The “Qi” in “Qigong” is frequently translated as “energy flow,” and is often compared to the Western notions of energia or élan vital. Its literal translation is “air” or “breath” (comparable with the original meaning of Latin spiritus as “breathing”). References to ideas similar to Qi, in terms of the “flow of energy” or process that sustain life, are found in many belief systems in Asia, among the Pacific islanders and Native Americans. “Gong” means work applied to a discipline and the resultant level of skill; thus “Qigong” means “energy work.”

Oriental medical theories assert that the body has natural patterns of Qi circulation in channels often referred to as meridians. Various health issues are associated with disrupted, blocked, or unbalanced Qi flow through the organism, as well as with psychological processes either responding or reacting to the flow of Qi. Qigong practitioners may address these imbalances by affecting or adjusting to the circulation of Qi in the body (metabolic energy flow) using a variety of contact or non-contact bodywork, physical movement regimens, breathing exercises, meditations, visualizations and “healing sounds.”

Attitudes toward the scientific basis for Qigong vary markedly. Most Western medical practitioners and many practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the Chinese government, view Qigong as a set of breathing and movement exercises, with possible benefits to health through stress reduction, exercise and meditation. Such approach is sometimes referred to as exoteric Qigong. On the other hand, esoteric Qigong practitioners see their art in more metaphysical terms, believing that the flow of the universal energy represents the process of manifestation, through which the Dao (unmanifest reality) appears as manifest reality. Due to the conditioning of the human mind to pay attention mostly to the outer forms and appearances of things, rather than their inner essences, special Qi Dao training may be required to develop the ability to enter so-called “Qigong State” that facilitates such heightened energy awareness.

In accord with the modern physics, Qi Dao suggests that everything, including human beings, is made of energy fields that are in a constant process of flux and in varying degrees of resonance with each other. This resonance can be indicative of the most likely direction of the flow of energy events, since energy, like water, flows in the direction of least resistance. Trusting that it always flows where it needs to flow, as all energy events unfold according to the laws of attraction, can empower such practitioners to find resonance with the flow of Qi and surrender to it instead of struggling to guide or resist it. Being in the flow is generally associated with enjoying vibrant health, healing or improving health conditions, as well as many other conditions in one’s life. Ultimately, such practices may be enlightening in the sense of transcending the ego-centered ways of being and becoming one with the Dao.

Some of my students and readers aked me recently why I believe that enlightenment is a process rather than a state. To find the answer to this question, we need to recall one the main tenets of Buddhism – the principle of impermanence. The historical Buddha Shakyamuni realized, as probably did many other more or less enlightened beings before and after him, that change is the most constant thing in this universe. Nothing exists forever or even remains permanent. This applies to enlightenment too, since we all have a tendency to fall asleep even after the most profound awakenings. If the enlightened state is just as impermanent as anything else, then it makes much better sense to speak of enlightenment not as a state but as a process of awakening, which may go through certain phases and be as cyclical as most other natural phenomena.

A Mahayana approach to enlightenment – the path of Bodhisattva – also suggests that even one thoroughly ready to experience enlightenment may choose to remain in the world of Sansara to fulfill the vow of enlightening all the sentient beings. The Bodhisattva may be committed to this vow not only out of compassion, but also out of recognition of the dream-like nature of reality. As in a dream, where all dream characters are essentially products of the dreaming mind of the dreamer, so in the life of the Bodhisattva, all sentient beings are dreamed up by the Bodhisattva’s consciousness. Therefore, that consciousness cannot claim to be fully awake if any of the dream characters are not awake reflecting those aspects of the consciousness that are asleep. Since every second bazillions of new sentient beings are being born and need to experience enlightenment moment by moment, the Bodhisattva must sooner or later realize that Nirvana is not to be sought somewhere outside of Sansara, but rather in the midst of it. (This is not my thesis - many Buddhist sutras suggest exactly this).

Now, from a practical perspective, can enlightenment be experienced more than once? What did Buddha do after he experienced it? Did he continue traveling the eight-fold path? If he already got all there was to get out of this path, he would not need to continue meditating and practicing anymore. Living an enlightened lifestyle is not only what one does after experiencing enlightenment, but also a journey allowing to experiencing it each and every step along the way. This is why I believe that enlightenment is the journey itself, not the destination.

About the Author

Lama Somananda Tantrapa is the holder of the lineage of Qi Dao - Tibetan Shamanic Qigong - that has been fostered in his clan for 27 generations. Affectionately addressed by his students as Rinpoche, Lama Tantrapa has over 30 years of experience in Qi Dao and other internal martial arts. He was primarily trained by his Grandfather who was the last Grandmaster of Qi Dao. As a reincarnate Bon Lama, he carries a title of a Tulku and was ordained as a Buddhist monk in three different traditions: Tibetan Nyingma, Thai Theravada and Japanese Nipponzan Myohoji.

Before immigrating to America, he actively participated in peace marches and conferences in the former Soviet Union supporting the peace work of his spiritual mentor and friend Junsei Terasawa who aspired to build a Peace Pagoda in the center of Moscow, Russia. His initiatives dedicated to peace work and spiritual freedom were subjected to persecution in his homeland thus he received religious asylum in the United States in 1997.

Rinpoche is an author of a book on Qi Dao and a companion DVD, as well as Qi Dao Home Study Course. Being an avid speaker and presenter, he appeared on many radio and TV programs in the US, Guam and abroad. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the US National Qigong Association. Visit us online at www.qidao.org.

Welcome to my world of Qi Dao, the ancient energy art of Tibetan Shamanic Qigong. My spiritual tradition, named Qi Dao (or Ch’i Tao if you like this spelling), which literally means “the path of energy,” or “the flow of life force,” is a style of Qigong (also spelled Ch’i Kung) rooted in the Tibetan Shamanic tradition of self-realization called Bön. Following many generations of Tibetan lamas and Shamans since time immemorial, I explore this magical world where the stuff of myths and legends is quite real. Along my spiritual journey, the miracles of natural healing and amazing feats of power have been common place. I came to believe that everyone practicing this “Adventure Yoga” can receive revelations directly from spirit and learn to follow the inner guidance to enjoy being in the flow of the dream called life.

Have you ever thought that your life journey was meant to be a grand adventure, rather than a misadventure? Perhaps, you are one of those lucky individuals who have experienced “being in the flow” or, as some athletes call it, “in the zone.” If you have experienced it, you will probably never forget the profound sense of harmony associated with being in the flow. And if you have never experienced it, at least, you may be able to imagine yourself being empowered, centered and present. Your imagination may be as potent as your memory in preparing you for this exciting adventure in self-realization and learning to live a dream life.

Imagine a world where men and women can travel through life in harmony with each other and the world around them; where every human being can be in touch with his or her inner nature. Everyone there feels confident and free of any artificial limitations that religions, society, or family upbringing tend to impose on people. In such a dream world, everyone has an opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle, enjoying all the abundance life has to offer. Picture yourself in a world where every child and adult can feel empowered to openly experience and explore their greatest potentials, allowing them to blossom fully. In this dream world, the powers that used to be considered paranormal or supernatural are daily occurrences. Now you have a chance to turn your life into a heroic quest to discover the true nature of Being.

Of course, being in the flow is not an exclusive prerogative of Tibetan lamas and top-notch athletes. Virtually every indigenous nation on the face of the Earth has stories about the heroes, whose lives were dedicated to the exploration of the unknown, be that unknown lands or their inner realms. Those spiritual adventurers, regardless of their origins and personal histories, experienced profound transformations and astonishing feats of power that most people could only dream about. In our Qi Dao tribe, we call this way of being “dream being,” which means, among other things, experiencing life as though being in a dream. Dream Being is not only a verb, but also a noun representing the source of all your dreams: day-dreams as well as night-dreams. It is the mystical source of the big dream called life that in many Oriental schools of thought is referred to as the Dao (or Tao, if you will).

What is this mystical Dao? It is unseen, but it is everywhere. You may want to know it, but it cannot be intellectually understood. You may strive to find it, even though it has always been within you. “To become one with the Dao” has been the ultimate purpose of meditation retreats, pilgrimages and other spiritual adventures for millennia. Anyone who experiences oneness with the Dao can effortlessly navigate through life, being continuously in the flow, free of attachments, conflicts, or suffering. Nobody can harm or kill such a person, because anyone who would dare to go against him or her would also go against the power of the entire universe. Such an awakened being can fully enjoy the great power and freedom coming from realizing that the daily life and Dream Being are inseparable.

This awareness, however, has hardly anything to do with intellectual cognition or understanding. The more you try to comprehend this by logically thinking about it, the more you employ your linear mind, which will keep you stuck in the head. Trying not to think about it usually does not help either, because, if you try to stop thinking, you must, at least, have thoughts about not thinking. The practice of Qi Dao offers an alternative way to experience a practice of self-realization tailored for spiritual adventurers that is both extremely effective and easy to implement.

About the author

Lama Somananda Tantrapa is the holder of the lineage of Qi Dao that has been fostered in his clan for 27 generations since 1224 AD. He has over 30 years of experience in Qi Dao and other internal martial arts. After pioneering Qi Dao Coaching in 2000, he has provided wellness, peak performance and life coaching to hundreds of clients from all walks of life. His coaching has inspired many professional athletes, speakers, dancers, singers, writers and actors to open up to the infinite source of power that exists within everyone.

Lama Tantrapa authored a bestselling book and DVD entitled “Qi Dao – Tibetan Shamanic Qigong.” Being an avid speaker and presenter, he appeared on many radio and TV programs in the US, Guam and abroad. He currently serves on the NQA Board of Directors. For more information about Qi Dao Coaching, workshops, retreats, and long-distance learning opportunities, visit www.qidao.org.