Microcosmic Orbit Taoist Meditation

Microcosmic Orbit is a classic Taoist Meditation method, with it's roots in India, for circulating and refining Qi via the circuit formed by the Governing Channel from perineum up to head and the Conception Channel from head back down to perineum. It is sometimes called Small Cosmic Orbit or Small Celestial Orbit and is one of the most important exercises in Taoist System. With this process, you can influence the strength and movement of your chi by mentally directing, or meditating on, the stream of energy.
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Governing Channel and Conception Channel are believed to be particularly important because they feed all of the 12 main, yin and yang meridians. They are used together in the microcosmic orbit meditation, to create a cleansing and purifying circuit of chi along the midline of your body. The Governing Channel connects all the yang channels. The major yang channel runs from the perineum up toward the base of the spine, then from the base it runs up the spine and enters the skull at the base of the neck, continuing up the back of the skull to the crown of the head. The Conception Channel receives all of the chi from the yin channels. The major yin channel of the body runs from the crown of the head down to the middle of the front of the face to the palette, and then from the tongue down the front of the neck, chest and abdomen down into the sexual organs then to the perineum. The yang and yin channel connect with each other at the crown and the perineum to form a loop or circuit of energy. That is why it is called an orbit.

Microcosmic Orbit meditation helps to transform and refine the energies both of our physical body and consciousness, resulting in improved physical health, greater mental and emotional balance, and access to deeper levels of awareness and spiritual insight. It also balances your yin and yang energy, flushes out stagnant chi, strengthens the flow of life force and opens up the crown of your head.


How to do the Microcosmic Orbit Meditation

• Still your body, calm the mind, and regulate your breath. Sit, stand or lay on your back, in a quiet place with your eyes closed lightly.
• Focus your attention on your Dan Tien and visualize a small ball of energy. This could be heat, vibration, warmth or just a sensation of its presence.
• Begin abdominal breathing. It starts with you inhaling through your nose and your abdomen expands not your chest. Exhale through your slightly opened mouth, keeping your tongue lightly touching tour palate just behind your upper front teeth.
• Inhale and visualize this small ball of chi passing down from the Dan Tien, past the Hui Yin up thorough the coccyx. Then rising up to the Ming Men and then to where the ribs meet the spine, then going through this area and right up to the back of the head, where it joins the neck.
• Visualize this chi ball in the center of your brain.
• Focus your attention on the Yin Tang point between and just above the eyebrows and draw energy into the ball of chi from this point as the ball passes and goes to the roof of your mouth. This ends your inhalation.
• Exhale and send the chi down to your heart then draw it through the middle Dan Tien at your solar plexus, past your navel down into the lower Dan Tien. Then begin another cycle.

Dont worry too much about the direction of the breath or which channel the chi flow first follows. This is mainly a matter of feel. The entire body is to be kept relaxed, and the chi circulation smooth, almost effortless. This meditation may cause the head to rock or the body to tremble, which are signs of progress. The Microcosmic Orbit can be used to reduce stress