China, the Three Treasures of life are essence (the essential secretions of the body), energy (the vital energies that animate the body and may be controlled by proper breathing), and spirit (awareness, intent, and the various facilities of the mind). When these three aspects of existence are brought into balance and harmony, the health of the entire organism is protected and life prolonged. Qigong is the fulcrum of balance between the body and mind, with energy serving as the common force upon which both depend. Energy is also the medium through which the powers of nature and the cosmos enter and influence the human system, and Qigong provides a way whereby the practitioner may synchronize his or her system in order to harness those powers to promote human health and support human life.
For those who are interested in learning the basic concepts and practical applications of Qigong as a means of cultivating health and longevity, The Root of Chinese Qigong provides an excellent and comprehensive overview on the subject, a view that will no doubt awaken the reader's mind to the importance of energy as the most fundamental fact of life.
Daniel Reid Author of The Complete Book of Chinese Health & Healing, The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity, and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Preface First Edition
Since my first Qigong book Chi Kung — Health and Martial Arts appeared, I have received many compliments and thank-you’s, as well as numerous questions, and many valuable suggestions from doctors, readers with medical problems, and the general public. This has led me to believe that my introductory book has opened the door to Qigong for many people, and has brought health benefits to more than a few. This response has encouraged me to continue my research and publishing. However, most of my Qigong experience and knowledge was obtained through my Taiji and Shaolin practice, and was therefore limited to a few Daoist and Buddhist Qigong exercises, as well as some of the common Qigong exercises which are popular in China. Because of this limitation in my Qigong knowledge, I have spent a lot of time analyzing, researching, pondering, and experimenting with many other Qigong styles about which I have read in my collection of Qigong documents. This research has greatly increased my knowledge.
In August of 1986 I had a chance to go back to Taiwan to visit my family. This visit also gave me the opportunity to see what Qigong documents had been published since I left Taiwan in 1974. To my surprise, there are a great many new publications available. I was so happy to learn that many documents had been published which described training techniques heretofore kept secret. With my brother’s encouragement and financial support, I was able to purchase all of the expensive documents which I found worthwhile. Once I returned to the United States, I started to read and study them, and to experiment with some of the methods. These documents made me realize how limited my knowledge was, and opened up a whole new field of Qigong study for me.
In my excitement and enthusiasm I decided to compile them, filter out the parts which seemed questionable, and introduce the results to my readers. An unfortunate problem arose in that most of the documents explain what to do, but do not explain why, and some will even just tell the process without explaining how to do it. Despite the obstacles, I decided to try my best, through research and contemplation, to determine the secrets of the techniques.
After two years of research and experimentation, I feel that it will take at least five years and eight volumes of introductory books to initiate the reader into the broad field of Chinese Qigong. Although these eight volumes will be based on the documents available to me, they will not be direct translations of these documents, except for the ancient poetry or songs which are the root of the training. This approach is necessary simply because these documents do not have any systematic introduction or way of tying everything together. What I can do is read them and study them carefully. Then I can compile and organize the information, and discuss it carefully in the light of my own Qigong knowledge and experience.
This approach will allow me to cautiously bring long-concealed Qigong knowledge to the reader. The only thing lacking is the experience. Many of the methods require more than twenty years of training to complete, and I would have to spend more than three lifetimes studying the various methods before I could discuss them with authority. I realize that it is impossible for me alone to introduce the results of four thousand years of Qigong research with these eight books, but I would still like to share the knowledge which I have gained from these documents, and the conclusions which I have drawn from my training. Please take these books in the tentative spirit in which they are written, and not as a final authority or bible. I sincerely hope that many other Qigong experts will step forward and share the traditional teachings which were passed down to them, as well as the fruits of their experience.
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At present, the following books are planned:
1. The Root of Chinese Qigong — The Secrets of Qigong Training
2. Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow/Brain Washing Qigong — The Secret of Youth (Yi Jin Jing and Xi Sui Jing)(
3. Chinese Qigong Massage — Qigong Tui Na and Cavity Press for Healing (Qigong An Mo and Qigong Dian Xue)(
4. Qigong and Health — For Healing and Maintaining Health
5. Qigong and Martial Arts — The Key to Advanced Martial Arts Skill (Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, and others)
6. Buddhist Qigong — Chan, The Root of Zen(
7. Daoist Qigong (Dan Ding Dao Gong)(
8. Tibetan Qigong (Mi Zang Shen Gong)(
In this first volume we will discuss the roots of Chinese Qigong by dividing them into four parts. The first part will introduce the history of Qigong, the basic concepts and terminology commonly used in Qigong society and documents, the different Qigong categories, and will discuss Qi and the human body, and fundamental Qigong training theory and principles. This first part will give you a general concept of what Qigong is, and the various subjects that it includes. The second part will discuss the general keys to Qigong training, and give you the foundation of knowledge necessary for successful practice. This part serves as a map of the what and the how of Qigong training, so that you can choose your goal and the best way to get there. The third part will review the Qi circulatory system in your body, which includes the twelve primary Qi channels and the eight extraordinary Qi vessels. This part will give you a better understanding of how Qi circulates in your body. Finally, the fourth part of the book will list some of the many questions about Qigong which still remain unanswered.
The second volume in this series will cover Yi Jin and Xi Sui Qigong, which are translated as “Muscle/Tendon Changing” and “Marrow/Brain Washing Qigong.” Marrow/Brain Washing is deep, and difficult to understand. It has been found in documents detailing both Buddhist and Daoist Qigong and meditation training, and it has been known in China since the Liang dynasty, more than fourteen hundred years ago. Because, however, the training usually involves stimulation of the sexual organs, it has traditionally been passed down only to a few trusted students.
In addition to the eight in-depth books, YMAA is also introducing a series of instructional books and videotapes on specific Qigong exercise sets. This series is designed for people who want to learn exercises that they can do on their own to improve or maintain their health. These books and tapes will be easy to understand both in theory and in practice. The first book and tape are on The Eight Pieces of Brocade, one of China’s most popular Qigong sets.