06 Feb Zhuanqi Meditation: The Taoist Way of Vital Breathing
Taoism is a Chinese philosophical movement based primarily upon the writings of Laozi (or Lao Tzu), who lived between the sixth and fourth centuries BCE. It has evolved significantly from these early texts and forms the basis of traditional Chinese medicine.
The fundamental ideas of Taoism focus on how people should live in harmony with the natural environment. And Zhuanqi meditation, which has the power to transform and circulate one’s internal energy and bring about the unification of the mind and the ever-changing vital life force, or qi, can help one achieve this harmonious way of existence.
What Is the Technique of Zhuanqi Meditation?
One must sit comfortably with proper posture and gently close the eyes halfway. Try to focus on a spot beyond your nose. Next one should place their hands upon their abdomen, the right on the stomach and left on the chest. The purpose of this is to help increase the awareness of how one breathes. Then you breathe deeply in and out until the breath becomes soft. It is important to focus on the diaphragm.
The importance of breathing is that it is seen as a direct way to influence the vital life force that permeates all things, both living and non-living. The cultivation and regulation of this life force through deep, rhythmic breathing is well illustrated by Laozi, each step of which alters the Vital Breath to promote energy, health, and spiritual awareness.
- Breathing deeply and collecting the breath deepens awareness and gathers energy.
- Expanding and descending the breath helps distribute this energy throughout the body, promoting physical and mental harmony.
- Stabilizing and regulating the breath creates a rhythm that promotes calm and focus.
- Sprouting and growing suggest the blossoming of life force and spiritual abilities.
- Retreating and becoming heavenly indicate a return to the source or the attainment of a state of heightened spiritual awareness.
The way the circulation of this Vital Breath is described also symbolically alludes to the dynamic interaction between Heaven and Earth. The ascending – heavenly – and descending – earthly – energies of the breath reflect the natural cycles of the cosmos and the Taoist belief in living in harmony with the greater universe.
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If done correctly, you should notice that your right hand moves in and out more in relation to the left indicating proper diaphragmatic breathing. It can be considered similar to some forms of pranayama in the Hindu tradition.
What Are the Benefits of Zhuanqi Meditation?
Although there exists very little research into this specific style of meditation, meditation in general is an oft-studied subject. These types of deep breathing techniques are said to aid in relaxation, which is generally considered a healthy practice. Studies have shown that there seems to be a link between cortisol and immune function.
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Breathing practices in general have been found to help with reducing anxiety. There is some suggestion that regular practice of breathing exercises may increase cognitive functioning such as attention.
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- Ancient Meditation Techniques – https://consciousdimension.wordpress.com/
- Pranayama – https://en.wikipedia.org/
- Taoism – https://en.wikipedia.org/
- Evaluation of an adaptive automation system using three EEG indices with a visual tracking task – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- Taoist Meditation: 8 Taoist Meditation Techniques For Inspiration And Inner Peace – https://relaxlikeaboss.com/
- 5 Ways to Practice Breath-Focused Meditation – https://www.everydayhealth.com/
- The Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Attention, Negative Affect and Stress in Healthy Adults – https://www.frontiersin.org/
- Health Benefits of Meditation: What the Newest Research Shows – https://www.liebertpub.com/
- How Stress Affects the Immune System – https://www.psychologytoday.com/
- Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part I—Neurophysiologic Model – https://www.researchgate.net/
- 7 Taoist Meditation Techniques Bruce Lee Used – https://www.thedailymeditation.com/
Updated: August 2, 2024. – This article was originally published on February 6, 2021.
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