The flow of energy in breath
While your body is taking in oxygen and circulating it, it is also naturally circulating bioelectric energy. This energy is used to manage bodily functions and to sustain life. The calmer and more smoothly this energy flows, the healthier we are and the more clearly we think. Our emotions are influenced by this bioelectric energy flow as well as by our hormones.
In the same way that we have learned to draw energy into the Dan-tian by concentrating on our breathing and visualizing the bioelectric energy as it follows our breath into our Solar Plexus, we can also concentrate on our breathing and direct the bioelectricity in other ways. For example, we can make this energy flow through our body simply by desiring it to do so. When we wish to lift an arm, we don’t need to know how the blood flows in the veins and the how the neural energy stimulates the ADP of the muscle fibers to make them contract… all we need to do is “will it” and the arm lifts. A baby can lift its arm as well as a scientist. It only has to desire to do so.
In order to cause this to occur according to your desires, you simply need to imagine where the energy is and where you want it to go, and the Qi will behave accordingly, following the motion of your mental image. With time and practice, you will be able to feel this movement of Qi as if it was a wind flowing through your body. Some people describe this as a feeling that water is flowing from the source of the Qi to wherever they direct it. The traditional name for the art of causing this energy to flow in accordance with your desires is Qi Gong, meaning “the practice of moving Qi.”
Breathing will enhance the movement of Qi. Visualization alone will also cause Qi to flow, but not enough to make your practice truly efficient. In order for this practice to be truly effective, you must breathe properly, mentally visualizing the flow, then you must desire that the bioelectric energy move to the specified location. This is similar to wanting to move your arm; you desire it and it occurs, even though the rest of your body remains motionless. It is an isolated action, affecting only that part of you that you desire to move. Breathing normally is essential to the development of your energy channels and to the use of Qi in its many applications. When you breathe in, you are drawing energy into you, and when you breathe out, that energy will flow to wherever you direct it. Clear visualizations, proper breathing and the proper use of desire are crucial to effective movement of the Qi.
It is important that you follow the basic training process outlined
here so you can correctly train your mind to visualize the good energy moving
according to your desires. We strongly recommend that you never imagine any
chaotic or disordered energy moving through your body, because it might disturb
your regular bodily functions.
A step by step approach is necessary to develop your mental ability to control
Qi in your body. As you acquire the necessary knowledge and experience in the
art of directing this energy flow, you will be able to feel the effect of your
training and understand the different applications of Qi-Gong more quickly and
more completely.