From ‘Heavenly Streams’ by Damo Mitchell

Far more than the physical body which is understood within Western scientific thought, we have a complex network of energetic pathways flowing through us. These pathways work together to carry a vibrational wave of information, Qi, to the various organs and tissues of the body along with the blood and body fluids which our physical body needs to exist. This energetic system has been studied within numerous cultures throughout history but arguably the Daoist concepts which have survived this day offer the most complete and in depth information as to its nature. 

These are the meridian pathways used within practices such as Acupuncture and Shiatsu as well as within moving exercises such as Qigong and Taijiquan. As well as governing the health and internal balance of our body they also connect us to the external environment making us an integrate part of the wider universe. They were often seen as providing a link to the shifting energies of the Heavens and for this reason they are also known as ‘Heavenly Streams’. (..)

Flowing through these pathways are the various forms of energy or Qi which are directly worked with within all of the Daoist arts. Qi sits at the mid-point between human consciousness and the physical body, providing a link between these two aspects of human existence. (..)

Unity is the way to good health and spiritual elevation while division moves us towards our decline; this is the key ethos which underpins all Daoist arts. Qi is he key to achieving this because of its position in the centre between mind and body. It is almost impossible for the physical body to communicate directly with our consciousness without the aid of Qi which acts as the messenger between the two. (..)

The three elements of consciousness, energy and physicality are known as the three treasures within Daoist thought and known respectively as Shen, Qi, and Jing. Since everything within the microcosm of the body must be matched within the macrocosm of the external environment then there must also be three external treasures. These are known as: Heaven, Man and Earth.

In the same way that working with our Qi enables us to bring together consciousness (Shen) and our physical body (Jing), working with the middle treasure of Man enables us to bring together the treasures of Heaven and Earth. If we can bring together these two powers then we have attained a profound level of attainment within the Daoist arts. The middle, macrocosmic treasure of Man is worked with by studying the energy system and bringing it into balance. This is the aim of Daoist arts such as Qi Gong (Energy work), Nei Gong (Internal skill) and Nei Dan Gong (Daoist meditation).