According to the Han-dahn Ko-gi and Ilchi Lee, records indicate that ancient ascetics developed their bodies and minds through the practice of three methods: Ji-gam, Jo-sik, and Geum-chok. Ji-gam trains the mind to calm the thoughts and emotions and Jo-sik trains the breath to regulate energy through breathing. Geum-chok is a practice for entering a deep spiritual world beyond the five senses.
The practice of Ji-gam, Jo-sik, and Geum-chok, related in the Sam-il-shin-go, one of the three great scriptures of the Korean people, in particular form the basis of Shin-seon-do practice. This Shin-seon-do practice spread to the various peoples of Asia, including China, and developed into a variety of Ki-gong methods. Its lineage was broken with the collapse of Dangun Chosun, however, and the spirit and philosophy it contained were also diluted and faded gradually with time; until today only its technical aspects were handed down in various forms.
