Upload
andrew-marshall
View
214
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
7/31/2019 Meditation - The Body Connection
1/6
Spiritual Living for the 21Spiritual Living for the 21Spiritual Living for the 21Spiritual Living for the 21stststst CenturyCenturyCenturyCentury
MEDITATION-
THE BODY CONNECTION
Andrew MarshallAndrew MarshallAndrew MarshallAndrew Marshall
February 2012February 2012February 2012February 2012
The secondThe secondThe secondThe second inininin a series of eleven articles for 2012a series of eleven articles for 2012a series of eleven articles for 2012a series of eleven articles for 2012For more information,For more information,For more information,For more information, visitvisitvisitvisit
www.joyousness.org.ukwww.joyousness.org.ukwww.joyousness.org.ukwww.joyousness.org.uk
7/31/2019 Meditation - The Body Connection
2/6
1
MEDITATION AND
THE BODY
CONNECTION
Meditation, in one form or another, is one of
the most fundamental tools at our disposal
for refining our consciousness and our
perceptions. It involves training the mind to
focus in a particular way and, because of that,
when we sit to meditate our concern will
normally be on what is going on within the
mind. Some practise meditation for calmnessand relaxation; for others, a more spiritual or
philosophical intention may be present. It
matters not which, because all approaches
are connected; they all lead to greater
awareness of oneself and of one's
relationship to the universe and all that is. But
meditation involves more than the mind. The
body has an important role to play, too, and
the purpose of this article is to underline the
significance of the body's effect on themeditation process and how we can lend a
helping hand.
WHAT IS THE MIND?
Asking this question can result in quite a
medley of answers. Most people would say
that the mind is what they think with, some
say it is the same thing as the brain, others
say it is themselves. Certainly there is a
tendency to associate the mind with the
head, because the brain is in effect the
control centre for the body. Interestingly,
Chinese philosophers associated the mind
with the heart and if we observe someone
pointing to themselves, more often than not
they point towards the heart or chest. Then
again, if we say that the mind is not the brain
but our thinking faculty, does that imply that
it ceases to be when there are no thoughts
and that it doesn't reside anywhere? Perhaps
it is easier to think of the mind not as one
thing but as a combination of our thoughts,
feelings, our beliefs, habits of reaction,
memory and perception, all of which arise
within consciousness. It is rather like the
software and operating system of a
computer, while the body, brain and nervous
system are our hardware.
But what of the brain and nervous system?
We know that we use the brain in order to
think and that it is possible to influence our
experiences by tampering with the brain and
its chemistry. The nervous system feeds into
and reports to the brain by impulses of
electricity. If the mind were the brain, then in
deep, dreamless sleep the brain would haveno job to do, but we know that it still carries
out functions, regulating the body. A little
deeper thinking may lead us to the inevitable
conclusion that the brain cannot do what it
does without some type of inner intelligence
and most certainly not without the vitality
that we call life. It is more than a lump of grey
tissue with blood and electricity running
through it.
From our own experience, we know that how
our mind operates depends on the condition
of the brain and nervous system. Further than
that, we can say that there is a direct
correlation between certain conditions of the
body and the efficacy of the mind. If we are
tired, for example, our thinking is often
adversely affected and certain illnesses can
have a detrimental effect on our mind, too.
We still think because the mind refuses to bestill but the quality of our thoughts may be
less than fully coherent. Moreover, when we
are feeling out of sorts, we can be more
concerned for our own welfare or condition
than the welfare of others. That is entirely
natural because the body will be steering us
towards recovery. Unless we have a certain
degree of vitality, therefore, mental processes
are limited and meditation, which is a refined
mental process, becomes difficult. As anyonewho has experienced it will know, a heavy
7/31/2019 Meditation - The Body Connection
3/6
2
evening meal and a late night are not
conducive to a good meditation the following
morning!
THE IMPORTANCE OF VITALITY
Vitality is so much more than a feeling of
being well - it is a matter of being fully alive. If
we are not enthusiastic about life, we are
missing out on vitality and the key to the V-
factor is an abundance of energy that is in a
state of balance. Different traditions and
cultures have varying names for this energy
and in the West we often draw on the
Chinese expression "chi" (sometimes written
"qi") or from India the Sanskrit term "prana".
We might prefer to call it "essence" or "life-force". The name isn't important; what is, is
whether we have enough of it and can keep it
in balance.
As well as blood vessels, our bodies are
permeated with channels through which fine
quality energy - chi - flows. Of course, blood
carries energy; the nutrients and oxygen
necessary to keep the body alive; additionally,
the meridians, vessels and millions of minutepathways carry chi throughout the whole
body. If a main blood vessel becomes blocked,
the consequences can be extremely serious,
whereas a blocked capillary will usually be
less so. In terms of the circulation of chi, there
are main pathways or meridians and vessels,
which are said to affect the functioning of our
vital organs, and minor ones which carry the
chi through all the tissues. Chi is also said to
be present in fluids and air; in fact, there isnowhere in the universe where chi is absent.
Energy is everywhere; but to increase and
maintain our vitality and with it our mental
clarity the chi needs to circulate freely and
not be allowed to stagnate. When the flow is
sluggish, we can feel dull or off-colour, even if
we are otherwise in good health.
From the point of view of meditation, our
experience will correspond to the state of thebody's energy. In simple meditation practice,
normally aimed at relaxing body and mind
and ridding ourselves of tension and stress,
the important thing is to settle our mind and
body. More advanced meditations can only
have success if the first stage of calmness has
been established. In some practices it is
necessary to raise the energy so that clearer
and broader mental states, leading to deeper
understanding, can be known. But the energy
cannot be raised if it is not settled in the first
place.
WORKING WITH ENERGY - CHI KUNG
To maintain or increase vitality, quality food,
water and air and some form of exercise are
essential. All physical exercise stimulatesenergy in one way or another. The type of
exercise that is most beneficial will not only
stimulate the flow of chi but will also ensure
that balance is maintained. There has to be
variety sufficient range of movements to
encourage the supply of chi to all parts of the
body. Pounding on a treadmill at the local
leisure centre will certainly work the legs and
the cardiovascular system but in terms of
supplying energy to every part of the body, itis limited.
Our vitality can be affected when there are
difficulties with our chi circulation. There are
three main classes of problem (1) an excess
of chi in part of the body, (2) localised
depletion of chi and (3) overall insufficiency.
Excess arises due either to overstimulation or
to the flow of chi away from a part of the
body being blocked or congested. Localiseddepletion can occur because of lack of
stimulation, or due to blockage or injury in
part of the body. Overall insufficiency arises
from a lack of fresh air, exercise, proper food,
rest and sleep. It can also arise from excesses
of living literally wearing ourselves out.
Chi kung (sometimes written "qigong") is a
Chinese term meaning to work with chi. As
such, it could be applied to virtually anyexercise, physical or mental, that is designed
7/31/2019 Meditation - The Body Connection
4/6
3
to increase vitality. Usually, however, the
term is used to describe one or more of the
many types of exercise from China that aim to
build up and balance chi so that physical,
emotional and mental health is improved.
Some chi kung involves slow movement,
some standing in a stationary posture, and
others require faster movement or stretching.
Almost all require co-ordination of the breath
in one way or another. There are famous sets
of exercises such as Wu Qin Xi (five animal
frolics) and Ba Duan Jin (eight brocades) but
there are many, many more. T'ai chi ch'uan,
the most well-known of the soft or internal
martial arts, is designed to promote health
and well-being through the circulation of chiand is often classified as a form of chi kung.
A major difference from many Western
aerobic forms of exercise is the requirement
in chi kung to bring full awareness into every
stance, movement and posture because it is
said that awareness or mind leads the chi. If
the mind is scattered, so is our energy. If we
are on a treadmill or exercise bike with dance
music in our ears or surrounded by televisionscreens, it is extremely difficult to have full
awareness on the body, let alone the energy
that is flowing through it. Another major
difference is that chi kung is as much
concerned with increasing vitality in the
bones, marrow and internal organs as it is
with the muscles, sinews and cardiovascular
system. Whatever our preferred form of
exercise, whether it is structured or as simple
as going for a walk, having awareness on thebody and its movements will help to increase
vitality. Mindfulness will also assist in keeping
our activity balanced.
A QUEST ION OF BA LANCE
One of the wisest pieces of advice ever given,
and probably one of the most quoted, is
"practise moderation in all things". If we don't
say, have or do too much or too little, wehave less chance of creating a serious
imbalance in life. If we want our body to serve
us well in meditation, it is important not only
to avoid overdoing or under-doing things; we
also need to pay attention to redressing
imbalances which, whilst not threatening to
our health in any way, can nevertheless
adversely affect our mental clarity.
Most people are familiar with the concepts of
yin and yang, which come from the Chinese
tradition of medicine, healthcare and martial
arts and the deep philosophy which underlies
them. The duality of yin and yang arises when
there is the slightest deviation from perfect
balance. Perfect balance is impossible in the
physical world because all forms depend fortheir appearance on the play of opposing
forces. Yin and yang do not actually exist; they
are simply expressions used to describe one
state of affairs in comparison to another.
Something is said to be more yin when there
is a tendency, for example, to withdrawal,
inactivity, coldness and so on. When energy is
outgoing or stimulated, the prevailing
condition may be described as more yang. Soif we are sitting at our desk working, the body
may be said to be more yin because there is
little physical activity; conversely, the mind
may be said to be more yang because it is
busy. At some point, the imbalance created
by working at the desk will need to be
redressed by a combination of physical
activity and mental relaxation. The principle is
so simple balance; unfortunately, that
simplicity is often hard to bring about becauseonce a tendency to imbalance is allowed to
continue, it can become difficult to reverse. In
looking after the body as a vehicle for
following our evolutionary path, we have to
pay close attention to not letting anything in
life become too yin or too yang.
From another ancient tradition comes
another model for understanding balance.
Ayurveda, which is practised widely in Indiabut is said to pre-date that country, is a body
7/31/2019 Meditation - The Body Connection
5/6
4
of knowledge about life and health and was
said to have been cognized or intuited by
rishis people whose consciousness was so
refined through meditation that they could
access Veda or pure knowledge. Rather than
yin and yang, Ayurveda describes three
conditions or humours called doshas: vata,
pitta and kapha (sometimes translated as
wind, bile and phlegm).
Dosha Humour Preponderance
Vata Wind Cold, light, quick
moving, dry. Air
element strong.
Pitta Bile Hot, oily, sharp.
Fire plus water.
Kapha Phlegm Heavy, unctuous,
slow, moist, cold.
Earth and waterstrong
All three doshas are always present but their balance varies according to the nature or quality of
what is present. With regard to our health, we can say that the main things that affect our own
balance of doshas or humours within our natural or predominant constitution are:
o Dieto Seasonso Activityo Age (where we are in the life cycle)o Different periods in the diurnal cycle
Vata or Wind The most important from a health point of view for
anyone over the age of 35. From this age or thereabouts,
its balance tends to become stronger. It is the most
volatile or unstable, increases dryness and aging and vata
imbalance is the cause of many serious diseases.
Light sleep and agitated mind
are common signs of vata imbalance.
Right balance of vata =
lightness & agility
Pitta or Bile This tends to be the next important, depending on
constitution. Many people in the north of the northern
hemisphere have higher pitta (perhaps natures way of
helping indigenous people with the colder climate?) but
this is by no means universal.
Tension can be a sign of excess pitta, particularly where
this marked by intensity of thought. Pitta types in the
main have sharp intellects and need to lighten up and
enjoy themselves.
Right balance of pitta = sharp
intellect & good digestion
Kapha or
Phlegm
Kapha types tend to be solid, dependable, calm reliable
phlegmatic. Imbalance can result in dullness or inertia
and over-production of mucus, phlegm; also loss of
appetite, nausea.
Right balance of kapha =
strength & calmness
7/31/2019 Meditation - The Body Connection
6/6
5
Everyones physical constitution has a
preponderance of one or more doshas and
our food, lifestyle and phase of life affect the
balance of them. Interestingly, Ayurveda also
refers to the doshas as being imperfections or
impurities arising from a disturbed state of
balance; yet in our physical world, all three
are always present.
For the purpose of caring for the body to
enhance meditation, as well as for our overall
health, we should try to maintain the correct
balance between the doshas. As well as a
balanced and appropriate diet, going to bed
at a reasonable time (retiring after 11 p.m. is
said to disturb the body's balance and canalso aggravate the mind, for example),
moderating our exercise as we age, and being
conscious of the daily and seasonal cycles
which affect the energy of the environment
are all factors which can improve our
meditation experience. [More information on
these cycles is contained in chapter 8 of The
Great Little Book of Happiness1.]
POSTUREThe posture in meditation can significantly
alter the experience. If the spine is erect, we
are more likely to remain alert because the
flow of energy up what is sometimes called
the central channel is enhanced. But if the
mind is very tense, we have to be careful not
to add to the tension that will also inevitably
be present in the body. The majority of
Westerners are more comfortable in a chair
than attempting to sit cross-legged on thefloor or on a cushion in a half or full-lotus
posture. So if we are going to use a chair, an
upright one is better than a squashy armchair
but our sitting position should be poised
rather than stiff and bolt upright. Hands are
best resting in the lap or on the thighs; if they
are spread out on the arms of the chair, the
body's energy will not settle as quickly. The
placing of the tip of the tongue on the palate
12008 Radiant Sun Books ISBN 9780955936401
behind the upper front teeth is often
recommended as an aid in easing the flow of
energy round energy pathways, particularly
the "heavenly cycle" of the governing and
central meridians. There are other pieces of
advice about posture but it is probably
enough for most of us to remember to sit in a
position that is comfortable and in which we
can remain alert.
A DRAMATIC CHAN GE OF LIFES TYLE ?
Do we need to undergo a significant
transformation of how we live? We shouldn't
have to because, if we meditate regularly
already, we will have developed some
sensitivity to the needs of the body. However,there is much most of us can do to enhance
our level of vitality and therefore the clarity of
the responses of the brain and nervous
system.
It is not a matter of taking on time consuming
practices - a few minutes of chi kung, t'ai chi
or other balanced exercise each day can work
wonders. If we are looking to take our
meditation practice a little further, we mayneed to undertake some special exercises to
strengthen the nervous system, but again
these should not take up enormous amounts
of time.
There is no need to over-indulge because if
we do, we can become intense and too
concerned with our own welfare. Then we will
no longer be on the path to happiness and
our meditations will be of small benefit.
Andrew Marshall
February 2012
Andrew Marshall 2012
For more information, visit
www.joyousness.org.uk