Ki flow and Ki blockage in GiCheon.

The word GiCheon consist of two letters: Ki (氣, life energy) and Ch‘ŏn (天, Heaven, cosmos). GiCheon adepts attempt to understand and enhance the Ki working in the cosmos. This is achieved mainly by improving Ki function in the human body and mind, which is connected to the society, nature and universe.

The word Ki is widely used in modern Korean language. Kiga makhida (기가 막히다), literally “Ki is blocked”, means suffocating or being stunned, startled. Kiga chugotta (기가 죽었다), literally “Ki died”, stands for losing courage, becoming dispirited. It is close in meaning to kiga pajyŏtta (기가 빠졌다), literally “Ki drained”, or “Ki sunk”, which implies a decrease in courage. Kiga ch‘ada (기가 차다), literally “Ki is full”, conveys the feeling of “this is more than I can bear”. Kiga nŏmch‘inda (기가 넘친다), literally “Ki overflows, runs over” means being over confident. Kiga saratta (기가 살았다), literally “Ki came to life” indicates acting with boldness (in a negative sense). Kiga seda (기가 세다), literally “Ki is strong”, indicates a strong will. Kirŭr ssŭda (기를 쓰다), literally “to use Ki”, is an expression for a zealous effort. Kirŭr p‘yŏda (기를 펴다), literally, “to unfold the Ki”, stands for acting with freedom and courage.

When I asked non-GiCheon-practicing Koreans about the meaning of Ki, many answered that they do not know. Some Korean Christians told me that Ki does not exist. As to GiCheon adepts, they have expressed opinions that Ki is circulation and movement, natural life energy, the invisible life force of the body, the invisible power that can be known by feeling, the feeling of increasing strength, the strength to endure, the flow that we can feel, the fundamental prime mover of the universe, the cosmic energy, in the narrow sense the wave-like vibrations of the body and in the broad sense everything in the universe, the strength we are endowed with at birth and the strength we develop throughout the lifetime.

GiCheon trainers often talk about Ki flow and Ki blockage. For Ki flow, the word sunhwan (循環, Chinese xún​huán) is used, it means circulation and exists also in modern Chinese. Also the word p‘ullida (풀리다) is utilized, which means “untie, get loose”, “be released”, “go into circulation”. To indicate Ki blockage, usually the word makhida (막히다) is used. It means “get stopped, blocked, barred”, “be cut off”, “be interrupted”. The words p‘ullida and makhida exist only in Korean and do not have Hanja spelling.

So what are “Ki flow” and “Ki blockage” in GiCheon? The teachers often metaphorically compare Ki flow to the cycles in nature, when winter and spring, day and night, sunshine and rain follow each other, trees change leaves and clouds come and go.

In the body, Ki flow means proper operation of systems and organs: movement and stillness, talking and silence, energy and weariness, staying awake and falling asleep. In a healthy body these states flow into each other naturally. Operation of the body organs like circulation of blood and limp, digestion cycle, menstruation cycle etc. are also parts of a healthy flow.

In the mind, Ki flow implies coming and going of thoughts and feelings. Sentiments of joy and sadness, like and dislike follow each other in a due course, thoughts and images appear and disappear.

Ki flow being interrupted means Ki blockage, or illness. Unhealthy body is stuck in one state and does not move on to the next. For example, inability to move a limb is stillness which cannot change into movement; insomnia is staying awake which cannot pass into sleep. The flow is blocked; the circle does not go on. That is a sign of stagnation and decay, a move toward death.

Ki blockage in the mind is being stuck on one thought or emotion, or being over-attached to any inner or outer state of affairs. An unchanging mental state, a mind that cannot let go of hatred or of a strong attachment, a sadness that does not lift etc. indicate stagnation in the mind. Exhaustion accumulated inside the body which is not expressed outward, suppressed negative emotions indicate stagnation and the lack of circulation in the body and mind.