The Meridians: Connecting the Visible and Invisible

An Interview with Qigong Grand Master Xi-Hua Xu

Can you speak about the importance of meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)?

Grand Master Xu: Meridians form invisible energy pathways that provide coherence to the
human body and allow its structures to communicate among themselves and with the external
universe. The meridian system is one of the major foundations of TCM. Qigong, acupuncture,
acupressure, even the Chinese martial arts, derive their benefits from the power of meridians.

How were meridians discovered?

Xu: Medicine and martial arts practitioners did not discover the meridian system; they merely
used this knowledge to derive benefits from it. In ancient times, masters were able to develop
their spiritual and psychic capabilities.

Meridians were discovered through spiritual practices like Qigong and meditation. By allowing
themselves to become immersed deeply in another state of consciousness, ancient masters could
literally see inside the body. Because of heightened sensitivities, these healing masters could
withdraw their egos from the world of five senses and open a deeper part of themselves to the
equally real world of the invisible. Their observations have helped us understand that this
invisible energy network can enhance spiritual development, as well as create many health
benefits.

Is that why acupuncturists study meridian theory?

Xu: It is essential for acupuncturists to understand the location of these energy pathways and the
organ systems and structures they influence. This knowledge helps them diagnose physical
conditions more effectively.

Each of the twelve major meridians has its own function that relates to a specific organ system;
however, the meridians have far more power and flexibility than organ systems. To use an
analogy: if the Liver is represented by one house in a community, the meridian represents the
entire state. TCM believes the meridian system stands above all others, including the nervous,
immune, and endocrine systems, and so forth. Meridians are the ultimate connection between the
visible and the invisible.

How do meridians act as the go-between for the visible and invisible?

Xu: Besides helping connect the body and mind, meridians link an individuals consciousness
and subconsciousness. While connections occur at the physiological level, other critical linkages
take place at an invisible or quantum level that todays technology cannot yet measure.

How can certain masters alter their physical bodies through meditation? Its not simply mind
over matter. The master has learned to use the power of meridians to dramatically alter physical
functions. Some masters can sit on an ice block and melt it by raising their body temperature.
Some can stop their brain waves and appear as if dead. If the mind is totally gone, then what
controls this situation? What allows the master to revive himself? The master has raised the art of
using the power of meridians to a very high degree.

Because meridians are so powerful, they offer the smoothest channel for unconscious and
subconscious communications within the body. Using acupuncture to readjust and unblock
meridians is one of the best therapies available to help patients connect body, mind, and spirit,
and recover their healing power. This modality allows the unconscious mind to participate in the
healing process. This wayand only this waycan the root cause of problems be fixed.
Otherwise, the patient must practice Qigong to help unblock or refunction the meridians.
Qigong practice is better because the patient participates in the healing process; acupuncture is
easier.

What is the most important aspect of acupuncture and Qigong? What really makes these
healing modalities so powerful?

Xu: With regard to acupuncture and Qigong, its useful to know that the efficacy of acupuncture
relies on who administers it; likewise, the efficacy of Qigong depends on who teaches it. If you
dont meet a good acupuncturist or high-level Qigong master, it takes longer to unblock the
meridians and allow the flow of vital energy through these invisible pathways.

Finally, its important to understand that fateand faithplay a role in the healing journey. If
the practitioner knows how, when, and where to use meridians to unblock a patients Qi, then he
or she can help the patients consciousness and subconsciousness awaken its healing ability. This
is the real gift of becoming wholebody, mind, emotions, and spiritwith TCM.

Grand Master Xi-Hua Xu is one of the rare Qigong masters with experience and a deep
understanding of meridians. He served as a professor of Taoist philosophy for more than 27
years at Yunan University, China. He has used his extraordinary knowledge of Qigong and
meridians to treat members at the highest levels of the Chinese government.