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Thanks for your comments. I agree that Bruce is leading all down a path to basic meditation. However, some of the participants have extensive background that cannot be simply tossed aside.
When I breathe for any martial arts form, I naturally put the tip of my tongue on the yin/yang point above the front teeth and breathe slowly and deeply. Being relaxed also encourages saliva to flow, a natural body function, that must be considered and dealt with. I tend to not fractionalize the liquid, but do tend to direct it to the dan tien. I just offered the other practice for those who wish to explore further. I did learn this technique from one who has studied extensively in China from the age of seven, but unfortunately is no longer providing student instruction. I offer this for others who may experience the flow of saliva and wonder what to do.
Thanks,
RobertHi Steve,
I think I’m with you on some of your discussion. I have done some breathing before, so counting is really secondary and occurs when I have this intent. Otherwise, I’m focussed on the breathing process and noticing what happens when I inhale and exhale while somewhat attempting to make the breathing process similar each time. I also attempt to make the process smooth, which it often is not, but progress is being made.
I hope to integrate this into my practice/teaching of tai chi and baqua to allow more natural movement without force.
BobHi,
I just joined the Taoist Meditation Circle in an attempt to get deeper into meditation and practice. I live on the Olympic Peninsula and have studied, practiced and taught for over 25 years. I am currently teaching Tai Chi, spending some time with Bagua and reviewing some of the weapons forms and Wudan martial arts. I have no problem relaxing or letting the mind float and observe my body and conditions. I do hope that the meditation practice goes deeper into what to expect and how to approach mental awareness. The one positive comment is to provide for a regular time and space for meditation.
I have also been intrigued by the possibilities of deep meditation practice. Several years ago, Dr. John Painter offered a class in meditation that I could not commit the time to take. He did offer to teach some of the more esoteric subjects like being able to levitate and to appear in two places at the same time. I don’t know where Bruce is going with this circle, likely not to those places, but perhaps to lay the groundwork to achieving some deeper insights.Since you live in Eugene, you might want to look up Solala Towler, who is the editor/publisher of The Empty Vessel, a journal of contemporary Taoism. He resides in Eugene and has many resources for possibly expanding your horizons. I have subscribed to his journal for several years and they have provided to me several insights into Taoism as well as Tai Chi and related martial arts.
