In the lineage of the Universal Healing Tao, Pi Gu is recognized as the "Middle Way" of fasting – a strategic state of being where the practitioner transitions from a heavy reliance on physical matter to tapping into the subtle, universal energy sources that surround us. We are made of "cosmic dust," and Pi Gu is the alchemical process of returning to that source.

Rather than a total cessation of intake, Pi Gu is "energy fasting" that allows the body to reset its internal laboratory. It serves as a bridge, moving the practitioner toward a state where the body and digestive system are filled with Chi, reducing the need for dense caloric intake while maintaining a vibrant state of spiritual evolution.

The historical development of Pi Gu is rooted in the keen observations of ancient Taoist hermits. These sages watched the natural world to unlock the secrets of longevity, most notably the "hibernation secret" of the turtle. By observing turtles trapped in dry wells stretching their necks toward the sky to swallow saliva and "breathe" the moon and stars, the Taoists discovered the saliva elixir.

They realized that like the turtle or the hibernating bear, the human body possesses the latent ability to convert internal stores and cosmic elements into life-sustaining energy.

This Taoist "Middle Way" stands in sharp contrast to extreme asceticism. The Buddha, after nearly breaking his body through absolute fasting, famously utilized the analogy of a stringed instrument: if the string is too tight, it breaks; if it is too slack, it produces no sound. Pi Gu is the "just right" adjustment – a balanced, sustainable state that avoids the physical breakdown of total starvation while maintaining the discipline required for spiritual evolution.

The central differentiator between standard caloric restriction and Pi Gu is the practice of "Eating the Cosmos." Traditional fasts often trigger a physical "panic mode" or starvation response, where the body increases stress hormones like cortisol and begins consuming muscle mass. In Pi Gu, we intentionally replace physical food with cosmic energy (Oxygen and Nitrogen) and saliva elixir.

This prevents the body from feeling undernourished, effectively "pre-ordering" the necessary energy and avoiding the metabolic trauma associated with conventional fasting. This internal quiet and energetic saturation provide the perfect foundation for the profound silence of the Darkroom environment.

The strategic role of Pi Gu during a Darkroom retreat is to facilitate a massive redirection of internal resources. Digestion is an extremely high-energy process; by significantly reducing the workload of the digestive tract, the body can redirect that liberated energy toward the high-level Inner Alchemy practiced in the darkness. In this environment, the absence of external stimuli allows the practitioner to turn completely inward, where the "Pi Gu effect" becomes a catalyst for deep cellular and spiritual transformation.

The typical Darkroom regime involves a 50% reduction in food intake, systematically replaced by increased saliva production and the practice of "Eating the Cosmos." Practitioners do not feel weak or hungry because they supplement their nourishment with the inhalation of cosmic particles. As food or liquid moves over the five taste areas of the tongue, it informs the thalamus and hypothalamus to "pre-order" the exact digestive juices needed.

This conscious movement of energy activates what we call the "Fountain of Youth." By stimulating sexual hormones through the testicles, nipples, and genitals, and directing this energy upward, the practitioner triggers the major brain glands – the pineal, hypothalamus, and thalamus. The pineal, the gland of light and darkness, begins to secrete a "nectar" or elixir that flows down to nourish the entire system.

To master Pi Gu, one must first master the "Mechanics of Eating." A fundamental strategic realization is that the stomach lacks teeth; it is a muscular bag designed for mixing, not grinding. Therefore, all "predigestive work" must occur in the mouth. When food is not sufficiently prepared by the mouth, the stomach is forced to do extra work, leading to a cascade of biological failures.

The salivary glands – the parotid, large, and small glands – are the heroes of this laboratory. Saliva is 99.5% water, but the remaining 0.5% is a potent medicinal cocktail of mucus, electrolytes, glycoproteins, and anti-bacterial compounds like lysozyme and immunoglobulin A. The parotid glands, located near the ears, release the hormone parotin. It is critical that parotin is absorbed via the lymph system through thorough chewing; if swallowed prematurely, it is destroyed by stomach acid. When activated correctly, it stimulates the production of T-cells to fortify the immune system. Simultaneously, the enzyme ptyalin begins the critical breakdown of carbohydrates.

Improper chewing creates a "Perfect Storm" in the digestive tract. Large pieces of food, diluted by liquids, begin to ferment in the stomach, creating gas that distends the organ. This "food mess" is pushed into the small intestines and eventually reaches the ileocecal valve. Because the particles are too large for the villi to absorb, they create a toxic buildup at this critical junction, leading to lethargy. This biological failure necessitates the corrective practice of Chewing Chi Kung.

Chewing is a form of Chi Kung because it has the power to multiply the energetic value of food tenfold. By mixing food with saliva, oxygen, and nitrogen, we transform physical matter into a "liquid elixir" for instant energy.

Step-by-Step Guide for Chewing Saliva Chi Kung:

1. The Turtle Throat: Align the spine and straighten the neck, mimicking the turtle’s position to activate the thyroid gland.
2. Nitrogen-Fixing Mediums: Select 3–20 peanuts or walnuts in un-punctured shells. We use peanuts because nitrogen-fixing bacteria live on their roots, making the nuts a potent medium for converting atmospheric nitrogen into protein.
3. The Mastication Count: For healthy practitioners, 50–100 chews are recommended. For those who are sick, the count increases to 150–300 chews until the food is a complete liquid pulp.
4. Inhaling Cosmic Chi: You must inhale the cosmic Chi through the mouth while chewing, mixing the air with the saliva and food.
5. Swallowing the Elixir: Straighten the neck and swallow the mixture hard and fast three times. Use the mind to direct the elixir to the navel.

The power of this practice is validated by the survival story of Antonio Stanchion. While in a concentration camp, Stanchion discovered that by chewing cold water 150 times, he could generate heat and a steady increase in vital energy. While nearly his entire crew perished from starvation and cold, Stanchion and those he taught survived. His experience proves that the act of chewing itself extracts energy from the universe.

A central goal of Pi Gu is "Stomach Shrinking." The stomach is a "ring muscle" (sphincter) that possesses natural elasticity. Modern overeating causes the stomach to expand up to five times its original size, losing its "snap." Through Chi Kung, we restore this elasticity.

The Taoist Masters observed the "Team Ring Muscles." The ring muscles of the body – including the eyes, anus, and perineum – work in coordination. By voluntarily contracting the accessible members of this team, we trigger a sympathetic contraction in the stomach.

Ring Muscle Chi Kung Practice:

• The Trigger: Gently contract the muscles around the eyes, the anus, and the perineum simultaneously. This "tickles" the stomach ring muscle, causing it to contract.
• The Command: While contracting, use the mental command "Small." Feel the brain contracting in the background as you will the stomach to return to its healthy size.
• Condensing Chi: Rub the navel in a clockwise direction to condense the Chi.

The Principle: Follow "Hara Hachi Bu" – the mechanical necessity of eating until the stomach is only 80% (two-thirds) full, leaving "mixing space" for digestive juices.

The "Pi Gu Effect" is the transformation of the body into a self-sustaining energy plant. By blending saliva, oxygen, and nitrogen with small amounts of high-quality food, you create instant energy that repairs cells and rejuvenates the spirit.

The Top 5 Long-Term Benefits of Pi Gu Practice:

1. Elimination of Cravings: Resets body wisdom to crave only what is truly nourishing.
2. Improved Mental Health: Clearer cognition through increased oxygenation and reduced "digestive fog."
3. Spiritual Rejuvenation: Redirected energy facilitates the development of the soul and spirit.
4. Biological Vitality: Stimulates the lymph system to absorb parotin for a fortified immune system.
5. Sustainable Weight Loss: Naturally reduces stomach size without the "panic mode" of starvation.

1. Perform light exercise (Chi Self-Massage) to start oxygen flow.
2. Wash hands and face to purify the mindset.
3. Turn off all electronic devices.
4. Locate a calm, sanitary place to eat.
5. Use soft music or candlelight if desired.
6. Perform table exercises if you haven't moved.
7. Maintain good posture with a straight spine.
8. Convey appreciation or gratitude for the food.
9. Begin conscious abdominal respiration.
10. Place a small bite of food in the mouth.
11. Put tableware down between bites.
12. Start masticating while continuing deep respiration.
13. Focus the mind on the mouth or the Lower Tan Tien.
14. Maintain visual focus on the food or a pleasant object.
15. Keep fingers and toes together to complete the energy circuit via the Bridge and Regulatory Channels.
16. Say a final word of appreciation after eating.
17. Rest or talk pleasantly for 10–15 minutes.
18. Take a ten-minute after-meal walk to assist absorption.

Mastering these steps allows you to move beyond the mere consumption of matter. You are no longer just eating; you are practicing a sacred alchemy that empowers the body to heal itself and the spirit to touch the cosmos.

Experience Pi Gu at the source: Join Master Mantak Chia Darkroom 2026

May Qi be with you🙏🏻