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99 of 99 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An understandable guide to a complex subject., September 21, 2000
This book clearly describes two meditation exercises to improve the flow of chi through the energy circuits in the body. The first involves sending positive energy to your internal organs and other structures so that they can function better. The second is the "microcosmic orbit," a very ancient practice which moves energy in a circular motion up the spine, over the head, down the front of the body, and back up the spine. At the end of this exercise the chi is then focused in the Tan Tien center, right below the navel.The microcosmic orbit differs from the Hatha Yoga practice of raising the kundalini energy up the spine in that in the Taoist practice you always bring the energy back down, thus grounding it. Much of the purported danger in these sorts of energy exercises comes from leaving the energy "raised," which sometimes happens in Hatha Yoga, or so I am told. Thus I don't agree with the warnings that these exercises are dangerous when not practiced with a master. Although I do have a Tai chi/Chi Kung teacher, I started these exercises years ago when I was working alone. The most notable change that I have experienced doing the microcosmic orbit is that I have many more lucid dreams than ever before, plus a sense of having a clearer energy field. It is important to note that Chia does not make any reference to Taoist yoga as a religious practice. You may do these exercises as a Taoist, a Christian, a Buddhist, a Wiccan, whatever. They are simply exercises to learn about and work with your own life-force energy. If you are working with a teacher, this book is a good adjunct as it has diagrams of the energy pathways and certain internal organs which you should know about. If you don't yet have a teacher, the book will introduce the subject in a straightforward, simple way that you can easily work with.
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76 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works Wonders, October 29, 2004
I have been working with Mantak Chia's materials for the past 17 years. Originally I found few of his books ine one small Chinese store, and decided to give them a shot. I was thrilled when even my very first attempt resulted in noticing the difference. While the books were wonderful I did wish to have personal instruction, too. Lucky for me, about few weeks after I purchased the books, Mantak Chia was teaching a workshop in Toronto. Even though thsee initial practices are rather simple, it helped attending a workshop, too. I have attended all the workshops he came to teach in Toronto at the time. In the meantime, videos came out, so in time I got those too.
You may or may not want to attend a workshop, but if for any reason you don't feel comfortable proceeding on your own, you may consider getting Mantak Chias videos. I like them very much (I have just about all of them) Another excellent resource is the book Qigong Empowerment.
The focus of this book, Awaken Healing Energy Through Tao, is learing to circulate the energy through Microcosic Orbit. It is the essential practice for all future practices in Taoist Alchemy. The book also gives an overview of practices you can do if you wish to continue with your studies and practice.
It is not hard to do. It is really simple. If you are new to this, the more complex part than the practice may be the use of different names in chinese for different points and a lot of theoretical information behind the practice.The practice essentially involves guiding the energy with your imagination - generating it, circulating it and storing it in your body.
You can experience many benefits of this practice from the very beginning. What I experienced from the very beginning is a sense of calm. If I were ever upset and then begin doing microcosmic orbit, the upset would immediately disperse and dissolve. Doing microcosmic orbit practice had a centering effect. The practice is very, very simple but the benefits are far greater than may be initially apparent.
As you keep on storing the energy, whenever any part of your body (organs) need more energy, they can use the energy you have stored instead of depleting the energy from other parts of your body. This in itself contributes to health. However, if you choose to continue your learning, there are many more advanced practices designed specifically for healing.
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56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book on energy practice, December 12, 2005
I am working through this book.
The main practice is the microcosmic orbit which uses the prenatal energy system. When you were in the womb you received all your nourishment and energy through the navel and this followed an energy pathway to the base of the spine and all the way up to your head, and back down the front to the navel to the dan tien where it is stored.
This exercise trains you get the pre natal energy flowing again.
Normally, as you go through life your energy does not flow upwards properly and becomes blocked contributing to the ageing process etc.
If you have any interest in energy practice, you should work with the microcosmic orbit. The only trouble is it may take a while before a conscious flow can be felt.
I recommend the five tibetans, which is a simple exercise routine you can do in five minutes. These are also referred to as the fountain of youth exercises. This also brings the energy up to your higher centers or psychic vortexes, and restores their function to youthful levels, thereby retarding the aging process. You can feel the kundalini (base of spine) energy being activated.
If you are new to energy, I recommend you also get Quantum Touch, which has some great exercises and visualizations which can literally have you moving energy within minutes.
Combining a few different methods has worked well for me. As with anything, the more you practice, the more you improve.
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by Mantak Chia
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