Shen is the Key!

[Shi Da Dao]

Shen is the key. The still mind is empty of the movement of thought. Emptiness is first only experienced within the head (energy is pooled in the area) - but when emptiness expands throughout the body and into the environment - then energy is free flowing through the head area (and there is no pooling). This is the transition from the microcosmic to the macrocosmic orbit. This is an experience something like a 2D (microcosmic) awareness transitioning into a 3D (macrocosmic) awareness.

There is some scientific evience that breathing in and out the nose over an extended time period facilitates the absorption of Nitric oxide into the body tissue. I suspect this applies to a relatively healthy and young male - perhaps an older male not taking anti-depressants, blood pressure or anti-cholesterol medicines - as all these medicines strip the body of its essential Nitric Oxide store (hindering the flow of qi and jing) which leads to erectile dysfunction. Here, modern medicine and ancient Daoist medicine overlap. Daoist celibacy (usually bouts of 100-days) allows for the store of Nitric Oxide to naturally recover and function.

Modern medicines such as those mentioned above, prevent this celibacy from working in the traditional sense. Therefore, a modern Nitric Oxide supplement is often taken to counter the side-effects of modern medicine - and then celibacy can boost the system. Furthermore, if the lack of sexual vitality is age or environmentally related (not medicinal) - then a Nitric Oxide supplement will be helpful. Of course, modern TCM does recognise this reality - whilst also referring to Nitric Oxide as being a combination of qi and jing. It is all a matter of perspective.