| Psychologists tell us that it is not outward | | | | physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. |
| conditions of over-stimulation alone that threaten | | | | When universal qi flows smoothly through us, it |
| us; it is our perception of these conditions that | | | | harmonizes body, emotion, mind, and spirit. |
| has even greater impact. | | | | According to James MacRitchie "Characteristics of |
| Psychoneuro-immunologist Dr. Myrin Borysenko | | | | this state are feeling calm, clear, relaxed, aware, |
| gave the following definition of stress at the 1992 | | | | strong, centred, whole, integrated, balanced and |
| Mind/Body Fitness Conference held in Santa Fe, | | | | fully alive--to name but a few" (The Chi Kung |
| New Mexico: | | | | Way, San Francisco: Thorsons, 1997, p.xi). |
| "Stress is the perception of a threat and the | | | | MacRitchie calls this state of being a "Chi Kung |
| perception of one's inability to cope with that | | | | State" ("chi kung" is an alternate spelling for |
| threat." | | | | "qigong"). I like to call it a Core Energy State, |
| The first thing we see in this definition is the | | | | because in this state we are aware of the |
| importance of perception. Stress is not some | | | | universal life force within us. |
| force "out there" beyond our control. It is the | | | | Core Energy is the universal life force within each |
| result of the way we are looking at things. It is | | | | of us. A Core Energy State occurs when we are |
| the product of past conditioning, which acts as a | | | | aware of universal qi flowing smoothly through all |
| thick, uneven, colored lens skewing and distorting | | | | layers of our being. |
| our vision. | | | | The key, then, is how do we awaken this |
| Perception is something that we can modify by | | | | awareness? How do we shift from a state of |
| re-grinding the lens through which we see. | | | | stress to a state of consciously smooth flowing |
| Therefore, stress is something we can control. | | | | qi? |
| We can change how stressors affect us. To | | | | Meditation is one of the most powerful techniques |
| change our lives we must first change our | | | | to facilitate a Core Energy State. Qigong |
| perception of what is possible. | | | | meditation, in particular, is a holistic system that |
| As a test for the importance of perception, recall | | | | provides cues to facilitate conscious awareness |
| a time when you learned a new word. | | | | and smooth qi flow. By holistic I mean that qigong |
| Immediately you began to hear this word | | | | works with body, emotion, mind, and spirit to |
| everywhere. It was as if this word did not exist | | | | consciously affect the flow of universal qi through |
| until you learned its meaning. Once known, this | | | | the whole person. |
| word appeared all around you. Was it not there | | | | Physical exercise systems usually work with |
| before? The reality was there, you just did not | | | | physical movement, breathing, and posture. Most |
| have the lens through which to see it. Language, | | | | meditation systems work with emotional attitude, |
| perception, and reality are interwoven. As an | | | | mental focus, and spiritual intention. Qigong |
| example of this, in qigong meditation, we learn the | | | | combines all of these into a complete system of |
| language of qi, of subtle energy flow, and learn | | | | self development. Within qigong itself, some |
| how to positively influence the flow of qi to | | | | systems emphasize physical movement while |
| reduce stress and increase our health and | | | | others emphasize still meditative practice. In my |
| well-being. | | | | Learn Qigong Meditation Course, we emphasize |
| The next key to the definition of stress is that it | | | | the still meditative component. Though the |
| has two parts. The first part relates to the power | | | | emphasis is meditative, the practice involves cues |
| of a threat and the second relates to our own | | | | for body, emotion, mind, and spirit and positively |
| abilities and resources. Threats are stressors we | | | | benefits these four layers of self. |
| perceive as outside our control. When we are | | | | The Benefits of Qigong Meditation: |
| repeatedly faced with stressors that we perceive | | | | 1. Reduce stress and create vitality in your body. |
| as beyond our ability to deal with them, we | | | | Qigong meditation relaxes tension, improves blood |
| develop patterns of spiritual resignation. | | | | and lymphatic flow, improves nerve conductivity, |
| Yoga teacher Linda Christy Weiler says "Patterns | | | | positively affects brain waves, brain coherence, |
| of resignation are bodily indicators of trauma, | | | | and brain chemistry, enhances the efficiency of all |
| submission, and lack of freedom. These patterns | | | | physiological systems, and increases immune |
| are characteristic behaviors, postures, and | | | | response and longevity. |
| mannerisms that indicate the underlying emotions | | | | 2. Balance your emotions and open your heart. |
| of fear, guilt, anger, or sorrow. These patterns | | | | Qigong releases emotional holding patterns and |
| imply that something in one's body and one's | | | | opens appropriate emotional responsiveness. |
| psyche has been relinquished or diminished." (Yoga | | | | 3. Clear, expand, and focus your mind. Qigong is a |
| For Prevention of Low Back Pain, Brentwood, TN: | | | | great meditation system for active minds. It |
| 2005, p. 4). | | | | develops your ability to focus your attention, |
| What is diminished in us that leads us to feel | | | | release from negative mindsets, and observe |
| stress? We have lost awareness of our essential | | | | yourself with detachment. |
| vitality. In qigong, we recover the joyful flow of | | | | 4. Develop spiritual empowerment. Qigong |
| universal qi through our bodies and experience a | | | | enhances your spiritual awareness by producing a |
| feeling of unity with the wholeness of life. When | | | | feeling of wholeness and integrity. It improves |
| we allow universal qi to flow smoothly through us, | | | | your ability to cultivate and refine the universal life |
| we experience health and well-being. When we are | | | | force within you. Qigong empowers you to |
| unconscious of the flow of life force within us, we | | | | actively participate in creating the life you desire. |
| become tense, fearful, and overwhelmed by life's | | | | Why meditate? I've given you some good |
| stress. In stress mode, we restrict the flow of qi | | | | reasons. What brings YOU to this practice? |