Mind, Spirit and Energy; The Evolving States of Health & Wellness
It is sometimes difficult to track the circumstances that lead to illness or imbalances in the body. One would need to pay as much attention to themselves, situational changes and the many changing environments we move through, and then relate to build-ups and feelings of depletion as a basis for tracking how, when and why an imbalance occurred.
Simply said, “What happens to us externally, affects the balance of our internal states of health”. The question is; Can we be
aware of ourselves ongoing and the changes that are happening simultaneously on the inside and outside?MIND/HEART- In light of how words, thoughts and actions affect us, we can begin to see that a “positive “ thought brings about a “positive” feeling, a feeling of harmony that affects the “Spirit” or morale or our cells at that moment. We can also relate to a change in our own energy, much like a “positive charge” is experienced in our energetic feeling or “field”. This can be related to as “supporting or up-lifting” in a general way. The inverse is also true about “negative thoughts or emotions” and its effects on our Spirit or morale, that the impact of strong negativity, built-up pressures and energetic charges that relate to depletion are the starting points for illness, seasonal imbalances and loss of awareness, leading to injuries. As we learn to diagnose our feelings/conditions, we may find a “store-house” of past patterns, past injuries/traumas and/or habits that also are in need of attention.
The slowing and stillness aspects of Tai Chi/QiGong give the ability to recognize the past, latent and hidden blockages, dysfunctional patterns....and the the ability to correct imbalances through self-experience, reflection & in-sights. Learning, development and common sense are natural by-products.
Spirit- When the spirit (shen) is “up”, the cells of the body know only resilience, a type of “flexible-strength”....and adapt without doubt to any and all changing conditions. Spirit and heart/mind (the “YI” or the intention of adapting to change) govern energy (Qi). Intention and energy become united and support shen (spirit), so the internal systems are self-governing, self-supporting and inter-related. When separations interfere, we may begin with these basic understanding of their relationships and what is “off-line” or temporarily separated. It is basic and necessary to understand the nature of mind/body/spirit relationships in order to enter into internal inter-action and adjustment therapies. Tai Chi/QiGong allow us access to calibrate and re-configure our internal settings. This is an understanding that monitors any and all changes with-in the circulation systems and corrects arrhythmic anomalies; much like you might recognize that your car may be running a bit rough and need a tune-up. The “spirit”” or morale of the unified cellular-body must be “up”, and be void of doubt and hesitation, in order to take on the extra effort it takes to tune-up the imbalanced areas,therefore, prevention of illness is a state of pro-active knowledge and skills set built from life-experience and “spirit-strength”. This may be translated as the will to persevere.
Releasing the past, untangling ourselves from our fears and illusions, allows our spirit to live in the present moment, unfettered by past or future concerns.....This is where change or “potential” is occurring, where “spiritual morale” is used to “break-through and/or create”, and where, “that which manifests”, and adaptation, happen naturally.
Energy- Energy pulses in a dormant-ever-moving-potential, ever-changing, fluxing, moving state, affected by even the slightest direction/suggestion. Intention (Yi) of thought/feeling, action or word is the spark.....Energy follows intention and our spirit (shen) brings the quality.....half-hearted intention brings about half-hearted potential or vice versa.
These three “treasures” are known as:
Jing (inner “Yi”, or what motivates), Chi (subtle substance or primal original Energy) and Shen (spirit or the morale of manifestation). Chi and Jing are often misunderstood as both are translated as “energy” but with notable distinctions;
- Qi can be considered as energy that ALL THINGS are a part of, made from, and as such, the “composite substance of potential”, of any and all manifestations...and as such, is considered the primal original source of both the material and ethereal worlds; what we can touch, taste, smell, hear and see....as well as what is subtle, suggested or implied....an example might be; the knowing/feeling that comes with the change of seasons. We see the response/reactions to the changes all around us but cannot “put our hands on” a material substance called “seasonal change”.
- Jing is also energy and made up of Qi, but comes from inside the body and with direction or intention connected to it. It is a shared communication (cells in agreement) that taps into primal original source energy and is unified and expanded into “momentum with intention”. Jing is “more specific”, more directed and in motion, but still has all the mutable qualities of original Qi and can adapt to any and all changes as long as there is cellular agreement.
This is really fundamental and rudimentary but no less valuable because it is basic....and we all know basic building blocks are the foundations of higher development. We could even say that this most basic information is the root of life itself and is the crux of adapting, timely considerations and harmony and rhythm with life and constant change.
Is it so hard to understand that illness and injury prevention, and health and wellness, start with relating to our inner states and conditions, and shifting in accord to external changes & influences?
I believe this is why my teacher gave me the life calligraphy: “Inside & Outside become the same”........