Qigong Meditation

This is usually translated as Work or Cultivation.

Some healers call themselves ‘energy workers.’ Cultivation is a common term for meditative, energetic exercises, one that is used in farming as an effective metaphor. To cultivate a plant is to plan, water, weed, prune, and then harvest. Cultivating Qi requires many aspects as well, a comprehensive approach to body and spirit. This goes beyond conventional notions of exercise.

We can have fun looking at the Chinese character for Gong: 功

You can look at another page on this site about the meaning of Qi, the character on the left above. Gong is comprised of two parts: a builder’s square and a strong arm.

1. The builder’s square suggests skillful planning. The square is at an angle, denoting something dynamic and not too rigid.
2. The strong arm has a cross in it, which is how we build strength through encountering obstacles or opposition. The crossing line then drops down to find common ground on the earth, parallel and harmonious to the opposite downward line.

Research shows that Qigong develops strength and endurance, even though the heart rate never elevates and the muscles are not unduly stressed.

Contrast this with western ideals, concepts and training for strength that you grew up with. This usually involves hardness, one-way movement, and force emphasized over planning.