In 1979 I started to do research on the relationship between qigong and choleresis. The first experiment was done on myself. Later, there were 5 subjects altogether. The experimental conditions were cholecystectomy and implantation of a T tube to drain bile out of the body for observation. In the course of the experiment, the subject went on a diet and respiration was controlled to ensure even movement of the diaphragm. Various factors (total bilirubin and total cholesterol) were observed together systematically during the inner consciousness action process of qigong. The grades of quality of the inner consciousness action process are 'good', 'common' and 'weak' according to the condition of the tested subjects.
We have found in our experimental research:
1. The inner consciousness action process of qigong can markedly affect the secreted amount of hepatic bile. Changes in the secreted amount of hepatic bile during the qigong state has a close relationship with the quality of the inner consciousness action process. In subjects experienced in qigong, the amount increased 2.5-3.8 times as compared with that during the resting state before and after practising qigong during weak inner consciousness action process (4 persons practised qigong only for 3-12 months) —13.5-96.97%. In two of the tested subjects the amount varied with the quality of the inner consciousness action process during the qigong state in different experiments. When the process was good, the amount of secretion increased by 69.7% and 28.2%, respectively; when the process was common, the amount increased by 24.0% and 20.0% respectively; and when the process was weak, the amount increased by 11.0% and 11.7%. During the whole process of each experiment in each tested subject, the quality of the inner consciousness action process was unstable, i.e. the good, common and weak states appeared alternately. It was a dynamic changing process, in which the amount of secretion increased or decreased with the changes in the quality of the process.
2. The inner consciousness action process can significantly affect the biochemical constituents of the secreted bile, such as total bilirubin and total cholesterol. In two patients with weak inner consciousness action process (they practised qigong for 3 months), the total bilirubin increased by 18.32 % and 18.09% respectively as compared with that during the resting state before and after practising qigong, and the total cholesterol increased by 10.9% and 7.68% respectively. As the inner consciousness action process is a dynamically changeable one, i.e. the good, common and weak states appear alternately, the biochemical constituents of the bile (total bilirubin and total cholesterol) increase or decrease with the changes in the quality of the process.
3. The inner consciousness action process has a great effect on blood pressure. The effect changes according to the locations where the inner consciousness action process takes place. The results obtained from a tested qigong master showed that before and after practising qigong, the mean B. P. was 138.9 / 90.6 mm Hg, whereas when the inner consciousness action process took place at the navel Dantian, the mean B. P. was 124.0/83.8 mm Hg, at Yongquan (K 1) 121.5/81.3 mm Hg, and at Baihui (Du 20) 16l.2/126.6 mm Hg.
I know from these experimental results that:
(1) The conscious process in which the 'involuntary activities' of the human body change apparently during the qigong state is an objectively existing process.
(2) Supposing the indices of involuntary functional activity in the qigong state and in the resting state before the exercise are equal to g(t) and g[sub 0], then the change of the involuntary functional activity during the inner consciousness action process is as follows:
Delta g(t) =g(t)-g
(3) When the inner consciousness action process takes place at different locations and is produced by different gestures, styles and contents, it has different effects on the involuntary functional activities.
(4)The degree of change in involuntary functional activity Dg(t) depends mainly on the quality and strength of the inner consciousness action process.
(5) The inner consciousness action process is a basic prerequisite for the production and development of the qigong state.
