Nature as a Source of Power and Health

Edited by Dusan Komorovsky

Nature as a Source of Power and Health

As our places to go during the lockdown are limited, the nature is becoming our last resort. And although we know its beneficial for the health there are ways to get as much from that benefit as possible. For practitioners of medical Qigong, it is essential part of their practice for ages. Medical Qigong is less known member of the TCM treatment methods. For the successful practice of Medical Qigong doctors is important to be able to get rid of the pathological Qi and replenish with clear Qi. Whether as daily practice or after a day of treatments, this is most effectively done in the nature. The methods of working with the Qi of nature date back to the ancient Taoists and their inner alchemy. 

It is important to realize that Chinese Neidan (內丹, Inner Alchemy), Chinese Astrology, Zen Buddhism, many Chinese martial arts, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Feng Shui, and Qigong have been blended with Taoism throughout history.

Apart from China, Taoism also had influence on surrounding cultures in Asia and today, increasingly intertwines with the Tantra and Neo-Tantra movement Taoism has always been quite occupied with health, healing and longevity, and Taoists practitioners have traditionally used various exercises and healing techniques to promote this, such as Taoist Meditation, Neidan Inner Alchemy, Tai Chi and Medical Qigong, which are today all considered TCM practices.  

SAN BAO (三宝)

One of the most known concepts adopted in TCM and Neigong Qigong is the San Bao, theory of three treasures. In long-established Chinese traditions, the “Three Treasures” are the essential energies sustaining human life.       

Here are some possible translations of these three treasures

  • Jing (精)”nutritive essence, essence; refined, perfected; extract; spirit, sperm, seed”
  • Qi (氣)”vitality, energy, force; air, vapor; breath; spirit, vigour; attitude”
  • Shen (神)”spirit; soul, mind; god, deity; supernatural being”

This concept as part of inner alchemy serves as self-transforming mechanism, a path of spiritual growth. The Three Treasures is expressed through the phrases lianjing huaqi “refining essence into breath”, lianqi huashen “refining breath into spirit”, and lianshen huanxu “refining spirit and reverting to Emptiness”. The formula is quite simple. Essence produces energy and the energy cultivates spirit. Traditional Chinese Medicine relies on the proper gathering, refinement, and utilization of the body’s Jing, Qi, and Shen, which in turn allows the internal organs to function in natural harmony.

Since the Chinese culture started to be more open with inner transformational teachings it is still easier to find more information about the concept and methods of practice of the three treasures. Less so is known that it is a part of the Taoist alchemical teaching of the Three Natural Powers (San Cai 三才) of Heavens (universe, 天), Earth (environment, 地) and Man (humanity, 人).

SAN CAI (三才)

The Three Powers of Heaven, Earth, and Man represent the whole of all-natural forces and energetic factors which affect the human body on all levels of existence (physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual). Ancient masters discovered that the human body’s internal network of systems is directly and indirectly affected by the influences and variations of the energetic cycles of the earth, sun, moon, and stars.  

The powers of Heaven and Earth are responsible for the energetic field changes that cause adjustments and shifts within Man’s Jing, Qi, and Shen. Each of the Three Powers (San Cai) includes their own Three Treasures (San Bao)

  • The Three Treasures of the Heavenly Power are the energy fields of the Sun, Moon, and Stars
  • Three Treasures of the Earthly Power represent the energy of the Earth (soil and rock), Wind, and Water
  • The Three Treasures of Man are contained within man’s Essence (Jing), Energy (Qi), and Spirit (Shen)

You can picture the man as being in between the enormous fields of heavenly bodies. The Sun radiates its energy field downwards, earth radiates its field upwards and these two streams constantly flowing through the human body. In ancient China, it was believed that the barriers that exist between the individual’s internal universe and the external universe of the cosmos must first be dissolved before the body could effectively absorb energy from the environment and utilize it to replenish the body’s energy.

Absorb and utilize energy (天)

It is our beliefs that are determining how we see ourselves in relation to the universe and the understanding of our connection to universe, empty mind and clear intention together with body posture that is conductive to smooth energy flow will provide help by any technique of absorbing the energy of nature.

There are numerous ways of harnessing and cultivating the nine treasures of the three powers and Taoist alchemy together with qigong, dao yin, kung fu and other methods are taking advantage of this profound understandings of nature.

Though great many techniques are requiring a teacher for proper guidance through the various exercises, there are some quite easy ways that are wide available to the majority of public that might not have the luxury of experienced master at hand.

The Heavenly Power is mainly emanating from the universe and heavenly bodies through the form of light. Light of the sun is essential for the life on earth and all living organism. Since we do not have yet the capacity to completely process the energy that is coming from the sun, we have to eat the plants. The plants are transmuting the sun potential into form we can use more effectively. Despite of this, the light of the heavenly bodies has still tonifying effect on living beings. The ancient masters believed, as can be verified by modern medicine, that each individual has an innate need to absorb sunlight. We thrive on the Sun’s energetic nurturing quality and ancient doctors have used the healing potential of the Sun to treat many diseases.

In modern times sunlight has been effectively used to treat tuberculosis, osteoporosis, asthma, psoriasis, depleted immune systems, winter depression and deep skin wounds, among others. People are drawn to sunny weather cos of its tonifying properties. It is the simplest form of repletion of ones energy just by letting the light enter the eyes and the skin. Since we cannot absorb the sunlight completely, we need to be cautious with excessive exposure to the sun. Especially in the peak hours of the day.

The most efficient time to absorb the benefits of sunlight is the dusk and the down and there are gazing methods that must be approached with the utmost caution. The safest way of absorbing the sunlight is a sunbath and simple emersion in the light of starting or ending day. Generally, sunbathing is safest during summer before 11 a.m. and after 3-4 p.m.

SITTING MEDITATION EXERCISE

I am including a Taoist traditional method, for absorbing energy and light from the Sun, for those who want to try.                                                    

GATHERING THE SUN’S ESSENCE SITTING MEDITATION:
When first absorbing energy and light from the Sun, the individual should practice during sunrise and sunset, when the top of the Sun is beginning to crest the horizon.

1. Sitting outside on a clear day, face the Sun, and assume a relaxed posture. Hands placed on the lap.
2. Place the tongue on the upper palate. The mind should be in a relaxed and tranquil state, breathe evenly and naturally, and rid the mind of any stray thoughts.
3. If the Sun is beginning to crest the horizon, slightly open the eyes You should be able to see soft, gentle, reddish sunlight. If the Sun has already risen, close the eyes and use inner vision to see and feel the energetic light of the Sun.
4. Inhale through the nose and imagine directing the rays and filling the mouth with energy from the sunlight’s essence. Still facing the Sun, with the eyes half open, “infuse,” or absorb the Sun’s energy into the eyes. Gather and blend the energy absorbed from the eyes into your Upper Dantian. Close the eyes and imagine blending the Sun’s golden light energy with the Qi inhaled through the nose. Hold the breath and focus the mind on mixing both energies, transforming the combined Qi into a golden drop.
5. Swallow the golden drop slowly, while exhaling out the mouth. Follow the golden drop’s descent through the centre of the body into the Lower Dantian. Imagine as the drop enters the Lower Dantian that it gently plops into a pool of Golden Qi, which ripples throughout the lower abdomen with warmth and light.
6. Each inhalation, a breath creates a golden drop; each exhalation the golden drop enters the Lower Dantian and fills the pool of Golden Qi.
7. Imagine the pool of Golden Qi overflowing and completely filling the body. Imagine and feel the energy and light of the Golden Qi rising upward into the Upper Dantian and overflowing.
8. Next, imagine the Golden Qi overflowing and shooting out of the Yin Tang (Third Eye area) into the surrounding field, and into the infinite space of the Wuji. Maintain this image until the golden light transforms into white light.
9. End the meditation by pulling the light back into the Upper Dantian, down the central channel and into the Lower Dantian. Repeat this exercise for several minutes.

Techniques of absorbing light are used to gather the essence of moon light as well. The vital essence of Moon is sometimes referred to as “Moon Cream” or “cool light,” it is used to nourish the Kidneys and strengthen the Jing, Marrow, and Brain, while contributing to longevity. It is practiced only nine days a month: three days before, during, and after the full Moon, which are the brightest nights of the month.

ABSORB AND UTILIZE ENERGY (地)

The ancient masters of Chinese energetic medicine observed the changing terrains, cloud formations and wind currents in order to both scientifically and esoterically understand the Three Treasures of Earth. The art of Feng Shui comes out of this understanding, but also countless ways of qi absorption used in medicine and alchemy. Earth energy originates from the Earth’s surface. Earth Qi travels under the ground through energetic veins, accumulating and manifesting in the form of environmental vegetation, soil, mountains, and volcanoes. Water energy originates from the oceans, lakes, hot springs, and rivers of the world and Wind energy is created from the interaction of the Sun’s heat and the surface of the planet. This interaction includes all cloud formations and the results of changes in barometric pressure (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning storms, etc.)

Earth’s biggest sources of environmental energy are:

  • Trees, Bushes, and Flowers
  • Mountains, Valleys, and Deserts
  • Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, and Streams
  • Soil, Herbs, and Food

For a land site to contain strong Earthly Qi it must be located close to curving or still water, be on high ground, or be surrounded by green mountains with lush foliage. As to the ability to absorb energy from nature. The form of proper food, drink, and breathing is an essential method of acquiring health and internal strength. However, the ancient Daoist’s went a step further, and sought to develop and refine techniques of absorbing Qi directly from the natural environment.

The primary objective of these meditations is to first cleanse the body of pathogenic factors, then to cultivate and absorb environmental Qi in order to replenish the body’s energetic field. First a proper siting or standing posture makes it easier for the mind to guid turbid qi down to earth. It is providing proper grounding. Practitioners and patients than should visualize themselves immersed in a chosen environmental field of energy, filling themselves with its vibration, colour, and light, and then allow this energized field to envelop their entire body.

Trees, bushes, flowers, mountains, valleys, deserts, lakes and ponds are used to absorb energy from. Usually, the more pristine and clean the better.

To go out to nature with more focus, calm mind and breath would already allow for more efficient qi absorption. Places with a lot of deep green vegetation provide more oxygen and vitalize you more. Deep appreciation and respect for the nature will set your spirit in the right way.

Enjoy your stay 🙂

References

  • J.A. Johnson, Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy Volume 2, Energetic Alchemy Dao Yin Therapy and Qi Deviations, The International Institute of Medical Qigong, 2002
  • H. Grundemann & M. Ferreira, Taoism and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts, treatment modalities, and blended techniques, 2020
  • Catherine Despeux, Jing, qi, shen; 精 氣 神; essence, pneuma (breath, energy, vital force), spirit, The Encyclopedia of Taoism, 2008
  • Marius Lixandru, Sun Exposure: What Is the Best Time for It?, Natureword, 2016