step 4 — Learn the Meridians

To start, focus on learning the meridians and some of their key points located near joints of the limbs: 

Once you get a sense for the paths of some meridians you can begin to work with them at a physical level (tap, press, stretch). And then, gain mastery at an energetic level (directing qi through the channels using progressively more advanced qigong techniques). In terms of the Neidan yoga model, this corresponds to the foundations and weigong (outer qigong) levels. Your goal should be to understand the 14 major meridians, their major points and how to course qi (prana) along the channels in conjunction with qigong exercises. As an exemplar, consider the Pericardium (PC) meridian shown at the right. You would work along the blue line from the chest (PC 1) down along the arm to the tip of the middle finger (PC 9).

The next stage, neigong (inner qigong) ties such skills to energy flows inside the body (related to meridians). In the picture to the right, the dotted orange line from the navel up to the heart and over across to PC 1 travels deep inside the body and not on the skin at its surface. Inner flows, such as this, exist for all the meridians. Further work at the neigong level meshes meditation (especially mantra practice) with these inner qigong techniques. Having mastered such skills, a dedicated practitioner may then safely turn toward orchestrating the streams of energy raining down from the higher ground of Jyotish archetypes.

Chakras and Rāśis

As you probably know, chakras represent energy centers along a central channel deep inside the body that runs vertically from the bottom of the torso to the top of the head. Some folks and traditions just go for the gold and try to spark the chakras and energies of the central channel. Many traditions, however, take a more circumspect approach and first develop facility with off-midline energy flows. For instance, Daoism advocates learning weigong techniques and then a preparatory qi flow (microcosmic orbit) on the midline but along the surface of body (front and back). Likewise, in Hindu yoga, the classical approach begins with breathing techniques (prāṇāyāma) that adjust off-midline nāḍīs (channels) called the iḍā (left channel) and piṅgala (right channel) which are near to the suṣumṇā (central channel). With such prowess in hand, a seeker may then earnestly commence the task of activating the chakras. 

In Neidan yoga, this phase relates to the end of neigong and beginning of neidan (inner elixir). The overarching aim now? Gain a deeply felt sense of the energetic relation between Jyotish archetypes and meridians. How to do this? Apply the basic principles of Jyotish. Here's an illustration:

One key rule of Jyotish covered earlier (refer to Guru in the Lagna) helps to promote health for an individual regardless of what the higher realms may be up to—storm, hail, puffy clouds or clear, blue sky. However, a person may be healthy and still down and out or broke so it's wise to tidy up relations with society and other outer influences on daily living (refer to Arudha Lagna [Social Self]).

In Vedic astrology, a chart with the arudha lagna (AL) as its first house furnishes the needed vantage. From here, one finds the jata graha (planet that is kendra to the moon and kona to the AL). If strong, this planet augers well for material and social success. One way to help encourage such a delightful outcome comes by strengthening the two planets that rule the signs where the jata graha is exalted and debilitated. 

In this example, the rectangle outlined at the top shows the location of the AL. The rules to find the jata graha determine that the moon itself (labeled as Mo) is this important planet. So, for this individual, success in the world depends upon how supported her or his moon energy can become. The two numbers circled in orange give the locations of the moon's exaltation (2 = Taurus) and debilitation (8 = Scorpio). So, the two planets that rule these signs (rāśis) are Mars (Ma) and Venus (Ve). How to make them stronger and better? Several choices offer themselves and a full session would include them all. For instance, a planet could be empowered in the sign where it resides (Ve in 10 = Capricorn) or the sign that is ruled could be harmonized (Ve rules 2 so balance Taurus energy). 

integration 4 — balance key jyotish archetypes

Got the general idea? There are plenty of good resources for you to learn the theory. What's more important for you to realize at this stage is that such a remedy is possible and can work really well. Since planets and signs (constellations) all map directly to the acupuncture meridian system which in turn maps to the chakras, the actual technique consists of outer and inner qigong for the relevant meridians and chakras.

Mantra and meditation need to be part of this endeavor. Typically, a meditator would run qi along the relevant regions while saying a mantra for a fixed period. Then, she or he would meditate on the regions. That is, one swaps back and forth between energy medicine and more formal meditation.

A similar style of practice can be applied for other key Jyotish rules and archetypes. In Neidan yoga, this motif constitutes the heart of levels 4A and 4B. It’s an approach that effectively soups up and further develops an important early to intermediate phase of the perennial yogic mission to integrate all forms of prana (energy, qi) into the central channel (sushumna, midline).

In terms of Daoist practice, one characterizes this process as the integration of weigong (control of qi around and on the surface of the body) and neigong (control of qi inside the body, [organs, tissues]) into the sphere of neidan (inner elixir) (cultivation and eventual mastery of all forms of qi along the midline).

The actual choice of what gets balanced and strengthened depends upon your individual chart with its unique patchwork of cranky stress motifs along with stretches of ease and comfort. So, of course, a detailed interpretation of your chart will garner the best results for all your investments of time and effort. But, in general, here are the usual suspects to consider first:

1. natal chart (D1) lagna (planets, lord, significator, sign, aspects, relation to D9 lagna)

2. navāmśa (D9) lagna (planets, lord, significator, sign, aspects, relation to D1 lagna)

3. Guru (Jupiter) in lagna (how is Guru related to lagna; how can you strengthen this?)

4. kārakāmśa (this is the navāmśa sign in which the ātmakāraka is placed; this sign is set as the D9 lagna and analyzed for all matters of the soul) (consider the kendras for the main themes)

Next steps — bite the bullet … or, take a breather

The way forward from here plunges deep into energy medicine by linking Jyotish with acupuncture meridians and Daoist energy bodies. To really understand what you are doing at this stage is essential because the practice deals with energy patterns—in and around the body—as they wax and wane in real time.

For a very detailed (but comprehensible) explanation of the relation between the Jyotish rāśis and the meridians of Chinese Medicine (CM), just click the button below that’s labeled Next Step: Rashis and the Meridian Clock. It presents theory first but then includes a fully worked case study (including a chart) of how to combine Jyotish and CM approaches to analysis and treatment (remedy). Definitely worth checking out! And, necessary, if you want to fully apply the higher-level techniques of Neidan Yoga (from levels 4A and 4B onwards).

Otherwise, the button labeled Theory of Neidan Yoga introduces you to the theory behind the yogic practices of Neidan Yoga. Or, if you’re truly keen for something more approachable, tangible and immediately useful—the basic practices of Neidan Yoga (levels 1, 2 and 3)—flick the button labeled Practice of Neidan Yoga and you’re on your way. Just make sure to come back to the section on Rashis and the Meridian Clock once you’re ready to tackle levels 4A and 4B and beyond of Neidan Yoga. You can do it! It’s worth the effort—a million times over. For real!