Homework for the Embodying Presence:
Saturday Workshop series
We are cultivating the three faces of Embodying Presence: Being, Becoming and Belonging,
using the mental faculties of attention and identification.
(review previous blog posts at: BBB pt1, BBB pt 2 and BBB pt 3
Being: primary practice is ‘just sitting’. No goal, no expectations, but recognizing the always and already present, silent, still, calm and open-hearted Awareness, independent of anything that may be arising in Awareness. By learning to allow attention to come to rest here (PYS I-3 then the Seer rests in its own nature), we begin the process of dis-identifying with the egoic processes: PYS 1-4: (at other times the Self identifies with the activities of the mind.) Awareness cannot be manipulated by the mind, although aspects of the mind will attempt to grasp, label, control or distract our attention. These are the dysfunctional vrttis mentioned in PYS I-5. (there are 5 types of vrttis and they can increase suffering, or not), and it is important to recognize, identify and stop feeding these with further attention
Coming to rest is not the mind’s habituated state. It tends to grasp after any sensation, thought or story to keep it busy, so our first stage is to recognize and accept this. Our intention is to rest in the innate open-hearted stillness of Presence, but this is not so easy. The next intention is to allow things to be just as they are. In other words, accept the reality of the ‘monkey mind’, but begin to study it with curiosity, patience, love and compassion. Our mantra to help with this, from Frank Ostraseski, can be used while sitting, but also during our daily activities. Pause, Relax, Open, Allow.
Pause: When we realize we have become distracted, we first pause. We step off the train of thought. Then we Relax: No effort needed. (PYS II-47) We soften as best possible into the present moment. In relaxing, we
Open to any and everything that is arising; open minds and open hearts.
Allow: We invite this moment to reveal whatever is necessary for us in this moment.
Becoming: Evolving, maturing, realizing our potentials and manifesting them in the world. Healing old wounds and traumas, releasing dysfunctional ideas and beliefs about Self and reality. Discovering ‘heart centered’ Being as the root and foundation of Becoming.
Becoming as somatic samadhi. Somatic samadhi practice, or absorption in the bio-energetic fields of aliveness/qi/prana. Here attention moves away from thoughts, beliefs and other verbal constructs to the non-verbal sensations of energy flow patterns and the fields that shape them. Being able to track the breathing through the tissues is the starting point to awaken the innate intelligence of life as expressed as the flow qi/prana in cells, tissues and fluids. We use the three qualities of energy, the gunas, as a guide. Tamas/dullness: increase the vibrancy/energy; more yang. Rajas/agression-distraction: decrease energy/effort/yang; more yin, softening quieting. Sattva: balance/harmony; when self sustaining we relax and let go into the cosmic flow, macro and micro.
In time we learn to allow the intelligence of the cells, organs and organ systems to communicate directly with each other, by-passing our attempts to control or manipulate from thoughts and concepts. This natural sattva is the basic principle of accupuncture, ie opening the lines of communication throughout the organism so it may continually monitor and modulate the flow of blood and qi to maintain health and well-being.
The fundamental energetic shape of the cosmos, at all levels of existence, is the sphere. In our human form we can further divide one into three spheres, the dantiens as seen below. We have a primary axis along the spine (top-bottom), as well as ones running from side to side (right-left) and front to back. Each of these axes is an organizing line seeking balance and freedom across its center point and the spiral is the primary pattern that best integrates all three.
Patanjali describes the three aspects of asana in the Sadhana Pada. II-46: posture is the balance of stability and freedom of movement. II-47: relaxing effort and absorption in the cosmic fields: II-48: then, dualities are seen to be expressions of unity and wholeness. If the first chapter sutras help define ‘Presence’, these sutras define ‘Embodying’.
We will be using maps from Taoist energetic anatomy such as the micro-cosmic orbit, linking the yin Conception and yang Governing Vessels and the three Dantiens; embryological developmental patterns and structures; and basic Western anatomy for references to guide our attention. Any and all asanas are available, but sitting and restorative postures are best suited for the deep dives of somatic samadhi.
Our starting point is the three dantiens (elixir fields) as seen to the left. The lower dantien is centered in the pelvis, the middle dantien in the rib cage and the upper in the skull, so we have some tangible reference points. The key to the pelvis is the pubic symphysis, the cartilage between the two pubic bones. When the pubic region is awake and alive in movement and stillness, the lower spine, especially the lumbar-sacral area frees up. Sitting practice takes deep support from the lower dantien for grounding. For more detail see this blog post.
For the middle, we will use the sternum and the skull, the middle of the occipital bone. In time we will explore some more points along the microcosmic orbit to discover our own places of holding and letting go. When these regions are integrated in breathing, the overall feeling is an enlivening of the organs that supports and releases the entire spinal column from unnecessary tension.
Becoming as Freedom in Movement. To be free in the body is to move with freedom. Whether walking, running, swimming, dancing, vinyasa style yoga, qi gong, or any martial art or athletic endeavor, allow the energy to flow freely. (Jon Batiste ‘Freedom’) Let me see you wobble!
Belonging: Participating in the communities (sanghas) of life and culture. Opening our hearts to and feeling communion with all of creation. Feeling all of our feelings as part of our innate humanity. Finding Belonging through and from our own innate wholeness found in Being. All of our moral and ethical principles are put into practice as basic life activities.
Feel free to scroll though some of the other previous blogs for suggestions and more support in you own practice and explorations.