How to Approach Matters Related to the Body’s Channels

When qi channels in the head cause headaches, toothaches, or eye pain, how should this be resolved?

Yao Ling's answer: If the qi truly cannot settle downward, you can focus your attention on the center of the chest (heart region) or on the mingmen point in the middle of the lower back along the lumbar spine. Visualize the white bones at the lumbar region, or place your attention on the big toe of the left foot. In truth, if you genuinely practice the meditation on white bones, the mind naturally relaxes, and the qi will certainly settle downward. Subsequently, it is best to maintain only the right mindfulness of "All phenomena are illusory" (from the Diamond Sutra). Do not hold onto anything else. Naturally, all conditions will be relinquished, and not a single thought will arise. The qi channels will then clear very quickly. When you completely let go of this body, it will swiftly recover on its own.

If you harbor a desire like "I want this body to feel more comfortable," it indicates that you are clinging to the sensations of the body, engaging in discrimination and grasping. What you must do is contemplate that "All phenomena are illusory" — these bodily sensations are empty and cannot be grasped. Then, let go of the bodily sensations; do not cling to them or discriminate them. Do not let the mind adhere to the bodily sensations. This is what is meant by letting go of bodily sensations. Similarly, regarding all other states, such as external sounds, let go in the same way. Do not let the mind adhere to them. At this time, your own mind remains clear and aware, knowing that you are not clinging to or discriminating these phenomenal states. In this way, the qi will settle down very quickly, and the body will soon achieve the harmonious balance of water and fire (yin and yang).

Of course, it is best not to skip the meditations on impurity and white bones. Otherwise, if you cling to the belief that the people around you are truly real, you will be unable to let go of your clinging towards them. When the mind returns to its origin, the qi returns to its origin. Any state you grasp as real becomes an obstacle (māra), preventing you from returning to the origin. Therefore, contemplate that "All dharmas are without self" to eradicate inverted attachments.