OC Zen and the Art of Breaking

This 'meditation' provides only two paths to walk: the one that works, or the painful one that doesn't. I have mastered the painful path. In breaking, we do not wish to follow that path! Thus, it is critical that the Wushi (Warrior) have a well-developed capacity to produce Fa Jin, unconsciously but intentionally. Yi training works with the mind’s impulse of initial intelligence or primary intent. In order to enter Wu Shin (Void Mind), the initial duality of self-other, subject-object consciousness must be dissolved. The techniques, drills, and forms practiced at this level are few and, if you have met the first condition of producing Fa Jin on command, they should suffice. However, the process outlined and explained below will need daily attention.

First, some theory:

In physics, chi is known as the "zero-point energy", or "quantum -field" energy, and it is accessible to all conscious entities. Before Star Wars, it was popularly referred to as the Force, now it is just the Field...The name hardly matters! The important point is that this phenomenon is not just a New Age Shamanic wishful-thinking fantasy; rather it is simply a property of the organizational structure of our relationship to experience. Yogis and Shamans from all over the world and throughout history teach the same thing: they lead you out of the way of your own energy. There are many different ways to do it, but what really matters is what the individual perceives as real. Change this, and what is "real" becomes much less solid and much more fluid.

Dissolution into nothingness is the ongoing process of the entire experiential play; this is what is meant by the oscillating mind. I am happy to speculate, but I can only ever teach that of which I have had direct experience; this is the case even for the most mundane of life's tasks. It is for this reason that the practice of Wuji Quan requires diligent inquiry on an ongoing basis: ever broadening, ever deepening. Upon death, we will rejoin with the source, or we will manifest individuated consciousness along another path of unfolding experience. As a novice Warrior, it remains up to you to close the gaps in your understanding, through guided experience.

When you improve both connecting to your unconscious mind through lucid dream states, and in moving and nonmoving meditation, you will eventually be able to induce a theta wave brain state prior to releasing the breaking energy. This makes it possible to give instructions to the subconscious in the form of a single high-amplitude Yi impulse. However, you must have the Yi focused on an outcome or task that is within the realm of your beliefs and/or your convictions. In this case, I have proven by numerous demonstrations that it is possible to break the concrete block through Yi-directed movement of chi alone. However, not only must the instructor demonstrate the event, he must also provide a 'feel' for the action; a concrete block implacably resistant to breaking by the student during his practice, is broken suddenly by the instructor with wu wei, or effortless action.

Now, theory aside:

Practice, breathe, release - REPEAT! Follow the flow/way/wave, don't interfere (you and I haven't the slightest what is "right" outside of our social programs), be adaptable, and most of all, have the faith that everything works just fine, isn't broken, and doesn't need you to fix it. The only thing that isn't transitory is Nothing/Wuji.

It is crucial to channel the flow of energy, and not restrict it. Yes, the TCM (traditional Chinese Medicine) chi gung practices that conserve and store chi do work, and when we have depleted our reserves we need to refill. However, there is no need to over-fill when the chi reserve is full! It is important to keep the channels clear for the passage of energy; energy must move, or it stagnates and becomes malignant. This is not medical advice, but: if your energy remains connected to the Universal flow, it will not matter whether there is cancer or not. Just so, when your mind is divorced from subject as much as object, then you cease to be; the energy sent by the Yi will flow freely and the experience of the true bliss of freedom will come easily. For in that moment, you will know directly what an unfettered mind is really like... not a fabricated fantasy of "unity", but a direct, personal experience.

When the hand is on the concrete, withdraw from your sense of touch and forget it; withdraw from sight and forget it; with draw from all bodily senses and forget them. Put all out of mind. Mind your breath; after the out-breath and before the in-breath, imagine the blinding white light of energy release coming from nothing, enveloping your attention until there is again nothing, and see the object and subject in the new state of being. Giving yourself up to the flow of energy is also giving up the conviction of objects. In that gap you have access; but you must move slower and slower and simultaneously observe more and more.

Much of this technique is centered on breath. It is a relaxing, releasing breath -- no Kiai, yell, or "Hah" breath required. You must release the chi wave at, or slightly after, the relaxing out-breath. Likewise, this is how you breathe in the Wuji Taiji Jian form: finishing the move just after the release of the out-breath, and just before the in-breath begins.

One additional exercise:

Sit in seiza or lotus, or stand in wuji, or lie in Dai Sung. Practice moving your attention in a slow and fluid way back and forth from one hand to the other. Coordinate this with the breath. Your body should be comfortable and not requiring attention in any way. Continue to do this oscillation with periodic pauses at each hand. Sense the entirety of your hand, feel for the subtle electrical tingles that are present; the deeper you penetrate into the experience, the more of that sensation you will find. Do not linger too long, for the mind dulls quickly -- move your attention to the other hand and repeat the sensing process. This is the beginning of all sense practice.

As you improve and begin to find this easy, begin to expand your attention/awareness from each hand up to the wrist, the forearm, the shoulder, and eventually connecting across the shoulders to hold the entire shoulder girdle, and all parts of the arm below, in the mind at the same time. This is easy to describe, but an honest Wushi will find that the mind has the tendency to jump around chaotically, and it will need to be called back to task by intent. When you have both hands, arms, and shoulders held solidly in your attention, expand to the ventral thorax/front upper torso, and then to the dorsal/back. Eventually you will include other body parts, such as ears and feet. This will help you find and close gaps in your sphere. There is more to this practice, but this initial stage must be accomplished first.

Seek and you shall surely find it; but, try to grasp tight and not let go, then it was never there, and will surely remain unreachable.

Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo

May your path bring you to your highest realization

Sigung, Dr. James B Astin