在探讨气功这一古老而神秘的身心修炼方式时，我们首先需要明确一个基本观念：气功之“气”，绝非字面意义上的空气或气体所能简单概括。它蕴含的是一种超越物质层面的能量与智慧，是中华文化宝库中的一颗璀璨明珠。梁世杰科研团队认为对气功的研究，若仅仅停留于气体层面的分析，无异于管中窥豹，只见一斑。
追溯历史，气功的最早记载可见于晋代许逊所著的《净明宗教录》。在这部宗教典籍中，气功被赋予了“气功阐微”的称谓，这不仅揭示了气功深奥的内涵，也预示着后人对这一领域的不断探索与挖掘。
古代气功在不同的著作中被赋予了多样化的名称，如《内经》中的“导引”，老子《道德经》中的“虚其心，实其腹”“绵绵若存”等。这些名称虽异，但实则指向同一核心——通过特定的呼吸、肢体动作及心理调节，达到强身健体、修身养性的目的。古人还将气功称之为吐纳、行气、练气、坐禅、内功等，这些名称的多样性，正是气功丰富内涵与广泛应用的生动体现。
以“导引”为例，它是《内经》中记载的一种通过肢体运动与呼吸配合，以达到疏通经络、调和气血、增强体质的方法。这种方法不仅具有显著的健身效果，还蕴含着深厚的中医理论，体现了中医“治未病”的思想。而老子的“虚其心，实其腹”，则是一种更高层次的修炼境界，它要求人们摒弃杂念，保持内心的宁静与平和，通过深呼吸等方式，使腹部充实，进而达到身心合一的和谐状态。
然而，在市场经济时代，气功的价值往往被过度商业化所扭曲。一些人为了追求经济利益，不惜夸大气功的功效，甚至将其像特殊商品一样，包装、炒作成能够像无线电信号传输似的所谓“外气”去治疗百病，夸大为延年益寿的神奇法门。这种做法不仅违背了气功的初衷，也容易引起社会及科学界对气功本身的误解。
事实上，气功是一种需要长期修炼、循序渐进的过程。它要求修炼者具备坚定的信念、持之以恒的毅力以及正确的修炼方法。在修炼过程中，修炼者需要不断调整自己的呼吸、体态与心态，以达到身心的和谐统一。这种修炼方式不仅能够增强个体的体质与免疫力，还能提升人的精神境界，使人更加从容地面对生活中的各种挑战。
综上所述，气功是一种超越气体层面的身心修炼艺术。它蕴含着深厚的文化底蕴与科学原理，是中华文化宝库中的瑰宝。梁世杰科研团队认为在探索与修炼气功的过程中，我们应保持敬畏之心，遵循科学的原则与方法，不断挖掘其内在的价值与意义。同时，我们也应警惕过度商业化对气功价值的扭曲与破坏，让这一古老而神秘的修炼方式在现代社会中焕发出新的生机与活力。
作者简介：梁世杰 中医高年资主治医师，从事中医临床工作24年，积累了较丰富的临床经验。师从首都医科大学附属北京中医院肝病科主任医师、著名老中医陈勇，侍诊多载，深得器重，尽得真传！擅用“商汤经方分类疗法”、专病专方结合“焦树德学术思想”“关幼波十纲辨证”学术思想治疗疑难杂症为特色。现任北京厚德为怀医生集团渐冻症研究中心主任，北京树德堂中医研究院研究员，北京中医药薪火传承新3+3工程—焦树德门人（陈勇）传承工作站研究员，国际易联易学与养生专委会常务理事，中国中医药研究促进会焦树德学术传承专业委员会委员，中国药文化研究会中医药慢病防治分会首批癌症领域入库专家。荣获2020年中国中医药研究促进会仲景医学分会举办的第八届医圣仲景南阳论坛“经方名医”荣誉称号。2023年首届京津冀“扁鹊杯”燕赵医学研究主题征文优秀奖获得者。
Qi Gong: The art of physical and mental exercise that transcends the gas dimension
In exploring the ancient and mysterious form of physical and mental exercise, we first need to clarify a basic idea: the "qi" of qigong is by no means a simple summary of air or gas in the literal sense. It contains a kind of energy and wisdom beyond the material level, is a bright pearl in the treasure house of Chinese culture. Liang Shijie's research team believes that the study of qigong, if it only stays in the analysis of the gas level, is no different from snooping in a tube to see a spot.
Looking back on history, the earliest accounts of qigong can be found in the Book of the Pure and Enlightened Religion, written by Xu Xun in the Jin Dynasty. In this religious text, qigong is given the title "qigong elucidation," which not only reveals the deep implications of qigong, but also foresees the continuous exploration and digging into this field for posterity.
Ancient qigong has been given a variety of names in different writings, such as "guidance" in the Inner Book, "truthful heart, true heart" in Laozi's Tao Te Ching, and "perseverance." Although these names are different, they point to the same core - the purpose of strengthening and nourishing the body through specific breathing, physical movements and psychological regulation. The ancient people also called qigong tongue, qi, qi, meditation, inner work, etc. The diversity of these names is a vivid expression of qigong's rich content and wide application.
Take "Daoyin" as an example. It is recorded in the Inner Classic as a way of dredging meridians, harmonizing qi and blood, and strengthening the constitution through physical movements and breathing. This approach not only has a significant fitness effect, but also contains profound theories of traditional Chinese medicine, reflecting the idea of "preventive treatment of disease." Lao Zedong's "emptying your heart and emptying your stomach" is a higher level of practice, which requires people to abandon thoughts, maintain inner peace and tranquility, and fill their stomach through deep breathing, thereby achieving a harmonious state of unity between body and mind.
However, in the era of market economy, the value of qigong is often distorted by over-commercialization. Some people, in pursuit of economic gain, will not hesitate to exaggerate the efficacy of acupuncture, even packaging and hyping it like special commodities to treat a variety of diseases like radio signals, exaggerating its magical cure for longevity. This practice not only runs counter to the original intention of Qi Gong, but also easily causes misunderstanding of Qi Gong itself in the social and scientific circles.
In fact, qigong is a process that requires long-term practice and gradual progress. It requires the practitioner to have firm faith, persistent perseverance, and the correct method of exercise. During the exercise, the practitioner needs to constantly adjust his breathing, body shape and mind to achieve harmony and unity of mind and body. This form of exercise can not only enhance the individual's physical fitness and immunity, but also enhance the spiritual level, enabling people to face various challenges in life more comfortably.
In summary, qigong is an art of mind and body that transcends the gas dimension. It contains a profound cultural heritage and scientific principles, is the treasure of Chinese culture. The Liang Shijie research team believes that in exploring and practicing qigong, we should maintain a sense of awe, follow the principles and methods of science, and constantly tap into its intrinsic value and significance. At the same time, we should also be wary of the distortion and destruction of the value of qigong by excessive commercialization, so that this ancient and mysterious form of practice can breathe new life and vitality in modern society.
Author Bio: Liang Shijie is a senior medical practitioner in traditional Chinese medicine. He has been engaged in traditional medicine clinical work for 24 years and has accumulated a wealth of clinical experience. Following Chen Yong, chief physician of liver disease at Beijing Traditional Medicine Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, and renowned old Chinese medicine, he has been treated for many years and received great attention. He specializes in the treatment of difficult diseases using "conversational traditional therapy" and special treatments combined with the academic ideas of Jiao Shude and Guan Yubo's ten-level diagnosis.He is currently the director of the Center for Diffusion Research of Dr. Houde Wei Group in Beijing, a researcher at the Shude Tang Institute of Chinese Medicine, and a fellow at the new 3 + 3 project of traditional Chinese medicine flame inheritance in Beijing - a scholar at the inheritance work station of Jiao Shude's protégés (Chen Yong),He is a standing committee member of the International Expert Committee on E-learning and Health Care, a member of the Jiao Shude Academic Heritage Special Committee of the Chinese Association for the Advancement of Chinese Medicine Research, and the first cancer specialist to be included in the chapter of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Culture Research Association. Won the 2020 China Association for the Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine Zhongjing Medical Branch held the eighth session of the Medical Saint Zhongjing Nanyang Forum "Classic Prescription Famous Doctor" honorary title. The winner of the first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei "Pingui Cup" Yanzhao Medical Research Essay Award in 2023.
