Level 3
Spiritual development

Large circulation
(stage 7)

In the seventh stage the heaven and earth force meet in the lower Dantian. This is called the large circulation. The rotation of the Dantian feels like the turning of a ball. A rotating Dantian creates a pulling power. It brings heaven force via the front fontanel and earth force via the Yongquan points into the central channel towards the Dantian.

The Taoists call it ‘Shen Qi Xiang Jiao’ or ‘Da Zhou Tian’, which can be translated as ‘large circulation’, or ‘macrocosmic orbit’.

The awakening of latent functions
(stage 8)

This is a major stage that includes many subdivisions. A fine and smooth tuning of the centre of the mind through mental exercises based on relaxation and visualisation leads to the awakening of latent functions. The Chinese word for centre of the mind is ‘Niwan’, which is related to the source of thoughts.