Ninpo Godai Middle Pillar Ritual

This rite is drawn from the symbology of The Godai (five elements) taught in certain Bujinkan schools and applied to the format of the Middle Pillar.

1. Begin seated in “fudoza” (crossed legged with one heel pressed against the perineum) or in “seiza” (kneeling, Japanese style).

Take a few deep breaths to center yourself.

2. Form the Mudra for the Void (wrap your right fist around your left upraised index finger) and vibrate the word “KU”. Visualize a brilliant white sphere forming at the Crown Chakra and expanding to envelop the brow and throat chakras. Gold and indigo swirls flash from it’s depths.

The qualities of these centers are spontaneity, intuition, verbal skill, creativity, and egolessness. Its animal is the Spider, and sometimes the Crane.

This is the mastery of Space/Time, of other realms like The Dream Time or Noumenal.

3. Form the Mudra for Wind/Air (with your hands in a prayer position, form interlocked rings with your index fingers and thumbs) and vibrate the word “FU”. Visualize a brilliant green sphere forming at your Heart/Anahata Chakra.

The qualities of this center are compassion, forgiveness, benevolence, and healing. It is also righteous anger, like that of a mother. Its animal is the Hawk, and sometimes the Lion.

This is mastery of freedom.

4. Form the Mudra for Fire (like Wind, but interlock middle fingers and thumbs) and vibrate the word “KA”. Visualize a brilliant red sphere forming at your Solar Plexus/Manipura Chakra.

The qualities of this center are assertiveness, intensity, exuberance, charisma, artistic drive, and communication. Its animal is the Tiger.

This is mastery of energy.

5. Form the Mudra for Water (like Fire, but interlock the ring fingers and thumbs) and vibrate the word “SUI”. Visualize a brilliant blue sphere forming at your Lower abdomen/Svadhistana Chakra.

The qualities of this center are intelligence, introspection, science, sensuality, and desire. Its animal is the Dragon.

This is mastery of fluidity and adaptability.

6.Form the Mudra for Earth (like Water, but interlock the pinky fingers and thumbs) and vibrate the word “CHI”. Visualize a brilliant yellow sphere forming at the base of your spine/Muladhara Chakra.

The qualities of this center are confidence, stability, practicality, curiosity, and being fearless. Its animal is the Bear.

This is mastery of the physical, both body and environment.

7. Allow the energy to rush along your thrusting channels (in the center of your body), from the base of your spine to your crown, and then back again three or four times.

8. Now Inhale, raising the energy along your spine (Governing Channel), then exhale, allowing it to descend along your front line (Functional Channel). Repeat this for no less than thirty six breath cycles and be sure to keep your tongue pressed to the roof of your mouth. This is known as the Microcosmic Orbit in Taoist Yoga and Kikou/Chi Kung.

9.After you have finished, collect the energy at your center of gravity (or if you dare, your heart or brow region).

10. Bring your hands to a prayer position and recite “SHIKIN HARAMITSU DAIKOMYO”, which means, roughly, “every moment may hold the key to personal enlightenment” or “may our actions lead us to enlightenment”, depending on who you ask.

Clap twice, bow, clap once more, and bow a final time.

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