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The following are excerpts from lectures given by Yan Xin on levels/signs which can be achieved/observed through Taoist and Buddhist Qigong cultivation. Taoist and Buddhist qigong has to some degree or other been intermingled throughout history, with experience and practices shared between different traditions to some extent, so it was a toss up of whether I posted this in the Taoist or Buddhist forums. For example, Quanzhen Taoism draws quite heavily from Buddhist ideas and practices, and various practices attributed to Shaolin may have had roots in or influences from Taoist practices and ideas. Various lectures by Yan Xin were compiled into a book entitled "Secrets and Benefits of Internal Qigong Cultivation", but that book is no longer in print. There is lots of good information in that book on qigong practice if you can find a copy. Yan Xin's descriptions of the different levels and signs attainable through Taoist and Buddhist qigong practice are quite interesting. Based on Yan Xin's description of signs for Taoist qigong, he seems to be referring to signs relating to Taoist neidan practice. I have no idea of what specific sort of qigong Yan Xin might have been referring to in regards to the 'Five Opening Functions'. _______________________________________________________________ Six Fundamental Procedures of Taoist Qigong 1. Fire Burning in Dantian As one reaches a certain level of practice, they will feel a fire-like burning sensation in the lower abdomen (Dantian). Do not fear this phenomenon, and do not think that you are sick. This is the meaning of the saying "three true fires." If one is afraid of this phenomenon, one cannot progress further in their qigong practice. 2. Heat Roasting Two Kidneys After having experienced "Fire Burning in Dantian," keep practicing, and the feeling of heat will then go down to the back of the body. One's perineum and waist will feel hot as if one's kidneys were boiling or roasting in a pot. The progression from "Fire Burning in Dantian" to "Heat Roasting Two Kidneys" is very difficult. 3. Eyes Shining with Golden Light After experiencing "Heat Roasting Two Kidneys," with continued practice, one will attain the level of "Eyes Shining with Golden Light." At this level, one's eyes and brain will radiate golden light. At this point, one can even burn clothes merely by giving a look. This is due to the substances of high energy radiated from the eyes when applying one's skill (gong). 4. Wind Blowing Behind the Ears After reaching "Eyes Shine With Golden Light," keep practicing. You may experience a phenomenon behind the ears which resembles the sound of wind blowing. 5. Dove Sings Behind the Head After reaching "Wind Blowing Behind the Ears," keep practicing to the point of hearing sounds like the calls of animals, for example a dove singing "gu, gu, gu" or "jiu, jiu, jiu." Sometimes one's whole body will feel the sound of thunder. Because one's nerve center is located in cerebellum, any change there will lead to changes in the whole body. 6. Body Gushing and Nose Breathing At this level, one's entire body feels like a strong tide gushing or boiling water steaming. One's nose will twitch and inhale spontaneously. When one has reached the level of "Body Gushing and Nose Breathing," one has completed the "Great Dan" of Taoist qigong. _______________________________________________________________ "Five Opening Functions" from Buddhist Qigong The latent potential of the human body is incredible, and the most effective method for developing and exploring this potential is qigong. Advanced qigong practitioners progress through the levels of the Five Eye Openings. The "Five Opening Functions" are skills cultivated through high-level internal qigong, which originated in Chinese Buddhist Qigong. These skills refer to the development of non-visual "sight" functions through qigong practice. The higher the level, the more automatic the function. 1. The Opening of the Naked Eye After developing this function, one will have improved vision, far better than that of normal people. Usually, people can see near but not far, in the light but not in the dark, the front but not the back of things. Those who open the Naked Eye can clearly see both near and far. The opening of the Naked Eye eliminates any problem with far or nearsightedness and increases visual sensitivity. The ability to see far depends on one's level of achievement or ability. Those at a higher level are able to see much further than normal people. Even diseases such as nearsightedness and astigmatism can be corrected by the opening of the Naked Eye. 2. The Opening of the Heavenly Eye After reaching the Opening of the Naked Eye, further training will lead to the development of a "non-visual vision" called the Opening of the Heavenly Eye. At this point, one obtains the ability to see the interior of things, as well as perform remote visualization. These special functions indicate the opening of the Tianmu point inside the brain, or the opening of the luminance or luminescence devices in other locations on the body. The opening of the Heavenly Eye is associated with the ability to visualize a screen in the forehead on which one can see images of things far away, as well as the ability to see through objects and into the human body. The human body has over three hundred acupuncture points. Any acupuncture point can luminesce, and any luminescing point can develop a non-visual function. Though many people who have attained this level only see with their forehead or "Wisdom Eye" area, some may have visual functions located in their Yuzheng (Jade Pillow, back of the brain), Tanzhong (mid-chest), or Laogong (the middle of the palm) acupuncture points. Some people can also see with their ears, back, feet or acupuncture points on their ten fingers. Many people have been to Buddhist temples and seen a statue of Bodhisattva Guanyin who possesses a thousand eyes and hands. Her body has over forty points luminescing, and the light coming out of each luminescing place is splits into twentyfive directions. From a qigong perspective, we can see the meaning behind Bodhisattva Guanyin's thousand eyes and hands. The Opening of the Heavenly Eye is only the second level of basic Buddhist Qigong training. By merely seeing things, one still may not understand them. When one sees an object, one can only describe how it looks, such as square, sharp, dark, et cetera, yet one may still not be able to define the meaning of this object. 3. The Opening of the Wisdom Eye After obtaining an opening of the Heavenly Eye, the next level is the opening of the Wisdom Eye. Some qigong masters feel that if one can accurately visualize other places and is able to see through things, one should avoid doing so in order to conserve energy. By possessing, but not utilizing Heavenly Eye skills, the energy associated with them will build up and help one to reach the next level, that of the Wisdom Eye. The Opening of the Wisdom Eye requires that four skills be real and complete. They are: the Multiple Eye, Analytical Eye, Historical Eye, and Predictive Eye. (1) Multiple Eye: Multiple eye is the ability to see in various angles simultaneously and stereoscopically. Normally, people see one surface at a time, for example, a cup with a handle. Ordinarily, people can see the handle from the side, but not from the front. One who possesses Multiple Eye function can see the cup from many angles simultaneously. The Multiple Eye is not the highest level. Although one can see the complete shape of an object, they are still unable to draw a conclusion from it. (2) Analytical Eye: This involves the ability to analyze. With this eye, one knows immediately what an object is, as well as what it means. For example, one may have never learned the word "tea cup," but upon observing a tea cup, they know the word instantly because there are many people in the universe with this knowledge. One may also carry this knowledge from their parents. They may use their inherited information to access the experience and wisdom of their ancestors in judging and determining the complete meaning of a piece of information. In this manner, one may know what something is simply by looking at it. Many people have questioned this phenomenon. People ask, "how can one understand without learning? Isn't this superstition?" Because of this attitude, many people misunderstand qigong and extraordinary functions. From a qigong perspective, it is not that one understands without learning, but that one obtains this knowledge through the genetic material passed down by their ancestors. In addition, other people's signals and information act like computer data that may be saved and retrieved. (3) Recalling Eye: The Recalling Eye involves being able to trace back and visualize the past. Using this skill, one may visualize current and residual information, as well as figures and sounds from the past. Seeing a ceramic cup, one possessing the Recalling Eye can see that ten years ago it was in the form of Kaolin clay in a hill. There are reports of qigong masters who can diagnose the symptoms of a disease as well as its history and cause. This is the Opening of the Recalling Eye. (4) Predicting Eye: The Predicting Eye allows one to foresee and predict the future. All developments have a certain direction and tendency. Change starts with the quantitative and moves to the qualitative. Once one has opened the Predicting Eye, one may witness the progress of quantitative change. There is a story dating back to 500 B.C., where Bian Que, a famous doctor with extraoridanry qigong functions, meets Duke Huan of Qi. Bian Que foresaw the development of illness within Duke Huan and predicted that if he did not seek treatment within five days the illness would enter his marrow. Predicting with the Predicting Eye is similar to our modern predictions or assessments of the safety of a house. The only difference is that people with qigong functions make predictions using their qigong ability. The higher the ability or energy level, the more stable and accurate the result. This is not merely fortune telling based on ones imagination, this is applying one's ability to analyze an event and its surroundings in order to make a judgment. One has mastered the Wisdom Eye function if they are able to accurately see the past, present, and future of an object. 4. The Opening of the Dharma Eye The Dharma Eye has two properties: Energy Eye and Movement Eye. The Energy Eye means the possession of high energy. The Movement Eye means the ability to move objects and correct problems. The Wisdom Eye merely belongs to the ' level of perception. The Dharma Eye not only sees clearly, but can also make corrections through the application of qigong. For those possessing the Dharma Eye, it is possible to break a piece of iron wire by staring at it with high concentration. Other corrections include restoring torn leaves and postcards, et cetera. This is not magic, this is qigong. There is an old Chinese saying that "the secrets of heaven cannot be leaked." This skill is hard to comprehend, and only those at a high level of qigong will understand its meaning. 5. The Opening of Buddha Eye Once one's Buddha Eye has opened, Buddha light will radiate from one's body and they will exhibit proper courtesy, sincerity, strict principles and deep understanding. In addition, one may enlighten sentient beings. The Dharma Eye stage is already at a very high level - it can correct things during observation. But it is still not the highest level of qigong skill because it is limited to correcting things only when observing them with qigong. Without applying qigong, the effect is reduced. Once one reaches the level of the Buddha Eye, their aura becomes very strong. Upon meeting someone who has attained this level you will be surrounded by and benefit from their aural light. Problems can be solved by this person automatically, without the deliberate application of energy. Buddha light shines, but of course it cannot shine like the Sun. The energy of the Sun is tremendous and the energy of a human being is limited. The illumination of the Buddha light is simply a metaphor. Some statues in temples are decorated with golden shining colors. This is probably based on descriptions of auras from a qigong perspective. Having reached this level, one is able to correct problems automatically and do good things for many people.