Comments on: Four Eyes http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/ the truth and nothing but the truth, so help me Blog Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:33:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Robin http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-805 Robin Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:18:06 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-805 Thanks Mike! I started an article on this but it needs to cook a little longer in my head. The dissolving meditation you describe is similar to something I did recently in a zazen class, where we scanned the body, looking for tension - or any kind of feeling, really. The idea in Zen though, is that the mind and body are never separate. That they can't be intimately linked because they are simply two sides of the same sheet of paper, if you will. Which, having grown up believing they are separate, kind of boggles my mind sometimes. But also puts a whole new perspective on things (esp. since most of us have a tendency to place more importance on the mind - if the mind is the body and the body is the mind, then where does that leave us? eek!). I will say that Tai Chi has definitely had a positive effect on me, as well as, Zazen. But - I have to be careful, because it can bring up a lot of stuff. Which is why I try not to rush things or try to take on too much... Thanks Mike! I started an article on this but it needs to cook a little longer in my head.

The dissolving meditation you describe is similar to something I did recently in a zazen class, where we scanned the body, looking for tension – or any kind of feeling, really.

The idea in Zen though, is that the mind and body are never separate. That they can’t be intimately linked because they are simply two sides of the same sheet of paper, if you will. Which, having grown up believing they are separate, kind of boggles my mind sometimes. But also puts a whole new perspective on things (esp. since most of us have a tendency to place more importance on the mind – if the mind is the body and the body is the mind, then where does that leave us? eek!).

I will say that Tai Chi has definitely had a positive effect on me, as well as, Zazen. But – I have to be careful, because it can bring up a lot of stuff. Which is why I try not to rush things or try to take on too much…

]]> By: Mike Ferruggia http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-797 Mike Ferruggia Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:43:33 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-797 One of the practices I learned at the Taoist Arts Center in NY many years ago was dissolving meditation. Based on the concept that body mind and spirit are intimately connected, we would sit in silence and scan the body internally, looking or sensing for anything that was tight or didn't feel right(very important to do this from top of head down, and not jump around; if you lose focus, start at the top of again). Once you find something, dissolve it by goping from ice to water to steam. Remember whatever is there may have taken years to build up so it may not dissolve in one sitting. The most excellent part of this is that you don't have to know what you are dissolving, Once it dissolves, you find the physical tightness is gone and maybe a related emotional tightness or issue goes with it. As for the tai chi aspect of it, I'm still a bit unsure. There have been cases recorded in literature of tai chi or chi kung psychosis caused by overdoing it or not doing it right. I've seen people not follow the above direction about scanning downward and almost have an emotional breakdown because all the energy is going to the head. The energy should always be carried in the dan tien. Also, to think about, is whether tai chi can have a positive effect on persons with emotional issues or even psychosis, or diagnosed depression. I know one of my students who has done very well from the tai chi and was able to get off depression meds, but that is an individual case. Philosophically, tai chi should be able to balance the mind. What do you think? One of the practices I learned at the Taoist Arts Center in NY many years ago was dissolving meditation. Based on the concept that body mind and spirit are intimately connected, we would sit in silence and scan the body internally, looking or sensing for anything that was tight or didn’t feel right(very important to do this from top of head down, and not jump around; if you lose focus, start at the top of again). Once you find something, dissolve it by goping from ice to water to steam. Remember whatever is there may have taken years to build up so it may not dissolve in one sitting. The most excellent part of this is that you don’t have to know what you are dissolving, Once it dissolves, you find the physical tightness is gone and maybe a related emotional tightness or issue goes with it.
As for the tai chi aspect of it, I’m still a bit unsure. There have been cases recorded in literature of tai chi or chi kung psychosis caused by overdoing it or not doing it right. I’ve seen people not follow the above direction about scanning downward and almost have an emotional breakdown because all the energy is going to the head. The energy should always be carried in the dan tien. Also, to think about, is whether tai chi can have a positive effect on persons with emotional issues or even psychosis, or diagnosed depression. I know one of my students who has done very well from the tai chi and was able to get off depression meds, but that is an individual case.

Philosophically, tai chi should be able to balance the mind. What do you think?

]]> By: 3 James Dean Tips for Taijiquan | Real Taijiquan http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-795 3 James Dean Tips for Taijiquan | Real Taijiquan Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:50:10 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-795 [...] we all have to express ourselves.—James DeanKeep on expressing yourself like a martial artist. It won’t always be easy. Eventually though, you’re going to have bad*ss body language before you leave behind your [...] [...] we all have to express ourselves.—James DeanKeep on expressing yourself like a martial artist. It won’t always be easy. Eventually though, you’re going to have bad*ss body language before you leave behind your [...]

]]> By: Robin http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-789 Robin Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:33:18 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-789 I've been thinking about the first part of your comment Mike - about how Tai Chi can bring up emotions. I'd like to talk about that - I think I might try and turn it into a post. Hopefully it won't suck. :) I’ve been thinking about the first part of your comment Mike – about how Tai Chi can bring up emotions. I’d like to talk about that – I think I might try and turn it into a post. Hopefully it won’t suck. :)

]]> By: Mike Ferruggia http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-782 Mike Ferruggia Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:07:26 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-782 No, it wouldn't matter. It's what's on the inside that counts. I'm glad to be your blogging buddy and if you know any ugly chicks out there practicing tai chi and zazen, let me know. (p.s. if I'm crossing a blogging or friendship line here with the above comment lemme know. Mike No, it wouldn’t matter. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. I’m glad to be your blogging buddy and if you know any ugly chicks out there practicing tai chi and zazen, let me know.
(p.s. if I’m crossing a blogging or friendship line here with the above comment lemme know.

Mike

]]> By: Robin http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-781 Robin Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:11:21 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-781 Hi Mike - I have to agree with your female friends about being on display while doing Tai Chi. Part of doing Tai Chi, at least for me, is learning how to own my own body and feel confident and comfortable in my own skin. When you have men gawking at you through a window (or anywhere really) it makes you feel less than human - like a piece of meat. Tai Chi is my sanctuary. I would be devastated if it were turned into an exhibition. And...okay Mike, you've been my blogging buddy for a while now, so I have to ask - what if I were an ugly chick who practiced Tai Chi and zazen? Would it really matter? Hi Mike – I have to agree with your female friends about being on display while doing Tai Chi. Part of doing Tai Chi, at least for me, is learning how to own my own body and feel confident and comfortable in my own skin. When you have men gawking at you through a window (or anywhere really) it makes you feel less than human – like a piece of meat. Tai Chi is my sanctuary. I would be devastated if it were turned into an exhibition.

And…okay Mike, you’ve been my blogging buddy for a while now, so I have to ask – what if I were an ugly chick who practiced Tai Chi and zazen? Would it really matter?

]]> By: Mike Ferruggia http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-780 Mike Ferruggia Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:28:55 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-780 Wow. What an amazing story. I've seen tai chi do this to others, when I was learning in New York, bring up these emotions. I wonder what it is about tai chi that does this, or if it's not tai chi at all but just the situatio, being in public, etc. I also remember when I was planning my tai chi studio, my dream was for it to be on the ground floor, with big windows so passersby could stop and watch the class doing tai chi. But several female friends said it would be the worst thing, to be on display like that. Do you notice a lot of gyms put the exercise equipment right up to the window for you to see? Confession #1: When I first started blogging and looking for tai chi friends, I thought you were very hot! And a hot chick who does tai chi and zazen? a dream come true. Living in Jersey? Of course not. Texas. Confession #2: I pissed my pants in third grade in front of everyone, including the teacher who I had a major crush on. Thank God I'm not having similar visceral reactions otherwise I'd be peeing myself everytime I did tai chi! Mike Wow. What an amazing story. I’ve seen tai chi do this to others, when I was learning in New York, bring up these emotions. I wonder what it is about tai chi that does this, or if it’s not tai chi at all but just the situatio, being in public, etc. I also remember when I was planning my tai chi studio, my dream was for it to be on the ground floor, with big windows so passersby could stop and watch the class doing tai chi. But several female friends said it would be the worst thing, to be on display like that. Do you notice a lot of gyms put the exercise equipment right up to the window for you to see?
Confession #1: When I first started blogging and looking for tai chi friends, I thought you were very hot! And a hot chick who does tai chi and zazen? a dream come true. Living in Jersey? Of course not. Texas.
Confession #2: I pissed my pants in third grade in front of everyone, including the teacher who I had a major crush on. Thank God I’m not having similar visceral reactions otherwise I’d be peeing myself everytime I did tai chi!

Mike

]]> By: Ben http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-778 Ben Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:45:30 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-778 Dude, I've thought that since I was probably 5 years old. Thanks Diana Prince / Wonder Woman. Dude, I’ve thought that since I was probably 5 years old. Thanks Diana Prince / Wonder Woman.

]]> By: Robin http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-774 Robin Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:38:49 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-774 Hi Matt! What is it with some teachers?? Thank you for the encouragement. :) Hi Matt!

What is it with some teachers??

Thank you for the encouragement. :)

]]> By: Robin http://www.obeymyblog.com/four-eyes/comment-page-1/#comment-773 Robin Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:34:33 +0000 http://www.obeymyblog.com/?p=943#comment-773 Mr. Smith - good question! Hmmm... A cruel reaction would have definitely hindered, not helped. I don't think a cruel reaction is ever helpful...and yet, that's what I kind of expected. Not rationally - I mean, I didn't <em>really</em> expect my teacher to go off on me or anything, but that fear was there. That fear is always kind of there...which is rooted in memories like this one. By writing about them, acknowledging them, they seem to lose their power. And now that I'm older too I can see both sides - the reasons behind people's actions and the fear I felt as a kid. And by doing that I can choose to react out of awareness rather than out of an old fear. Which is a lot less painful. :) Mr. Smith – good question!

Hmmm… A cruel reaction would have definitely hindered, not helped. I don’t think a cruel reaction is ever helpful…and yet, that’s what I kind of expected. Not rationally – I mean, I didn’t really expect my teacher to go off on me or anything, but that fear was there. That fear is always kind of there…which is rooted in memories like this one.

By writing about them, acknowledging them, they seem to lose their power. And now that I’m older too I can see both sides – the reasons behind people’s actions and the fear I felt as a kid. And by doing that I can choose to react out of awareness rather than out of an old fear. Which is a lot less painful. :)

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