Sunday, June 21, 2009

Qigong Foundations

The wonderful experience of teaching Qigong is to observe how this amazing science and art intersects with so many people. The practice of Qigong can, at times, seem very complex; as it is a somatic (whole person) practice. Qigong can address the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of being Human. When first starting to learn this, we want it all, can’t wait to get the whole thing. Depending on the skills of our teachers, we may get bogged down with technical details or feel frustrated by the absence of explanations. Both detailed technique and an open exploration of the direct and personal experience need to be balanced to facilitate the student’s confidence and progress. In the world of print (internet and books) there is a lot of talk about Qigong. Many interesting points of view are expressed, which in actual, direct practice may not be different at all.

Here is a point of view from the Art of Human Being! A trinitarian cosmological model.

That which exists, but is non-manifest. (infinite possibility) (heaven)

That which is between, or both, the manifest and non-manifest. (energy) (human)

That which is manifest. (matter) (earth)

In the language of qigong, the human contains all three aspects, referred to as: Heaven, Human and Earth. These are localized within our bodies at the forehead or third eye, the heart area and the lower abdomen.

These definitions are strictly for the convenience of ‘talking about’. They do not really exist or apply; they merely seem to exist while we hold these concepts and play with qigong. Reality always mirrors back the experiences we project onto it. So… the highest levels of qigong can not be talked about. No qi, no intent, no form. The oldest qigong practices have carried this ‘truth’, embedded within the movements, as a gift from the Ancients; a communication that has transcended times and cultures.

As with any journey, even one which goes nowhere, we begin where we are standing, right now. We are told that a ‘good’ qigong practice harmonizes breath, movement and intention.

The breath brings in the qi from the surrounding universe, the movement stirs the energy within our body and the intent provides the benefits that we expect.

The breath – we can believe that qi is a breathable substance. Breathing is a kinesthetic experience bringing the outside in and the inside out. The breath is also an accurate indicator of how relaxed and open we are. It is easy to tell, by noticing the breath when someone falls asleep, even my cat has a sleeping breath, subtly different from her cat nap breath. Our breath reflects our state of being. With practice we can direct the physical experience of the breath into various parts of the body, eventually with precision. Just practicing the art of breathing can be a fulfilling life long pleasure.

Movement in qigong is a special vocabulary. Like myths and fables the postures of qigong have conveyed an ancient message of openness, balance and harmony within and without. Sometimes the movement is yang, strong and outgoing; other times it is yin, gentle and receptive. When qigong is used to ‘fix’ a problem, the intent to fix it and the prescribed movements have a primary influence on the targeted ‘problem’. This has led to a set of prescriptive qigong practices to treat a wide variety of human ailments, acute and chronic. As children, I’m sure we all marveled at how a stone thrown onto the glassy surface of a pond created ripples which spread out in all directions, sometimes echoing back from the banks. An exercise that’s good for ….. is like the ripples on the pond; they start at one point and spread out over the whole pond. Of course, practicing qigong with an open and joyful appreciation of Life not only relieves symptoms but sustains a body that adapts to and thrives in all conditions. Just practicing the art of moving can be a fulfilling life long pleasure.

Intention in qigong is usually expressed with the saying, ‘Where the mind leads, qi follows’. This is a many millennia old saying which modern quantum physicists seem to have discovered for themselves. Human focus / intention changes the observed. Expectations are reflected back to the expectant observer. One of my teachers emphatically reminded me, “You can’t think and feel at the same time”. This has been a key to the meditation practices. Most, if not all, our problems are the direct result of our thinking; that is, our thoughts, beliefs, words, dreams, concepts etc. Intention can be a double edged sword. We don’t always know right from wrong. There are many wise stories about how something or someone that seems broken or of little value ‘saves the day’ and is the held in high esteem. Because our intention is so connected to the non-manifest, we can sometimes do more harm than good, by trying to do good deeds while thinking harmful thoughts, as in a ‘do gooder’ constantly bashing ‘those others’. This obviously results in a perpetual bond. For those who practice qigong for health, the intent should be for the best health possible under current conditions. Qigong for well-being / peace of mind, the intent should be for the most cheerful attitude possible under current conditions.

We can not use intention to free ourselves of intention, or use will power to will away self centeredness; just as we can not succeed by trying or wanting to become an immortal. Our greatest intention should be to surrender unconditionally to the Tao, the natural way; and put that into action through a life expressing loving kindness.

Qigong, like the greatest treasures, is pure and simple, a delight to those near and far. Even on a dark and stormy day, the sun shines brightly, calmly above the clouds. Let our breath, movement and intentions dissolve all that hides the brightness within us, giving full expression to joyful gratitude and heartfelt appreciation, knowing that “ALL THAT IS, PURELY IS”.

These words are inspired by and dedicated to the Tao within everyone.

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