The Zen of Breathing…
My teacher started his Zen training as a teenager and as most
teenagers do, he acted as if he was both all knowing and
immortal.
Youthful arrogance and Zen are not the best combination
especially when the teacher carries a stick.
Regular beatings were required to speed up the process of
enlightenment but to his credit he stuck with it.
He was also fortunate enough to have a teacher that was trained
in several different schools of Zen and was well-versed with
many different breathing techniques.
Zen is not commonly known to have a multitude of “yogic”
breathing exercises, as do the Indian or Tibetan schools. In Zen
the philosophy is generally to simplify the method and focus on
the breathing itself.
Now imagine a hormonally hyperactive 16-year-old boy fidgeting
on his meditation cushion, trying to focus on HIS breathing. To
make matters worse this same boy was plagued with sinus trouble
and rarely had more than one nostril that was clear.
The boy was not the only one focusing on HIS breathing. The
sounds of mucus and snot bubbles coming out of his nose were
often the loudest things during meditation practice.
The mere presence of the boy in the meditation hall was a
psychic disturbance that could not be ignored no matter what
your level of training.
So what to do?
The Zen Master called the boy aside.
“Do you Breathe or are you Breathed?” the Zen Master asked.
Naturally the arrogant youth replied “I Breathe.”
“If you Breathe then show me Breathing.,” The Zen Master
instructed.
The boy sat down diligently and began to sniff and snort with
purpose and measure through his stuffy nose.
The Zen Master rolled his eyes and held up his hand “STOP! If
you Breath now show me not Breathing.”
The boy held his breath and the Zen Master watched diligently.
Several moments passed while the boy gradually started to turn
blue. Suddenly he exploded and gasped for air.
“What’s a matta?” the Zen Master asked.
“Even if you manage to pass out by holding your breath you will
start breathing again on your own. I think that you should
investigate this further.” With that the Zen Master sent the
boy away to meditate on whether or not he breathed or was
breathed.
The next day the Zen Master stepped into view in front of the
boy while he was in meditation. In his hand he held a rumpled
up paper lunch bag that he was breathing into. The bag expanded
and collapsed with every breath the Zen Master took. The Master looked
quizzically over the bag at the boy.
As many Zen Masters do, this particular teacher had a special
look that he would give a student that meant they should ask
what he was doing.
“What are you doing…” the boy reluctantly moaned, knowing full
well there was a potential stick whacking in it.
The Zen Master lowered the bag with a great big smile and
said “Me? Nothing. But this bag… this bag is Breathing!”
Not all whacks are delivered with a stick. The shock of
realization can be delivered even as a joke.
The boy did change his breathing and his focus. He was no
longer the distraction in the meditation hall. His breathing
became effortless and natural. He healed his sinus problems and
eventually he himself became the Master.
Changing the focus from breathing to Being Breathed is a big
step but one in the right direction if you want to really open
the flow of Qi in your body.
I rarely use a stick but I’m a big fan of the jokes as many of
you have seen in the Recharging Qi Gong.
It’s ok to laugh, it opens the lungs.
If you don’t have the Recharging Qi Gong there’s no excuse not
to get it today at http://rechargingqigong.com and clear the
internal clutter and superficial tensions from your body.
You might even have a laugh or two.
Wishing you Health, Wealth and Happiness,
Dr. Wu Dhi
PS: I’m planning the first Recharging Qi Gong seminar to happen
this summer. This is an event you won’t want to miss, I will
send out details soon.
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