1. yin and yang
The symbol is a visual depiction of the
intertwined duality of all things in nature
2. • Yin and Yang are dependent opposing forces that
flow in a natural cycle, always seeking balance.
Though they are opposing, they are not in
opposition to one another. As part of the Tao,
they are merely two aspects of a single reality.
Each contains the seed of the other, which is why
we see a black spot of Yin in the white Yang and
vice versa. They do not merely replace each other
but actually become each other through the
constant flow of the universe.
6. Inorganic yin and yang
These erosion products of the Jacobsville Sandstone were collected from the Lake
Superior shore north of Marquette, Michigan. The iron makes the sandstone red
(yang) but with chemical change the color is bleached to yield the white spots (yin).
Upon further chemical change the yin expands and the yang is expressed as red spots.
8. Qigong
Literally "Life Energy Cultivation") is a practice of aligning breath,
movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation.
With roots in Chinese medicine, martial arts, and philosophy,
qigong is traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance
qi (chi) or what has been translated as "intrinsic life energy”.
Typically a qigong practice involves rhythmic breathing
coordinated with slow stylized repetition of fluid movement, a
calm mindful state, and visualization of guiding qi through the
body. Qigong is now practiced throughout China and worldwide,
and is considered by some to be exercise, and by others to be a
type of alternative medicine or meditative practice. From a
philosophical perspective qigong is believed to help develop
human potential, allow access to higher realms of awareness, and
awaken one's "true nature”.
9. QiGong (pronounced "chee gong" and alternatively
spelled as "qigong," "qi gong," or "chi kung") is
sometimes called “the new yoga” - but the practice
dates back thousands of years to ancient China. The
word “qi” (or “chi”) means “life force” or "vital energy
of the body," and “gong” means accomplishment or
skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Qi
Gong is specifically designed to cultivate the body's
vital energy, using it to heal and strengthen every
system throughout the body. Thus, qi gong means
“cultivating energy,” and it involves working with
energy to strengthen and cleanse the body.
10. Confucianism
Qigong provides a means to become a Junzi (君子) through awareness of
morality.
Taoism
Qigong provides a way to achieve longevity and spiritual enlightenment.
Buddhism
Qigong is part of a spiritual path that leads to spiritual enlightenment or
Buddhahood.
11. Qigong practitioners at World Tai Chi and Qigong
Day event in Manhattan, New York City, USA.
12. Today, millions of people around the world
practice qigong and believe in the benefits
of qigong to varying degrees. Similar to its
historical origin, those interested in qigong
come from diverse backgrounds and
practice it for different reasons, including
for exercise, recreation, preventive
medicine, self-healing, self-cultivation,
meditation, and martial arts training.
13. The concepts of Yin and Yang and the Five
Agents provided the intellectual framework of
much of Chinese scientific thinking especially in
fields like biology and medicine The organs of
the body were seen to be interrelated in the
same sorts of ways as other natural phenomena,
and best understood by looking for correlations
and correspondences. Illness was seen as a
disturbance in the balance of Yin and Yang or
the Five Agents caused by emotions, heat or
cold, or other influences. Therapy thus
depended on accurate diagnosis of the source of
the imbalance.
14. The Five Agents are categories referring to
the fundamental ingredients of the
universe. They are named after wood, fire,
earth, metal and water, but do not simply
refer to these five concrete substances.
Rather, they represent a basic framework or
mental model by which all phenomena can
be classified into five types. The Five Agents
are the basic ingredients of the universe.
