There are many Qi Gong and nei dan traditions. Most of the traditions include the three dan tian in their theory and practice. The three dan tian are three areas in the body (Figure 11.1). These areas are sometimes called jiao, burners, or centers. Dan tian means “energy field.” It is an area, not a specific point. Each dan tian has organs located in it. Moreover, each dan tian contains and influences different types of vital substances (such as types of qi). Understanding the functions of each dan tian allows for identifying imbalances of organs, vital substances, and emotional conditions.
Figure 11.1 The three dan tian
The lower dan tian ranges from the perineum (the area around the anus) to the coccyx, and up the spine to the Kidneys, where it flows across to the umbilicus, and then back down to the perineum. The lower dan tian includes the Kidneys, adrenals, Bladder, sexual organs, pubic bone, pelvis, coccyx, sacrum, and lumbar. This dan tian influences the processes of the gate of vitality. It is the ming men cooking jing, creating source qi (steam). The Kidneys store jing and the gate of vitality. There are two Kidneys: one is Kidney Yang and the other is Kidney Yin. They are the foundation Yin and Yang of the entire body. The Kidneys provide these substances to all other organs. The quality of the Kidneys influences all organs and the entire body.
The middle dan tian ranges from the area above the lower dan tian to the area of the neck. This dan tian includes two energetic influences. The first influence relates to the Spleen and the Stomach. The second influence relates to the Lungs and the Heart. Regarding the first influence, the Spleen and Stomach are the earth element. The elements and functions of these two organs represent post-natal influences. On a physical level, they include the ability to transform food and drink into energy. On a psycho-emotional level, they correspond to the yi spirit and include the consequences of our actions.
One way to change unfavorable post-natal influences related to the physical body is to change one’s diet and exercise. On a psycho-emotional level, the yi digests, processes, and organizes our experiences in life. From this comes our understanding of life and our ability to let go of experiences and emotions we do not need. It is essential to mature and refine our yi so that we may transform the imbalances that are created in this dan tian. In Chinese medicine, the Spleen holds blood in the vessels, and emotions are stored in the blood. Thus, the Spleen holds both blood and emotions. When the yi is imbalanced, the Spleen holds emotions that should be let go. This holding creates attachments to emotions, beliefs, and experiences, which may create further imbalances. Through nei dan cultivation, we may resolve imbalances created by the Spleen, Stomach, and the yi.
The second influence of the middle dan tian relates to the Lungs and the Heart. This area reflects the influences from society: the conditioning of culture and/or peer pressure. These influences can create imbalances. If they do, we need to cultivate this area, to release these imbalances and retain balance. This dan tian includes the po of the Lungs and the shen of the Heart.
The upper dan tian ranges from the neck to the top of the head (the crown). The lower dan tian represents earth, the middle dan tian represents humanity, and the upper dan tian represents heaven. The upper dan tian represents our connection to our yuan shen/original spirit (heaven). By transforming the lower and middle dan tian, we are ready to connect to our spirit. When we connect to our spirit, we are connected to the Tao. Imbalances in the lower and middle dan tian can create the illusion that this connection does not exist. Nei dan is one way to assist people in their self-realization of their spiritual nature.
Jing is our pre-natal essence and creates yuan qi/source qi. It also contains our genes and ancestral influences. The ability of the lower dan tian to function properly is essential for the Kidneys’ ability to generate source qi. Nutrition, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle have a favorable effect on the Kidneys and their functioning. Stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, and excess sexual activity can drain jing, and weaken the Kidneys. A major aspect in obtaining health, vitality, and longevity is to live a lifestyle that supports the Kidneys, one that will support our foundation. Nei dan directly influences the functions of the lower dan tian and the Kidneys.
Taoist philosophy is earth-based. It contains a deep connection to earth and water. This connection includes the energetics, as well as the functions and movements of both earth and water. Water is the element of highest abundance on our planet, and it is likewise so in our body. The Chinese include water in their explanation of Chinese medicine. The observation of the flow of seas, rivers, streams, springs, and wells revealed how their country was nourished with water. Smooth flows of water brought bountiful harvests to agriculture, and life to humanity. Excesses, stagnations, blockages, and deficiencies in water flow caused flooding, drought, decay, and illness. The distribution of water throughout the country was seen as a model to be applied to the human body. Ancient healers viewed the flow of vital substances in the body as a mirror of the flow of water throughout a country. Since efficient water flow is essential for bountiful harvest, and since the drinking of water is essential for life, the flow of vital substances throughout the body is essential to health. Stagnations, deficiencies, or abnormal flows of vital substances cause illness. This circulatory model is fundamental to the function of the body. In nei dan, we implement this imagery of water circulation.
Chinese medicine includes descriptions of circulation patterns of vital substances. The acupuncture channel system is a pathway for their circulation. The terrain covered by the channels is the landscape. The channels include the sinew, luo, primary, divergent, and eight extraordinary channels. There are Qi Gong forms that influence each of these channels.
In Qi Gong and nei dan, there is an important principle: where the mind or intention goes, qi will follow. Wherever we move our intention or focus, qi will follow. Mind guides qi. In the Five Shen Nei Dan, we move our intention through the organs and channels as a means to clear, vitalize,
and rejuvenate them. As these organs, channels, and qi are refined, we are able to move from “heavy energy” to “light energy.” We are converting jing to shen. This is transformation.
Life is comprised of variations of qi. Qi can be dense or subtle: qi in dense form is jing; qi in subtle form is shen. Each variation of qi contains a vibration or frequency. Each of the three dan tian contains organs that produce a unique qi in its area. However, nei dan’s viewpoint of the three dan tian is slightly different from the Chinese medical viewpoint. The Chinese medical view can be summarized as the following:
• The lower dan tian includes the Kidneys, and they produce yuan qi (source qi).
• The middle dan tian contains the Spleen and Stomach, and they produce gu qi (nutritive qi).
• The upper dan tian contains the Lungs and Heart, and they produce zong qi (gathering qi).
The three types of qi support the unfolding of jing to shen. The qi part of jing–qi–shen comprises each of the three treasures, and is the force guiding their unfolding from dense to subtle, or from jing to shen. One definition of alchemy might be: “Alchemy is making a conscious effort to change.” Nei dan is a formula for change. The type of change that occurs is a shift from one’s current state to a state of alignment with shen. A quest in our life is to seek and realize our spirit, and to live from it.
Nei dan begins by relaxing. Only by relaxing can the body begin to let go of stress and allow the normal circulation of vital substances throughout the body. This normal circulation begins the process of clearing imbalances. It is also energizing and rejuvenating to the body, mind, and spirit.
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