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us, if we are able to be honest with ourselves, have to admit that we have little direct sensation not only of our life force but even of the major parts of our body—our belly, chest, head, and back. When we do have a sensation of these areas it is generally through some kind of discomfort, such as back pain, indigestion, headaches, and so on—signals that our energy is stuck in some way or not moving properly. Through working with the microcosmic orbit, however, we begin to sense these areas more frequently in the course of our lives, along with any tensions that may be developing. What’s more, our awareness gradually expands inward and we begin to have more-direct impressions of our bodies from the inside out, in relation to the movements and blockages of our life force. As we learn how to experience it directly through our sensation, the microcosmic orbit manifests itself as an ever-present pathway into the inner spaces and energy centers of our being. It is through impressions of the circulation of our internal energies within the framework of these spaces and centers that a real transformation can take place in our body and psyche—a transformation that can support both our health and our inner development.

Figure 34

PRACTICE

As I describe it here, the circulation of the vital breath is based on the microcosmic orbit meditation (as taught to me by Master Mantak Chia), a meditation that until recently was passed down only from teacher to student, and only after a student had demonstrated a high degree of commitment and perseverance. Do not undertake this practice until you have worked through all the preceding material in this book and have begun to awaken your inner sensation in relation to the whole of your body.

When working with the circulation of the vital breath, it is important to be in a relaxed, receptive state—a state in which you are open to receiving new impressions of yourself. As you will see from Appendix 2, each of the energy centers of the microcosmic orbit has specific psychological attributes associated with it, depending on whether the center is open or closed. Eventually, through self-sensing, you will begin to receive direct impressions of the condition of each center—and thus of your emotional and psychological state.

To prepare for this practice, begin by working for 10 minutes or so with the smiling breath, breathing into your various internal organs. Then spend several minutes breathing gently into your abdomen. Sense your belly expanding as you inhale and contracting as you exhale. As this sensation becomes clearer, give up any effort and just allow your breath to rise and fall spontaneously. Take your time. See if you can sense that you are being “breathed” from deep within your abdomen.

As you undertake this practice, don’t dwell too long on any one center, especially the centers of the heart, point opposite the heart, and head. Before the microcosmic orbit is completely open, keeping your attention too long on any one center can disrupt the flow of energy in your body. Don’t focus on the heart, point opposite the heart, and head centers for more than 20 to 30 seconds each. For the other centers, one to two minutes each should be sufficient.

1 Awakening the energy of your perineum

Put your attention on the energy center in your perineum, between your sexual organs and your anus. Sense this area as clearly as you can. Once you have some sensation of this center, especially of its vibration, breathe into the area with a long, slow inhalation (Figure 35). Feel how the center seems to expand with your breath. As you exhale, let go of any tension in the area, any grasping or trying. Repeat this process until you can sense the energy in your perineum coming to life.

2 Awakening the centers of the governor channel

Now, allow your attention to begin to move up the governor channel to your coccyx and sacrum. (You may even find your attention going there quite spontaneously.) If you have trouble sensing this or any other area, use your fingers to probe it. Then work with