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Grounding,
Centering and Ki |
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This
is a gathering of information from many different sources. Any of
these methods requires practice. Grounding, Centering and finding
your Ki require patients to learn. |
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GROUNDING |
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In
order for energy to flow unimpeded through the body, good contact with the
ground is essential. Ungrounded people tend to be unsure of their footing
or hold on reality. Their muscles may either be rigid or flaccid-both
inadequate when faced with new terrain. These physical characteristics may
accompany corresponding mental attitudes of rigidity or laxity. Grounded
people seem well-balanced and aligned. With their flexible feet and legs
they adjust quickly to unfamiliar terrain, and remain open and responsible
to any new input in their lives. (P 168, Gaia)
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To ground make yourself stable. This can be done in a variety of ways.
Some people envision their legs as tree trunks, rooted to the earth.
Others like to begin by putting their hands on the ground or tabletop.
Others hold a piece of hematite. Take several deep breaths and exhale
slowly. Shut your eyes and feel connected to the earth. (P8, Ravenwolf)
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Hold your body in a position of tension. This will increase energy flow
and release blocks.
Stand with your feet parallel and shoulders width apart. Bend your
knees as much as you can; let your legs begin to feel tired. As you do
this, breath out when you go down and in when you go up. If your legs
begin to tingle, bounce up and down on your heels. With practice, this
tingling feeling should be in your whole body. (P195, Hands of light, by
Barbara Ann Brennan)
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Ways
to Ground:
1. Run cold water over you hands
2. Hold a piece of hematite in your hand.
3. Imagine energy draining from your body, through your feet, into
the earth.
4. Send the excess energy into the Universe for peace, healing,
etc. (P 9, Silverwolf)
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CENTERING
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Centering is a way of focusing, of gartering your energy into a point
so that you can channel it more easily into any activity you choose. It is
a state of balance, quietness, strength and presence in the moment. More
specifically, centering means focusing on the Hara, the center of energy
in the abdomen. For any form of massage, as for the martial arts, being
centered in the Hara is of primary importance for it enables you to be
flexible yet resilient, to work with your intuition rather than your mind.
When your energy is channeled, you need less muscle power and can give
even a series of message treatments without becoming tired or drained.
Being centered also entails having the correct posture-with spine erect
and neck and shoulders relaxed-and remaining "grounded" or aware
of contact with the ground, through your legs and feet. Someone who is
centered in the Hara is powerful and immovable, like a tree whose roots go
deep down into the earth. And with a strong center, the energy can flow
freely out through the arms and hands. It is our center of gravity, power,
equilibrium and stability, the nucleus of our physical and psychic powers.
If you work from the "Hara", your energy comes from your center
of gravity and you can operate without effort or strain.(P 24, Gaia)
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Centering is the process of pulling your energy to a central point in
your body, normally at your navel, or slightly above or below. Try all
three to determine which is the most comfortable for you. Your center is
the seat of your power. Centering is normally done after the grounding
process. (P., Silverwolf)
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1. Exercise for Centering:
Sit cross-legged or kneel down on the floor, putting a cushion under
your buttocks, if necessary, to ease any strain on your legs or Sit on a
straight backed chair with both feet flat on the floor. Now close your
eyes and direct your attention inward. Feel the strong foundation that
your are sitting on, that your legs and feet feel as they make contact
with the cushion, chair or floor. From this firm base, allow your spine to
float gently upward, without strain. Let go of any tension in your
shoulders, neck and face. Now begin to focus on your breath, allowing it
to find it's own rhythm. Imagine that as you inhale, your breath fills
your lower abdomen or Hara. After a few breaths, begin to visualize in
addition that as you exhale, your breath flows up your torso from the
Hara, through your shoulders, down your arms and out of your hands. If you
wish, visualize the breath as a steam of energy or white light flowing up
the body and out of your fingers. (P 25, Gaia)
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2. Exercise for Centering:
Sit for 10 to 15 min meditating. Repeat to yourself "Be
still" and focus on what you are saying. If your mind wanders, simply
bring it back.
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3. Another good mediation is to simply count to ten. Count one on the in
breath, two on the out breath, three on the in breath, etc... until you
reach ten. The hard part is that every time you allow your mind to wander
and think another thought other than counting, you go back to one and
start all over. (P198, Barbra Ann Brennan)
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4. Exercise for Centering:
Listen to your breaths and establish the rhythm by timing and counting
your breaths. Then imagine a white square. Then Imagine a blue circle.
Then master holding the image of a red triangle in the minds eye without
distraction. Then imagine all three at once, superimposed, one on the
other, breathing slowly and regularly sensing the body's energy flow in a
regular circle from the top of the head through the soles of the feet and
back to the top of the head. (139-140 Bradley)
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5. Exercise for Centering:
Imagine that your energy is a big sheet stuffed into a little box
(you). Let the sheet expand past your body. Let it flap in the breeze for
a while, then suck it back in. Let it out again, this time half way, then
pull it in again. Now let it out a little bit and bring it back. Do this at
least ten times a day until you get used to the "feeling".(P8-9,
Silverwolf)
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Exercise
for Grounding and Centering:
1a. Take a deep breath and relax all the muscles in your body. Take
another deep breath and relax your mind; think of a positive place.
Take another deep breath and imagine you are floating freely in a
positive Universe. Continue until you are completely relaxed and calm.
Pull in your personal energy to your navel. Count down from ten to
one, slowly.
2b. Imagine a beam of golden light coming out of the sky to touch
you entering your head filling it. It continues downward through your
body and into the earth beneath your feet. (This image can work from
the ground to the sky also) (P 10, Silverwolf)
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| a. |
In
Search of Ki
1) Coordinate your mind and body by settling your total
concentration at a single spot 2 inches below the navel
2) Relax completely and let your strength settle at the single
point.
3) Lower your center of gravity so that your entire body is in it's
most stable and balanced position
4) Extend the KI so that your mind becomes one with the spirit of
the universe.
Aikido mastered do not consider it easy to achieve the power of KI; in
face, they say it may take years of patient concentration. (P7, Focus vol
1/no.7/Dec 14, 1973) |
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The
Warm Hands
Find a quiet place and sit with your back straight and both feet on the
floor. As you begin to relax, turn your palms to face upward on your lap.
Now shut your eyes and imagine a red circle at the center of each palm.
Let all the tension flow out of your body as you concentrate your mind's
energy on these two red spots. After a minute or so of reaching a relaxed
state of concentration, imagine the red areas becoming brighter and more
intense. After a few more minutes, you will feel a gentle pulsing
sensation in each palm as your mind activates both energy centers. Soon
this gentle pulsation will give rise to a feeling of warmth that will
begin to spread all over your body. (P92, Chin) |
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