Ontology or general metaphysics is the study of what really exists in the totality of reality, traditionally in terms of being in Western philosophy.

Both on a personal and social level, the highest ideal of the Chinese traditional culture is "Union with Heaven", along with "Union with all". In the final analysis, these ideals are simply a "testimony of the soul naturally Christian" (testimonium animae naturaliter christianae). Anima naturaliter christiana is a phrase used by Tertullian (c. 160-220) in the early Church (Apol. 17.6; PL 1:37). Integrating the ontological reality of various Chis in the Chinese culture with that of God's Uncreated Energy (and other spiritual energies) in Eastern Orthodox or Catholic Christianity, this work attempts to show how Christianity --- in terms of Familization --- can intimately help fulfill these two traditionally unsurpassed ideals or dreams in the Chinese psyche (or in any other soul created by God) which is naturally Christian.

At the same time, in line with the Catholic Church in South Korea, we are also deeply aware of the New Age Chi culture, a so-called "New-Age-style movement that mixes health programs with faulty religious ideas" (Zenith News on February 23, 2001). Should we, then, stop talking about Chis or cease approaching the people of Chis?

"Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel" (1Cor 9:16) to the people of Chis, Kis or energies!

Update: October 12, 2001

As you know, directly and indirectly, there are countless individuals in the Far East --- as many as over one or two billions in China, India, Japan, etc. -- who have been brought up or immensely influenced by the historical tradition, culture and development of high Chi (Ki, energy, or other synonymous names) biology and its quasi-religious psychics. Simultaneously, there are numerous people in the modern and postmodern West (North and South also) whose traditional Christian faith has been loosened up or swept away by the modern success of high energy physics, as well as by the international cultural import of the Chi experience and its quasi-religious elements.

How, then, shall we approach these high energy or Chi people? As the Church has advised us, it is through the Christian method of authentic inculturation. This is precisely where Theology of Energy comes in, through which we help to evangelize these people, bringing them to an intimate union with the whole Divine Heavenly Family and the Mystical Body of Christ, as well as to a family and familiar experience of God's grace (or Divine Energy), the Word of God, the Holy Eucharist, the Magisterium, the different Sacraments and sacramentals, and the genuine mysticism of our canonized Saints, etc.

While other volumes of A Handbook of Theology of Energy are helping to evangelize the West, North and South, this volume is important for the incultural evangelization of Chi people in the Far East. Like many other cultures there, the Chinese culture is a culture of countless Chis or energies.

All in all, is there not emerging --- at the beginning of the present new millennium --- a universal paradigm shift in which numberless people in this global village begin to realize that everything is indeed energy or Ch?

Please take note that the various energies or Chis are not something invented, but something to be discovered at varying paces. For example, it has taken the West many centuries to have discovered nature's omnipresent physical energy. The next big universal discovery by the world -- which hopefully might take a few more decades --- would be God's eternal omnipresent Divine Energy which was first discovered by the Eastern Christian mystics, e.g., St. Basil, St. Anthanasius and St. Gregory Palamas. We may, then, relate to the first two mystics as two of the early Roman Catholic saints, since they (St. Basil and St. Anthanasius) lived before the East-West schism happening about 1054 A.D. The discovery of God's Divine Energy belongs, therefore, to the early Roman Catholic Church. To embrace God's Energy simply means to be true to our early Roman Catholic experience, teaching or tradition. It is nothing new.

Christ and, therefore, also the Christian Church do not come to destroy but to bring supernatural fulfillment or enrichment to a culture, helping Providence to fill and permeate it with superabundant graces (cf. Mt 5: 17; 1Cor 15: 28). We believe that our works would eventually help inspire also many people in the West, East, North and South to come closer to that goal, so that God would be All in all.

Update: October 12, 2001

Like many other cultures, the Chinese culture is a culture of countless chis or energies. This volume, then, is important for the incultural evangelization of China. Beyond doubt, Christ and His Church do not come to destroy any culture but to bring it to fulfillment (cf. Mt 5: 17).

As Feng Shui --- a substantial part of traditional Chinese experience of various created energies, chis or qis (cf. Time, Canada, July 10, 2000, p. 44) --- has nothing to do explicitly and directly with God's Uncreated Energy, Divine Revelation, the Magisterium and eternal salvation, Theology of Energy therefore has nothing to do with Feng Shui. (That does not mean we do not love these Feng Shui people.)

However, when these highly intuitive Feng Shui folks --- on the created level --- begin to be open and develop their spiritual intuitive cognition towards the omnipresent Uncreated Energy of God, not only would they be immensely fascinated by it, but they would also become irresistibly drawn to it in continuous awe.

As a consequence, many would increasingly turn to the Holy Eucharist --- the greatest Living Source of God's radiant Uncreated Energy on earth --- and embrace what the Church has to teach them about various other awesome channels of God's grace or Energy (i.e., various other Sacraments and sacramentals). Many might, in turn, become some of the greatest missionaries on earth, on fire to bring Christ's awesome channels of God's Uncreated Energy or grace to others, something which Feng Shui has kept missing all these centuries or millennia. Their passion for the created would finally, by the grace of God, lead them to their inexhaustible love and zeal for the Uncreated.

Further, their accumulated experience and healthy balance between the Uncreated Energy and created energies would have much to teach others. Alleluia!

Update: July 28, 2000