origami_itto wrote:I haven't run into any direct instruction concerning the actual use of Shen, though.
Bao wrote:Ok, thank you for explaining.origami_itto wrote:I haven't run into any direct instruction concerning the actual use of Shen, though.
The only practical instruction directly on Shen that I've received is more what people call Yanshen or "eye spirit". I've been told to have a relaxed, gentle "stare" when I practice tai chi. This should also help the focus of the overall Shen. Whatever that is...
origami_itto wrote:That may well be the case. What I'm calling Shen here could be something else entirely. [...]
About the only thing approaching practical instruction is the story of the tea master who was challenged to a duel by a sword master over the affections of a beautiful young woman.
origami_itto wrote:The specific "spiritual posture" maintained while engaging in alchemical practices influences the nature of the natural, comfortable, at rest spirit. It also increases the... Strength? Of the spirit overall but of that specific posture specifically as well.
Additionally it seems to increase the efficacy of the physical manifestation of spiritual impulses generated in that state.
All you need to do is know how to "tune in" to a particular frequency, so to speak, work the iron in that headspace, refine, and strengthen it.
So, like, is any of this tracking for anybody?
Appledog wrote:origami_itto wrote:That may well be the case. What I'm calling Shen here could be something else entirely. [...]
About the only thing approaching practical instruction is the story of the tea master who was challenged to a duel by a sword master over the affections of a beautiful young woman.
What?origami_itto wrote:The specific "spiritual posture" maintained while engaging in alchemical practices influences the nature of the natural, comfortable, at rest spirit. It also increases the... Strength? Of the spirit overall but of that specific posture specifically as well.
Additionally it seems to increase the efficacy of the physical manifestation of spiritual impulses generated in that state.
All you need to do is know how to "tune in" to a particular frequency, so to speak, work the iron in that headspace, refine, and strengthen it.
So, like, is any of this tracking for anybody?
I don't think any of this has anything to do with shen. I've actually just received some info on shen, by chance, a couple of days before this post. That being said, I sincerely believe it's way beyond the scope of this forum. Hold that thought.
I've multiple times introduced and explained the six character formula 形勢意氣勁神 -- xing, shi, yi, qi, jing, shen. In general it seems people weren't ready to discuss that formula yet. Hold that thought. Here's a different formula-- from the taoists -- 精氣神虚道. Now we see that jing (精) refers to the physical level, which is 形勢意 xing shi yi. Xu then in the jing (勁) stage, and after comes shen (called 虚). 道 dao means enlightenment.
SO what is shen? If you are familiar with the process, then you have one line (one poem) and anorther line (another poem) which intersect and thus create a single point, the meaning of shen. If you are unfamiliar with the process you have several options. One, ask your teacher (or find a teacher who can explain it to you). Two, don't worry about it, because you are climing a ladder and as you make progress you will eventually figure it out.
So basically having a definition of shen is not important, because you wil reach that stage out of regular practice whether or not you know what it is. Now, if you want to know what it is because you want to teach people, that's another story, but again that is something your teacher will likely have to pass on to you. It's a difficult topic to address in writing, because you have to be 'on board' with the standard classical definitions of everything else to then understand shen as it is normally used. It's a lot of information to work out. Do you understand those formulas I posted?
origami_itto wrote:I'm not familiar with that formula. What can you tell me about it?
So, what exactly is qi? Biomedicine does not recognize qi as a substance of the body, and yet it is key to Chinese medicine. Qi is the vital energy of the body.
In the classics of Chinese medicine, it is said that “human life depends upon qi” and that “when qi gathers, the physical body is formed; when it disperses, the body dies.” In other words, qi is what makes the difference between a cow and a raw steak behind the glass at the butcher’s counter.
As with any other substance in the body, qi has specific functions. It is the source of all movement in the body, it warms the body to maintain a normal temperature, it defends the body against pathogens, it transforms food into useful substances in the body, and it helps to hold things in their proper places (for example, it keeps organs from prolapsing and contains blood in the vessels).
The category of “Qi” in the Three Treasures also includes two other vital substances: blood and body fluids. Blood and body fluids are included in the category of qi because they cannot form without the transformative actions of qi. Blood is seen as a major yin substance in the body, and its main function is nourishing the body. Body fluids encompass all fluids in the human body from sweat to tears to lymphatic and synovial fluid.
Appledog wrote:Finally, can we say that shen in jing qi shen is the same or different than yi qi jing (jin) shen? If you think it is the same or different I am just curious to know why. Also if you have heard of any exercises that train shen (you don't have to say which ones I'm just curious if you know). So I can know where to try and begin.
origami_itto wrote:Yes, to my understanding the shen of the alchemical process expressed by jing->qi->shen and the shen sometimes referred to in shen->yi->qi->jin, but which I like to consider as shen->xin->yi->qi->jin for specific reasons are the same shen.
I think they are same because I am ignorant, by all means correct my understanding, that is what I am here for.
changing the spiritual attitude I'm maintaining I experience qualitative differences in the feeling and feedback I'm getting from the form.
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