Microcosmic Orbit | Taoist Energy Work

The Microcosmic Orbit is a Chinese-Taoist concept and is related to energy cultivation techniques. It involves deep breathing exercises together with meditation and concentration techniques, which guide or redirect the flow of Qi Life Energy along certain energy pathways — the Meridians — and through energy centers — the Dantian — in the human body.

With certain exercises, Qi Life Energy (or Chi) is guided to flow from the perineum (area between the sexual organs and the anus) up the spine, then through the head, and back down the front side of the Orbit, creating a circular energetic flow.

The health benefits hereof are diverse, such as drawing in primordial force from the earth through the soles of the feet up to the spine, to catching universal spiritual energy and redirecting it down to nourish the lower Dantian, the heart and the brain, and in a broader sense bestow healing on a human being.

The main idea is not to deplete Qi energy by letting it escape out of the body but keep it circulating in the Orbit, while drawing in external available Life Energy.

Moreover, it’s thought that by circulating it in the Microcosmic Orbit, Inner Alchemy processes are aided which transform Jing Essence into Qi, and Qi into Shen, which is connected to the important Taoist teachings of the Three Treasures.

In any case, it finally comes down to using the Orbit and the energy that circulates through it for health benefits on the physical, emotional, and mental plane, for attaining longevity (or even immortality, some believe), to prepare for deep meditation practices, and for spiritual advancement.

There are a variety of ways to work with the Microcosmic Orbit, such as exercising Qigong, Tai Chi, Sexual Qigong, Ovarian Breathing, Taoist meditation, Breathwork techniques, and Tao Yin (Tao Yoga), or, by contrast, when applied by a therapist, modalities such as, for instance, Chi Nei Tsang, Karsai, Taoist Erotic Massage, or Yin-Yang Massage.

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