Book: Qigong Meditation by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Small Circulation, or the Microcosmic Orbit, is the practice of circulating energy, within the human body, Qi, through the two main pathways, or "vessels" of the body. This practice is considered to be the foundation of Internal Elixir Qigong, and was a fundamental step on the path of meditation training in ancient times. Over the centuries, this practice has slowly been lost from many meditation traditions, and its importance has been forgotten.

Small Circulation regulates the Qi circulating in the Twelve Primary Qi channels, making it abundant throughout the entire body, which has been known for centuries for promoting health and longevity. This is also the foundation of Muscle/Tendon Changing Qigong (Yi Jin), which deeply conditions and strengthens the body. It is advised that you begin your meditation training by practicing Embryonic Breathing, which will help you to establish your central energy system, and to conserve and store this energy to abundant levels. Building on this foundation, Small Circulation is the next required stage of meditation training. Ultimately, one then practices Grand Circulation Meditation, which circulates Qi everywhere in the body and exchanges it with partners and the surrounding environment. Its purpose is to open the third eye and reunite the human spirit with the spirit of nature.

This book contains translation and analysis of many ancient documents used to transmit Small Circulation and Internal Elixir cultivation to future generations, and offers modern scientific explanation for learning and training safely. Though meditation is popular today for relaxation and general health, the ultimate goal of this training, in both Daoism (Taoism) and Buddhism, is spiritual enlightenment.

• Small Circulation Meditation builds the body from weak to strong and trains the mind to be calm and focused.
• Dr. Yang presents a modern method for learning safely.
• Includes scientific analysis, translation and commentary of ancient documents, and a summary of the practice methods.

AUTHOR(S)

Yang, Jwing-Ming Ph.D., is a renowned author and teacher of Chinese martial arts and Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts for over forty-five years. He is the author of over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives in Newton, Massachusetts.

REVIEWS

Heartland Reviews, Bob Spear May, 2006

The author, a physicist and engineer, is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable expert on Chinese martial arts and internal energy systems in the Western world. In this incredibly well-illustrated and documented tome on qigong (chi kung) meditation, Dr. Yang provides in-depth information as to what internal energy is, how it works, how to safely develop it, and its importance to health. In this reviewer’s experience with the fighting arts for over fifty years, this is absolutely the best, most complete book on the subject I have seen. Dr. Yang should be considered a national treasure by both China and the US. No one else has the breadth or depth of his knowledge, the scientific understanding of it, and the ability to explain its innermost secrets while transcending an allegorical Oriental knowledge base to a scientific Western one. We rated this book the highest five hearts score.

Gary Abersold, May, 2006

I just wanted to let anyone know what I thought of Dr. Yang's new book, Qigong Meditation "Small Circulation": This new book on small circulation (Micro Cosmic) is without doubt a Qigong book that anyone who practices Qigong should own. It is the only book in English that covers in depth this practice without a bias view with fantasy and poetic writing; the writing style is the best yet from YMAA to date in my view.

Dr. Yang has invested great deal of research and practice into this obviously without just trying to write another book. I think the editing on the book and sentence structure flows very well in the book also. If you do Qigong, buy this book - it is the best written book on the subject and I like the fact he covers practical safety tips and usefullness in a modern age. We all have seen the other books, this one for sure sets the standard.

Purchasing books from YMAA help support the mission. I can remember when we had nothing; for a few dollars we are creating change to learn these practices at a faster rate with a great road map to success!

Small Circulation, I give it an A++.

Taijiquan.com, Patrick Dickson, 10/06

For those of you who have struggled to obtain correct and lucid information on Qigong Mediation, then this is one of a series of books that will lead you in the right direction. As those who are familiar with Dr. Yang's publications, the book is written in a style that is accessible and accurate. Much of the previous material available in English was short on explanation and long on symbolism and obscure terms that seemed to have no clear interpretation.

Dr. Yang possesses an incredible history, with a background in martial arts combined with an unceasingly inquisitive, curious and intelligent mind. His goal, as I understand it, to make available accurate and true information on various martial arts styles, is commendable, to say the least.

The book presents a wide range of information, with the following sections:

Chapter 1 General Concepts
Chapter 2 Theoretical foundations
Chapter 3 Four Refinements
Chapter 4 Five Regulatings
Chapter 5 Theoretical root of Small Circulation
Chapter 6 Embryonic Breathing
Chapter 7 Important Points in Meditation
Chapter 8 Small Circulation Meditation Practice
Chapter 9 Questions and Possible Human Future
Chapter 10 Conclusion

Chapter 6, Embryonic Breathing, is not a complete study of the subject. As Dr. Yang mentions in the book, the reader would be advised to purchase the book Embryonic Breathing and study it, preferably before beginning this book, or at least the chapter on Embryonic Breathing. It is an excellent book and provides the student with a solid understanding of the role of breathing in meditation and qigong.

As the capable and talented editor David Silver mentions in the Editor's Note, some of the readers might already be familiar with some of the chapter topics. However, although it might be tempting to skip these chapters, especially if one had already read some of Dr. Yang's previous coverage of the topics, the reader would be well advised to read the book in its entirety. A true scholar, teacher, or any member of any profession, should constantly be trying to improve and correct their understanding of their relative field. Dr. Yang is one of these true scholars and his explanations continue to grow and improve with time. As David mentions, fundamental training is the heart of any system and should never be skipped, regardless of one's skill level.

It's amazing to me that what seems the most complicated at times can actually be simple once it is understood, and what seems on its face value to be simple in nature is at its heart complex. I think of the saying, "find stillness in movement and movement in stillness". Just as in the Yin Yang symbol, each of the two opposites have the seed of each other. Such is the nature of meditation. I used to believe that there couldn't be very much to know in order to practice meditation. Yet, when one looks at the size of this book, coming in at 402 pages, it is obviously a subject of great depth.

Thank the Taiji gods for Dr. Yang and his numerous contributions to the martial arts world. Along with this book, I would recommend to the serious student to purchase Dr. Yang's DVD titled "Understanding Qigong". As I began to watch the DVD, I found that I couldn't turn it off until it was complete. Although I have read numerous books on Qigong, including all of Dr. Yang's publications, as well as practiced Qigong for many years, I found that watching Dr. Yang talk brought a level of understanding that I had never before achieved. I was amazed at how effective he is as a classroom teacher. It is truly an excellent companion to the study of Meditation. I have not yet met Dr. Yang in person, although I have talked to him on the phone on a couple of occasions. When I do finally meet him, I will probably find myself bowing to him and stating "I am not worthy". And I mean that with the most respect. If you meditate already or are interested in learning about qigong meditation, then this is most likely one of the best books available on the subject.