on the power flow. The shaking can be both intentional and unin-
tentional. Doing this often limbers one up, thereby aiding concen-
tration and clearing Chi channels.
When one begins practice and has not yet completed the Mi-
crocosmic Orbit, however, I usually advise that he not allow shak-
ing to occur. When you let the power flow by itself, all sorts of
seemingly automatic things happen if you just go with whatever
seems to be happening. This is a very good exercise for releasing
tension and stress.How does Chi affect the Sick Body?
When the energy reaches a diseased organ it circles the area. For
example, if you have a kidney condition, you should be able to feel
the energy moving for a set number of times to the left and the right
around the two kidneys. If you have stomach or intestinal prob-
lems, the energy will move in the direction of the stomach and your
body will shake. Those who have a heart problem will find that the
energy lodges around the heart. When people who have a heart or
liver problem engage in this practice and suddenly have difficulty in
breathing and a feeling of distress and congestion in the chest,
they may think that the system itself is not good and want to stop
practicing.
I have had a few students who have had just this problem arise.
They went to see doctors who were not familiar with Chikung or
the Microcosmic Circulation and who assumed the trouble came
from practicing “meditation”. In fact, the energy had been opening
blockages, which had been there for some time. Long before they
began practicing, they had sometimes felt their heart beat very
quickly and had become short of breath but had never attached
any importance to it.
It was only because they had ventured into something new and
different when they started to practice that they grew alarmed be-
cause the symptoms remained too long. It may help to know that it
is the nature of this practice to have such things happen until health
is restored. If they break off with their practice they simply continue
to suffer, growing steadily worse. If the power is able to get through
the blockage in the chest, there may be vomiting or diarrhea but
after that is done with, a level of wellbeing will be achieved never
previously known.Chapter X