Your BodY of light

25 Pages·2009·1.69 MB·English

Lee HoLden
Your BodY
of light
Energetic Practices for Better Health,
Emotional Balance, and Higher Consciousness
Lee HoLden
Your BodY
of light
Energetic Practices for Better Health,
Emotional Balance, and Higher Consciousness
Study Guide
Contents
Sounds True, Inc., Boulder, CO 80306
Introduction ....................................................................................7
© Holden, Lee
The Tao ...........................................................................................8
SOUNDS TRUE is a trademark of Sounds True, Inc. Qigong: A Foundational Practice ..................................................10
Session One: Tapping into Your Infinite Potential ........................13
All rights reserved. No part of this study guide or CD may be used or reproduced in
Session Two: The Breath of Life ....................................................19
any manner without written permission from the author and publisher.
Published 2009 Session Three: You Are Light ........................................................25
Session Four: The Three Treasures .................................................29
Demonstration photographs by © Michael Myers Photography. Illustrations by
Session Five: Pathways of EnergyThe Microcosmic Orbit .........34
Rachael Murray.
Printed in Canada Session Six: Forming the Pearl of Consciousness ...........................38
ISBN 978-1-59179-723-4 Session Seven: Moving Consciousness Outside of the Body ..........40
Session Eight: Accessing Your Power Place ....................................44
Disclaimer
This work is solely for personal growth, education, and recreation. The contents of this program are
the opinion of its author. It is not a therapeutic activity such as psychotherapy, counseling, or Special Thanks .............................................................................45
medical advice, and it should not be treated as a substitute for any professional assistance. The
instructions and methods presented herein are in no way intended to be a substitute for medical Further Resources ..........................................................................45
care. consult with your doctor before beginning this or any other exercise program. In the event About the Author ..........................................................................47
of physical or mental distress, please consult with appropriate professionals.
Not all exercise programs are suitable for everyone, and this or any other exercise program may result
in injury. To reduce the risk of injury, never force or strain. There should never be any pain or discomfort
during the program. If any of the movements hurt or are uncomfortable, stop immediately.
The application of protocols and information in this book is the choice of each reader/listener,
who assumes full responsibility for his or her understandings, interpretations, and results. The author
and the publisher assume no responsibility for the actions or choices of any reader or listener.
The creators, producers, participants, and distributors of this program disclaim any liability or
loss in connection with the exercises demonstrated by the program herein.
IntroduCtIon
What part of you exists after your physical body dies? This age-old
question has been asked by spiritual seekers throughout the centuries.
In China, the ancient Taoist sages believed that at your essence you
exist as pure light. Over the span of 4,000 years, the sages developed
teachings and practices to cultivate this primordial energy—through
your Body of Light. This refined and concentrated container of energy
enables a practitioner to move consciousness outside of the body; tran-
scend space and time; and access the limitless consciousness, energy,
and light available in the universe.
As a practitioner of Taoist energetic arts for more than 20 years,
I have studied with many Taoist masters. My primary teacher in this
tradition, Mantak Chia, is masterful at making esoteric Taoist wis-
dom accessible to Western students. I remember my first workshop
with Master Chia in 1987 while studying psychology at the University
of California−Berkeley. As he explained the interconnectedness of all
Your BodY of light 7
energy—physical, spiritual, and universal—I could feel my life veering and is, in fact, the very breath of life that animates every function of
in a new direction, toward the study of the Tao. your body, mind, and spirit. Qi powers the physical body, giving blood
This program is a distillation of my studies in Taoism, specifically the energy to flow and nourish the cells; it stimulates the immune
Taoist Internal Alchemy—the science of working with life-force energy. system for good health; it fuels digestion and nutrient absorption; and
The traditional definition for alchemy is “turning lead into gold.” In it provides the nervous system with the energy to operate the body.
Taoist Internal Alchemy you learn how to take the heavy, lead-like en- Qi drives and supports mental energy—the ability to think clearly,
ergy within you and transform it into the radiant, translucent light of reason, and make decisions. Qi connects you to spirit as well as the
your original nature: your Body of Light. cosmic bodies—the earth, sun, moon, stars, and planets.
The Taoists view qi as having two polar elements—yin and yang.
the tao
Yin carries a magnetic, contractive quality. Yang holds an expansive,
Although the term “Tao” transcends precise definition in words, it is
projective quality. The traditional Taoist symbol of yin and yang is that
generally defined as “the way of nature and the universe.” Thus Tao-
of two fish chasing each other’s tails (see Figure 1).
ism is the study of human nature, the natural world, and the universe.
Taoist Internal Alchemy takes this study and directs it inward, toward
the essential nature of humans. It views the body, mind, and spirit as
inextricably linked. The mind affects the body, the body affects the
mind, and the health of the mind and body have a huge influence on
spiritual awareness. The common thread that weaves these three ele-
ments together is qi.
Qi (pronounced and sometimes spelled “chi”) means “life force”
or “breath,” and it is the basis of all traditional Chinese healing arts,
Figure 1. The yin/yang symbol
from acupuncture to herbal medicine. Qi is carried within the breath
Your BodY of light 8 Your BodY of light 9
This energy in motion exemplifies the movement of qi—a wave- of the body: the blood, muscles, bones, and organs. Then you will learn
like ebb and flow from expansive to contractive and back again. The to store and distill qi through energy reservoirs called tan tiens. As you
Taoists recognize that in order to optimize the body, mind, and spirit, advance in the program, you’ll learn the subtle alchemical practices
the internal energies of yin and yang need to be in perfect balance. At that focus on refining qi through energy pathways called “meridians.”
the highest potential of balance, your qi becomes fully transformed Similar to the circulatory system of the physical body, these pathways
into pure light. carry life-force energy into every part of the body, mind, and spirit.
Each practice is designed to work with your qi in a specific way.
QIGonG: a FoundatIonal PraCtICe
In qigong there are six different modes of moving energy through
Qigong is one of the central practices of Taoist spiritual cultivation.
the body:
Gong (pronounced and sometimes spelled “kung”) is a general term
meaning “work” or “skill.” Hence qi gong may be translated as “energy 1. cultivating: This mode strengthens and tonifies energy by
work.” The practice of qigong is that of becoming skilled at working drawing qi into the system from external sources such as food,
with life-force energy. oxygen through the blood, or through the tan tiens.
In Taoist Internal Alchemy, qigong is used to circulate and har- 2. circulating: This mode is used to circulate energy through the
monize qi. This is accomplished with the combination of moving or various meridians within the human energy network. Its purpose
standing practice (dung-gong) and still or sitting practice (jing-gong). is to clear stagnant energy from the channels and irrigate the
Movement within qigong activates yang energy, while stillness acti- organs and tissues with fresh energy.
vates yin. When the body moves, qi circulates; when the body is still, 3. clearing: This method is used to expel stagnant, toxic, and
qi harmonizes. excess energies from the system.
The practices in this program will train you to cultivate and refine 4. exchanging: This mode of working with energy invites the
your qi. First, you will learn how to circulate qi in the physical aspects intermingling of internal energy with an external source such as
Your BodY of light 10 Your BodY of light 11
nature, other people, or the cosmos. It is based on reciprocity you immediate benefits—physically, mentally, and emotionally—
and relationship. regardless of the level of your spiritual development. With practice
5. Transforming: This is one of the fundamental modes used in and commitment, you can ultimately experience your Body of Light
internal alchemy and focuses on changing one form of energy with all its splendor.
into another, such as toxic energy into healthy energy.
6. storing: This refers to the phase of practice in which internal sessIon one: taPPInG Into Your InFInIte PotentIal
energy is concentrated and stored in the tan tiens. At your root, you are made up of infinite life-force energy. The practices
in this session are designed to help you begin to feel qi in the body,
Each practice in this booklet has a description of the mode of en-
clear stagnant energy from areas where tension is commonly held, and
ergy it uses. As you become proficient at the practices in this program,
experience energy outside of the physical barriers of the body.
you will learn to customize your own practice to suit specific pur-
poses. For example, to strengthen your energy and get “fired up” in

the morning, you would engage in the cultivating qigong exercises. In
Standing qigong Sequence
the evening you might use the clearing movements and meditations
1. Palm press stretch (clearing)
to purge the stressful energy of the day. This is the goal of qigong: to
2. Low back stretch (clearing)
create equilibrium for the mind, body, and spirit.
3. T’ai chi opening (cultivating and transforming)
Although the teachings in this program are presented in an easy-
to-follow format, understand that the cultivation of the Body of Light
Sitting qigong
is a complex study that takes years for the average Taoist practitioner to
Dissolving into light (exchanging)—See Session One, Track Twelve
establish. As you move through this program, I encourage you to take
your time. If during practice you find places of stagnant or blocked
Palm Press stretch: This stretch relieves stress and tension in the
energy, be patient and repeat the practice as many times as you need
upper back and neck.
to clear and balance those areas. These practices are designed to give
Your BodY of light 12 Your BodY of light 13
Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 5. Figure 6.
Palms down, Rotate head Rotate head Rotate head
rotate head over opposite over shoulder over opposite
over shoulder shoulder shoulder
Extend your arms out to the side, palms facing down. Tilt your
Figure 4.
head toward your right shoulder and rotate it in a semi-circle, then
Palms up,
fingers repeat on the left side (see Figures 2 and 3). Breathe deeply and feel
together the muscles in the neck, shoulders, and upper back stretching. Next,
face your palms to the sky and bring your fingertips together with your
thumbs. Repeat the stretch on both sides (see Figures 4−6).
low back stretch: This is a great exercise for circulating energy into
the low back, preparing the body for sitting qigong, and reinvigo-
rating the body.
Your BodY of light 14 Your BodY of light 15
Bring your hands to your low back. With your thumbs, find the
big muscles next to the spine (erectors) and press in. As you press in
with the thumbs, bring your hips forward and let your upper body
Figure 7. Figure 8.
Thumbs on Press in with move back (see Figures 7 and 8). Next, bring your hips back and lower
low back thumbs the thumbs down your back (see Figure 9). Press in with the thumbs
again, bringing the hips forward (see Figure 10). Continue this hing-
ing motion as you move your thumbs up and down the low back.
T’ai chi opening: This exercise trains the body to move with
relaxation and fluidity.
Figure 9. Figure 10. Figure 11. Figure 12.
Move thumbs Press in with Hold arms at Inhale; arms
down thumbs hip level float up

Your BodY of light 16 Your BodY of light 17
sessIon two: the Breath oF lIFe
Breath is the essence of life. In qigong, qi is carried and focused by
Figure 13. Figure 14. the breath. The way you breathe directly influences the way you feel
Bend elbows Exhale; arms physically, emotionally, and mentally. The practices in this session
slightly float down are designed to help you harness the powerful tool of your breath for
clearing out stale energy and bringing in refreshing energy.
Standing qigong exerciSeS
1. Deep abdominal breathing (transforming and storing)
2. Qi belt breathing (cultivating and transforming)
3. Pulling up the earth (cultivating)
4. Flying/bone breathing (cultivating and transforming)
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bring your hands and
arms to hip level (see Figure 11). Inhale and float your hands and arms Sitting qigong
up to shoulder level (see Figure 12). Relax as you do this, keeping the Bone Breathing (cultivating and transforming)—See Session Two,
arms fairly straight. Exhale, bend your elbows, and float your arms Track Nine
back down to hip level (see Figures 12 and 13). As the hands come
back down, the shoulders relax even more. Continue this fluid move- Deep abdominal breathing: This is a great exercise to energize the
ment, feeling energy moving up and down your body in sync with body, relax the mind, and establish proper breathing for meditation.
your arms.
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