The Microcosmic Orbit
When practicing the Microcosmic orbit within qigong we are working with two of the extraordinary channels of energy in the body, the Du meridian and the Ren meridian. Together these two channels of energy create a circuit around our body (torso and head) which, when open and flowing, has a tremendous impact on both our physical health and our ability to connect with, and open up to, our divine spirit and higher consciousness.
The Ren meridian, also known as the Conception Vessel, starts at the perineum and runs up the midline of the front of our body and ends just below the lower lip. The Du meridian, also known as the Governing vessel, begins at the perineum and runs up the back of the spine, over the top of our head and ends in the groove above our upper lip. These two meridians are paired, with the Du meridian being seen as more Yang in nature and the Ren meridian as yin.
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When engaging in other forms of qigong practice it can be found that the pleasurable, calm and centred energy we create can quickly be lost by the events that unfold around us, these feelings are not sustained. With regular Microcosmic orbit practice however, we are creating a more constant energy flow around us that allows us to contain the energy within us much more easily. Energy can quickly become dispersed if this energy pathway is not open, flowing and circulating.
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​For many years the Microcosmic Orbit practice was kept very much as a sacred and secret practice within both martial arts traditions and Daoist spirituality. This was due to the immense power it creates within you on a physical and spiritual level.
When practicing the Microcosmic Orbit we are consciously directing our energy along the Du and Ren meridian lines and creating a circulating flow of energy that is at the same time powerful, energising and incredibly healing. We are activating and unlocking our Jing Qi and Yuan Qi (our original Qi which is very much connected with our divine force) and then circulating this powerful energy within the microcosmic orbit. As this energy circulates it travels through many key energy centres in our body. This flow helps these centres to open up, connect more deeply and come into balance with each other.
The Microcosmic Orbit pathway runs through the following energy centres
The mid eye – associated with mental focus and intuition
The throat centre – associated very much with communication. The throat centre acts as the bridge between the mind and the body
The heart centre – linked with our emotional energy that we acquire through our relationships, both positive and negative
The Solar plexus – the energetic centre of will power and of taking action
The navel centre – where the energy of being centred and grounded is housed.
The sexual centre – the palace of “Jing Qi” or our “essence”. Jing Qi is the creative and life giving energy of the body
The pelvic floor “hoi in” where yin energy turns to yang
The door of life – the point directly behind the navel which stores huge amounts of vital energy
The energy point behind the heart – when this point is opened it is said that one will gain emotional freedom.
The crown centre – at the top of the head – this point keeps us connected to the Universe where we gain access to our higher power.
When all these centres are open, Qi flows in an uninterrupted circuit keeping body, mind and spirit in constant communication as an integrated whole.
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When practicing the Microcosmic orbit our main focus initially is to circulate the energy up the back of the Du meridian and down the front of the Ren meridian. In doing this we are drawing up our Jing and Jauy Qi (original source energy) right up to our crown centre, activating our consciousness and strengthening our innate spiritual connection to the Universal energy around us. We feel the cosmic connection between our internal energy and the energy around us.
As is within you, as is outside you.
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Qigong practice and the Daoist tradition very much recognises that everything in nature is a reflection of the Universe, including us. It is estimated that within the Universe there are between 80-100 trillion stars, it is also estimated that the human body contains between 80-100 trillion cells.
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That is a lot of cells!
From the Crown centre we then bring the energy down the Ren meridian and back to our centre, where this energy can be stored and accessed when needed. It really powers up the bodies reservoir of energy.
The Du meridian connects with all of the Yang meridian pathways within the body, including the small intestines, large intestines, the triple burner, stomach bladder and ghoul bladder. The Ren meridian connects and gives energy to the Yin meridian lines including the heart, lungs, pericardium, liver and spleen. Whilst we are circulating this energy we are also feeding these meridian lines with an extremely healing, powerful and health giving energy. With this in mind it’s easy to understand why the Microcosmic orbit practice is incredibly healing and helps us to maintain optimal health and balance.