Qigong: Good, Bad, or Ugly? Can a Christian do Qigong?

To start off, I don’t have a particular issue with martial arts. In fact, it's long been an interest of mine. Not that this makes it a good thing either. Anyways, I practiced Taekwondo for several months in 2010 (1- this is solely taught as a physical exercise, and 2 - I am taking a break. 3 - If I find it to be contrary to scripture, I will quit). I made it to green belt, but decided to take a break. At the moment, I don't know if I'll go back.

I've also learned Tai Chi, though I do not practice it at present. I sort of learned it before I started to question it, and until I know for sure what it is, and what dangers it holds, I cannot in good conscience practice it either.

Taekwondo is certainly more of a physical exercise. I've been told by a Christian brother that it's safe, but this same brother said Tai Chi was not. So, we'll come to these a different day. I had to establish that I have some very limited background in martial arts.

I also do not have any issue with China, or Chinese culture, as my wife is from China, and I have been to China several times. My issue today is with Qigong, and the fact that churches are allowing it to be taught in their halls. Qigong is in effect a doorway into the occult which is what makes this alarming. This is by no means a comprehensive study, but rather is meant to demonstrate the spiritual dangers involved in practicing Qigong.

There is a lot of New Age infiltration of the church with contemplative prayer, and probably a whole host of other things. I’ve noticed that some churches, rather than offering classes on how to better follow Christ, feed the poor, expose sin, or disciple Christians, are offering classes about things unusual for church, and it makes me wonder why. One nearby church, a Presbyterian church, offered classes on Tai Chi. What I wonder is: how is this class going to help the Church fulfill its Christ given mission?

Another Presbyterian Church, the one I used to attend, was offering classes on how to practice Qigong (Chi Kung). One day, I just suddenly felt drawn to check out their website, and see what was new. Then I saw they were offering classes on Qigong. This immediately set off alarm bells because I had heard stories about Qigong, but didn’t know enough about it. My first impression was that it was similar in some way to Yoga, which is yet another way into the occult and should not be practiced by Christians.

I also knew a woman who practiced Qigong, and her claim was that when she did it, she felt large and at one with the universe, and on a few occasions an entity asked her several times to follow him. Perhaps he was trying to get her to allow him to possess her body. This woman has also claimed to have been able to perform remote viewing on occasion. Remote viewing for those who don't know is basically going into an altered state, and is another occult and New Age practice. I think this woman’s experiences are a big part of what set off the warning bells for me.

So what is Qigong? Why should one worry about it? Is Qigong incompatible with Christianity?

My initial, non-researched answer is that Qigong promotes itself as an art form/meditation that can in some cases bring one into contact with the spirit realm. It's main design seems to be to develop discipline as well as teach the practitioner how to control Chi for various uses. This is certainly not the way to get closer to God, as prayer, faith in Christ, and Bible study are the only ways to do that.

Now, let’s dig a bit, and pick apart some facts about Qigong.

Wikipedia suggests that Qigong is a form of mental, physical, and breathing exercises that allow one to manipulate chi, or “life energy.” Think the Force in Star Wars which is essentially an impersonal, "divine" energy field. The qigong belief seems to be that chi is found in everything and can be controlled, lost and gained through various means. Wiki also suggests that Qigong has strong elements of meditation no matter which variety of Qigong one practices. Here is the link to what Wikipedia says: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong

The National Qigong Association, http://nqa.org/what-is-qigong/ says that qigong “incorporates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.”

In these regards Qigong is much like witchcraft, magick, or magik. Paganspath.com has this to say about magik: “Magik is a method of the direction and use of ‘psychic energy,’ those natural but invisible forces which surround all living things…”

I have read in many other sources (Fate, spell books, research on Aleister Crowley) that those who practice witchcraft, also seem to use physical postures (gestures) and focused intentions along with incantations and the like to practice their manipulation of this “force.” Wands were also used in some cases to help focus the spell caster's intent.

What I've come across with Aleister Crowley in Fate, some of his writings, and other podcasts I've heard about him, he maintained that willpower, or focused intentions, were the key to producing effective magick. He also did alot of things that were contrary to the Bible on purpose which were effective in acquiring spiritual contact. I would also argue that his rituals relied a lot on physical positions, depending on the working that he was trying to do. Given that a number of his rituals involved sex (and abhorrent sexual behaviour), I think that no one would disagree that certain postures and physical acts can have undesriale spiritual effects. Still, a major point with Crowley and those who practice magic and New Age things, is that willpower is one of the major keys to doing magick.

Crowley and witchcraft in general posit that focused intentions let them work magick, and Qigong too requires a focused will. So here are two widely different, yet entirely similar beliefs about an invisible “force” that surrounds everything and can be manipulated by people through various means, but primarily through one's willpower, and movements. One is viewed as harmless, and the other is clearly part of the dark arts. Of course these two beliefs differ on how one manipulates this energy, but the overall concept is entirely similar. On a very basic level, they are the same, and that is human willpower and work can influence the spiritual. This is of course contrary to the Christian perspective that supernatural forces and requests by people are subject to God's will. This is one reason why it's incompatible with Christianity. They both are the same lie that Satan always uses "ye shall be as gods".

My theory, really probably not even my own theory about this “force” is culled from some of the things that I've heard in alot of testimonies from former New Agers and what Russ Dizdar speaks about in his Podcasts. He maintains that there is something like an atmosphere around the earth and he says that is the second heaven. This second heaven is where the principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12) operate, and as such accessing the second heaven puts us humans into contact with very powerful beings. Beings that the Bible states very clearly we are supposed to avoid. Keep the following scripture in mind as you continue. Recall that Qigong is the same as witchcraft on a basic level. There are more similarities coming.

Deuteronomy 18:10 -12 http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Deu&c=18&t=NLT#10:

For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft,

or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.

Anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you.

One more warning about witchcraft

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Ch&c=33&t=NLT#6

2 Chronicles 33:6

Manasseh even sacrificed his own sons in the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the LORD's sight, arousing his anger.

At any rate, the second heaven is where the “Akashic Records” allegedly are. It is here that New Agers gain their "wisdom" and the fallen angel Satan and his ilk are able to allow them to access certain information. Here Edgar Cayce, Nostradamus and others obtain informtaion about the future and other things. Information that is at best 60% correct as opposed the 100% correct that God offers.

No matter where a person is in this world, when one gets in touch with this second heaven, the Akashic Records. This "force". When one meditates, somehow it opens up a door into the spirit world. During these meditations (Qigong) they often encounter a lot of similar elements, which can be found in a variety of places (like Russ Dizdar’s Podcasts, or Set the Captives Free Podcast).

These elements are:

* Hearing voices
* Limited psychic and/or precognitive abilities
* Seeing shadows, dead relatives, other forms of spiritual beings
* Loss of physical control
* Emotional outbursts
* Suicidal tendencies (once the entities are finished with the victim)

I myself probably used to practice a form of qigong. I used to try to gather Qi energy, like in Dragon Ball Z, so that I could become stronger, or gain some sort of power. I also used to focus my intent to dream about the future. I used to try to develop telekinetic and ESP abilities. As a result of this, I can attest that I had occasional precognitive dreams, had emotional problems, saw a shadow person and thought of suicide on occasion. And I only did this once in a while.

So how does this relate to Qigong? Qigong just so happens to be one of the eastern ways to tap into this “force.” Have a look at the experiences of a former Qigong practitioner, which will show that like those in the west who practice psychic things, Ouija boards and the like, these things can and do happen to those practicing Qigong. (special thanks to China for Jesus’ website) The person giving this testimony attained unbelievable chi powers, and I will show you some of the things he/she said which will emphasize 1) the dangers of Qigong, and 2) show you elements that are in common with other New Age teachings and witchcraft. For those familiar with the New Age (astral projection, spirit contact, etc.) you will likely see similarities. I will point those out for those who are not familiar. Interestingly, some of the things this person was capable of can also be interpreted as “copycat” signs of what Jesus did while he was on earth. I will also put appropriate scripture references when needed.

To spare your time, I will only be touching on a few things from the work. To find out everything, you can read the 9 chapter work for yourself (www.chinaforjesus.com/resources/qigong/chap1.htm), I highly recommend it as it is a gripping story of a descent into darkness, and hope for rescue through Jesus Christ. Quotes from this piece are in italics. Keep an eye out for the similarities pointed out in Deuteronomy.

Elements from Deuteronomy 18:10 - 12

"fortune-telling, sorcery, interpreting omens, engaging in witchcraft, casting spells, functioning as mediums or psychics, calling forth the spirits of the dead."

As noted earlier, anything that promises "ye shall be as gods" is a dead giveaway that something is not in line with God's will for us. Qigong, according to this testimony, promises to make one like a god, or at least immortal if done right. Not all qigong seems to makes this erroneous claim, but it seems that as one goes deeper into qigong, this seems to become a major goal. It should be obvious that limited, finite humans cannot become infinite under our own power.

As my supernormal capabilities multiplied, I gradually understood that the legendary "eight immortals" were actually Taoist qigong masters of high level. They had achieved great success with their qigong practices and had become immortals who would never die. Then my goal was no longer Yan Xin's qigong level, but becoming a figure like the "eight immortals" and acquiring eternal life.


The next section could be taken from the testimony of nearly anyone who has come out of the occult, and some who have been an alien abductee. Many stories from former occultists/New Agers that I’ve heard on “Set The Captives Free” have had many experiences that were similar to this Qigong practitioner’s. The bold words are mentioned in the warning signs from above, and the colored words are what the Bible warns us about.

Another very important reason that some practitioners discarded qigong was that, after they reached a certain level of qigong, they met with some horrible problems. The following are examples of such problems:

· Some practitioners saw horrible things like ghosts, and heard strange voices and words, and experienced troubled days and nights.

· Some practitioners of qigong could heal other people's diseases, but they were powerless with their own. Sometimes the effect was not good with kind people, but was especially good with evil people. This was inscrutable to them.

· Some lost control of their supernormal capabilities and were unable to use them when they needed to. Yet those powers would sometimes come when they were not needed and cause embarrassment for the practitioners who could no longer control them as they would.

· The character and temperament of some practitioners changed lamb-like gentleness to terrifying ferocity. They were full of fear, impetuosity, sorrow, despair, viciousness and pride. They were hateful and filled with lusts. (Blogger’s note: this happened to me when during a time I believe I was under demonic attack.)

· People around them forsook them, not understanding them, and took them as eccentrics.

· Their lives became more and more frustrating, and incessant unfortunate things followed them. They tried to tolerate such negative occurrences, taking their miseries as trials of qigong, but they gradually found them less and less bearable. Life began to be joyless, and they lived in a gloomy and gray mood.

· Qigong practice often went wrong, and some practitioners became mentally deranged and even died suddenly. Such dangers of qigong were recognized by some.

However, many practitioners who experienced some of the above-mentioned problems and who became afraid of qigong and disappointed with it and even gave it up dared not to let others know their feelings because there were none to understand. They were afraid of becoming a laughingstock for others, so they made up high-sounding excuses for stopping their practice of qigong, burying the pains they had experienced deeply in the bottom of their hearts and letting no one know the very eccentric events in their lives.


This is a brief look at breaking the first of God’s Ten Commandments, that is, having other gods before the God of the Bible. This is likely not common in with all Qigong practitioners, but it bears mentioning.

Learners of Zhang Hongbao Qigong liked to wear Zhang Hongbao badges, for they believed this was a way to connect themselves to their master's energy, which could increase their gong and bless and protect them. I have met many of them in different places. Their god was their master, and their belief was qigong.

And this appears to be a sort of, counterfeit of Christ’s ministry. As He (Christ) healed people, they began to follow and believe in Him in some cases. Some Qigong masters appear to have copycatted this. Of course, Satan likes to copy what God does. These could also be considered “lying signs and wonders” (and possibly is related to 2 Timothy 2:9-10)。

Many of those that had experienced healing by qigong actively taught qigong to others
Those who had acquired supernormal capabilities began to take qigong as their religious belief and continued to seek for higher supernormal capabilities at all costs,

One major supernormal capability I had was healing the sick. I put my hand over the diseased part and could feel energy coming out of my hand. I would feel a kind of exhaustion later on and was very tired sometimes, but the disease that I healed very easily disappeared. There are many different ways to heal the sick; I could heal in whichever way I liked.

They had all achieved very good effects. Mum's health was nearly recovered and she was back at work. She often exclaimed, "Qigong has saved me!"
Many people came to me or had me come to their homes for me to heal the sick. All those healed by me received surprising healing effects. Later, I started to heal remotely. One day a friend came to see me and told me his colleague had an unbearably terrible toothache and asked me to go with him to help him. I said to my friend, "You go back and tell him he is all right now." After a little while, this friend came back to me in great excitement and reported, "The moment I saw my colleague, he told me that his toothache had just stopped." (very similar to when Jesus healed the for the Roman Centurion!)

Here is something many who practice witchcraft and other New Age things probably know about…astral travel. I knew a witch in High School who claimed she could do this. The author of the Qigong testimony also experienced sleep paralysis. Some believe that one may cause the other, but in either case demonic activity is present. Sleep paralysis can be stopped by sincerely asking Jesus for help, but the caveat seems to be that you have to be a Christian, or at least sincere in asking Jesus Christ for help.

In 1991 I decided to practice "yang shen chu qiao," which is to have one’s soul leave one's body and have it move freely outside the body while leaving the body where it is to wait for the soul to return to it. This is a horrible gong method and very dangerous. But once it was achieved, it would be possible to the person to come back and forth between the spiritual and the material worlds. The reason why I decided to practice this gong method was that I had reached this level and could not have skipped it over. (blogger’s note, astral travel in other New Age circles isn’t viewed as negative, yet is still often frightening. I don't recommend trying it in any event.)

On one night, not long after I started to practice Yan Xin Qigong, I suddenly woke up with a start, for I felt that something was pushing down on me. I was very much afraid and wanted to struggle, but I could not move my body. I tried to cry out, but I could produce only a weak sound. Eventually I sat up abruptly and turned on the lights. This happened repeatedly later and was more and more serious. I began to hear voices speaking and even sounds of people panting. I clearly felt the weight of someone who seemed to have thrown himself on me and clutched my neck.. I could even feel the temperature of his hands. In order to know this was not mere illusion, I went to sleep with the lights on. When I was again pressed on, I opened my eyes and saw a thing in my room and even read words which were on the wall.


And of course, here are some snippets of demonic oppression and/or possession that occurred to this person who was a Qigong practitioner. Luke 6:43,44 should help to remind that we should look at the fruit something produces to judge it properly. One common element in nearly all demonic oppression is that suicide is very often the end result. These symptoms seem to be fairly consistent with many other cases that I’ve read. Some of these are just examples of how the pursuit of more powers and deeper knowledge drive someone to abandon day to day rigors.

I stood still, and very shortly, a kind of power began to shake me, and I rocked back and forth and swayed from side to side.

I was very much surprised and also found it very intriguing. It seemed that my body was giving me a performance. If I could jump out of myself, I would have been like a spectator. I did not know what power was conducting my body. I thought it was an unknown power coming forth from my body, but I was totally wrong.

I then disregarded trifles of life and engaged myself completely in qigong both physically and mentally. I was no longer concerned with my work and my relationship with others and unconsciously secluded myself from others. My girlfriend left me, and I wanted love no more. I even lost interest in my hobby of writing. All these dissipated in light of my qigong as if they no longer belonged to me. The only thing I desired was for qigong to bring me health, supernormal ability and immortal life.

I felt more and more comfortable listening to the recordings on the tapes, and a kind of power was infusing within my body; gradually it spread all over my body and soul. This power began to stir, and my soul felt uneasy and also began to stir. I realized something unusual was happening, but I could not tell what it was. I tried to calm myself down and resisted this power by reasoning. But immediately I knew I had failed. Deciding to yield, I told my parents hastily, "I can't bear it anymore. I want to do something very unusual. I can't stand it!" My voice must have sounded very desperate, for I got them very much concerned for me.
Very slowly, my sensations became illusory too. After I do not know how long, I suddenly knelt down, and that power forcefully pushed my head downward to the ground.
After a little while, my hand pulled up some grass beside me and put it into my mouth. I chewed, and at once it felt as if a spring had rushed out; I swallowed down a lot, and my throat thirsted no more.

My forehead began to sink, and I had a special feeling at my tianmu, which is the so-called third eye on the human body. Once anyone has his/her tianmu opened, he/she will be able to see many things invisible to human eyes, and his/her supernormal capabilities will be enhanced.

Because as Yan Xin had said, "Chinese medicine and qigong come from one origin."
I realized why Buddhist monks like to eat vegetables because I began to hate eating meat and to prefer vegetables. Although I had always liked vegetables since my childhood, I ate only vegetables now and could even smell a kind of fishy smell in eggs. That smell made me nauseated.

I began to practice divination and divine by the Eight Trigrams. There were very often groups of people coming to my office in my work unit to ask me to tell fortunes for them. People who needed to make some major decisions would come to consult me, get some suggestions from me, and then leave happily.

I also realized what in essence Yan Xin's "qi-remitting" lectures were. I experimented with some people who also cried, or laughed or danced without stopping.(THIS IS HAPPENING IN SOME CHURCHES THAT FOLLOW The NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION. See View From the Bunker’s podcasts)

There were clear signs that my character was becoming vile and corrupt. My previous gentle and amiable personality had at this point been replaced by extraordinary irritability and quick temper.

Due to the supernormal capabilities I had in me, I became very proud of myself
I felt my own supernormal ability stirred and very soon lost control of myself under a power unlike any that I had experienced before.

"It" wanted me to walk towards the window and commanded me to jump out of the window.


That is a very brief look at the effects Qigong has had on a person’s life. It almost ended his life, it was only after he renounced it and came to Jesus Christ and being reconciled to the Living, Most High God through Him was he able to be freed from this oppression. Demons, entities, "aliens," and ghosts are all the same, and can only be stopped through faith in Jesus Christ.

I encourage you again to read the entire story, as it all starts out very innocently, but as with all things occult, Qigong becomes a slippery slope that draws one deeper and deeper into Satan’s clutches. It is also, a pretty textbook case of demonic oppression/posession.

Because this happened to one person, does it mean that everyone who does Qigong will go through this? Probably not. But in a game of Russian Roulette, not everyone pulling the trigger will be shot. Even if you don’t end up under demonic oppression by practicing Qigong, does that mean you should do it? Should a church be offering classes on it? We've seen how on a basic level it's witchcraft, and makes us into our own god which breaks the first commandment.

The Prophet Isaiah says it best, “should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” Why practice Qigong in church instead of praying and reading the Bible? What about doing what Jesus said by feeding and clothing those in need? Christians should not only avoid Qigong because it's essentially witchcraft, but it also takes away from the work we should be doing. That is, leading people to Christ and destroying the works of the devil. It is this aspect that makes Qigong something that definitely not be allowed to occur even on church property. Christians should avoid it at all costs.

The church is God’s house of prayer, not a place to practice meditation and possibly encounter demons. It is akin to setting up a Ouija board (and even New Agers are cautious with Ouija boards) in the pews, or doing a Tarot deck in the fellowship hall. If you wouldn't want that stuff in your church, then qigong shouldn't be either.

Qigong will not bring you closer to God, but will only bring you closer to hell. Here are some scriptures that emphasize that point.

1 Tim 4:1, 2

Isaiah 8:19, 20

2 John 1:7-11

Jude 1:4


Below are some links for those who (Christians included) don’t believe contact with demons is possible, through Qigong or other means, this will also help reveal that these spirits are not from God. Some Christians don’t believe there are demons around. If that were true, why would we have these verses? I have seen nothing else in the Bible that has said that demons would disappear after the Bible was written and given to us.

2 Cor 11:4

1 John 4

Jude 1:8

1 Sam 28:3-8

Luke 6:43,44


In conclusion, if you are thinking about learning Qigong, pay heed to the testimony of one who practiced it. That person wrote 9 chapters of how it ruined their life and almost drove them to suicide. People don’t write 9 chapters unless there is a good reason too. If you have practiced it, and found your experience to be similar, what are you going to do about it? Do you want to remain practicing something that will only end in your own destruction? Do you want to be set free? If so, please ask God to help you. Invite Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God into your heart. Confess your sins, and ask Him to set you free from this bondage. If you need some resources, http://www.shatterthedarkness.net/ is extremely helpful. As is the Revelations Radio Podcast on itunes (and the internet). Jesus can set you free.

Jesus Christ can and will set you free, all you have to do is believe in Him, and ask Him into your heart. Believe He died for our sins, and was resurrected from the dead. Believe that He is the Son of God.