Chi is the circulating original Life Force, the substance which animates the forms of the world and the material of which everything is composed of. The life force is percieved as a flow of Energy and it is closely assosiated with air and breath. Chi or the vital energy connects everything. It is present in everyone and everything but in a different amount.
All those who live with an open eye know that everything is interconnected in this universe. Ancient wisdom has taught us for centuries that matter is subject to change but change is constant. Materials and energies are changing shape, form and structure in this great web of connections called existence. New scientific discoveries are proving the same thing. Matter is just an illusion and the world is formed of circulating energies.
In this post i will list the different names and descriptions of this life force from old times. I will dedicate a separate post to the modern physics approach to energies.
QI / CHI
Chi is an ancient Chinese term which can be most closely related to the modern concept of energy. In Chinese philosophy Chi is the circulating original life force, the substance which animates the forms of the world and the material of which everything is composed of. The life force is perceived as a flow of energy and it is closely associated with air and breath.
Qi or the vital energy connects everything. It is present in everyone and everything but in a different amount. There are places and people possessing high levels of Chi and others with low levels of Chi. It can be separated into yin and yang aspects. Chinese martial arts and healing practices are based on the notion of Chi like : thai chi, chi kung, acupunture or feng shui.
KI
In Japan Ki is viewed as a connective flow of vital energy that sustains life. It is thought to be spirit and energy that is inherent in all things. Ki is an unseen energy that flows through all living things and connects them. Ki is the original life energy that all living things share.
Ki is an energy source to which we all have access however energy is not uniformly distributed in the world. Reiki is an energy balancing technique based on "laying on of hands" healing intended to help the patient reconnect to the Universal Life Energy flow. Aikido is a Japanese martial art that aims to gather and utilize the energy of the universe (KI ) and not to attack or to harm.
PRANA
In India the universal life energy is referred to as Prana. It is consciousness and energy that gives life to all living things. It is a life sustaining force. Prana is the vital force mainfested in the universe in form of living creatures, all things and all natural processes.
Prana is believed to flow through specific channels called nadis. It is closely related with air and breathing and sometimes referred to as the "breath of life". Positive and negative aspects of Prana are differentiated. Prana is a central concept also used in : Ayurveda and Yoga.
Other names for the universal life energy :
KA - Ancient Egypt
PNEAUMA - Ancient Greeks
HOLY SPIRIT - Christianity
GREAT SPIRIT - Native Americans
ASHE - Africa
KA - Ancient Egypt
PNEAUMA - Ancient Greeks
HOLY SPIRIT - Christianity
GREAT SPIRIT - Native Americans
ASHE - Africa
