I think the association some people are making of chi with 'MAGIC' is a nonsense. In our western mindset somethings people have claimed to be able to achieve through use of their chi may seem like magic but only because western science cannot explain it.
But there is not trickery involved in the usage of chi as with magicso i think this comparison is wrong principally.
Yes I do think that you have to believe in it to eventually gain control and 'induce' it but I believe it is something everybody has.... after all what is chi?
its the energy of life.....why is this so hard for people to comprehend? Just because it cannot be explained by western science through molecular transmission and so on doesnt mean that the eastern explanations for it are invalid.
Acupuncture has been pretty much accepted into western practice as people continue to learn about it we will find out what the nature of chi/qi really is IMO - it could be to do with electromagnetics.....heat transfer.....anything.....
greg