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Chapter 1: Body energy or the unseen life force

Everything created by the Tao is part of the unseen life force, and Tao is the creative and receptive principle in the universe. In the universe, there exists two primal forces—the negative and the positive, light and darkness—which make up the Great Whole or the Tao. These two forces exist in that which is microcosmic to that which is macrocosmic.

Energy flows from left to right and right to left unceasingly and is evidenced in changes. It flows like the flowing of a mountain stream. The Chinese consider blood circulation akin to a flowing steam. Only natural flowing water like a river can bring forth life and growth. The Chinese call flowing water, "alive," as water in a swimming pool, which does not flow is "dead." Nothing can be grown, and if the water is not changed, it will soon decay and bad elements like mosquitoes will be created.

The Chinese understood the Tao, or Nature, from which all beings are conceived. They understood that all life is embodied with an unseen life force—a force which can be cultivated and developed to enable one to live life more fully. Ch'i Kung seeks to nurture the unseen life force.

Our prehistoric ancestors, residing in the cave and the forest, lived in harmony with Nature. They watched the trees grow, and saw the animals at play. They watched the seasons pass, and listened to the flowing of mountain streams. By living in Nature, they understood the life-giving force of Nature. The life force was the source of all existence.

To our ancestors, life was a cycle of changes, coming and going like the four seasons. This understanding is recorded in one of the world's oldest books, the I CHING, OR THE BOOK OF ETERNAL CYCLES OF CHANGES:

"The Great Attribute, the Moral Character, or the Power of Heaven produces and reproduces the changes in the universe. Changes represent the unseen movement of the creative and the receptive forces. Because of the movement of the creative and the receptive forces, all things come into existence, change, and pass on into other forms. The inter-relationship of the two forces bring transformation of all things—a transformation which proceeds to fullness."

The art of Ch'i Kung is based on the Tao, or the Way of Nature. The first eight forms of Ch'i Kung, called the Eight Silken Forms, show this affinity with Tao. They give one the feeling of peace and tranquility, and of harmony with Tao.

The forms, and sequences of forms in Ch'i Kung open and close the doors between the creative and receptive forces. All things are created, changed and transformed by the movement of force through the doors. Closing the doors, between creative and receptive stops movement. Like stagnant water, stagnant force leads to decay. Opening the door leads to circulation of force and creation. By opening and closing the doors quickly, the unseen life force moves first one way and then the other way. This rapid circulation of force is called active involvement.

Change is caused by the process of opening and closing the door between the primal forces. The creative and receptive forces are virile and docile, respectively. One gives force while the other receives force. The creative force is the light element, which when dormant, is absorbed, and when active, moves forward and creates. The receptive force is the dark element, which when shut by the door, is dormant and inactive, and when opened, receives from the creative force and creates.

The process of opening and closing is the key to regulating the unseen life force. One can control (have access to) inner strength and outward power. The art of Ch'i Kung teaches one the process of opening and closing.

One is born with the unseen life force, and it is this which gives us life. By understanding what it is, and by being able to control it, one is able to enrich one's life. Life becomes harmonious; because one lives closer to the Tao, or the Way of Nature.