Fu-Pow
I know you probably hate my posts but if you dont mind me trying to clarrify it all up for you.
First of all, there are two disctinct sections of what we call internal. And you have pin-pointed both quite clearly. What is the mechanical side of it, and the other is the subtler meridian body system. Although on the surface, they suffer from duality, in fact they are closely connected and not so different.
Let me begin by looking at the so called “internal”.
One that believes that “internal” refers to some psychic, philosophical, meditative or spiritual aspect. In this sense any martial art including karate could be “internal.” If I focus my whole intention on what I’m doing and really “get into” what I’m doing then under this definition any art can be “internal”. For that matter ANY activity can be “internal.”
This statement is in fact incredibly true and you have my utmost respect for saying this. In the very fact, when the teachers told us to pay attention to what we are doing, even in everyday life, it is training the mind in awareness and mindfulness. This way, our every movement, every moment becomes a state of heightened awareness and meditation. This heightened moment of intention is called “samadhi” and the closest translation I know of in chinese is “Yi”. During such a state, two fundamental times no longer exists, and that is of the future and the past, the mind is not scattered and the mindfulness of the abosulte present makes themind focussed without effort, this is important. I find certain teachers do not emphasise enough that focus is not a “desperate craving to feel”, far from it. Focus, is a “merging with”. Such as when I say focus on your palms, I am not saying, try hard as you might to “feel” your palm, but simply place your attention patiently, slowly and peacefully at your palm. When the mind becomes less and less distracted by external influences and coarser sensations, eventually, one will find the palm is simoply scattered with energy.
If one is able to maintain this heightened state of awareness, the practitioner eventually discovers the very awareness becomes attached to fluidity in the body. I avoid the word internal here because I do not want to confuse wth the subject. Some call it internal winds, but call it whatever you want.
The other camp sees “internal” as a merely a different kind of body mechanic than “external arts”. A “dynamic self stretching” excercise. One that depends on spiral movements, both in the arms and in the torso. Its goal is to create a springy type of energy different than the stiff energy of the “external arts.” You are essentially making your body into a spring.
This too is true, and as you clearly stated, different. Of course, it has somethign to do with Chi, for without Chi, you wouldnt be able to move to execute anything, but yes they are in essence different. At least at his course level.
For example, from our metaphysical standpoint we think of the spirit residing in the head when the ancient Chinese saw it as residing in the center of the body near the heart.
As a human being, the indestructable elements are locked in the heart center by a knotted central psychic nerve. This center branches into 8 petals which further extend into the rest of the bodies meridians. This energy center located between the center of your two nipples and about 3/4 ways back to your back in front of your spine. It is not to be mistaken by the Dan-Tien which is about 3-4 finger widths for a male below the navel (1 for a female), and about 3/4 ways towards the back of the body in front of the spine. This “wheel” has 64 petals, at which its utmost, importance is where the “mother” element resides, and where the two breathe channels end up twisting back into the central nerve. Hence, in Chi-Gung, the first lesson is to breathe into your Dan-tien, and discover this energy center.
This is where you mentioned the “waist”.
The classics are made more confusing by references to Chinese medical theories
The reason for this correlation is that when ones mind has become impure, two things happens. The wind is scattered and dispursed, nerves become blocked. Secondly, the most important energy center becomes cluttered and less blissful. Therefore, the connection between physical sicknesses and spiritual wisdom holds so strongly, in all meditative arts.
When ones blockages becomes riped, one manifests as a sickness, an energy imbalance. Death of course, is the ultimate result, and at this time, payment in terms of suffering, and pain, is exchanged for the release of the indestructable drops.
Of course, I wouldn’t say to you, if you broke your arm, go see a Western doctor or eastern doctor, the eastern doctor might not be able to put your bones together the way they were once before. It should all be a matter of worldly wisdom too. But this is beyond this topic, and I trust most people here know this quite clearly.
Internal arts are not mystical. Much of what seems mystical is really just another way of moving. They don’t require any belief in anything that is other worldly. Meditation may be a key to body awareness but please don’t believe that it will allow you to shoot “laser beams” out of your palms
This is the center of your discussion. It is definitely not mystical, but there is a reason when sifu says, practise patiently, and do not be distracted. Let the mind carry the movement, as the movement is the mind. You are really moving what I have been calling “wind” around your body. By merging your mind iwith your hand or legs or whatever, you are moving away from duality and enhancing the control of the winds. Winds are less scattered and the mind heals and becomes instantly more peaceful. Your concentration improves. Everntually your arms become to filled with energy winds, they seem to move on their own as your mind’s intent is. More significantly, you feel strong, indestructable and instantantenously able to transofrm your movements without muscular strain. This is the movement and control of your energy winds.
It is simple, very simple yet so difficult to achieve. Those who have achieve it, show signs of humbleness, more often than not will not talk more than is required (like I am doing here) and will do much to help others without anything in return. They willl value all life forms with kindness and may hit your head for the sake of your progress not for the sake of their anger.
You mentioned that you think that many practitioners of TaiJi should learni Chinese. My personal opinion is that many practitioners of Tai-ji should find a good teacher, and once he does, leave all concepts behind and practise emptiness. Without emptiness, and doubt, craving and hate, the winds will be scattered, and the mind unblissful.
sorry my explanation is long winded and unclear, I do hope it helps you a little.
