What is the purpose of the energy ball that forms in the dan tien and flows up the (open with cultivation) central channel and becomes smaller, more concentrated and more powerful with cultivation.

In modern times, its purpose is to seperate rubes from their hard earned money. In the past its purpose was to show that China lacked science.

P.T. Barnum Brian
p.s. thanks for the laugh first thing this morning

Is this anything like a chi blast from dragon ball z? I turned down chances to learn from Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, ect. to find a master to teach me how to throw chi blasts. Anyone know how to channel energy from the dantien to help fly? I've been practicing for about 25 years but I've had no real success. I pay $95 a month to Super Mega Grand Master Buddah Yoda Zinghiyaa from the Shaolin Temple to teach me. He says I just need to keep practicing.

Many people would rather believe that they can channel qi to create disharmony in an attacker and it sounds much nicer than "punch him in the sternum until he falls over".

On the other hand, much of the kind of imagery quoted by Ms Williams is useful in qigong purposes and is a traditional aspect of Chinese culture.