Mind Like An Ocean

There’s a classic metaphor for the mind that likens it to the ocean. Our emotions and attachments to things are like winds that cause waves to appear on the surface of the ocean, constantly rising and falling. This activity captures our attention and we take is as reality. But it’s all one ocean of mind. The greatest amount of water in the ocean is beneath the surface where the mind is a vast sea of tranquility. Waves are only a small part of the ocean. Afflictive emotions always ebb and flow above this deep serenity of mind consciousness. It’s important to realize that everyone has this reservoir of peace and stillness.

This is a line in the Dhammapada, a collection of the Buddha’s sayings, that was an eye-opener for me the first time I read it:
“Everything you are is a result of what you have thought”

In other words, your mind makes your reality. Regardless of what happens “to” you, your reaction will determine the degree of your happiness or unhappiness. We all have knee-jerk reactions to triggering events. Whether these are big stormy waves or frequent recurring irritations it usually triggers some afflictive emotion – anger, fear, jealousy, greed, etc.

Qigong practice is a precise and comprehensive system that can calm the uproar of emotional suffering by deliberatly expressing the intrinsic virtues of our HeartMind: benevolence, tenderness, tolerance and love. The HeartMind (HM) is that combination of emotional intelligence and rational analysis that makes us uniquely human.

In the program of Qigong Through The Seasons we begin the process of spiritual awakening by extending these virtues from ourself to ourself.  At this stage our HM is cultivated and strengthened with meditation and qigong exercises. This activity primarily takes place in the thorax of our body. The chest area is the somatic abode of the Middle Dan Tian (MDT) which is a vital reservoir of energy where we establish our connections to other people by nurturing the HeartMind.

Physically the anatomy of the MDT should be expansive and loose. We should feel the shoulders working a little smoother, breathing becoming deeper, muscles more fit across the chest and back. Energetically we may feel a presence within the chest. This could be like a vast quiet space equally small and boundless. Or like a gentle humming, vibrating movement both coming and going through the chest. Essentially this is the yang energy of the HeartMind gathering momentum.

We continue along the path of spiritual awakening, in the MDT, by extending benevolence, tenderness, tolerance and love from ourself out to other people. The MDT is the body’s workshop for transforming the energy from the heart and blood from the liver into the Spirit. This Spirit, “Shen” in Chinese, is that part of yourself that can awaken and understand the endless network of interdependence we share with all things. This means everything.

The Shen is nourished in the Upper Dan Tian (UDT) of the head. It embodies the HeartMind and our expressions of interpersonal communications. If the heart is dysfunctional we become aloof or even antisocial; we will be unable to attach a value to anything beyond our bodies. Our Shen enables us to make a connection by looking a person in the eye as we speak, genuinely listening to what they are saying, choosing words that offer comfort or understanding, and generally “clicking” with another person.

Beyond social connections, the Shen is our yearning to make contact with divine reality; to experience an ineffable state of knowing that our body, mind and spirit exist as the ultimate manifestation of energy. This is spiritual awakening.

Spiritual awakening happens when we understand that our existence
goes beyond the limits of the ego.
We understand that our lives are interdependent with the lives of everyone.
We consciously choose to be kind, generous and compassionate
rather than angry, greedy and apathetic.
If we choose to awaken to our true nature we will be happier
because we can handle the waves of suffering with equanimity.

Spiritual Awakening Comes With Practice

We can open our spirit with those practices that help us connect with the sea of universal consciousness. As a Dharma practitioner I know that meditation is a key element in awakening to our true nature; as a qigong practitioner I know that cultivation of essence and energy can lead to spiritual awakening. There are other ways like prayer, religious service, and the revelations of God. Perhaps the most direct way to awaken our spirit to the reality of interdependence is through service toward the well being of others. The practice of gratitude is a wonderful way to enhance your well-being and open your spirit to the bittersweet joys of life.

Spiritual awakening is not a one-time event. It may happen like that for some people, but for the majority of us spiritual awakening is like the sun rising on a beautiful day. It slowly gives us warmth, peace and contentment. And then we often become bewildered again in the darkness of dissatisfaction. But we can change over time with conscious practice.

Every day is a new day. Every day is an opportunity to wake up to your true nature of basic nobility. Every day there can be clouds of suffering from afflictive emotions, but with each experience of spiritual awakening you move closer to being awake more often than being asleep. You will deeply appreciate every facet of your life – the uppers and the downers – with gratitude, benevolence and equanimity…for yourself and all others.

Signs Of Spiritual Awakening

You are aware of afflictive emotions and handle them appropriately.
You act with kindness and consideration toward all living beings.
You are happy for the good fortune of others.
You are grateful for the people and things that contribute to your well being.