Subtle Body Practice

[Tony]

Subtle Body Practice

About three fingers' width below the navel is a chakra which controls the downward wind and subtle body. Our feelings are not held in the mind, but in the subtle body. When we are apprehensive, worried, or even just having a conversation with someone, we might feel a tension in the gut, heart, throat or head. This downward wind is called lung in Tibetan (pronounced loong), and when it rises, it reveals tension in the body.

In the west, we get very 'lungy' ...hot under the collar! We are speedy people.

The lung has to be brought down to where it should be, below the navel. As a result of our emotions, a residue is left in our subtle body, and it is quite exhausting. It also has other effects such as dry eyes.

Sometimes in meditation, though we practise, we still do not feel at ease: this is a lung/wind problem. I had all the above problems until I practised with the subtle body. The effect was quite noticeable - ask my teacher! (and the wife...)

It is a very simple practice of mentally scanning the body from the top down, and taking the attention to below the navel. This is done with the help of the 'gentle breath': as you scan, breath in naturally, taking the breath down to below the navel and holding it there for the count of 6-9 seconds (your tummy will fill out a bit, but do not strain).

Release the breath, but let a small amount remain there.

I did this 108 times in one session once a day, for six months. It had the effect of my being at perfect peace. You do not have to do it 108 times - see how it feels. During the day when you feel the lung/wind rising, merely remember to scan and take the breath down a few times

Now you are really contemplating your navel!!!

[conk]

Interesting. I recently purchased a device for pain relief. It's called Micro-Vibrational Technology. Very subtle, high frequency vibrations are coupled with colored lights. The device is placed against the body in particular places. For all excercises/treatments the body is first balanced by placing the tool on the exact spot you mention; the third eye area of the forehead; and the crown of the head. Hmmmmmm.

[christian]

The lung has to be brought down to where it should be, below the navel.

I just tried it and found it to be very effective, thank you.

It 'happened' to me occasionally before, but I always felt like I lacked some elemental alacrity then. It never occured to me, that this could be just a superficial kind of alacrity, that is common among westerners or 'modern day' people. I think, I might leave my old apprehension aside and do this more often.

[Gone002]

I was wondering if this would help my martial arts skills, thank you for a very informative post

[Ineffable Hitchhiker]

It 'happened' to me occasionally before, but I always felt like I lacked some elemental alacrity then. It never occured to me, that this could be just a superficial kind of alacrity, that is common among westerners or 'modern day' people. I think, I might leave my old apprehension aside and do this more often.


alacrity (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alacrity) -
noun
1. cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness: We accepted the invitation with alacrity.
2. liveliness; briskness.

:)
Go figure. You learn something new every day.


Loved your post pie´n´eal. Thank you.
Navel contemplations are on the agenda.

[Tony]

I was wondering if this would help my martial arts skills, thank you for a very informative post

I believe it is connected to chi.

[Tony]

The lung has to be brought down to where it should be, below the navel.

I just tried it and found it to be very effective, thank you.

It 'happened' to me occasionally before, but I always felt like I lacked some elemental alacrity then. It never occured to me, that this could be just a superficial kind of alacrity, that is common among westerners or 'modern day' people. I think, I might leave my old apprehension aside and do this more often.

You just end up in love...

[Nortreb]

I was wondering if this would help my martial arts skills, thank you for a very informative post

In the Pure Spirit of the Arts:

The hidden lesson in the mystical internal arts is the link of the mind, breath ,eyes, movement and body. Intent is the Key.

The “Mind is the presence of intention”

The “Breath is the flow of intention”

The “Eyes are the focus of intention”

The “Movement is the action of intention”

The “Body is the object of intention”

You can practice just about anything in your art to link these 5 elements with your intent in your feet.

Have fun! :high5:

[christian]

Nortreb, is this from Don Juan Matus? :cool:

[Tony]

I was wondering if this would help my martial arts skills, thank you for a very informative post

In the Pure Spirit of the Arts:

The hidden lesson in the mystical internal arts is the link of the mind, breath ,eyes, movement and body. Intent is the Key.

The “Mind is the presence of intention”

The “Breath is the flow of intention”

The “Eyes are the focus of intention”

The “Movement is the action of intention”

The “Body is the object of intention”

You can practice just about anything in your art to link these 5 elements with your intent in your feet.

Have fun! :high5:

One subtle problem with this practice... you discover essence love - the opponent does not exist!:boink:

[Nortreb]

I was wondering if this would help my martial arts skills, thank you for a very informative post

In the Pure Spirit of the Arts:

The hidden lesson in the mystical internal arts is the link of the mind, breath ,eyes, movement and body. Intent is the Key.

The “Mind is the presence of intention”

The “Breath is the flow of intention”

The “Eyes are the focus of intention”

The “Movement is the action of intention”

The “Body is the object of intention”

You can practice just about anything in your art to link these 5 elements with your intent in your feet.

Have fun! :high5:

One subtle problem with this practice... you discover essence love - the opponent does not exist!:boink:

Hmmm... There is no reference to an external oponent in the above. This is one of many steps to practice to find the real opponent which resides between the ears.:cool:

[Gone002]

Amazing info posted, thanks you guys

[Anno]

When certain people I'm close to suffer from anxiety wind I can often feel it too in the chakra you're talking about. Even at remote distances if we're connected enough. I can sometimes pick it up in strangers if it's strong enough and I'm standing close enough.

Do you know of any teachings about the interconnectedness of people's wind?

[Tony]

When certain people I'm close to suffer from anxiety wind I can often feel it too in the chakra you're talking about. Even at remote distances if we're connected enough. I can sometimes pick it up in strangers if it's strong enough and I'm standing close enough.

Do you know of any teachings about the interconnectedness of people's wind?

I do not know about remote connectedness, but I'm sure it is possible. When in another's company one can sense anxiety, because my lung goes up. At that time I just remember to take my own lung down, be calm, and just listen. It may give the other some space to breath. This is a fairly new subject in the west, but I know a book is coming out soon on the subject. The person I go for teachings wrote it.

Tony

[Ineffable Hitchhiker]

Feedback :)

Long story...while facing an irate father, at the school I work at, I remained calm and took my breath to below the navel, held it and released.
He went on and on about his son and how some other child had bullied him and how dare he and so on.
While listening, I continued this exercise until he had finished and was able to answer in a quiet, peaceful manner without being drawn into the drama that the situation was already resolved, that they had made friends and were even playing together again.
I was able to shift the whole energy of the situation.
After conversing a bit more he finally started smiling and said :-" Pfff, I sound like an idiot. Sorry to have troubled you. Best I let him fight his own battles" :becky:


Short story...It worked! Sounds weird but honestly I care not. What a wonderful "tool". Will be using it with alacrity.

[Tarka the Duck]

Feedback :)

Long story...while facing an irate father, at the school I work at, I remained calm and took my breath to below the navel, held it and released.
He went on and on about his son and how some other child had bullied him and how dare he and so on.
While listening, I continued this exercise until he had finished and was able to answer in a quiet, peaceful manner without being drawn into the drama that the situation was already resolved, that they had made friends and were even playing together again.
I was able to shift the whole energy of the situation.
After conversing a bit more he finally started smiling and said :-" Pfff, I sound like an idiot. Sorry to have troubled you. Best I let him fight his own battles" :becky:


Short story...It worked! Sounds weird but honestly I care not. What a wonderful "tool". Will be using it with alacrity.

How cool is that???!!
:cool::cool::cool:

Love
Kathie