I understood, therefore, why I did weight-lifting and understood the important I attached to the body. At the moment of lifting, there is a sort of explosion. The lifter takes hold of the bar and identifies with the weight. Without forcing, quite naturally, almost involuntarily, he lifts it. There is an exchange: the body stiffens like the metal whereas the inert weight moves. It is a victory; the lifter accomplishes what seemed to be impossible and beyond his strength. The dead weight is transformed and does what also seemed impossible: it moves. As a result, the lifter feels linked to all things in each part of his body. For the same reason I had done a four week week course of yoga at the Satyananda ashram near Melbourne.
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Dear Marie
I hope this gets through – first time I’m doing this.
Yes we have so focussed our minds on external matters that we have lost touch with our essence, however that is described – the life force in us. The universality of this experience, whether in India, Japan or Native Americans, is significant for developing the sense of human solidarity. Yes I agree that by feeing the Chi in the body we begin to feel it all around us. This generosity of spirit then opens up to the transcendent domain. I like the quote from the Tao Te Ching 6. It shows our authority, no matter how powerless we may feel. Thanks for your comments.
Please let me know if you have received this.
John
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These thoughts by John highlighting the connection between body and spirit can be quite deep when delved into. The concept of a life force is found in most of the ancient cultures of the world. In India it is called PRANA, in China CHI, in Japan KI, the Native Americans call it the GREAT SPIRIT. Tai chi has helped me to develop and experience this CHI energy, not as an idea, but rather has lead me to directly experience and feel this Chi in my body and then further into my surroundings. Spiritual Chi makes it more possible for us to personally enter in to higher states of consciousness, which lie at the heart of religious experience. TEO TE CHING. 6 . Says ” The TAO is called the Great Mother; empty yet inexhaustible, it gives birth to infinite worlds. It is always present within you. You can use it any way you want.”
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