I would like to begin with a review of a few important points concerning the pur
pose of Qigong training.
• In order to keep your body healthy and have a long life, you must learn how to adjust Kan and Li so that the Yin and Yang in your body are balanced and interact harmoniously. The Yang side is your physical body and the Yin side is your mental and spiritual body. These two bodies are mutually relat
ed, and they are connected by the Qi. Therefore, Qi is the center and the root of the entire body's health.
• In order to understand how Qi can affect your body's Yin and Yang, you must first understand the Qi circulatory system. There are twelve primary organ-related Qi channels, which are considered to be like rivers which dis
tribute Qi to the entire body. There are also eight Qi vessels, which are like reservoirs which store Qi and regulate the Qi which is circulating in the
twelve primary channels. There are also millions of small Qi branches which circulate Qi from the primary channels out to the skin or beyond and also into the marrow to keep it clean.
• In order to keep the Qi circulating smoothly, the Qi in the vessels (reser
voirs) must be kept full and abundant. Xi Sui Jing teaches you how to accomplish this. You need to know how these vessels .work, how they con
nect to the twelve primary channels, and how the eight vessels relate to each other.
In one of the documents, there is a section which says:
Tramport (the Qi through) the marvelous meridiam (i.e., the 12 primary channels), get through the eight vessels, every part of the body will meet the (Qi) source. The more you refine your training, the more you will advance, (you will) enter the door to the large Dao.
This section clearly tells you that the way to advance in the Dao is to learn how to transport Qi through the twelve channels and the eight vessels. This means that the Qi in all of the channels and vessels must be circulating smoothly so that they can mutually support each other.
Imagine that the Qi in your body is like water running through a network of many rivers (primary channels) and streams (small Qi channels) to nourish your body. In order to keep the water running smoothly, the rivers and streams must be clear and without stagnation. You need to insure that there is plenty of water so that the flow will be continuous and smooth. This requires that the reservoirs which store and reg
ulate the flow in the rivers and streams be kept full.
Unfortunately, although there are many documents which discuss the eight vessels, there is still a great deal about them which is not understood. This is why these ves
sels are commonly called "mysterious vessels" (Qi Jing Ba Mai, -t�A� ). They are also sometimes referred to in English as the "extraordinary vessels." In this section we will draw upon the available documents first to summarize briefly the purpose and func
tions of each vessel, and then we will discuss how they relate to each other and how they connect to the Qi channels and regulate them. If you wish to have a deeper expla
nation, please consult any of the acupuncture books which discuss this subject.
7.2. 1 The Eight Extraordinary Vessels
The Governing Vessel (Du Mai, 1f-� ). T_he Governing Vessel (Figure 7-1) includes four courses and is the confluence of all the Yang channels, over which it is said to "govern." Because it controls all the Yang channels, it is called the "Sea ofYang Meridians." This is apparent from its pathway because it flows on the midline of the back, a Yang area, and in the center of all Yang channels (except the Stomach channel,
The Eight Vessels and Xi Sui Jing Qigong which flows in the front). The Governing Vessel governs all the Yang channels, which means that it can be used to increase the Yang energy of the body.
Since the Governing Vessel is the "Sea ofYang Meridians" and it controls or gov
erns the back, the area richest in G1,1ardian Qi (Wei Qi, .ftrl. ), it is also responsible for the circulation of the body's Guardiait Qi to guard against external evil influences. The circulation of Guardian Qi starts from Fengfu (Gv- 1 6, Ji!.Jf.t ), and moves down the Governing Vessel to the Huiyin (Co-l, �l't ).
According to Chinese medical science, Guardian Qi is Yang Qi, and therefore rep
resents the "Fire" of the body. Its quick and ubiquitous circulation keeps the Fire going in the body and controls the
loss of body heat. Guardian Qi is also inextricably linked with the fluids that flow outside the channels, in the skin and flesh.
Consequently, through the breathing (under control of the Lungs), Guardian Qi is respon
sible for the opening and closing of the pores, and also controls the sweat.
The Governing Vessel is also responsible for nourishing the five ancestral organs, which include the brain and spinal cord. This is one of the ways in which the Kidneys "control"
the brain, as is said in Chinese medicine.
Because of their impor
tance to health, the Governing Vessel together with the Conception Vessel are consid
1 5
2
Co-l
- -
9
Figure 7-1. The Governing Vessel (Du Mai)
ered the two most important Qi channels to be trained in Qigong, especially in Nei Dan ( � ff )(i.e., Internal Elixir). Training related to these two vessels includes: 1 . How to fill them with Qi so that you have enough to regulate the twelve channels; 2. How to open up stagnant areas in these two vessels so that the Qi flows smoothly and strongly; 3. How to effectively direct the Qi to nourish the brain and raise up the Shen; 4. How to effectively govern the Qi in the twelve channels, and nourish the organs; 5. How to use your raised Shen to lead the Guardian Qi to the skin and strengthen the Guardian Qi shield covering your body.
In Nei Dan Qigong training, when you have filled up the Qi in these two vessels and can effectively circulate the Qi in them, you have achieved the "Small Circulation." In order to do this, you must know how to convert the Essence stored in the Kidneys into Qi, circulate this Qi in the Governing and Conception Vessels, and finally lead this Qi to the head to nourish the brain and Shen (spirit).
This vessel intersects Fengmen (B-12, Jil. r, ) on the Bladder channels and connects with the Conception and Thrusting Vessels at the Huiyin (Co- l , �l't ), Yang Linking Vessel at the Yamen (Gv- 1 5 , "ftrn and Fengfu (Gv-16, Jii.Jf.t ), and Yang Heel Vessel at Fengfu (Gv- 1 6, Jii.Jf.t ).
The Conception Vessel (Ren Mai, .fX!Jt{ ). Ren in Chinese means "direction, respon
sibility." Ren Mai, the "Conception Vessel," (Figure 7-2) has a major role in Qi circulation, directing and being
responsible for all of the Yin channels (plus the Stomach channel).
This vessel includes two courses which nourish the uterus (one of the five ancestral organs) and the whole genital system. It is said in the Nei ]ing ( P'<J .� ) (Inner Classic) that the Conception and Thrusting Vessels con
tain both blood and Essence Oing, *A' ), and both flow up to the face and around the mouth.
It was described in the Su Wen ( -!' r., ) that both the Conception and Thrusting Vessels control the life cycles, which have been traditionally eo.2 considered to last seven years for women and 8 years for men. It is the changes taking place in these vessels at those intervals that promote the major alterations in our lives.
- ã -
Figure 7-2. The Conception Vessel (Ren Mai)
In addition, the Conception Vessel also controls the distribution and "dispersion"
of Guardian Qi all over the abdomen and thorax via numerous small Qi branches (Luo, � ). This vessel also plays an important role in the distribution of body fluids in the abdomen.
As mentioned previously, in Qigong society this vessel and the Governing Vessel are considered the most important among the Qi channels and vessels, and must be trained first. It is believed that there is usually no significant Qi stagnation in the
The Eight Vessels and Xi Sui Jing Qigong
Conception Vessel. However, it is important to increase the amount of Qi you are able to store, which also increases your ability to regulate the Yin channels.
This vessel intersects Chengqi (S-1, if-iii. ) on the Stomach channel and connects with the Governing Vessel at Yinjiao (Gv-28, M3t ) and Huiyin (Co-l, �l't ), the Yin Linking Vessel at Tiantu (Co-22, � � ) and Lianquan (Co-23, _. ,._ ), and the Thrusting Vessel at Huiyin (Co-l, �l't ) and Yinjiao (Co-7, l't 3t ) .
The Thrusting Vessel (Chong Mai, .ftr� ). This vessel includes five courses. One of the major purposes of the Thrusting Vessel (Figure 7 -3) is to connect, communi
cate with, and mutually support the Conception Vessel.
Because of this mutual Qi sup
port, both can effectively regulate the Qi in the Kidney channel. The Kidneys are the residence of Original Qi and are considered one of the most
K-21
vital Yin organs.
The Thrusting Vessel is con- K-2o-=::�s:t=:::£
J
sidered one of the most important and decisive vessels in successful Qigong training, especially in Xi Sui Jing. There are many reasons for this. The first reason is that this vessel intersects two cavities on the Conception Vessel: Huiyin (Co-l,
�l't ) and Yinjiao (Co-7, l't 3t ).
Huiyin means "meeting with Yin" and is the cavity where the Yang and Yin Qi are transferred.
Yinjiao means "Yin Junction,"
and it is located slightly above the Qihai (Co-6, lt.it-)(called the Lower Dan Tian in
Figure 7-3. The Thrusting Vessel (Chong Mai)
Co-l
Qigong). It is the cavity where the Original Qi (Water Qi, or Yin Qi) interfaces with the Fire Qi created from food and air. The Thrusting Vessel also connects with eleven cavities on the Kidney channel. The Kidney is considered the residence of Original Essence (Yuan Jing, n:.*A-), which is converted into Original Qi (Yuan Qi, n:.lt. ).
The second reason for the importance of the Thrusting Vessel in Qigong training is that it is connected directly to the marrow of the spinal cord and reaches up to the brain. The main goal of Xi Sui Jing Qigong is to lead the Qi into the marrow and then further on to the head, nourishing the brain and spirit (Shen).
And finally, the third reason is found in actual Qigong practice. There are three common training paths: Fire, Wind, and Water. In Fire path Qigong, the emphasis is on the Fire or Yang Qi circulating in the Governing Vessel and therefore strengthen
ing the muscles and organs. The Fire path is the main Qi training in Yi Jin Jing Qigong. However, the Fire path can also cause the body to become too Yang, and there
fore speed up the process of degeneration. In order to adjust the Fire to a proper level, Xi Sui Jing Qigong is also trained. This uses the Water path, in which Qi sep
arates from the route of the Fire path at the Huiyin cavity (Co-l, �l't ), enters the spinal cord, and finally reaches up to the head. The Water path teaches how to use Original Qi to cool down the body, and then to use this Qi to nourish the brain and train the spirit. Learning to adjust the Fire and Water Qi circulation in the body is called Kan-Li ( .!k._ ), which means Water-Fire. You can see from this that the Thrusting Vessel plays a very important role in Qigong training.
This vessel intersects the Kidney channel at Henggu (K- 1 1 , '*:1' ), Dahe (K-12, *-* ), Qixue (K- 1 3, ft. � ), Siman (K- 14, l!!l i#i ), Zhongzhu (K-15, 'f i.t. ), Huangshu (K- 1 6, � if ), Shangqu (K-17, i3i llll ), Shiguan (K- 1 8, Ai !WI ), Yindu (K-19, l'tfll ), Tonggu (K-20, IIlli� ), and Youmen (K-2 1 , • r, ), and the Stomach channel at Qichong (S-30, lt.i'l' ) . It also connects with the Conception Vessel at Huiyin (Co-l, �l't ) and Yinjiao (Co-7, l't� ), and the Governing Vessel at Huiyin (Co-l,
t-l't).
Figure 7-4. The Girdle Vessel (Dai Mai)
The Girdle Vessel (Dai Mai, It� ). The major purpose of the Girdle Vessel (or Belt Vessel) is to regulate the Qi of the Gall Bladder (Figure 7 -4). It is also responsible for the Qi's horizontal balance. If you have lost this balance, you will have lost your center and balance both mentally and physically. ã .
From the point of view of Qigong, the Girdle Vessel is also responsibl_e fo� the strength of the waist area. When Qi is full and circulating smoo_thly, ba�k pam w1ll be avoided. In addition, because the Kidneys are located nearby, this vessel 1s also respon-
The Eight Vessels and Xi Sui Jing Qigong sible for Qi circulation around the Kidneys, maintaining their health. Most important of all for the Girdle Vessel is the fact that the Lower Dan Tian is located in its area. In order to lead Original Qi from the Kidneys to the Lower Dan Tian, the waist area must be healthy and relaxed. This .means that the Qi flow in the waist area must be smooth.
This vessel intersects the Gall Bladder channel at Daimai (GB-26, �ill'� ), Wushu (GB-27, li.� ), and Weidao (GB-28, �ll ).
The Yang Heel Vessel (Yangqiao Mai, l'l.Jt� ). While the preceding four vessels (Governing, Conception, Thrusting, and Girdle) are located in the trunk, this and the next three are located in the
trunk and legs (Figure 7-5). (In addition, each of u.16 __ __,�•
these four vessels is paired.) For millions of years, U-16 s1-1o man has been walking on his rear legs, which do
much more strenuous work than the arms do. I believe that it was because of this that, as evolution proceeded, the legs gradually developed these vessels to provide Qi support and regulate the channels. If this is true, it may be that, as time goes on and man uses his legs less and less, in a few million years these vessels will gradually disappear.
The Qi filling this vessel is supplied mainly through exercising the legs, which converts the food Essence or fat stored in the legs. This Qi is then led upward to nourish the Yang channels. It is believed in Qigong that, since this vessel is also connected with your brain, certain leg exercises can be used to cure headaches. Since a headache is caused by excess Qi in the head, exercising the legs will draw this Qi downward to the leg muscles and relieve the pressure in the head.
Most of the training that relates to this vessel is Wai Dan. Wai Dan Qigong is considered Yang, and
B-82
Figure 7-5. The Yang Heel Vessel (Yangqiao Mai) and The Yin Heel
Vessel (Yinqiao Mai)
specializes in training the Yang channels, while Nei Dan Qigong is considered rela
tively Yin, and emphasizes the Yin channels more.
This vessel intersects the Bladder channel at Jingming (B- 1 , llti�J3 ), Fuyang (B-59, M-tl'l), Pushen (B-6 1 , 1� *-), and Shenmai (B-62, '!" � ), the Gall Bladder channel at Fengchi (GB-20, Jil.� ) and Juliao (GB-29, .!&._ ), the Small Intestine channel at Naoshu (SI-1 0, Jllf' ), the Large Intestine channel at Jianyu (LI- 1 5 , � - ) and Jugu
(LI-1 6, li 't ), and the Stomach channel at Chengqi (S- 1 , :if-�l'L), Juliao (S-3, e.-. ), and Dicang (S-4, l>t!!.k ). It also connects to the Governing Vessel directly at Fengfu (Gv- 1 6, Jil.Jf.t ) and communicates with the Yang Linking Vessel through the Small Intestine channel at Naoshu (SI-1 0, Jllfr ), the Yin Heel Vessel through the Bladder channel at Jingming (B- 1 , llt aJ3 ) , and the Conception Vessel through the Stomach channel at
Chengqi (S- 1 , :if-�l'l. ).
The Yin Heel Vessel (Yinqiao Mai, l';tJt� ). The Yin Heel Vessel (Figure 7-5) intersects with the Kidney channel at Zhaohai (K-6, .IW. it- ) and Jiaoxin (K-8, � 1t ), and the Bladder channel at Jingming (B- 1 , ut aJ3 ). It communicates with the Yang Heel Vessel through the Bladder channel Jingming (B- 1 , ut aJl ).
This vessel connects directly to the brain. One of the eo-22 --�
main sources of Qi for this vessel is the conversion of the Kidney Essence into Qi. It is believed in Qigong
society that the other main Qi source is the Essence Li-14 � 4 of the external Kidneys (testicles). In Xi Sui Jing Sp-16�
Qigong, one of the training processes is to stimulate the testicles in order to increase the hormone pro
duction and increase the conversion of the Essence into Qi. At the same time, you would learn how to lead the Qi in this vessel up to the head to nourish the brain and spirit (Shen). With this nourishment, you would be able to reach Buddhahood or enlight
enment. From a health and longevity point of view, the raised spirit will be able to efficiently direct the Qi of the entire body and maintain your health.
The Yang Linking Vessel (Yangwei Mai, !'��� ).
Sp-15 �
_,.-- Gv-15
" -�--GB-21 TB-15 Sl-10
B-63
This vessel intersects the Bladder channel (Figure 7- 6) at Jinmen (B-63, �r, ), the Gall Bladder channel at Benshen (GB- 1 3, *-# ), Yangbai (GB- 14, !'Ia), Head Linqi (GB- 1 5, Mlti�l'l. ), Muchuang (GB- 1 6,
� t ) , Zhengying ( G B- 1 7, £ * ) , Chengling ( G B- 1 8, if-I: ), Naokong (GB- 19, Jll � ), Fengchi (GB-20,
&1.� ), Jianjing (GB-21 , � #-), and Yangjiao (GB-35,
Figure 7-6. The Yang Linking Vessel (Yangwei Mai) and The Yin Linking
Vessel (Yinwei Mai)
1'1 � ), the Triple Burner channel at Tianliao (TB-J 5, �- ), and the Small Intestine channel at Naoshu (SI- 1 0, !!.tift ). It also directly connects with the Governing Vessel at Yamen (Gv- 1 5 , "ftr1 } and Fengfu (Gv- 16, Sl.Jf.t ), and communicates with the Yin Linking Vessel through the Stomach channel at Touwei (S-8, M� ), and with the Gall
The Eight Vessels and Xi Sui Jing Qigong
You can see from these connections that the Yang Linking Vessel regulates the Qi mainly in the Yang channels: the Urinary Bladder, Gall Bladder, Triple Burner, Small Intestine, and Stomach channels. This vessel and the Yang Heel Vessel have not been emphasized much in Qigong, except in Iron Shirt training where these two and the Governing Vessel are trained.
The Yin Linking Vessel (Yinwei Mai, l't�!Jt\ ). This vessel intersects the Kidney channel (Figure 7-6) at Zhubin (K-9, • • ), the Spleen channel at Chongmen (Sp- 1 2, it r, ), Fushe (Sp-1 3, Jf.f� ), Daheng (Sp- 1 5, *-* ) and Fuai (Sp- 1 6, llllt ), and the Liver channel at Qimen (Li- 14, J1JJ r, ) . It connects directly to the Conception Vessel at Tiantu (Co-22, ��) and Lianquan (Co-23, NU. ) , and communicates with the Yang Linking Vessel through the Stomach channel and the Gall Bladder channel. This ves
sel is not trained much in Qigong.
The Connection of the vesselr
From the above information you can see that, except for the Girdle Vessel which must connect to other vessels through the Gall Bladder channel, the other seven Qi vessels are connected to each other either directly or through gates in the channels.
These gates are usually used by the vessels to regulate the Qi flow in the channels. The vessels provide mutual support for each other whenever the Qi level in any one vessel is low. Therefore, in Qigong practice, you may just choose a few vessels (usually the Conception and Governing Vessels) in which to store the Qi generated from your training, and this Qi will flow automatically to the other vessels.
Figure 7-7 shows how the vessels are connected to each other. A solid line is use when there is a direct connection between the vessels, and a dotted line is used if the connection is through a channel by way of the Qi gates. A study of the diagram leads to several important conclusions:
• The Huiyin cavity (Co-l) is the main intersection point for three major vessels:
Governing, Conception, and Thrusting. Naturally, this cavity will become the key point in adjusting the Qi flow among these three vessels. The Huiyin is one of the key cavities called "Xuan Guan" ( 1: !WI ) or "Magic Gate." In Chinese Qigong, especially Nei Dan, it is believed that when this cavity is adjusted accu
rately, the Kan and Li can be effectively controlled and the body's Yin and Yang can be regulated.
• The Thrusting Vessel is connected with the Conception Vessel not only at Huiyin (Co-l, � l't ) but also at Yinjiao (Co-7, l't3t). Yinjiao means "Yin Junction" and is believed to be the place where the Yang and Yin Qi meet.
Yinjiao is located slightly above the Lower Dan Tian or Qihai (Co-6, j_;t-), which is the residence of the Water Qi. In Qigong, it is through this cavity that the Qi's Kan and Li can be adjusted and, consequently, the body's Yin and Yang can be regulated.