I utilize the basic Daoist paradigm in my own personal training and in how I teach and work with students, clients, and friends. For simplification, this system divides our approach into three sections: Physical; Energetic; and Spiritual. Following the Daoist system, we first tend to our physical bodies which prepares them for developing our energetic bodies, which quite naturally leads to spiritual awareness. The "practice" is a system of working within these three domains, while at the same time transcending any concept of division or idea of separation. In effect, there is no real difference between physicality, energy, and spirituality. The only difference is in how we emphasize any particular aspect of practice. For instance there is a noticeable difference between lifting weights and sitting meditation, as a practice. However, in reality we can be internally silent and still, while still moving and challenging our bodies, and we can be physically still in sitting meditation while focused and aware of our bodies and posture. Indeed, the yogic and Shaolin traditions consider physicality a preparation for the stillness of meditation and the demands of sitting (or standing).
I will be writing separate entries to address each of these aspects of training and how they interact and blend into each other. As far as basic definitions, working with the physical body includes strength training, yoga-asana, Gongfu and Taiji form practice, Qigong practice, and walking (or running if one is so inclined, which I'm not). Working with the energetic body also includes Qigong, Gongfu, Taiji, and yoga-asana but also includes Neigong and the more esoteric practices of yoga such as pranayama, Kriyas, Kundalini yoga, and various approaches to sitting meditation.
As noted above, these practices lead to spiritual awareness, but talking and/or writing about that is tricky and always incomplete. For me, spirituality is the deep, holistic, integral life of the individual which includes the higher functioning of consciousness (awareness) and all aspects of personal and social being; in effect, all of our existence, including physical and mental health, social adjustability, and our relationship with our past and future, to the extent they actually affect and/or inform us. Actual spiritual "practice" is really nonexistent. There is no practice for who we really are. We are spiritual beings, always have been, and in fact can't be anything else. However, even for those of us who know this, words can't properly convey it. It is inevitably an ambiguous Truth. People are interested in spirituality because so many don't recognize their true nature as their attention is focused externally. To that end, there are practices that may help us redirect our attention. This is what most people refer to as "spiritual practice". I'm not really comfortable with this definition, but agree to use it provisionally if it helps people to find their version of Truth.
I will address each category in more depth over the next few weeks and then note how categories are in the end, misleading. Stay tuned.
I will be writing separate entries to address each of these aspects of training and how they interact and blend into each other. As far as basic definitions, working with the physical body includes strength training, yoga-asana, Gongfu and Taiji form practice, Qigong practice, and walking (or running if one is so inclined, which I'm not). Working with the energetic body also includes Qigong, Gongfu, Taiji, and yoga-asana but also includes Neigong and the more esoteric practices of yoga such as pranayama, Kriyas, Kundalini yoga, and various approaches to sitting meditation.
As noted above, these practices lead to spiritual awareness, but talking and/or writing about that is tricky and always incomplete. For me, spirituality is the deep, holistic, integral life of the individual which includes the higher functioning of consciousness (awareness) and all aspects of personal and social being; in effect, all of our existence, including physical and mental health, social adjustability, and our relationship with our past and future, to the extent they actually affect and/or inform us. Actual spiritual "practice" is really nonexistent. There is no practice for who we really are. We are spiritual beings, always have been, and in fact can't be anything else. However, even for those of us who know this, words can't properly convey it. It is inevitably an ambiguous Truth. People are interested in spirituality because so many don't recognize their true nature as their attention is focused externally. To that end, there are practices that may help us redirect our attention. This is what most people refer to as "spiritual practice". I'm not really comfortable with this definition, but agree to use it provisionally if it helps people to find their version of Truth.
I will address each category in more depth over the next few weeks and then note how categories are in the end, misleading. Stay tuned.
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