pain subsides. Balance is achieved and health is restored.
With chronic stagnation or blockage in qi, there’s insufficient life force to maintain healthy body functions and systems. Lack of vitality, nourishment, and/or the ability to clear toxins may lead to chronic pain, illness and disease. Termination of qi causes the ultimate transformation, resulting in death of the physical body. Simply stated, if we are alive, we have qi. If our energy runs out, our body dies.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Qi is life force energy. In part three, we’ll explore source qi and acquired qi, along with the practical applications to cultivate greater health, longevity and quality of life.