Today on The Daily Meditation we delve into Taoist breathing techniques, one of the main forms of Taoist meditation. Similar to other types of meditative breathing, these exercises can help to promote calmness and wellness and also connect us to control chi.
Taoist Breathing Technique Video
Script
Welcome to this guided Taoist meditation session. Take a moment to get nice and comfortable, and gently close your eyes. Let’s begin with a soothing breath in through the nose to a count of four, and pause for four. Breathe out through the mouth for four, pause for four, and repeat. All we are doing is embracing the simplicity of the present moment, doing nothing but observing that subtle energy of the breath flowing through the body.
Now, as you continue to mindfully breathe, I recommend you place your hands in Cosmic Mudra. Very simply, place one hand cupped above the other on your lap, with your palms facing upwards. There is a picture of Cosmic Mudra on the screen if you’re doing the video version of this meditation.
With our hands in Cosmic Mudra—one palm cupped above the other, palms upwards—all we are doing is observing that gentle flow of breath through the body. Now, let’s take a moment to relax the face. Gently guide your awareness to your face and invite the crown of your head to relax. Move down to your eyes, observing the energy there, and invite your eyes to relax. Then, move down to the nose, observing the energy, and invite your nose to relax. Move to the mouth and jaw, observing the energy, and invite the mouth and jaw to let go and relax.
Now, for a moment, let us guide our awareness back to the breath as it gently flows like a stream through the valley of the body, down into the abdomen, and gradually back out. Just observe that stream of breath smoothly flowing into the valley of the body and gradually back out.
Bring your awareness to your spine. Begin by noticing the energy there and aim to make your spine nice and straight. With your spine straight, notice that energy flowing through your spine, and begin to visualize Chi flowing from the base of your spine, up through your back, through your neck, and out of your head. You may visualize this Chi as white light. Visualize that white light starting at the base of your spine, journeying upwards through your neck, and out of the crown of your head, toward the ceiling. That white light radiates and flows through you.
All we are doing is sitting with good posture, our hands in Cosmic Mudra, with one hand cupped above the other and palms facing upwards. The spine is straight. We are breathing deeply but freely, and visualizing white Chi that begins at the base of the spine and travels upwards, flowing out of the crown of the head toward the ceiling.
As you continue with this deep but relaxed breathing, allowing your Chi to flow freely, you’ll notice that your breath gently massages your organs. You can feel a subtle vibration within you, massaging your inner body and inviting you to relax deeper and deeper.
Now, place the tip of your tongue on the space between the soft and hard parts of the roof of your mouth. If you’re doing the video version of this meditation, there is an image on your screen showing where to place your tongue. By placing the tongue between the hard and soft palate, we complete an important energy pathway in Taoist philosophy. In Taoism, there are pathways within the body similar to chakras. Two of the most important pathways are the Dumai and Renmai. The Dumai is a pathway up the back of the body, and the Renmai is a pathway down the front. These two pathways converge at the soft and hard palate, so by placing the tongue at that spot, we complete the energy circuit.
We are sitting with good posture and a straight spine, allowing the breath to be drawn deeply into the body, which in turn promotes the flow of Chi. We have positioned the tip of the tongue between the hard and soft palate, bridging the Dumai and Renmai. Let’s continue to mindfully breathe as we maintain this position.
Gradually, you may notice saliva building in your mouth. Taoists believe saliva is a precious substance, which they refer to as “golden dew.” It contains hormones, proteins, and other vital substances. When you notice a buildup of saliva, swallow forcefully, allowing these beneficial substances to return deep into your body.
We have one more step in this meditation. As you breathe in, visualize Chi entering your body as pure white light. This white light fills your mind and body, like water filling a jug, purifying all parts of you. As you breathe out, visualize impurities leaving your body as black mist. We are breathing in pure white light, purifying the body, and exhaling any impurities as black mist.
We are sitting comfortably, breathing in pure white Chi that fills the vessel of the body and mind, and exhaling impurities such as worry and stress as black mist.
You may continue this meditation for as long as you like. When you are ready to finish, follow me as we slowly return to normal. First, rub your hands together until they become warm, and then gently brush your palms down your face, helping your face to relax further. Repeat this a couple of times.
When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes, bringing with you the pure white Chi from this Taoist breathing meditation. I hope you enjoyed this session. If you like traditional meditation techniques like this, please subscribe, as I will be releasing many similar meditations soon. Also, remember to comment and like this video. Thank you very much, and I’ll see you next time.
