What Is Qi?

Qi encompasses the mental qi and the bodily qi of the four great elements. Mental qi manifests as the breath of the mental faculty, representing mental factors associated with the mind, such as arrogance, confidence, an imposing demeanor, high spirits, integrity, ambition, pride, and so forth. Bodily qi includes kidney qi, lung qi, stomach qi, spleen qi, liver qi, and heart qi; each of the five zang and six fu organs possesses qi, extending even to the qi flowing through the meridians throughout the entire body. Qi propels blood circulation, known as blood qi, and the body relies on blood qi for nourishment and functioning. Once the supply of blood qi becomes insufficient, the six consciousnesses lose the strength to operate, the activities of the five aggregates weaken, or if the circulation of blood qi becomes disordered, the six consciousnesses become chaotic and may even lead to madness. 

Mental qi can drive and influence bodily qi, while bodily qi can elevate and influence mental qi. The two mutually affect each other and significantly impact meditative concentration. If mental qi is not calm and balanced, meditative concentration cannot arise; if bodily qi is not harmonized, meditative concentration will not manifest. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate both mental and bodily qi. Regulating mental qi relies firstly on reasoning, using logic to make mental qi calm and stable, and secondly on good physical constitution, ensuring the smooth flow of qi and blood, for meditative concentration to arise. Regulating bodily qi involves firstly providing sufficient necessary nourishment for the four great elements, secondly adjusting through breath and exercise, and thirdly relying on the regulation of mental qi and intention. When mental qi is calm, bodily qi gradually becomes calm as well; this is known as mental calmness and qi harmony. If bodily qi is disordered or insufficient, mental qi will also become disordered and insufficient; the two complement and influence each other.

Besides mental qi and bodily qi, there is also karmic hindrance qi. So-called karmic hindrance qi is essentially the force of past karmic actions, or the inertia and power of karma. This is the most difficult to regulate and overcome, and most of the time, one can only passively endure it. If an individual possesses relatively strong awareness, discovers the location of their own karmic hindrances, and identifies their own unwholesome habits, they can find ways to reverse and overcome them. Firstly, through the method of repentance, repenting to eliminate karmic hindrances; secondly, through the method of making vows to overcome karmic hindrances; and thirdly, by cultivating new wholesome habits.