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imagine his essence as dividing itself into a sun and moon. When his sexual organ is deep inside the woman he should let it remain still, while above he sucks in the woman's saliva and below he absorbs her sexual secretions."

The Drops of Wisdom should be visualized as emanating from the Head Chakra,

nourishing and transforming both body and mind. In a sexual context, they endow both oneself and one's partner with the power of transcendence. A healthy body, a clear mind, pure emotions and spiritual guidance are the benefits gained from recognizing and channeling the Drops of Wisdom within.

circulation of energy

Oriental medical science views the harmonious circulation of life energies through the body as essential to health. When the lifeforce becomes stagnated or blocked, disease occurs. It is the natural flow of energy that rejuvenates and renews both body and mind. We all experience energy "lows" in our day- to-day lives and know that when we feel vital and "energized" we can accomplish almost anything. Indeed, it is the maintenance of vital energy that is the determining factor between youth and age. Energy should be circulated throughout the body so that no part of it is starved of vitality. A very simple method of doing this consists in moving rhythmically while visualizing vitality circulating and energizing the whole body. The secret is to keep the body moving continuously and harmoniously, as though dancing. Movement can be very subtle and should be linked to conscious visualization of the energy flow. The Chinese movements known as T'ai Chi are especially helpful in developing awareness of the natural flow of energy through the body.

One should first become aware of the Navel Chakra, visualizing vital forces mov-

ing and swirling within it, so producing a gyroscopic balance and emanating outward to the limbs, head, and sex region. Breathe in rhythmically and deeply, focusing on the retention of breath and at the same time tracing the subtle channels from the navel outward to the four limbs and also up and down the body. Wherever the consciousness is directed, that part of the body will receive the energy of the navel center. Tests of Yogis have shown that the control of blood circulation is possible, and biofeedback makes use of these mental techniques. Western medicine has only recently started to make successful use of visualization techniques for treatment of cancer and also for psychological disorders such as deep depression.

Lovers can circulate energy for each other. Lie stretched out on the floor or bed. While

When lovers are in close embrace, subtle energies converge and exchange. Tantra teaches that life energies are concentrated into vortexes located from the sexual region to the head.

The inner heart spreads out in a self kindled glow. Externally this manifests in a vermilion-like light that surrounds the body; internally it is a five-colored radiant energy that is emitted and spread out in lines, like the tense string of a bow, vibrating silently.

SIX YOGAS OF NAROPA

Energy should ideally be channeled back and forth during love-making. Illustration from a Roman fresco, Museum of Naples.

The vital essence courses through the body in invisible currents of zigzag swirling patterns. These are like the waves of sound, in an upward direction like flames of fire, and in a downward direction like rivulets of water.

SUSHRUTA SAMHITA

hands and feet

The hands and feet are the "outer terminals" of the body. All the vital organs, the glands, and nerves can be contacted and manipulated, via the many subtle pathways that lead from the hands and feet to the heart, head, throat, navel, spleen, and sexual regions. These pathways, also known as meridians, are central to acupuncture, acupressure, and Oriental medicine. They have stimulative and sedative properties and are categorized as either Yin or Yang, depending on whether the flow of energy through them is up, "from Earth to Heaven," or down, "from Heaven to Earth."

The hands and feet are considered microcosms of the body and may be used to make contact with the interior of the body. Shiatsu (Japanese finger-pressure therapy), Do - in (Oriental self-massage) and the related Western techniques of " z o n e " and "reflex" therapy are all founded on a knowledge and use of the meridians.

The Tantric and Taoist teachings utilize the outer terminals for consciously directing energy flow. Postures are prescribed for circulating the raw sexual energy along specific meridians, from one part of the body to the other, or from one partner to the other. Tantric and Taoist love-postures are designed to circulate energy precisely, and the hands and feet are often made use of to channel the energy.

Ritual gestures of the hands are found in

all priestly cultures; they, too are methods of short-circuiting and channeling energy through the meridians. They are potent Yantras, consciously created forms that act to concentrate forces in specific ways. The Tantras contain many teachings that can be

transmitted t h r o u g h mystic gestures

(Mudras). The inexpressible can at times be transmitted quite directly through mystic gestures, which concentrate and focus energy and reach areas of consciousness outside the range of words.

The lines in the hands and feet are said to reflect our destiny. Many people are familiar with the "head," "heart," and "life" lines of the hands, and it is widely known that each individual has a unique set of fingerprints. The feet also have precise markings, which are entirely different in each individual. In

ancient times it was a social convention to examine the hands and feet of a person in order to know that person better. These parts of the body would be washed by the host before a guest was seated or entertained.

Gentle but firm massage of the hands and feet, by stroking, caressing, tickling, or finger pressure, has a soothing and beneficial effect on the individual. Furthermore, by concentrating on specific parts of the body and applying pressure to the relevant zones of the hands and feet, it is possible to bring about a healing through adjustment of the inner balance of energies. Many sicknesses and malfunctions of body and mind can be corrected in this way. Beyond this, it is a thoroughly enjoyable and sensually stimulating experience. For the couple, the oiling and massaging of hands and feet is a natural way of communicating as well as a basic tool in the art of love.

The feet are often more in need of massage than the hands because they are walked on all day, trapped in tight shoes, and restricted by socks or stockings. They make continual contact with hard pavements and floors and rarely have contact with organic surfaces such as earth, sand, and grass. People whose employment forces them to use their hands excessively, particulary with computers and other machines that require constant repetitive motion, and those who are on their feet all day commonly suffer from internal malfunctions that may be caused by continual pressure on the outer terminals.

Internal blockages or constrictions can be released by massaging the hands and feet with single-minded concentration. The one being treated should remain open and relaxed and inform the other of any pain that is created by localized pressure. When pain occurs, it indicates an imbalance, stress, or disorder in the internal organ or area corresponding to that point on the hand or foot (see charts).

Taoist love-techniques include reverse positions that link hands and feet, allowing for sexual energy to be concentrated and controlled. From a Chinese print of the Ming period.

The left leg should be placed outside and close to the right one; this means the positive embracing

the negative. The thumb of the

left hand should touch its middle

finger and the right hand should

be placed under it, with palm upward. The thumb of the right hand should be bent over the left palm; this means the negative

embracing the positive. It is what the ancients meant by "forming a circuit of eight psychic channels." The Taoist scriptures say that the linking of the four limbs shuts the four gates, so that the center can be held on to.

CHAO PI CH'EN

Tantric love-postures create subtle energy circuits for controlling involuntary orgasm. Positions of hands and feet play a vital role in this process. From a Nepalese painting of the mid-eighteenth century.

Two Indian diagrams of the type known as Hastakara Yantra, illustrating relationships of subtle forces influencing the individual. The symbols are linked to cosmological forces. From Rajasthani paintings of the eighteenth century.

Liver

Appendix area

Ascending

Colon

Reflexology charts showing the relationship of internal organs to parts of the right and left palms. Firm pressure creates a reflex reaction in affected organs, causing healing to occur.

Sinuses Reflex

Upper Lymph area

Breast Reflex

Lymph Drainage area

Pituitary Gland Reflex

Neck

Cervical Reflex

Thoracic Reflex

Lumbar, Sacral, & Coccyx area

Sacroiliac

Arm & Groin Lymph Nodes

Reflexology chart showing the relationship of internal organs to the back of the hands.

Sinuses

Top of Head

Frontal and Temporal Region

Fallopian Tubes

Armpit & Groin Lymph Nodes

Upper Reflex to Bronchial and Lung area

Breast

Lymph Drainage