Keep calm

Today's Qigong class included the sitting Three Line Qigong meditation. The main intent of this meditation is to relax the mind and body to allow the Qi to flow smoothly. I usually incorporate the metaphor of a pool a water into this meditation since this is often used to describe a calm state of mind.

"When the surface of the heart is calm, it can clearly reflect perceptions from the outside world. When the surface is stirred by the wind-like movements of the seven emotions, then the reflection becomes muddled and a person has difficulty perceiving the real nature of a situation."
(Applied Channel Theory. Wang Ju-Yi. Eastland Press, Seattle: 2008 pg. 117)

So why is it that we find it is so easy to stir the emotions and distort the reflections? Why do we sometimes prefer the distortion and turmoil? I think that is it because the clear reflection begins with and includes ourselves. And before we can feel comfortable with perceiving the real nature of a situation, we have to feel comfortable with ourselves.

So part of the process of practicing Qigong is to accept ourselves as we truly are, reflected in the calm pool. And only once we start with acceptance can we move forward to encourage ourselves to change and grow.