front page > The Immortal's Teachings > Good teachers > A general discussion of the conversion of Qi and energy.
When we talk about Qi, it's ethereal, seemingly invisible and intangible, very clear. However, Qi must exist; it cannot exist without Qi. Without Qi, nothing would exist, not even our spiritual friends. Without Qi, nothing can survive. Qi, in this sense, seems very great, irreplaceable. But Qi is also universal, omnipresent, and the cheapest thing; it can be inhaled, exhaled, and released at any time. That's part of Qi.
So, how does one transform Qi into energy? Energy, when we talk about transforming Qi into energy, refers to something more substantial, more material. Qi is lighter, while energy is heavier. Qi, however, exists in an intangible form, and the amounts of lightness and heaviness differ. For a spiritual practitioner, reaching that level, simply sensing Qi isn't enough; one must cultivate to the point where one can sense energy more deeply and profoundly. This deeper understanding unlocks many things that are otherwise unsolvable. Generally, our thinking and ideas are quite heavy, but at the level of Qi, things become less heavy.
When you are burdened, you will transform, and after transformation, this will gradually form an answer, a solution, and the answer will emerge. Generally, at a higher level, if you reach a point where you have energy, then you will be able to come up with answers that ordinary people cannot understand. This is how we transform from qi (vital energy) to energy. When you have energy, you may understand more clearly and better, but in the process of cultivation, energy alone is not enough. Energy is already very advanced and remarkable; reaching the point of having energy is already impressive, but it also involves even heavier energy sources.
We just talked about quantity. Gas is relatively light, while quantity is relatively heavy. If we're talking about energy, what is energy? For example, gasoline is also an energy source. Gasoline isn't just phospholipids; it also contains water. Gas is a gas, like coal gas, which comes and goes. But when we talk about energy, gold, silver, copper, and iron are examples of energy. Gasoline is also an energy source. Gasoline contains oil. When energy-producing substances exist for hundreds or thousands of years, they will still exist. Why?
The same applies to gasoline. When gasoline is burned, it seems to disappear, vanish, and empty. But in the universe, the gas left after burning gathers together, circulates again, and accumulates in one place. After tens of thousands of years, it forms gasoline again. Nothing is lost; everything still exists. After it's used up, it will still gather in one place and circulate. This is what we call energy.
Energy comes from everything, including our human bodies, all spirits and beasts. Spirits are invisible, but they are also a representation of energy. Our souls and nervous systems are the same. When the soul is not attached to the body, it can attach itself to other places, to any object or substance. It doesn't necessarily represent a physical body; it can exist without one. It is free. So-called energy, in fact, is one form of energy within the human body.
We're talking about a higher level, from qi (vital energy) to energy, and then to energy source. Energy is also a part of ourselves, all living things, both visible and invisible, are part of energy. It's just that if you have a certain level of understanding, you can sense the qi in a place you can't see. But energy doesn't necessarily have to be on this Earth. Every space, every dimension has this energy; it's just that the way it's used is different in each space.
Perhaps in other dimensions, there is only a spirit, an invisible spirit, or something similar. Each place has its own way of life and its own energy sources. Of course, this isn't always the case in some places, but all of them need energy (qi). Without energy, nothing can function. Every dimension, whether in the invisible realm—which we in the mortal world call the invisible realm—actually has its own planet there, and it's not called the invisible realm there either. It's just that we don't understand or know it, so we call it the invisible realm.
We've talked about energy being the highest level, so what else comes out of it? Light! Light, like air, is everywhere. Yes! Where is light? Where is it produced? Light, like air, is everywhere. There's light in people too. Light isn't just sunlight or moonlight; perhaps every animal and plant relies on the energy of light to produce life. All things can thrive and survive because of light. Scientists now talk about photochemical reactions.
Light is invisible; that's why Buddhism speaks of immeasurable light. Light is indeed immeasurable, though their explanation is somewhat mystical. In reality, light isn't mysterious. In practical applications, everything needs light to survive and function. Air alone isn't enough. Without light's mutual assistance and transformation, nothing can exist independently, neither living nor dead. Even inanimate objects need light to be transformed or altered; this is the function of light.
Therefore, we say that in the beginning, after light entered, the intangible things were gradually transformed into tangible things, and matter came into being. Initially, it came down from the light, and ultimately, the light took it back, and it was there to transform and reorganize it. Therefore, all things are infinite and boundless!
We've discussed this to the highest level, it's about mutual transformation, right? We explore and discover this, where does energy come from, where does light come from? Of course, the higher one's cultivation level, the brighter the light. But what kind of light is it? Radiant light is good, dim light is bad, but black light isn't entirely bad either. It depends on whether it's golden, black, or some other color. Some black light can be good. Blackness that can emit light is good, but darkness that's utterly gloomy is bad. You need to reach a very high level to be able to distinguish this. It's not that black is always bad; it has its limits!
Let's discuss this briefly: gas, energy, and power—that's clearer now. Later, we'll discuss not only gas, but also energy and light. Haha, and then there's the role of photosynthesis—only then will this life be worthwhile.
Buddhism speaks of the Dharma-ending Age, but I don't believe that. Now, many eclectic and capable people are born, possessing even more knowledge, making the mortal world more endearing, more contentious, and thus more stimulating for study—each has their own needs. Further explanation will follow if necessary.
May 21, 2015. Excerpt from a phone conversation amidst wind and rain...