Qi

The Breath of Life

In the West, we have been taught to see the world as a collection of dead objects. We see a rock, a tree, a river, and we see them as separate, inert things. But in the East, there is a different understanding. There is the recognition that everything is alive, that everything is animated by a subtle, invisible energy. In China, this energy is called *Qi*. In India, it is called *Prana*. It is the breath of life, the vital force that flows through all things, that connects all things, that makes all things possible.

Qi in Taoism

In Taoism, Qi is the very fabric of reality. It is the energy that animates the universe, that gives birth to the ten thousand things. The goal of the Taoist sage is to live in harmony with the flow of Qi, to become a clear and open channel for this universal life force. When our Qi is blocked, we experience disease, stagnation, and a sense of being separate from the world. When our Qi is flowing freely, we experience health, vitality, and a deep sense of connection to all that is.

Prana in Advaita Vedanta

In Advaita Vedanta, Prana is understood as the vital life force that animates the body and mind. It is the link between the gross, physical body and the subtle, energetic body. The yogi learns to control the flow of Prana through the practice of *pranayama*, or breath control. By controlling the breath, the yogi can control the mind, and by controlling the mind, the yogi can realize the ultimate truth of the Self, which is beyond both body and mind.

A Real-Life Example

I once had the privilege of studying with a master of Qigong, a traditional Chinese practice for cultivating and balancing Qi. He was a man in his 80s, but he had the vitality and energy of a man half his age. He could stand on one leg for hours, he could move with the grace and fluidity of a cat, and he had a mind that was as sharp as a razor. He told me that the secret to his health and longevity was simple: he practiced Qigong every day. He had learned to cultivate and circulate his own life force energy, and in doing so, he had become a master of his own body and mind.

How to Embody This Teaching

• The Practice of Conscious Breathing: Spend a few minutes each day simply paying attention to your breath. Feel the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves your body. Don't try to change it or control it in any way. Simply be present to the natural rhythm of your own life force.
• The Practice of Qigong or Yoga: Find a qualified teacher and begin a regular practice of Qigong or Yoga. These ancient practices are powerful tools for cultivating and balancing your own life force energy.
• The Practice of Spending Time in Nature: Spend as much time as you can in nature. Walk in the woods, sit by the ocean, lie in a field of grass. Nature is a powerful source of Qi, and simply by being in its presence, you can begin to replenish and rebalance your own energy.

When This Card Appears

When the Qi card appears in a reading, it is a sign that you are being called to pay attention to your own life force energy. It may be a sign that your energy is blocked or depleted, and that you need to take steps to replenish and rebalance yourself. It can also be a sign that you are being called to a deeper level of connection with the natural world, and to a more embodied and energetic way of being in the world.