My experience is primarily in the external arts and I have some questions for the internal guys, about the common theories of chi.
First of all, let me say that I believe in the existence of chi, at least as an energy/life force. I am not convinced in all of the classical Chinese notions, however, I would like to hear the opinions.
So where did the knowledge of meridians and acupuncture points come from? Was there anything remotely scientific in the process of mapping the points and channels? Was this entirely handed down from "the Ancients?" Has there been any significant changes to the points/theories in the past several centuries?
I am extremely skeptical of Dian Xue fighting skills, but I try to stay open minded. Supposedly strikes at certain points are more or less lethal depending on flow of chi, which varies by the time of day, season, ect.
So what happens if I get on a plane and fly to the other side of the world? If I'm in a different time zone and different season, does my chi stay the same, or automatically adjust? If the chi is in circulation, why is the bulk of it ever in any given point? Why does it stagnate? Who came up with the triple warmers? Is there any information about the origins of these ideas?
I've yet to see any convincing data that any sort of "death touch" is real, based on striking these points...now healing with acupuncture is a different story, but is there anyone who has ever really attempted to prove any of the the wilder martial claims?