Qi Gong Religion and China Research Paper

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The Qi Gong religious movement was founded in China. It basis its teachings on natural body exercises such as yawning and stretching to relax, and pinching, rubbing or pressing to ease the pain (Liu, 384). The activities have evolved to teachings on how to coordinate breathing and body movements. The Qi Gong religious movement has advanced teachings on training both the body and the mind to provide spiritual solutions that did not exist before. The following essay demystifies the Qi Gong religious movement on its foundation, influences, beliefs, impacts, incentives to join, and provision of an alternative spiritual solution.

The founders of Qi Gong had various and significant impacts on the development and adoption of the skill. In modern times, the study of Qi Gong took place in different years and was done by different founders. First was Pan Wei, a government official and medicine guru in 1858. He used past knowledge to compile a book called ‘Key Techniques to Strengthen Health’ (Liu 59). He based his arguments on prevention rather than treatment through exercising Qi Gong. The period before the foundation of the People's Republic of China had several other physicians who contributed to the practice of Qi Gong. Such included Wu Shang Xian, Wang Zu Yuan, and Zhang Xi Chun.

The period following the formation of the Republic of China also had several advancements and practices of the skill. Among the people known to practice it was Jiang Wei Qiao who healed himself through meditation while sitting down. He wrote a book called ‘Sitting Meditation' to explain the curing power of sitting meditation. Another founder, Wang Qi Huo, authored ‘Guidance to Daoist Elixir Cultivation’ (Liu 59). The development of Qi Gong continued further in the 1950s (Penny 225). Chen Tao and Liu Gui Zhen contributed more to the movement during the high tide where they explored, sorted, and promoted therapies of Qi Gong. The Qi Gong Therapy developed and popularised by Liu Gui Zhen was officially approved by the Ministry of Health in 1955. He also helped in the foundation of Beidaihe Qi Gong Sanitarium Hospital in 1966 and was the first president (Liu 62). The period saw development in academic researches by various scholars such as Xu Feng Yan. The founders of different times have contributed to the advanced modern-day practice of Qi Gong.

The basic beliefs and convictions of Qi Gong are rooted in the psychological effects of exercises. They are founded on the concept of ‘the Three Adjustments’ which include the mind, breath, and body. The adjustments aim at integrating the three aspects into one to get the end result of body-mind medicine (Liu 201). One of the basic beliefs is that combining the three has the effect of curing both the body and the mind. The belief is an extension of the popular belief that the three cannot exist in the absence of each other.
A live human being must have a unity of the three for him/her to exist. The conviction of the state of unity is essential as a determinant of the effectiveness of the exercises (Penny 243). The study of Qi Gong combines two aspects; teachings of Qi Gong and traditional Chinese medicine. Qi Gong, therefore, emphasizes the theoretical knowledge. It holds on to the belief that one should learn the art and practicing…

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…business and social activities by enabling them to feel relaxed and think deeper about their goals. Such benefits of the activity make it enticing for people to join the movement. Also, the availability (Penny 118) of many teachers and literature about Qi Gong skill are also incentives that are instrumental in helping people join the movement.

The Qi Gong movement has provided a spiritual alternative that did not exist before. It has offered a balanced instruction regarding life and the spirit through conjoining the mind, body, and breathing to bring harmony to the mind and holiness of the heart and mind (Szonyi 317). Previously, medicine practitioners only provided the treatment of drugs but the movement of Qi Gong taught about the connection between the three fundamentals. It has taught that the three can be harnessed to facilitate the functioning of each other for better curing effect to take place. The spirituality of Qi Gong helps in treating the spirit, mind, and heart. It provides a connecting and cohesion between the three to enable people to be better at shunning evil desires. In so doing, Qi Gong assists the spirit to be stronger and not depart. The departure of the spirit is a resort in death.

Since the realization of Qi Gong, it has been improved over time to assist human beings in various ways. Various people contributed to its foundation and enhancement. The Qi Gong movement has impacted the lives of people in various and numerous ways. Among the greatest importance of the practice is prevention and healing diseases as well as assisting in creating cohesion between the mind, body, and spirit. Further researches in future can….....

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Works Cited

Liu, Tianjuan. Chinese medical qigong. Singing Dragon, 2010.

Penny, Benjamin. The Religion of Falun Gong. University of Chicago Press, 2012.

Szonyi, Michael. "Secularization theories and the study of Chinese religions." Social Compass 56.3 (2009): 312-327.

Ross, Stephanie Maxine. "Qigong: an ancient healing tradition." Holistic nursing practice 23.6 (2009): 370-371.

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