meditations on the 10, part five: spirit rising

What makes a practice session uplifting, inspiring, and genuinely beneficial as compared to one that is somehow less than that?

For me, it is the inclusion of what we call Spirit. Indeed, it is to practice as if from our Spirit, as if our Spirit lead the way and our movements arose through inspiration rather than simple memorization.

I believe this is the supreme objective in training, regardless of our chosen discipline, as it is from this space that we authentically transform the quality of our present moment while concurrently gaining the other benefits of our practice.

While each of us will have a different way of expressing what “practicing with Spirit” means, I believe we all know when we are there or if something needs to shift to take us to this deeper place. Further, there is a kind of understanding and kinship we share with each other when this becomes our priority.

Practicing with Spirit leaves us feeling lighter and brighter than when we began. It reminds us of our higher nature and greater possibilities and it challenges us to bring more of ourselves into the rest of our lives as well.

As I ponder the 10 Important Points of YCF, I am reminded of this in the very first point: Empty Neck, Raise Spirit.* Here we are encouraged to allow the neck to be be relaxed and free from exertion so that the chi and blood can circulate easily and the Shen or “Spirit of Vitality” can reach to the top of the head. There is a sense of being gently suspended as if from the top of the back of the head while the arms, shoulders and torso relax easily.

In my practice, I have worked with Zhan Zhuang qigong quite extensively and return to it often as a reference point when considering deeper or new material. In ZZ, and by extension other qigong and Taiji practice, the first point of YCF is powerfully supported by centering first in the lower dantien.

This energetic and structural center lies a bit beneath and deep to the navel. It is our center of gravity and a key to moving from our core. I find that by settling attention on this center and relaxing into my alignment, there is a natural upward lengthening that also occurs. It passes through the middle dantien, then through the relaxed neck to the top of the head, and a “Spirit of Vitality” rises almost as if by it’s own accord.

We then have a sense of rooting deeply into the earth while simultaneously lengthening upwards. Our legs are strong and supportive while our arms and torso are relaxed and responsive.

Carrying this idea a little further, when our alignment is clear and relaxed and when our energy and our Spirit rises, we can expand this feeling through our will and attention. We can become more sensitive to movement that is authentic and spontaneous and uplifting. We can likewise feel a sense of good will directed to ourselves and to the world around us. A heartfelt smile will often arise and our surroundings will seem to join with us in our discipline. At this level we are sourcing our practice from a deep, authentic place within us.

Yes, it requires a LOT more attention to practice this way. Your sense of connection will likely click in and out, feeling disconnected sometimes and then reaching into new and deeper levels in others. But once we pass through basic choreography, this approach is ultimately far more fulfilling and effective and will speed us on our way to the kind of progress we truly desire.

Next: Moving From Center

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* Reference is to Sam Massich’s translation of the 10 Important Points of YCF