April 30, 2008

What is Ki 気 ?

First of all, this is not the same as the 祈 ki, as in kito. Also, note that 気 [ki] is sometimes romanized as qi or chi, which is from the Chinese readings of 気. The word is seen in Reiki 霊気, Akido, and Qigong or Chi kung. The original sanskrit term is prana; the Greek is pneuma. The kanji means spirit, mind, air, atmosphere, or mood; none of which seem accurate. According to wiki, "Prana (प्राण, ) is a Sanskrit word meaning 'breath' and refers to a vital, life-sustaining force of living beings and vital energy in natural processes of the universe ..."

At any rate, I first heard the word ki [気] some 40 years ago in connection with karate exercises used to "ki up." I noticed even then that the "ki up" exercises aroused a vague sense of a sort of vital energy, especially in my hands. The next time I experienced Ki 気 was in 1972, when I started chanting Nam' Myoho Renge Kyo. This time it was not vague at all. After 20 minutes of chanting, with my palms pressed together in the gassho prayer gesture, my hands would get very hot. Then a magnetic like energy would build up and sort of push my palms apart. It was like what happens when like poles of a two magnets are pushed together, I had to press my palms together with more effort to maintain the gassho mudra.

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This was intensified after I acquired a wooden juzu / rosary; I broke quite as few. Once I stopped pushing my palms, and relaxed, my hands would slowly pull apart. Next, my hands and arms would spontaneously go through a series of mudras, and then rest in my lap, in what I later learned is the dhyani-mudra. I also noticed that this odd magnetic energy appeared to transfer to my juzu, especially when I used a particular wooden one [which I finally lost about 1991]. After I finished chanting, I would set that juzu down on the alter table, and it would move, in kind of a ripple or wave motion. I even tried applying the energy to telekinesis, with no success. I could not bend a spoon.

Needless to say, I was rather reticent about this experience. I did make a couple quiet inquiries with some experienced members and leaders. My queries resulted in quizzical looks, amused eye rolling, some condescending sneers, dismissive attitudes, and so on. One of the Japanese women told me I must have been a snake worshiper in my previous life. So, I decided to keep it to myself. I guess I sort of pushed the experience into the back of my mind and dove into Soka Gakkai activities. I wonder if the silence on this was, perhaps, somehow related to the esoteric meaning of "transmission to a single person? This is from the Hama lineage of Nissho Shonin:


"... the oral transmissions of successive
generations of our school, first set down
on paper during the abbacy of Nichiden. [
The choice of] the person to whom it is
transferred should be restricted to those
who have: first, faith; second, wisdom;
and third, lack of arrogance ... Beyond
that, it should be transferred only
to a single person." --
from Secret Transmissions in
the Hokkeshu by Dr. Jacquie Stone

More recently, I have noticed that chanting other mantras, such as the Chenrezig Mantra, Manjushiri Mantra, and so on; seem to generate the same magnetic like energy, though on different frequencies or modulations than Daimoku. I have also found that it is more difficult to "ki up" as I grow older. To the extent that I am able to generate this energy, it has been useful in healing from a fairly serious long term neurological disease. I do not know what prana / ki / qi / chi actually is, but I know there is something here that is worth exploring. I also know that it can potentially be summoned or aroused by focused chanting meditation.

http://gongyosense.blogspot.com/2008/04/what-is-ki.html

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Posted by rbeck at April 30, 2008 12:45 AM
Comments

Robin thank you so much for sharing. Yes my BP and sugar level is ok. I just recently have been to see a naturopathic physician, and am beginning some simple food changes. I will print out your suggestions and give them a try.
Again thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

sincerely,

track

Posted by: hardtotrack at May 1, 2008 03:50 AM

hardtotrack,

1. Various mantra powered visualizations.
2. Postures and mudras.
3. Some simple, gentle, stretching warm ups.
4. No alcohol, none.
5. Jello, agar, nori seaweed, sage tea, mint teas, cayenne pepper, ginger root.
6, Satipatthana, especially mindfulness of body
and sensation.
7. Vicks Vapo Rub for the feet.

The idea is to improve circulation as well the flow of prana / ki / chi. I try to sit very comfortably while chanting. The burmese sitting posture or sitting in a chair is best for me.

Do you have a seiza bench? I think kneeling would be bad for you without one. Also, before and after you chant, pull up on your big toes. Also, try googling - yoga exercise feet.

I assume you have blood sugar & pressure checked? I would check with the doctor on any exercises or herbal supps.

While chanting, I focus on correct posture, straight back. holding the mudra. Wooden juzu are good for grounding. I will push my palms together, tense my body [including feet], and chant intensely. Then relax my palms, body, and chant gently. Alternate those.

Sitting exercises {I do these sitting on my bed}:

Furrow the brow, breath in; then relax it and breath out. Do this in conjunction with Gassho, pushing palms together and relaxing them.

Make a fist, back of hand down, tighten it. Very slowly release it until the hand is flat. Make two fists. Push them together in front of the chest. Alternate pushing them together and relaxing.

Alternately tighten and relax the butt muscles. Tighten the calves, arch, & toes. Relax them, splay the toes. Pulling up the big toes helps relieve foot cramps.

Chakra Wave Odaimoku Seven Beat Mantra Powered Visualization:

Nan = crown / halo
Mu = brow
Myo = throat
Ho = Heart
Ren = mavel / solar plexus
Ge = hypogastric plexus
kyo = root & feet

Focus the senses; the Mind Follows

1. Focus your eyes in a steady, effortless gaze on the Mandala or other Gohonzon.
2. Focus your ears on the sound of chanting.
3. Focus your nose on the scent of incense if you use it.
4. Focus your mouth on chanting.
5. Focus your touch on your hands with palms together in "gassho".
6. The mind follows.

Posted by: robin at April 30, 2008 02:41 PM

Bruce, I chant with my with my mouth.

Posted by: robin at April 30, 2008 01:39 PM

Robin,
How do you chant '

I said nam apostrophe myoho renge kyo

Just didn't feel right.

Maltz

Posted by: Bruce Maltz at April 30, 2008 12:07 PM

Good stuff. I have peripherial neuropathy in both feet. After exhaustive testing it is determined to be of unknown origin. Can you share how you over came your neurological disorders.

thanks for your blog.

Posted by: hardtotrack at April 30, 2008 03:44 AM