Qigong and Meditation
There is no doubt that some forms of meditation practice can be highly beneficial in everyday life.
Let’s ask ourselves honestly, how disciplined are we to make time every day to sit, be still and focus?
Today our lives are bombarded with thoughts of daily pressures, challenges and worldly circumstances. It’s no wonder more people are turning to the skills of Qigong and Zen Mediation.
What is Meditation?
Do you know what zen or meditation is?
Quite simply, meditation is;
“The development of Mind.”
It may have become clear at this point as to why there are so many ways to practice.
Now we know what meditation is. We can move forward and consider the types of methods and concepts that have encompassed so many cultivators of mind.
Types of Mediation and the Methods of practice
Meditation methods of instruction vary from cultivation schools, philosophies, religions and cultures. And there are a variety of ways to meditate with varying techniques.
Some may use a visual reference, like sitting in a cave or perhaps the spine illuminating with light. There are countless possibilities for visual meditation techniques.
Perhaps you may focus solely on the breath or breathing, like being aware of the in and out breath. Or maybe counting each breath that helps focus your mind.
In other methods, some cultivators will sit and stare or focus on the flame of a candle.
Zen and Meditation
In Zen meditation, the cultivator may be instructed to think nothing and do nothing. This method is different from all of the above. Perhaps you can work it out from one of the below two concepts.
There are various forms of sitting and laying mediation and even standing meditation. We sometimes see images of hand and finger forms with specific meditation purposes.
What we can establish at this point is that there are numerous forms of mediation.
However, all meditations are bound in the following two concepts, One-Pointedness and Emptiness.
Below is an insightful excerpt from Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kits website at Shaolin.org
Throughout the ages different peoples have used a great variety of techniques for meditation. But all these techniques can be divided into two main groups, namely those that focus on one point, and those that focus on emptiness. Daniel Goleman, in his informative book “The Meditative Mind”, reports a witty statement by Joseph Goldstein.
It’s simple mathematics, he said: All meditation systems either aim at One or Zero — union with God or emptiness. The path to the One is through concentration on Him, to the Zero is insight into the voidness of one’s mind.
Ultimately, they are all designed to do a similar thing; to develop or train mind.
Zen Meditation
Zen is ideally defined as Meditation or having a glimpse of Ultimate Reality. The definition of Zen, in this case, is relative to mind realisation as it becomes more conscious and aware.
If something is overshadowing or clouding the mind as disruptive to your progress, we look to improve on dissipating that thought or force.
When learning the Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung (Qigong) Arts, we apply the meditative principles as part of our daily practice to find clarity and harmony in our everyday lives.
Qigong and Meditation - Wuji Application in Classes
With Shaolin Cosmos Qigong, we teach clear instructions on practising standing meditation. Meditation is, integrated as part of a daily 15-minute qigong session.
Wuji or standing mediation, and being upright and relaxed, are all part of the training of genuine Shaolin Cosmos Qigong. To enter into Wuji enables students to benefit better results in everyday life.
In our school, meditation is an integral part of a students skillset. Wuji enhances our practice of Qigong, Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) and even our Kung Fu.
If a practitioner is interested in Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) or Kung Fu, the Wuji stance enables better combat efficiency and application. They would become more effective in their marital arts.
When we integrate meditation into our daily lives, we reap the great benefits of a calmer and clearer mind. Our qigong becomes deeper. The beneficial health results become more than some could have ever imagined.
We do not just integrate mediation for a calmer and clearer mind. It helps enhance everyday living, gives us focus, cultivates us spiritually, helps us build internal energy & vitality and eventually benefits our overall holistic health and long and short term illness.
Mediation is essential when practising qigong. However, it is not the sole factor in the success of genuine qigong.
In ancient times, genuine qigong was very rare to find.
Finding genuine qigong today is still as rare now as it was back then.
Sifu James Lawrence
Fortunately, we at the Shaolin Wahnam School aim to bring the essence of this holistic health system back to its origins as was back then in ancient times. Or as close as we can get it………..
The benefits are many when utilised and practised correctly. It will benefit you physically, mentally and emotionally. Shaolin Cosmos Qigong can enhance peak performance and give spiritual joys, regardless of race, culture or religion……..
