I received an email from “Thomas” a little while back, asking about sharing an “energy ball”. I had never considered it. Great subject for a blog - Thanks Thomas. I am going to link this blog to one that I wrote in 2022 on energy balls - although I never mentioned “sharing” one.
Let me provide a little more information on energy balls before I address the question: Most of us accept that humans have energy fields. Quantum physics suggests that this is true. Many practitioners have found that by focusing and directing one’s energy, energy could easily be felt between their hands. Most, if not all, practitioners visualize a ball of energy.
Meditation, diaphragmatic breathing, and visualizing your Qi flowing throughout your body can help you connect with your inner energy. You can enhance your energy by breathing deeply through your nose, holding it for a few seconds, and exhaling slowly through your mouth.
Finally the answer: Yes, it is possible for two people to share an energy ball in Qigong. This practice involves interacting with, and experiencing, each other's Qi (life force energy). Before you share energy, you need to feel and visualize a ball of Qi (energy) between your hands. You can move this ball around your body and when (and if) you are ready, you can share it with another person. It’s a great way to cultivate and appreciate the energy in your body. When you become aware of your energy, you also learn to focus and improve your relaxation. Visualizing an energy ball is calming and helps reduce or relieve your physical and mental tension.
Benefits of making/using an energy ball:
Reduces stress and anxiety and calms you,
Develops your sensitivity to Qi,
Improves your health and well-being through circulation of Qi,
Creates the ability to heal oneself and/or others.
Some use energy balls for relaxation, self-awareness, or as a part of their other practices.
There are many ways to use Qi (energy) balls,
Let’s talk about how you would go about starting:
It’s important for you to be comfortable. Sit (or stand) with relaxed shoulders and a straight back.
Your palms should face each other, about shoulder width or around 10 inches apart. Some practitioners start by rubbing their hands together to warm them up before they bring them apart.
Breathe slowly and deeply. Be sure you are rooted to the earth and suspended to the sky.
Be sure to clear your mind (as much as possible), relax, and concentrate.
Visualizing your energy ball: Some practitioners like to create a pleasant environment by using music, pleasant scents, etc. One can also include art and nature to enhance the experience. You may also use Tai Chi and/or Qigong practices to help balance your own energy.
Important points: Be gentle, stay relaxed, don’t force anything or be in a hurry. You (eventually) will feel an energy flow that follows the movement of your ball.
Imagine a ball of energy, light, or warmth between your palms. You start by moving/pulsing it gently between your hands, back and forth like a bellows. You can give it a color, texture, or any sensation that feels right for you. This practice helps you to center and focus your mind while reducing or eliminating any distractions.
Imagine gathering and molding the ball with your hands, moving it, shaping it, and adjusting its size.
As you expand and contract this ball, maintain “mindful focus on the space between your palms”. You should start to develop a palpable, strong sense of the ball in your hands. Does the entire area of the ball feel substantial? Keep working and practicing and your sense of Qi will improve.
Gently move your hands closer and further apart, sensing the resistance or subtle energy between your palms. This practice helps you become aware of gentle and subtle sensations in your body, as well as your body’s awareness of energy. As the connection between your mind and body is strengthened, you will not only feel your energy flow, you will learn how to direct it.
What happens when you move the ball up and down your central channel (from your lower torso to the top of your head)? The key is to be very gentle and relaxed, not straining the mind in the process. With time, you should start to notice a flow that follows the movement of the ball.
You can bring the energy ball to different parts of your body, such as your abdomen (Dantian), chest, or even your head, to feel that area’s energy flow.
Connect the center of your ball to the front and back channels as you move it, and you will start to apply the indirect method to circulate your microcosmic orbit.
Sharing the ball:
Each experience is unique and there are many different ways to practice energy ball sharing.
One person could form the energy ball and the other person could place their hands over or around it. Both people should be able to sense the energy being generated and the flow between their hands.
You could gently push the energy ball towards your partner, and imagine them receiving the energy. You could also "take" energy from a partner by imagining your hands absorbing it.
You could also use a gentle touch, like a hand on an arm or shoulder to transmit Qi.
Maintaining eye contact can transmit energy. Just be sure that your intention is to share only positive energy.
When sharing, your energy should feel bright and/or warm. Now visualize it expanding from you and enveloping your partner.
When sharing the ball, be sure you are mindful, calm, and positive. It is important that you be aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Benefits of sharing the energy ball:
Sharing an energy ball can create a sense of connection, intimacy, and synergy between you and your partner.
Before you interact with a partner, be sure that your intention is to share positive energy. By being mindful, you will be able to transmit positive Qi.
When you work with a partner, together you can contract and expand the energy ball. This allows you to experiment and explore the interaction of the energy between. When you focus (using intent), you can touch your partner and affect their energy system.
In order to transfer/transmit Qi to another person, you need to cultivate and direct your own energy. You need to maintain your own physical and mental health in order to have enough energy to share. In this way, you create a positive effect that impacts both of you.
Are there risks? There’s always the potential that one is going to absorb negative Qi from the other person. This is why it is important to know your intention before you start and to always be mindful to stay positive, accepting, and compassionate when working with a partner (or even yourself). If either of you or the energy feels negative, best to stop the practice as soon as possible.
Bottom line: One size or experience does not fit all. The energy ball experience is “subjective”. The impact or success is based on individual perception.
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