Ki Meditation - Chin Shin No Gyo

 Ki Meditation - Chin Shin No Gyo

PRINCIPLES FOR KI MEDITATION 

1. You maintain a posture of mastery. 

2. You have a sense of freedom. 

3. You create an atmosphere of harmony. 

4. You are vividly aware of the spirit of life in all things. 

5. Therefore you can feel the movement of Ki in the Universe. 

Ki meditation should be practiced in an upright sitting position; either on the knees (seiza), cross legged (lotus or agura), or in a chair. Any time of day or night is appropriate, however the quiet of late night or early morning is best. A place should be selected that is relatively private, and separated from where the busy activities of the daytime take place. 

Tohei Sensei calls Ki meditation "Ki no ishi ho" or "Ki method for strengthening the will-power". "Will Power" is the faculty or function of the mind that enables us to experience alert calmness, or attentive calmness. How this works is not always easy to discuss in words. We tend to think of "will-power" as a kind of inner force that we impose upon some aspect of our nature in order to attain a certain desired result. However, in meditation this way of thinking can lead to very unsatisfactory results. In meditation, the more we try to "do" something, to control, or to accomplish some result, the more we will fail. It is as if we have a large tub of water that is very agitated, with many small waves on the surface. This is very much like our mind. One would never think to calm the waves in the tub by trying to use the hands to hold the water in place. We would simply wait on the side until the waves calm down on their own. 

When we meditate, "will-power" is what is used to keep the hands out of the waves, and allow the inner self to wait patiently on the side while the waves of the mind gently, slowly begin to calm themselves down. In other words, meditation is a process that we “allow" to happen, not something that we "make" happen. 

For some of us, this "simplest" type of Ki meditation is the most difficult of all. Sometimes this "patiently waiting" for the waves of the mind to calm is frustrating. It is the nature of the mind to want to be doing something. It is very difficult for the mind to be calmly watching. Therefore, Tohei Sensei has developed a very effective method of Ki Meditation. It is practiced as follows: 

While sitting in the quiet place that you have selected, first imagine that you are collecting a sphere of Ki. Beginning at the outer most limits of the Universe, imagine the sphere of Ki becoming smaller and smaller by half, until it quickly centers into your One Point in the Lower Abdomen, and continues infinitely there. When it becomes impossible to imagine the infinitely decreasing sphere, as it disappears into your One Point, then let the image go, but continue to follow the feeling that this process has created. This "collecting" or "concentrating" or contracting" is called Shuchu ho. 

Then, after about 60 seconds, imagine the tiniest of spheres forming in the middle of your One Point, and gradually becoming bigger and bigger, each time by half, and continuing to expand infinitely. When it becomes impossible to imagine the huge sphere it has become, then let that image go, and continue following the feeling that is present. This is called Kakudai ho. 

Both Shuchu ho and Kakudai ho produce the same feeling within, and in fact are essentially the same thing, being looked at two different ways, like two sides to the same coin. The whole process of Shuchu ho/Kokudai ho, while keeping the mind occupied, has a very calming effect, and is an excellent practice for developing the feeling of relaxed meditation. 

Tohei Sensei has also developed a mudra, or hand position, that is very effective in allowing the Ki to focus. It is called Toitsu No In, and is as follows: 

Place the hands together in front your face at eye level. Then interlock the fingers, with the tips of the fingers pointing towards your face, and the small, third and second fingers of your right hand overlapping the same fingers on your left hand. Then close your hands, crossing your left thumb over your right, and touching your two first fingers together evenly, and pointing upward. This finger posture, or mudra, should be very firmly held, yet the hands should be relaxed. Once the position has been assumed as described above, gently lower the Toitsu No In to your lap, and let it rest there. This posture is a kind of "seal" of mind/body coordination, in that, while in this position, it is extremely difficult to not be coordinated. It promotes a feeling of calm meditation in itself, and so is a good posture to assume when practicing any form of meditation. 

Reminder: In order to accomplish anything in life, we must possess the following three characteristics: 

1) The Desire to do it. 

2) The Effort to do it. 

3) The Will Power to continue doing it. 

If any of these three are lacking, then we will necessarily fall short of our goal. It is sometimes helpful to consider that the joy and fulfilment of Life is contained within the process of accomplishing, not the result of, any great endeavor. 

In addition, this "process of accomplishing" can only be truly effective when aided by the following three-character attributes: 

1) Right practice (body).

2) Right attitude (feeling).

3) Right understanding (mind).

Consider these, and make them yours.

Curtis Sensei via Kristopher Kelley