THE SEVENTH BROCADE
SUPPORTING HEAVEN
This chapter, as in 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 interspersed with my comments, and finally my instructions for practicing the Seventh Brocade.
The Original Text
Afterward both hands support the Void.
The fingers of both hands interlace and are turned upward to support the Void, three or nine times.
The correct method: Rub the two hands together, then make five voluntary coughs. Both hands are mutually interlaced and raised upward to support the Void.
Li Ching-yun’s Commentary
Both hands means that the fingers are mutually interlaced, so that all ten fingers are equally separated.
To support the Void means, even though the hands do not really raise anything substantial upward, you imagine as you raise them upward that the emptiness above is being supported.
The correct procedure is to interlace both hands at the level of the chest, with the backs of the hands facing heaven. Turn the palms face up when raising them. Make use of some imaginary resistance in supporting the Void. The backs of the hands should be directly over the topmost gate (the Hundred Gatherings cavity). After having raised both arms completely, gradually lower them. Each movement, upward and downward, is counted as one time. Perform these actions nine times. Then, as before, close the hands firmly and place them on top of the area of the knees.
Author’s Comments
Support the Void refers to the title of the Seventh Brocade, Supporting Heaven, which implies the action of pushing or pressing upward against something. Here it can be thought of as supporting something above the head. In practice, you should imagine lifting something over your head by first pressing (as if there were a resistance or weight) upward and then holding it there.
Three and nine are the “supreme yang” numbers. Nine is the triple yang number.
The voluntary coughs are like the sound of a half cough, as when clearing your throat, ahem.
Author’s Instructions
Interlace the fingers of the hands so that the palms can be turned out and raised upward. To begin, the fingers should be interlaced securely, with the palms facing the chest. Keep your eyes focused on your hands.
Next, inhale and stretch the hands upward to the furthest extent, simultaneously turning the palms to face out and upward, as if pushing something up and then supporting it. Then hold the breath for twelve heartbeats, incorporating the Four Activities. When bringing the hands downward, exhale while loosening the grip and returning the hands to face the chest again. Allow the hands to be naturally loose while facing the chest.
At this point, you may inhale and exhale again to restore your breath before inhaling, supporting the Void, and stopping the breath again. Repeat this process of supporting the Void a total of nine times.
