This type of meditation is the most useful, I recommend you to devote yourself to this meditation the most, you need it the most. Especially if you don't have time to waste, devote yourself exclusively to this type of meditation, don't waste time on other methods.
I took the basic information about energy meditation from another site, satori.mysteria.cz
THEORIES: Energy System
There are a large number of energy centers. In classical yoga, seven are considered the basic and largest. Taoist yoga distinguishes more, as it also includes the areas of their connection to the control path. Furthermore, there are many smaller points located, for example, in the middle of the palms or feet, on the connecting line of some paths, or in large joints. In addition to the basic and secondary energy centers, there are also many quite small points lying on the surface of the body or following the course of secondary paths. These are mainly dealt with by acupuncture and acupressure.
This arrangement is not accidental. It is interesting that from the point of view of anatomy, it coincides very precisely with the nervous system of the body, specifically with the location of large nerve bundles or main nerves, but also with the exact position of certain characteristic areas of the brain or some organs and large glands, as well as extensive nerve plexuses. The control channel is practically identical to the spinal cord, and the conceptual channel is formed by the 7 main chakras on the front of the torso.
Phenomena accompanying the exercise
During both direct and indirect stimulation of the energy system, the phenomenon of "energy release" most often occurs, which can be compared to hot flashes or even feelings of orgasm in the given area, accompanied by a characteristic gentle tingling. This is typical especially for the activation of larger centers. Sometimes these feelings are concentrated only in certain places, other times they flood larger parts of the body or even all major 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 "whole body orgasm". This phenomenon can be described as a widespread diffusion of heat throughout the body with simultaneous increased activity of the largest energy centers, from where energy radiates into adjacent body parts. It can be very subtle or, conversely, immensely intense. You feel how this vibrating warm energy "inflates" your entire body and exerts a certain pressure on its surface and on the main centers. At the same time, you may have a very strange feeling of "expanding body contours" in all directions. The area of energy perception inside and around your body is collectively referred to as the "energy body". At the same time, you clearly perceive a kind of gentle vibration or tingling, especially in the torso and arms, with specific pressure in the middle 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 usually lasts a short time. There are many such types of energy release. Energy can also flow only along certain paths to only some centers.
In the initial stages of energy work exercises, beginners usually do not feel any sensations. After some time, they usually begin to perceive subtle vibrations, tingling, and feelings of warmth. At this stage, the above-described phenomena of energy release may occasionally occur spontaneously. However, after some time of practice, these random phenomena will subside and will generally only appear during certain specific techniques of intense stimulation of energy centers.
Effects of Kundalini
The rare occurrence of a typical release of energy flowing only upwards through the control path in the spinal canal, with the simultaneous gradual activation of the main centers connected to it, is referred to as the kundalini phenomenon or "awakening of liquid fire". This phenomenon is often compared to waves of hot energy pulsating through the spine, and at other times it is described as a slow but strong warm current that weaves its way in a wavy motion between all the main energy centers from the base of the body to the head, activating them in its course. For this reason, in yoga, the symbol of kundalini is a snake crawling upwards. If this energy reaches the top of the head, it spreads throughout the entire extensive parietal center, which is aptly described by the term "medusa effect". Rarely, this leads to states of temporary enlightenment, the emergence of expanded consciousness, feelings of euphoria or ecstasy, a sudden realization of the essence of things, various visions, perceptions of flashes of white light, or out-of-body projections.
The awakening of kundalini is usually triggered by stimulating the main energy centers (especially the base center at the base of the body).
The phenomena of kundalini were also known in ancient Egypt. Traditionally, however, they are mainly dealt with by kundalini yoga and tantra. There is a major difference in this respect between classical and Chinese Taoist yoga. Classical yoga does not use the conceptual channel running along the front of the body and allows energy to flow only through the control channel in the middle of the spine up to the parietal center. It works mainly with the main energy centers, with great importance being attached 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 primarily by bringing an excessive amount of energy into the centers in the head area, which these techniques usually aim for. Taoist yoga methods also use the control channel for the upward flow of energy, but after reaching the top of the head, the energy is then led down the conceptual channel to the base center and the whole process is repeated. The energy thus actually circulates in an ellipse (called the "microcosmic orbit") around the body through all important centers, without any excessive accumulation anywhere. The practice of Taoist yoga techniques is therefore much safer from this point of view.
Risks
Some advanced energy work techniques can be quite dangerous for the reasons mentioned above, especially for complete beginners. This mainly concerns the aforementioned Kundalini yoga, during which a large amount of heat is generated. Some masters of this branch of yoga can dry a wet cloth wrapped tightly around their body in the cold. However, these are VERY advanced techniques. Their risk lies, among other things, in a kind of "burning" of energy pathways or nerve fibers. In isolated cases, such practices can even be accompanied by blisters on the skin, probably due to suggestion. This is a very rare phenomenon caused by very intense practice. However, the greatest danger is clearly the massive flow of energy directly into the highest centers in the head, where it can cause severe pain or other problems. Although all the above phenomena occur very rarely, do not take it lightly. This text does not directly address classical Kundalini yoga practices, but the Taoist micro-cosmic orbit meditations described below, during which Kundalini can indeed awaken, can be considered their equivalent.
PRACTICE: Stimulation of energy centers
Before we get to specific techniques, it is necessary to learn how to accurately locate the 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 meridian. Most of them are about the size of a human fist. Some appear more like smaller points, others are quite extensive. An example could be the solar plexus or the large parietal center, which causes subtle vibrations of the entire upper half of the head when fully activated. Here is an overview of all the main and most important centers of the conception meridian:
Important areas
The first such center is a point located just below the skin in the area between the anus and the genitals. During various stimulation techniques, this spot often pulsates gently. It is an extremely important center, rightly considered "fundamental". Its activation usually does not cause problems.
The second important area is the entire area between the pubic bone and the navel, where there are three large points. Their stimulation is often challenging, especially due to the difficulty in locating them and the weak manifestations of their activity. The lowest of these lies directly above the pubic bone. It is often referred to as the sexual center. Most Eastern teachings do not pay much attention to it; it is somewhat better known in Taoist yoga. The next two points are somewhat more difficult, as they are very often confused. Classical yoga considers the second main energy center (in our concept, the third) to be the point located about three to four centimeters below the navel, approximately two centimeters below the body's surface. It is often confused with the previous sexual center. Taoist yoga does not describe this point; instead, it attaches immense importance to the third point called the lower dantian (or simply dantian, pronounced tan-tien), located in the navel area about one or two centimeters below the skin (towards the spine). In the Taoist system, this is certainly the most important energy center, to which considerable attention is paid. It is considered the main place for energy accumulation in the body.
All three of these points are usually very difficult to activate in the initial periods of exercise; you will only learn to do so after some time of regular practice. It is best to focus on the mentioned dantian, because with proper breathing, the abdomen begins to expand from this point during inhalation. During exhalation, it contracts back into it. Breathing in a sitting position is generally a little more difficult for beginners than in a supine position. Therefore, practice in a position that suits you best in all respects.
Another center lies in the solar plexus area. It is a relatively large area between the end of the sternum and the navel. It is quite easy to concentrate on it. In classical yoga, this area is referred to as manipura – the city of jewels.
Next is the great heart center. It is located approximately on the line between the nipples below the end of the sternum. In some people it is very strong, others only experience weak and indistinct feelings there during exercise. During full activity, intense vibrations are generated here, and the energy released here radiates throughout the chest. It is a very important center, one of the strongest of all.
Next is the point located directly in the center of the sternum, just above the heart center, with which it is often confused. It is one of the easily localizable points with easy stimulation. It corresponds approximately to the position of the thymus.
In the area of the jugular notch, just above the sternum, there is another point of the conception meridian. It is a smaller main center. Its stimulation is usually 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 compared to the pituitary gland and is one of the most easily stimulated energy centers. 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 (even several hours), you can exceptionally achieve temporary changes in vision or even visual hallucinations.
The last major center is located at the top of the head. It is usually associated with the entire brain area. It is stimulated very lightly and its activity is accompanied by strong vibrations and a feeling 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 entire energy system of the body.
This is a complete summary of the largest and most important energy centers located on the front of the torso. We will discuss in detail the points lying on the main control path passing through the center of the spine (essentially the spinal canal) in the section on the microcosmic orbit (below).
Method
Stimulating energy points is very simple. It is actually a slightly modified method of classical yoga. However, for its practice, it is important that you have already perfectly mastered the technique of breathing into individual parts of the body (see http://satori.mysteria.cz/trans.html – http://satori.mysteria.cz/trans.html ). 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, which we will not return to here. All the procedures listed 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 engage in a specific method. If we omitted this step, not much would change. Trance would probably arise spontaneously after some time of practice, as is often the case with most meditations.
If you have become familiar with the basic energy centers and have 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 elaborate on it too much. The procedure below usually works very well even for beginners. Initially, you will probably have difficulty locating individual points, but you can make it easier at first, for example, by sticking a piece of plaster on the skin at the given points.
First, assume your favorite meditation position and calm yourself with a few deep breaths. You can have your eyes closed or half-closed, but if you are lying down, it is better to keep them open. This will prevent you from accidentally falling asleep. Then proceed to the stimulation technique. As you inhale, simply focus on a specific energy center and as you exhale, "breathe into" it, just as with the trance induction method. There is nothing difficult about it. Proceed from the basic center along the conceptual path upwards to 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 the exercise, you can completely omit the sexual center and the area above the heart center. Also, the point below the navel is not very important. It is better to pay full attention to the navel center. The usual route of activation of individual concentration areas is therefore as follows: basic center – (sexual center) – (point below the navel) – navel center – solar plexus – heart center – (center of the sternum) – throat pit – point between the eyebrows and finally the parietal center. Spend about a minute or two on each of these places. Later, about ten exhalations or less will be sufficient for a normal exercise. After activating the last center, it is advisable to rest for some time in http://satori.mysteria.cz/trans.html and only then end the entire meditation.
After some practice, you will have no problem activating each center with this technique within a few breaths. Active points manifest as a slight tingling or vibration and a feeling of pressure in the respective place. 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 not feel anything at all at first. The feelings associated with the activity of such centers usually appear only after a certain period of practice. With regular exercise, the manifestations of activity in the respective areas will later be stronger. The easiest is usually concentration on the energy point between the eyebrows or on the parietal or basic center. Higher energy centers are among the most common internal objects of concentration at all.
CONCLUSION
You may ask what "working with energy" is actually good for. The answer is simple. With regular practice, all the techniques mentioned gradually develop the energy system. This is especially important so that you can eventually get to even more advanced meditations. It is also significant that these types of exercises contribute greatly to your health. By concentrating on individual energy points, you influence the corresponding part of the body, which leads to increased blood flow to that area, which is important for the good functional state of many internal organs, especially the brain. Other physiological changes such as a decrease in blood pressure and other phenomena that contribute to a better state of health are also typical. Even after a few minutes of exercise, you will undoubtedly notice a general calming of the body and, over time, perhaps a smaller need for sleep during the night. If you later want to devote yourself to more advanced meditations (for example, astral projections), practice regularly, preferably several times a week, and after a few months, you will be ready for these higher practices.
Possible methodologies of energy breathing:
a) Concentrated inhale, dispersed exhale. Good for complete beginners, for the first feeling of energy.
It is very important to observe this, without it, meditation can be quite unsuccessful. Traditionally, it is said that one breathes through the chakras, which is not enough to say.
Our task on the inhale is to concentrate, we concentrate on the place of the chakra, we focus our attention and breath on it.
However, when exhaling, let our attention be dispersed; during exhalation, we do not concentrate on the chakra in any way, the exhalation is ordinary, unconcentrated, as it is most of the time when we are not doing any exercise.
This will prevent energy loss during exhalation and the effectiveness of the exercise will be higher.
(another less recommended way is to inhale faster and exhale slower. In this less effective way, we can achieve a similar effect. The advantage is that we can remove any negative energy, but at the cost of a possible loss of necessary energy)
Chakras
– Chakras are not only on the surface of our skin, but they are in space, in depth, in the bowels, in the body, under our skin
Kundalini Yoga, Spinal Breathing
The exercise, a method originating from India, is a very simple and effective technique through which we can achieve kundalini the fastest.
Instructions:
– First, let's stimulate the root chakra and the crown chakra (at the root chakra, we can do slight contractions of the perineum and anus)
– then we try to breathe through the root chakra, the crown and the spine at the same time, in mutual connection
– let's move the energy up and down the spine (we can help with the energy shift with so-called pumps, which is a point in the sacrum and a point at the back of the head, i.e. opposite the 3rd eye)
– throughout the exercise, make sure that the root chakra and the crown chakra are sufficiently active; we can occasionally pause the exercise and breathe into the crown chakra or the root chakra separately
-later, together with the crown, we can also breathe through the 3rd eye at the same time
– if you master this technique, you can later breathe through all the chakras with less attention (the root and crown chakras form the base, while you can breathe through the remaining 5 chakras with less attention)
– Drive the energies through the spine using so-called pumps. There are two pumps: the sacrum (located just above the coccyx) and a point at the back of the head, directly opposite the 6th chakra of the third eye.
Be aware that kundalini can also be a risk. A large amount of energy can affect the muscles, which can result in muscle tremors. Muscle tremors are perhaps not so dangerous, the risk is overheating of the brain.