It is known as Gathering Qi or Ancestral Qi.
Human beings nourish themselves from food and respiration. "From Earth and Heaven".
- The Gu Qi transported by the Spleen to the Lungs "gathers" with the oxygen that enters through respiration.
- The impure part of food descends to the intestines to continue being processed and evacuated.
- The Zong Qi is a further refinement of Qi (going from Gu Qi to Zong Qi) on its way to blood production.
The Lungs receive the pure part of food and the pure part of air, combine them and form Zong Qi, Gathering Qi. Zong Qi, therefore, although it may be called respiratory energy, is not only the air that is breathed; it also includes the pure part of food ascended by the Spleen.
Zong Qi helps the Heart pump blood through the blood vessels and the Lungs in their respiratory function and in voice.
The state of Zong Qi is observed through the health of the Heart and Lungs.
The emotions directly influence Zong Qi.
Zong Qi flows downward and Yuan Qi flows upward, in this way the Lungs and Kidneys interact forming Zhen Qi:
- The more yin and pure aspect of Zong Qi forms the Rong Qi or nutritive energy. Thanks to the Kidneys it becomes Xue and is propelled by the Heart to circulate through all vessels and arteries to nourish the body.
- The more yang and turbid aspect of Zong Qi forms the Wei Qi, the defensive energy, which circulates on the body's surface to defend.
The center of the chest is the point where the Sea of Qi and Zong Qi meet, right at point CV-17.