Questions and Answers on Sitting Meditation Practice

Question: In recent days, during the later stage of sitting meditation, my Dazhui point and neck have felt swollen and stiff. Do I need to tap them with a small hammer?

Answer: You can tap them with a soft stick, or massage and pat the acupoints with your hands, including the back of the head and the crown of the head—all of these areas need to be unblocked. Once the meridian channels are unblocked, the neck will no longer feel swollen and stiff. The back of the neck is an important area, connecting the body and the brain; it is the sole channel supplying qi and blood to the brain. Only when that area is unblocked can the brain function properly. The head and the Baihui acupoint can be patted with the hands, or with an empty fist; tapping with a soft stick or a silicone patting board also works. In this way, the qi and blood circulate freely, nourishment is ample, the mind is refreshed, and thinking becomes sharp.