Meditation is another facet of Chinese medicine. Meditation roots are similar to that of most of the medical practices in that they began very long ago. The original form of meditation in Chinese medicine is called Qi Gong, or energy exercise. Qi Gong originated very shortly after the Yi Jing or Book of Changes was written around 1122 B.C. This book covered the three natural energies that are heaven, earth, and man. Most of the Qi Gong during this time consisted of breath-training, which is discussed in many classic books including the Nan Jing. Qi Gong is a still meditation where the practioner control his breath, while maintaining postures to align his Qi for the desired effects. The purpose of each Qi Gong varies, and usually is a process of slowly opening up the body’s channels to build up Qi.
Buddhism made its way into China during the Han Dynasty, and changed the meditation and Qi Gong work that was going on in China at that time. The style of mediation was called Chan or Zen Buddhism. The original Taoist work merged with the newer Buddhist pieces. Qi Gong training was more religious based, with goals of attaining enlightenment or Buddhahood. These religious meditations were put in place for the practitioner to escape the cycle of reincarnation. The level of work done during these religious Qi Gong’s were deeper and more strenuous than most other mediations that came before or after them. Advancements were made on the theory of Qi circulation through the body because of the work of these practitioners.
Qi Gong began to take a different direction during the Liang Dynasty. This was started by Da Mo when he visited the Shao Lin temples, and devised new Qi Gong worked to strengthen the weak monks. Martial Qi Gong was born with three martial Qi Gong called Yin Jin Jing or “Muscle/Tendon Change Classic”, Xi Sui Jing or “Marrow/Brain Washing Classic”, and Eighteen Hands of Lohan. Later Zhang San-Feng created Tai Chi Chuan which further added to the practice of martial Qi Gong. Later in 16th and 17th Centuries another style of meditation was developed called medical Qi Gong. It evolved because of the advancements with Qi theory and acupuncture during this time frame.