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‘Awakening the Healing Light of the Tao’ refers to practices that draw inspiration from traditional Taoist alchemical concepts, initially focused on transforming base elements into higher states of being by alchemists. In the context of Inner Alchemy, this transformation is applied to the individual’s body, mind, and energy.
Master Chia’s teachings center mainly around Taoist practices and concepts concerning health, well-being, and spiritual advancement. Supreme Inner Alchemy Level I serves as the initial segment of the Winter and Summer retreats, introducing students to ‘Awakening the Healing Light of the Tao.’
Violet Light Transmission
The class opens with Master Chia discussing the universal dark violet light concept and its application in our practices. Subsequently, each student is personally introduced to the universal light. Master Chia directs this illuminating light toward each student, allowing them to embrace this remarkable encounter.
Practices
The practices in Inner Alchemy Level I classes include various spinal cord exercises, powerful energetic breathwork, healing organ sounds, meditation techniques such as the inner smile, energy circulation, and other exercises to achieve greater balance, harmony, and transformation within oneself. These practices aim to cultivate and refine one’s life force energy, known as “Qi,” and to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit.
Spinal Cord Breathing is a technique that involves a specific way of breathing that focuses on the spine and the movement of Qi along the spinal column. This technique helps cleanse, revitalize, and circulate energy throughout the body. It’s combined with visualization and awareness of the breath and energy flow.
Energetic breathwork refers to breathing techniques designed to influence the body’s energy systems, such as the flow of Qi and the balance of various energetic centers or channels. Energetic breathwork has also benefits for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
The Six Healing Sounds
The healing organ sounds, namely The Six Healing Sounds, are ancient Taoist practices that involve making specific vocal sounds while performing certain movements and breathwork. These practices heal and harmonize the body’s internal organs, emotions, and energy systems. The Six Healing Sounds are closely associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine and follow the Creation Cycle to help organs circulate energy properly.
The Inner Smile
The Inner Smile Meditation is a Taoist meditation practice that involves directing positive and loving energy toward oneself through a metaphorical “inner smile.” This meditation is one of the most important contributions of Master Chia to the Western World. It involves visualization, conscious breathing, and focusing on the inner organs while generating positive emotions.
Three Fires
The Three Fires is an exercise designed to combine the energies of the Lower Dantian, the Kidneys, and the Heart, or also with the reversed order.
The lower Dantian is the original source of energy and the center of gravity in the body. It can well be described as ‘the root of the tree of life.’ It is the seat of one’s internal energy (Qi). The Kidneys carry the jing, the essential substance that we inherit from our parents at the moment of our conception. Most of the body’s functions, such as digestion, assimilation, and sexual functions, rely on the kidney qi. The heart energy is where the “spirit” (shen) resides. In general, Heart shen is equal to an individual’s overall vitality, which is often observed through the complexion, eyes, and responses. This indicates the quality of a healthy Heart spirit.
The energy accumulated from these three fires turbo-charges the overall energy and prepares us for the Microcosmic Orbit meditation.
Microcosmic Orbit
Microcosmic Orbit is an energy meditation introduced to the West by Master Mantak Chia, and is one of his signature teachings. It is an energy cultivation practice that involves guiding and circulating energy through specific pathways in the body. This meditation is a fundamental practice in Taoist Inner Alchemy, aimed at harmonizing and balancing the body’s energy flow for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The term “microcosmic orbit” refers to the idea that the human body is a reflection of the greater cosmos, and by cultivating and circulating energy within the body, one can attain greater alignment with the natural rhythms of the universe. The Microcosmic Orbit Meditation aims to harmonize and balance the body’s energy, promoting physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. It’s important to practice this meditation with a relaxed and focused mind.