Master Zhongxian Wu’s Chinese Shamanic Cosmic Orbit Qigong: Esoteric Talismans, Mantras, and Mudras in Healing and Inner Cultivation (aside from being a really long title) is an applied work in Qigong. This form of Qigong is a purely meditative form, so don’t expect much health benefit from the physical movements. A lot of the title is a bit of embellishment, though I feel the juice from this book is worth the squeeze overall.
This book is a bit of a ride. The title is ostentatious, but the book holds its own for being worth a read. I was disappointed at first, but as I practiced the form included in this work, I felt it was really worth the price. We’ll cover what Qigong is, what to expect, what makes up the Qigong in this work, why I love this book, and how to apply it. My notes for the visualizations are included at the end.
What Is Qigong?
Qigong is basically some form of physical, mental, or spiritual practice which cultivates, nourishes, or otherwise contributes to the positive development of qi (or ki, chi, etc.).
When most people think of Qigong, they think of something like Tai Chi (Taijichuan) or some other martial arts form. The truth is, Qigong includes many various practices as long as they work towards the cultivation of qi.
Qigong can run the range from a seated activity to a fully mobile one. Since the general goal is to foster the cultivation of qi in some form, basically any practice which does so can be viewed as Qigong. Depending on how loosely you interpret this, and how you interpret things like magick and other occult practices, this arguably means that occultism is a form of Qigong. We’ll revisit this point in a bit though.
While Qigong has many different forms, the three main influences on Qigong are Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Daoism is by far the most major influence on basically any form of Qigong though. This book is no exception, though it does add some other bits outside the usual.
Qigong is also a largely areligious practice in most applications. All you really need is the belief in qi and the ability to understand and accept the general dualistic concepts of Yin and Yang. These concepts can bleed over into a more philosophical side or mystic aspect depending on the practice, but a lot of that can be rounded off.
What To Expect
This book covers a single form which only takes a few minutes to complete. The subtext of the title Esoteric Talismans, Mantras, and Mudras is also arguably a bit of a stretch. Keep this in mind when purchasing as I have heard a bit of dissent over this fact. Despite all of this, I think it’s a great book, but let’s go a little deeper into what to actually expect.
There are some various images of fu (esoteric talismans, usually of a Daoist nature) included with each section, but these aren’t really the focus of the practice. They also aren’t really expounded on in any notable fashion. The mantras are included for each movement, as are the requisite mudras at least. Each section from this perspective is very good which we’ll cover more in bit down the line.
You’re not going to get a huge amount of content from this book, but what you get is efficient and well organized. The content which is discussed is detailed and intuitive. You’ll get an easy form which anyone can practice. It is immediately applicable and self-contained as well. It references the author’s other works, but they aren’t required.
Qigong In This Work
This book is influenced by Daoism to a pretty heavy degree with a retrograde application of older traditions. Basically, we get Dao based mysticism with elements of shamanism inserted and reshaped to reform the practice. The form itself is a meditational style Qigong form which means it has little in the way of movement (compared to martial forms), and it’s accessible to pretty much anyone. You’re not getting this book for physical health, it’s focused on mental or spiritual growth.
The included form touches on various points which make it distinctly Chinese in terms of its philosophical and spiritual backing as well. There are elements embedded which touch on Daoism, Buddhism, and even Confucianism (to a much lesser degree) throughout the form. That being said, like any good spiritual work, this can be adapted to other frameworks with little effort. This form is a bit more mystic in nature than most Qigong forms which is what drew me to it.
Step 6 in the sequence employs the Four Symbols (or Four Animals) which is reminiscent of the four quarters of Golden Dawn style rituals like the Lesser Banishing of the Pentagram. Wicca has its own version as well. The overlap is very interesting and ended up being one of the cornerstones to how I tied this into my own practice.
Step 8 is reminiscent of Kundalini Chakra work. Step 9 carries it further mixing into other energy work. The entire form feels like it manages to touch many traditions naturally without feeling like a stretch. You’re not going to learn those other traditions from this book, but if you’ve worked with them, you have a way to apply this form.
Why This Book Is Great
The form in this book is simple but powerful. I use it as part of my morning meditations and energy work. This form leaves me feeling refreshed, lively, and ready to tackle the day. The fact it easily ties into many traditions just makes it even more powerful and flexible.
Zhongxian Wu also lays out the form extremely clearly. Each section includes an image showing what to do. It then goes into what the movement is and how it fits the whole. Each mudra is covered and explained in terms of the whole as well.
We then move on to the visualization you should be making with each step. This section really makes this book much better than most Qigong works. The visualization turns this form from a boring set of motions into a lively evolution of consciousness. It then moves onto the actual breathing and mantra to help add to this form. Finally, we get the benefit of why we’re doing this form. By the end of each chapter, you know what you’re doing, why, and how it applies to each step in the sequence.
This general layout beats most martial arts or other Qigong works. The appendix includes a condensed section of what to do in order. The whole work is laid out well and the explanations are great. The only thing I would add would be a note of the visualizations to the end (I’m including my notes at the end of this article).
Using This Book
This book is powerful when used either alone or in conjunction with other energy work. If you meditate, this can help break up sessions and reenergize you. This form is powerful when used with the visualizations and the proper breathing.
The verdict may not yet be out on the actual science behind Qigong, but this form definitely gives me a burst of energy. If it all ends up being a placebo effect, so be it, it works for me. Most of the other Qigong work doesn’t do much for me, but this fits in with other spiritual practices well. I use it in conjunction with both Golden Dawn style work as well as Tibetan Buddhist meditations.
It leaves me feeling centered and better ready to tackle another day. Especially now with the world in the disarray it’s in. This is a great book and worth a read. Don’t let the fact the title over promises deceive you from the benefits of this work. The content definitely doesn’t under deliver.
Get it here:
My Notes for the Visualizations
1. Visualize Qi entering entire body, breathe Qi. Imagine holding a red sun in/at the stomach/dantian.
2. Merge into the earth with yellow Qi flowing.
3. Fingers rake in Qi. Imagine balls of light in each hand.
4. Touch the universe and become one with Qi. Feel rays extending out from your fingers connecting you to everything.
5. Thumbs connect to earth and the 4 elements. Fingers connect to merge with the heavenly bodies.
6. Visualize the Four Guardians, left: green dragon, right: white tiger, front: red bird, behind: black warrior; extend Qi like LBRP.
7. Gather universal Qi in hands and focus it into kidneys.
8. Qi like sunlight running up the spine. Think of Kundalini practices.
9. Qi connects from crown chakra to the universe. Fingers extend and connect Qi. Body dissolves into the light.
10. Pull Heavenly Qi into your body. Imagine body basking in the golden, heavenly qi.
11. Moon in belly. Imagine Qi like a waterfall washing down as your hands go down.
12. Universal Qi gathered in belly. Imagine a red sun. Connect to the light and the sun.
Using These Notes
I photocopied the appendixes and used them in conjunction with these notes. I found this was the most efficient way to make use of this work. It served as a way to have notes available without having to thumb through the whole book. See if this method works for you, but feel free to use these notes in a personal fashion as you want.