How to read this blog
Without diligent practice you cannot suddenly understand
Thats a quote from one of the t’ai chi classics – a set of texts concerning t’ai chi that were found some time ago. If you’re interested have a look at the wudang site.
I have had a few occasions to re-read texts on chi gung and some simple taoist exercises of late and discovered that I had not understood them. I’ve gone on to read them again and found again that I did not understand them. Perhaps I will have to read the same text and practice the same thing a thousand times and I will understand. Clearly I am not ready to really listen to the message.
On that note I discovered what is meant by “listen to the sound of one hand clapping”. Quite interesting. It’s a meditative listening exercise. Once you have listened to all the created sounds, all that is, then you will hear the uncreated sound – that which isn’t – the sound of one hand clapping. wierd idea. there’s a name for the sound – AUM.
So, my academic understanding of all this stuff has improved.
Has my practice? Well – I just practiced an exercise I’ve been doing since I was 14 and this time it was different, uncomfy a little – my belly felt full and distended like a balloon had been inflated in there. With no taoist master and an academic path relying on books I must try to find out what this means. Perhaps I should ask for help.
