Qi(Chi), monistic or dualistic

[IMAS]

Just came across an argument on Qi monism, any comment?

[Michael]

If you do it too much, your laogong will get hairy and you'll go blind.

[DeusTrismegistus]

What do you mean by qi monism or qi dualism?

[IMAS]

What do you mean by qi monism or qi dualism?

As I practice the hunyuan posture I can feel the energy between my palms. As I practice Qigong healing I can sense energy gone out of me. Maybe we can call this energy Qi. In practical terms, the monistic view is that yin qi and yang qi are two ends of a continuum from very weak (yin) to very strong (yang) for example, and the dualistic view is that yin qi and yang qi are two separate entities trying to reach some sort of harmony.

[Kevin_Wallbridge]

There is only Dao, it is absolutely NOT dualistic. The perception of dualism is just the illusion from a limited perspective. Hence all the talk of "returning to the Dao," not returning to Yin or returning to Yang.

Now put the fekking books down and spend three years trying to understand your legs through proprioception not theory.

[yeniseri]

What do you mean by qi monism or qi dualism?

As I practice the hunyuan posture I can feel the energy between my palms. As I practice Qigong healing I can sense energy gone out of me. Maybe we can call this energy Qi. In practical terms, the monistic view is that yin qi and yang qi are two ends of a continuum from very weak (yin) to very strong (yang) for example, and the dualistic view is that yin qi and yang qi are two separate entities trying to reach some sort of harmony.

That is truly complicated and I hate complication!
I see it as the body working and expressing through activity the benefits of increased circulation leading to better health and longevity!
Awareness in its simplicty while noting levels of homeostasis, intra/extracelluar machinations working to produce the necessary hormones, etc the cross communication taklng place within the activity.

[wiesiek]

were you mind is

[Craig]

I would try to see Qi or any other phenomenon you experience for what it is: a manifestation resulting from signals interpretted by the mind. Only direct experience will answer the question for you, and muddying the mind by chasing unprovable theories will not lead to direct experience. Even if someone here were to give the correct answer, how can you know it is correct and that they aren't just a looney? Much better spending your time developing singleness of concentration, quietening the mind, body and breath until you are able to see clearly exactly what is happening, and even then stick by your knowledge that these are all just experiences created by the mind (which are sometimes not entirely reliable, for example hearing things, hallucination etc). As you get better at seeing exactly what is happening in the mind and body, eventually mastering each element, you will be able to drop it and move into higher levels of stillness and concentration in the mind, which will in turn reveal more about your mind and body and the processes that are happening.

At least that's my experience.

[DeusTrismegistus]

What do you mean by qi monism or qi dualism?

As I practice the hunyuan posture I can feel the energy between my palms. As I practice Qigong healing I can sense energy gone out of me. Maybe we can call this energy Qi. In practical terms, the monistic view is that yin qi and yang qi are two ends of a continuum from very weak (yin) to very strong (yang) for example, and the dualistic view is that yin qi and yang qi are two separate entities trying to reach some sort of harmony.

Just because something is yin does not mean it is weak and just because something is yang does not mean it is strong. Water is yin and it can change the very face of the earth. What else has that strength?

Instead of thinking of it in terms of what the qi is, weak/strong, yang/yin; why don't you think about it in terms of what the qi is doing?

[IMAS]

Just because something is yin does not mean it is weak and just because something is yang does not mean it is strong. Water is yin and it can change the very face of the earth. What else has that strength?

Instead of thinking of it in terms of what the qi is, weak/strong, yang/yin; why don't you think about it in terms of what the qi is doing?

You classified water as yin but it can transform from weak to strong. Your classification is dualistic and then saying yin can be yin and yang which is a monistic view.

I am thinking of qi as a continuum from yin to yang, a monistic view. When it is divided into the primal elements of water, fire, sky and earth, these elements can also be somewhere in the yin yang continuum.

[Bao]

I am thinking of qi as a continuum from yin to yang, a monistic view. When it is divided into the primal elements of water, fire, sky and earth, these elements can also be somewhere in the yin yang continuum.

Qi wasn't divided into the elements.

Damn, you mix things up. Are you interested in the philosophical thoeries or how to think about qi for actual practice? Get your thoughts sorted up properly and ask accordingly.

[IMAS]

I am thinking of qi as a continuum from yin to yang, a monistic view. When it is divided into the primal elements of water, fire, sky and earth, these elements can also be somewhere in the yin yang continuum.

Qi wasn't divided into the elements.

Damn, you mix things up. Are you interested in the philosophical thoeries or how to think about qi for actual practice? Get your thoughts sorted up properly and ask accordingly.

Yes, you are right. Division is also dualistic but let get back to practice.

[DeusTrismegistus]

Just because something is yin does not mean it is weak and just because something is yang does not mean it is strong. Water is yin and it can change the very face of the earth. What else has that strength?

Instead of thinking of it in terms of what the qi is, weak/strong, yang/yin; why don't you think about it in terms of what the qi is doing?

You classified water as yin but it can transform from weak to strong. Your classification is dualistic and then saying yin can be yin and yang which is a monistic view.

I am thinking of qi as a continuum from yin to yang, a monistic view. When it is divided into the primal elements of water, fire, sky and earth, these elements can also be somewhere in the yin yang continuum.

You completely missed the boat.

[IMAS]

Qi Monism is the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, maybe Qi means differently in Taoism or Taoist Qigong.