Yin-Yang-Yoga

Tag: meditation

  • 2026 = 1

    In accordance with basic numerological principles, 2026 is a year of 1.
    Numerology, in its most basic use-case, entails reducing numbers (as well as words through alphabetic correlations with numbers) down to a single integer.  

    2+0+2+6 = 10
    20+26 = 46 and 4+6 = 10
    202+6 = 208 and 2+0+8 = 10
    and of course, 1+0 = 1

    I don't claim any meaningful expertise on the subject, though I do pay it ample attention in my daily life.  As often as not, when I see a double-digit figure my brain will run the math to reduce it to its single-digit form.  

    Although there are different systems and traditions, and thus some variation and surely contentiousness about what is correct or useful, the system I was initially introduced to numbers the alphabet as follows:

    1 - A/J/S
    2 - B/K/T
    3 - C/L/U
    4 - D/M/V
    5 - E/N/W
    6 - F/O/X
    7 - G/P/Y
    8 - H/Q/Z
    9 - I/R

    1 is, naturally, an energy of initiatory impulse.  The energy of beginnings, of individuality, of the monadic principle. 
    2 is the energy of Taiji, or the Grand Duality.  There is counter-balance here, and contrast, as well as relativity and partnership.
    3 is an energy of dynamism.  It is Mercurial, in a meaningful sense, and suggests flow as well as integrity given that triangles are notoriously sturdy.
    4 is a stable energy.  It indicates structure and form, or manifestation but can also signify stubborn rigidity or obstruction.
    5 is an energy of change.  The WuXing philosophy nods to this, describing "Five Phases"; there is instability and unfolding.
    6 is an energy of responsiveness.  From the constant of change there are endless choices to be made, hence the basic Existentialist crisis of Being.
    7 is a progressive energy.  The necessary follow-through and will-power to make good on decisions and choices is represented here.
    8 is an energy of cycles.  Karmic law, repetition, discipline or dedication, action and reaction; the inertia of circulation around the infinity-loop.
    9 is the energy of completion or fulfillment.  The end of the cycle, the final form, fruit falling from the vine; an ending which begets new beginnings.

    It can be quite compelling to reflect on previous years which carried the numerological resonance of 1, noting if any themes or patterns emerge.

    1945, 1954, 1963, 1972, 1981, 1990, 1999, 2008, 2017, 2026, 2035, 2044
    are all examples of years which carry the resonance of 1.

  • 13 Minute Gong Meditation


    Mercury has relinquished its retrograde charade, and is beginning to return to its typical pace and trajectory across the night sky.
    Here is a 13 minute gong meditation, featuring the Mercury gong by Paiste.

    The beginning features alternating Flam, which gradually get pulled apart, transforming into a single-stroke roll and approximating a tempo purported to be common for Shamanic drumming practices.  This gives way to groupings of 4, akin to a Flam-Accent, before giving way to sparse Flam in closing.

    With switch of mallets, the playing centers around groupings of 5 and 3.
    The right hand carries the groupings of 5, but alternates between a rapid expression and a more relaxed pace.  The left hand performs the groupings of 3, which remain at a fairly consistent and even pace of expression.

    Lastly, the big mallets come out, and simple alternating strikes are featured.  The audio clips quite harshly through this phase, starting just before the 10:00 mark, so you'd be well in your rational-mind to forego this part of the video.

  • The Practice: A Poem

    WUJI: NO-Polarity
    To Know Taiji, one must practice Wuji…
    Be Still and Quiet…
    Observe EVERYTHING happening around you…
    Now shift ALL of that focus to just yourSelf…

    Notice any undue Effort or Tension…give it to Gravity instead…
    Notice your BReath…Notice your Breath…Notice the Motion…
    Notice the RHYTHM…
    Notice the Pace…
    Relax and just let it happen
    This Is;
    The Practice

  • Living The Path

    On the spiritual Path, every single moment is part of your Practice.

    Whatever you are doing right now, is what you are Practicing.

    What are you Practicing right now?

    In our Wednesday AM TaiChi class, we discussed the importance of practicing outside of class, even if it is something very small or seemingly inconsequential.

    The important thing is that we are developing the capacity to focus and invest some Time and Energy in the present moment.

    The ability to be mindful in this manner gradually expands, and as it does, the scope of our Practice also expands.

    When practicing a TaiChi movement or posture, what other qualities are you Practicing?

    Judgment?

    Jealousy?

    Frustration?

    Relaxation?

    Contentment?

    Taken in its broadest sense, every single moment of Life is your Practice.

    How you choose to respond to, and engage with, the world and your experiences is your true Practice.

    What are you Practicing?

  • Is Yoga a Religion?

    Yoga is NOT a religion.

    Religion is a Yoga!

    Yoga means to join, to connect, or unify.

    The term “Yoga” can be used to describe this connection, as well as to describe the methods for achieving it.

    In a secular sense, this might mean connection between the Mind and Body through physical postures and disciplined breath. The connected state of “Yoga” is achieved through the practice of (Hatha) Yoga.

    In a religious sense, Yoga is a connection to God or something of a Divine Nature.

    The studying or recitation of Scripture can cultivate such a connection.

    Prayer is a method for achieving the connection.

    All religious practice, strictly speaking, is either Yoga or merely empty ritual.

    The major Religions of the World are all systems of Yoga.

    All of them can be used to achieve a state of Yoga.

    The word Yoga describes both the method and the result.

    Anyone who authentically practices a Religion is already a Yogi.

    Anyone who seeks connection or wholeness, even an Atheist, is already a Yogi.

    Practice YOUR Yoga.

  • Always Fresh

    “The Present” is perpetually renewed and you must become adept at flowing with It.

    The instant you try to pin it down you lose It, so the only option is to keep a very casual focus, not thinking or analyzing anything, just allowing yourself to observe and notice Things…

    If you are truly doing this, there will not be sufficient Time to Like or Dislike anything. It takes too long to discern and contemplate.

    Nothing should make sense or no-sense.

    Making Sense takes too much Time.

    Staying in this radical state of “Is”-ness can be difficult, which is why there are Practices, and why most of us need to Practice daily!

  • WuJi Wednesday

    The infinite manifestation of Things can all be reduced via YinYang,
    yet YinYang cannot be reduced.

    It can be dissolved, perhaps, but not reduced.
    In this way, Wuji (No-Polarity) is not a true reduction; it is a sublimation.

    Oneness already contains YinYang as the polarity of Existence/NonExistence;

    To-Be or Not To-Be.

    Furthermore, once there is Some-Thing, it can be divided.
    Only NoThing cannot be divided.

    WuJi is Indivisible.
    Irreducible.
    It is like the Origin of Things, not unlike an Uncaused-Cause.

    YinYang arises from It, which blossoms into all manner of complexity (Entropy),
    yet all of That can be reduced by YinYang.

    The Universe is complex, yet simple; simple, yet profound.

    WuJi is Nothing; Zero.
    Yet Everything blossoms from it.

    If you aim to understand TaiJi (Great-Polarity), you must aspire towards WuJi.

  • Three Seconds is More Than Enough


    This morning we were reminded that the quintessential skill of genuine TaiChi Practice takes less than three seconds.

    Cultivating Awareness of your Body and Mind happens the instant you allow it.

    Checking in with your posture and making physical adjustments can happen in less than three seconds.

    Noticing that your Mind is wandering, and bringing it back to the task at hand, can happen in less than three seconds.

    The only impediment to Practice is your commitment to the belief that you cannot.

  • What is Taichi?

    Taichi might be best translated as Paradox.

    Extreme Polarity, Ultimate Limits, or Vital Axis are more literal renderings of the term, but if we want to maximize the efficiency of our understanding, Paradox is the idea we want to discuss.

    The fundamental duality of our Reality is expressed as Yin and Yang. Traditional Chinese Medicine says there are two primary forms of Energy (Ch’i), there is Yin Ch’i and there is Yang Ch’i.

    Taichi is even apparent at the level of Ch’i.

    The arguably most-fundamental substance in the Universe, the Ch’i, is still subject to the principle of Taichi.

    Taichi is apparent in all facets of existence.

    The uniquely Human polarity of Good and Bad is the most interesting.

    All of our desires and preferences have an opposite. I like many things so much, that I can barely tolerate their absence. I am trapped in my preference so strongly that anything other than my preference makes me a mess. Siddhartha Gautama recognized this, which is how he became known as the Buddha.

    Much of the difficulty in the Human experience is self-imposed by our strong preferences. We are trapped in the matrix of Taichi, perpetually bouncing between our feelings of highs and lows.

    When we have properly understood the nature of Taichi, we can readily understand the value of Wuchi.

    Wuchi means that the polarity has been removed, there is no Good or Bad. Wu is emptiness, or non-being. If we lose our preferences, then anything is essentially Good. If we look at things truly and objectively, without filtering information through our matrix of Taichi, the world looks very different than we are used to.

    This is the true purpose of all Taichi Practice, to break out of the paradox by seeing the prevalence and absurdity of it. There are numerous beneficial side-effects, which vary by method and intention, but the most important benefit of Taichi Practice is gaining the perspective of Wuchi, which allows you to find Peace despite the constant churning and change that is Life.

  • That’s a Door. That’s a Wall.

    Out on The Way, there comes a point where you either turn left or right. It’s a fork in the road, as They say. If you turn left, you will encounter a wide-variety of distractions and oddities. There are countless details, funny little snags and plenty to chew on; Zigs and Zags galore.

    If you turn right, there is a much cleaner experience. Things are fairly straightforward. The path is well-maintained and very obvious. No frills or fanfare, just a path to follow.

    This is how it is.

    And it isn’t the case that you cannot switch. If you turned right and wish you hadn’t, you can struggle through the untamed brush and arrive on the other path. Likewise, if you turned left and are overwhelmed by it’s lack of clarity, you can trudge through to the other path (it’s easy to find, since it’s so predictable!).

    Ultimately, both paths work. They lead to the same destination.

    The funny part is, the destination is where you were before you ever came to the fork in the road. The Beginning is the End.

    And yet, once you’ve set out on The Way, you have to pick a path. Turn left, or turn right. It doesn’t matter which path you take, but you will have to walk it (or bounce back and forth between them) because that’s The Way. IT. IS.

    You can use the methods of thinking and analyzing to get there. You can use the methods of chaos and intuition to get there. It won’t make a difference in the end because getting there means arriving HERE.

    We’re out on The Way for a reason. Most of us are living out the fable of the Musk Deer.

    This poor ol’ Musk Deer roams the forest, searching for the source of the marvelous scent he has picked up on. Looking everywhere, he never seems to find it. Forever seeking, never finding, because the scent is coming from him. If he just stood still, he’d be all set.

    We are very much the same. We seek peace. We seek relaxation. We seek health and wellness, among so many other things. None of them are meaningfully outside of ourselves. That isn’t the Nature of Things.

    You cannot experience anything outside of yourself.

    You ARE an experience.

    It’s already happening.

    ALL THE TIME.

    The Mind and Body are doorways. TaiChi and Yoga are doorways. We are invited to walk through if we choose. Some doorways take us to the left, others to the right. All of them are useful, all of them are valid.

    But you have to go through. You have to keep walking.

    The need to understand the path is a wall.

    Attachment to the path is a wall.

    You have to keep walking.

    If you just sit down and refuse to keep walking, you will only delay your arrival.

    It does very little good to be mad that you are out and about. We have to get back.

    So you just keep walking the path.

    And when you finally realize you have re-arrived at the “destination”, you simply stay for as long as you can.

    All these paths and doors will lead you to that place. But you have to do the walking.

    And when you find yourself “There” (which is to say “Here”) you have to do the staying.

    And inevitably, by our own design or not, you will end up lurching off the mark again and have to take another walk.

    And each time this occurs, we run into the forks in the road; so we choose a path and we walk it until we get back again.

    There isn’t much else going on with this “Being Human”.

    Find your doors and go through. Acknowledge your path and keep walking.

    If you’re already There (again, read: HERE), then just stay put.

    Don’t put up a wall where you’ve been given a door.