sponsors

 

 

sponsors

 

 

 

 

Etymologically, the word "ki" derives from the Chinese word "chi." In Chinese philosophy, chi was a concept used to differentiate living from non-living things. But as Chinese philosophy developed, the concept of chi took on a wider range of meanings and interpretations. The differences between things depended not on some things having chi and others not, but rather on the principle of "li" (ri in Japanese) which determined how the chi was organized and functioned.

Ki is known by many names. Metaphysical science calls it vitalism or "vital force.” Wilhelm Reich called it "orgon." Friedrich Mesmer called it “animal magnetism.” Bergson called it élan vital (vital force), he Indian and Hindu yogis call it “Prana.” To Chinese Kung Fu and Tai Chi practitioners, it is known as “Chi.” Western science defines it as “biorhythm,” while New Age thinkers simply call it “cosmic energy.”

Some explain the existence of ki as a kind of "energy" that flows within the body (especially along certain channels, called "meridians"). Some claim that certain forms of exercise or concentration enable them to feel ki flowing through their bodies. Traditional Chinese medicine bases some of its therapies on ki. These mostly anecdotal accounts of ki have not been substantiated by scientific experiments. Ki may exist as an objective phenomenon, but reliable evidence to support such a view is lacking.

Ki by any other name is still ki. Dr. Wayne Dyer, in his theory of Power of Intention, speaks about your internal power of intention and how it may give you strength. He speaks of connecting to the "source" to gain internal strength. Sounds similar to ki doesn't it? Ki is just being able to harness all your internal resources and use them together at the same moment to accomplish some task.

While on the subject of Dr. Dyer, just because you have a PHD and are a successful motivational speaker (which translates to people paying you exorbitant amounts of money to tell them what they already know so they will feel vindicated) does not mean you necessarily speak the truth. For example, Dr, Dyer speaks of the energy of objects. One of his examples is that you may gain physical strength from holding an organic banana next to your heart and that you will lose physical strength by holding a CD of gangster rap next to your heart because of the energy the objects emanate. If you believe all this unproven mumbo jumbo, then I have a natural rock to sell you that will give you super strength.

Some martial artists claim to be able to demonstrate the objective existence of ki by performing various feats, such as the unbendable arm, kneeling push, immovable body, finger circle, and fist wall, which are described below. Supposedly, it is ki that permits a person to accomplish the feats. However, there are alternative explanations within the scope of physics or psychology that may account for the effects, such as subtle changes in body positioning or biases and expectations in the participants.

Page 1 of 3:  NEXT  Back  First  Last | Share | Errors | Last Modified:

Subtopics:  NEXT | Preface  Effects  Feats 

Topic:  Comments: Add View | Sources | Related: None