In Taoism, we regard the eyes as the doorways to the soul as well as the opening of the liver. (Fig. 4.16)
When rubbing near the corners of the eyes, do not rub too hard, because you can make the corners of the eyes drop down. Continue rubbing the corners of the eyes upward.
Bring Chi Energy to the Hands and Eyes.
Repeat the procedure for bringing energy to the hands by inhaling; holding the breath; and contracting the sexual organ, buttocks and middle of the anus and both the left and right sides of the anus. Direct the Chi to both eyes. Rub the hands, clench the teeth, place the tongue on the roof of your mouth. Direct the energy to the face and then the hands. When your hands are hot, focus on your eyes until you feel them filled with energy.
For the Eyeballs and Surrounding Area
Close your eyes. Use your fingertips to gently massage your eyeballs through your closed eyelids, six to nine times clockwise, then six to nine times counterclockwise. Then gently massage the area around the lids the same number of times. (Fig. 4.17) Be aware of painful spots and massage those places until the pain goes away. Pay special attention to the inner and outer corners of the eyes. These are points of the gall bladder meridian and will relieve eye ailments if massaged.
Pull up the Eyelids
Pulling up the eyelids will increase the fluid. Use the thumb and index finger to pinch, pull up and release the eyelids six to nine times. (Fig. 4.18)
For the Eye Sockets
Bend your index fingers and use the lower section (second phalanx) of each thumb to rub the upper and lower bones of the eye sockets six to nine times. (Fig. 4.19)
For getting a Tear out
Hold an index finger up about eight inches from the eyes, or put a dot on the wall five or six feet away from you. Stare at it intently without blinking your eyes until you feel like a fire is burning in them. (Fig. 4.20) The Taoists believe that the toxins will burn out of the body through the eyes. They will begin to tear. Do this to strengthen your eyes. Then, rub your hands until warm; close your eyes and cover your eye sockets with your palms. Feel the Chi from the hands absorbed into the eyes. (Fig. 4.21) Rotate your eyes six to nine times, first in a clockwise direction, then counterclockwise.
Pull in the Eyeballs
The eyes are divided into five parts. Each part is closely connected with the organs and nerves. (Fig. 4.22) Become aware of the eyes. (Fig. 4.23)
Pulling and pressing the eyeballs will exercise the organs, sense, glands and the brain. (Fig. 4.24) This is also the best exercise for the eye muscles. The eyes have many muscles which we do not exercise very much and, thus, they become weak, contributing to poor eyesight.
When you contract and pull in the middle of your eyeballs, you are exercising the back of the eye muscles and the inner ear.
When pulling in the outer corners of the eyes, you are strengthening the side eye muscles as well as the ear canals end the ear drums.
When pulling in the inner corners of the eyes, you are strengthening the inner side muscles, the tear ducts and the nose.
When pulling in the lower parts of the eyes, you are pressing the lower part of the ear canals and the nervous system.
The eyes are the windows of the spirit. (Fig. 4.15) In Taoism we regard the eyes as Yang energy which will guide all Chi flow in the body. The eyes can greatly affect your personality Some people are born with a lot of white in their eyes–three portions of white to one portion of iris–sometimes called “thief eyes” or “danger attack eyes.” Such eyes can result in a suspicious look, portending unpleasant things. Through the exercises, you can gradually correct the white portion of the eyes.
Since the eyes are connected to the entire nervous system, they have a special importance. The eyes reveal the health of your entire body. Through the eyes we can tell which organs are weak and/or toxic. Massaging the eyes will remove stress from the vital organs. Nowadays people use their eyes much more than in the past to read, watch television, and work with computers, electronics and microscopes. This strains them a great deal and makes the openings of the organs loose, so that much of the organ energy is drained out.
Clean Out the Eyes
Of all the senses’ exercises, the eye exercises are very important.
Daily maintenance is the best prevention. Many times much attention to the things that are close to us, like the water and air or our faces and eyes.
Many people wash their faces, but seldom wash their eyes. When working outside all day, very small particles of dust and all kinds of fiber get into the eyes and clot the tear ducts. Be sure to massage the tear ducts.
Wash the eyes with cool, clean or boiled water. Use a bowl in which you can immerse your face.
Open your eyes and move the eyes around. Get all the dirt and particles out. (Fig. 8.14) This will also help you remain more awake.