Buddha’s Triangle: A Simple Practice For Calming The Mind And Opening The Heart

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In Qigong, healing does not begin by fixing what is broken. It begins by remembering what is already whole.

Every practice invites us to return to our original nature — a place where breath, body, and spirit move together in harmony. As we slow down, our awareness deepens, and we begin to sense the subtle current of qi flowing through us. We discover that true healing is less about doing and more about listening.

One of my favorite ways to begin a Qigong practice is through a simple acupressure meditation known as Buddha’s Triangle. This gentle practice combines three acupuncture points on the wrist that invite us to settle the mind, soften the heart, and prepare the body to receive qi.

While these points come from the rich tradition of Chinese medicine, I experience them as doorways into presence. When combined with breath and mindful awareness, they become a beautiful bridge into Qigong.

The Three Points Of Buddha’s Triangle

Begin with gently stimulating these three points on one wrist and then the other.

Heart 7 (HT7) – Shenmen | “Spirit Gate”

• Located on the little finger side of the wrist crease.
• Invites the mind to become quiet and the heart to soften.
• Traditionally associated with calming the Shen (spirit).

Pericardium 6 (PC6) – Neiguan | “Inner Pass”

• Located approximately two finger-widths (2 cun) toward the elbow from the wrist crease, between the two tendons.
• Often experienced as the gateway between the emotional heart and the physical body.
• Encourages emotional balance, inner safety, and openness.

Lung 9 (LU9) – Taiyuan | “Great Abyss”

• Located on the thumb side of the wrist crease.
• Connects us to the wisdom of the breath.
• Invites us to receive fresh qi and gently let go of what no longer serves us.

Together these three points form what many practitioners affectionately call Buddha’s Triangle — a simple practice that harmonizes breath, awareness, and the heart.

Calming The Mind Through Breath And Touch

Many of us live with a nervous system that is constantly on alert. We move quickly from one responsibility to the next, often carrying worry, grief, self-judgment, or emotional exhaustion without realizing how deeply these experiences affect our body and spirit.

Qigong offers another possibility. Rather than trying to silence the mind, we learn to become present with it. Rather than resisting our emotions, we create enough space for them to move.

When we combine conscious breathing with gentle touch on Buddha’s Triangle, something subtle begins to change. The breath slows. The shoulders soften. The jaw releases. Awareness gradually shifts away from the endless stream of thoughts and returns to the body.

As the ancient Qigong teaching reminds us: “Where the mind goes, qi follows.”

A Five-Minute Heart-Centered Practice

Sit comfortably with your feet resting on Earth. Close your eyes if that feels comfortable. Allow your breathing to become slow and effortless.

Beginning with Heart 7, gently massage or hold the point for about one minute.

Move to Pericardium 6, allowing your breath to soften any tension you notice.

Finish with Lung 9, imagining each inhale nourishing your spirit and each exhale releasing what no longer needs to be carried.

Repeat on the opposite wrist.

Finally, gently rub both triangles together generating some heat, then cross them over each other and place both hands over your heart. Sit quietly for several breaths.

Do not ask yourself, “How do I fix this?”

Instead ask, “What is my heart quietly asking me to remember today?”

Listen without expectation. The answer may not arrive as words. It may arrive as a feeling. A breath. A sense of spaciousness. Or simply the experience of being fully present.

Perhaps that is where healing begins.

Francine Ang is a Qigong and restorative Yoga teacher, healer, and spiritual practitioner, who integrates Chinese Five Element theory, Taoist philosophy, and Buddhist teachings into her work. Her approach weaves movement, breath, meditation, and energy awareness to support greater balance, embodiment, and inner stillness through classes, workshops, retreats, and healing sessions. Visit www.francineang.com. 

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