Tan Tien
I know some of you like to concentrate on your breathing when meditating. About three finger widths behind and below the navel (belly button) is a point that is called the Tan Tien. It is said to be the natural balancing point of your consciousness. That is where the saying “navel gazers” comes from. Some people are able to develop a powerful Chi center. This is the most important method to meditation and mindfulness. It is said that when your consciousness is centered on the Tan Tien instead of the head, your thinking process slows down and you can relax and fall into oneness with your surroundings. Trying to stop distracting thoughts through will power alone leads to more thoughts and a hopeless inner struggle. By transferring concentration and awareness to the Tan Tien, thoughts gradually disappear on their own without inner conflict. It is said in Chinese alchemy, that there are three tan tiens in the body. The first one is in the brain right between the eyes and corresponds to what is mystically called the Third eye. In The middle tan tien is in the heart and The lower tan tien is located three inches below the navel. That is one you would concentrate on during meditation. Sit quietly and focus on the lower tan tien as it moves in and out as you breathe. Over time, you will feel the power and it will become more noticeable as your meditation grows stronger. Sudden emergencies, such as near collisions on the highway, tend to activate the its energies. Sometimes we will get what some call a “gut reaction” from something. You can nourish the feeling of the tan tien by simply paying passive attention to it. This relaxed concentration is very close to doing nothing, yet it is still a subtle effort. It helps us to remain mindful throughout the day.
