INDEX
abdominal pass 215
acquired energy body 60–7
see also energy body
acquired meridians 61–2
acquired mind 56
emotions 238–9
fluctuations of 101–3
addiction, to internal sensation 246–7
alcohol 202
anger, patience and understanding 235–6
ankles, Wuji posture 180–1
arms, Wuji posture 189
auric field 83
and breathing 100–1
connecting with 103
and middle Dan Tien 103–4
authors, personal experiences 14–17
awakening energy system 32, 35–6
awakening Heart centre 36
awakening lower Dan Tien 201–8
awareness
on lower Dan Tien 205
risks 205
balance, in pregnancy 272
base desires
changing minds 228–9
practice differences 30–1
Blood
circulation 128
health of 57–8
and phases of the moon 119
role of menstrual flow 116
and spirit 57–8
blood deficiency 264–5
body
conditioning and preparation 34–5
consciousness body 47–8
Daoist perspective 43–4
energy body 47
health of 171–3
Hundun posture 191–4
movement of Jing and Qi 32
physical body 44–7
relaxation 97–8
see also energy body; female body; Wuji posture
book
aims 254–5
perspective 17–18
breasts
Chinese character 54
Jing 52–5
Qi 53
breath
connection to energy 99–101
context and overview 90
emotional release 98–9
energetic shifts 99
energy movement 93
fluctuations of acquired mind 101–3
internal sound 114–15
to lower dan Tien 205–6
mental awareness 93–4
observing 96–7
regulation of 34–5
relaxation 97–8
summary and conclusions 115
breathing
and auric field 100–1
functions 90
internal pressure of torso 92–3
oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange 91
Qi intake and flow 92
regulation of emotional mind 91–2
Sung breathing 94
Buddhism, Heart-mind concept 87–8
centre of gravity
Hundun posture 193
Wuji posture 182–3
centre of mass, lower Dan Tien 203–5
centrifugal energy movement 29, 129–30
centripetal energy movement 29, 129
chest pass 215
children, practice of Nei Gong 33
cinema and television, in pregnancy 270
clipping passes 212–15
blockages 215–16
Confucianism, attitude to women 38
congenital energy body 67–81
see also energy body
congenital meridians 67–77
Conception meridian 71–3
energetic cage 70–1
function of 68
Governing meridian 71–2
Thrusting meridian 46, 73–4, 119–21, 123, 124–5, 224–5, 243–6
Yang heel meridian 77
Yang linking meridian 76–7
Yin heel meridian 77
Yin linking meridian 76–7
congenital mind 56
connections, mind-body 127–8
connective tissue 60–1
consciousness, transformation 254
continuing practice 206–8
contra-indications, to practice of Nei Gong 33
contraception 167
conversion through Dan Tien 79
core strength 173
crown pass 214
damp 264
Dan Tien 78–81
connections 113
conversion through 79
energy centres 58–9
function 57
function of 78–9
Daoism
attitude to gender 23–4
borrowing from other traditions 87–8
Daoist Nei Gong: The Philosophical Art of Change (Mitchell) 94, 255
dark moon 115, 119, 124, 125, 126–7
dark moon Qi Gong 148–53
deities 24
destiny 232
developmental process, Nei Gong 31–3
diet 172
awakening lower Dan Tien 201
second spring 146
division of Yin and Yang 247–8
drugs 202
Earth element cleanse 131–2
Earth elemental meridians, balance 64–5
Earth energy 236
Earth, relationship with Heaven 42
electronic devices 202
elemental associations, acquired meridians 62
elemental energies, transportation 128
emotional cleansing, and menstruation 127–30
emotional connection, practice differences 30–1
emotional debris, movement of 129
emotional difficulties, practice of Nei Gong 33
emotional energy, leakage of 80–1
emotional mind, regulation of 91–2
emotional release 98–9
emotions
and acquired mind 238–9
in pregnancy 271
and virtues 233–9
energetic cage 70–1
and five pulses 77–8
energetic leakage, control of 41–2
energetic nature, understanding 24–5
energetic shifts 99
energy
and breath 99–101
stagnation 97
acquired 60–7
acquired components 59
auric field 83
awareness 95–6
Conception meridian 71–3
congenital 67–81
congenital components 59–60
congenital meridians 67–77
Dan Tien 78–81
Earth elemental meridians 64–5
energetic cage and five pulses 77–8
Fire elemental meridians 64
Governing meridian 71–2
lower Dan Tien 79
Metal elemental meridians 65–6
middle Dan Tien 79–81
miscellaneous components 60, 81–7
Thrusting meridian 73–6
upper Dan Tien 81
uterus 83–7
Water elemental meridians 66
Wei Qi field 81–3
Wood elemental meridians 66–7
Yang heel meridian 77
Yang linking meridian 76–7
Yin heel meridian 77
Yin linking meridian 76–7
energy centres 41
Dan Tien 58–9
upper Dan Tien 46
energy movement 93
centrifugal/centripetal 29, 129–30
energy system, wakening 32, 35–6
enlightenment 252–3
excess internal heat 261–2
excitation, contentment 234–5
exercise
in pregnancy 272
second spring 146
face, Wuji posture 190
fascia 60–1
fear, wisdom and clarity 237–8
feet
areas of 178
Hundun posture 192–3
Wuji posture 175–9
female body
Blood and spirit 57–8
breasts 52–5
conception and pregnancy 45–7
female body cont.
energy body see separate heading
Jing 49–55
physical body 44–7
Qi 55–6
Shen 56
summary and conclusions 89
three treasures 48–57
tuning into three bodies 58–9
female Nei Gong
awakening energy system 35–6
awakening Heart centre 36
conditioning and preparation of physical body 34
conversion of Qi to Shen 36
conversion of Shen to Dao 36
extraction of Jing from Tian Gui 35
internal vibration 36
menstrual cycle 35
regulation of breath 33–4
regulation of mind 35
stages of 33–6
female perspective, dearth of books 14
female spirit, and Blood 57–8
Fire element cleanse 131
Fire elemental meridians, balance 64
Fire energy 234–5
first small water wheel 69
rotations 208–15
Earth elemental meridians 64–5
Fire elemental meridians 64
Metal elemental meridians 65–6
Water elemental meridians 66
Wood elemental meridians 66–7
five lights of creation 46
five-phase elemental cleanse 130–2
five pulses 62
and energetic cage 77–8
movement and effects 78
five spirits model 230–3
emotions and virtues 233–9
unification 243
flexibility 172
fluctuations of acquired mind 101–3
foetal development 45–7
formlessness 48
full moon 123–4
gender
in Daoism 23–4
differentiation 23
practice differences 26–30
and social balance 38
Yin and Yang 39–42
girdling meridian circulation 222–4
Girdling meridians 74–6
Guan Yuan (CV 4) 75
guided intention 216
hands
Hundun posture 193–4
Wuji posture 189
health
awakening lower Dan Tien 201–2
of body 171–3
developing 172–3
Heart
role of 128–9
Shen 234–5
Uterus and Girdling meridian 223–4
Heart centre, wakening 36
Heart-centred practice
addiction to internal sensation 246–7
division of Yin and Yang 247–8
emotions and virtues 233–9
five spirits model 230–3
large water wheel 250–2
middle Dan Tien 229–30
overview 228–9
skill, not enlightenment 252–3
spiritual antenna 248–9
spiritual skills 250
Thrusting meridian 243–6
working with middle Dan Tien 239–42
Heart-mind concept 87–8
Heaven, relationship with Earth 42
Heavenly Streams: Meridian Theory in Nei Gong (Mitchell) 61
hips
Hundun posture 192
Wuji posture 181–2
‘hong’ 110–12
Hundun posture 191–4, 228, 239
centre of gravity 193
feet 192–3
hands 193–4
hips 192
knees 193
spine 193
infertility 167
initial rotation, reverse cycle 69–70
injuries, repair of 31
innate strengths, women 38–9
inner development, attitudes to 14
inner orbit 211–15
logic of 216–19
interaction, with world 88–9
internal cold affecting Uterus 260–1
internal experiences 254–5
internal health, restoration of 31
internal heat 261–2
internal pressure of torso 92–3
internal sensation, addiction to 246–7
internal sound 114–15
internal vibration 36, 110, 202, 246, 247
intuition 16–17, 18, 29, 83, 125, 138, 145
base desires and emotional connection 30–1
breasts 52–5
Chinese character 49
circulation 75
defining 48
energetic leakage 41–2
extraction from menstrual blood 35
and Kidneys 142
men 49–50
menopause 142
movement through body 32
movement through women’s bodies 51–2
Nei Dan 258–9
original and acquired 49
and physical health 44
role of menstrual flow 68
sexual fluids and blood 27–8
women 50
Jing Jin lines 60–1
key stages, development in Nei Gong 31–2
Kidney Water 143
Kidney Yang 142–3
deficiency 144
Kidney Yin 142–3
deficiency 143–4
Kidneys
and Jing 142
Zhi 237–8
knees
Hundun posture 193
Wuji posture 179–83
Kua, Wuji posture 183–6
large water wheel 120, 225–6, 250–2
leakage of emotional energy 80–1
learning and then forgetting 48
Liang Yi 37
limbs, circulation of Qi 225–6
Liver 86–7
Hun 235–6
Liver Fire 143–4
Liver Qi stagnation 262–3
Lotus Moon Qi Gong
dark moon Qi Gong 148–53
mysterious crucible Mudra 167–70
overview 148
rotating the moon 164–7
Lotus Moon Qi Gong cont.
three circles around the moon 154–64
lotus mudra 107
awakening 201–8
awareness 205
centre of mass 203–5
continuing practice 206–8
effects of awakening 207–8
energy centre 41
false 198–9
leading breath to 205–6
locating 196–201
practice differences 29
rotations 208–11
lumbar pass 214
lunar influence, practice differences 30
Lungs, Po 237
macrocosmic orbit 225–6
meditation 236
second spring 146
men
Jing 49–50
menopause 139–47
attitudes to 15
imbalances 141–5
Jing 142
spiritual maturity 116–17
symptoms 141
menstrual blood 122
extraction of Jing 35
see also Tian Gui
menstrual cycle
regulation of 35, 116–17, 137–8
slaying the red dragon 138–9
summary of 132–3
menstrual imbalances 260–5
blood deficiency 264–5
damp and phlegm 264
excess internal heat 261–2
internal cold 260–1
Liver Qi stagnation 262–3
Qi deficiency 263–4
menstruation
attitudes to 15
as cleansing 116–17
context and overview 116–17
and emotional cleansing 127–30
energetic leakage 41–2
five-phase elemental cleanse 130–2
and Jing 68
mental awareness, and breath 93–4
mental health 33
meridian points
Guan Yuan (CV 4) 75
Shan Zhong (CV 17) 239–40
meridians
acquired 61–2
Conception meridian 71–3
congenital 67–77
development of 45–6
elemental associations 62
existence of 60
Thrusting meridian 46, 73–4, 119–21, 123, 124–5, 198, 224–5
Yang heel meridian 77
Yang linking meridian 76–7
Yin heel meridian 77
Yin linking meridian 76–7
Metal element cleanse 132
Metal elemental meridians 65–6
Metal energy 237
and auric field 103–4
energy centre 41
expansion 241
practice differences 29
working with 239–42
middle fingers 169
mind
busyness 101–2
regulation of 35
and Shen 56
mind-body connection 127–8
Mitchell, D. 61, 94, 233, 255, 258
moon 117–22
full moon 123–4
menstruation and emotional cleansing 127–30
movement of planetary Qi 121
and movements of Blood and Shen 119
and people 117–19
stages of 117–19
and Thrusting meridian 119–21, 123
Tian Gui 122
Yang phase 122–5
Yin phase 125–7
moon practice 18
mouth pass 215
mysterious crucible Mudra 167–70, 261
natural cycles 134
Nei Dan 258–9
Nei Gong
compared with Qi Gong 25–6
contra-indications 33
developmental process 31–3
effects and experiences 254–5
key stages 31–2
overview 25–6
perspectives on 254
see also female Nei Gong
numerological patterns 49–50
occipital pass 214
‘om’ 108–10
oppression, of women 113–14
oral contraception 167
organ connections, Heart to Uterus 86
oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange 91
pelvic floor pass 214
pelvis, alignment 184–5
people, and the moon 117–19
permanence, Dao 88
personal experiences, authors 14–17
personal goals 24–5
phlegm 264
physical body 44–7
conditioning and preparation 34
physical health, and Jing 44
physical imbalance, release of 98
physical structure, changes 32
postures
basic postures 173
Hundun posture 191–4
using 194–5
Wuji posture see separate heading
practice
how long to continue 206–8
personal goals 24–5
practice differences 26–30
base desires and emotional connection 30–1
energy movement 29
lower and middle Dan Tien 29
quality of Qi 28
sexual fluids and blood 27–8
solar and lunar influence 30
pre-conception 268
pre-ordained destiny 45
pregnancy 266–73
awakening lower Dan Tien 202
eighth lunar month 272
fifth lunar month 271
first lunar month 269–70
fourth lunar month 271
ninth and tenth lunar months 272–3
practice of Nei Gong 33
pre-conception 268
role of partners 273
second lunar month 270
seventh lunar month 272
sixth lunar month 271–2
third lunar month 270
premenstrual symptoms 133
psychiatric illness 33
circulation into limbs 225–6
conversion to Shen 36
deficiency 263–4
defining 48
existence of 60
female body 55–6
forceful/soft quality 28
intake and flow 92
movement through body 32
Nei Dan 258–9
planetary 121
sexual fluids and blood 27–8
vibration 55–6
Qi Gong, compared with Nei Gong 25–6
regulation of emotional mind 91–2
rejuvenating effects, small water wheels 226–7
relationships, effects on 252–3
repair of injuries 31
resonances, Yin and Yang 40–1
respiration see breathing
rest, in pregnancy 271–2
restoration of internal health 31
reverse cycle of the initial rotation 69–70
reverse orbit 219–22
risks, strength of awareness 205
rotating the moon 164–7
rotations
inner orbit 211–15
lower Dan Tien 208–11
small water wheels 69–70
sadness, bravery and compassion 237
scapula pass 214
sea of Blood 119–21
second rotation 70
self-expression 113–14
sensory interaction 88–9
seven-year cycles 50–1
sexual activity
awakening lower Dan Tien 201
in pregnancy 270
sexual experiences 247
sexual fluids and blood 27–8
sexual intercourse, energetic leakage 41
Shan Zhong (CV 17) 239–40
Shen 25–6
and consciousness body 48
conversion to Dao 36
defining 48
excitation to contentment 234–5
female body 56
light of true Shen 239
and mind 56
Nei Dan 258–9
and phases of the moon 119
sexual fluids and blood 27–8
Shen Gong 133–4
shoulders, Wuji posture 188
singing 249
sitting posture 244–6
skill vs. enlightenment 252–3
slaying the red dragon 138–9
small Heavenly orbit, locating lower Dan Tien 196–201
small water wheels 68
awakening lower Dan Tien 201–8
awareness on lower Dan Tien 205
circulation of Qi into limbs 225–6
clipping passes 212–15
completion of first orbit 218–19
continuing practice 206–8
dealing with clipping pass blockages 215–16
effects of awakening lower Dan Tien 207–8
girdling meridian circulation 222–4
inner orbit 211–15
leading breath to lower Dan Tien 205–6
logic of inner orbit 216–19
moving centre of mass 203–5
overview 196
rejuvenating effects 226–7
reverse orbit 219–22
rotations 69–70
side branches of Thrusting meridian 224–5
two directions 72
wind path 219–22
social balance, and gender 38
societal pressures, on women 14
solar influence, practice differences 30
and Dan Tien 113
‘hong’ 110–12
internal sound 114–15
middle Dan Tien and auric field 103–4
‘om’ 108–10
stages of 105–6
stages of progression 112–14
spine
Hundun posture 193
Wuji posture 186–8
spirit
and Blood 57–8
formation of 46
spiritual antenna 248–9
spiritual eye pass 214–15
spiritual skills 250
Spleen 86
Yi 236
spontaneous energetic movement 255–7
spontaneous sounds 249
stagnation
emotional 98–9
of energy 97
stillness, and movement 37
stillness of mind 32
strengths, women 38–9
sun, yang energy 121
Sung 31
Sung breathing 94
swimming dragon Qi Gong 154–64
Taiji 37
Taiji Mudra 244–5
teachings, transmission of 24
television and cinema, in pregnancy 270
third rotation 70
three bodies, tuning into 58–9
three circles around the moon 154–64
three elements of lower Dan Tien awakening 203
three treasures 48–57
see also Jing; Qi; Shen
throat pass 215
Thrusting meridian 46, 73–4, 198
Heart-centred practice 243–6
side branches 224–5
spiritual antenna 248–9
vertical branch 244, 247, 248, 251
torso
internal pressure 92–3
sections 92
unity, Jing, Qi and Shen 56–7
Uterus 83–7
blood deficiency 264–5
connections to heart and kidneys 85–6
damp and phlegm 264
Heart and Girdling meridian 223–4
internal cold 260–1
Uterus and Girdling meridian 223–4
vibration, Qi 55–6
virtues, and emotions 233–9
visualisation 169–70
Water element cleanse 131
Water elemental meridians, balance 66
Water energy 237–8
Wei Qi field 81–3
White Moon on the Mountain Peak: The Alchemical Firing Process of Nei Dan (Mitchell) 233, 258
wind path 219–22
women
in Daoism 38–9
innate strengths 38–9
Jing 50
life stages 139
oppression of 113–14
self-expression 113–14
seven-year cycles 50–1
social roles 24
societal pressures on 14
teaching for 16–17
Wood element cleanse 131
Wood elemental meridians, balance 66–7
Wood energy 235–6
working with sound 103–15
worry, empathy and compassion 236
Wu Xing 62
Earth elemental meridians 64–5
Fire elemental meridians 64
Metal elemental meridians 65–6
model 63
Water elemental meridians 66
Wood elemental meridians 66–7
Wuji 37
ankles 180–1
arms 189
centre of gravity 182–3
centre of mass 203–5
face 190
feet 175–9
hands 189
hips 181–2
knees 179–83
Kua 183–6
overview 173–5
practice 190–1
shoulders 188
spine 186–8
Yang 37–8
division of the two poles 247–8
divisions 45
and gender 39–42
and Heaven 42
resonances 40–1
and stages of the moon 118–19
Yang linking meridian 76–7
Yin 37–8
division of the two poles 247–8
divisions 45
and Earth 42
and gender 39–42
resonances 40–1
and stages of the moon 118–19
Yin and Yang 37–8
Yin linking meridian 76–7
young people, practice of Nei Gong 33
Yue Guang Pu Sa 18
Zi Bao 84–5
see also Uterus