THE SECOND BROCADE
SHAKE THE HEAVENLY PILLAR
This chapter, like the preceding, begins with my translation of the instructions, commentary, and correct method that were included in the Kao Lin engraving. Following the original text are Li Ching-yun’s commentary and my comments, and finally my instructions for practicing the Second Brocade.
The Original Text
Gently shake the Heavenly Pillar.
Sway the head left and right while gazing at the shoulders. Do so alternately in conjunction with the movements, twenty-four times. It is necessary to first grasp the hands firmly.
The correct method: First, grasp the hands firmly. Alternately turn the head left and right, gazing toward the shoulders when following the movements of the head, twenty-four times.
Author’s Comments
Note the position of the hands and head in the drawing. The hands are not closed into fists; rather, the right hand is placed on top of the left palm, and the head is tilted upward and away from the left shoulder. This is another example of the variant meanings of “grasp the hands firmly.”
In this brocade, the hands should be held in the t’ai chi knot. When the practitioner is gazing toward the left side, the right hand grasps the left thumb and the left hand covers the back of the right hand. When the practitioner is gazing to the right side, the positioning is exactly the opposite. (See the photographs.)
For further information, refer to the book Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines by W. Y. Evans-Wentz (Oxford University Press, 1975). The Nine Bellowslike Breathing exercise, explained in the section on producing psychic heat, is very similar to this exercise of Shake the Heavenly Pillar.
Li Ching-yun’s Commentary
The Heavenly Pillar is the spinal column and the connective neck bone. To gently shake (to wave to and fro) means to sway the shoulders. Gently shake the Heavenly Pillar means to crick and move the neck. Properly, the neck is cricked to the left and right sides along with a gazing procedure. The two shoulders are followed by the gaze when swaying. The left and right sides are counted separately, with each side being performed twenty-four times, and collectively forty-eight times.
This cricking of the neck, swaying of the shoulders, and gazing in accordance with the movements in effect remove the fire of the heart and eliminate any invasions or disturbances of external malignant spirits.
Author’s Comments
The Heavenly Pillar is a Taoist metaphor for the spinal column and connective neck bone. The first character (representing wei) of this section of the text normally translates as “subtly” or “secretly.” Following Li Ching-yun’s lead, I consider it best to translate this as “gently.”
Note that under the “Concluding Exercises” at the end of Part 2, there is also the instruction to shake the shoulders, but that exercise is distinct from this one. I bring this up because many Eight Brocades texts, in both English and Chinese, do not differentiate between these two methods.
Author’s Instructions
With the legs crossed, grasp the hands firmly using the t’ai chi knot (right hand grasping left-hand thumb) and place the bottom edge of the right palm on the right thigh, near the hip, and with the Tiger’s Mouth cavity (hu k’o)—the indentation formed at the base of the thumb and index finger—facing upward. Place the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
Begin to gently shake the Heavenly Pillar by turning the right shoulder, spine, and head toward the left. Inhale while turning and direct the eyes to the top of the left shoulder, then continue by gazing up and back as far as possible, stretching and twisting the spine smoothly, gradually, and in conjunction with natural breathing. Simultaneously, the right hand is pressed into the right thigh and the left-hand thumb joint is pressing down on the right-hand Tiger’s Mouth cavity. Then exhale and bring the gaze back down to the shoulder and then to the front. Repeat this twelve times.
Shaking the Heavenly Pillar toward the left
Next, perform the exercise from the right, or opposite, side: the left hand grasps the right thumb and presses down on the left thigh, while the thumb joint of the right hand presses into the left-hand Tiger’s Mouth and the eyes gaze up and over the right shoulder. Again, perform the movements twelve times.
This brocade is good for strengthening the spine, exercising the eyes, and increasing the blood flow to the waist, legs, and hands. This brocade stimulates the spleen.
Preparing to shake the Heavenly Pillar toward the right
Shaking the Heavenly Pillar toward the right
