Expensive Integral Meditators,
Generally we could not really feel like meditating sitting down as a result of we’ve been sitting down at our desk all day already. In fact it’s doable to lie right down to meditate, however there are additionally quite a lot of standing meditations that we will do. Standing meditations typically give attention to power constructing and balancing as their goal. The apply of ‘standing like a tree’ I define under is an instance of 1 such meditation from the qi gong custom.
In the event you just like the article then do contemplate coming alongside to the Meditation and Mindfulness for Self-Healing and Creating High Levels of Energy this Saturday 8th July, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Within the spirit of connection,
Within the spirit of well being & power,
Toby
Standing Like a Tree
In Qi Gong timber are taken as a task mannequin for our standing posture, as they’re sturdy, steady and balanced, with their roots deep within the earth, and their branches reaching excessive into the heavens. Within the meditation known as ‘Standing like a tree’ We try to emulate this in our personal standing posture; drawing stability from our connection to the earth via our toes, conserving our centre of gravity low in our stomach, our higher physique relaxed, our head and shoulders open to receiving power from the sky, solar and stars.
The meditation
Think about now that there’s a tall, sturdy, and delightful tree in entrance of you (in case you can stand in entrance of an precise tree all the higher!). Really feel and see its roots extending down into the earth, drawing up power, water and vitamins. Really feel the energy and suppleness of its trunk, and the branches reaching excessive into the sky, drawing down qi and light-weight from the sky.
Now turn into the tree. Really feel your roots flowing down deep into the earth supplying you with deep stability and power. Really feel the soundness of your trunk, versatile and robust. Really feel your branches and leaves reaching up towards the sky and solar, drawing down their qi into your being. Now as you breathe, really feel each cell in your physique inhaling qi from the earth beneath you and the sky above you. Really feel mild and qi flowing out and in of each cell in your physique as you breathe out and in.
Directing power with the palms and palms:
We are able to study to direct qi although our physique in a extra highly effective means via the positioning of our palms. In the event you like, you may attempt the next hand and arm positions as you ‘stand like a tree’. Initially this shouldn’t be finished for greater than 5 minutes at a time.
- While focusing in your roots (the soles of your toes) angle the palms of your palms upward in order that they’re dealing with the earth. As you breathe in really feel qi rising from the earth under into your physique. As you breathe out, really feel that earth-qi increasing via every cell of your physique.
- Now increase your palms and arms up in order that they’re at shoulder top, parallel to the bottom. Face your left palm down, and your proper palm up. As you maintain this posture, really feel qi rising up from the earth beneath you into your trunk/torso, and concurrently really feel the move of sky-qi flowing down via your crown, head and shoulders. Really feel these two energies merging and harmonizing within the centre of your torso.
- Now increase your palms above your head, opening the palms to the sky above. Really feel as in case you have branches and leaves reaching up into the sky, drawing down qi and light-weight from the solar, stars and sky. As you breathe, really feel this sky-qi transferring and flowing via
- Transfer again to place 2, after which to place 1, ending within the fundamental standing posture.
Associated article: Meditating with trees & plants
© Toby Ouvry 2023, you might be welcome to make use of or share this text, however please cite Toby because the supply and embody reference to his web site www.tobyouvry.com
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