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Zhineng Qigong contains a series of methods suitable for the general public that are easy and bring rapid benefits. Zhineng Qigong methods consist of static methods, moving methods and mixed static/moving methods (spontaneous qigong). These three types of practice may seem very different from one another but in fact they are concordant: not only are they based on the same hunyuan qi theory, but also each type of practice moves from an external hunyuan stage to an internal hunyuan and then a middle hunyuan stage.

Zhineng Dynamic Methods

Dynamic methods combine movement with mind activity to optimise wellbeing. There are six levels to the dynamic methods [comprising three stages].

Lift Qi Up Pour Qi Down (Peng Qi Guan Ding Fa) is on the first level, at the external hunyuan stage. In this practice, practitioners send their internal qi outside and draw external qi inside. This not only improves the normal functions of the body and cures illness, but also can bring about some development of paranormal abilities.

Body Mind Form (Xing Shen Zhuang) and Lead Qi Along the Channels (Xun Jing Dao Yin Fa) belong to the second level, body-mind hunyuan, which builds upon the first level. It further mobilises qi in the skin, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, channels and bones, etc. These methods further improve human life functions to be at a higher level than is usual.

Five Hunyuan Form (Wu Yuan Zhuang) and Inner Organs Qi Becomes One (Zang Zhen Gui Yuan Fa) comprise the third level, inner organs qi hunyuan. They focus on the practice of inner organs qi and practice the shen (spirit or soul) activity of the five inner organs so as to increase one’s ability to control one’s life activity. [Life activity covers all the different levels, of structures, tissues, cells, the movement of qi in the channels, breathing, the heartbeat and the inner organs. Through practice it becomes increasingly possible to control aspects that are ordinarily part of the autonomic nervous system.]

The second and third levels together belong to the internal hunyuan stage.

The Middle Channel Hunyuan Method (Zhong Mai Hunyuan Gong), the fourth level, is mainly a practice of the middle channel and its relationship with the entire body qi, unifying all body qi to become an entirety.

The Middle Line Hunyuan Method (Zhong Xian Hunyuan Gong), the fifth level, practises middle channel qi to connect Heaven and Earth qi and to form the middle line.

The Hun Hua Return to One Method (Hun Hua Gui Yuan Gong), is the sixth level, to merge and transform humans and nature to become one.

The final three levels belong to the middle hunyuan stage.

Zhineng Static Methods

The static methods are not completely motionless

Movements are simple and few in comparison with the dynamic methods, which have many complicated movements. Static methods comprise sitting, lying and standing forms. As with the dynamic methods, the practice progresses through external, internal and middle stages, but the process is not as clear-cut. The static methods change one’s life state mainly through opening the gates and palaces, by tapping the teeth, through mudras [see glossary] and through special mind activities.

Zhineng Static/Dynamic Methods (spontaneous methods)

Static/dynamic methods are a type of special practice from long ago

These are not generally recorded in written form. Many practitioners of folk and martial arts qigong knew these methods. The spontaneous movements of these methods change between smaller and larger movements. Special theories underlie these methods and almost anyone who truly understands the theory could achieve a static state in 100 days of practice. If spontaneous movements have not ceased within 100 days it is difficult for the practitioner to continue to improve their gongfu level and they will use up a lot of qi. If too much qi is consumed, the shen cannot be nourished by qi and the mind could become unbalanced. Because of these problems with the methods, we currently do not teach them.

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• Stages