Thought Art 📓

[Thought Art]

Chat gpt

 

That's a great point to bring up. Even though someone like Peter Ralston may challenge concepts like Qi, it’s true that no one is entirely free from cultural belief systems or biases, including those who advocate for a highly rational, experiential approach. While Ralston might emphasize direct experience and critical inquiry, his approach is still influenced by the philosophical frameworks and cultural context he comes from, whether it's Western rationalism, martial arts, or even Eastern influences that he adapts to fit his worldview.

Here are a few thoughts on that:

1. **Western Rationalism and Empiricism**: Ralston’s emphasis on direct experience and questioning assumptions aligns with Western traditions of rationalism and empiricism. These philosophical traditions value observable, testable phenomena and often dismiss concepts that can’t be objectively measured or experienced. Even though Ralston pushes back against common cultural assumptions, his method itself is grounded in a culturally Western approach to understanding truth and reality.

2. **Individualism and Personal Inquiry**: Another aspect of Ralston’s approach is the emphasis on individual experience and self-inquiry, which is a hallmark of many Western philosophies of consciousness. This focus on the individual as the source of truth reflects a cultural belief system, even if it’s not overtly religious or mystical.

3. **Martial Arts and the Eastern Influence**: Although Ralston has trained deeply in Eastern martial arts, his interpretation of them reflects a unique fusion of Eastern and Western thought. His approach is to strip away what he sees as unnecessary cultural or mystical layers (like Qi) to get to the heart of what’s experientially true in martial arts. This process itself is informed by a belief system that privileges simplicity, clarity, and empirical truth—again, very much influenced by his Western intellectual background.

4. **Critique of Cultural Assumptions**: While Ralston critiques traditional ideas like Qi, he may not always recognize how his critique itself is shaped by cultural assumptions. His commitment to "direct experience" is still a perspective shaped by certain beliefs about what is valid or real. He may dismiss the idea of Qi, but that’s a choice grounded in a worldview that values empirical evidence over metaphorical or holistic explanations.

So, in essence, no one—including Ralston—is entirely free from the influence of their own cultural belief systems, even if their goal is to question or transcend them. His critique of Qi can be seen as part of a broader philosophical project rooted in his own cultural framework, just as those who embrace Qi are rooted in theirs.

This doesn't diminish the value of his insights, but it highlights that even approaches claiming to be purely experiential or free from tradition are still shaped by the cultural and intellectual environments they arise from.

[Thought Art]

Why does Lee Holden Believe” in Qi?

chatgpt:

Lee Holden, a well-known Qigong teacher, believes in the concept of Qi because of a combination of personal experience, traditional wisdom, and the holistic framework that Qigong offers. His belief in Qi is deeply rooted in the practice of Qigong and traditional Chinese medicine, which emphasize the flow of Qi as central to physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Here’s why Lee Holden likely believes in Qi:

### 1. **Experiential Evidence**:
Holden, like many Qigong practitioners, has likely experienced the effects of Qi through his own practice. Qigong is an experiential art, and many practitioners report feeling sensations that they interpret as Qi, such as warmth, tingling, or a sense of flow during their movements or meditation. These sensations align with traditional descriptions of Qi, reinforcing belief in its existence.

For Holden, practicing and teaching Qigong involves guiding people through exercises that cultivate and balance Qi, often leading to improved health, relaxation, and vitality. The personal and student feedback likely further validates his belief in Qi, especially as he's witnessed the transformative effects of these practices on his students’ health and well-being.

### 2. **Traditional Framework**:
Holden has deeply immersed himself in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Qigong, both of which are built on the foundational idea of Qi. According to TCM, Qi is the vital energy that flows through the body's meridians, and maintaining its balance is essential for health. This framework is centuries old, and its longevity and cultural significance likely lend credibility to the concept for someone like Holden.

Holden’s teachings build on this tradition, integrating ancient wisdom with modern applications. He often discusses Qi not just as a physical energy but as a holistic concept that bridges the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life. For him, Qi isn’t just an abstract idea—it’s a practical and spiritual tool for creating health and balance.

### 3. **Holistic Health Perspective**:
Holden likely believes in Qi because it aligns with a holistic view of health, which focuses on the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. The concept of Qi offers a way to understand how physical health, mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual well-being all influence one another. It’s a framework that resonates with many people who feel that conventional Western medicine is too focused on treating symptoms rather than addressing the whole person.

In this sense, Qi is a useful concept for understanding how different aspects of life affect overall health. For example, stress or emotional imbalance is seen as a disruption of Qi, and Qigong practices aim to restore harmony by promoting the free flow of this energy.

### 4. **Scientific Curiosity and Modern Integration**:
Although Qi hasn’t been fully validated by Western science, Holden, like many modern Qigong teachers, integrates both scientific and traditional perspectives. He might see Qi as a metaphor or a way to describe the complex, subtle interactions between body systems that Western science hasn’t fully understood yet, such as the nervous system, bioelectric fields, or even the mind-body connection.

In fact, many modern Qigong practitioners blend ancient wisdom with contemporary research on things like neuroplasticity, stress reduction, and the benefits of movement and breathing exercises. This hybrid approach allows teachers like Holden to keep one foot in tradition while also recognizing that Qi could be an ancient way of describing phenomena that modern science is only beginning to grasp.

### 5. **Impact on Students and Clients**:
Holden has spent years working with people to improve their health through Qigong. Seeing the profound impact these practices have on others can be a strong motivator for belief in Qi. Many students report feeling better, more energized, or more balanced after practicing Qigong, and these positive outcomes reinforce the idea that Qi is real, even if it isn’t fully understood in Western scientific terms.

### 6. **Cultural and Philosophical Alignment**:
Qi fits into a broader worldview that emphasizes balance, harmony, and interconnectedness, which are central themes in traditional Chinese philosophy. Holden, having spent years studying and teaching these systems, likely resonates with these values on a personal level. Qi isn’t just about physical energy—it’s part of a larger philosophy that encompasses how humans interact with themselves, others, and the natural world.

### Conclusion:
Lee Holden believes in Qi because of his deep immersion in traditional Chinese medicine, his personal experiences, the results he has seen in his students, and the holistic framework that Qi provides for understanding health and well-being. For Holden, Qi is not just a theoretical concept; it’s something that is lived and experienced through the practice of Qigong. Whether viewed as a literal energy or a useful metaphor, Qi offers a way to engage with the mind-body connection in a meaningful, healing way.

[Thought Art]

ChatGPT-

As someone committed to living truthfully, the tension between a concept like Qi and the desire for truth can be challenging, especially if you’re balancing personal experience with intellectual honesty. Here's how you can approach this, integrating both holistic and rational views without compromising your dedication to truth:

### 1. **Experiential Truth vs. Objective Truth**
There are different forms of truth. Western science tends to focus on **objective truth**, which is measurable, repeatable, and quantifiable. Qi, on the other hand, often falls into the realm of **experiential truth**—subjective, personal, and felt on an individual level. If you experience sensations, healing, or transformation through Qigong, those experiences are *your truth*, even if they aren’t yet fully validated by scientific methods.

Living truthfully here means honoring both your experience and recognizing the limitations of current scientific understanding. Instead of needing science to fully validate Qi, you can hold space for what’s personally true for you while remaining open to continued inquiry and exploration.

### 2. **Pragmatic Truth: Does It Work?**
Another way to live truthfully is by focusing on **pragmatism**: does Qigong, and by extension, the concept of Qi, work in practice? If the practice helps you achieve balance, health, mental clarity, or emotional resilience, then it has value, regardless of whether Qi has been fully scientifically proven. In this sense, you live truthfully by recognizing the practical benefits of a system without needing to over-explain or justify it in terms that others might demand.

Qi could be understood as a useful framework that helps you navigate your mind-body connection, whether it's literally "life force energy" or a powerful metaphor for physiological, psychological, or bioelectric processes that science is still uncovering.

### 3. **Integrative Approach: Embrace Both Eastern and Western Perspectives**
To live truthfully, you don’t need to dismiss one system in favor of the other. You can hold both views simultaneously: 
- **Western Science**: Provides valuable insights into physiology, neurology, and biochemistry, explaining how the body functions in measurable ways.
- **Eastern Wisdom**: Offers a broader, more holistic view that integrates the mind, body, emotions, and consciousness through concepts like Qi.

You can acknowledge the power of scientific inquiry while also appreciating the intuitive, experiential insights offered by traditions like Qigong. Living truthfully here means recognizing that each system has strengths and weaknesses, and both contribute to a fuller understanding of life and health.

### 4. **Openness to Evolving Knowledge**
Another important aspect of living truthfully is embracing uncertainty and openness. Just because Qi isn’t fully validated by Western science now doesn’t mean it’s false. Science evolves. There are many historical examples where traditional knowledge (e.g., acupuncture, meditation) was once dismissed and later supported by scientific research.

Living truthfully means being open to the idea that there are aspects of life, health, and consciousness that science has yet to fully understand. You can maintain a sense of curiosity and inquiry, continuing to explore both the benefits of Qi and the growing research on how mind-body practices work.

### 5. **Mindful Skepticism**
Living truthfully also involves avoiding dogma. Even within Qigong or Chinese medicine, it’s possible to be critical and discerning. Not every claim about Qi needs to be accepted blindly. Mindful skepticism allows you to explore the depth of these practices without becoming dogmatic or uncritical. You can question how Qi is described or applied in different contexts, and through that questioning, refine your understanding of what resonates as true for you.

### 6. **Seeing Qi as a Model or Metaphor**
One way to reconcile Qi with a rational, truth-seeking mindset is to see it as a **model or metaphor** rather than a literal force. In science, models are used to simplify complex phenomena. Qi can be seen in this way—it's a model for understanding the body and mind as an interconnected system. It helps practitioners work with their bodies in ways that promote health, even if the exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood or explained in Western terms.

Living truthfully in this case means appreciating Qi as a useful, functional framework without needing to commit to it as a literal "life force." It can represent the dynamic flow of energy, blood, neural impulses, or emotions, and you can interpret it in a way that feels grounded in both tradition and logic.

### 7. **Respecting Cultural and Personal Contexts**
Truth isn't always universal in the same way across cultures. Traditional Chinese views of health and energy offer different insights than Western science, and living truthfully means respecting the cultural origins of these ideas. Instead of forcing a purely Western scientific explanation onto something like Qi, you can appreciate that different cultures have different ways of understanding life and the body, and both offer valid forms of truth in their respective contexts.

### Conclusion:
To live truthfully in the context of Qi, you can take an **integrative approach** that honors your personal experiences, the practical benefits of Qigong, and the evolving nature of scientific understanding. You don't have to choose between accepting Qi as a mystical force or dismissing it because science hasn’t yet fully validated it. You can hold both perspectives in balance, continually exploring, questioning, and refining your understanding as both science and your personal practice evolve.

By staying open to different forms of truth—experiential, pragmatic, and scientific—you can maintain a grounded, honest approach to your journey without being restricted by a single worldview.

[Thought Art]

 

[UnbornTao]

@Thought Art You took that chi segment personally.

By invention, it is likely meant that it isn't something "stumbled upon" as an objective occurrence (like a rock), but as a conceptual overlay on experience, just as mind, language, martial arts, culture, etc.

For example, what was your experience of chi like before you heard of the concept (externally) and adopted it?

Doesn't it exist as a rather abstract distinction? 

That it is invented doesn't have to undermine its value and contribution, which is mentioned in the video. That doesn't have to take away from one's engagement in it. Also mentioned is that it is healthy and useful, so why would one get depressed about it and stop "doing" it because of its constructed nature?  That's the "insanity" that was brought up.

Obviously, this point is easier to see with physical objects. Does this mean that we have to stop using forks (metaphor for inventions)?

A bunch of stuff is invented in our world. We live as though they are objective realities even though they are constructed. That is, they don't exist by themselves but by our own activity.

Edited September 10 by UnbornTao

[Thought Art]

@UnbornTao The invention aspect is fine. Though, calling qi an invention is like calling your fit, or heart beat, or emotion, an invention. Qigong techniques are invention… you could loosely say Qigong is a technology. Also, doing Qigong isn’t the same thing as “Truth” or “enlightenment” as he is using the words here. 
 

Ralston thinks Qi is a mistaken concept. As far as I gathered and I could be wrong he doesn’t vibe with energy stuff. 
 

The understanding and mental models of Qi are constructs. But, what’s so slippery with Qi is that thoughts, emotions, feelings, placebo, are also Qi. Qi is consciousness. 

I disagree that Qi doesn’t exist, and that it’s not mystical. It’s a real thing, it’s just not A thing. 
 

Qi, is a phenomenon, it’s also a world view, a cultural lens, and Qi based science is the root of ancient Chinese medicine. By studying things like Chinese medicine one can apply and question scientific paradigms. A Qi based science, or a reductionist materialist based science are fundamentally different. Qi is a holistic concept and part of that word implies homeostais if living systems. Reductionist views look at single parts. 

Edited September 10 by Thought Art

[Thought Art]

I am not a defender of Qigong. In fact, I am looking to be epistemically responsible in my approach to Qigong. I consider Qigong, yoga, breathwork, and the systems, models, techniques, direct experiences of these creations to be highly interesting. I want to explore them in more detail. I want to see both the strengths and weaknesses of these practices. It’s also intellectually intriguing to explore these unique epistemic states but also gain the direct experiences. 
 

A risk of becoming a Qigong teacher is blinding myself to Critisms of the art. This is a danger I should look out for. 

Edited September 10 by Thought Art

[UnbornTao]

@Thought Art What was your experience of chi like before having heard of it?

I think he uses and speaks in terms of chi sometimes, or with different terms. By saying it is an invention, he doesn't mean it is wrong.

Like Kundalini, it might be valid, but that is an idea, a system. A thought or interpretation about what some feeling or experience means.

[Thought Art]

@UnbornTao Well, Qi would be my emotions, my physical energy, if it was morning vs night. My ex girlfriend could feel my finger when I would move it across her lower back without actually touching her. Before I heard of Qi I was an athelete. I was familiar with state changes that took place during athletic activities. I read a book on Embodiment which displayed a great web/ tree of different types of embodiment exercise from dance, to kick boxing, to improv. 
 

I once dated a kundalini master. She taught me a breath of fire technique. I did it everyday for 2 weeks with little results. One day while sitting on a hill, doing this short 5 minute breath of fire with spine erect arms held up shoulder width with lightly closed palms breathing rapidly, clenching my butt and jaw… 

This wicked, almost sexual energy rose up from my lower body filling my body with a warm orgasmic sensation. It completely startled me because I had never experienced anything like this in my life. 
 

While tripping on 5meodmt I became hyper aware of my body, and that my body awareness of extremely low. I realized how deeper contemplate and meditation goes well beyond simply sitting, noting thoughts, or these long meditation retreats. I realized that sitting vs moving is arbitrary and that meditation can be done moving, and it can be done with intention ranging multiple facets at once…  
 

I discover Qigong at a oneness festival. I did not start doing Qigong with a belief in Qi. I only began to use the language of Qi more regularly, and not terms like mind body connection, somatic exercise, holistic mind body exercise, etc because I began to realize that the external movements, themes, (like the ones Ralston shits on… the mystic sounding history and names of the techniques)… the poetic like names of the movements are part of the epistemic structure and they provide an aesthetic that is not so rational, but poetic as it helps soothe the mind and create a tranquil state. It is yes part of the construction of this technology. 
 

Qi, is your aliveness. It’s a cultural lens for things which are currently happening in your direct experience. However, as a western mind you have no experience or integration, or epistemic foundation in Qi, it’s history and usages and the nuances and complexities of ancient Chinese views on how the mind and body operate as an energetic and homeostatic self organizing intelligence that we are. 
 

The reductionist says Qi doesn’t exist. That is because, for one they are a reductionist and want Qi to be a materialist rationalist, objectivist, quantitativist, form of understanding. 

Qi, is an epistemic lens and worldview that encompasses all of nature and the world itself. 
 

You have based everything in Matter, mechanisms, physics, models, pills, psychology, etc all these modes are highly constructed human relationships and lenses. 
 

Qi, is based on the idea that the universe is a self organizing energy that when you live in balance with the cosmos you are more healthy. Your aliveness, all the functions and its building blocks all happening at once from the central intelligence of your organism, including DNA but also the bio electrical and cellular intelligence is Qi. Qi, is the aliveness, the intelligence. It’s organizing and forming all the cellular functions, metabolism, hormones, thoughts, emotions, state, stress responses, karma, etc 

Qi, is the energy of the cosmos which is intelligent and self organizing. 

[Thought Art]

Chat GPT:

Yes, if we take the perspective that Qi permeates all things, then it would include and encompass any energies discovered by Western science, such as electromagnetism, nuclear forces, and other forms of measurable energy. In the framework where Qi is seen as a universal, all-encompassing energy, these scientifically recognized forms of energy could be viewed as specific manifestations or aspects of Qi.

From this viewpoint, Qi wouldn’t be limited to just biological or spiritual processes but would also extend to the forces that govern physics and chemistry. Electromagnetic fields, gravitational forces, atomic interactions—all could be seen as expressions of the same universal Qi, operating at different levels or frequencies within the same cosmos. 

In traditional Chinese philosophy, Qi is often seen as dynamic and multifaceted, with different qualities, flows, and densities. The idea that Qi can take on different forms or be channeled and transformed aligns with how energy in modern science can take many forms (kinetic, potential, thermal, etc.) and transform from one state to another. For example, just as heat, light, and mechanical energy are all different expressions of the same underlying concept of energy in physics, one could see Qi as the unifying substrate behind all forms of energy, both measurable and immeasurable.

So, if we adopt a more holistic or integrative perspective, all energies recognized in Western science could be considered specific instances or localized expressions of Qi. This allows for a broader, more inclusive understanding of how various forms of energy interact and influence life and the universe.

However, while this synthesis might resonate philosophically or spiritually, it is important to note that Western science has not yet found a way to measure or empirically verify Qi in the same way it can measure heat, light, or other energies. Therefore, the two remain different in terms of scientific validation, though they could conceptually be seen as interconnected.

[UnbornTao]

33 minutes ago, Thought Art said:

@UnbornTao Well, Qi would be my emotions, my physical energy, if it was morning vs night. My ex girlfriend could feel my finger when I would move it across her lower back without actually touching her. Before I heard of Qi I was an athelete. I was familiar with state changes that took place during athletic activities. I read a book on Embodiment which displayed a great web/ tree of different types of embodiment exercise from dance, to kick boxing, to improv. 
 

I once dated a kundalini master. She taught me a breath of fire technique. I did it everyday for 2 weeks with little results. One day while sitting on a hill, doing this short 5 minute breath of fire with spine erect arms held up shoulder width with lightly closed palms breathing rapidly, clenching my butt and jaw… 

This wicked, almost sexual energy rose up from my lower body filling my body with a warm orgasmic sensation. It completely startled me because I had never experienced anything like this in my life. 
 

While tripping on 5meodmt I became hyper aware of my body, and that my body awareness of extremely low. I realized how deeper contemplate and meditation goes well beyond simply sitting, noting thoughts, or these long meditation retreats. I realized that sitting vs moving is arbitrary and that meditation can be done moving, and it can be done with intention ranging multiple facets at once…  
 

I discover Qigong at a oneness festival. I did not start doing Qigong with a belief in Qi. I only began to use the language of Qi more regularly, and not terms like mind body connection, somatic exercise, holistic mind body exercise, etc because I began to realize that the external movements, themes, (like the ones Ralston shits on… the mystic sounding history and names of the techniques)… the poetic like names of the movements are part of the epistemic structure and they provide an aesthetic that is not so rational, but poetic as it helps soothe the mind and create a tranquil state. It is yes part of the construction of this technology. 
 

Qi, is your aliveness. It’s a cultural lens for things which are currently happening in your direct experience. However, as a western mind you have no experience or integration, or epistemic foundation in Qi, it’s history and usages and the nuances and complexities of ancient Chinese views on how the mind and body operate as an energetic and homeostatic self organizing intelligence that we are. 
 

The reductionist says Qi doesn’t exist. That is because, for one they are a reductionist and want Qi to be a materialist rationalist, objectivist, quantitativist, form of understanding. 

Qi, is an epistemic lens and worldview that encompasses all of nature and the world itself. 
 

You have based everything in Matter, mechanisms, physics, models, pills, psychology, etc all these modes are highly constructed human relationships and lenses. 
 

Qi, is based on the idea that the universe is a self organizing energy that when you live in balance with the cosmos you are more healthy. Your aliveness, all the functions and its building blocks all happening at once from the central intelligence of your organism, including DNA but also the bio electrical and cellular intelligence is Qi. Qi, is the aliveness, the intelligence. It’s organizing and forming all the cellular functions, metabolism, hormones, thoughts, emotions, state, stress responses, karma, etc 

Qi, is the energy of the cosmos which is intelligent and self organizing. 

Thanks for that, appreciate it. Enjoy!

[Thought Art]

Just started the Breath of Life Course over at Yogalap. It's pretty good so far. It had a pay what you can set up. Where I am considering getting certified I paid a lower amount for this course as I wanted to see what his quality of teaching is like. Once I complete this, perhaps I will start the teacher training. I think it will help greatly my Qigong teaching. Plus, working through similar courses is helping me visualize what mine could be like. 

[Thought Art]

You can use the app Libby with your library card to borrow audiobooks for free 

[Thought Art]

Coming Soon… 

[Thought Art]

Something is said, done, created 

it is shared, promoted, marketed

it is interpreted, 

only to a limited amount of people 

- information has a particular reach and effect. Hard to measure

Edited September 11 by Thought Art

[Thought Art]

I read this years ago 

Just discovered this in audiobook form. This book is great for contrasting Rational materialism and Deepaks Spiritual/ Yogic/ holistic views on reality. 
 

Great for feeding your contemplations.

[Thought Art]

I don’t know what it is that makes me feel alive
I don’t know how to wake the things that sleep inside
I only wanna see the light that shines behind your eyes

I hope that I can say the things I wish I’d said
To sing my soul to sleep and take me back to bed
Who wants to be alone when we can feel alive instead

Because we need each other
We believe in one another
And I know we’re going to uncover
What’s sleepin’ in our soul
Because we need each other
We believe in one another
I know we’re going to uncover
What’s sleepin’ in our soul
What’s sleepin’ in our soul

There are many things that I would like to know
And there are many places that I wish to go
But everything’s depending on the way the wind may blow

I don’t know what it is that makes me feel alive
I don’t know how to wake the things that sleep inside
I only want to see the light that shines behind your eyes

Because we need each other
We believe in one another
And I know we’re going to uncover
What’s sleepin’ in our soul
Because we need each other
We believe in one another
And I know we’re going to uncover
What’s sleepin’ in our soul
What’s sleepin’ in our soul

What’s sleepin’ in our soul
What’s sleepin’ in our soul
‘Cause we believe
‘Cause we believe
Yeah we believe
‘Cause we believe
‘Cause we believe
‘Cause we believe
Because we need
Because what we need

 

[Thought Art]

I am getting better at facing difficult truths about myself, and life in general.

I want to be sober minded and professional in my life. I also want to have some time to vape a weed pen. They don't cross. The greater has to take precedent over the other. 

[Thought Art]

I by no means think I am perfect. But, I see lots of growth and potential in myself.

[Thought Art]