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June 8, 2005
The What and Why of Chi
It may surprise even some seasoned Taoist practitioners why chi or qi, as only one of three phases of the life force has such a predominant position in Taoist literature and practice.
As one of the triad of Jing, Chi and Shen, none of which has more or less importance as part of an essentially seamless whole, chi nevertheless predominates as a focus and end of practice.
So, Why?
Man sits between Heaven and Earth
Heaven is above and Earth is below.
Like this
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MAN
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EARTH
Chi is likewise between Jing and Shen
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CHI
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JING
Chi is to the life force as humans are to all of manifestation (Post Heaven)
So, immediately we can see that this focus on Chi results from humanity's place in manifestation.
Of course with deepening practice there can be no end to the subtlety of chi and no real division of subtle energy that is final and definitive.
Your Shen is Jing to the Chi of some part of yourself. Your job is to bring it all into consciousness, including the indivisibility of it.
Posted by james at June 8, 2005 1:58 PM
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