Wudang Qigong’s profound principles are high
Diligently study, practice from memory, carefully choose details
With unceasing workmanship, study each method oneself,
After a considerable period of time, then see rare effects.
Energy, breath, spirit refer to the human body’s earlier Heaven original energy, original breath, original spirit. Among these, energy is the foundation, breath is the impetus, and spirit is the master. Just as spirit drives the breath, then spirit refines the energy.
In the human body, when the energy is consolidated, then the breath will be sufficient. When the spirit is sufficient, then vigor will be abundant, the body and mind healthy. Conversely, if the energy is weak, the breath will be exhausted. If the breath is exhausted then the spirit dies.
Consequently, in the process of refining and cultivating, always take seriously the cultivation and storage of energy, the speed and regulation of breath and the conservation of spirit. When the energy is complete, the breath will be strong; when the breath is strong, the spirit will be vigorous, when the spirit is vigorous, the body will be healthy and free from disease.
China’s Wudang Daoist Qigong is composed of eighteen types of practice exercises and methods: Extreme Emptiness, Pushing the Mountain, Wild Goose Flying, Crane Bending, Supporting Heaven, Both Appear, Four Directions, Ward Off and Pull Down, Pipa, Shaking Tail Feathers, Offering Fruit, Facing the Sun, Stirring the Grass, Dragon And Tiger, Coiling Snake, Spitting the Core, Climbing a Tree, Bowing To The Top. In practicing China’s Wudang Daoist Qigong, each person should practice individually and take direction from the teacher who sets priorities (for practice), according to breathing out and in, regulating the breathing, breathing distribution, embryonic (pre-birth) breathing, etc., whether the standard methods for circulating breath are performed for sitting, lying down, moving, closing and so on, these exercise methods should be practiced and studied.
The first step is to move the inner breath in the small heavenly circle; this is also known as the first gate and is called refining the energy and transforming the breath. Together energy, breath, and spirit become spirit breath. The second step is to move the inner breath in the large heavenly circle; this is also known as the second gate and is called refining the breath and transforming the spirit. Together spirit and breath become spirit. The third step is combining ten thousand things into an integral whole; this is also known as refining the spirit and returning to emptiness. Recover and return to emptiness, understand the heart; see the character, make the body stronger, and prolong the years.
Energy, breath, spirit refer to the human body’s earlier Heaven original energy, original breath, original spirit. Among these, energy is the foundation, breath is the impetus, and spirit is the master. Just as spirit drives the breath, then spirit refines the energy. In the human body, when the energy is consolidated, then the breath will be sufficient. When the spirit is sufficient, then vigor will be abundant, the body and mind healthy. Conversely, if the energy is weak, the breath will be exhausted. If the breath is exhausted then the spirit dies. Consequently, during the process of refining and cultivating, always take seriously the conservation and storage of energy, the regulation of breath and the conservation of spirit. When the energy is complete, the breath will be strong. When the breath is strong, the spirit will be vigorous. When the spirit is vigorous, the body will be healthy and free from disease.
Laozi’s Dao Te Jing in the third chapter says “Empty the heart, fill the belly; weaken the ambition, strengthen the character.” So then, this is the motto for practicing China’s Wudang Daoist Qigong. In the study of each exercise method, one must understand each exercise method; the energy processed in each exercise method. If there is one type of practice in these daoist qigong methods one has not mastered, temporarily don’t practice other kinds of training exercises or methods. If there is a posture of a movement one cannot perform, concentrate study on this posture; one must exercise and practice this posture. One must not reach for what is beyond one’s grasp, must empty the heart, have patience, cultivate both inside and outside; step-by-step one will achieve an abdomen relaxed inside and the breath will ascend correctly. Continuously cultivate the breath, and one will not contract illness. When the dan tian is full and sufficient, the inner breath is unimpeded and not obstructed. Breath and strength are sent out from the spine following that which the heart desires. Focus on one, strive for the substantial. Don’t let practice become lax, maintain it, then it will be lasting; abide by the regulations, follow the rules; refine the breath, cultivate the body; cultivate the heart, cultivate the character; then seek emptiness and stillness. Complete emptiness results in long life.
Published: 7/27/2009