Qi Gong: Is it magic?

[Anonymous]

thanks...

[Tisha]

Enderwiggin, my understanding of Qi Gong is very limited.  I know that it is energy, and the manipulation of energy, which is a little bit like magic (i.e.,it can be used in magic), but not the same.

I think the major participants on this sub-forum may have exhausted themselves on the "what is magic" topic for now.   Try the old post "Is magic real?" and see if you can get anything out of it.

In general, all magic involves energy-work of some sort, but not necessarily what you would do with Qi Gong, reiki, martial arts or NEW.  There are certain "laws of magic" and I'm starting new threads, one for each Law that I'm aware of.  Perhaps once these new threads get hopping you can come back and get a better picture of what people mean when they say "magic."

[Anonymous]

I see. So then working with qi would make me more of an energy practitioner than a magician. Well, I'll look into the forums for old posts about it and see what I can find. Thanks for the info.

[Radha]

The definitions here would have to bridge east and west to some degree.  The goal and sole purpose of true Ars magica, the path of the Magi is to regain conscious union with Source.
The profane practice it as though they can themselves control the energy and use it to satisfy their ego driven desires.  To see better what I'm clumsily (and briefly) saying read Dion Fortunes "Mystical Qabala" and what she says about what happens to those who try to manipulate the astral light to their own ends.
Chi Kung is another subject.  One of the masters from China I train with said once there are over 3,000 "styles" of chi kung that have been cataloged in China.  Many of these have degenerated into mumbo-jumbo not worth bothering with.  Certain ways of Chi Kung will take one into high realms, far beyond the physical, but these are designed for eastern bodys and nervous systems, not western.  A westerner can do them but only under daily contact with a sat level teacher.  (Sufi call them "zat" level teachers.)
Real magic has nothing to do with manipulating energy or playing mind games.  Real chi kung could be said to be the same.
Naam

[Anonymous]

From what I have read about qi gong, it seems as though qi uses subatomic particles as its vehicle. I read that qi is, essentially, a "message" carried within these subatomic particles. What makes this message?

I am not clear on my definition of magic. Could someone please give me a few standard definitions? I have trouble differentiating between energy-work and magic. They seem very similar. What are the differences between the two?