CH’IEN
THE CREATIVE, LIGHT

The Internal Lesson:



The first Hexagram you learn when studying the Yijing, is Ch’ien or the Creative Force. In the Internal Arts the first lesson you learn is Taoist Breathing. Thus the lesson held within this Hexagram is the Breathing Arts.

Just as there are six lines to the Hexagram, there are six aspects to Taoist Breathing. In order to ensure proper internal breathing patterns, one must learn to breathe to the following six areas:

1. Upper Abdomen
2. Middle Abdomen
3. Lower Abdomen
4. Oblique’s
5. Lower Back / Kidneys
6. Upper Back

Regularly Practice breathing to each one of the six areas for a period of one week per area to begin. After you have been introduced to this method, and have completed the six week beginner’s cycle, then you will focus on breathing to each one of these areas for a period of one month per area. This then completes the intermediate cycle. Finally, breathe to all six areas in one sitting, each day for 3 months. When this has completed, you should be able to breathe to all six areas at once with ease and accuracy.




The External Lesson:



The external lesson contained within the hexagram Ch’ien, discusses the first physical lesson learned within the Bai Lin Dao system: The Octagon.

The Octagon is a lesson taught to beginners because it forms the foundation of all future learning. Just as the Ch’ien hexagram has six solid lines, the Octagon series teaching six solid areas to the student. They are:

1. Hopping Patterns
2. Walking Patterns
3. Escaping Patterns
4. Folding Patterns
5. Receiving Patterns
6. Striking Patterns