I'll discuss folding this practice into
walking Tai Chi style in the next lesson.
You
can practice rooting at any time. Doing rooting when
you have achieved Central Equilibrium is an excellent way to make a
transition
to Standing Meditation or Zhang Zuahn. When doing the form, stop and
root at the beginning and end of a movement. Check yourself and your
alignment. Later you can stop during the movement as
many times as you wish to practice rooting.
Rooting serves
several purposes. When we are preparing
to play the form or doing standing meditation (Zhang Zuahn), we allow the heavy
chi (yin) to sink (sung) through the body and then to the center of the earth.
The "heavy" chi is experienced as tension, discomfort, blocks, or
pain. When the body is open and relaxed, when the mind is settled and clear, chi can flow freely. As well, when
deeply rooted, we have a stable base -- a firm place to stand. Mr. Lui said,
"Take root and bear fruit." Finally, there is a natural rebound when
heavy chi sinks, light or buoyant chi rises, yet maintains a solid connection
to the earth.
How do you do
this? Here are three methods.
Method 1. Just
notice or acknowledge the block, tension, or discomfort. Do nothing.
Simply allow it to be as it is.
Many times, this open acceptance allows it to change and sink.
Note: This can only be done without the expection or wish for change.
Simply allow what is there to be there.
Method 2. Become
aware of the shape of the tension, discomfort, or block. Notice its lower edge,
toward the earth. Then shift your
attention to the open space beneath it.
Have no intention to do anything.
Simply be aware of the open space.
Frequently the "heaviness" will sink into and past this open
space, moving downward in the body. Then
it will probably stop somewhere lower.
Keep repeating the process with what you find inside or outside.
Method 3. Bring your attention to the shape of the
tension, block, or heaviness. Then shift
your awareness to the empty space within which the tension appears. You might shift
your awareness between the shape of the tension, block or heaviness and the
empty space within which arises.
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