The Wellspring: An Inquiry into the Nature of Chi - Paperback

by Christopher Dow (Author)

Since prehistoric times, peoples the world over have believed in a creative force that inspires life. Throughout history it has been known by many names: mana, prana, ka, and chi, to name only a few. Much has been written about this energy and the ways in which it can be strengthened to enhance life and well-being as well as provide the basis for many of the Eastern martial arts, particularly tai chi chuan.But if chi is real, why is there so little scientific evidence for its existence or for the physiological structures that generate and channel it throughout the body? Moreover, what is the exact nature of chi, and how can it interact with physical reality in the sometimes esoteric ways that are reported?The Wellspring draws together, for the first time, two significant but disparate lines of scientific research that not only identify the physiological structures that produce and channel chi but that point to the true nature of this mysterious power.

Author Biography

Christopher Dow has practiced tai chi chuan and chi kung for thirty years, and his articles on these subjects have appeared in Tai Chi Magazine, Inside Kung Fu, and Yoga Journal. In addition, he has written for numerous local, regional, and national publications and written, produced, and directed a variety of video productions, including a historically significant documentary series on the first national kung fu tournament in the United States: the U.S. National Chinese Martial Arts Competition. He is the author of several novels, a collection of short fiction, two collections of essays, and three volumes of poetry.