Embryonic Breathing

The ancient Daoist practice of embryonic breathing (胎息, táixī) is a profound internal cultivation method aimed at achieving the state of internal and external qi (energy) interaction, forming an internal elixir, and gradually attaining the embryonic breathing state. Here is a detailed description of this cultivation method:

Normal breathing is done through the lungs, known as panting. Embryonic breathing, however, involves breathing through the skin, navel, and lower dantian (energy center). The primary manifestations of embryonic breathing include the flaring of the nostrils, vigorous abdominal breathing, and a pulsating lower dantian. When the dantian pulses outward, the skin pores inhale; when the dantian pulses inward, the skin pores exhale.

• While exhaling, imagine the tailbone area heating up; while inhaling, imagine the dantian sticking to the life gate (mingmen) or tailbone area.
• After repeating this cycle for a period, the dantian will pulse towards the life gate, forming an automatic rhythm.

• While inhaling, focus on the lower dantian and forcefully draw the true qi from the Xuan Guan aperture (玄关窍) into the lower dantian. Pause briefly, then exhale the true qi from the lower dantian back to the Xuan Guan aperture.
• After a period of repetition, a misty qi will form between the Xuan Guan and lower dantian, leading to an automatic rhythm.

• While inhaling, direct your intention to generate true qi at the perineum and move it up along the Ren meridian to the navel. While exhaling, focus on the navel and direct the true qi down along the Ren meridian to the perineum.
• After a period of repetition, a warm, swelling, and tightening sensation will develop between the navel and perineum, forming an automatic rhythm.

1. Intention and Guidance: Since the above methods require a long period of cultivation, maintaining intention and guidance without interruption is crucial. Disruptions can lead to wandering thoughts, affecting the practice's effectiveness.
2. Relaxation of the Body: Beginners' internal qi is weak. If the body is not relaxed, the weak qi will be obstructed in the meridians, hindering its specific effects and the formation of embryonic breathing.
3. Double Breath-Holding Process: When initiating embryonic breathing, there are two breath-holding processes between exhalation and inhalation. Beginners may feel chest tightness and difficulty breathing. It's important not to replace embryonic breathing with normal breathing, as this can interfere with forming the automatic rhythm of embryonic breathing.
4. Disappearance of Double Breath-Holding: After about a month of practice, the double breath-holding will gradually disappear, allowing the breathing method of embryonic breathing to change freely.

The human body has three main intersections of yin and yang:

1. Eyes Intersection: The left eye is yang, and the right eye is yin. When both eyes focus on the root of the nose bridge, they produce divine light, which transforms yin into yang.
2. Heart-Kidney Intersection: This interaction generates fluids that nourish the five internal organs.
3. Internal Qi and Heavenly Qi Intersection: Internal qi is the yang within yin, and heavenly qi is the yin within yang. Their interaction produces the internal elixir, transforming the body's yin into pure yang.

1. Eyes Intersection Practice:
   • Sit and lightly close the lips, tongue touching the upper palate, and eyes focusing on the bridge of the nose. Keep the mind at the center of both eyes.
   • Relax while observing until the eyes feel swollen or blurred, indicating the concentration of yin and yang qi. Then, close the eyes and rotate the eyeballs in a circle, 36 times to consolidate yang qi and 24 times to reduce yin qi. Afterward, focus internally on the round shape in the ancestral aperture for about 5 minutes. When enough saliva is generated, swallow it down to the lower dantian with the divine light of the eyes guiding it.

1. Heart-Kidney Intersection Practice:
   • Sit quietly, focus the divine light on the qi cavity, listen to the qi cavity, and keep the mind on the qi cavity. Adjust the breathing to reach the qi cavity.
   • Enter a state of chaos, and the original qi will appear in the lower dantian, lively and pleasant, spreading to the limbs. When the original qi moves vigorously, guide it to ascend to the brain and then swallow saliva back to the lower dantian.

1. Internal and Heavenly Qi Intersection Practice:
   • Through the heart-kidney intersection, internal qi rotates, and breathing reaches a state of non-inhalation and non-exhalation, converting external breathing to internal breathing, i.e., embryonic breathing.
   • Focus the divine light on embryonic breathing, achieving internal and external qi interaction. When swallowing saliva, raise the qi at the perineum, ascend along the spine to the brain, and then descend to the lower dantian.

1. Advanced Embryonic Breathing Practice:
   • Sit and focus the divine light on the lower dantian, merging the spirit into the qi. This process, requiring about two years, leads to the cessation of pulse, forming a state of emptiness with only the divine light illuminating the ancestral aperture.
   • In this state, the body's original qi converges to the lower dantian, forming a true qi mass in the Crimson Palace, nurturing the spirit as if in a mother's womb.

In this advanced state, the ancestral aperture may throb, sometimes producing internal heat or cold sensations. With prolonged practice, the practitioner may see visions of a bright moon and sun, merging their energies and guiding the qi to the lower dantian. This process involves a cyclical refinement of the body's internal energies, leading to a heightened state of internal and external qi harmony known as "the union of heaven and earth."

In this advanced state of practice, various phenomena may be experienced, indicative of progress in cultivation and the deepening of internal alchemy. Here are more details and advanced techniques:

1. Visions and Internal Heat:
   • During deep meditation, practitioners might experience visions such as a bright moon appearing in the mind’s eye. This is a sign of the gathering of internal light.
   • When the vision of the moon appears, practitioners should use their focused divine light to observe it. Gradually, this vision may transform, and the light of the sun may appear, symbolizing the merging of yin and yang energies.
   • Practitioners should then combine these lights using their intention, drawing them into the lower dantian through inhalation and guiding the accumulated energy with saliva down to the lower dantian, consolidating the internal elixir.

1. Union of Heaven and Earth:
   • Achieving a balance between internal and external qi results in a state where the body's energy and the energy of the cosmos interact harmoniously. This state is often referred to in Daoist texts as “the union of heaven and earth.”
   • In this state, practitioners feel a profound sense of connection with the universe, experiencing the flow of qi throughout the body and beyond, uniting the individual’s energy with the cosmic energy.

1. Refinement of Internal Energies:
   • Once in the advanced stages, the practitioner continues to refine the internal energies through cycles of qi movement, using the guiding principles of embryonic breathing.
   • This refinement process involves maintaining a relaxed and focused mind, allowing the internal qi to flow smoothly, nourishing the body and spirit.

1. Stages of Development:
   • Initial Stage: Focus on the basic techniques of embryonic breathing, achieving a state where the lower dantian starts to pulsate automatically.
   • Intermediate Stage: Develop the ability to maintain double breath-holding without discomfort, enabling the internal circulation of qi.
   • Advanced Stage: Achieve the union of internal and external qi, experiencing visions and refined internal energy movements.

1. Maintenance and Continuous Practice:
   • Consistent practice is essential for maintaining the state of embryonic breathing and advancing further. Practitioners are encouraged to practice daily, integrating the principles of relaxation, focused intention, and smooth qi flow.
   • As practitioners advance, they may find that their breathing becomes naturally refined, with less reliance on conscious control, allowing for a more profound and natural integration of embryonic breathing into daily life.

1. Physical and Spiritual Benefits:
   • Over time, practitioners may notice various physical and spiritual benefits, including improved health, increased vitality, enhanced mental clarity, and a deeper sense of spiritual connection.
   • The practice of embryonic breathing also contributes to the development of the internal elixir, a crucial component of Daoist internal alchemy, leading to the cultivation of spiritual immortality.

Embryonic breathing is a profound Daoist cultivation practice that requires dedication, patience, and consistent effort. By following the detailed methods and maintaining a focused intention, practitioners can gradually achieve the state of embryonic breathing, leading to a harmonious interaction of internal and external qi, the formation of the internal elixir, and the realization of spiritual immortality.

This practice embodies the essence of Daoist internal alchemy, emphasizing the importance of balance, harmony, and the deep connection between the individual and the cosmos. Through diligent practice, one can unlock the latent potential within, achieving a state of inner peace, vitality, and spiritual enlightenment.