What Is Qi? The Truth About Life-Force Energy in Qigong, Taoism and Ancient Wisdom

What exactly is Qi (Chi) — this mysterious life-force energy we hear about in Qigong, Tai Chi, and Taoist philosophy?

In this video, let's explore the ancient and universal concept of Qi, the vital energy that flows through all living things. From the Taoist traditions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to parallels in Hinduism (Prana), Christianity (Holy Spirit), and even modern science (subtle energy fields), Qi has been revered as the invisible force that sustains life, consciousness, and the natural world.

You’ll learn:

🌿 The deep meaning behind the Chinese character for Qi

🌿 How different cultures describe life-force energy (Mana, Shakti, Pneuma, etc.)

🌿 What Qigong really is and how it helps cultivate and balance Qi

🌿 The spiritual and practical benefits of working with your own energy field

🌿 And why practices like Qigong, Tai Chi, breathwork, and grounding are essential for vitality

Whether you're a spiritual seeker, energy medicine practitioner, or simply curious about holistic healing, this video offers insights into the power of Qi and how to align with the natural rhythms of the universe.

Whether you’re on a path of self-healing, awakening, or curious about nervous system health and holistic transformation, this is for you.

OR READ THE TRANSCRIPT BELOW

Through the sands of time and across diverse cultures spanning every corner of the Earth, humanity has cherished a profound connection with a universal life force energy.

But what exactly is this life force energy?

As noted by many ancient traditions, subtle energy is the ever-present informational field that envelops and permeates all beings in the natural realm; a vital force that serves as the essence sustaining all life. Any Star Wars fans may know this simply as “The Force.”

In the original Star Wars film, A New Hope, ObiWan Kenobi explains to Luke Skywalker that “the Force is what gives a Jedi his powers. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, binds the galaxy together.”

Later on in the follow up film, The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda goes on to explain more to Luke, in his Yoda-esque style of speaking, “Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter (pinching Luke’s skin). You must feel the Force around you, here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere.”

These characters' explanations are spot on, because we find evidence of these notions in the ancient scrolls of Chinese medicine and various other cultures' writings and traditions. Insights regarding life-force energy, known as “Qi,” stretches back nearly 5,000 years—a humble estimate indeed. It is likely that indigenous and shamanic peoples have traversed the realms of these profound concepts through primordial times, the very epoch before time itself.

Throughout our world, many terms exist for this vital life force energy, through the lenses of cultures, religions, tribes, and even the realms of science!

As aforementioned, the Chinese work with Qi (chee) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), also called Ki in Japanese and Korean. In the Hindu world there is Kundalini, Shakti and Prana, which are familiar notions in the practice of Yoga. Even in the religious sense, there is the Holy Spirit or Anointing in Christianity, Shekinah in Judaism, or Baraka in Sufism. The ancient Greeks expressed their understanding of life-force or breath as Pneuma.

There are indigenous tribes like the Polynesianians that speak of Mana or the Mayans with their Ch’ulel. We can also find Native American tribes like Iroquois and Lakota with their terms of Orenda and Waken respectively.

Even in modern science there are ideas such as Subtle Energy studied by William Tiller, Ph.D., Orgone by Wilhelm Reich, Dark Matter from Shipov Shakhparanov, Exotic Matter by Barry Carter, Tachyon through Gerald Feinberg’s research, Torsion with Nikolai Kozyrev, Bioplasma by Victor Inyushin, and Biogravity studied by A.P. Dubrov, to name a few.

There are dozens, if not more, terms throughout the world that have been discussed and written about and although subtle differences adorn the various lenses, one truth remains: life force energy is believed to be inherent in all things. Drawn from a cosmic, spiritual, or divine source, this life force energy connects, binds, and empowers all life-forms, sentient or otherwise. Humans, animals, plants, mountains, rivers, wind, fire, earth, minerals, crystals and all matter share in this abundant essential energy resource.

Much like the electromagnetic field that encircles the Earth and other celestial bodies, the human form is infused with its own energetic aura. An endless flow of primeval energies streaming into our being, radiating outward into the cosmos, forging a dynamic field or matrix. In Chinese terms, the Heavenly, masculine, Yang energy from above intertwines with the Earthly, feminine, Yin energy from below, harmonizing to create balance within us.

Through the practice of Qigong, a Chinese energy and fitness system, we seek to activate, cultivate and utilize the life-force energy within, referred to as Qi.

So, what really is Qi? Due to the complex nature of the written Chinese language, the pictographs can hold a multitude of meanings that are often difficult, even impossible, to translate into Western languages and concepts. Scholars, linguists, and translators work with great intentions, yet can frequently find themselves ensnared in inaccuracies and misinterpretations.

The character for Qi has been interpreted by countless researchers with a sincere effort to decode its mystical presence. While many have found the commonality of “life-force” or “energy” to be at the core of its meaning, some have gone even deeper to discover hundreds of possibilities.

The book entitled Nei Jing, or The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine (circa 2690-2590 BCE) describes over 270 different possible interpretations of Qi!
 

But let’s start with some basics. Qi is commonly translated as “life-force energy,” what we explored earlier about that essential and fundamental natural resource within all things. But let’s unpack this character even further. Looking at the character we see 4 main components, each of which can be broken down individually.

The top part, a diagonal line attached to a horizontal line can be interpreted as “who am I?” This goes beyond our name, nationality, and even personality. This is truly the essence of who we are, that thing that makes us unique or special.

The second part underneath that, a single horizontal line can be seen as “where am I? Again, going beyond the limitations of our physical presence, but more about our place in this existence. Not only where has our path taken us and where does our path lead to, but where do we find ourselves in the present moment? Are we content, passionate, purposeful, and aligned?

Below that, the horizontal line with the little hook or tail represents “what am I doing?” Does what we do in this life truly resonate with the “who am I? and “where am I?” These are all important questions to sit with to insure we are indeed on the best path for our existence.

And tucked underneath is what we call a radical. This can be viewed in many ways but for now, let’s look at it as the horizontal line being 1 or the beginning, the vertical line being 10 or the end, and the four hash marks representing movement. Therefore, this entire piece can be looked at as the wholeness of our existence, from beginning through movement, to completion.

Curiously, an early translation of the first part of Qi alluded to the concept of vapor or mist or clouds rising and floating. This gives us some insights into the very fluid and transformative nature of Qi. Something gentle, something floating, amorphous, in constant flux, immaterial.

Furthermore, the addition of the radical underneath has often been depicted as a grain of rice. This suggests that Qi also has physical qualities, something tangible, something we can touch and feel and see. Think of the transformational qualities of rice when cooking; it starts as a hard, firm grain, and with the introduction of water and heat (energy), it changes and becomes softer and plumper. The simple vision of rice and vapor (or steam) provides deeply thought-provoking qualities to what we know as Qi. Just as our breath can be both physical (lungs) and non-physical (air), we see in many different interpretations the containment of both of these qualities. Below is a short list of some other variations behind the meaning of Qi:

• A process of transformation.
• Breathing.
• Matter-energy, finest matter influences.
• Strength, moving power.
• That which fills the body, that which means life.
• Smell, odor, flavor.
• Temperament, feeling, spirit, general mood or atmosphere.
• Spiritual or emotional momentum.
• Style or habit
• Various qualities or nature of people, objects, or phenomenon.
• Destiny, fortune, fate, or life.

Now, pairing “qi” with “gong” as in “Qigong,” interpreted as “to cultivate or work with ~ a practice or methodology.” Qigong then translates to “to cultivate or work with one’s own life-force energy through a practice or methodology.”

The first part of “gong” which looks like a capital I, is recognizing one’s position between Heaven and Earth. However, we are not merely isolated between these energies, but are integral to connecting the two. As a bridge or conduit, we seek to balance the energies around us AND within us.

The second part of “gong” is referring to a person pushing a plow. A basic understanding of this would be “cultivation” as in agriculture. More than that, it’s referring to cultivation of oneself. Cultivation of the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, astral, and all other subtle bodies of our entire being. This cultivation, much like plowing a field of crops, takes hard work, dedication, learning, practice, and discipline. Therefore, “gong” can be cultivation of oneself through learning, practice, and dedication.

A fundamental grasp of Qigong involves harnessing the intrinsic life force energy that resides within and surrounds us, paving the way for profound healing across all dimensions of our existence. These practices enable the flow of energy throughout our being, nurturing the optimal functionality of every system within us. With thousands of styles, forms, and traditions, it’s easy for anyone exploring these practices to discover a path that resonates with their spirit and their personal goals. Whether one seeks to build strength, increase mobility, reduce fatigue, or heal a particular ailment, it’s the life-force energy, the Qi, that can allow us to do this.

Conversely, there are things in our lives we can do that deplete this life force energy. Living a life of excess, addiction, bad habits, eating food with little or no nutrient value, excessive caffeine intake, staring at computers and screens, unbalanced emotions, undealt with traumas, fear, not getting enough sunlight or grounding. These are all things that can deplete our energy, which can lead to depression, sickness, poor sleep, fatigue and a whole host of dis-eases. When we begin to harness, cultivate, and take charge of the life-force, we can then turn things around and become more disciplined, more balanced, more accepting and patient, more full of purpose and passion, and more healthy and vibrant, full of vitality. This is what Qigong is all about.

According to Dr. Roger Jahnke of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, there are three promises of Qi.

• First Promise: “Qi is free, it is everywhere, and everyone has direct access to it through simple methods that are easy to learn and practice. Qi can be cultivated purposefully to resolve any challenge or enhance any function.”
• Second Promise: “Every person who uses Qi cultivation methods consistently experiences some form of health improvement and personal access to greater energy and power.”
• Third Promise: “Qi cultivation - Qigong - is easy if you let it be.”

May the Qi Be With You!