you have reached the coccyx. The spinal column protects your
central nervous system and is crucial in increasing your chi circu-
lation. Starting from the neck there are seven cervical vertebrae,
twelve thoracic vertebrae, and five lumbar vertebrae plus the
sacrum and coccyx.
You should experience a feeling of great ease, warmth, and
comfort in each vertebra. When the lumbar, coccyxal, and pubic
areas are relaxed, power is released and flows more easily up
through the back.End By Collecting the Energy at the Navel
With practice the entire smiling meditation can be done in just min-
utes, although at first it may take you longer to really feel the smile.
When you end the meditation you do not want to have energy cir-
culating around in the higher centers such as the head or the heart.
The best place for energy storage in the body is the area of the
navel, since it can easily handle the increased body heat. Most ill
side effects of meditation are caused by excess energy in the head,
but this is easily avoidable. (See Chapter on Preventing Side Ef-
fects.)
To collect the energy simply concentrate your mind on your na-
vel and imagine your energy spinning like a slow top inside, spiral-
ling outward movement, inside your navel about one and a half
inches deep, and 24 times back in to the navel. Men spiral first
clockwise; women spiral counter clockwise. (put a watch at your
navel to determine direction.) Then reverse and circulate the en-
ergy in the opposite direction.
Important Note: You do NOT collect the energy at the navel after
“smiling down” if you intend to immediately circulate chi in the mi-
crocosmic orbit as taught in the following chapter. You would cir-
culate the orbit and then close by collecting the energy at the na-
vel.Practice the Inner Smile in Daily Life
Although the inner smile is used primarily to help you to relax prior
to practicing the microcosmic orbit, it is powerful as a meditation
in its own right. Simply smiling the inner smile in your daily life can
bring tremendous results. If you are constantly aware of your inner
smile, it will transform your life.Chapter III