Gee, Think.

I’ve recently started reading “Awaken Healing Light of the Tao” by Mantak Chia.

What a wonderful book. I really enjoy the discussion of Chi that extends over the first 50-70 pages. Chia goes into great detail explaining the Taoist theories of the universal energy (known as Chi), its role in the cosmos, as well as our individual well-being and health. I am personally drawn to the idea that we are all connected, and I think the explanation of that theory here is beautiful. This book would be great for anyone who wants to get a better understanding of the concept of Chi, which is often heard in relation to the martial arts. However the idea of Chi is applied to many more circumstances and situations.

The first exercise in Chi flow mentioned in the book is the Inner Smile. I have only attempted this exercise twice. I am a novice in the general practice of meditation. My only other experience with meditative practice is the Chut Gum Moon (7 Golden Passages) of Hung Ga, and Jam Jong (Zhan Zhuang). I think that these practices have helped to prepare me for the Inner Smile meditation, but that I still have a long way to go. Basically, the Inner Smile consists of drawing positive energy into your body, and systematically focusing it on various internal organs. In the Taoist theory, each organ is associated with specific character virtues and emotional states. The goal of the meditation, as I understand it, is to bring positive energy into your body in order to make your own virtues stronger and positive emotions more abundant.

Both times that I attempted this practice I did go through my day with much more positive energy. I think that it had a great affect on my emotional disposition. I felt more relaxed, happy, and able to deal with the hustle and bustle of my daily life. Specifically I was much more at peace during my commute to and from NYC. I hope to make the Inner Smile a frequent part of my meditative pratice. Maybe with time, I will feel the effects grow stronger.

So I have taken it upon myself to study Mindfulness.  This is the teaching of the Buddha.  In a time where I feel that my life has become too hectic I feel that mental training is in order.  So far I am in the information gathering and beginning application stage.  I’ve read a book and a bit more on the topic so this is still very early for me yet.  My goal is to apply these simple techniques to my everyday life in order to make better use of my time by being more effective.  I would rather work 8 hours efficiently than 10 hours in a disorganized manner.  This is my effort to improve my professional skills, but also my attentiveness to all aspects of my life.

A funny anecdote:

One day last week, while reading “The Heart of Buddhist Meditation”   I left my umbrella on the PATH train.  Whoops.  I guess I could really learn a thing or two about it!  However I was reading Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness  and in the introduction the author describes an incident where one of his students was reading his first book “Mindfulness in Plain English” while crossing the street, and was subsequently hit by a car!!  At least my little lesson in mindfulness was not one inducing misery!

I look forward to understanding more about the concepts of Bare Attention and Clear Understanding.  I plan to put into practice Mindfulness of Breathing as often as I can.