I have had the opportunity, while I was in Suan Mokkh meditation retreat in Chaiya, Thailand, to try different types of meditative practice (like Yoga, Taiji or Qigong). This group that I particularly like can be called “Meditation in motion.” Every morning we had one of these practices, and I must say that I feel that beginning the day in mindful motion, your whole day is developing in a much more positive fashion.
Taiji (tai chi) meditation in motion
Taiji (tai chi), is Chinese martial art that people practice not only for its physical but also for its health benefits and meditation. It is another good example of the Meditation in motion concept. In its movement, Taiji practice embodies the philosophy of yin and yang.
In the latest period, Taiji has developed worldwide recognition, with a focus on improving personal physical and mental health.
Focusing the mind on the movements helps you achieving calm and clarity of the mind. Again, according to Wikipedia, it is “being considered to teach the use of leverage through the joints based on coordination and relaxation, rather than muscular tension, to neutralize, yield or initiate attacks. The slow, repetitive work involved in the process of learning how that leverage gently and measurably increases, as well as opens, the internal circulation (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis).”
One may say that Taiji is both health training and meditation practice, along with its original martial art component.
Qigong meditation in motion
“Qigong is a holistic system of coordinated body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial arts training. With roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, qigong is traditionally viewed by the Chinese and throughout Asia as a practice to cultivate and balance qi (pronounced approximately as “chi”), translated as “life energy”.” (Wikipedia)
Deep rhythmic breathing, slow-flowing movement, and a calm meditative state of mind are in the focus of Qigong’s practice and philosophy.
The core of Qigong contains practices that coordinate body, breath, and mind. It has its origins in Chinese philosophy. Qigong’s practice consists of moving and still meditation in various postures, massage, and chanting, etc. As it is primary moving meditation, Qigong practice involves carefully choreographed movement, coordinated with breath and awareness.
Yoga
For thousands of years, Yoga is one of the most effective ways to manage stress, gain happiness and establish peace of mind. It can also help to reduce body pain, increase flexibility and body strength.
In Sanskrit, the word “Yoga” usually signifies connection or union. Yoga is actually the whole process of being more aware of who you are.
The origin of Yoga is traced back to more than 5,000 years ago in Northern India. In the oldest sacred texts known as the Rig Veda, we find the first reference to the word “Yoga.”
The text contained mantras, rituals, and songs used by the Vedic priests (Brahmans).
In a broad sense, Yoga represents a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices. In the Western world, it is often simplified to assume physical exercise postures (asanas), particularly referring to Hatha Yoga. Even texts about Hatha Yoga dates between the 9th and 11th centuries with origins in tantra, it is only in the 19th and 20th centuries that Yoga becomes known to Westerners.
As quoted in Wikipedia, “Yoga as exercise is a physical activity consisting largely of asanas, often connected by flowing sequences called vinyasas, sometimes accompanied by the breathing exercises of pranayama, and usually ending with a period of relaxation or meditation.”
People often forget that the goal of Yoga is spiritual liberation, achieving inner peace and harmony with nature. Meditation is a spiritual part of Yoga that you cannot set apart. That is why we sometimes refer to Yoga practice as Meditation in motion.
You need to practice every day
The present moment is the only place where you can decide what will be your answer to what life puts before you. The past is irreversibly behind you; there is no more, except for memories in your mind and this very moment. The future doesn’t exist either, except as thoughts in the present moment. So, all this exists is only now created through a mixture of causes and conditions. You cannot control most of them either. The only choice that is under your control is your reaction here and now.
Just be mindful, and do not give up.
If you want to know more
If you want to learn more about Yoga – Meditation in motion and other topics I write about, check out my books. See also what the goal of this website is.
You can check out my other post about Mindfulness.
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