Standing Meditation – certification seminar with Shifu Niall O Floinn.
I’ve made those notes 5 years ago after experiencing
completely new sensations during standing meditation practice. I’m not saying
how or what one should do or feel in order to make this practice as close to
traditional teachings, rather offer another perspective on different stages of
development and changes to one’s perceptions. For me, standing meditation was characterised
by “milestones” – sometimes dramatic changes in conscious understanding of
practice and myself, other times changes in the body (accompanied by shifts in
perception). As far as my knowledge of literature doesn’t mention as dramatic
changes but rather natural, progressive unveiling along the way of the practice
(which is still the case for myself, I believe), it’s worth remembering that
they may happen. And whilst they do, maybe some of my blog entries will allow
others to open up to those changes to happen, trusting that they’re part of the
process rather than unwanted mistakes.
In early January the
weather doesn’t favour outdoor activities despite that I went for a short drive
towards Spiddal. Upon my arrival to the
harbour the wind has picked up greatly, waves battering the shore and stone
made harbour. Walking on its walls has prove sometimes challenging as the gusts
were powerful enough to put me out of balance, clinging close to the walls edge
I came down from the wall and went on the nearby beach to embrace elements. As
I walked I felt an urge to do little bit of Tai Chi; after all it is a perfect
spot for that! I started with the warm up, making sure I’ll do it up the tempo
to get myself warm while swinging the torso side to side with my arms loose I
used wind as my partner. Carrying on I went to do Peng Lu and Peng Lu Ji An and
that’s when I realize how the windy conditions offered a subtle resistance
making simulation of practicing with invisible opponent (or rather partner).
The words of Niall from few years back came to me as he explained how the movement
of Tai Chi resembles movement in the water. Your limbs in water feel light yet
moving them within it, requires some effort that when applied correctly makes
movement smooth and efficient. My stance had to be low in order to keep my balance
that has also offered me an extra heat. I’ve made many more repetitions as I
felt that wind could quickly cool me down. There was enough flat space to
perform Laojia so I got ready standing with my legs close together, initial
warm up has made them heavy as I’ve lifted left leg to start the form, that heaviness felt different than usual. In that moment I’ve changed my mind and
discontinued the form instead I went to do standing Zhan Zhuang. I think that standing is one of most difficult
part in Tai Chi practice as a beginner legs are getting wobbly just after few
minutes, same for the arms and the shoulders, shortly after starting they feel
tense and unpleasantly sore. In my practice I’ve avoided it as long as it was
possible after all it is easier to move,
the body will find the way to avoid pain when practicing the Form, making
the necessary adjustment without you even realizing it. Here in standing
everything is exposed, every weakness, tension, muscle imbalance, postural
compensations; you name it. Hence standing offers an easier opportunity to
notice for yourself and feel those “imbalances” and act on them. Just after starting my conscious mind wants
to be in control of the posture so I’m checking everything what I’ve learned so
far from Shifu Niall and Master Wang Haijun – feet shoulder width apart, knees
over the feet, loose hips and so on. Few minutes in and I started felling the
usual discomfort, mostly in the shoulders, some burning in the quads and few
other little twinges. Again my mind tried to react and fine tune to those by
slightly extending my arms further forward, bringing them closer again,
shifting my weight from outside of the feet to the middle and all the way
inside and so on. Nothing seemed to work so I just stud there with thought to
do it for as long as I can. Wind was ferocious and waves were breaking down
loudly on the rocks, my attention started to turn from inwards to outwards,
breathing became slower and deeper as weight grounded itself into the soft sand
underneath me. I allowed the natural flow to take over accepting the present
moment to be as it is with all the sensations coming from outside and inside.
Suddenly my body started to respond to this state of mind, I’ve noticed
spontaneous changes happening naturally without my control, it was as the body itself
knew how to find the optimal position.
My head sitting on top of the rib cage, arms comfortably extended in front of
me started to generate intense heat, no more pain in the shoulder, vertebras in
the spine felt like they opened up and
the space between them increased ever so slightly. Each breath felt like is
filling up my entire self, expanding every tissue. Everything seemed connected;
the dantian became warm and the qi energy flow become clear to me for a brief
moment until unexpectedly something disturbed my practice. I opened my eyes and saw two dogs playing joyfully
around me, one already sniffing my leg so I decided to pet him on the head in
case he’s taking me for a tree! I’ve
lost the tack of time but it was definitely the longest standing done by
me. It felt like all the work done so
far has been rewarded with this new experience. Since then I started to do
standing more often and noticed that it became easier not only for the body but
also for the mind to relax.
Adam
https://neurotao.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo.png00Adamhttps://neurotao.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo.pngAdam2019-02-27 12:24:512019-02-27 12:24:53Wu-ji zhuang – the practice of change through stillness.