It demands that we revisit
and fully imbibe
things we'd rather ignore or brush aside.
All of the patchwork we've built up
in the name of survival and getting-on
has to be torn down.
The wounds require exposure to the air
in order to be resolved.
Most of us slap a bandage over the wound,
protecting it,
which is, for a while,
both practical and correct.
But rather than enduring the minor pain
of the adhesive tugging at our skin
as the bandage is removed,
and risk the wound being exposed,
we choose to slap another bandage on top.
Many of us have built up cathedrals of such bandages.
We build altars of our refusal to heal,
and create elaborate and ornate avoidance-rituals.
And every time we have the opportunity
to dig into the hurt
toward healing,
we opt instead to apply yet another bandage.
Until we are willing to rip off these bandages,
the wound can never be addressed.
It will hurt a little bit,
every single time
we rip one of these bandages away.
And if we've been applying them for many years,
it may entail round after round of discomfort
to reach the original bandage covering the wound.
Healing hurts,
which is precisely why we Humans
often prefer to avoid it.
Tag: meditation
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Healing Hurts
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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?
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.