About the Author Introduction Forewords PART ONE. GENERAL INTRODUCTION Chapter 1. Introduction 1-1. Prelude 1-2. General Definition of Qì and Qìgōng 1-3. About This Book Chapter 2. History of Qìgōng 2-1. Before the Hàn Dynasty (Before 206 BCE) 2-2. From the Hàn Dynasty to the Beginning of the Liáng Dynasty (206 BCE-502 CE) 2-3. From the Liáng Dynasty to the End of the Qīng Dynasty (502 CE- 1911 CE) 2-4. From the End of the Qīng Dynasty to the Present (After 1911 CE) Chapter 3. Basic Concepts of Qìgōng 3-1. The Three Treasures – Jīng, Qì, and Shén 3-2. Yì and Xīn 3-3. Elixir Field 3-4. Three Flowers Reach the Top 3-5. Five Qì’s Toward Their Origins Chapter 4. Qì and the Human Body 4-1. About Qì 4-2. Qì and Bio-Electromagnetic Energy 4-3. Some Hypotheses 4-4. Opening the Qì Gates Chapter5. Categories of Qìgōng 5-1. Qìgōng and Religion 5-2. Categories of Qìgōng Chapter6. Qìgōng Theory 6-1. Introduction 6-2. External Elixir 6-3. Internal Elixir PART TWO. GENERAL KEYS TO QÌGŌNG TRAINING Chapter 7. General Concepts 7-1. Introduction 7-2. Building Qì 7-3. Kǎn and Lí Chapter 8. Regulating the Body 8-1. Introduction 8-2. Relaxation Theory 8-3. Relaxation Practice 8-4. Rooting, Centering, and Balancing Chapter 9. Regulating the Breath 9-1. Breathing and Health 9-2. Regulating the Breath 9-3. The Different Methods of Qìgōng Breathing 9-4. General Keys to Regulating Normal Breathing 9-5. Six Stages of Regulating the Breath Chapter 10. Regulating the Emotional Mind 10-1. Introduction 10-2. Xīn, Yì, and Niàn 10-3. Methods of Stopping Thought 10-4. Yì and Qì 10-5. Yì and the Five Organs 10-6. Xīn, Yì, and Shén Chapter 11. Regulating the Essence 11-1. Introduction 11-2. Strengthening Your Kidneys 11-3. Regulating the Essence Chapter 12. Regulating the Qì 12-1. Introduction 12-2. What Qì Should be Regulated? 12-3. Regulating the Qì Chapter 13. Regulating the Spirit 13-1. Introduction 13-2. Regulating the Spirit Chapter 14. Important Points in Qìgōng Practice 14-1. Introduction 14-2. Common Experiences for Qìgōng Beginners 14-3. Sensations Commonly Experienced in Still Meditation 14-4. Deviations and Corrections 14-5. Twenty-Four Rules for Qìgōng Practice PART THREE. THE QÌ CHANNELS AND VESSELS Chapter 15. General Concepts 15-1. Introduction Chapter 16. The Twelve Primary Qì Channels 16-1. Introduction 16-2. The Twelve Primary Channels 16-3. Important Points Chapter 17. The Eight Extraordinary Qì Vessels 17-1. Introduction 17-2. The Eight Extraordinary Vessels PART FOUR. CONCLUSION Chapter 18. One Hundred and One Questions Chapter 19. Conclusion Appendix A. Translation and Glossary of Chinese Terms Index