Almost everyone who sincerely practices Qigong, Neigong, or any progressive practice of meditation with a spiritual intent pursues these disciplines with the expectation that these arts will add something to their lives. The goals may range from gaining more calmness and equanimity to immortality. Whatever the level of aspiration, the intent is to add something that is missing. Yet, the central tenet of Taoism warns us that this is an illusion. How can we become that which in our essential nature we already are?

Any technique or method that is goal oriented implies a degree of effort and tension since it involves a search for something external to the self - some result which is desired to complement or complete the self-image. Yet, if what we seek is already ours by virtue of it being our essential nature, then methods or techniques that seek spiritual attainment are misguided and may, in fact, obscure the understanding that we are what we seek.

Interestingly enough, this paradox is not exclusive to the Taoists arts of selfcultivation. In fact, this same conundrum is at the center of a number of spiritual traditions. For example, Jean Klein, one of the great Western masters of the non-dual teachings of Advaita Vedanta, as well as a great teacher of Hatha Yoga, makes the point in commenting on the value of Yoga as a spiritual practice:

"If you practice yoga to achieve something... then yoga becomes an obstacle, for it may generate the belief that what you fundamentally are is a goal you can attain through some system of progress. And this belief in progress takes you further away from yourself." 6

Qigong as a Portal to Presence

As Qigong practitioners, how can we work with this paradox in a practical fashion? After all, philosophy aside, we live in a world of form and duality, and have learned from experience the necessity and concrete benefits of diligently focusing our attention on the realization of a goal. We have all learned that both time and intelligent practice is necessary whether we wish to learn a language, play the piano or develop a high level of martial or healing skill.

Some practitioners and teachers of Qigong have understood this point and suggest that the "highest" or most refined form of Qigong is embodied by standing postures. In this teaching, know as "Zhan Zhuang" ("standing like a tree") one¹s practice is to simply stand, relaxed with as empty a mind as possible, and allow the internal energies to rise or descend and do their work of unraveling tension, knots or stagnation in the body¹s muscular - skeletal and energetic systems. Nothing more is required. Zhan Zhuang represents "effortless effort," utilizing a minimum of form or technique, embodying principles of Wu Wei and Wu Chi in a very direct way. This type of practice, of which there are numerous variations, is most closely associated with Wang Xiang Zhai, one of the foremost practitioners of the Chinese internal martial art of Hsing Yi, who describes the philosophy of Zhan Zhuang as:

"Action originates in inaction, and stillness is the mother of movement."7

Wang Xiang Zhai's statement conveys a deep truth, one that lies at the threshold of understanding how we can directly approach the "practice" of Qigong as a portal to Presence.

A "Portal to Presence" is exactly what it says: a simple doorway or entrance to the field of Consciousness or Presence. It would be stretching the meaning of the word "technique" or "method" to apply it to this idea. One just walks through the portal as one becomes aware of its existence. There is no effort involved such as a decision to remain in the doorway, or to walk through on one's hands and knees. In fact, it would be a bit odd to hang out in the doorway itself or to approach it in such a convoluted matter. The portal opens, and Presence arises spontaneously. Gradually, as awareness arises, the practitioner experiences the portal opening more frequently in the spirit of Wu Wei.

Approaching the practice of Qigong in this way, the body and Qi are just objects for attention and observation. No particular posture, Qigong form, visualization or breathing