Qi is an abstract term. It only achieves a concrete or objective definition once it has been affixed to a second term providing context. For this reason, qi often plays the same role as ‘god’ does in spirituality. It can be used to unproductively describe spiritual phenomenon. On the other hand, its abstract nature has the ability to pragmatically group phenomenon that relate in ways outside of our current material-scope. On its own, the word qi signifies a rough aggregate similar to our english words “energy”, “vibe”, “spirit”, “feeling”, and “immaterial”. A word used to describe an immaterial feeling or sensation. To define it with latin & greek terms, maybe something along the lines of the affixes “-ous”, “-ness”, “-y” or “-ity” would be our best translation. For this reason I tend to steer clear of the term as much as possible. If I am able to specify the qi factually, precisely, or in a way that is more familiar to northwestern hemisphere conventions, then I never hesitate to do so.
Qi is the difference between yin and yang. Perception is said to require duality because it's difficult for the mind to know something without defining it in relation to another thing. When we have an idea of past and present, qi is the sensation of the moving time in between. Qi is potent for the same reasons energy can be. The bigger potential difference (aka voltage) a battery has, the larger the potential is for electrical energy (granted that the current and resistance are supportive). Qi is what provides the sensation of change and movement.
In terms of the human-being, qi manifests as aspects of our physiology, nutrition, sensory-motor signaling, psycho-emotional tendencies, and biomechanical abilities. Traditional Chinese Medicine has divided human qi into two primary classifications: substantial and functional. Substantial qi encompasses our nutrition, oxygen, genetic material, etc. Functional qi on the other hand encompasses protective, metabolic, kinetic, psycho-emotional aspects. You can see how the distinct difference between these two fundamental types of “human-qi” can be the source of great confusion if we fail to properly distinguish and differentiate. It's not as simple as saying qi is qi, and that all qi is the same when we are dealing with qi on this sort of practical level. This illustrates again why understanding the concept of qi is extremely helpful to those working to study, improve their knowledge, and innovate. Yet for those who just want to be treated and get better, discussing matters of qi will be far more confusing than it is productive.
We’re going to focus in on the sort of qi that displays itself in the human body. This qi has traditionally been divided into prenatal qi and postnatal qi, in other words that which is congenital and that which is acquired. Congenital prenatal qi is also known as original (yuan) qi and it is derived from what we call the body’s fixed reserve of fuel, or life-battery, known as essence (jing). This is partly expressed by the shortening of our telomeres or the limited amount of times in which our body is able to perform genetic transcription in carrying out cellular regeneration. Acquired postnatal qi on the other hand, is derived from our diet, breath and skin. The diet derived postnatal qi is labeled grain (gu) qi. Grain qi represents any and all energy or catalyzing agents that are obtained via the gastrointestinal route. We might as well just call it nutrition. The breath derived postnatal qi is labeled air (kong) qi. Air qi represents any and all energy or catalyzing agents that are obtained via the respiratory route. Together the grain and air qi combine to define the available source from which the functional qi draws from. This combined qi is known as gathered (zong) qi. Gathered qi is substantiated in the bloodstream.
From the bloodstream, gathered qi is then processed at a cellular level. Depending on the cell type, this gathered qi is processed and/or stored in its own unique way. As mentioned earlier, cell functioning, or anything that can be said to be a product of our genetic programming is utilizing the original yuan qi as well. This yuan qi or prenatal qi is limited and so the aim is to preserve it by having an abundance of readily available postnatal qi. Once processed and actualized in this combined (prenatal and postnatal) and usable form we refer to it as true (zhen) qi. True qi is then finally divided into what is called nutritive (ying) qi and protective (wei) qi.
The nutritive ying qi represents the processed and packaged portion of the true zhen qi that substantiates proper internal functioning. This includes intracellular nutrition, any and all sustenance that contributes to the integrated carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolic pathway(s), that which substantiates specific physiological functioning such as ATP or cAMP, endocrinological messengers, physiological functions of the autonomic and enteric nerve impulses, interior immune responses, fluid regulation, blood circulation, peristalsis function, etc. The protective wei qi, on the other hand, represents any and all external functional aspects of our physiology. In more simple terms, that which displays from the outside. This stretches to include voluntary and involuntary peripheral nerve impulses, force transmission through connective tissue, blood and lymph circulation, exterior immune responses, temperature/pore regulation, posture and emotional display.
As you can see qi is used to abstract, study and classify understandings, more than it is a factual thing with an essence of its own. For to only consider the factual evidence is a very limited way to practice medicine, or study any biological science for that matter. There is a non-factual animating principle and connecting essence that is present in all living things. We often call this animating principle spirit, hence why we are spiritual beings. Nonbiological, non-spiritual things like automotives, buildings, and other mechanical technologies are the result of great factual study. But our understanding can only go so far when studying the human being from a strictly factual standpoint. This is because fact is defined by empirical proof and our empirical scope deals only with direct observations and unequivocal truth.
This connecting, communicating and animating principle, or qi, is that same attribute which unites our trillions of cells to work in accordance and for one common end. Its present since the moment of conception and guides embryogenesis. This spirit exhibits features like consciousness and creative capability, which breathes, adjusts, grows, learns and evolves as a result of pertinent, stressing stimuli. For this reason it wouldn’t be incorrect to translate qi as ‘lifeforce’. That is if we were to understand ‘force’ in terms of its loose modern usage. I however prefer ‘animating principle’ over ‘lifeforce’. Qi is a prehistoric concept in the Chinese culture. To define it precisely is to define it basically. The classic daoist sciences did it ever so simply by defining it as the empty space between yin and yang.
To top it off, here's a list of some of the main manifestations of qi that come to mind when discussing matters that deals with the human being.
Qi is:
- Our physiology functions (e.g. respiration, metabolism, reproduction, etc.)
- The way one carries oneself / general sense of wellbeing / state of emotion
- That which circulates blood
- That which issues nerve signals and communicates sensations and kinetic movement
- That which expresses emotion visually and internally
- That which elucidates the mind, thought, and intellect
- That which unites the relationship between the trillions of cells and microbes that make us a single being
- That which establishes creation, dreams, and idea-formation
- That which issues movement and posture from the idea
- Sense of freedom physically and psychologically
- That which connects the broader imbalance to the demonstration of specific symptoms when sick
- That which expresses non-physical tendencies physically
- That which connects the emotions with changes in physical body
- That which transmits and communicates human to human interactions
- That which constitutes an atom, cell, human, society, universe, etcetera, in addition to the material components (the other 99%)
- That which communicates at a cell to cell level
As you can see, a majority of these manifestations of qi can be described on a mechanical and reductionistic level in terms of their structural anatomy and their cascade of effects. Qi is the pragmatic oversimplification used to guide us and allow us to see the bigger picture and many times draw attention to the deeper relations that a structurally-focused view may ignore or overlook. It’s a beautiful thing.
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