Who is Satori? Satori is the nickname of a prominent Czech astral traveler, a person with the ability of OBE (Out of Body Experience), who was a representative of a now-defunct Czech discussion forum on this topic. This is his page, and I managed to copy and save his extremely valuable article.
Publication date of the original article:
August 21, 2003, updated February 5, 2005
INTRODUCTION
In this section, we will focus on mental techniques generally referred to as “energy work”. To some extent, these are classical and well-known types of meditation that have recently become increasingly popular in the West, with their popularity growing every year. Traditionally, they are mainly practiced by classical and Taoist yoga, and are also often practiced as part of the study of Wu-Shu martial arts (incorrectly referred to as Kung-Fu in the West) or in connection with certain philosophical movements such as Hinduism, Tantra, Buddhism, or Taoism. As a rule, these are mutually very similar exercises (or their equivalents), all of which are based on the same principle.
The purpose of individual techniques is diverse. Some Eastern teachings consider these techniques primarily as highly effective tools for maintaining or strengthening health. Especially in Taoist yoga, great importance is attributed to such practices. In the Chinese concept, they are referred to by the term Qi-Gong (pronounced chi-kung), which literally translates to working with breath or energy. It is divided into external Wai-Tan Qi-Gong and internal Nei-Tan Qi-Gong. Furthermore, it is divided into “soft” Qi-Gong, used by the mentioned techniques to maintain health or during various types of meditation, and “hard” Qi-Gong, widely used in some martial arts. The techniques of classical yoga and Tantra generally aim more toward inducing certain mystical states to achieve higher goals such as harmony of body and soul or ultimate self-realization. The most advanced Taoist meditations also focus on this area. Buddhist practitioners practice energy work techniques only very rarely, as they do not find them of great importance. All of their efforts are concentrated on achieving enlightenment through completely different methods.
Here, we will deal in detail only with techniques that relate to the body’s energy system, affect its functional state, and act directly upon it. But more on that later. At this point, let us first look at some theory.
THEORY
The Energy System
The body’s energy system is often compared to a highly complicated and ingeniously interconnected network made up of a large number of pathways and points lying on them, or located at their junctions or intersections. In Chinese terminology, these points are referred to as acupuncture points; from the perspective of yoga, we speak of so-called “chakras”. In detailed descriptions, there are on the order of hundreds of such points of varying sizes and up to thousands of pathways of different calibers and lengths. Some points and pathways are considered highly significant and are therefore given great attention. This includes especially the main channels and several of the largest and most important energy centers connected to them. Traditionally, the primary function of this system is considered to be the accumulation of energy and its distribution throughout the body. The main energy centers then have other significant functions (primarily the conversion of energy). Some are also responsible for certain specific paranormal abilities. However, this text will not address those.
The basic skeleton of the energy system is represented by the governing and conception vessels (which together form an elongated ellipse) and the pathways of the limbs, which connect to them at the base of the body and in the area between the shoulder blades. A large number of other smaller pathways then connect to these. Some run more or less straight, while others twist in complex ways. The main governing vessel passes through the center of the spine from the tailbone to the point at the top of the head. At its lowest end is an important energy center, to which the second basic energy pathway running along the front of the body—the conception vessel—also connects. At the opposite end of the body, the governing vessel connects to the extensive crown center, which is also the connecting point of both energy pathways. The conception vessel runs directly from the top of the head along the circumference of the body on its front side, back to the basal center. The most important and usually the largest energy centers are located precisely on this (conception) pathway and are also connected to the governing pathway at points lying usually directly opposite them.
There is a large number of energy centers. Seven are considered basic and largest in classical yoga. Taoist yoga distinguishes more, as it also includes the areas of their connection to the governing pathway among them. Furthermore, there are many smaller points situated, for example, in the center of the palms or soles of the feet, at the junction of certain pathways, or in large joints. One such point is located in the center of the breastbone and is often mistaken for the heart center. Besides the basic and secondary energy centers, there are also truly many quite small points lying on the surface of the body or following the course of secondary pathways. These are primarily dealt with by acupuncture and acupressure.
This arrangement is by no means accidental. Interestingly, from an anatomical point of view, it corresponds very closely to the body’s nervous system, specifically to the location of large nerve bundles or main nerves, but also to the exact position of certain characteristic brain areas or some organs and major glands, as well as extensive nerve plexuses. The governing channel is practically identical to the spinal cord, and with a bit of imagination, the conception channel can be considered the vagus nerve. An exception is made for some points lying outside the body. However, classical energy work techniques hardly deal with those. The concept of “energy” is also related to some extent to scientific fields such as physiology. This “energy” (often clearly felt as currents of heat during the practice of certain techniques) is actually bioelectricity produced by the body. It essentially involves the generation of bioelectric potentials and phenomena such as depolarization, transpolarization, and repolarization, through which nerve impulses are transmitted in the organism. These can then trigger certain processes via specific mechanisms. This is how, for example, orgasm occurs, which is also considered a kind of “release of energy”.
Here we have actually come to a certain explanation of some phenomena using modern scientific disciplines. However, this is only possible up to certain limits. At certain points, science and Eastern teachings obviously diverge, because many such phenomena (whether arising accidentally or induced by very specific mental techniques) clearly transcend the boundaries of science. It is the same with the body’s energy system. Some of its characteristics can be logically explained, others cannot. This is rather what “quasi-scientific” fields such as parapsychology attempt to address.
Phenomena Accompanying Practice
As for the characteristic phenomena caused by various energy work techniques, the sensations experienced during this kind of exercise coincide with those felt during trance or during the practice of trance-inducing techniques. Here too, it is essentially a matter of working with energy. Methods of inducing trance affect the energy centers only indirectly, whereas the procedures described below represent direct stimulation of these areas, and therefore certain features are more typical for them.
During direct and indirect stimulation of the energy system, the most common occurrences are “energy release” phenomena, which can be compared to rushes of heat or even sensations of orgasm in the given area, accompanied by a characteristic gentle tingling. This is typical especially for the activation of larger centers. Sometimes these sensations are concentrated only in certain places, while at other times they flood larger parts of the body or even all main centers simultaneously. In certain cases, they can even gradually spread to all parts of the energy system, which is referred to as the pseudo-kundalini effect or “full-body orgasm”. This phenomenon can be described as an extensive spreading of warmth throughout the body, accompanied by increased activity of the largest energy centers, from which energy radiates into adjacent body parts. It can be very subtle or, on the contrary, extremely intense. You feel this vibrating warm energy as if “inflating” your entire body and exerting a certain pressure on its surface as well as on the main centers. At the same time, you may have a very strange sensation of “expanding body contours” in all directions. The area of energy perception inside and around your body is collectively referred to by the term “energy body”. You also clearly perceive a gentle vibration or tingling, particularly in the torso and arms, with a specific pressure in the center of the palms. This state is usually accompanied by a feeling of floating, dizziness, distorted perception of time and space, and also a certain ecstasy. It typically lasts only a short time. There is a wide variety of such types of energy release. Energy may also flow only along certain pathways and into only some of the centers.
In the initial stages of practicing energy work, beginners usually do not feel any sensations. After some time, they typically begin to perceive the subtle vibrations, tingling, and sensations of warmth mentioned in the section on trance. At this stage, the energy release phenomena described above may occasionally occur spontaneously. After some time of practice, however, these random phenomena will subside and will then generally appear only during certain specific techniques of intensive stimulation of the energy centers.
Kundalini Effects
A rarely occurring type of typical energy release flowing only up the governing pathway in the spinal canal, accompanied by the gradual activation of the main centers connected to it, is referred to as the kundalini phenomenon or the “awakening of liquid fire”. This phenomenon is often compared to waves of hot energy pulsating through the spine; at other times, it is described as a slow but powerful warm current that weaves in an undulating motion between all the main energy centers from the base of the body to the head, activating them along its path. For this reason, the symbol of kundalini in yoga is a snake crawling upward. If this energy reaches the top of the head, it floods into the entire extensive crown center, which is cleverly captured by the term “medusa effect”. Rarely, this leads to states of temporary enlightenment, the emergence of expanded consciousness, feelings of euphoria or ecstasy, sudden realization of the nature of things, various visions, perception of flashes of white light, or out-of-body projections. In yogic terminology, some of these states are referred to by the term samadhi. They can last for hours.
The awakening of kundalini is usually triggered by the stimulation of the main energy centers (especially the basic center at the base of the body) or, rarely, spontaneously through prolonged resting in a deep trance during certain types of meditation. Tantra achieves the same results through intense sexual stimulation. Similar phenomena also occur during the practice of certain Taoist techniques of sexual Qi-Gong. These are methods of concentration combined with breathing exercises under regular contraction of the perineal muscles.
Kundalini phenomena were also known in ancient Egypt. Traditionally, however, they are mainly dealt with by Kundalini yoga, Tantra, and essentially some Taoist techniques. There is a major difference in this regard between classical and Chinese Taoist yoga. Classical yoga does not use the conception vessel running along the front of the body and lets energy flow only through the governing vessel down the center of the spine to the crown center. It works mainly with the main energy centers, assigning great importance especially to the highest ones. The practice of classical yoga and Tantra can lead to a massive release of energy, which is dangerous to the body without proper control. Certain risks are posed especially by directing an excessive amount of energy to the centers in the head area, which is where these techniques usually aim. Taoist yoga methods also use the governing vessel for the upward flow of energy, but upon reaching the top of the head, the energy is subsequently guided downward through the conception vessel to the basic center, and the entire process is repeated. The energy thus actually circulates in an ellipse (called the “microcosmic orbit”) along the circumference of the body through all the important centers, without any excessive accumulation anywhere. Practicing Taoist yoga techniques is therefore much safer in this respect.
Risks
Some advanced energy work techniques can be highly dangerous for the reasons mentioned above, especially for complete beginners. This mainly concerns the aforementioned Kundalini yoga, the practice of which generates a large amount of heat. Some masters of this branch of yoga are able to dry a wet cloth wrapped tightly around their body in freezing weather. However, these are already very advanced techniques. Their risk lies, among other things, in a kind of “burning” of the energy pathways or nerve fibers. In isolated cases, such practices may even be accompanied by the appearance of blisters on the skin, probably due to suggestion. This is a very rare phenomenon caused by very intense practice. The greatest danger, however, is clearly represented by the already mentioned massive flow of energy directly into the highest centers in the head, where it can cause severe pain or other difficulties. Although all of the above phenomena occur very rarely, do not take this lightly. This text does not directly address classical Kundalini yoga practices, but the Taoist microcosmic orbit meditations described below, during which the awakening of Kundalini can indeed occur, can be considered their equivalent.
PRACTICE
Stimulation of Energy Centers
Before we get to specific techniques, it is necessary to learn how to precisely locate individual energy points. As already mentioned, the largest energy centers lie on the front of the body a few centimeters below the skin on the conception pathway. Most of them are about the size of a human fist. Some appear rather as smaller points, while others are quite extensive. An example is the solar plexus or the large crown center, which, when fully activated, causes subtle vibrations of the entire upper half of the head. Here is an overview of all the main and most important centers of the conception pathway:
Important Areas
The first such center is the point lying just beneath the skin in the area between the anus and the genitals. During various techniques of its stimulation, this spot often gently pulsates. This is an extremely significant center, which is rightly considered “basic” (root). Its activation does not usually cause difficulties.
The second important area is the entire region between the pubic bone and the navel, where three large points are located. Their stimulation is often challenging, especially due to more difficult localization and weak manifestations of activity of these points. The lowest of them lies directly above the pubic bone. It is referred to as the sexual center. Most Eastern teachings do not pay much attention to it; it is somewhat better known in Taoist yoga. With the next two points, it is a bit more difficult, as they are very often confused. Classical yoga considers the second main energy center (in our conception as the third) to be the point lying about three to four centimeters below the navel, approximately two centimeters below the body surface. It is often confused with the previous sexual center. Taoist yoga does not describe this point; instead, it attributes immense importance to the third point called the lower Dantian (or simply Dantian, pronounced tan-tien), located in the navel area about a centimeter or two beneath the skin (towards the spine). In the Taoist system, this is definitely the most important energy center, to which really substantial attention is paid. It is considered the main place for accumulating energy in the body.
All three of these points are usually very difficult to activate in the initial periods of practice; you will learn to do so only after some time of regular practice. It is best to focus on the mentioned Dantian, because with proper breathing, the abdomen begins to expand precisely from this place during inhalation. During exhalation, it contracts back into it. Breathing in a sitting position is generally a bit more difficult for beginners than in a lying position on the back. Therefore, practice in whatever position suits you best in all respects.
The next center lies in the solar plexus area. It is a relatively extensive area between the end of the breastbone and the navel. It is relatively easy to focus on. In classical yoga, this area is referred to by the term Manipura—the city of jewels.
Next is the large heart center. It is located approximately on the line between the nipples, below the end of the breastbone. In some people it is very strong, while others record only weak and indistinct sensations there during practice. When fully active, intense vibrations occur here, and the energy released here radiates into the entire chest. It is a very important center, one of the strongest of all.
Next comes the point located directly in the center of the breastbone just above the heart center, with which it is often confused. It is among the easily localizable points with simple stimulation. It corresponds approximately to the position of the thymus gland.
In the area of the jugular notch just above the breastbone lies another point of the conception pathway. It is a smaller main center. Its stimulation is generally more difficult. Anatomically, it corresponds to the thyroid gland.
The Third Eye – this is what the small area between the eyebrows is often called. It is often compared to the pituitary gland and belongs among the easiest energy centers to stimulate. In an active state, it often pulsates strongly. Long-term concentration on this point can sometimes cause headaches. If you stimulate it really intensely and for a long time (perhaps even several hours), you may exceptionally achieve temporary changes in vision or even visual hallucinations.
The last main center is located at the top of the head. It is usually associated with the area of the entire brain. It is stimulated very easily and its activity is accompanied by strong vibrations and a sensation of gentle pressure in the head. In both classical and Taoist yoga, this point is considered extremely important and often plays a significant role in the most advanced types of meditation. It is the most extensive center of the body’s entire energy system.
This is a complete summary of the largest and most significant energy centers situated on the front side of the torso. We will deal in detail with the points lying on the main governing pathway running through the center of the spine (essentially the spinal canal) in the section on the microcosmic orbit (below).
Method
The stimulation of energy points is very simple. It is actually a slightly modified method of classical yoga. For its practice, however, it is important that you already perfectly master the technique of breathing into individual parts of the body (see trance – method of concentration). If you have not yet read the section on trance, I recommend studying it carefully first, as it contains, among other things, a description of various meditation postures that we will not return to here. All of the procedures mentioned below work with the state of trance, and their effect is stronger in it. It is therefore advisable to first enter a trance and only then focus on the specific method. If we skipped this step, not much would change. A trance would likely arise spontaneously after some time of practice, as is often the case with most meditations.
Once you have familiarized yourself well with the basic energy centers and mastered the method of breathing into individual parts of the body, it is time for practical exercise. The technique is quite simple; there is no need to write about it at length. The procedure listed below usually works very well even for beginners. At first, you will likely have trouble locating individual points, but you can make it easier in the beginning by, for example, sticking a piece of tape on the skin at those points.
First, assume your favorite meditation posture and calm yourself with a few deep breaths. Your eyes can be closed or half-closed; however, in a lying position, it is better to keep them open. This will prevent you from accidentally falling asleep. Then proceed to the stimulation technique. Upon inhalation, simply concentrate on a certain energy center, and with the exhalation, “exhale” into it, just as in the trance-induction method. There is nothing difficult about it. Proceed from the basic center up the conception pathway toward the top of the head. It is not necessary to deal with all three points in the area between the navel and the pubic bone; in the initial stages of practice, you can completely omit especially the sexual center and the area above the heart center. Likewise, the point below the navel is not very important. Rather, pay full attention to the navel center. The normal sequence of activation of the individual areas of concentration is thus as follows: basic center – (sexual center) – (point below the navel) – navel center – solar plexus – heart center – (center of the breastbone) – jugular notch – point between the eyebrows, and finally the crown center. Dedicate about a minute or two to each specified place. Later on, about ten exhalations or even fewer will fully suffice for regular practice. After activating the last center, it is advisable to rest for a while in trance and only then end the entire meditation.
After some practice, you will have no trouble activating each center with this technique in just a few breaths. Active points manifest as a gentle tingling or vibration and sensations of pressure in the respective area. After registering these indicators, you can further increase their activity in the same way or proceed to the next area. During the stimulation of some points, you may initially feel nothing at all. Sensations associated with the activity of such centers usually appear only after a certain period of practice. With regular practice, the manifestations of activity in the respective areas will become stronger later on. The easiest is usually concentrating on the energy point between the eyebrows or on the crown or basic center. Higher energy centers belong among the most common internal objects of concentration altogether.
Microcosmic Orbit
The Microcosmic Orbit is an excellent method for the development of the body’s energy system. It is actually a standalone meditation that represents a certain counterpart to the previous exercise. It belongs to the domain of Taoist yoga, where it was thoroughly kept secret from the uninitiated public for several centuries. Only recently has it become known in the West thanks to the diligent efforts of several Chinese masters. It is an extremely important and valuable technique, the advantage of which is that it affects all major centers of the energy system, yet usually does not induce some of the unpleasant side effects described in the initial part of this text. It is also attributed a significant positive effect on a person’s overall health.
At this point, we come to the promised description of the energy points of the Taoist system located on the main governing pathway. The basic and crown centers were discussed earlier. They are actually the connecting areas of the governing and conception vessels at their lowest and highest points. The other points lie on the spine, usually directly opposite the main centers of the conception pathway. Specifically, this includes the point located just below the tailbone, followed by points opposite the navel, solar plexus, heart center, jugular notch, and the point located at the junction of the spine and the head. The microcosmic orbit naturally also includes all the centers of the conception vessel described above. Mentioning the Chinese names of all these points would likely be unnecessary, but we will focus on some areas in more detail. This primarily concerns the following three centers:
- The navel center (Dantian) is considered from the perspective of Taoist meditations to be the most important energy center of the body. Often, attention is paid to it for several years before proceeding to other points. Sometimes, through intense and persistent stimulation of only this area, a large amount of energy can be awakened, which may begin to move spontaneously along the microcosmic orbit. As a rule, however, its movement must be directed by certain concentration techniques appropriately combined with breathing.
- The “sacral pump” lies just below the tailbone. During stimulation, this important center usually strongly “vibrates” or pulsates, thus driving energy through the tailbone and sacrum into the central spinal canal and further up the governing pathway.
- A similar function is held by the area called the “jade pillow”, located at the beginning of the cervical spine at the base of the skull. Its activation is, however, usually difficult.
There are two variants of practicing the microcosmic orbit. Either you stimulate the individual points sequentially, or you guide the energy along with the breath along the governing and conception pathways through all the centers located on them. This is where the term “microcosmic circulation” comes from. It is best to practice both variants – first stimulate the points and then circulate in a loop along the main pathways. The practice of the microcosmic orbit is usually accompanied by trance.
Variant A
During this method of practicing the microcosmic orbit, we use exactly the same technique as in the previous exercise. The difference lies in the fact that we will also deal with points lying on the governing pathway. For this reason, the procedure for stimulating the energy centers is somewhat different from the method mentioned above.
First, dedicate yourself again to the basic center at the base of the body. After that, however, move on to the activation of the sacral pump below the tailbone and from there proceed upward along the governing pathway. Thus follows the point opposite the navel, solar plexus, heart center, point opposite the jugular notch, the position of the first cervical vertebra at the base of the skull, and the highest crown center. Subsequently, continue downward to the points belonging to the conception pathway – in the exact order, first to the point between the eyebrows, then to the area below the throat, (the center of the breastbone), the heart center, solar plexus, navel (or also to the point below it), and to the sexual center. Finally, you will reach the base of the body again and can start another cycle. After performing several such cycles, it is recommended to end at the navel center, where the energy accumulates and from where it can flow in a balanced manner to all parts of the body.
Although this method is more time-consuming due to the larger number of points, on the other hand, it is more suitable for the overall development of the energy system because it stimulates all its main parts. Mastering this technique should not present major difficulties.
Variant B
If the previous procedure does not suit you for time reasons, you can dedicate yourself to another way of practicing the microcosmic orbit. This second variant uses a somewhat different method of stimulation, which at first glance may seem very simple. Its essence, however, lies in more difficult concentration during breathwork, which can cause problems for beginners and people with smaller lung capacity. The advantage of this technique is the fact that it leads to better energy flow. Compared to the previous variant, however, it is necessary to consciously direct the movement of energy.
Before starting the exercise, it is advisable to spend a moment “breathing through” the main pathways, especially the governing channel. Simply inhale, and during exhalation, conceptually descend down this pathway. Only then, with the inhalation, draw the energy up as if you were sucking it through the center of the spine from the base of the body through all the points of the main governing pathway into the crown center, and further in a smooth arc to the point between the eyebrows. Upon reaching this point, pause for a moment and, as you complete the inhalation, concentrate all the accumulated energy there for a while. Simultaneously with the start of the inhalation, it is recommended to gently contract the anal sphincter or, even better, only the muscles located just below the tailbone. With the exhalation, release the contraction of the muscles and descend with the breath wave through all points of the conception pathway back to the base of the body, where you smoothly finish the exhalation. With the next inhalation, repeat the entire cycle. Proceed like this over and over again until you decide to finish the microcosmic circulation with a final exhalation while conceptually descending along the governing pathway into the navel center. It is advisable to stimulate this area for a little while longer and only then end the meditation.
Breathing should be natural. The pause after inhalation is noticeably shorter than the pause after exhalation. During the exercise, keep your tongue on the roof of your mouth. This is very important, because upon exhalation, it is necessary to break through with the energy through the upper palate to the tip of the tongue. This is probably the most problematic section of the microcosmic orbit. After the energy passes through the tongue, guide the energy further down the front part of the neck to the base of the body. With the inhalation, you always move upward along the governing pathway, and with the exhalation, conversely, downward along the conception pathway. Just one breathing cycle is thus enough to complete a full circuit of the microcosmic orbit. Finish the last exhalation again in the navel region. If you run out of breath and do not manage to reach the end of the respective pathway during inhalation, you can simply pause at the point reached, exhale into the nearest point, and continue upward with the next inhalation. After prematurely completing the exhalation at a point on the conception pathway, you can also pause anywhere with the exhalation, inhale, and then proceed further down. It is also possible to follow the current of energy with the inhalation up to the center between the eyebrows, exhale into it, then inhale again, and end the cycle in the usual manner.
After some time of persistent practice, you will feel a gentle current of warmth along the entire pathway. During intense, long-term stimulation of the microcosmic orbit and the points located on it, the activation of Kundalini energy may rarely occur, which subsequently begins to flow up the governing channel into the crown center. In such a case, immediately bring it back to the base of the body with an exhalation. In this method of microcosmic circulation, Kundalini can manifest as hot energy pulses running through the spine toward the head, returning to the basic center in the form of significantly cooler waves. After performing a sufficient number of cycles, conclude the exercise in the usual manner by gathering energy in the navel center. If everything goes well, it will result in the “cleansing of the energy system” and the establishment of energy balance in all parts of your body.
You can practice the microcosmic orbit at any time of day during any activity that does not require full concentration – for example, while walking, riding a tram, resting in a chair, or perhaps in a lying position on your back just before sleeping. It depends only on you. After some time, the exercise will become much easier for you, and soon you may begin to notice the beneficial effects of this method on your health.
CONCLUSION
You might ask what “energy work” is actually good for. The answer is simple. With regular practice, all of the mentioned techniques gradually develop the energy system. This is especially important so that over time you can progress to even more advanced meditations. It is also significant that these kinds of exercises greatly contribute to your health. By concentrating on individual energy points, you influence the respective part of the body, leading to increased blood circulation in that area, which is important for the good functional state of many internal organs, especially the brain. Typical are also other physiological changes such as a drop in blood pressure and other phenomena that contribute to better health. Even after just a few minutes of practice, you will undoubtedly notice an overall calming of the organism and, over time, perhaps a lesser need for sleep during the night. If you later wish to dedicate yourself to more advanced meditations (such as astral projection), practice regularly, preferably several times a week, and after a few months, you will be prepared for these higher practices.
Author’s email: Satori23 (at) seznam.cz