This is the first step in the Dao and the most important. The Softening Smile is the opening key to the world of communicating with ourselves through feeling. Without the ability to feel there is no Daoist practice, just ideas and mental concepts. Feeling focuses the awareness on the present moment which is where the energy is available at all times. The Softening Smile connects us directly with the life force.
The 6 Healing Sounds
The ability to influence the energy flow in the basic organs is developed through the Six Healing Sounds. By altering the energy flow through the organs we begin to have a direct effect on the emotions and the way we feel. This is also the first step in learning to revitalize ourselves through energy practices. The ability to feel begun with the Softening Smile is now developed further feeling each organ. This practice is also called ‘Falling in Love with the Organs’ and the outcome is greater self-care and self-respect.
Embracing the Tree Posture
An essential part of energy work is having the proper physical alignment between the two key sources of energy, namely the earth below and heaven above. Without proper alignment it is impossible to focus the mind clearly and for long periods of time without growing fatigued.
The standing position called Embracing the Tree aligns all the bones in the most efficient way possible. The bones through their crystalline structure are ‘antennas’ through which earth and heavenly energies blend and circulate. This posture energizes the body with a minimum of effort and in the beginning stages helps discover within minutes where blockages preventing proper flow are located. Its daily practice lays the foundations for personal integrity in our actions and thoroughness in what we do.
Qi Gong : Basic Stretching
A simple sequence of stretching from the toes to the head for increasing energy flow and unifying the body. A sequence of sounds clears and empowers the different energy centers along the central channel raising the level of consciousness from distracted to centered. The important breathing exercise called Spinal Chord Breathing helps change the quality of the blood and the mind thus improving the ability to focus clearly and experience calmness. This stretching sequence is the prelude to all Daoist energy practices. Its daily practice increases the feeling of self-esteem.
The Microcosmic Orbit
This is the first practice in which we make direct conscious contact with the life force and its flow through the meridian system. It is very difficult to deepen energy work without having a clear and conscious experience of what energy feels like.
The Microcosmic Orbit is a circular path through the spine and the front part of the body connecting with the complete meridian system all over the body. It is considered the ‘Main Street’ of energy flow therefore it is essential to maintain this avenue open and moving. Each time we consciously complete one circuit of the Microcosmic Orbit the personal level of vitality increases.
All Daoist energy practices at the end lead to the Microcosmic Orbit and it is through this practice that we begin a life-long friendship with the life force. Daily practice generates the feeling of personal power and the ability to efficiently carry out our purpose.
The 8 Trigrams of the I Ching
Working creatively with energy is not just a long series of techniques applied mechanically. For long range work with techniques we need a motivating force which can carry us gracefully in times of opposition and difficulties. The motivating force to persevere is provided by having a clear and powerful point of view orienting our actions. The most highly motivated practitioners are people terminally ill with a death sentence from their doctors, who decide to live and set out to do whatever is required to attain it. Their motivation for practice could not get any clearer than that.
One finds that if the motivation for practice is strong it becomes a source of energy for carrying out techniques and overcoming obstacles. If motivation is not strong then the most powerful techniques will not be enough to bring about lasting transformation.
Without clear guiding principles energy work falls back on improvisation and guess work and may ultimately prove ineffective in generating lasting change.
The Eight Trigrams of the I Ching are the eight fundamental principles for carrying out energy work in a balanced way. They provide a point of view designed to carry the practitioner from raw beginner to transcendence from limitations.
Acting on a regular basis with the eight principles in mind generates a powerful sense of destiny and clarity.
I. Introductory Level
This is the first step in the Dao and the most important. The Softening Smile is the opening key to the world of communicating with ourselves through feeling. Without the ability to feel there is no Daoist practice, just ideas and mental concepts. Feeling focuses the awareness on the present moment which is where the energy is available at all times. The Softening Smile connects us directly with the life force.
The ability to influence the energy flow in the basic organs is developed through the Six Healing Sounds. By altering the energy flow through the organs we begin to have a direct effect on the emotions and the way we feel. This is also the first step in learning to revitalize ourselves through energy practices. The ability to feel begun with the Softening Smile is now developed further feeling each organ. This practice is also called ‘Falling in Love with the Organs’ and the outcome is greater self-care and self-respect.
An essential part of energy work is having the proper physical alignment between the two key sources of energy, namely the earth below and heaven above. Without proper alignment it is impossible to focus the mind clearly and for long periods of time without growing fatigued.
A simple sequence of stretching from the toes to the head for increasing energy flow and unifying the body. A sequence of sounds clears and empowers the different energy centers along the central channel raising the level of consciousness from distracted to centered. The important breathing exercise called Spinal Chord Breathing helps change the quality of the blood and the mind thus improving the ability to focus clearly and experience calmness. This stretching sequence is the prelude to all Daoist energy practices. Its daily practice increases the feeling of self-esteem.
This is the first practice in which we make direct conscious contact with the life force and its flow through the meridian system. It is very difficult to deepen energy work without having a clear and conscious experience of what energy feels like.
Working creatively with energy is not just a long series of techniques applied mechanically. For long range work with techniques we need a motivating force which can carry us gracefully in times of opposition and difficulties. The motivating force to persevere is provided by having a clear and powerful point of view orienting our actions. The most highly motivated practitioners are people terminally ill with a death sentence from their doctors, who decide to live and set out to do whatever is required to attain it. Their motivation for practice could not get any clearer than that.