Question : On the Natural way website the 3 Dan Tians are reffered to particularly with reference for physical alignment in the body, but apart from aiding awarenss in the hips and belly particularly for being sung, should we pay much attention to the middle and upper Dan Tian's whilst doing form and Push Hands? If so can you explain how they are utilised as such please?
The three tan tiens are centres which correspond to an activation or function of subtle ch'i and mind. In the Indian system they correspond to the heart chakra and the pineal/ pituitary chakra.
The function of the middle tan tien is to extend away from the body and also to receive a feeling connection on a ch'i and mind level. We can contemplate the phrase 'my friend was in pain and my heart went out to him.' It is responsible for the 'expanded heart' of increased consciousness. From a martial perspective it allows us to extend out be aware of our opponent, to be able to link in with them to be aware of the slightest movement of mind intent and body action.
The upper tan tien, especially the pineal, can function to allow us to have objective seeing. This means that we are not clouding our perception with emotional content or interference. Together with the pituitary it can also function to enable perception of more subtle objects such as the ch'i itself. This is only possible when the three tan tiens are in a balance.
To function in a balanced way the lower tan tien must enable us to root the body and mind. When a person naturally extends out and is able to link in with themselves and others the middle tantien can function. When there is clear and objective seeing then the upper tantien is active.
This answer is brief and incomplete but I hope it can provide a basic overview.
Questions can be posted as comments. Just click onto the 'comment' under any post. I read all comments and a comment does not have to relate to the post that it attached to.
Bristol 10.02.09
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment