What is Qi? (Part 2)

[Cyril]

What is Qi? (Part 2)

"The Ion Theory of Qi" © Feng Shui Connoisseur

Following on from my previous article "What is Qi?", I hope to explore further with you on how traditional feng shui principles and concepts could be more easily understood if we correlate them with our modern day concept of ions. I will term this correlation between feng shui and ions the "Ion Theory of Qi". Before we touch on feng shui principles, we should first explore deeper on natural ions and understand some its basic characteristics and their behaviour.

Natural ions are ions that exist in the air. They can be positive ions or negative ions. Positive ions primarily come from radioactive minerals in the ground, from radon gas in the air and a smaller amount from ionosphere via cosmic radiation (protons). Negative ions are primarily produced by radioactive sources and from evaporating water. Very hot objects, combustion and open flame will also produce ions, in equal amount of positive and negative ions. Ions are measured by number of ions per cubic centimeter in either positive or negative amount. In normal weather condition, there are about 200 to 800 negative ions and 250 to 1500 positive ions per cubic centimeter in the air.

Since evaporating water produces negative ions in the air, it will leave behind positive charges in the water. If these positive charges are not short (conducted) to ground, the water will get more and more positively charge until at a point in time, it will not produce any more negative ions. An electric wall socket operated water fountain will continuously produce negative ions while a battery operated fountain will not because there is not earthed to ground. In another observed phenomenon, before a thunder storm arrives, the amount of positive ions in the air will increase quite dramatically and during the storm, the quantity of negative ions will increase. High concentration of positive ions will attract negative ions and therefore they are both found together. In a cloud of positive or negative ions they usually exist in compact concentration of not more than 30 meters in diameters. For this reason, in indoor conditions, there may be situations where positive ions are concentrated in one room while there are more negative ions in another room.

Ions also have lifespan. They exist in the air until they touch a surface and short to ground. This is common in indoor conditions where there are many objects around in the room. In outdoor conditions, they 'live' slight longer. Indoor near the ground level or basement, most positive ions come from radon in the ground. Radon is a radioactive gas that is found in the earth's rock and soil. It is formed by the natural breakdown of radium.
Having understood some of the basic characteristics of ions, we shall explore some of the common feng shui principles and beliefs and see how these can be explained by the Ion Theory of Qi.



At this juncture, I hope I have convinced you in understanding the true nature of Qi and will also give you a different perspective on how you will view Qi in Chinese metaphysical terms in future. Having this in mind will hopefully help you to understand some of the ancient theories and concepts of certain Feng Shui formula.

The wisdom of our forefathers were great and we may not be able to fathom all their thoughts and understand how they could come up with various formula for specific application. Although they could not explain Qi in a scientific way, they just understand Qi simply exists in this universe and knows how to harness them for the benefit of mankind.
 
By Cyril Quah

"The Feng Shui Connoisseur"

July 10, 2008

[RapaNui]

Hi Quah,
this is excellent article !

Did you read "The Tao of Pfysics" Fritjof Capra ?

Regards,

[Cyril]

Hi Rapanui,

No, I have not read it. What is it about? Is it in English?

[RapaNui]

Hi Quah,

not read ?????
I think you MUST !  

About F. Capra see here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritjof_Capra [nofollow]
What this is this book about : "... 'The Tao of Physics', subtitled An Exploration of the Parallels Between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism. The Tao of Physics makes an assertion that physics and metaphysics are both inexorably leading to the same knowledge."

This is great book ! I read it in 2003.
Also : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tao_of_Physics [nofollow]
 

[Cyril]

Hi Rapanui,

I just read the wikipedia....looks interesting. I haven't been buying English metaphysics books for quite sometime now...maybe I should buy it since you highly recommended it.

[RapaNui]

...maybe I should buy it since you highly recommended it.

Yes. I recommend it to you cause this book shows analogies between western science and eastern metaphysics.
 
You mustn't buy it, you can download it from here : http://rapidshare.com/files/205940257/ebook_-_Fritjof_Capra_-_The_Tao_of_Physics.pdf [nofollow]
 

[adicen]

Hi Rapanui and Quah,

Ya, that book is not bad, but I think the following link will be of interest to you guys:

 newbielink:http://www.qigonginstitute.org/html/scientificbasis.php#QigongGeneExpression [nonactive]

[Cyril]

Hi Rapanui and Adicen,

Thanks for both the book link and the URL.   

http://rapidshare.com/files/205940257/ebook_-_Fritjof_Capra_-_The_Tao_of_Physics.pdf [nofollow]
http://www.qigonginstitute.org/html/scientificbasis.php#QigongGeneExpression [nofollow]

[adicen]

The truth of the universe is attained from different starting points. 'Eastern civilizations' obtain it via insight, whereas modern science arrives at it through conducting precise experiments. Each approach is on its own path, but will eventually reach the same point. The most advanced discoveries in Quantum Physics echo what 'Eastern civilizations' understood long ago.

[ivancen]

hi mr quah, there's something i do not really understand after reading this part 2. If -ive ions represent Sheng Qi, then shouldn't we use ion generator for every room? why should we limit to only one and still need to find proper placement for it (like placement of water)? I'm asking cos I have been using ion generator for some time and I'm now wondering the 3 generators i place around the house is contributing Qi at the wrong place. They are mainly placed in bedrooms.

[ivancen]

sorry for coming back again to comment.Was reading up these few days and now i'm thinking, it may not be entirely ions i think. For eg it does not explain why FS pple say even if close doors and windows Qi still can penetrate and enter thru walls. Moreover, if -ive ions are thekey here, wouldn't it be super good FS to have an almost air tight room and have ionizers fill the room with good ions? That does sound too good to be true, activating 30% of your destiny so easily. Another thing I'm thinking, apparently -ive ions create ozone gas, and ozone in room when breathed in actually harms the lungs. hmmm, the mystery is geting greater??

[Feng Shui Artist]

another possibility is that Feng Shui is application of the universal law of attractions.   especially if we are going to define Qi as positive and negative ions energy.   We hang around good energy area so that we attract good things into life. bad energy area attract bad things in life.  facing one's proper direction allow one to be in align with energy flow at a certain degree angle so we flow with that good energy.

just another comparison of feng shui Qi popping into my mind as I ponder on this subject.

[Cyril]

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[Feng Shui Artist]

let's just generalize it and say feng shui is 'the law of attraction at work'.     that's what we do with feng shui any ways. to attract opportunity for our needs.   Qi is the universal intelligence stuff that all things are made of. A thought from this Qi stuff will help create what we thought. it's like what is said in the book "the science of getting rich' by wallace d. wattles.

[cocodine]

let's just generalize it and say feng shui is 'the law of attraction at work'.     that's what we do with feng shui any ways. to attract opportunity for our needs.   Qi is the universal intelligence stuff that all things are made of. A thought from this Qi stuff will help create what we thought. it's like what is said in the book "the science of getting rich' by wallace d. wattles.

As my study on Qi deepens, I like to learn more in order to balance one's life.  Hence, the symbol of Tao/ Taiji often comes to mind.  Qi, it is everything physical in our known dimension and it is all potentiality, invisible but alive and moving as well as unmoving.  Although a thought is from this Qi, it is merely a thought/ potentiality unless something is done with it, like, an action/ an intention.  So, there is an interaction between what is seen (action) and what is not seen (thought).  In the end, it still revert to the One source: Qi.  I hope my explanation is understandable.