The experiment
One of our readers wrote and asked what Tai Chi had to do with mindfulness. The answer to that is a lot. There is a saying in Tai Chi that the Chi (energy) goes where the mind dwells. To prove that is a fact take a couple of minutes to carry out a little experiment. Turn your hand palm up. Gently focus in the centre of your palm, don’t strain. Keep a steady gaze on that point and try and feel it. You will find after a couple of minutes that the point of focus will become red and slightly warmer. It is simply that your mind is focused in that place and the energy and blood will move automatically towards it. In the same way when you are practising Tai Chi form (exercise) you should try to feel while you’re doing each technique.
Mindfulness and the Tai Chi exercise
it is unfortunate that because we are bombarded by information through all of our senses 24 hours, a day we become desensitised to what is really going on in our body, mind and around us. We quite often know what is going on “out there” but are completely unaware of what is going on “in here”. The media have turned us into stimulation junkies as it bombards us from morning till night with music, incessant talk, latest news and so on. Is it any wonder that depression, anxiety and stress are at all-time highs? We may have lots of gadgets and money in our pockets but have lost sight of who we really are. By simply turning our senses inwards for 20 or 30 minutes can bring us back in touch with ourselves and what we really need. As one famous psychologist said we are all sleep walking through life. It is extraordinary that we are given this chance to be whatever we want to be and yet so many of us choose the ordinary.
Tai Chi and the extraordinary power inside you
It is my belief that every human being is potentially extraordinary. That deep inside each one of us there is the capacity to be wise, strong and abundant. All we have to do is to clear the junk out of our heads and see what is really there already. By focusing your attention into the outside world you can get lost in it, but by turning in and seeing how strong and capable you really are we gain control over our environment. Phew this is getting heavy!!
Simply by doing your Tai Chi every day and feeling every move you gain this stillness that will ultimately set you free from your own limitations. Sounds simple doesn’t it? In the beginning it will not feel simple because you’re not used to doing, but was driving a car that easy in the beginning? It is simply a matter of doing it and allowing any frustration away.
Boredom and frustration the enemies of an enlightened mind.
As soon as your mind starts to quieten down your inner chatterbox (the ego) will start to tell you that you are bored, hungry, sleepy just about anything to stop you doing it. It is obviously the part of you that really does not want to change, after all change doesn’t come without a price. Persevere beyond the boredom and frustration don’t try and fight it, just do your Tai Chi and ignore it. Over time you will become calm, resourceful and healthy. Everything that you started Tai Chi for in the first place.
Stay healthy, be back soon.
John Hine
