Vol 12, Issue 2/2003
Mindfulness is Energy
Thoughts on the meditative effects of Qigong and Taijiquan. By Manfred Folkers
Chinese cultural achievements such as Qigong and Taijiquan often experience not only structural changes in their transfer to the west, but changes of content as well. Particularly when the emphasis is on medical aspects, the mental and meditative dimensions of these two methods often remain unnoticed and are stressed relatively rarely. These elements connect to the spiritual level of life and are thus correspondingly hard to formulate. Starting with the search for inner peace, which is both the basis and also a goal when practising these arts, Manfred Folkers illuminates the possible contribution of Qigong to a conscious development of the mind and to the growth of kindness, compassion and equanimity. Key aspects here are the attentiveness (mindfulness) that arises when the mind comes to rest and gaining contact with the original spirit Yuanshen.
