When Deniska left, Vera touched the area with her hand.
-I don't understand yet. So this is the Hara point?
-Yes, it is. The lower Dan Tian or Hara point.
-Okay, I'll concentrate and try. What's this area called?
Vera placed her palm above her solar plexus.
-According to the treatises on Taoist female alchemy, it's called the Qi Cave.
Ira placed her index finger on Vera's brow.
-Close your eyes and focus them on this point and two centimeters deep. This means you are making your spirit part of your being. Now mentally direct your gaze from this point to the Qi Cave. That's good. And now from here to the lower Dan Tian. It's easier to do this as you exhale. Let's start like this: take a slow breath and concentrate on the space between your eyebrows. Hold your breath, exhale slowly, and concentrate on the Qi Cave. Continue exhaling and directing the energy of the exhalation downward, and with the final exhalation, the energy is already in the Dan Tian.
-It's difficult. I feel the touch of the hand, but it's hard for me to concentrate.
-Next time, before starting the massage, you need to focus on the Qi Cave and only then begin the massage.
-And then?
-When the Qi breath descends, focus on it for one or two minutes. At this moment, an exchange of energy occurs between the two areas. After that, you keep your hands on your chest, breathe calmly, and direct the energy back to the Qi Cave. Then repeat.
-What happens in the body during this process?
-The treatises state that at this moment, an energy exchange occurs between the pure yang Qi from the center of the Qi Cave and the impure yin Qi from the lower Dan Tian. When the hot energy of the heart and the cold sexual energy mix, internal balance is established and the body's energy reserves increase. At this moment, the body rejuvenates.
-Iris, can you tell us a little more about this moment? Why is Qi called dirty? Is it something bad?
-No. There is nothing bad about it, but for some reason, books translate female sexual energy and call it dirty. In men, sexual energy is called Yang Jing. Now in more detail. At the end of the exchange between the Qi Cave and Dan Tian centers, you need to perform a closure. Closure means holding your breath when your energy is in Dan Tian. The books say that the longer you hold your breath, the faster and stronger the rejuvenating effect on the body will be. You should feel a ball of energy in this area. The perineal muscles and anus should be contracted. It is also indicated that in order to maintain a high concentration of Qi in this area, you should not go to the toilet for an hour. After these practices, all the organs inside the person are regenerated.
-This is difficult for me. I need to practice my breathing. I will try to do so.
-At first, it can be difficult to coordinate breathing and energy movement. The main thing is not to force yourself to breathe. As soon as your breathing becomes irregular, restore it. Once it becomes calm, start again. Breathing is considered the most important part of this practice. The breathing itself is called Perfect Breathing. You need to breathe like this for a long time.
-A long time? How long is that?
-That's what the books say. It is understood that this is individual. Perfect Breathing comes into Dan Tian and leaves it. The quote there is something like this: "For a long, long time, Perfect Breathing will come and go. Thus, breath by breath, exhalation by exhalation, the Original Spirit will grow. The Shen spirit and Qi breath will reach perfection. The perfect Yang beginning will be abundant and the 'riverbed' will dry up on its own". After that, a woman will stop aging.
-Oh, Irish. I would love to master this.
-I'll help you.
Ira did not continue. She saw that Vera had closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. At that moment, Vera was indeed imagining the movement of energy down, up, and back. Then she held her breath. Ira was nearby and did not distract her.
Deniska tried not to stay in the shower too long; he wanted to join his mother and Ira as soon as possible. When he entered the room after his shower, it was quiet. He heard soft voices outside the window. Almost immediately, his mother and Ira came in.
-Son, you're here already. Please close the curtains tightly, and then come join us so we can continue.
-Yes, Mom, I'll be right there.
Deniska went to the windows, while Vera and Ira lay down on the bed and continued their feminine practices. Vera lay in the same position, and Ira continued to caress her breasts through her nightgown with both hands. Vera opened her eyes and saw that Deniska was hesitating to approach them so as not to disturb them.
-Son, can you read a book on your bed? Ira and I are going to do some more exercises, and we have our secrets.
-Yes, of course, I'll read.
-Thank you, dear.
She sat down on her heels and took off her nightgown.
-Irina, I wanted to clarify, how long does it take to control the movement of energy down and up?
-The sources say different things about this. Some say simply 'a long time,' while others say 'a quarter of an hour.' Dulma said that it depends on the person's state of health. You yourself will feel the changes in your body.
-Irisha, what happens next?
-Next, it says that the tops of the breasts will shrink.
-How much? That's not attractive.
-I agree. But this is only mentioned in Chinese treatises on Taoism. It is in these treatises that such practices of self-improvement for women are described. As for Tibetan practices, I have not read about them and only know what Dulma told me, who was herself a practitioner and performed the practices she was taught in the monastery. She didn't mention anything about breast reduction. In Tibet, these teachings are considered particularly secret and are only passed on orally. There are differences between the Tibetan and Chinese interpretations of methods of self-improvement for women.
-How do they differ?
I would say that they are similar, but Tibetan practices are more comprehensive. They include mandatory physical and breathing exercises. Massage is used both as a therapeutic practice and for women's self-improvement. Chinese books on female alchemy mainly talk about massage and herbal remedies for rejuvenation, but say nothing about the physical exercises described in Indian Hatha Yoga. On the other hand, Chinese treatises describe the practice for women in more detail.
-It can be said that they complement each other.
-Yes, they do complement each other. There are practices that make the breasts fuller, and in this case, they protect the health of the woman and, if she is a mother, her kid. Many lines of transmission of secret knowledge are not published. As I mentioned, there is an oral tradition of passing them on from student to student.
Deniska was reading a book, but he was curious about what his mother and Ira were talking about, so he listened to their conversation.
-Ira, is a lines of transmission like a school?
-Yes, honey. Every school has a founder and traditions. For example, the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. It adheres to yogic traditions, that is, various physical, spiritual, and mental practices. The Kagyu school is known as a line of direct transmission of knowledge from the Dakini "whispered in the ear." This knowledge is tested in practice and only then passed on to students. The difference between this school and other schools is that it is based on the principle of learning from the empirical experience of teachers, which is based on hundreds of years of meditation, retreats, and various yogic practices.
-Ira, why will the tops of my breasts shrink?
-Son, did you hear everything?
-Mom, just a little. Not everything. If I can't stay, I'll go outside and get some air.
-Okay, stay. Please don't tell your friends anything.
-Mom, you know me. No way, never. It's a secret. I understand.
Vera didn't answer. She thought to herself, "Where would we be without Deniska? Where she is, he is." She looked up and said quietly to Ira.
-Ira, why are they getting smaller?
-Have you seen mine? Are they normal?
-Yes. Quite normal.
-I do physical exercises, massage, and breathing exercises. Just like I was taught.
-Are those the exercises we did this morning?
-Yes.
-Are they only for women?
-They are for everyone. The only differences are in their number and technique. For health, up to 50 times is enough. For women's and men's practices, the number is 100 and above. I do three sets of each exercise 100 times. It's all individual. The practitioner must listen to their body. The number increases gradually.
-Are these exercises also shown by the teacher to the student?
-Yes. At the same time, they are all available and described in books on Hatha Yoga and belong to the section on mudras and bandhas.
-I see. Oh, Irish, let's switch. I'm lying down and listening. Let me give you a massage. Tell me how to do it right.
They got out of bed. Deniska watched as they settled back in. Vera bent down and adjusted the pillow. Ira also bent down and pulled the sheet tight underneath the mattress. Their slender figures rose up, and Deniska could no longer concentrate on reading his book. He noted to himself that his mother and Ira did not pay any attention to him while they were getting dressed or undressed, and felt comfortable around him. While Ira and Vera were getting more comfortable, Deniska approached them and crouched down next to them.
-I'll start.
-Okay. It's not complicated.
Vera began to make circular movements. Deniska silently watched his mother's hands.
-Mom, can I try?
-Go ahead. Just be careful, don't press too hard, and only make circular movements.
-Yes, okay. That's what I wanted to do.
Deniska knelt down, pressed himself against his mother's side, and placed his hands on Ira's chest. He began to stroke and make circular movements. After a few minutes, Ira placed her hand on Deniska's hand. He stopped. Ira lay still. If you looked very closely, you could see that she was taking slow, long breaths in and out. Ira removed her hand. Vera whispered to Deniska.
-Continue.
Deniska continued again. It wasn't very comfortable to stand like that for a long time, so he removed his hands.
-My knees are stiff. Mom, take my place.
Vera nodded, placed her hands on Ira's knees, and continued the massage. Deniska sat down on the bed next to her and rubbed the skin on his knees.
-Well, that's it. We can finish now. When you massage every day, it becomes the most ordinary thing.
They got up.
-Mom, I wanted to ask you something. Did you check yourselves after the forest? I mean for ticks.
-No. We forgot. It's too late now, let's do it tomorrow.
-Okay.
-How are your knees?
-Fine. It's hard to stand. Mom, let's put the beds together. We can put the mattresses across or leave them like this. Then we can all lie down, get a massage, and our knees won't hurt.
-What about the nightstands?
-We'll remove them. I'll lie in the middle. You can lie on the edges or in any order. Your nightstands will be nearby. Oh, my nightstand is by the window.
-I suppose that's possible. Ira and I will consider it.
She ruffled his hair lightly. They decided to go to bed. Already lying in bed, Deniska remembered part of the conversation between his mother and Ira. He crawled over to his mother and whispered.
-Mom, can Ira tell me about your exercises? Then I can do them for you.
-I think so. If it doesn't involve certain feminine subtleties, then you can tell him. Ask Ira.
Deniska turned to Ira.
-Ira, are you asleep? Can I come over for ten minutes?
-I'm not asleep. What do you want?
-Tell me about your exercises. Mom doesn't mind, as long as it doesn't involve feminine subtleties.
-Come on, hop in.
Ira lifted the blanket, and Deniska climbed in and lay down next to her. She put her hand on his waist and gently pulled him closer.
-In women, vital energy is concentrated in the chest. This is where the energy center called the Qi Cave is located. The method itself is called "The Great Yin Principle that Purifies a Woman's Body." This yin principle, a woman's sexual energy, is located in the lower Dan Tian. There is an exchange of energy between the Yin energy and the Qi Cave. After that, the energy changes its properties. The Qi Cave is activated by massage. In other words, massage of a woman's chest, with the distribution of this energy and its exchange with the Dan Tian point, changes the quality of this energy and leads to internal changes in the body, which rejuvenates and heals the woman. In practice, breath control is used to enhance and enable these transformations.
-Iris, I'm listening too. You're not disturbing me.
-Okay. I've already told you almost everything. These exercises belong to the teachings passed down by the Dakinis in ancient times. In the 12th century, they were recorded on paper and found their way into ancient Chinese books as teachings on female alchemy.
-Do men have a Qi Cave?
-No. Energy activation in men occurs here.
Ira placed her palm on Deniska's mate.
-Men's practices start here.
-Iris, why is that? In boys, it is shifted downward.
-We are built differently. The main source of vitality in women is in the chest; this is their Qi Cave. When she massages them, she feels a surge of energy. In boys, the main source of vitality is in the male organ.
If he does not release his sexual energy in the form of semen, it must be transferred to the lower Dan Tian. It is also called the lower cinnabar field. When a boy performs male practices, he transfers his Yang Jing energy to the Dan Tian, where it is converted into Qi. Raising Qi along the front and back central meridians gives a surge of strength. I will show them to the honey later. The exercises are very important for his health.
-Okay, Ira. I want to try doing them. I understand that you and Mom did female practices today. Now I understand why. I will help you.
They talked a little more about women's practices. They confirmed again that they would get together in the morning for a run. Vera said that she had a few questions about the practice method itself, and she would ask Ira tomorrow, as it was already late today.
Waking up in the morning, Deniska stretched. He had slept well. Opening his eyes, he heard the soft voices of his mother and Ira. Not far from the beds, on the floor on a blanket, they sat on their heels, dressed in panties and white T-shirts. They tried to speak quietly so as not to wake Deniska.
-Mom, why aren't we running?
-Where's 'Good morning'?" No, son. It's drizzling outside.
-Good morning. I see.
-Should we check you right away, or will you run outside?
-Check?
-Yes. Ira and I checked ourselves. No ticks.
-Oh, I see. Then I'll go now.
Deniska, covering his buddy's excessive bulge with his hand, got dressed and ran out into the street. The weather was clearly not in their favor. It was relatively quiet and quite warm. It wasn't even drizzling, but raining steadily, and only the rustling of leaves from the raindrops made the silence hiss with the sound of "shh." Trying not to linger outside for too long, he ran into the house.
-Well, how is it out there? Is it raining?
-Yes, Mom. And how. It's getting heavier.
Vera got up from the floor and walked over to the bed.
-Get undressed and lie down. I'll examine you. It will make me feel better.
-Yes, I'll be right there.
He washed his face and hands, took a towel, and dried himself off. "More or less dry." He quickly made the bed and lay down on the top sheet. The pillow remained on the chair. Already lying down, he undressed.
-I'm ready.
Vera quickly examined him.
-Everything is fine. Join us on the mat. Ira and I are doing some very important exercises.
-With pleasure.
-Honey, sit here. And repeat after me.
Ira took charge of the exercises. Vera and Deniska did everything she showed them. They did all the exercises in 30 minutes.
-That's enough for now. In these exercises, or asanas, proper technique is important. The main thing is to hold your breath, and then control the muscles in the corresponding area of the body.
-Yes, I also think that's enough for today. Son, Ira and I will make breakfast.
-And I'll go to the horizontal bar. I'll put on my raincoat and do some exercises on the bar.
"Strength training is essential," he thought to himself. He did a few sets of push-ups on the bench. He attempted to do pull-ups, but was unsuccessful. His hands slipped, and he couldn't get a grip. While resting, he walked around the courtyard and looked into the most secluded places. And then, near the fence by the old bathhouse, he saw a pile of dirt. "That's what I need. I'll take some soil from here and put it under the horizontal bar." He kicked it with his feet. Under the clumps of dirt, he felt stones. It was old gravel, covered with soil and overgrown with grass. "Great. Even better." Satisfied that he had solved the problem of soil for the horizontal bar, he went into the house.
When Deniska came out, Ira and Vera started preparing food. Vera started cooking porridge and eggs. Ira started making a salad. The kettle was already whistling on the stove.
-Ira, yesterday Deniska suggested moving the beds together.
-Yes, I heard. I'm all for it. We sit on each other's beds anyway. And he wants to be closer to us.
-That's good. I thought he would disturb your rest.
-Verchik, why are you saying such things? We'll move the beds after breakfast today.
The door opened. Deniska came in.
-I was just about to come and get you. Son, my hands are full, so sit down at the table. Everything is ready.
While eating, they decided how to occupy themselves during the day. They had already decided on rearranging the beds. Vera asked Deniska to go to the hayloft and bring back everything that was left from their overnight stay. It might come in handy here. Ira suggested planting autumn flowers in front of the house, if it wasn't too late. There were some flowers left over from last year in the flower bed, but they could plant some more. Yevdokia Anisimovna might give them some seeds, or they could buy some from her. After clearing the table and washing the dishes, Vera and Ira got ready to go out for milk. They put on tracksuits and raincoats that Ira had sewn herself from transparent oilcloth.
-Well, let's try out my work.
She adjusted the hood and helped Vera put on the raincoat. Then they switched, and Vera held the raincoat while Ira put it on. They tied the raincoat with ribbons in several places. It looked very nice.
-We'll stop by Evdokia Anisimovna's, then go to the store. We won't be home for at least an hour and a half.
-Yes, Mom. I'm not going anywhere, I'll wait for you.
When they left, he brought bedspreads and a couple of blankets from the hayloft and put them all on the bed. He thought about what to do to occupy himself. The rain subsided at times, but then started again. It was useless to do anything near the crossbar. "The ground is wet, I'll just get myself dirty." After thinking about it, he decided to move the beds and nightstands himself. The floor was wooden, and the legs of the beds slid easily across it. It worked. It wasn't hard at all. The middle nightstand stood next to his nightstand by the window.
He didn't touch the mattresses. His lamp, which was in the center of the middle bed, remained in the middle, and the other two ended up slightly off-center, as the beds had shifted together. "I need to rehang it. It's inconvenient to turn on. I can't reach it." After fiddling around for about thirty minutes, he walked over to the door and looked at the result of his work. "Everything's fine. They're all level." Now the three lamps were back in the center above each bed. After putting everything away, he decided to light the stove. He pulled out the damper, laid out some paper and kindling, lit a match, and the fire quickly caught. Gradually adding branches and keeping the fire going, he put in the first large piece of split wood. The door from the street slammed. In the hallway, Vera and her mother took off their shoes and raincoats. Deniska got up and opened the door.
-That's good, because my hands are full. Hold my son.
Vera handed him her bag, and then Irina. Deniska hurried to take everything and carry it into the room.
-Fire.
Vera reached her hands deep into the stove, closer to the fire.
-Good, it's warm. Did we take long?
-No. I thought you'd be here any minute.
After putting away the groceries, Vera noticed the rearrangement.
-Oh, you've already rearranged everything? Wasn't it heavy?
-No, it wasn't hard. They're light. And the lamps too, see?
-Yes, I see. Okay, let's get this straight. Is my bed now the one closest to the window?
-Yes, and Irina's is also the one closest to the window. I put your nightstands next to them. I just didn't move anything else. I didn't know how.
-I see.
Vera walked over to her bed, sat down, and flopped back. Spreading her arms out to the sides and staring at the ceiling, she said that this wasn't so bad either. Ira also walked over to her side of the bed and lay down, dangling her legs over the edge.
-Son, have you been heating the stove for long?
-No. I just lit it before you arrived. It's been burning for about 15 minutes.
-Good, just don't overheat it. It's still drizzling. The sky is completely overcast. Irina, when do you think we should change the bedding?
-Let's get changed now and then we can get started. After lunch, we'll have a siesta.
After changing, they changed the beds. They put all the blankets from the hayloft underneath and the usual bedding on top. They didn't change the position of the mattresses. Satisfied that everything turned out very comfortably, they set about preparing food. They decided to make soup with millet. For the second course, they had buckwheat porridge with chicken and a salad of radishes and onions. For the third course, they made a drink from the leftover cherry jam that didn't fit in the jars. Deniska volunteered to peel the potatoes for the soup. Once he was done, he went outside. The sky was still overcast. The rain would stop, then start again with renewed force. It was easy to breathe freely. After sitting for a while on a bench under the roof of the well, he went into the house. "How's the stove? I need to throw some wood on it.
-Is it raining?
-Yes, it hasn't stopped. It's not heavy, but it looks like it will continue for a long time. And I really wanted to go for a run tomorrow.
-You can replace running with a special practice. I think it's more effective than running, and besides, it's magical.
-Magical?!
Deniska was already the center of attention.
-Ira, what is the magic behind it? Will you show us?
-Of course, I will. It's called Surya Namaskar. It's over 2,500 years old. Initially, it was used purely as a religious practice and was called Surya Narayana Puja. However, due to its exceptional benefits for human health, ordinary people began to practice it. Since the 17th century, it has gained many followers. In the 20th century, it was introduced into Indian schools as a compulsory practice and named Surya Namaskar.
-What does that mean?
-Greeting the Sun.
-Irish, so it's from Indian yoga?
-It is not mentioned in ancient yoga texts. It was practiced in Tibet, Burma, India, and possibly other countries. But it was in India that it gained recognition at the state level. It was researched and became mandatory for children from the age of 8 as an extremely beneficial practice. In the modern world, most yoga schools have included it in their asana complexes, combining it with breathing and meditation.
-Is it difficult?
-No. Let me show you. While the food is cooking, we still have ten minutes.
Ira came out and stood in front of the beds, facing Vera and Deniska. She freed her feet and remained barefoot. She raised her arms up, then bent over and reached her hands to the floor, and then performed the rest of the elements of this practice. She finished by raising her arms up again, then folded her palms in front of her chest and lowered them down.
-That's half of the exercise. The second half is exactly the same, but at the very beginning, after the bend, the right leg comes forward. It ends in exactly the same way. After that, we consider that we have completed the exercise once and done one Sun Salutation. It is very important to breathe correctly.
-Can I try?
-Yes, honey. Stand here, I'll guide you.
With Ira's help, Deniska did the whole exercise once.
-Actually, it's not that hard.
-I'll try too.
Vera approached them. Ira helped her do the exercise. She also succeeded.
-I wouldn't say it's easy. It makes you lose your breath. And I only feel my breath after the fourth floor when I climb the stairs to my apartment.
-How many times do you have to do it?
-108 greetings.
The food was ready, and they sat down at the table. During the meal, Deniska tried to ask Ira about Surya Namaskar again, but Vera stopped him.
-Son, let's eat. After lunch, we'll lie down, and Ira will tell us about it, and you can ask her questions.
With his mouth full, he nodded.
-Uh-huh. You're right.
Deniska was the first to finish his meal.
-It's okay, son, we'll clean up. You rest.
After thanking them for the meal, Deniska left the table and went outside into the yard. It wasn't raining, but the sky was still overcast. "It'll probably rain again. There will be lots of new mushrooms in the forest. I'll ask Ira to go mushroom picking, she's good at it," he thought. After wandering around in his mother's boots on the wet grass, he decided come back. There wasn't much to do here. He entered the room and saw his mother and Ira sitting on their beds, leaning on pillows and talking quietly about something.
-The rain has stopped. The sky is cloudy. Tomorrow, if it doesn't rain, we can try to go mushroom picking.
-Yes, that would be nice.
Everyone supported Deniska's idea. He turned off the stove. The firewood had already burned out, and he climbed onto the bed, settling himself in the center, leaning on a pillow and the back of the bed.
-Ira, tell us more about the Surya practice.
-What should I tell you?
Surya Namaskar practice: https://youtube.com/shorts/HQ6lr1Kmehc
-Why is it magical?
-The Surya practice consists of dynamic exercises accompanied by breathing and mantras. It's like a dance. Movement - inhale - mantra - movement - exhale - mantra. At the same time, the right and left hemispheres of the brain are synchronized when performing movements with the arms and legs and when reciting the mantra. The sounds of the mantras help certain areas of the brain that are responsible for the subconscious to start working.
If, at the moment of performing Surya, a person has a strong desire or utters a secret request, a transformation of that person's life begins, which realizes their secret desires and intentions. Desires are fulfilled. That is its magic.
-Are mantras like prayers?
-Almost. They are recited in Sanskrit. It is a very ancient language. Our ancestors spoke it. Mantras are based on sounds. They are produced when recited. These sounds have a resonant effect. We hear them and receive stimulation of certain areas of the brain through our hearing organs.
Denise listened. He was very interested. He didn't understand why, but as soon as Ira started talking, he always wanted to snuggle up to her. And now it was happening again. He felt his mate is grow, and he wanted to snuggle up to Ira again. "What if I lie down closer to Ira now? No. I have to wait until evening. Right now, it would be unnatural."
-Mantras, mantras. I remember you saying something about the monks from the monastery where Dulma lived.
-Yes. They used them there to heal and regenerate limbs.
-Iri, I understand. They used sound to affect certain areas of the brain, thereby stimulating them, and that's why regeneration occurred.
-Yes, that's right. That's what I told you. Specifically, mantras. Sometimes they used bowls. The bowls were selected or made for a specific person. A special monk did this in a separate, isolated room. The treatment consisted of the sound of vibrating bowls, which was produced when they were struck with a hammer, and mantras. In special cases, several monks chanted the mantras. Another important part of the treatment was eating large amounts of chura and dri.
Seeing that they did not understand, Ira explained.
-Chura and dri are cheese made from milk and the milk of female yaks.
-I see, but why don't European doctors know this? They could study it. How many people would be grateful to them.
-I don't know, Ver. I've thought about that too. I read that other ancient peoples, such as the Maya, also used this knowledge of regeneration. I don't know about the bowls, but they did chant mantras. I don't remember where, but I read that for healing purposes, the number of participants chanting the mantra could reach up to 100 people.
-So, it turns out that they knew more than our modern doctors?
-No, I don't think so. Maybe they knew more in certain areas.
There was silence. Vera and Deniska waited for Ira to continue. But Ira was lost in her own thoughts. Deniska reached out and took her hand. Ira covered his palm with her other hand, stroked it, and looked at him, breaking away from her thoughts.
-Ira, why does it have to be done 108 times?
-The number 108 is sacred in Buddhism, Hinduism, yoga, and Vedic culture. Many patterns are associated with this number. It is the key to understanding the entire universe. In Hinduism, it is believed that a person's life is divided into four periods of 27 years each. The first 27 years of life are spring, the second 27 years are summer, the third 27 years are autumn, and the last 27 years are winter. It is also believed that there are 108 names for the Sun. When performing Surya, the practitioner does 12 poses and recites a mantra for each pose.
Ira said that many peoples had their own names for the sun god.
For example, among the ancient Slavs, the sun god was named Ra. The god of the winter sun was named Khors, the spring sun was named Yarilo, the summer sun was named Dazhbog, and the autumn sun was named Svarog. Deniska's hand was still in her palm, and he liked this warm contact with Ira. He looked at his mother. She was also listening to Ira with interest. Deniska reached out with his left hand to his mother and found her hand. Her palm was also warm. He pulled her toward him. Vera looked at him, her eyes wide, as if asking, "What are you doing?" Deniska nodded toward Ira, as if inviting Vera to move closer to him. Vera placed her pillow next to Deniska's and lay down beside him. They both lay on their sides, facing Ira, and continued to listen to her. Vera hugged her son around the waist, and he happily pressed his mother's hand against his stomach. He pulled Irina's hand toward him as well. Ira immediately understood what he wanted from her. She moved closer to Deniska, and Vera reached out with her hand to her pillow and pulled it closer, right under her head. So they lay down closer to each other.
-What do these mantras say?
-Each mantra is a greeting to the Sun, glorifying and honoring it. The meaning is something like this: Glory to the Friend! Glory to the Shining One! Glory to the Sun! And so on, 12 times. The text of the other mantras is similar.
I would never have thought that the sun could influence a person and their destiny. From the school curriculum, I can only recall lines from Pushkin's "Bacchic Song":
You, holy sun, burn!
As this lamp fades
Before the clear dawn,
So false wisdom flickers and smolders
Before the immortal sun of the mind.
Long live the sun, let darkness disappear!
-Beautiful. We wrote essays on the subject. We could have chosen this topic.
-I also like Mayakovsky's:
Shine always,
Shine everywhere!
Until the last days of Donets.
Shine - and no nails!
That's my slogan - and the sun!
-Yes, that sounds great too.
Deniska really liked the poems now, although since childhood he had perceived them as a burden that had to be memorized. He also wanted to recite something.
-And here are the words from the song:
White snow, gray ice,
On cracked earth.
A patchwork quilt on it -
A city in a traffic loop.
And clouds float above the city,
Covering the light of heaven.
And above the city - yellow smoke,
The city is two thousand years old,
Lived under the light of the Star
Called the Sun...
-Yes, it's good. I like it too. It's the band Kino, I think?
-Yes. I like all their songs.
After that, Mom asked most of the questions, and Ira just answered. She said that the sun is the main source of energy for humans and that through the sun, humans connect to the source of the Creator. Regular practice gives a person both physical and mental well-being, which means that a person gains knowledge of the universe. Ira suddenly stopped talking. Deniska waited for her to continue. His eyes were closed. He had fallen asleep. Through his sleep, he sometimes heard Ira and his mother whispering. He listened and tried to make out the words and understand the meaning of what Ira was saying.
He imagined rays of sunlight shining through the branches of the trees by the lake, illuminating him. The number 108 was also visible against the backdrop of the trees. He saw Ira. "How beautiful she is without clothes," he thought. The visions were sweet, and this made him fall asleep even more deeply. Her whispering calmed him. Ira saw that Deniska had fallen asleep and switched to a whisper.
-Maybe we shouldn't talk. Another time, maybe?
-Iri, he won't hear us. We'll whisper, quietly, quietly.
Vera was, in fact, very interested. She considered herself well-read, but she was learning many things from Ira for the first time. They talked for a long time while Deniska slept.
-Ira, did you yourself turn to the Sun with a secret request? If you don't want to talk about it, don't, I understand.
-Yes. I started doing the exercises as soon as I learned about them. I had just started working at the time. I was living in a dormitory. It was simply impossible to get housing. People waited in line for 15 years. I turned to the Sun with a request to get housing. After that, my life changed dramatically. I moved to your city, and they gave me housing as a young specialist. I like my job. We became friends. And now, too, such a wonderful summer and vacation.
Vera reached out to Ira and shook her hand, which was holding Deniska's hand. It turned into a triple handshake. Vera didn't ask any more questions, and Ira didn't continue. Their drowsy state turned into sleep. They both fell asleep.
Vera opened her eyes. She didn't know how much time had passed. She carefully removed her hand. She didn't want to lie there anymore. She quietly got out of bed and went outside. The rain had completely stopped, and it was lighter than during the day. She looked up at the sky. The sun was setting in a clear, cloudless sky. "Tomorrow will be rain-free. Everything is fine in moderation. The air here is wonderful." She took a deep breath with pleasure.
Deniska opened his eyes and saw that Ira was lying in front of him and his hand was still in hers. She was holding it with both hands and sleeping. He gently pulled his hand toward him as best he could. Her hands were relaxed, and his hand slipped out of her grasp. Deniska looked at Ira. She was wearing a T-shirt and a light summer sundress over it, the shoulder straps of which had shifted slightly to the sides. The smooth chest line of the sundress was right in front of his eyes, and he could see her nipples protruding under the fabric. He really wanted to touch them. His heart began to beat faster. He made up his mind. Reaching out his hand, he timidly began to stroke Ira's nipples with his fingertips. Ira sighed deeply and opened her eyes.
-Are we all asleep?
-Yes, and I'm probably the first. Through my sleep, I heard you and Mom talking.
Deniska stopped stroking her nipples at first, but Ira didn't say anything, and he quietly continued. Ira closed her eyes again. They lay there for a while. Deniska bowed his head and reached with his lips to the nearest nipple and covered it with his lips. The fabric of her sundress and T-shirt got in the way, but he still gently squeezed it with his lips. Ira covered his head, stroking it with her palm.
-Honey, now is not the time.
-When will it be time?
-Before bedtime. If you can't sleep, you can sneak in.
-I won't sleep. Ira, remember you promised to show me how you're built? Can I look with my mom today?
-You haven't forgotten? I thought you'd already seen everything and weren't interested anymore.
Deniska understood that his wishes seemed very childish, but he was honest and straightforward.
-Interesting. I want it to be like last time. We looked at it together, and you explained it to me. And today my mom will tell me everything.
-I don't mind. I promised, so I'll keep my word. Will you keep yours?
-Not tell anyone?
-Yes. Not even my closest friend.
-I'll keep it. I swear.
-Give me your right hand.
Deniska raised his hand, and Ira placed her fingers behind his and squeezed. Deniska squeezed her hand too.
-Let this handshake be our oath to each other. We won't tell anyone anything, and we won't let it slip. I swear.
-I swear.
It turned out that when they clasped hands, Deniska moved even closer to Ira. They unclasped hands, and Deniska leaned over Ira, his lips very close to hers, and he kissed them. Ira hugged him around the shoulders and kissed him back. They lay there kissing.
-Honey, we have to get up. Where's Vera?
Ira rolled over to her side of the bed and got up. Deniska also got out of bed. His mate was very noticeable in his sweatpants, the thin fabric stretching under his weight. He tucked it in, trying to make it less noticeable. They went outside. Vera was walking near the well. She couldn't sit on the bench because it was wet. Although it was located under the roof of the well, the side rain had still flooded it.
-You're already awake. It's so nice in the house, the stove is warm and relaxing.
-I don't remember when I last slept during the day. I slept for a whole day ahead.
-And I'm here near the flower bed, assessing the amount of work. I soaked the seeds. I think we can plant them tomorrow. The ground is wet, and they should sprout. And then we'll water them.
Vera showed him the old flowers and suggested replanting them. And the new ones, to plant in a row. Ira supported her. Deniska left them with the flowers and went to the horizontal bar. The ground was still very wet, so he planned all the work for tomorrow. He did a few sets of bench presses, squats, and pull-ups.
He would have continued, but by the fourth set he had no strength left. "That's enough for today. The main thing is to do it every day and not skip any days." Ira and her mother appeared from around the corner of the house and approached him.
-Are you working out?
-I'm done. I did three sets of different exercises.
-Ver, will you push me up like last time?
Deniska and his mother sent Ira up. Ira enjoyed hanging there to her heart's content. Then she and Deniska helped Vera hang on the bar too. It was more difficult, but they managed.
-Oh, thank you, my dears. That's so nice. I didn't think I would like it. I'll go make something for dinner. Would you like pasta with butter and cheese?
-Sure, Mom.
Vera left.
-Ira, can you show me some defense techniques?
-Yes, I'll show you. My mom showed them to me, and she learned them from Dulma. When they lived with the Old Believers, Dulma taught self-defense techniques to all the children in the settlement. I don't know what style it is. I'll try to explain the basic principles. Stand sideways like this. Your right arm is at chin level in front, your left arm is slightly ahead and covers your solar plexus with your elbow. Now you have to identify your vulnerable areas that your opponent can attack. You block each area. A block is a tangential evasion of the strike vector and a simultaneous counterattack. The counterattack is needed to cause a slight shock, for example, to a drunk, and to strike a bandit. After that, the main strike is delivered. Is that clear?
-Yes. And the main strike? Is it also for a drunk and a bandit, can it be different?
-Yes. Look. You've been hit with the left hand. Your hand follows the forearm of the striking hand, and you move to the side, immediately striking with your right hand. For a drunk, you can strike the forehead or face with your palm. For a thug, these points on the neck. They are lethal, so you must understand what you are doing. When your opponent is already disoriented, deliver the third main blow with full force. Everything happens very quickly. If you deliver two precise blows, the third may not be necessary. But you must be ready to deliver it.
It was serious, and Deniska listened very attentively, repeating and asking questions.
-I remember. These three combinations are parry, dodge, counterattack, and the final decisive blow. Practice these movements every day. They must be performed automatically.
-Yes, I understand. I'll practice.
-Okay, honey. I'll go help Vera. Keep practicing.
After Ira left, Deniska began to work on the movements, dodging blows and imitating counterattacks. It turned into a shadow fight. "One — dodge and deflect the hand, two — counterattack, and three — the decisive blow." He practiced deflecting from the left and right. --I'll have to ask Ira how to deflect kicks.
-Deniska! Dinner's ready.
"It's Mom. I have to go".
-Coming.
The TV was on in the background during dinner. Vera and Ira wanted to watch an episode of Shadows Disappear at Noon, so they waited for the news to end. After eating first, Deniska went to the horizontal bar. He didn't do pull-ups after eating. He hung there and lifted his legs. "Let it be a light workout."
Vera and Ira quickly cleared the dishes and settled down on their beds to watch a movie.
-Is it just me, or is it hot in here?
Vera pinched her robe at the shoulders and began to lift and lower it, letting air in.
-Yes, it's a little hot. The stove is heating up the room. Take off your robe. I'll take mine off too. I'll just wear a T-shirt.
They undressed and remained in T-shirts and shorts. Putting pillows under their backs, they continued watching the series.
-Why did she go on a date with Zakhar? She loves Flora.
At that moment, Deniska came in and saw that his mother and Ira were completely absorbed in the TV. He walked past as quietly as possible and headed for the shower. Already in the shower, he remembered his conversation with Ira about her examination. "How is this all going to happen? What if Ira changes her mind? What if Mom is against it?" He caught himself thinking that he really wanted to see and touch inside Ira's mound. These desires made his mate rise, and it felt good inside. "Is this normal? If not, he'll just take Ira's hand and fall asleep like that. The warmth of her hand will be enough for me. I love her, and it's somewhere in my chest. In my heart? I don't know."
Another episode ended, and Vera and Ira got ready to take a shower. Vera took a towel.
-It's warm in the room after all. The stove heated it up nicely. It's not hot in a T-shirt. It's just right. Am I first?
-Go. The room is very comfortable. Ver, Deniska wants to examine me in the evening. I tried to talk him out of it, but not categorically. He wants to do it with you.
-He needs a mouse again. Well, what is this? He's already seen us everywhere, and now he wants more. What should we do with him?
-According to him, he wants you to tell him. We promised him, so he remembers that and is waiting.
-Yes, that's right. How about you?
-Since I promised, I have to. It's not difficult for me. It just so happens that Deniska is helping us out. Whatever you say, he's an assistant. I think we need to give him the feeling that he's in charge and that we rely on him. Let him develop. He needs help.
-I agree. Then after the massage. If you feel uncomfortable, just let me know and I'll stop right away.
-Verchik, okay. We'll manage.
-Iri, yesterday I was saying that there are a few things I don't understand.
-Yes, what exactly?
Vera sighed and was about to ask her question when she heard footsteps and Deniska entered the room.
-Will I be long?
-No, son. I'll go then. I'll ask my question later.
Vera went to take a shower. Deniska went outside and hung the towel up to dry. When he returned, he saw Ira sitting on the bed. Next to her lay a towel and a pile of folded clothes.
-Ira, would you like me to give you a massage? Mom will be in the shower for about 20 minutes.
-Sure. Do you want to?
-Yes, very much. I mean, not really. Yes, I just want to.
Deniska got confused with his words. He took the same position as his mother—half-sitting—and spread his legs so that Ira could lie down. Ira took her sweater and placed it between Deniska's legs. She covered her panties with a towel. Resting her head on the sweater, she looked up at him.
-I didn't crush you.
-No, it's fine.
Ira closed her eyes and froze. Deniska waited for Ira to tell him to start, but Ira remained silent. Deniska liked the view from above. The contours of her breasts were clearly visible under her T-shirt. The towel looked like a short skirt, behind which Ira's slender legs began. He didn't wait any longer and carefully placed his hands on her chest and covered it with his palms. Without touching her nipples, he began to caress her. His right hand stroked clockwise, his left hand counterclockwise. After about five minutes, Ira raised her hand and placed it on Deniska's hand. He froze. Ira lay calmly, and her breathing was deep and slow, as it seemed to Deniska. She removed her hand and placed it along her legs. Deniska continued. He changed the direction of his strokes. It became noticeable that her nipples were more clearly visible, their sharp tips sticking up, and the T-shirt above them rising. "How wonderful." Deniska counted five pauses while Ira breathed. While he was moving his hands, his mother came in. She was wrapped in a sheet that was twisted above her chest. She also had a towel on her head.
-You're getting a massage. Go ahead, I'll dry my hair more thoroughly.
She dried her hair with a towel.
-All done, honey. Thank you. It feels like a completely different kind of energy when you do it. The masculine energy of your hands has a different effect on me.
-Better or worse?
-Better. There's more of it. More energy. I can just feel this ball in my solar plexus." I went to take a shower.
Ira got up from the bed, took a towel and a change of clothes, and went to the shower. The sweater remained lying between Deniska's legs. His mate tensed up, but he just felt good.
-Yes, Ira, go ahead. We'll wait for you.
Ira left. Vera finished drying her hair.
-Mom, do you want us to give you a massage too? Or rather, I can do it. Lie down.
-I agree. Just a minute. Are we going to do it here or go to my bed?
-Yours. You go, and I'll crawl over.
Deniska crawled over the beds and settled at the head of his mother's bed. Placing a pillow under his back, he settled into a semi-sitting position. Vera walked along the windows and closed the curtains and drapes more tightly.
-Son, close your eyes. I'll get ready and let you know when you can come.
-Okay, I'm closing them.
Deniska closed his eyes. Vera went to the closet, unwrapped the sheet, and hung it on a chair. Vera put on a white open T-shirt to sleep in, and then she looked for something else on the closet shelf. And then she appeared from behind the door. He heard his mother come up to him and sit down on the bed.
Then he felt her lie down and her head rest on his sweater. He opened his eyes slightly and saw that his mother was covering herself to the waist with a sheet because she wasn't wearing any panties. He closed his eyes again and waited. Vera settled her head more comfortably on his sweater. She checked with her hand to make sure she wasn't pressing on Deniska's buddy.
-Open everything. I'm ready. We can start.
Denska opened his eyes. His mother was lying down and looking up at him. The sheet covered her below the waist. The white fabric of her T-shirt fit her breasts beautifully.
-Yes, Mom.
He completely repeated the technique he had used on Ira. He looked at his mother's nipples through the fabric. They, too, became more and more visible with each passing moment. The lamps hanging on the wall behind them illuminated them well. Their halos were wider and the nipples themselves were larger and not as sharp as Ira's. Deniska really wanted to squeeze them with his palms, but he couldn't do that. The massage technique did not allow it. It was clear that his mother was trying to breathe deeper and slower, as Ira had taught her, directing her energy to the lower Dan Tian. Deniska paused his movements at that moment. Seeing her breathing calmly again, he resumed moving his hands. When Ira came in, they made six stops and exchanged energy between two points — Dan Tian and Qi Cave. Vera opened her eyes.
-I think I really felt something just now. There was some kind of energy movement. The density inside me was changing.
-That's right, that's how it should be. The density decreases when the energy enters Dan Tian. I think it's because of Deniska's hands. What else?
-It was dense in the solar plexus, and then it went down and dispersed there. So, more energy is generated from Deniska's hands?
-Yes. Your reaction to them, your response to them, gives more energy.
Deniska raised his palms and looked at them. He felt their warmth. It was especially hot in the center of his palms.
To be continued.