Have you ever practiced Tai Chi or Qigong, (or even Reiki), then you probably heard a reference to the Dantian. Although the most common spelling is dantian/Dantian, it has been spelled dantien, dan tian, and dan tien. Traditionally Dantian is translated as "Cinnabar Field," or "Elixir Field."
Even though there are three Dantians, when people talk about the“Dantian”, they are usually referring to the lower Dantian. Most people (even students and some practitioners) are only aware of the lower Dantian!
The concept of Dantian has roots in Taoist and Buddhist tradition and relates to higher levels of consciousness. The three Dantians are considered the Treasures of the Body. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Dantians are three powerful energy centers where energy is gathered, stored, and transformed into life energy in the body. Each Dantian has a different energy which serves a different purpose even though they are connected as a single concept. The size of your Dantians depend on how much effort you build trying to cultivate them and your energy.
Energy moves through the body from the lower to the middle to the upper Dantian. When we practice, we build energy in the lower Dantian. Any surplus in the lower Dantian expands up to the middle Dantian to support our health, organs, blood, and respiration. Any surplus once our good health is achieved positively impacts your thinking and emotions. Now the surplus moves to the upper Dantian in order to replenish what is missing, often the ability to concentrate or focus. Basically, the energy keeps you from being overun by emotions and thoughts, and rids you of “monkey mind”.
Let’s start from the body up - in the same direction that the energy moves!
The lower Dantian is said to be approximately two to three inches below the navel (belly button) and about 2 fingers behind the navel in the abdominal cavity. The lower Dantian is also known as “The Golden Stove” The energy in the lower Dantian is called "Jing”. Jing is considered the most substantial energy from which the physical body is created. Jing is purified into Qi (vitality). This source of energy builds the physical body so that we can develop and use both Qi and Shen (which we will talk about shortly). Many martial arts focus on the lower Dantian because it not only promotes balance, but power for striking as well.
Unfortunately, we use up Jing, which happens as we age and particularly when we neglect to stay healthy and avoid stress. The bad news: it is believed that when you use it up, you die! Now the good news: you can replenish Jing by practicing Qigong, Tai Chi, meditation, concentration, and Yoga. When we build up abundance of Jing, the excess travels up the middle Dantian with the goal of improving our health.
The middle Dantian is located just over our diaphragm and below our lungs according to some practitioners. Others state that the middle Dantian is located at the heart, in the middle of the chest, and is known as “The Crimson Palace”. Bottom line: this excess energy from the lower Diantian benefits all the organs above and below the middle Dantian. This Qi (vital force energy)is more subtle and less dense than Jing. It is similar to the energy we receive from air, food, and drink. It makes sense that it is located somewhere in the upper abdomen, since this is where we consume, digest, and distribute energy throughout the body. Qi also tones and heals our organs while it improves our health. Any excess energy is then sent to the upper Dantian.
After the energy is refined in the middle Dantian, it becomes Shen. The upper Dantian is located in the center of the head, just behind (or above) the center of the eyebrows. While some practitioners state that it is NOT the third eye, others disagree. Different perspectives are not unusual in this realm nor in these discussions. Shen energy provides us with intention, clear and calm thinking, planning, memory, and also helps us make good decisions.
This makes sense when you consider that if your Jing or Qi are not healthy, your mental state will suffer. I am going to throw in another perspective: Shen is refined into Wu Wei or emptiness and is related to consciousness. Maybe a subject for another blog?
Below are some exercises that may also assist in developing enough energy to move up from the lower Dantian through the middle, then upper Dantians.
Focus on your lower abdomen while you sit or stand. Be sure you are abdominal breathing, while visualizing filling the entire pelvis.
Now put both of your palms on your abdomen, approximately two inches below your belly button.
See if you notice any changes, such as warmth, tingling, pulses, etc. in that area?
Importantly, always maintain good posture. Regulate your breathing and coordinate your movements with your breathing.
All of the major Eastern practices focus on the Dantian. However, they do this for different purposes and call them by a different name.
Even though the history of the Dantian goes back thousands of years, there is no scientific proof that the Dantians are centers where energy is gathered, stored, and transformed to life energy in the body. That being said, there is overwhelming evidence that Dantian breathing offers a large array of benefits for the body.
It is important to understand that not everything can be proven scientifically. That does not mean something isn’t true or doesn’t exist. However, it does provide an opportunity for many different interpretations and opinions!
My advice: pay attention to and appreciate the changes you notice in your own body when you practice Qigong and/or Tai Chi! With regular practice, you may be amazed at the benefits your mind and body receives!
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