Although our lives depend on the continuous flow of energy through governing and functional channels, their quantity, quality and movement are often insufficient for the high level of health and vitality that we are entitled to in our own right. From a Taoist point of view, only through direct perception of this energy can we rectify the situation.. “Knowledge of the flow of energy in our body helps to understand that the microcosmic orbit must be actively kept open to accommodate and augment the movement of the Chi. When we don’t know how to store, recycle and transform our inner strength through this pathway, our energy consumption becomes inefficient.” it becomes as inefficient as a car that travels a short distance consuming a lot of gasoline. By practicing microcosmic orbit meditation we can come in contact with our Chi flow and locate blocks or weak points in this channel, to then correct them. "This will help us use more efficiently and get more profitable ""mileage"".".
Most of us, if we are frank with ourselves,—we must admit that we have very little direct perception of not only our life force, but also of the most important parts of our body—our abdomen, chest, head, and back—. When we do notice these areas, it is usually because some kind of discomfort has occurred, such as headaches, etc. ,signs that our power is blocked in some channel or not moving as it should. However, through working with the microcosmic orbit, we begin to perceive these areas more frequently over the course of our lives, along with any tension that may be developing. And it's more: our awareness gradually expands and we begin to have more direct impressions of our body from the inside out in relation to the movements and blocks of our life force. When we learn to experience it directly through our perception, the microcosmic orbit manifests itself as an omnipresent channel into the inner spaces and energy centers of our Being. And through the impressions of the circulation of our inner energy within the framework of these spaces and centers can take place a true transformation in our body and psyche, a transformation that can be the basis of our inner health and development.
EXERCISE
WAKE UP THE CENTERS
FROM THE FUNCTIONAL CHANNEL
CENTER OF THE THROAT (HSUAN-CHI)
Once you reach the point of the interlock (Yintang), make the tongue touch the palate, at the point immediately following the upper teeth, and continue so for the rest of the exercise. (A good location is the point where the tongue naturally goes when pronouncing the "law". ) Now let your attention begin to descend down the functional channel through the mouth, tongue and down to the center of the throat. Once again breathe in and out of this center until you begin to feel a sense of opening. This center, which includes the thyroid and parathyroid glands, is located in a V-like space located in the lower throat, just above the sternum. The function of this center includes speech, dreaming, production of growth hormones and metabolism regulation. When this center is closed the person feels blocked and has no desires either unable to communicate or change. When this center opens the person is able to communicate clearly, even with eloquence, and his dreams are more lucid.
CENTER OF THE HEART (SHUAN-CHUNG)
Then let your attention be directed to the center of the heart, approximately five centimeters above the bottom of the sternum. Energy-wise, the center of the heart lies between the man's nipples and approximately three centimeters above the lower part of the sternum in the woman. The opening of the heart center is very small, so this center can easily be blocked or congested. It rules this organ in addition to the thyme, which is an important part of our immune system. When this center is closed the person feels various negative emotions, including arrogance, self-pity, impatience and hatred. When this center opens the person feels joy, love, patience, frankness, for themselves and for others.
SOLAR PLEX CENTER (CHUNG KUNG)
Now let your attention be directed to the solar plexus, three quarters of the space separating the navel and the bottom of the sternum. This center relates to various organs, including the stomach, spleen, pancreas and liver. The Taoists believe that in the solar plexus "boiler", sexual energy (Ching) and life force energy (Chi) transform into spiritual energy (Shen). When this center is closed the person feels panic and worry, and is extremely cautious. When this center opens the person feels a feeling of inner freedom and the ability to take risks on their behalf or in the lives of others.
Now take your mental attention to the center of the navel (Tan-tien or Chi-chung), then to the sexual center located in the pubic bone area (Kuan-yuan); and finally again to the perineal (Hui-yin).
When carrying out this exercise, do not stop for too long at any center, especially at the heart, because focusing your attention for an extended time at any center before the microcosmic orbit is fully open can disrupt the energetic flow in your body. Don't concentrate that center for more than twenty or thirty seconds. For the other centers one or two minutes should be enough. Don't try to force the situation just let each point start to open itself only when the energy of your breathing comes in contact with it. Take your time for this work. Impatience will lead you nowhere; the important thing is to really feel the vibrational sensation of each center.
