Is it the Qi that I'm working with?

[tommyprotramp]

 

I will describe my own journey to you, it will be a little long, and then ask my question to you.

 

I'm 32 today. My journey into the 'Qi Realm' started in my teens. My parents were interested in natural therapies, and that influenced me as well. I was born with mild scoliosis, so my doctor recommended ballroom dancing and swimming; later, my parents signed me up for Aikido. I fixed my scoliosis, and thanks to Aikido, I learned how to fall safely.

 

Then, I became fascinated with Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. This led to six months of Kyokushin Karate, a few years of Leung Ting Wing Tsun, and frequent (though irregular) practice of the Yang Taiji 24 Form, which I learned from videos. I wanted to learn to protect myself from bullies; thanks to Wing Tsun, I finally could. It 'saved my life,' so to speak.

 

A few months later, it was time to decide what to do with my life. My late grandmother suggested massage therapy, as I was fascinated by the image of the old martial artist with white hair and a beard who could heal others with his bare hands. After two years, I officially became a massage therapist.

 

In the meantime, during one of my Taiji sessions, I noticed a strange phenomenon: a flowing warmth filling my body, behaving much like a tide. From that point on, whenever this feeling appeared, my skin reacted with piloerection (goosebumps). I interpreted this as my Qi, but I wasn't sure. At first, it was spontaneous - appearing during Taiji or while watching a movie where the protagonist finally overcomes a tribulation or defeats the antagonist.
Later, out of curiosity, I started visualizing those movie scenes to trigger the phenomenon. Eventually, visualization became unnecessary; I gained the ability to summon the feeling at will, as easily as moving a limb. I noticed that summoning it provided relief from winter cold or summer heat. When I was tired while jogging, it gave me more stamina. Later, I learned to control it further; for example, I can concentrate the sensation in only one hand, and the goosebumps appear only there. Breathing helps, but it also works while I hold my breath.
Finally, I noticed that during a headache, I could concentrate this phenomenon in the area of pain for relief. It doesn't always work, but it often helps; other times, I still need a pill. It has also helped with throat irritation and nausea.

 

After a few years, I saw a video of Chunyi Lin saying, 'During this Qigong, you will feel goosebumps all over your body,' which gave me some reassurance.

During those years, I studied everything available in English regarding Oriental medicine: Energy work, Daoist Neidan, Reiki, Jerry A. Johnson’s books on Medical Qigong, and Wai Qi Liao Fa. Yet, no source mentioned my goosebumps.

 

I began using Touch for Health (Applied Kinesiology) in my practice. I developed a method where the patient lies on their back while I stand with slightly bent knees. I draw Earth Qi through the Yongquan points and Heaven Qi through the Baihui point, combining them in my lower Dantian. I then direct this Qi to my eyes or the Laogong points on my palms to send it to the patient. I visualize the Qi as light. When it moves through my body, I feel that same warmth and goosebumps.

 

Regarding Qigong, I consider myself a Sàn Xiū ( 散修 ). I took a few Taiji lessons in person, but my teacher couldn't help me with Qi healing, so I stopped attending. I didn't want just physical exercise or martial applications; I yearned for real Qi work. To this day, it is all about self-study and knowing my own body, myself.

This brings me to my question: During your own journey, have you heard anything from Daoists, monks, or practitioners regarding these goosebumps? Is this truly the Qi I am working with?
 

[justjoseph]

2 hours ago, tommyprotramp said:

 

 

I will describe my own journey to you, it will be a little long, and then ask my question to you.

 

I'm 32 today. My journey into the 'Qi Realm' started in my teens. My parents were interested in natural therapies, and that influenced me as well. I was born with mild scoliosis, so my doctor recommended ballroom dancing and swimming; later, my parents signed me up for Aikido. I fixed my scoliosis, and thanks to Aikido, I learned how to fall safely.

 

Then, I became fascinated with Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. This led to six months of Kyokushin Karate, a few years of Leung Ting Wing Tsun, and frequent (though irregular) practice of the Yang Taiji 24 Form, which I learned from videos. I wanted to learn to protect myself from bullies; thanks to Wing Tsun, I finally could. It 'saved my life,' so to speak.

 

A few months later, it was time to decide what to do with my life. My late grandmother suggested massage therapy, as I was fascinated by the image of the old martial artist with white hair and a beard who could heal others with his bare hands. After two years, I officially became a massage therapist.

 

In the meantime, during one of my Taiji sessions, I noticed a strange phenomenon: a flowing warmth filling my body, behaving much like a tide. From that point on, whenever this feeling appeared, my skin reacted with piloerection (goosebumps). I interpreted this as my Qi, but I wasn't sure. At first, it was spontaneous - appearing during Taiji or while watching a movie where the protagonist finally overcomes a tribulation or defeats the antagonist.
Later, out of curiosity, I started visualizing those movie scenes to trigger the phenomenon. Eventually, visualization became unnecessary; I gained the ability to summon the feeling at will, as easily as moving a limb. I noticed that summoning it provided relief from winter cold or summer heat. When I was tired while jogging, it gave me more stamina. Later, I learned to control it further; for example, I can concentrate the sensation in only one hand, and the goosebumps appear only there. Breathing helps, but it also works while I hold my breath.
Finally, I noticed that during a headache, I could concentrate this phenomenon in the area of pain for relief. It doesn't always work, but it often helps; other times, I still need a pill. It has also helped with throat irritation and nausea.

 

After a few years, I saw a video of Chunyi Lin saying, 'During this Qigong, you will feel goosebumps all over your body,' which gave me some reassurance.

During those years, I studied everything available in English regarding Oriental medicine: Energy work, Daoist Neidan, Reiki, Jerry A. Johnson’s books on Medical Qigong, and Wai Qi Liao Fa. Yet, no source mentioned my goosebumps.

 

I began using Touch for Health (Applied Kinesiology) in my practice. I developed a method where the patient lies on their back while I stand with slightly bent knees. I draw Earth Qi through the Yongquan points and Heaven Qi through the Baihui point, combining them in my lower Dantian. I then direct this Qi to my eyes or the Laogong points on my palms to send it to the patient. I visualize the Qi as light. When it moves through my body, I feel that same warmth and goosebumps.

 

Regarding Qigong, I consider myself a Sàn Xiū ( 散修 ). I took a few Taiji lessons in person, but my teacher couldn't help me with Qi healing, so I stopped attending. I didn't want just physical exercise or martial applications; I yearned for real Qi work. To this day, it is all about self-study and knowing my own body, myself.

This brings me to my question: During your own journey, have you heard anything from Daoists, monks, or practitioners regarding these goosebumps? Is this truly the Qi I am working with?
 

@小梦想
I will link a person who has experience healing people with qi, he may be able to give a good explanation. 

It's not linking for some reason, but if you search his name AuthenticNeigong in youtube it will come up with some things that you might be interested in.

Edited 2 hours ago by justjoseph

[cake1234566]

Goosebumps aren't specifically a symptom of qi flow (though i guess that gets complicated as some medicinal systems attribute everything to qi)
You've basically trained your nervous system to release a small amount adrenaline similar to what a person gets when they see an exciting movie or an emotional song, the warmth is a better sign that's more often spoken about

Goosebumps are a sign that you're using your emotions in the healing which depending on your system of practice may be good or bad, but it is a diagnostic to be aware of

 

The eight touches of qi are common things that all practitioners may experience, i cant find a google english source at the moment so im using a rough translation from a chinese site:

 

"Movement : Irregular or regular vibrations such as shaking or jumping of the body.

Itching : Breath enters the tiny nerve endings, causing the body to itch.

Cool/Cold : When the consciousness enters the water element, the body experiences a feeling of coldness.

Warmth : When the heart is filled with fire, the body experiences fever, heat, or sweating.

Lightness : When the mind is in the wind, the body feels light and airy, like clouds or dust, with a sense of flight.

Heaviness : When the heart sinks into the earth, the body feels unusually heavy, like a giant boulder.

Roughness : The feeling of roughness or lack of smoothness in the body.

Smoothness : The feeling of oiliness or slipperiness on the body. "

 

These of course all have different meanings in different systems of practice, they're generally nothing to worry about unless they become excessively unpleasant

[tommyprotramp]

25 minutes ago, cake1234566 said:

Goosebumps are a sign that you're using your emotions in the healing which depending on your system of practice may be good or bad, but it is a diagnostic to be aware of

 

It was indeed emotional at first, but now it is just like moving a part of my body, emotions aren't included. 

 

To straight this out, I'm not summoning goosebumps themselves (piloerection), I'm summoning the warmness where the goosebumps (piloerection) are the side effect, physical reaction of my body to this flowing warmness. 

 

The Qi is flowing so strongly that my body reacts to it with piloerection, that's my working theory for now...

Edited 1 hour ago by tommyprotramp

[cake1234566]

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-do-you-get-goosebumps
Goosebumps are caused by emotional arousal or intense cold, it may be unintentional but that is what they're a sign of
Likely from the process by which you draw chi into yourself, drawing it through the sky and earth physically and psychologically excites the nervous system
Not inherently a good or bad thing its just something to be aware of in the context of your specific practice

[tommyprotramp]

45 minutes ago, justjoseph said:

if you search his name AuthenticNeigong in youtube

 

I've send him an e-mail, maybe he will answer. Thanks.

[tommyprotramp]

9 minutes ago, cake1234566 said:

Goosebumps are caused by emotional arousal or intense cold

 

Yes, I'm aware of biomedical explanation of this.

I'm more interested about Chinese, Daoist or even Yogic take on it.

Edited 1 hour ago by tommyprotramp

[Sahaja]

I can only share my experience. There are many possible signs of qi and there are specific markers on the path of development depending on the path /guide you follow.. I think the 8 signs of qi described above is one classical attempt to articulate them. However there are differences from person to person both in what arises and how one subjectively experiences/describes them. While it’s easy to get  excited by these manifestations, it’s important to keep one’s perspective to avoid attachment to outcomes.  If one gets overly attached to a specific outcome one’s body may respond by replicating it over and over, creating a rut where development stagnates. My understanding is that these manifestations should change as you progress through the process. Best to work with a guide to help you understand and respond to what arises. If nothing else responding with indifference to the effects is often the most powerful path to take. I am actually saying this as much to myself as to you. This week I started some new practices and the effects were new and quite strong…this is reminding myself to be casual and accepting of them. It’s easy for the mind to take these experiences, get excited  and run with them which is not very helpful in the long run. 

Edited 31 minutes ago by Sahaja

[tommyprotramp]

26 minutes ago, Sahaja said:

I can only share my experience.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

From my own experience, I believe the sensation of Qi is an indicator of effective work - the so-called De Qi.

When I work with patients as a therapist, they also feel my Qi as heat, both through physical touch and when I emit Qi from a distance of three centimeters. In acupuncture, the goal is for De Qi to occur; therefore, these sensations are very important.

In my understanding, they are indicators that you are working with Qi correctly.

 

It is thanks to those feelings that we know the Qi even exists within us.