Questions and Answers on the Contemplative Practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness 5

Question: During the latter half of observing the breath, I feel my spine being pulled tight, and sometimes there is a flow of qi at the Baihui point (crown of the head). What is going on?

Answer: This happens because once the mind has settled down, there is no longer any obstruction to the movement of the breath, and the breath flows smoothly. The qi channels run from the dantian to the Weilü point, and then surge upward from the Weilü point along the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) in the back, straightening the back. The qi channels may even surge up into the head, striking the Baihui point, and finally exit the body from the Baihui point. This shows that the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) and the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) of the body are unobstructed, the body is fairly healthy, and the mind can also settle down—your meditative concentration is quite good, which is conducive to contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) of the four foundations of mindfulness.