Microcosmic orbit discussion

[CrunchyChocolate555]

I'm sure there have been many of these before, but I thought I'd start a new one! Let's talk about the different styles and variations of this practice and which ones are your favorite and why.

 

So far I've read and familiarized myself with Mantak Chia's MCO, Yang Jing Ming's Small Circulation and Chunyi Lin's Small Universe.

 

I have found some pretty big variations in terms of theories (ie. Chia has you spend some prolonged time on a single point for it to open before circulating energy through it), which points are used, which techniques are used to lead the qi (for instance, YJM says to keep your mind at least 2 points in advance of the qi when leading in order for it not to stagnate, but Master Lin's system has you breathing once into each point), as well as how many points are gone through in a single breath, the direction, etc. etc.

 

I myself only have experience with Master Lin's Small Universe as that's the first one I learned and the most simple. However, I am looking to start YJM's version after I finish reviewing the protocol a few times...

 

How do YOU practice MCO?

[ChiDragon]

Doesn't any of your books tell you. All the masters had written books on the subject, and how come nobody knew anything about it or how to practice it. Is there anybody know what is the MCO at all. It seems to me everybody talks about it and sounds they are familiarized it. However, it seems like an irony if no body can explain it.

[ChiForce]

Well, I had my kundalini experience when I was 18 without prior knowledge of Taoism. Accordingly, my experience as well as the movement of my chi corresponded to the microcosmic orbit. The question is how useful are these various methods to circulate and control the movement of the chi. Maybe chi itself would move where it needs to go regardless which methods you are using??? Few years ago (only few years ago I began to really study what happened to me when I was 18), I began to read the Awaken Healing Energy Tao by Master Chia. My first night session I was able to complete the microcosmic orbit with some hot Chi. The night after, as usual, my chi became warm. Don't be alarmed that I could complete the microcosmic on my first session. I am not a novice and my chakras have been opened some 20 years ago. It was not like I just picked up his book. Followed his instructions and completed the microcosmic orbit. For about a year, I was practicing his techniques. This is what I find some of the Taoist practices to be lacking. Too much emphasis on the body and your health, not so much on your psyche and enlightenment. For a while, I felt that I was focusing and meditating too much on my body. I am not sick. I am still young. I regularly do endurance exercise. I don't smoke. I don't indulge myself in food.

 

Now, I am turning my attention to William Bodri and master Nan Haui Chin. I did find master Chia's practice useful to setup a good foundation for further cultivation process.

Edited April 1, 2013 by ChiForce

[CrunchyChocolate555]

Not true, all of the ones I mentioned give reasonably clear explanations and protocol. The reason that so few people are well-versed in the practice is that outside of these books, there is little information. For instance, you will be hard pressed to find any good instructions using google.

 

I am however, a bit disappointed that I have never found clear answers to some of the questions I've had on the subtleties of the practice such as which qi-awareness methods are best (visual vs tactile), the surface area of awareness, the intensity, etc. etc.

 

I do suppose in the end that this is the kind of thing you should find out for yourself.

 

However, if you are asking in terms of the actual practice, the info is out there, and only takes a few pages of reading to get down. It is not very complicated.

Be forewarned that Yang Jwing Ming's Small Circualtion book only has a single chapter of PRACTICAL information on how to do the MCO, and the rest is trivial theory. It was literally a painful book to read through, but the few pages of info were well worth the effort that I have not been able to find anywhere else.

 

 

Doesn't any of your books tell you. All the masters had written books on the subject, and how come nobody knew anything about it or how to practice it. Is there anybody know what is the MCO at all. It seems to me everybody talks about it and sounds they are familiarized it. However, it seems like an irony if no body can explain it.

[qijack]

Here is my teachers experiance with opening the real micro cosmic orbit through a period of intense Meditation. Its translated from chinese so doesnt really all make sense. i think its a interesting read

 

Zhou Tianhong wonderful landscape

DR: XU

I practiced small Zhou Tian Gong has 20 more than 10 years, began on Qigong and life sciences have covered. Lei has in recent years by the deepening and development. Uphold for a long time, Shouyiliangduo, a fitness illnesses, Mong God Yiqi, Zhu Yan beauty, but I have never taught to the people. According to your recommendation, I will be here practicing their own small Zhou Tian Gong experience to organize, practice is focused on the various stages of work elephants and effectiveness, problem-solving construction, to help you practice this work.

The so-called small Zhou Tian Gong practitioners is in production and aggregation of Zhenqi, Ai-breaking clearance. To achieve along the Du Channel, Renmo operation, illnesses and fitness exercises. In the body's meridians, Du Channel, Ren Mai is the most important, is the most wide vein, the two channels. The one-Governor Du Meridian, commonly known as "sea-clock"; Renmo a total of the overcast, commonly known as "Yam pulse of the sea." Du Meridian longer, and the two ends of back bends, was surrounded Renmo trend, Du Channel and Renmo communication and coordination between the level, to a large extent determined by the body's yin and yang balance and health.

Zhou Tianhong power in the small training process, Zhenqi from scratch and from weak to strong and surround Du Channel, Zhou Tianhong Renmo completed a cycle of experience to give birth to Dantian gas, gas-pass, gas will be more than 100 points, Gas-on Dantian, gas charged in the Dantian, return to the six-stage. This completed the six stages of practice, Du Channel, Renmo will be opened, the gas-clock network of gas with Yam sympathetic harmony. When entering a state of quiet, in the upper and lower Dantian between will form a map similar to Tai Chi-yang and Yinqi pay embracing the mission come to Zhenqi, Zhenqi Mission of operation, the body can promote smooth qi and blood, viscera coordination, yin and yang Balance, and emotional Shu, as illnesses and fitness, beauty-God.

Zhenqi in the formation and operation of the various stages of the process, because of how many different levels, through different points of the pass, as the power and effectiveness also varies. It should be noted that each stage unique sense of gas, Neijing spectacular mystery, the magic is gratifying effect.

Below I put all stages of their work experience and effectiveness as outlined below.
(1)-gave birth to Dan Tian. Exercises about 10 days, under the Dantian generate an egg the size of air masses, slightly fever, Youyouhuhu. Exercises about a month, Zhenqi Mission steeled filling the entire microgastropods, gas-to-stop roller surging, intra-abdominal warm Rongrong. At this point is very clear effectiveness, enhancing peristalsis stomach, "guru" Voice of constant potential such as the push of Mines, exhaust frequent, good digestion, appetite increase.

(2) gas-hurdles. Exercises about 35 days, beginning customs clearance. Zhenqi Yinxue will enter college through the end of inter-related, then the Gate of Life customs clearance Jiaji, jade pillow clearance. Of course, not all of a sudden these pass through easily, but one by one-opened. Every hurdle and will take about four days or so. Commissioner Chong's very interesting scenario: Zhen Qi Guan Gate of Life in the length of stay longer, gas-like spray shore, wave and then wave, round up shocks, interesting is that each wave is limited to the Commissioner of the Gate of Life Section II lumbar spine, not insurmountable. Zhenqi amount to be increased to a certain extent, gas-clearance before crossing Gate of Life. Commissioner of a strip of Jiaji, Zhenqi have this clearance, the influx of Ni-like valley in the mountains, gathered diffuse, and too slowly. Commissioner of higher-pillow, Zhenqi to the Commissioner under repeated assembly hovering only to be passed. This is not a clearance in the next few days, Zhenqi Mission gathered at the barrier-clearance under the pillow, I feel a lot of strength back and his head will be pulled down. Zhenqi one passed, this natural phenomenon disappear. Zhenqi-three-in the process of effectiveness quite well, mainly as follows: two kidney hot even Fatang, waist disease disappear, the spirit is very full. Legs relaxed, the road like a boat sailing the same drum for quick and effective, this time as well-luck, and in line with Point fingering, stubborn Shenbu generally curable diseases.

(3) gas will be hundreds. Exercises about 50 days, will Zhenqi straight points to 100, arrived at the top of Du Meridian, Zhou Tianhong completed a cycle of half a circle. Zhenqi-100 will be the moment, the situation unique, memorable. That day I was practice, Zhenqi Mission is still resistance in the jade pillow customs, practicing with the training and suddenly felt a gas corporation mist into the minds of the Hong Ran, consciously head Shashi expansion as drums, two long ears also changed changed , Earned a good far. While air masses into the minds of the smaller contraction seems to be turned into the cool-Ling "spring" and follow the forehead down slowly, conscious brain. Refreshing anomaly, said earlier the expansion of flu also will disappear. This process, about the ancients said, "Peter unpaid Guanding", or "Chun-yang of the gas" into the brain. Since then, neurasthenia, headache, insomnia Dengzheng died self-healing. Not only can safely go to sleep every night, the dream is very fresh and calm, no miscellaneous dreams, nightmares, are the so-called "righteous rise, Xieqiyuanbi."

(4) on gas-Dantian. Zhenqi Baihui down by the open-Du Channel, Renmo between the mouth, teeth, lips formed at the space Q, Zhou Tianhong operation is a key step in the most difficult to break through this interval, we must gather in the Dantian Enough gas, so some slightly longer time. If this does not open up the interval, Du Channel, Renmo not comprehensively, Zhenqi will be a long time circling his head and not down. Sometimes on-homeopathy, very straight on the sky of potential; sometimes arbitrarily read under pressure, quite Taishanyading of Viagra. Many small Zhou Tian Gong practice of people do not know what to do now that a deviation, panic, or even casually Treating treatment. In fact, this is Zhenqi operation of the normal reaction, no need to panic. Because Baihui points in the top Du Channel, the top body, Zhenqi back from the Governor Vessel-even a few customs, all the way to a vibrant top of the top body, and also from here in the direction of doing 180-degree turn, opened up down Governor, the interval, natural to show their extraordinary characteristics. Playing an analogy, is like a torrent of being blocked, while over the high peaks, while also falling into the deep valley of the waves, from top to bottom Fanyong, intended to open-obstruction, Benyong forward. , Understand this truth, would not have to worry about fear. Enron continue to practice, on the Dan Tian Zhen Qi will be more-more, not only filling their minds, that is, within the orbit, nasopharyngeal, ears, all on the palate and teeth were also full of Zhenqi. At this point, ear, nasopharyngeal, the disease can gradually disappear. On the tooth pain, with a gas-and immediately pain.

(5) gas charged in the Dantian. 6 O-day practice time, there will be a heavy in the air masses Biduan link between teeth and on, slowly downward, and then fall into the Dantian (Shan in the Point area), since then, Du Channel, between the Renmo Kouchi intervals across the Zhenqi, the head of the pressure on under-flu then disappeared, while under the chin and lower teeth, throat, Shan in Xueneizhenqi filling, I feel Liang Sisi, Ma Su-su, increased secretion of saliva, throat , The stomach disorder gradually disappear.

(6) the return of gas (Dantian). Exercises about 70 days, by Dan Tian Zhen Qi slowly and quietly Dayantang gas into the sea, Zhou Tianhong finally completed a small circle. Practice from the beginning to return to the gas, from no to a Zhenqi, from weak to strong, surging, the Pentium off, return, gives the impression that the mighty, calm and peaceful. Like a mountain rivers originate, "River to Tongguan, because there are too engage and touch their benefits by Ben Meng, the wind back to the Three Gorges as a result of Wushan and benefits increased at its Nuhao" is a scene; into the Ping-chuan, return to the sea, since Is a different landscape.

Zhou Tianhong small Gong practitioners throughout the process, the spectators see is static and practitioners to appreciate the move is intended Miao Kai King, Jingqi Shen is the recycling and distillation.

Zhou Tian Gong is small, raising the basic skills of work. Zhou Tianhong Liancheng small, often as long as practitioners can maintain a little Zhenqi Mission Zhou Tianhong operation. The body is equivalent to maintain an elite Jin Weijun corporations, which have or once Bingxie invasive, the response to that is, from that war, war can win. Can make good health and full of energy. Directional guidance, top-specific features.
Zhou Tianhong small qigong, strengthening exercises, a natural power

basically what he is saying is that you need to gather true energy "zhen Qi" in the dan tien until the pressure is strong enough to push the energy up the spine. There is no visualization of energy involved with the true MCO. The energy moving up the spine has a real tangible feel to it and should not be forced.People tend to think by visualizing energy going up and down the body they are acheiving the mco.The truth is with out building the energy in the dan tien first you are acheiving only some form of illusionary mco

Edited April 1, 2013 by qijack

[konchog uma]

I do suppose in the end that this is the kind of thing you should find out for yourself.

 

yup. instead of thinking about it in terms of better or worse just see what works for you and cultivate that.

 

even that might change in time.

[joeblast]

I'm sure there have been many of these before, but I thought I'd start a new one! Let's talk about the different styles and variations of this practice and which ones are your favorite and why.

 

 

How do YOU practice MCO?

MCO emerges as an expression from the 3 dantiens. Place awareness at point in question, execute hexagram progression. Nothing more. "Flow" emerges of its own accord. Gives a basis for doing the contrived method.

[hydrogen]

basically what he is saying is that you need to gather true energy "zhen Qi" in the dan tien until the pressure is strong enough to push the energy up the spine. There is no visualization of energy involved with the true MCO. The energy moving up the spine has a real tangible feel to it and should not be forced.People tend to think by visualizing energy going up and down the body they are acheiving the mco.The truth is with out building the energy in the dan tien first you are acheiving only some form of illusionary mco

 

Yes. The visualization and tactile methods are just training tools. The real thing moves by itself, you just set it up in motion and feel the movement. I believe the highest state is when the head catches on its tail, then miracle will happen. I'd like to know anyone here experienced that.

[joeblast]

Yes. The visualization and tactile methods are just training tools. The real thing moves by itself, you just set it up in motion and feel the movement. I believe the highest state is when the head catches on its tail, then miracle will happen. I'd like to know anyone here experienced that.

go back to my link above, pg 2 and look at malik's quote from master nan. "the qi does not rotate because of its fullness" - so basically once enough rotations have taken place, it "smooths out" almost like a ball bearing setup that gets beyond its applicable range and "floats the bearing" - i.e. the coefficient of friction changes - now in that case if the bearing assembly keeps going, it breaks. it would make sense that it would correlate to the body, like if you keep trying to turn the wheel and its already reached its equilibrium. but the combination of sufficient ingredient plus sufficient smoothing of rotation will eventually cause the cessation of rotation and should not be continued furthered when that happens.

Edited April 1, 2013 by joeblast

[Trunk]

Interesting where we've come as a community. Sharing of information has paid off for a lot of people. Interesting depth pts of view.

 

Just to throw in my 2 cents that might seem irrelevant...

There's premises built into ... at least how I used to understand and approach the mco ... that I found problematic. The idea or hope, for instance, that by circulating unbalanced energy around everywhere that it becomes balanced. Often I felt that I just became unbalanced everywhere.

 

Now I'm focusing more on balancing and stabalizing at each vertical station. Starting at the bottom. Before dense energy moves. And there's a lot of kan and li involved. The awareness (fire) stabalizes into hui yin (water). And then there's a kind of kan & li between the front & back of the body, along the line of hui yin. And it all stabalizes, harmonizes a fair amount, right at that one place: the beginning. (Not completely, but reasonably well.) Then I work up, incrementally.

 

So, I'm not waiting, working, hoping for harmony at the end of the circle. I'm starting from harmony, at each step of the way. Then the energy that the next step receives is that much more harmonious. I'm not leaving a bunch of anatomical points in unbalance, just hoping they'll get better on the next go-round.

 

And I'm not "chasing yin and yang" (I know quotes are around that, but I probably just made it up). My attention is focused in one place: the center - and my main job is to stabalize attention there until the polarities have played out around it. It's a concentration exercise 1st and an energy movement exercise 2nd, almost incidentally, certainly subserviently to the center. Why? Because in human subtle anatomy the center has an especially potent relationship to the One energy and so by refining concentration there you engage a refining agent that trumps any of your personal energies. You might only get gradual access to that, but it is there (or through there) and it is key.

 

So, what was I talking about?

Something about premises about the mco approach, and what not.

Hope it's relevent and/or helpful. Doubt it, though. lol

 

cheers,

Trunk

Edited April 1, 2013 by Trunk

[hydrogen]

go back to my link above, pg 2 and look at malik's quote from master nan. "the qi does not rotate because of its fullness" - so basically once enough rotations have taken place, it "smooths out" almost like a ball bearing setup that gets beyond its applicable range and "floats the bearing" - i.e. the coefficient of friction changes - now in that case if the bearing assembly keeps going, it breaks. it would make sense that it would correlate to the body, like if you keep trying to turn the wheel and its already reached its equilibrium. but the combination of sufficient ingredient plus sufficient smoothing of rotation will eventually cause the cessation of rotation and should not be continued furthered when that happens.

 

I believe you can turn it faster and faster until you're turning the light. I believe at the end it'snot a gradual process, it's more like nuclear reaction.

[ChiForce]

What do you think about Master Chia's meditation posture, sitting with legs fully extended to the ground or floor? Versus crossing your legs? Master Nan, from the reading I read, seems to suggest that if you can't meditate with your legs crossed, you can't achieve any degree of samadhi. I tried both. I live on second floor. So, I am not physically grounded. I meditate mostly in my room. Rarely outside. I personally prefer to meditate with legs crossed sitting on a cushion. Also, my apartment isn't well heated and the floor is usually cold. I am not a big fan of meditating with feet touching on a cold floor.

 

According to his instructions, Master Chia believes that once you get the microcosmic orbit, it would naturally occur. It would move in its natural state or path. I also think that during sleep, one's chi is also moving in the microcosmic orbit. In my sleep, I would get sudden hot flashes several times a night, with strong chrakas vibrations. At times, I would wake up and seeing the chi rotating in my third eye in the form of white/bluish light.

[hydrogen]

So, what was I talking about?

Something about premises about the mco approach, and what not.

Hope it's relevent and/or helpful. Doubt it, though. lol

 

Also, it's just a personal preferences. There is no right or wrong approach.

 

I'm not as patient as you. Your approach is more similar with yoga relatively static method. I like dynamic approach, or short cut.

 

I like to use the light/spark from my third eye to set the fire in the TD, then kindle the fire/light to a reasonable energy level, then circulate the fire/light.

 

I'm in the very beginning of learning. Sometimes I can't get the ligth from third eye (especially at night, I can constantly get it during day time now). Sometimes I can't get the fire going inside my TD. Sometimes the fire isn't strong enough to pass some of my weak points. Sometimes, my mind is too scattered. Sometimes, I didn't warm up enough to clear the path.

 

In short, the result is inconstant from day to day. It could be very frustrating for someone.

 

The yogis don't do MCO. Some of they surely reached enlightment.

 

Steak, lobster, both or neither, you do whatever works for you.

Edited April 1, 2013 by hydrogen

[hydrogen]

What do you think about Master Chia's meditation posture, sitting with legs fully extended to the ground or floor? Versus crossing your legs? Master Nan, from the reading I read, seems to suggest that if you can't meditate with your legs crossed, you can't achieve any degree of samadhi.

 

There are always more than one way to achieve the same result.

 

I'm not debating the effectiveness of crossed legs. I just want to say I reached samadhi in a sitting position once and in standing position once. If you I get enough energy going, the restriction of the forms seem to be ridiculous. Then I couldn't be able to control the energy (or I didn't have enough virtues in another sense), I got into trouble.

 

 

I still can't sit with crossed legs comfortably enough to do serious meditation. I'm working on it.

Edited April 1, 2013 by hydrogen

[ChiForce]

Also, it's just a personal preferences. There is no right or wrong approach.

 

I'm not as patient as you. Your approach is more similar with yoga relatively static method. I like dynamic approach, or short cut.

 

I like to use the light/spark from my third eye to set the fire in the TD, then kindle the fire/light to a reasonable energy level, then circulate the fire/light.

 

I'm in the very beginning of learning. Sometimes I can't get the ligth from third eye (especially at night, I can constantly get it during day time now). Sometimes I can't get the fire going inside my TD. Sometimes the fire isn't strong enough to pass some of my weak points. Sometimes, my mind is too scattered. Sometimes, I didn't warm up enough to clear the path.

 

In short, the result is inconstant from day to day. It could be very frustrating for someone.

 

The yogis don't do MCO. Some of they surely reached enlightment.

 

Steak, lobster, both or neither, you do what you works for you.

I think Master Chia believes that Indian Yoga would only encourage the gathering of the chi or kundalini energy at the upper chakras. He personally claimed that he needed to heal many of the yogis because they have too much chi in their heads. Only the MCO can freely equalize all the chi throughout the body. That means no chi blockage. I think that makes sense.

[joeblast]

I believe you can turn it faster and faster until you're turning the light. I believe at the end it'snot a gradual process, it's more like nuclear reaction.

haha, well, you ever sung a singing bowl? is your hand going faster and faster to get those higher resonances...or is it angling, agile...gentle and easy when needed...and potential arising at the proper phase?

 

Hope it's relevent and/or helpful. Doubt it, though. lol

 

cheers,

Trunk

good stuff! its also why I stressed the prerequisites in my opening in my thread for it

[konchog uma]

what are you more experienced bums (or anyones) thoughts on turning the wheel of small orbit by turning the dantian, using it as a water wheel to affect all the orbits in the body? This method is taught by Damo Mitchell, and i have been using it since I read his 2nd book (Daoist Nei Gong)

[hydrogen]

haha, well, you ever sung a singing bowl? is your hand going faster and faster to get those higher resonances...or is it angling, agile...gentle and easy when needed...and potential arising at the proper phase?

 

Well, I haven't sung a singing bowl before. I guess you meant at higher frequency, the physical movement appears more internal than external. Then I agree.

 

Also, my sense deceived me before. Once I didn't feel any physical movement sensation down from my pelvic floor area. I reached down to touch it with my hand. I felt I got an electrical shock. I then realized that my brain couldn't recognize the "new" sensation. I needed to teach my brain to register this new "internal" vibration.

 

The higher frequency, the subtle the movement.

Then you reach the ligtht stage and your third eye is fully open for a moment, there is nothing subtle at that stage.

 

I've alos noticed that strong emotion help turning MCO. I don't know it helps open heart DT or generates different chemical stuff inside to power up the turning. I haven't figured out reliable method to utilize it.

[hydrogen]

what are you more experienced bums (or anyones) thoughts on turning the wheel of small orbit by turning the dantian, using it as a water wheel to affect all the orbits in the body? This method is taught by Damo Mitchell, and i have been using it since I read his 2nd book (Daoist Nei Gong)

 

Can you describe the procedure?

 

I sometimes turn the small MCO (nothing higher than navel front and back), when I gether enough momentum, I turn the MCO.

 

Another mehod that I don't know if it's safe or not. I stimulate my prostate with breathing control. It viberates at certain frequency by itself. I feel like a small heart beating down there. But by itself, it doesn't have enough juice to turn MCO. I have to connect it to LDT. Then my LDT become a power horse to turn my MCO.

 

I haven't done that in a while. Because I had spetacular result, and also some QiGong phsycosis (or premature K).

[konchog uma]

the procedure is as you describe, minus the prostate stim, from what i can tell. Using the LDT as a water wheel is my way of saying one turns the LDT on its axis so that it rotates forward on top and backward on bottom, using this as power to move qi through the vessels and some of the meridians. There is nothing complex or mystical to describe, it is very straightforward. Just rotate the LDT and, assuming one is free of blockages, the MCO rotates too.

 

its almost too simple

[4bsolute]

go back to my link above, pg 2 and look at malik's quote from master nan. "the qi does not rotate because of its fullness" - so basically once enough rotations have taken place, it "smooths out" almost like a ball bearing setup that gets beyond its applicable range and "floats the bearing" - i.e. the coefficient of friction changes - now in that case if the bearing assembly keeps going, it breaks. it would make sense that it would correlate to the body, like if you keep trying to turn the wheel and its already reached its equilibrium. but the combination of sufficient ingredient plus sufficient smoothing of rotation will eventually cause the cessation of rotation and should not be continued furthered when that happens.

 

Hmm.. at one of my sun-gazing seasons I saw the sun as flat as a coin. Nothing 3dimensional at all, looking with my 3d eyes. i saw the sun, the circle, had a fringe like a border which was changing colors in black and in white. So it looked like a coin with lighting on the one side, shadow on the other. And it rotates in a motion I couldnt figure out. The inner color of the circle is not of concern. What was I looking at?

Edited November 28, 2013 by 4bsolute

[liminal_luke]

Michael Winn once give this interesting, to me, variation on MCO practice at a retreat: simultaneously move the pearl up the conception and governor channel until the two streams meet at the crown, then down the center and repeat. Haven't played with it much but thought I'd share in case it sparks anything for anyone.

Edited November 28, 2013 by liminal_luke