Physics Midterm - Energy and Qi

A highly popular formula that western science understands is one no other than Einstein’s E=MC2. Also known as energy equals to mass times the speed of light, squared. Though Albert Einstein did not know it at first, he had discovered the key to stellar energy. That of the idea of even the smallest of the small of matter can potentially have concentrated energy. Traveling halfway around the world, we are presented with eastern science and ideologies, one which crowns as king of all: Qi.

Everything that is alive has qi, and is an important product of understanding how to harness qi in it’s many functions. By looking at them in comparison from each other, it can be understood that the two approaches are very much similar in functionality.

According to western science, mass whether it is an inanimate object or not, has the potential to generate energy based on it’s force. The efficiency of Einstein’s equation states that mass is energy and the only thing that could possibly give it direction is force. If we were to look at the physiological component of a human who is about to sneeze, it can be said that the mass that requires energy to leave the body is the spit from the oral cavity to the outside world. As the body is tickled to react with a sneeze, a generated force is created so that the spit is furiously sprayed out with energy.
In terms of TCM and eastern ideas, a sneeze is an exertion of qi that comes from within the body. Though a sneeze may derive from a wind-cold or deficient pathology, the symptom of sneezing is a result of a mass being affected by energy, thus creating qi in the form of a sneeze. If one may sneeze too much, they will feel tired or have a far runnier nose, just as if one had over exercised their energy.

Another example of qi versus Einstein’s energy equation can be from electrical stimulation or shock therapy. In acupuncture, electrical stimulation is used to further affect the deeper tissues and chronic issues an individual may be having. The connection from the electricity to the needle, and throughout the body acts as a “nitrous”, sending waves of outside qi to move the stagnant qi from the inside.
In terms of western medicine, shock therapy helps to move and influence mass that requires the force to progress throughout the body.

In the end, Qi is energy, and energy is qi- just as a human has both energy and qi. The differences between western and eastern ideas are their approaches to explaining them. Just as how religion and science are potentially opposites, they could also be used to “prove” each other- We could use Qi and Einstein’s equation of energy to support each other in creating a solid understanding of a healthy idea of energy as a whole.