Hello, I am Master Bai Yin. I have been practicing Qigong for 46 years and teaching it for 36 years, having trained over 570,000 students to date. As a professional Qigong instructor, I would like to share with you some fundamental understandings about Qigong. Although the concepts may seem difficult to grasp at first, they offer a deeper insight into the profound nature of Qigong. I hope this will spark a strong interest in Qigong practice for all learners.
All things in Heaven and Earth begin with the "Dao"
When we talk about Qigong and trace it back to its origins, it all stems from one fundamental concept — “The Unity of Heaven and Humans”
What does this mean? Let me explain it in simple terms:
1. The Relationship Between Humans and Nature
- We human beings are all part of nature.
- Our lives unfold and operate within the environment of the entire universe and all things in it.
So how can we understand this concept of the Dao? Let’s imagine it this way:
- The ancients believed that the origin of all things came from a most primal substance — what they called the Dao.
- Before Heaven, Earth, and all things were formed, there already existed a kind of chaotic, undifferentiated matter.
- It was neither born nor destroyed, existing independently, circulating endlessly.
- The ancients truly didn’t know what to name it, so they reluctantly called it “Dao”.
2. The Dao Gives Birth to All Things
- This "Dao" can be likened to the seed of all things, giving rise to the two energies: Yin and Yang.
- These two opposing energies interact, collide, harmonize, and balance with each other, eventually generating the three basic elements that form all things.
- From these three elements, everything we see in the world is formed, including:
- Plants: flowers, grasses, trees
- Animals: birds, beasts
- Inanimate objects: mountains, rivers, wind, and rain
The Dual Nature of Life: Yin and Yang
As you can see, whether it’s living or non-living matter, everything carries both Yin and Yang aspects. For example, a freshly cut piece of wood still contains Yang energy (heat); as time passes, the severed tree loses its Yang and becomes cool and Yin-dominant.
All things require Qi to internally regulate and balance Yin and Yang in order to maintain a relatively stable state.
This leads us to a profound piece of wisdom from the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon):
“The people of ancient times, those who understood the Dao, modelled their lives according to the principles of Yin and Yang, and lived in harmony with nature’s rhythms… therefore, their physical bodies and spirits were in unity, and they were able to live out their full natural lifespan.”
In other words, those who understood the natural principles arranged their daily lives in accordance with the balance of Yin and Yang, enjoying things like food, drink, and leisure in moderation. In doing so, body and spirit became aligned, and they were able to fully enjoy their Heaven-given years. Not easy, right?
Let’s look at another quote:
“In ancient times, the sages taught people to avoid harmful external forces — referred to as xie qi (pathogenic energies) — at appropriate times… By guarding their inner essence and keeping their minds calm, where would illness come from?”
This passage reminds us to avoid harmful elements in nature and maintain a peaceful, quiet mind. When your vital energy — jing, qi, and shen — is abundant and flowing throughout your body, disease naturally stays away.
In summary, the Huangdi Neijing repeatedly emphasizes the importance of “Unity between Heaven and Humanity” (Tian Ren He Yi). We, as human beings, must maintain harmony and alignment with nature at all times — this is the ultimate and most effective way to achieve health and longevity.
Now that we’ve covered the concept of “Unity between Heaven and Humanity,” let’s dive deeper into the fascinating mystery of “Resonance between Heaven and Humanity” (Tian Ren Xiang Ying)!
The Dao Follows Nature – The Human Body is a Microcosm
Since all things in the universe are born from the same "Dao," they naturally share a common material foundation. Thus, the ancients discovered that energies (or "Qi") of the same nature can resonate with and influence each other.
This is similar to how, when we exhale, the movement resembles the bellows of a wind box; likewise, the vast universe performs a kind of "breathing" motion, which the ancients referred to as the "breath of Heaven and Earth"
To give another example:
- The birth, aging, illness, and death of the human body mirror the cyclical movement of celestial bodies within a microcosm.
- Our bones are like the mountains of planets; the meridians (energy channels) resemble flowing rivers.
- The movement of breath and energy within the body parallels the inhaling and exhaling rhythms of the universe itself.
Therefore, the ancients regarded the human being as a "microcosm," intricately connected and in resonance with all of nature. This profound insight of “unity between Heaven and humanity” has provided limitless inspiration for generations to come.
Times Have Changed, But Ancient Wisdom Still Shines Through. Nowadays, scientists have proposed the Big Bang Theory, which—interestingly—echoes the insights of the ancient sages in a different light:
- Around 5 billion years ago, a massive star exploded violently.
All the planets were formed from the debris that burst out in that instant.
This led to what scientists call the “redshift phenomenon,” indicating that the universe is continuously expanding.
Have you ever heard such a vivid analogy?
It's like a firecracker going off—countless fragments of light scatter in all directions, painting the magnificent starry sky we see today!
What a fascinating view of the cosmos!
From ancient times to modern science, across cultures and eras, everything connects—different paths ultimately lead to the same holistic wisdom of the universe.
Qigong: The Bridge Connecting Heaven and Earth
Qigong is not just a series of physical movements.
It carries profound life philosophy and cultivation wisdom—
a way to connect our inner self with the universe.
From Micro to Macro
Through practicing Qigong, we begin to feel the subtle energy within and sense the vitality of the universe around us.
A Path Straight to Heaven and Earth
I believe that through Qigong, we can align directly with the universe.
Each person can experience the state of “unity between heaven and humanity.”
That’s all for today’s theory.
If you’re intrigued by the mysterious and profound wisdom of Qigong and would like to explore further, you’re warmly invited to join the Introductory Course: HarmonyQi Stress-Relief Technique:
👉 https://baiyinqigong.e-qi.org/bai-yin-qigong/7-days-qigong-challenge
