The Micro Cosmic Orbit Meditation

Once the energy has been built up and securely established within the disciple's Lower Dantian, the next meditation that is traditionally practiced is the circulation of Qi within the Microcosmic Orbit or "Lesser Celestial Circuit" Therefore, after filling and overflowing the Lower Dantian, the next level of training is focused on activating the body's primary Yin and Yang Vessels.

This is accomplished by circulating the cultivated energy through the Governing  Vessel (Sea of Yang Qi) and Conception Vessel (Sea of Yin Qi). In Daoist Alchemy, it is important that the disciple first clear his Governing and Conception Vessels in order to allow the original energy of his True Breath (Yuan Qi) to freely circulate.

When performing the Circulation of the Microcosmic Orbit, it is important to note that there are traditionally three different energetic orbit circulations practiced in esoteric Daoist alchemy (i.e., the Fire Cycle, Water Cycle, and the Wind Cycle).

Each of these cycles offer the disciple a unique type of energetic cultivation and have a special energetic function, described as follows:

The Microcosmic Orbit Fire Cycle
This cycle is used in order to cleanse, purify, and balance the stagnated energy within the Governing and Conception Vessels . This special energy circulation will naturally release the stored emotional energies of the disciple's acquired mind and personality.




The Microcosmic Orbit Water Cycle
This cycle is used in order to refine and harmonize the spiritual nature of the disciple's Yuan Shen or "Original Mind" . This special circulation is traditionally practiced in order to move the Shen (Spirit), develop and increase the clairvoyant skills, and to energetically activate the disciple's hidden spiritual powers. .

The Microcosmic Orbit Wind Cycle
 This cycle is used in order to transform and transport the disciple's Shen into the infinite space of the Wuji . lt is traditionally practiced in order to open various energetic portals within the disciple's Upper Dantian (Niwan Palace).

The most Powerful Nei Gong Meditation

Sit comfortably in a lotus position. If this is too difficult, then cross your legs as you would normally, but one leg is pulled on top of the other. A full lotus is putting one leg on top of the other and then pulling the other leg on top. Usually, the way we develop in America isn’t conducive for a full lotus, as we train the wrong muscles. But if you can sit in a full lotus you do not need to touch your fingers, rather just place your hands on your legs in a comfortable manner.

Most of us will never attain a full lotus…but this doesn’t matter in the slightest. We can have exactly the same results by sitting in a half lotus.

If using a half lotus, you must touch the first finger with your thumb while placing them upon your legs in a comfortable manner.

From building your newly developed chi during level 1, it will then be condensed in level 2, this is important.

Now to begin, close your eyes and think “relax”. Quiet your mind by watching the lights that flash when your eyes are closed.

Rub your hands together to warm them. Use a finger or place your hand exactly on your dan tien…this tells your mind where your breath must go. But when you begin your practice move your hands back to your legs.

As you begin to breathe…it will slow down automatically as you progress into your session.  

Breathe in through your nose slowly in a rhythmical manner while imagining your breath going down to your dan tien. Don’t hold your breath at any point. Then visually imagine it coming back up and out your mouth. But do this progressively slowly. Not now, but you will eventually be working down to eight breaths a minute, however, slow breathing is perfectly fine.

Note on how we do the breathing system: the tongue should be on the ridge of the mouth as you breathe in your nose, then to breathe out, drop your tongue, do this method all the time during your meditation.

You also need to be aware that your breathing must be illustrated only by your stomach expanding and contracting. There should be nothing else moving. When you first begin training, make sure your shoulders don’t move, as this indicates your breathing is too high and your newly cultivated chi will stay high and not make it into your dan tien. So keep shoulders still and only move stomach to accommodate the chi in that area.

It is good to have someone observe you to make sure you are not moving your shoulders when you do your meditative breathing.

All this may take some time, but as usual, don’t push your self. Just relax and enjoy the experience trusting that all is done for a specific reason and things will happen as they should.

This training is mechanical, and by doing all this you “will” attain the same desired affects as all others have attained in this Meditation system by doing this exact same training.

While concentrating during your meditation you must work on emptying your mind of all thoughts. This is very difficult and literally takes years to develop…so don’t be in a hurry as nothing will happen any sooner than it is supposed to. Some people, by virtue of their physiology, psyche and innate abilities allow them to develop sooner than others, but all who train “will” develop no matter what. Just accept how you are created and appreciate the transition into another mindset.

Helpful hint: when concentrating, focusing only on your dan tien, or your breath, or try and blank everything out your mind; any one works for your development. All are designed for pointed “concentration.”

You should start out gradually; I started out doing meditation for five minutes, then I quickly advanced to ten. This may not sound like much, but you have to remember you will be doing this literally for years. So, to start off slowly almost guarantees your longevity. If you start too fast you will most certainly quit early and likely never achieve your goal. Buy starting slowly to train yourself allows your mind and body to become adjusted…and then your mind and body will actually tell you that it can take more when it is ready. When this happens you must accommodate this by adding either a minute or a few minutes at a time. Just as long as you take your time, and not be in a hurry…this way you will find it is easier to increase your time.

In this nei Gong system, there is no specific time each day to meditate. However, one hour is usual for most people because most of us work and have family responsibilities. But, if you are single you can take more time to train. Either way, you can do more if it is possible, which may increase your development, but not guaranteed because we are all different.

If you have families, don’t take away quality time from them. This is for you as much as it is for them.

I worked up to one hour over a period of two years. When I reached one hour I started a second session for the day with another hour. I would do one hour and stop and do some other things, then I would return and do another session of one hour. After a while I started trying to do more than an hour at a time and occasionally did 2 hours straight. But mostly I would only do one hour each session per day. But don’t be in a hurry to do this; it is best to train slowly and work up.

So, I would highly recommend that you take your time so you can withstand all the issues that will come up and be able to adjust to them. It is similar to working out with weights, you don’t just start bench pressing over two-hundred pounds…you’ve got to work up to it. If you tried you most likely would rip tendons, and or tear muscles and this would force you to stop.

Reverse Breathing

Important: after two months of constant, daily training, your breathing mechanics will change if you feel you are ready. The normal breathing in which you started was forgetting used to your meditative training. You still benefited from the normal way of breathing, but now the Mo Pai method of breathing can begin if you are able to do it comfortably and still "concentrate."

To do the "reverse breathing" technique: Instead of expanding your stomach with your breathing-in, you must “pull-in” your stomach as you breathe-in. This may sound strange and hard at first, but it can be done…and eventually it becomes second nature, but it takes time. Then, you must “expand” your stomach as you “breathe-out.”

Your stomach is doing just the opposite from the normal way we breathe (And remember your stomach is the only part of your body that moves). At first this will greatly impair your ability to lengthen your breathing or take a deep breath. However, it will improve over time; just be patient, as this is an entirely different mode of training from ancient knowledge.

  Sex: this is another issue that must be addressed. It is simple and straight forward; if you expel your sperm (in any manner) you must “STOP” all training for three days (72 hours). If you do train during that time, you will tear your dan tien…and that would “end” your training, because you can’t fill a torn dan tien (container). So, you must strictly adhere to the “time-off” period before you return to nai gong training. This also applies if you expel your sperm during sleep. However, if you are married, you must accommodate your wife as she needs your attention in many areas. My teacher had seven children while he was training…so what does that tell you?

During meditation there are differences: You must understand the difference between meditation and “concentration”. One can meditate upon anything or any subject in a relaxed state. Meditating also causes you to think more clearly. You can think better in meditation on many issues and make better decisions…you allow your inner mind to move upward into your conscience thinking.

Concentration on the other hand is when you totally focus your thoughts without any distractions or interruptions whatsoever on either nothing or a single point/aspect…it is where your mind is totally free of extra thought(s), as there is no wavering or moving thoughts going through your mind, it is still and fixed. This is however only achieved in increments as you learn to discipline yourself, and it also depends upon your desire to totally focus!  

If thoughts arise, there is a method that helps to dissipate them: when any thought(s) enter your mind, simply look at where the thought originated…and it will dissolve away; you don’t want to latch onto any thoughts.

Concentration, sitting on the ground and breathing combined is actually what develops your chi to build up and goto the dan tien area. Just meditating and regular breathing will not cause you to attain the desired effects necessary for Nei Gong development

It takes much training to achieve stillness of mind, so don’t think you can do it quickly…you can’t. It is estimated by John that in one hour of meditation you may achieve a total of one minute of concentration (empty mind)…it is that difficult. This will improve over time of course.

In this Nei Gong training you must develop 81 hours of total “concentration” to attain “certain” markers to show you’ve reached a specific level or development. So, it doesn’t matter how focused you are, it will still take a long time to attain this amount of concentration so you need to be very patient and understand that it is “concentration” you work on during meditation.

 

It took me around fifteen months to achieve the “heat” in my dan tien. This is the first sign that your chi development is going along perfectly. The heat will also increase in its intensity to the point you might feel you are going to burn up…you will not, it is the chi throughout your body accumulating in your dan tien. Some people will gain this later and some sooner, don’t be discouraged, as it will come no matter what.

The next feeling/sensation will most certainly come as did the fist; everyone gets it, but the only difference is, it reacts a little differently for everyone, but basically it is the same and will affect different parts of your body. It is a wonderful confirmation of your development, as well as a surprising one; you will enjoy it!

End your meditation session with slow movements. It is best to bring your mind slowly back to reality. Once you’ve stopped, just sit a moment and slowly open your eyes. Don’t react to issues by jumping up quickly. Take your time. Massage your legs if they have some pain and slowly get up.

The Lower Dan Tien | Manipura Chakra

The Lower Dantian, also known as the "elixer field" or "sea of chi", is regarded as the center of physical strength and the source of stamina and origins of our lower animal instincts. It is located in the lower abdominal area about 3 finger  widths bellow the navel , and its energetic boundary is positioned in the shape of a triangle, formed by drawing a line between the navel, Mingmen (lower back), and perineum. These three points form an energetic pyramid, facing downward. This special configuration allows the Lower Dantian to naturally gather and absorb the various Five Element energies from the Earth.






The Lower Dantian collects Earth Qi, is associated with jing (Essence), and supports the first field of the body's external Weiqi (Protective Energy) field. This level of Protective Qi circulates outside the body, extending  roughly one inch beyond the body's tissues. As the Lower Dantian increases in its content of Qi, the stronger more expansive, and thicker, the body's Weiqi field becomes.





The Lower Dantian acts as a reservoir for storing heat and vibration, and is associated with both the External Kidneys (testes), and the Internal Kidneys (Kidney Organs). The body's Prenatal Essence (Yuan Jing), which determines its constitutional strengths and vitality, is stored within the Lower Dantian, and interacts with the Kidney Qi in order to form Kidney Jing




Through focused concentration and meditation, the ]ing (Essence) within the Lower Dantian can be refined and transformed in order to produce Qi (Energy). When sufficient heat is generated in the Lower Dantian as a result of stoking the fire,  mixing with the Kidney Water, the alchemical transformation of ]ing in the Lower Dantian area causes the water of the Jing to turn into steam (Qi), This is one reason why the modern character for Qi is composed of the image of steam rising from rice that is bursting and decomposing . This alchemical transformation is known as "changing Jing into Qi:' and takes place within the Lower Dantian and forms the foundation of many Taoist and Buddhist Neigong systems

The five Elements

In the Taoist way, the  Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) are used to explain, classify, and characterize all natural phenomena. Each of the Five Elements is used in order to describe the unique shape, movement, taste, sound, color, direction, force and energetic functions

for example

-Wood Qi: Expansive, Sprouting, Windy, East 
-Fire Qi: Ascending, Blooming, Hot, South
-Earth Qi: Harmonizing & Ripening, Damp, Center 
-Metal Qi Contracting, Withering, Dry, West
-Water Qi: Descending, Dormant, Cold, North







Traditionally, there are two main cycles used in Five Element Theory to describe the various interactions of energy: the Creating Cycle, and the Controlling Cycle . In life, all energy is in the process of either being created, or dissolving . Yin and Yang

The ancient Taoists believed that the energetic and spiritual components of the Five Elements originally exists as "Five Pure Lights," which emanated as a subtle expression of the "Primordial Luminosity" of the Tao. These "Five Pure Lights" were considered the energies from which all other energies arose. As they transform to become the various dimensions of existence (matter, energy, and spirit), they form the different realms or worlds in which we exist

Within the human body, the energetic qualities of the Five Elements are divided into Yin (solid) and Yang (hollow) organ energies. These Elemental energies sustain the tissues and establish the foundation for all of the body's internal organ systems (e.g., digestive system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, endocrine system, nervous system, etc.). The body's internal energetic states continually change, affected internally by thoughts and emotions, and externally by the various energetic changes of the seasons, and by weather. 

The Three Dantiens

The human body has three important energy centers, that store and radiate energy, similar to the way a battery stores and releases energy. These three powerful energetic centers are called the Three "Dantians" and are located along the center core of the body't Taiji Pole . "Dantian:' is traditionally translated as "Cinnabar Field," or "Elixir Field."

 The primary energetic function of the Three Dantians is to gather, store, and transform lifeforce energy. The energy reservoirs of the Three Dantians are linked externally through the Governing (Sea of Yang Qi) and Conception (Sea of Yin Qi) Vessels; and are internally connected through the Thrusting Vessels and the body's Taiji Pole

 The center of each Dantian is energetically attached to the Taiji Pole, which extends from the Baihui point at the top of the head to the Huiyin point at the center of the lower perineum. Each of the Dantians generate heat, light, magnetic fields, and electrical vibrations. The energetic charge and intensity of each Dantian's vibration and magnetic field is dependent upon the disciple's ability to discipline and control his mental focus, posfure, and respiration.

 Qi moves into the body's Dantians through the body's Taiji Pole. The energy is then absorbed into the body's major organs and surrounding tissues as it flows through the Dantians and into the body's internal and external channels and collaterals. Energy can also be absorbed from the external environment through the body's tissues, channels, and internal organs, and be directed to flow directly into the Three Dantians and ultimately into the center core Taiji Pole.

 Because each Dantian acts like a reservoir, it collects energy and redistributes it into all of the internal organs. This energy also extends from the surface of the body outward, into the three external "Weiqi" (Protective Energy )fields 

What is Chi?

                        What is Chi?

 Chi is a Chinese word meaning aliveness, life force energy or life breath 
- also known as Ki, Qi or Prana. 

Put simply, chi (qi) is that which gives life. In terms of the body, chi is that which differentiates a corpse from a live human being.

 Chi has been studied and documented for over five thousand years, from China and Japan to India, the the Mediterranean and the Americas. Chi is the energy that animates life, recognized as the balance of Yin and Yang (male and female, positive and negative, electromagnetic energy), which flows through everything in creation. Chi is at the foundation of many health and fitness practices such as, Yoga, Internal Martial Arts,Feng Shui and Acupressure, Acupuncture.

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A strong chi force makes a human being alive and full of vigor, alert and present while a weak Chi force results in weakness and fatigue and sickness. You can increase and develop your chi to overcome illness, become more vibrant and enhance mental capacity by practicing certain energetic modalities such as yoga and chi kung and Internal Martial arts






 Both Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are based on balancing and enhancing chi to bring the body into a state of optimal health and balancing Yin and Yang and getting to the root cause of any illness in the body which begins on the Chi level and manifests physically as illness








Here is a video of a chi kung Master giving his scientific explanation of what chi means'