Maria Kiefer

10-10-14
Period 6

Qi Energy Reflection
There is a lot of controversy on the topic of qi energy. Qi energy literally translates into
life force and 95 cultures believe that this mysterious energy is the source of all life. The most
common believers of qi energy are the Chinese. Many of their beliefs and practices center on
the balance of qi in the body. Throughout the years, the Chinese have controlled their qi through
breath control, Tai Chi, massage, and acupuncture. Many oriental qi balancing techniques such
as touch therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic healing are still used today and many people
have found them to have positive effects on their body and are less dangerous than surgery.
Many of these alternative therapies are based on the belief that chi energy flows through the
body in pathways called meridians and by releasing energy from these meridians will balance
out the qi energy in a person. If a person's qi energy isnt balanced, they will not be healthy no
matter what is done to them.
Over the centuries, science has tried to explain the phenomenon of qi energy. Isaac
Newton tried to find it through alchemical experiments. Newtonian physics described a force
called gravity that is present on earth but had no particles and worked over long distances.
Gravity that has strange unexplainable properties similar to that of qi energy. If gravity is real
why cant qi be real? A man named Anton Mesmer believed that the life force was magnetic
fields in the body. Two scientists named William Crookes and Oliver Lodge thought that if
telegraphy was possible, why not telepathy? They thought that the life force was some how
connected with electromagnetic aether waves.
Probably the most accepted explanation for chi energy is the bioenergetic field. Unlike
the ancient idea of qi energy, it is explainable by science. Scientists know that energy flows
between organisms and their environment through natural physical and chemical processes.
Later it was theorized that the bioenergetic fields are formed by electromagnetic waves emitted
by humans. This energy field is called an aura. Auras can be photographed with infrared light
and are created by the random movement of charged particles in the body caused by heat. So
far though, the has been no field or particle that is identified as uniquely biological. But when
looking into scientific laws, if chi energy was real, many laws would have to be revised. So far
science has been unable to explain qi energy.
My thinking on this problem has evolved. I know see why it is so hard to consider qi
energy as real. There are three main beliefs on qi energy. They are qi is a separate force from
the physical world, qi comes from physical matter, and all matter arises from qi energy. Two of
these ideas are scientifically illogical and no particle or force has been found that is special to
only matter. This is an important problem to think about because if it is real, a lot of our science
is incorrect.
There is no immediate solution to discovering qi energy. We must also remember that
many medicines are based on qi energy and if it wasnt real, how come many people have
found relief without surgery and doctors are still recommending them today. Many martial artists
claim to use qi energy and are able to do things that normal people cannot do. Science is
unable to explain how qi energy based arts are able to work the way they do and scientists are
not able to explain the phenomenon of qi energy. What must also be considered is that many
people may not want to have qi energy explained because a lot of laws and principals may have
to be rewritten.
My thoughts on the solution have evolved. I think that we do not have the scientific
capabilities to explain chi energy. Just like we do not have the capability to measure how big the
universe is. Just like religion, qi energy is something that can only be experienced and believed.
This is why qi energy is so controversial.