“Sit like a Frog, Sleep like a Dog
Walk like a Cloud, Keep a Docile Heart”
– Li, Long Dao, Secret of Longevity

Dr. John Painter Ph.D. ND

The term Feng Shui means wind and water. When used in China it most often refers to the positioning of houses, buildings, the arrangements of rooms and objects to draw the most powerful earth and sky energy (Qi). Chinese geomancy is a very complex art of which Feng Shui is only a small part. Feng Shui is based in part on practical observation of nature, superstition, philosophy and some actual science.

Nine Dragon Bagua Ji-Haoma Qigong 九龍八卦吉號碼 氣 功

(Nine Dragon Eight Diagrams Lucky Number Vital Energy Skill) is a method of personal Feng Shui designed by the Li family of Sichuan Province China to orient our body and harmonize the mind with earth and sky energy and to tap into what the Chinese call Dragon Veins (magnetic energy of the earth) for the absorption of Qi energy.

This is done through a series of practices that first show us how to orient ourselves in a direction of personal power for meditation and standing Qigong training. The more advanced stages involve walking in a circle holding postures that are designed to harmonize the body with the electromagnetic energy of the earth, gravity and the natural energy from the sun and moonlight that affects our hormonal and chemical balance.

Some of this knowledge is based on common sense and on ancient philosophy found in Daoism and the Yijing as well as the Chinese lunar and solar calendars. Although the Li family was mostly focused on using Nine Dragon Baguazhang as a practical method of self-defense they also recognized its potential as a form of body conditioning and stress relieving exercise. Using the knowledge of the time (circa the 1800s) they created Lucky Number Vital Energy Skill to orient the human body and mind with magnetic north and the cycles of seasonal change occurring in nature.

This was accomplished by combining Yijing numerology with Daoist Daoyin (Yoga) like exercises and some concepts drawn from Tibetan Sun and Moon Yoga with Bagua circle walking to create a unique health and longevity system. Yijing numerology is used to determine from one’s date of birth the most auspicious directions for practicing meditation, standing, and moving with Baguazhang postures. It is also used to assign a unique combination of physical Yijing palm postures to each individual. These postures are designed for health, longevity, healing, and peace of mind.

In Ji-Haoma each one of the nine compass directions corresponds to a Yijing trigram (Gua). Each of the Gua is given a numerical value according to the Lo Shu / Magic Square. These numbers and the idea of the Bagua are said to have been created when a great revelation through the mysterious forces of Heaven came to master Fu Xi who observed a giant tortoise crawling from the river Lo. The reptiles shell contained a mysterious diagram with a 3 for 3 grid pattern containing dots that symbolized each number from 1 to 9. This observation is said to have enlightened the great master as to the nature of the universe. From this insight, the Yijing was born.

During circle walking practice the specific postures are combined with visualization exercises to harmonize the mind and body with the earth’s natural electromagnetic field. The method is believed to allow the student to draw natural energy (Qi) from the sun and moonlight that has a beneficial effect on hormonal chemical and emotional balance.

The goal is to enhance the energy drawn from the earth and sky. Some of this knowledge is based on common sense and on ancient philosophy found in Daoism, Tibetan Yoga and the Yijing as well as the lunar calendar. This particular art has been refined over the years and the modern version has been tested and shown to be quite beneficial for health and vitality development. We believe that this method has a sound basis in science, psychology, and physiology under its modern incarnation taught at The Gompa.

When performed regularly Lucky Number Vital Energy Skill (Ji-Haoma Qigong) promotes physical and mental relaxation. Improves circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids and assists digestion. This unique form of Qigong aids in fortifying the body against disease promotes healing and also increases flexibility and power to the internal and external muscles. Regular practice also promotes proper development and alignment of the bones, tendons, and ligaments.