Clippinger, D. (2016). Cultivating Qi.
Reviewed by Kevin
Jeffrey Goldwater, New York University
Highlighting the venerable nature of Qi and its siblings, David W.
Clippinger expands and modernizes classic traditions. While focusing on Qi as
the main subject, Clippinger discusses it in relation to Taoism, Buddhism, and
Traditional Chinese Medicine. He aims to ‘demystify’ the thoughts, philosophies
and practices surrounding Qi, and in doing so Clippinger weaves together
several themes of traditional East Asian spirituality and energetics to create
a cohesive, educating and calming work.
The whole book is about Qi and its chapters serve as differentiating
aspects regarding it. The first chapter discusses the base nature and
fundamentals of Qi and what it is, explaining how it can be used to create a
life of value The second chapter proceeds to interchange these two themes,
highlighting then how Qi is used within different spiritual and energetic
principles discussed, and the remaining chapters then use these principles to
explore and guide in practice, training, thought and instruction. Focusing on
the interaction and synthetization of mind, body, spirit, breath and indeed Qi,
these aspects are found throughout the entire book. Complete with a number of
bulleted lists, supplemental figures and an abundance of quotes, the book
serves as a field guide to practicing Qi and it’s sibling methodologies.
The book has open arms to anyone who would like to learn more about Qi
and the effect it can have on an individual’s life. It does not require a
background in East Asian medicine or psychology, however a reader would benefit
from being a little familiar with East Asian culture and basic academic
processes. Clippinger easily explains theories and practices to his reader,
with smooth transitions to allow full immersion. Admist this, however,
Clippinger seems to assume his reader is a bit familiar with some of his
references; he only supplements some new names and theories quickly mentioned
with a parenthesized, explanatory sentence. These sentences help Clippinger
explain his thoughts, but even with some of them mentioned before or later in
the book, the seemingly random supplementations subtract and distract from the
material present. That aside, Clippinger’s instructions for literal movement are
easy to follow and make up for the distracting tangents within historical
explanation.
Clippinger ends his introduction relating that Lao Tz said, “a journey
of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” He wishes his book to be a
companion and guide for the journey he outlines as the use and integration of
Qi into every day life. While the contextualizing presented for his techniques
can become a bit fuzzy and distracted, Clippinger’s book finds its value in the
easy instruction of the techniques. The book can allow psychotherapists
everywhere to understand the role of body, mind, and spirit in practice and
indeed Qi and it’s sibling practices, which can only benefit the patient and
the road of healing they are walking down.
Clippinger, D. (2016). Cultivating Qi.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Singing Dragon.
978-1-84819-291-1.
Available in hardcover, paperback and eBook.
Paperback. 205 pages. Includes references and end notes.