General Discussion on Static Practice
#Health-preserving ·2022-08-20 23:32:13
Static Qigong is an important component of Qigong therapy and is in opposition to dynamic Qigong. From the perspective of external form, static exercises are mainly characterized by sitting cross-legged, clasping hands, closing the mouth and lowering the eyes, and maintaining a still body. They are different from dynamic exercises like boxing that involve exerting force and stretching the limbs. Therefore, they are often referred to as sitting meditation exercises.
But sitting still in appearance is not true meditation. True meditation is to use the method of breathing and exhalation to guide the internal circulation of qi within the body and gradually return to its origin, to gather distractions and focus the mind, so as to deeply relax the body and mind and enter an inner state of emptiness and tranquility. Only in this way can the practical effects of calming the mind for health preservation and harmonizing qi and blood be achieved. In reality, many people have their minds wandering and their thoughts jumbling when they are sitting in meditation, and their minds are even more agitated than usual. Such meditation that merely imitates the appearance cannot be regarded as qualified meditation practice.
The theoretical system and practice methods of Jinggong are mainly divided into two major schools: Buddhism and Taoism. Under these two schools, there are numerous branches, each with its own strengths. This article does not delve deeply into the differences in academic theories among various schools. Instead, it draws on the strengths of many schools, integrates simple, feasible, practical and effective cultivation methods, and popularizes the application of health preservation for the general public. At the same time, it attaches classic classics for in-depth study and reference.
The Buddhist meditation practice classics, centered on the Chinese translations of "The Great Anapanasati Sutra", "The Tiantai Minor Samatha and Vipassana Method", and "The Great Samatha and Vipassana", are easy to understand and closely related to practical operations, without the need to delve into obscure and profound classics. The study of breathing exercises and breath control in Taoism can be found in the "Dongshen Section" of the "Daozang", which consists of twenty-one volumes from the "Jin" to "Ming" titles, and includes thirty-two ancient methods of breathing exercises and breath control. The content is detailed and it is an important reference for Taoist qigong health preservation.
The combination of movement and stillness is the core principle of Qigong health preservation. In health preservation and disease recovery, the combination of static and dynamic exercises can significantly enhance the effects of health care and healing. When practicing martial arts, one should follow the rule of gradual progress: beginners should start with dynamic exercises and then move on to static ones. They should begin with dynamic exercises to stretch the meridians and activate the blood and qi. After the body ADAPTS, they can gradually practice static exercises. As one's foundation deepens, gradually reduce the duration of dynamic exercises and increase the practice of static exercises. When the practice of Jing Gong becomes proficient and one can replace the external movement of the limbs with the transformation of internal qi, and achieve a stable state of tranquility and unity of the mind, one can gradually abandon the practice of external movement exercises and rely solely on Jing Gong to nourish the vital energy and harmonize the internal organs, thereby achieving the goals of strengthening the body, preventing and treating diseases.
When practicing Jinggong, in addition to abiding by the basic taboos of practice, one must also adhere to twelve core points:
- Have confidence in your heart: Firmly believe that Qigong can regulate diseases and nourish both the body and mind.
- Perseverance: Keep practicing for a long time and do not give up halfway just because the short-term effect is weak.
- Be willing to endure: When sitting still, it is inevitable to experience soreness in the waist and legs. Keep a calm mind and focus, and endure the physical discomfort.
- Practice everywhere: Integrate into daily life, practice breathing during breaks in life and work, and keep the practice inseparable from daily life.
- Know how to make choices: Distinguish the pros and cons of the exercises based on your own physical condition. Practice diligently if it is beneficial to your body and mind, and abandon it promptly if it is detrimental to your health.
- Facing the movement: The physical sensations such as heat, coolness, numbness, soreness and vibration that occur when the qi channels are flowing are all normal phenomena of the smooth flow of qi. Without deliberately pursuing, without having likes or dislikes, and without panic or fear, one can take it in stride, focus one's mind and concentrate on practicing, and then transform the flow of qi into an aid for nourishing the body and mind.
- Secret practice and keeping the mind in check: When practicing martial arts, focus on internal cultivation. If you have gained insights, there is no need to publicize them everywhere. When encountering confusion, only seek advice from professional teachers and elders to avoid external interference and hindering the progress of your practice.
- Correct posture: At the beginning of sitting in meditation, adjust your figure and relax your whole body. Avoid stiffness and tension.
- Legal breath regulation: Breathing should be natural and measured, with even inhalation and exhalation, achieving a state of harmony between spirit and qi, and a state of being both present and absent.
- Concentrate your mind: Gather your thoughts and focus on one thought. When practicing qi, the spirit and qi will be in harmony; when cultivating the pulse, the spirit and pulse will be in harmony. The body and mind will be integrated and become one.
- After sitting still, promptly massage and guide the body, rub the face and head, press the eyes and tap the teeth, move the shoulders and waist, stretch the limbs, and relieve the meridians throughout the body.
- Swallowing to nourish body fluids: The body fluids in the mouth represent the essence and energy of the entire body. They should be swallowed slowly and in several portions to nourish the internal organs.
The breathing guidance and static practice for health preservation in Buddhism and Taoism are largely similar in general and it is difficult to distinguish between them. The Taoist Qi-training rhymes are more rich and detailed. They can be regulated by meridians and practiced according to symptoms, with stronger practicality. Among them, the six-character rhymes from the "Supreme Jade Scroll True Classic" are the most exquisite. The six characters "he", "hu", "呬", "xi", "xu" and "chui" correspond to the regulation of various diseases of the five internal organs. This method has also been quoted and borrowed from Buddhist scriptures such as the tiantai School and the "Chan Paramita". Buddhism summarizes twelve breathing methods, which are in line with physiological and natural laws, but are more general than the Taoist methods.
In terms of the deep state of tranquility, the study of Buddhist meditation and right concentration is more profound and belongs to the advanced cultivation of the mind and nature, mostly practiced by practitioners. There is no need to delve deeply into daily health care and chronic disease management for the time being. In the future, its value may be explored through scientific research.
The most crucial core essence of practicing meditation is: Do not deliberately pursue the sensation of movement and touch. Do not easily believe the wrong saying that "great movement is better". Blindly pursuing abnormal physical movements can easily lead to disorder of qi movement and deviation in practice. The essence of static practice lies in purity and tranquility. At the beginning of the practice, it is based on the complete elimination of distractions and the peace of mind. In the advanced stage, the goal is to concentrate the mind and stabilize the qi, and return the qi to its origin. Random thoughts are deviating from the great way. Only by using stillness to control the qi and stability to control the qi can one practice safely and benefit for a long time.
Many practitioners are confused that the abnormal bodily sensations during meditation are real and hard to ignore. In fact, the key to practicing martial arts lies in maintaining a single focus: when cultivating qi, the mind is focused on breathing; when cultivating meridians, the mind is concentrated on the meridians, not allowing thoughts to be held back by various bodily sensations. Just like a person who is full, even if delicious food is in front of him, he will not have greed. Distractions and movements are the delicacies before one's eyes. Focusing on practicing is to keep one's true self. Over time, changes in the external environment will not disturb the inner peace.
From a physiological perspective, deep meditation is like sleeping soundly. The nervous system tends to relax, the body's perception naturally weakens, and the sensation of abnormal qi movement also fades accordingly. The deeper one enters a state of tranquility, the weaker the external touch becomes. This is precisely the true embodiment of using stillness to control movement and maintaining a peaceful mind and harmonious qi.
At the same time, the environment has a profound influence on the practice of meditation. The surrounding environment can affect consciousness and influence the flow of qi. In a quiet and secluded place, it is easier to concentrate the mind and quickly enter a state of tranquility. Since ancient times, spiritual practice has always emphasized "Dharma, wealth, companions, and place". Choosing a quiet, clean, and peaceful environment for practice is an indispensable and important condition for mastering the art of meditation.
Excerpted from: Zhou Qianchuan, "Qigong Medicinal Bait Therapy and Deviation Surgery for Treatment"