Scientific Research on the Effects of Meditation – Part 3: Tai Chi and Qigong

Recently, I came across a 2021 study in which a team of Polish researchers analysed numerous medical publications on the potential benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong, discovering that these practices might be effective in alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

The research in question can be found at this link: ScienceDirect

The article highlighten the process of selecting the studies and the results obtained: it seems that there is a reduction in Parkinson's symptoms with the daily practice of these disciplines. It suggests practicing Tai Chi for at least one hour, one to three times a week for 12 weeks, and Qigong for one hour a week for 12-16 weeks.

Here is the translated conclusion: “The current state of knowledge shows that both Tai Chi and Qigong could offer a promising complementary therapy for Parkinson's. Thanks to their unique approach, which integrates body, mind, and spirit, these methods can be widely used in healthcare and in the treatment of specific functional disorders, mainly in the early and mild stages of Parkinson's disease. However, due to methodological biases, further large-scale studies are needed. The main questions still to be answered include estimating the optimal frequency and duration of Tai Chi or Qigong practices, as well as providing objective measurements of primary and secondary outcomes, given the complex nature of Parkinson's.”

In my opinion, there are three key points to note: 1) The researchers based their observations on the recovery of some motor coordination and psychological effects. They do not address the causes of the problem nor the interaction with these. 2) It is indicated that the overall number of subjects observed is limited. However, upon reading the article, it emerges that about 800 people were analysed in total across various studies, which seems far from limited to me. 3) The article implies that it is well known how disciplines such as Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, and Pilates yield positive results when added to the usual medical therapy programs.

If you read the article, you will notice that it does not speak of “certainties”; words like “it is so” are not used, but rather probabilities, possibilities, and the need for further studies. This is because it is a serious piece of research: in the world of research, no one speaks of absolute certainties but of relative probabilities. Those who speak of certainties in the medical field usually do so for their own interest, to sell a product, or to manipulate public opinion.

Nonetheless, it is surprising how many articles from “authoritative” sources exist on the benefits of alternative wellness practices. This is a positive sign: perhaps, within less than two centuries, we will see the benefits of these approaches officially recognised. However, as they generate little revenue, they attract little economic interest. Once the techniques are learned, one can practice alone or pay for a gym to practice with a group. Consequently, if there is no economic profit, no one finances these studies, which are usually carried out out of curiosity or passion.

But what are Tai Chi and Qigong? These two practices are part of the so-called Taoist Arts for wellness and longevity, born from the "spiritual" cultural tradition of ancient China. Tai Chi has been widely popularised in the West as a form of “moving meditation,” but, depending on the styles, it is also a complete martial art. It focuses on awareness of movements, increasing self-perception, body awareness, and the ability to listen inwardly. Qigong, on the other hand, is a meditative art based on the awareness of so-called “internal energies” and learning to manage them through breathing, movement, and posture practices.

Personally, with my methods (manual etheric measurement), I observed a teacher of this discipline, Gianni Mason, convert electricity produced by a large power generator into what I define as Bioenergy, i.e., life force. Apparently, this is a technique studied after preparing one's being, body, and mind, for several years, step by step, and it is used to increase Qi, a different definition of life force. During the observation, I focused first on the practice, measuring bioenergy levels and the dissonance caused by electromagnetism in that master. During the practice, I continued to observe the changes. To my astonishment, I observed how, at low and medium current intensities, that master was able to convert electricity into bioenergy. Only when he significantly increased the intensity did he start accumulating some dissonance, i.e., irritated ether due to electricity.

As far as we are concerned, in terms of Planetary Recalibration, the etheric knowledge of Qigong, more than Tai Chi, is very similar to ours. The terms and some concepts change, but fundamentally, in different eras, with different modalities, perspectives, and purposes, I can well say: “we are observing the same tree.”