Qi (齊 or Chi)
Qi (齊 or Chi) is the invisible life force or spiritual energy that permeates the natural world. It is believed to be the vital energy that flows through all living things, connecting the physical and spiritual realms. It is the life force that animates all living things and is inherent in the natural world. Chi is also considered the fundamental building block of the universe and the driving force behind all physical and spiritual things.
This energy also flows through pathways in the body called meridians, which connect vital organs and systems. It is said to be harnessed and manipulated through practices such as Qigong, Tai Chi, and Acupuncture. In Chinese medicine, the balance and flow of Qi is believed to be essential for physical, mental, and spiritual enlightenment. Qi can be traced back to ancient Chinese philosophers like Confucius and Laozi in 551 to 479 B.C.
HISTORY
The History of Chi
Chi is the breath of life and is said to flow in synchronicity with the cosmos. This life force is believed to carry the essence of the deceased, linking the living with their ancestors.
Imagine Qi as the invisible thread that weaves together the fabric of the universe. It’s not just the energy that flows through living beings, but it also permeates the environment, binding everything in a harmonious balance. Chi gives life its vitality and dynamism. It’s the essence that powers the natural phenomena—from the blowing of the wind to the growth of plants.
The act of burning joss paper is deeply intertwined with the concept of Qi. It is more than just a symbolic gesture. It’s a ritual to enhance and transmit Qi. By burning these offerings, the living can infuse their ancestors’ spirits with the necessary energy to thrive in the afterlife. This act not only ensures the comfort and prosperity of the deceased but also maintains the flow of Qi between generations. It keeps the family lineage spiritually connected and balanced.
Through the interplay of Qi, the material world and the spiritual realm find a point of convergence. It’s a dance of energies, harmonizing the material and spiritual realms, the tangible and the celestial. This ancient wisdom of Qi continues to influence and enrich cultural and spiritual practices in modern times. It is especially influential during sacred rituals like the Qingming Festival 清明節 and Zhong Yuan Jie Festival.
ABOUT CHI
Digitised “chi”
Burning joss paper, which often resembles money or other valuable items, is believed to send wealth and prosperity to ancestors in the spiritual realm. The ritual symbolises the transfer of Qi from the living to the deceased, ensuring their well-being and comfort in the afterlife.
Smoke from the burning of joss paper rises and is thought to carry prayers and blessings to the ancestors. This creates a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. It is a way to honour and provide for the deceased, reinforcing the bond between the living and the dead. The practice is a powerful spiritual one, embodying the principles of Qi, family, community, and the flow of life and death. It is a way for the living to demonstrate their love and respect for their ancestors, ensuring their spirits are cared for and remembered.
Today, digital joss paper offerings provide ancestors and worshipers with a deeper spiritual experience, bypassing traditional physical boundaries. Digital joss paper is said to be vaporized into electromagnetic energy, transforming the offering into spiritual or vital energy. This energy, infused with the giver’s intentions and emotions, can permeate the Qi (齊) and travel into the fabric of the universe. It transcends the boundary between the material world and the spiritual realm, allowing ancestors to receive and experience the offering on a deeper level.
This digitised “Qi” can traverse time and space, connecting the living with the ancestors. By sending digital joss paper into the ethos, we can imagine the Qi carrying the essence of the offering to the ancestors in a more efficient, accessible manner. This bypasses traditional physical boundaries and eliminates dangerous chemical pollutants that disrupt the balance of Qi and nature.
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Download the app for free
Treasure me is a free, digital joss paper platform (app) available on your android & apple phone.
