An Exploration of Implications in
Traditional Chinese Meditation and Qi
SHIN-CHE LIN
Abstract
The aim of this study is to explore the implications of Qi（氣） in traditional Chinese meditation mainly through the literature review. The main findings of this study include four key points. Firstly, there are three important parts which included in traditional Chinese meditation — breathing exercise, leading Qi and limbs stretching（dao-ying 導引）, they should be seen as the trinity of integrate Chinese meditation for health. Secondly, the categories of Qi in Chinese meditation corresponded with modern physical phenomenon. The mainly five function of Qi are activity, warming, defense, containment and transformation, which could improve good health. Thirdly, true Qi is a special phenomenon from traditional Chinese meditation. How to drive Qi properly through consciousness is the key of meditation. A special extra-example of Qi is Qi-kung psychosis, which could be the results from personal weak spirit or fantastic ideas. However, if the meditator could avoid any improper or bad idea, mediation should be safe. And finally, for meditation, the suggestions of this study are any practicer of meditation could seek the suitable ways for themselves, to find the most correspond way from Buddhism, Taoism or any other belief, and to concentrate the mind from time to time, this would be helpful to avoid the bad reaction of meditation.
