The Midbrow, Midchest, and Midriff points.
Hologram Palm Empowerment of the Three Dantians
Activating the Three Energy Points
Up to this point you have explored your own Hand Qi outside your body. But in fact, the Qi you just experienced between your palms also exists on the whole surface of your body and inside it. In this chapter you will discover this as you build on the earlier exercises and begin to explore the internal dimension of your energy body using your Hand Qi to amplify the experience.
Soon I will guide you through the seven steps of a self-empowerment method called Hologram Palm Empowerment. It is designed to awaken and empower three major energy centers that store vast amounts of Qi deep inside your body. But before you can begin that practice you need to learn how to activate the energy points situated on your skin directly in front of each energy center.
Think of each of these three energy points as a portal that must be activated, or opened, before you can move your awareness of Qi inside your body to an energy center. If the point is closed, the door is sealed and you won’t be able to bring your awareness inside and draw on your own energy reserves effectively whenever you need to. When that happens, one becomes like a thirsty straggler in the desert standing over a cavernous pool of precious water that is buried just below his feet.
Fortunately, your days of thirsting for more energy will soon be over. With a simple technique called activating that I will show you next, you will learn how to activate these three important energy points and follow each one inwardly to one of the three major energy centers, like a narrow mine tunnel leading to a huge cavern with gold-covered walls.
Activating the three energy points is the first step required when doing Hologram Palm Empowerment, and since this step is so crucial to the rest of the process, we will begin by practicing it on its own. Afterward, once you can activate all three points at will, we will incorporate activating into the first step of the Hologram Palm Empowerment practice.
The Midbrow, Midchest, and Midriff points.
EXERCISE 5 Activating the Midbrow, Midchest, and Midriff Points
There are hundreds of energy points spread across the surface of the human body. Among these, three will be of particular interest to us: the Midbrow Point, the Midchest Point, and the Midriff Point.
The Midbrow Point is located between the eyebrows, right above the bridge of the nose. This point is also called the “Third Eye.” The Midchest Point is located at the center of the chest on the sternum. This point is also called the “Heart Center.” The Midriff Point is located three finger widths directly below the navel. This point is also called the “Sea of Qi.”
Now we are going to awaken these three energy points by activating each one.
1. Close your eyes and use your middle finger to probe the area between your eyebrows to find the Midbrow Point. This is the point that “lights up” energetically when you are inspired by a good idea. You will experience an intensification of energy as you brush up against the point. Feel the energy from your finger awaken the Midbrow Point like the flame of one candle lighting another. Then let go of your finger, continue to concentrate on the Midbrow Point, and feel the energy sensation growing brighter and moving farther back toward the center of your head. Continue doing this for thirty seconds, and then relax.
Activate the Midbrow Point.
2. With your eyes still closed, use your middle finger to probe the area on your sternum to find the Midchest Point. It will feel more sensitive than the space around it. This is the point that “lights up” energetically when you feel love for another person. You will experience an intensification of energy as you brush up against the point. Feel the energy from your finger awaken the Midchest Point like the flame of one candle lighting another. Then let go of your finger, continue to concentrate on the Midchest Point, and feel the energy sensation growing brighter and moving farther back toward the center of your upper torso. Continue doing this for thirty seconds, and then relax.
Activate the Midchest Point.
3. With your eyes still closed, now use your middle finger to probe the area three finger widths below your navel to find the Midriff Point. This is the point that “lights up” energetically when you feel the burning urge to take immediate action. You will experience an intensification of energy as you brush up against the point. Feel the energy from your finger awaken the Midriff Point like the flame of one candle lighting another. Then let go of your finger, continue to concentrate on the Midriff Point, and feel the energy sensation growing brighter and moving farther back toward the center of your waist. Continue doing this for thirty seconds, and then relax.
If you were able to “move” your awareness to the three energy points inside your body, you are now ready to begin learning Hologram Palm Empowerment. If you had a hard time doing this, then take a deep breath and try again. Be xiao yao—take it easy. Keep on practicing until you are able to do it well. Give it time; it will happen. But if you’re ready now, let’s take the next big leap forward.
The Three Dantians
So what exactly are the precious energies that you store behind the Midbrow, Midchest, and Midriff points? Let’s begin to investigate these mysteries through an illuminating thought experiment.
Imagine a tiny version of yourself standing in front of the Midbrow Point, which, in this visualization, just happens to be a door that is slightly taller than you. Since the energy point is closed, the door is shut, so you ring the doorbell to activate the point. Suddenly the door opens and a bright beam of light shoots out like a spotlight. Intrigued, you enter through the door and step into a brightly lit corridor. As you venture farther in, the light glows with even more intensity. At the end of the corridor, you step out into a large, cavernous chamber illuminated by a dazzling pool of swirling light situated right in the middle of your head. You are now standing at the edge of this pool with its “water” lapping at your feet.
You scan the inside of your head from this vantage point. Your cranium looks like a vast upside-down cauldron flaring down from your crown and covering the forehead, temples, and occipital area at the back of your head. This cauldron is like a protective helmet that guards the precious contents inside your head: the lobes of your brain and the pineal and pituitary glands lodged deep within.
Something unexpectedly beautiful catches your eye as you notice fine, misty currents of translucent energy flowing from every organic structure in your head right into the pool of light. Your head looks like a collection of “energy rivers” of various sizes streaming in from every direction, all pouring into this luminous pool.
You feel increasingly drawn to this ethereal pool, which represents the blended energetic essence of your head. Then, without warning, your miniature self dives right in.
Once you are submerged, your mind instantly becomes crystal clear and razor sharp. As you swim down deeper into the pool, inspiring ideas and illuminating visions appear to you in rapid succession. Then from seemingly nowhere, you hear a sagely voice. It whispers elegant solutions, with masterly insights, to problems that have troubled you for a long time. As this brilliant explosion of higher knowledge continues to saturate your mind, you realize that any mental activity originating from this place in consciousness empowers you with the grace of wisdom.
Next, your miniature self is once again standing outside your body, but this time it is standing in front of the Midchest Point, which also looks like a closed door affixed to your sternum. Your miniature self rings the doorbell. The door opens and you enter another brightly lit corridor, walk to the end, and emerge into another cavernous chamber illuminated by another pool of light, only this one is situated inside your heart at the center of your chest.
From here you look around and notice that seen from within, your upper torso also looks like an upside-down cauldron. This one, however, extends out from the base of your neck and runs along the widening contours of your ribs all the way down to your diaphragm, which forms its rim just above your waistline.
This second cauldron houses your internal organs. You can see your spongy lungs inflating and deflating each time you breathe, your liver positioned below them on the right-hand side, and your spleen on the left. The pumping rhythm of your beating heart forms the focal point of this cauldron, which also envelops your thyroid and parathyroid glands situated higher up near your breastbone. Here too you observe each internal organ and gland exuding a stream of energy that flows directly into the swirling pool of light at the center of your chest.
Once again you dive into the dazzling pool, but this time your experience is completely different. Once submerged, you are overcome by a surge of emotional well-being that makes you feel like tenderly hugging someone. And as you swim deeper and deeper, you become increasingly filled with the urge to heal any emotional pain or anguish that is stored inside your chest.
Then from seemingly nowhere, you hear a nurturing, motherly voice whispering answers to all the questions you have ever had about any hurtful, confusing emotional issues that have wounded you. Her loving words fill you with a profound understanding of human psychology that instantly alleviates your suffering and leaves you brimming with compassion for the suffering of others. As this stirring experience continues to heal your psyche, you realize that any emotional activity that originates from this place in consciousness empowers you with the grace of love.
Finally, your miniature self stands outside your body again, this time in front of a closed door hinged to the Midriff Point. When it opens you excitedly walk down another brightly lit corridor and enter a third cavernous chamber. Unlike the other two, this one looks like a cauldron that is right side up. Its base is formed by the perineum at the base of your pelvis, and it flares up from there like a bowl that extends along your hips up to its rim, which is formed by your waistline.
This cauldron contains your kidneys, viscera, and sexual organs. Here too streams of energy flow from all the organs and glands and collect into a brilliant pool of energy situated in the middle of your lower abdomen.
You dive in a third time and are quickly overcome by a different experience. Once submerged, you are infused with tremendous strength and confidence that fill you with the potency to face any danger and overcome any challenge. As you swim deeper and deeper, your strength becomes increasingly charged with raw sexual power that adds dynamic charm and tireless endurance to your sense of invincibility.
Then you hear a strong, self-assured voice emerge from the depths and quash any fears or inhibitions you may have harbored in the past. Any concern or insecurity that has ever held you back from taking action is instantly smashed to bits, and you are now eager to take bold action in the face of daunting adversity. As unbounded potency continues to boost your resolve, you realize that any enterprising activity that originates from this place in consciousness empowers you with the grace of vitality.
Wisdom, love, and vitality—these are the three spiritual qualities that you tap into whenever you access the three reservoirs of energy inside your body. Let’s examine each more closely, beginning with wisdom.
Behind the Midbrow Point, at the center of your head, lies a vast reservoir of wisdom. We all experience days when our mind functions impeccably and we are able to cope effectively with all sorts of complications. But we all also have days when our mental powers wane and we can easily become disoriented and confused. The difference between those two mental states depends on whether our Midbrow Point is open, and on the quality of the Qi stored inside the pool of energy at the center of our head.
When Qi flow in the area around our head is healthy, our intuition functions like a GPS. We feel guided and make wise, well-timed decisions that lead us to places we could never have reached by relying on logic and reason alone. But when the Midbrow Point is blocked and the Qi flow around our head is weak, it’s as if our GPS malfunctions. We lose our way and wander around clueless, like a lost child in a big shopping center. We lack a clear sense of direction. Our timing is off. We make bad choices and poor decisions. We want to get to New York City, but we end up in Philadelphia. We lack wisdom.
Behind the Midchest Point, at the center of the upper torso, lies a vast reservoir of love. We all experience days when our psyche operates smoothly and we are able to manage our emotions effectively, as well as days when even the slightest emotional issue can render us dysfunctional. The difference between those two kinds of days depends on whether our Midchest Point is open, and on the quality of the Qi stored inside the pool of energy at the center of our chest.
When Qi flow in the area around our chest is plentiful, we become as giving and nurturing as a loving mother. Our emotions communicate effortlessly that we care, and we really do. We understand human suffering and possess the emotional resilience to reach out compassionately and make a difference without expecting anything in return. In essence, we become a healing force.
But if the Midchest Point is blocked and the Qi flow in the area around our upper torso is weak, the pool of energy dries up and our loving, motherly heart turns to glass. We become emotionally fragile. We break easily under pressure. We feel depressed, angry, and lonely, even when we are in the company of people who love us. Eventually we harden to protect ourselves, and that’s when the heart of glass turns to stone.
Behind the Midriff Point, at the center of the abdomen, lies a vast reservoir of vitality. We all experience days when we are bursting with potency and can’t wait to take action and days when we can barely muster the strength to get out of bed. The difference between those two kinds of days depends on whether our Midriff Point is open, and on the quality of the Qi stored inside the pool of energy at the center of our abdomen.
When Qi flow in the area around our abdomen is healthy, we feel like a juicy fruit. Our physical well-being skyrockets and we radiate a strong sexual magnetism. We become dynamic and vivacious, and people are drawn in by our charm. We are thrilled to make daring moves and even slay some dragons if we must.
But if the Midriff Point is blocked and the Qi flow around our abdomen is unhealthy, we become like a flat tire. We feel weak and impotent, and every undertaking feels like an uphill trek carrying a heavy load of rocks. Even menial tasks become burdensome, arduous labor. Exhausted by the basic activities that make up our day, we become unable to take any decisive actions when needed. Our self-esteem shrivels and our libido plummets. We become less attractive to ourselves and others. We slip into mediocrity and go unnoticed. Our immune system weakens, and we are more likely to get sick.
Once in a while we sometimes experience a “good” day when wisdom, love, and vitality all break through the cloud cover of our everyday personalities and wash away our confusion, heartaches, and low self-esteem. At those times, we feel like a superhuman being gliding through all the ups and downs we encounter with uncanny clarity, a radiant heart, and overflowing liveliness. How would you like to increase the number of days characterized by magical, effortless flow? How would you like to make every day a good day?
Allow me to show you how.
Xiao Yao referred to each of the three cauldrons of the body I have just described as a Golden Wheel, and to each pool of blended energy in them as a dantian (pronounced dan-tee-en), which means “elixir field” in Chinese. We’ll be using these terms repeatedly for the rest of our time together, so please be sure to remember what they mean.
Xiao Yao used the image of a wheel to describe the energetic action that takes place inside the three cauldrons because, in actuality, healthy Qi from the internal organs and glands tends to flow in a circular motion as it circulates toward each dantian at the three energy centers of the body. He called the top cauldron the Wheel of Wisdom, and the pool of Wisdom Qi in the center the Upper Dantian. He called the middle cauldron the Wheel of Love and the pool of Love Qi in the center the Middle Dantian. And he called the lowest cauldron the Wheel of Vitality and the pool of Vitality Qi in the center the Lower Dantian.
The Golden Wheels and the Three Dantians.
You may be wondering why I haven’t yet mentioned the fourth Golden Wheel, which was alluded to in the title of this second section. Trust me: I have not forgotten about it. But I am reserving that discussion for later, after you have learned to empower the Three Dantians—our immediate objective.
In the following three exercises, I will teach you a self-empowerment practice called Hologram Palm Empowerment that you will use to awaken and empower your Three Dantians. In Exercise 6 you will empower the Upper Dantian, in Exercise 7 you will empower the Middle Dantian, and in Exercise 8 you will empower the Lower Dantian.
What benefits can you expect to derive from doing Hologram Palm Empowerment? Once you master the technique, you will be able to boost the energy levels of your Three Dantians dramatically and liberate at will the Wisdom Qi, Love Qi, and Vitality Qi energies that they each hold in reserve. Ramping up your energy levels stacks the odds in favor of any day becoming a good day. And that is a worthwhile goal!
EXERCISE 6 Hologram Palm Empowerment of the Upper Dantian
In this exercise we will follow a series of seven steps to awaken and empower the Upper Dantian. These include:
Step 1: Activating
Step 2: Catching
Step 3: Pumping
Step 4: Circulating
Step 5: Empowering
Step 6: Restoring
Step 7: Sealing
I will guide you through the process one step at a time in complete detail so you will get a clear understanding of each part of the practice. Then, in Exercises 7 and 8, we will follow the same seven steps to empower the Middle Dantian and the Lower Dantian, but with fewer details. If you need more specifics about a particular step, simply refer back to the corresponding section in Exercise 6 for those details. We are now ready to begin.
The first step of the Hologram Palm Empowerment of the Upper Dantian consists of activating the Midbrow Point. We practiced a similar version of this step in Exercise 5, so it should already be familiar to you.
1. Close your eyes and use your middle finger to probe the area between your eyebrows to find the Midbrow Point. Feel the energy from your finger awaken the Midbrow Point like the flame of one candle lighting another. Feel the energy sensation growing brighter and moving farther back, illuminating the Upper Dantian in the center of your head.
Activate the Midbrow Point.
Step 2: Catching
This step consists of three related actions: pressing, popping, and catching. The purpose of this step is to concentrate Qi Energy from the Upper Dantian and then direct this concentrated energy to the center of a Qi Ball.
2. With your eyes still closed, place your palms on both sides of your temples and become aware of the Wheel of Wisdom within your head. Become aware of all the energetic qualities inside it: your intuition, your sense of timing, and your capacity for visionary insight. Allow these energies to gather and blend at the center of your head in the Upper Dantian. Become aware of your wisdom. Inhale deeply and hold your breath as you press your head firmly and concentrate the energies into a small “shining pearl.” Then exhale while quickly letting go of your hands and create an instant Qi Ball (see Exercise 3, Step 9, if you need a refresher). As your hands release from your head, the pearl will “pop” out. Catch it in the middle of the Qi Ball. Feel the energy resonate between the Upper Dantian and the pearl, which acts as a hologram of the blended energies stored inside your head.
Pressing … popping … and catching.
Step 3: Pumping
You learned a similar version of this movement pattern in Exercise 3, Step 7, when you “pumped” the Qi Ball to charge it with energy. You will now use that same pumping movement pattern to charge the pearl at the center of the Qi Ball.
Squeeze and release to pump the pearl with more energy.
3. With your eyes still closed, squeeze and release the Qi Ball to charge the pearl with more energy. Feel the essence of your wisdom inside the Qi Ball radiate with more power as you continue to pump it. Continue to do this at least nine times.
Step 4: Circulating
The purpose of this step is to deepen the connection between the pearl, the Qi Ball, and the Upper Dantian by rolling the pearl along the entire circumference of the Qi Ball, both horizontally and vertically.
4. Start by imagining there is an “energy string” connecting the Upper Dantian in the middle of your head and the pearl. Use your intention and subtle hand movements to let the energy string guide the pearl from the center of the Qi Ball toward your left hand, and then guide the pearl horizontally along the entire circumference of the Qi Ball. As the pearl loops around, feel the movement sensation mirrored in the Upper Dantian. Circulate the pearl at least nine times in this direction, and then reverse directions and do it another nine times, or more.
Circulate the pearl horizontally.
5. Next, guide the pearl along the circumference of the Qi Ball vertically. Remember to feel the connection between the pearl and the Upper Dantian. Circulate the pearl at least nine times in one direction, and then reverse directions and repeat this process at least another nine times.
This step is the most important part of the exercise. Here you empower the Upper Dantian by circulating the pearl in a figure-eight pattern that crosses through the center of the Qi Ball.
The center of the Qi Ball is an energy-rich spot. As you guide the pearl through this point, it will absorb the energy there and instantly transfer that energy to the Upper Dantian. Each time the pearl passes through the center of the Qi Ball, you will feel your Upper Dantian boosted and empowered.
Circulate the pearl vertically.
6. With your eyes still closed, use your intention and subtle hand movements to guide the pearl to your left palm, and then guide the pearl along a horizontal figure-eight pattern. When the pearl crosses the center of the figure-eight pattern within the Qi Ball, feel a surge of energy shoot from the pearl up to the Upper Dantian like a flash of lightning. Feel the Upper Dantian glow brighter and your Wisdom Qi become empowered. Repeat this at least nine times. In each cycle, feel the energy level of the Upper Dantian increase. Then reverse directions and repeat this same process at least another nine times; then relax.
Circulate the pearl horizontally in figure-eight patterns to empower the Upper Dantian.
7. Now guide the pearl back to your left palm and circulate it in a vertical figure-eight pattern. When the pearl crosses the center of the figure-eight pattern within the Qi Ball, feel a surge of energy shoot from the pearl up to the Upper Dantian like a flash of lightning. Feel the Upper Dantian glow brighter. Feel your Wisdom Qi become empowered. Repeat this at least nine times. In each cycle, feel the energy level of the Upper Dantian increase. Then reverse directions and repeat this same process at least another nine times.
Circulate the pearl vertically in figure-eight patterns to empower the Upper Dantian.
8. When you are finished, relax and allow the pearl to circulate freely around the Qi Ball in any pattern and direction it wants. Enjoy this experience for as long as you wish.
Step 6: Restoring
This step consists of three related actions: compressing, palming, and restoring. The purpose of this step is to compress the Qi Ball and the pearl together and to return the Qi Energy to the Upper Dantian.
9. With your eyes still closed, guide the pearl back to the center of the Qi Ball. Compress the Qi Ball until both it and the pearl are condensed down into a super-concentrated pearl the size of a marble. Place that pearl in one of your palms and then guide it through the air, back up into the Upper Dantian in the middle of your head. Once the pearl is restored, the Upper Dantian will feel more radiant and expanded.
Compressing … palming … and restoring.
Step 7: Sealing
The purpose of this step is to “seal” the Upper Dantian so that you save the Qi Energy of the empowerment exercise you just did. Sealing an energy point is like corking a bottle so nothing spills out.
10. Form a Sword Finger with your raised hand. Imagine that there is a “Yin Yang” symbol at the end of the Blade coming out of your Sword Finger. (Yin and Yang represent the primal, complementary forces that sustain balance in the universe.) Stamp that image energetically on the Midbrow Point nine times to seal the energy now stored in the Upper Dantian. When you are done, relax and nourish your Qi.
Stamp the Yin Yang symbol to seal the energy.
Some people experience a dramatic, powerful surge of energy the first time they empower the Upper Dantian, and some people barely feel anything at all. But whether you experienced an energetic tidal wave building inside your head or just caught the glimmer of a faint spark, congratulations! You still moved energy.
You may have to repeat the empowerment exercise several times before you experience a palpable awakening. Don’t worry; that is natural. Each time you practice, the experience will deepen and your awareness of the energies inside your head will intensify. So be patient, enjoy the experience, and allow yourself to ripen naturally at your own pace.
Next we will repeat the same seven steps of Hologram Palm Empowerment to empower the Middle Dantian. No matter what your experience in Exercise 6 was, try it. For most people, one of the Three Dantians is more developed than the other two, and their experience of the Hologram Palm Empowerment for that particular one is usually more discernible. This could be the one for you!
I will guide you through the process again, but as I stated before, this time it will be without commentary. If you need to clarify the purpose of a particular step, simply refer back to the corresponding section in Exercise 6. As you practice, notice how the quality of Love Qi feels different from the quality of Wisdom Qi you’ve just experienced.
EXERCISE 7 Hologram Palm Empowerment of the Middle Dantian
Step 1: Activating
1. Close your eyes and use your middle finger to probe the center of your chest to find the Midchest Point. Feel the energy from your finger awaken the Midchest Point like the flame of one candle lighting another. Feel the energy sensation growing brighter and moving farther back, illuminating the Middle Dantian in the center of your chest.
Step 1: Activating.
Video 3—SoundsTrue.com/MasterKeyExercises
2. With your eyes still closed, place your palms on both sides of your ribcage and become aware of the Wheel of Love within your chest. Become aware of all the energetic qualities inside it: your compassion, your generosity, and your kindness. Allow these energies to gather and blend at the center of your chest in the Middle Dantian. Become aware of your love. Inhale deeply and hold your breath as you press your ribs firmly and concentrate the energies into a small “shining pearl.” Then exhale while quickly letting go of your hands and create an instant Qi Ball (see Exercise 3, Step 9). As your hands release from your ribs, the pearl will “pop” out. Catch it in the middle of the Qi Ball. Feel the energy resonate between the Middle Dantian and the pearl, which acts as a hologram of the blended energies stored inside your chest.
Step 2: Catching.
Step 3: Pumping
3. Squeeze and release the Qi Ball to charge the pearl with more energy. Feel the essence of your love inside the Qi Ball radiating with more power as you continue to pump it. Continue to do this at least nine times.
Step 3: Pumping.
Step 4: Circulating
4. Start by imagining there is an “energy string” connecting the Middle Dantian in the middle of your chest and the pearl. Use your intention and subtle hand movements to let the energy string guide the pearl from the center of the Qi Ball toward your left hand, and then guide the pearl horizontally along the entire circumference of the Qi Ball. As the pearl loops around, feel the movement sensation mirrored in the Middle Dantian. Circulate the pearl at least nine times in this direction, and then reverse directions and do it another nine times or more.
Step 4: Circulating.
5. Next, guide the pearl vertically along the circumference of the Qi Ball. Remember to feel the connection between the pearl and the Middle Dantian. Circulate the pearl at least nine times in one direction, and then reverse directions and do it again for the same number of rotations.
Step 5: Empowering
6. Now use your intention and subtle hand movements to guide the pearl to your left palm, and then guide the pearl along a horizontal figure-eight pattern. When the pearl crosses the center of the figure-eight pattern within the Qi Ball, feel a surge of energy shoot from the pearl across to the Middle Dantian like a flash of lightning. Feel the Middle Dantian glow brighter and your Love Qi become empowered. Repeat this at least nine times. In each cycle, feel the energy level of the Middle Dantian increase. Then reverse directions and repeat this same process at least another nine times.
Step 5: Empowering.
7. Now guide the pearl back to your left palm and circulate it in a vertical figure-eight pattern. When the pearl crosses the center of the figure-eight pattern within the Qi Ball, feel a surge of energy shoot from the pearl across to the Middle Dantian like a flash of lightning. Feel the Middle Dantian glow brighter. Feel your Love Qi become empowered. Repeat this at least nine times. In each cycle, feel the energy level of the Middle Dantian increase. Then reverse directions and repeat this same process at least nine times.
8. When you are finished, relax and allow the pearl to circulate freely around the Qi Ball in any pattern and direction it wants. Enjoy this experience for as long as you wish.
Step 6: Restoring
9. Guide the pearl back to the center of the Qi Ball. Compress the Qi Ball until both it and the pearl are condensed down into a super-concentrated pearl the size of a marble. Place that pearl in one of your palms and then guide it through the air, back over toward the Middle Dantian in the middle of your chest. Once the pearl is restored, the Middle Dantian will feel more radiant and expanded.
Step 6: Restoring.
Step 7: Sealing
10. Form a Sword Finger with your raised hand. Imagine that there is a Yin Yang symbol at the end of the Blade coming out of your Sword Finger. Stamp that image energetically on the Midchest Point nine times to seal the energy now stored in the Middle Dantian. When you are done, relax and nourish your Qi.
Step 7: Sealing.
How did this empowerment go for you? Did you feel the energy of Love Qi more or less clearly than the energy of Wisdom Qi? Make a mental note—this information will become relevant later on.
We are now ready to begin Exercise 8, the Hologram Palm Empowerment of the Lower Dantian. The steps here are almost identical to the steps described in the previous two exercises, so the process should now flow even more easily for you.
If you still need to clarify the purpose of a particular step, simply refer back to the corresponding section in Exercise 6. And as you practice, notice how the quality of Vitality Qi feels different from the qualities of Wisdom Qi and Love Qi that you have just experienced.
EXERCISE 8 Hologram Palm Empowerment of the Lower Dantian
Step 1: Activating
1. Close your eyes and use your middle finger to probe the area below the navel to find the Midriff Point. Feel the energy from your finger awaken the Midriff Point like the flame of one candle lighting another. Feel the energy sensation growing brighter and moving farther back, illuminating the Lower Dantian in the center of your waist.
Step 2: Catching
2. With your eyes still closed, place your palms on both sides of your waist and become aware of the Wheel of Vitality within your lower torso. Become aware of all the energetic qualities inside it: your sexual essence, your charisma, your charm, and your capacity for dynamic action. Allow these energies to gather and blend at the center of your lower body in the Lower Dantian. Become aware of your vibrant vitality. Inhale deeply and hold your breath as you press your waist firmly, tighten your anus, and concentrate all the energies into a small “shining pearl.” Then exhale while quickly letting go of your hands and create an instant Qi Ball (see Exercise 3, Step 9). As your hands release from your waist, the pearl will “pop” out. Catch it in the middle of the Qi Ball. Feel the energy resonate between the Lower Dantian and the pearl, which acts as a hologram of the blended energies stored inside your waist.
Step 2: Catching.
Step 3: Pumping
3. Squeeze and release the Qi Ball to charge the pearl with more energy. Feel the essence of your vitality inside the Qi Ball radiate with more power as you continue to pump it. Continue to do this at least nine times.
Step 3: Pumping.
Step 4: Circulating
4. Start by imagining there is an “energy string” connecting the Lower Dantian in the center of your waist and the pearl. Use your intention and subtle hand movements to let the energy string guide the pearl from the center of the Qi Ball toward your left hand, and then guide the pearl horizontally along the entire circumference of the Qi Ball. As the pearl loops around, feel the movement sensation mirrored in the Lower Dantian. Circulate the pearl at least nine times in this direction, and then reverse directions and do it another nine times, or more.
Step 4: Circulating.
5. Next, guide the pearl vertically along the circumference of the Qi Ball. Remember to feel the connection between the pearl and the Lower Dantian. Circulate the pearl at least nine times in one direction, and then reverse directions and circulate it again for the same number of rotations.
Step 5: Empowering
6. Now use your intention and subtle hand movements to guide the pearl to your left palm, and then guide the pearl along a horizontal figure-eight pattern. When the pearl crosses the center of the figure-eight pattern within the Qi Ball, feel a surge of energy shoot from the pearl down to the Lower Dantian like a flash of lightning. Feel the Lower Dantian glow brighter. Feel your Vitality Qi become empowered. Repeat this at least nine times. In each cycle, feel the energy level of the Lower Dantian increase. Then reverse directions and repeat this same process at least another nine times.
Step 5: Empowering.
7. Now guide the pearl back to your left palm and circulate it in a vertical figure-eight pattern. When the pearl crosses the center of the figure-eight pattern within the Qi Ball, feel a surge of energy shoot from the pearl down to the Lower Dantian like a flash of lightning. Feel the Lower Dantian glow brighter and your Vitality Qi becoming empowered. Repeat this at least nine times. In each cycle, feel the energy level of the Lower Dantian increase. Then reverse directions and repeat this same process at least nine times.
8. When you are finished, relax and allow the pearl to circulate freely around the Qi Ball in any pattern and direction it wants. Enjoy this experience for as long as you wish.
Step 6: Restoring
9. Guide the pearl back to the center of the Qi Ball. Compress the Qi Ball until both it and the pearl are condensed down into a super-concentrated pearl the size of a marble. Place that pearl in one of your palms and then guide it through the air, back down into the Lower Dantian in the middle of your waist. Once the pearl is restored, the Lower Dantian will feel more radiant and expanded.
Step 6: Restoring.
Step 7: Sealing
10. Form a Sword Finger with your raised hand. Imagine that there is a Yin Yang symbol at the end of the Blade coming out of your Sword Finger. Stamp that image energetically on the Midriff Point nine times to seal the energy now stored in the Lower Dantian. When you are done, relax and nourish your Qi.
Step 7: Sealing.
