Meditation with breathing.
How many people have heard when someone is ill -”its all in the mind”. Well that may be so, I’m not qualified to answer that- but if the mind can cause disease could it also cure it?
Qigong meditation includes two types of practises. First and most important ru jing (entering tranquillity). Means training the mind to be silently aware without any particular focus. Not thinking directly but just experiencing - ancient Daoist call this “fasting of the mind”.
Second kind of meditation is cun si healing, visualisation and concentration techniques. By visualisation, conscious production of positive mental images, rather than spontaneous or visionary states. Healing visualisation is therapeutic. It is claimed with every inhalation streams of healing energy flow to the affected parts.
Training in visualisation and volition- a sharpening awareness towards correcting of health problems by using the power of the mind.
According to Master Dr Liu Gui zhen .
1. Let go of troubles. 2. Have a relaxed spirit. 3. Prepare a tranquil quiet room, made simple for practise. 4. Make sure no illness can prevent good breathing. 5. Go to the loo. 6. Loosen clothes , don’t force breath; relax body and lightly close the eyes. 7. Sitting or lying posture
it is the minds intent which directs qi.
Inner nourishing Gong
Healing mind and body (seated or lying on back head propped, or lying on your side).
This is the most widely practised method in China. Because it is gentle, it can compliment all other Qigong therapies. It is said to strengthen all internal organs, reduce stress, and improve sleep and digestion. Used in China for a wide range of problems, indigestion, ulcers, constipation, asthma, rheumatism, heart disease, fatigue and other problems.
It was developed in Hebei Province at about the time of the Ming Dynasty 1360 -1644. At first a secret handed down from Master to Disciple, began to be openly taught about 1947.
Variation A. All of the breathing, both inhalation and exhalation, is through the nose. First spend a few minutes breathing in a relaxed natural fashion. Next, as you inhale, let the tip of the tongue touch the upper palate. At the same time, think, “I am” Then for a moment , gently hold breath, while thinking “calm and”, Now let the tongue rest in the lower jaw while exhaling and thinking, “relaxed” .
Continue to inhale, tongue up, “I am” Hold breath, “calm and ..” exhale, tongue down “relaxed.” You co-ordinate the phrase “I am calm and relaxed” with your breathing. Don’t force breathing or try to overinflate lungs.
As you improve over time, you can increase number of syllables (add your own) during the breath holding phrase. “I am”- breath in, hold breath -”sitting calm and”, Exhale tongue down “relaxed”. Or “I am” Hold breath “sitting calmly, body strong and” .. exhale “healthy”.
Variation B. If weak or breathing too difficult, breath only with nose or mouth slightly opened. This time breath held momentarily after exhalation, rather than after inhalation.
Try it.
Best wishes David
