Dao-In: The Center Behind the Center

Classical Chinese medicine employs five primary treatment modalities: acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, herbal remedies, and dao-in. Dao-in, often referred to as Qigong, encompasses movement, breathwork, and practices similar to yoga. This explanation focuses on a simple Dao-in meditation technique, emphasizing the concept of the "center behind the center."

This technique is remarkably simple yet effective, especially with consistent practice. To begin, lie on your back in bed, preparing to sleep. Gently close your eyes. Place the fingertips of your index, middle, and ring fingers together, the outer fingernails of these three finders are touching. Lightly rest these fingers on your navel, with your two middle fingers resting gently on top of the navel itself. This is your body's center.

Now, direct your awareness inward, approximately three to four finger widths, to a point within your abdomen. This is the "center behind the center."  Focus your attention on this point and begin breathing softly. There's no need to control your breath; simply observe its natural rhythm of inhale and exhale. Gently feel your body's energy settling into this inner center.

During this practice, your mind may wander. When this happens, gently guide your focus back to the center behind the center. Similarly, your body's awareness might shift to other areas, such as a tension point. Observe these sensations briefly, then return your attention to your inner center. Continue this gentle practice, and you'll likely drift into a peaceful sleep. This allows your body to enter a restorative state, rebalancing and recuperating by drawing energy back to its core. This is the first in a series exploring Dao-in and its applications for health and well-being.