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JACKIE-2759125

Articles Posted: 76  Links Seeded: 20
Member Since: 12/2010  Last Seen: 5/15/2012

What is Chi? Can getting in touch with it quiet an unquiet mind?

Fri Jan 6, 2012 12:07 PM EST
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By Jackie-2759125

Ryu of Streetfighter II V anime making some Ki

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This morning I was thinking about life force energy again and term Chi (http://taoism.about.com/od/qi/a/Qi.htm) came to mind.  I found myself wondering what exactly is Chi?  Do I have access to it?

The origin of my curiosity came from watching one of my husbands anime's called Street Fighter II V (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Fighter_II_V) and one of the main characters, Ryu (Dragon), learns how to manipulate ki energy (Japanese term for Chi) for fighting.  It was rather fascinating to watch him learn about what it was and how to harnass this power source.  Part of his training was getting in touch with, feeling and harnassing the Chi emanating from all things in his environment.  

Lately, when I've been doing my work out in the backyard I've been trying to feel the energy of the earth and everything around me.  Sometimes I can almost feel when I focus and I do hand movements  that they are not just passing through air, but it's thicker than that, almost like water.  It's rather amazing when I'm actually able to get into that mind state because one of the parts of my mental health condition is racing thoughts and the inability to focus for very long periods of time.  Most of the time I live with a very unquiet mind so when I get into the mind state I'm describing, it's incredible. 

The movements I currently do, I guess are like Tai Chi  (http://www.everyday-taichi.com/tai-chi-forms.html) meets Napolean Dynamite, bad belly dancing topped off with wielding a steel fence pole like a sword all combined!  It's ok if your laughing at this image because I do look ridiculous but it makes me feel good so I'm not real concerned.  If your looking into my back yard and see this show and are scarred for life or even inspired...your problem, not mine!  I think this year I am going to look into Tai Chi and learn more about it. 

Anyhew, if anyone reading this has experience with anything I've mentioned here, I'd be interested to read what you have to say about it!

 

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Jackie-2759125

Just sharing a tidbit from my life long quest for finding ways to achieve inner peace and balance.

  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Fri Jan 6, 2012 12:08 PM EST
Anna-90776

Jackie, I believe we are a part of the sum total. That somehow, someway the bigger picture connects us all through energy. An interesting thing I always fail to mention when we have these discussion is how a thought turns into reality. Seems I will get an old song locked into my brain and within days of humming all around it I hear the song for the first time in decades. AND...working in this office environment multiple times a week we hear someone asking, "why is the phone quiet for an hour then everyone calls at once?" Energy is why, I believe.

Love your routine. Hope it keeps working for you:)

  • 3 votes
Reply#2 - Fri Jan 6, 2012 1:20 PM EST
Jackie-2759125

Anna I agree with you that we are all part of one and you give great examples. My husband and I are always joking about how when he and I think of something all the sudden it shows up in the news or something.

There is a phenomenon I call it "PT Cruiser" syndrome. Let me explain. Before I met my husband in person he mentioned that his mom had a PT Cruiser. I never really paid attention to them but liked them. After he told me that, I started seeing them EVERYWHERE and began to think they were the most popular car on the road. The reality was there weren't any more or less of them, I was just now noticing them.

Anna the funny thing is I was skimming some Tai Chi videos to see what some of the movements are and recognized that a lot of what I've been doing for a long time is Tai Chi type movements! Going to explore it more - lots of Utube videos on it.

  • 2 votes
#2.1 - Fri Jan 6, 2012 6:35 PM EST
Reply
Dare To Hope

I love that your always coming up with new ways to make me think. I had a visual of looking into your back yard and had to LOL!! Btw....is that your photo of the hand and the sun? I love it!

  • 3 votes
Reply#3 - Fri Jan 6, 2012 1:35 PM EST
Jackie-2759125

Glad I made you think AND most of all smile today lol. Like I said, I know I look ridiculous but it sure feels good. As I mentioned to Anna, in skimming some Tai Chi instructional videos on Utube, I realized that many movements I've been doing for many years have names! Too funny. May be that's why it's always felt so good. Highly recommend it. When I do it I'm actually able to focus and be still....very rare for me.

The photo of the hand in the sun isn't mine but I thought it was neat.

  • 2 votes
#3.1 - Fri Jan 6, 2012 6:38 PM EST
Reply
tzia62

Something that makes you go "hmm". Very interesting Jackie, thanks!!

  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Fri Jan 6, 2012 3:50 PM EST
Jackie-2759125

Lol Tzia, if you knew me in person you would always have something to make you go hmmmmmmmm....just ask my husband. He's earning his angel wings and halo every day he wakes up next to me! :-)

  • 2 votes
#4.1 - Fri Jan 6, 2012 6:39 PM EST
Reply
etva

Enjoyed the article, Jackie! I definitely think we have the potential to connect with and use the energy around us - to merge with the energy flow, and broaden our perceptions. Having said that, I find it nearly impossible to reach that state. Like you, my mind rarely calms; I still haven't learned to let go.

  • 2 votes
Reply#5 - Fri Jan 6, 2012 7:07 PM EST
Jackie-2759125

Hi Etva! Practice makes not perfect but a step closer to being better. Even a temporary respite from the "brain storms" is welcome for me and it sounds like you can relate. Burning the candle at both ends for so long contributed greatly to my breakdown back in 2002. We are not designed to run 24/7 and yet we keep getting pushed in that direction. The day we can operate at high levels 24/7 is the day we will no longer be human. We will have entered the reality of the sci-fi Terminator movie series.

  • 2 votes
#5.1 - Sat Jan 7, 2012 10:59 AM EST
etva

I can surely relate, Jackie. We need to learn how to slow down and stop to smell the roses. I'm working on it:)

  • 2 votes
#5.2 - Sat Jan 7, 2012 12:05 PM EST
Reply
Augur Well

Explore your inner chi, Jackie! By all means!

I've been doing Tai Chi off and on for eons, Yang style mostly, and I love it. My latest class just ended just before the holidays. (our instructor is moving out of state, sniffle-sniffle-rubbing-eyes, she's a terrific teacher!) And I'm currently looking for another group to join almost as I'm composing this!

Tons of good cds on the market these days too. I'd recommend before you pick one out "cold" from the web tho, to find a class somewhere, and just go and have a chat with the instructor. Maybe even a couple of them. There are, as I'm sure you've discovered already, some differences, they are rather subtle tho. I wouldn't get too awfully caught up in them tho! Just go and have a chat, I'm positive you won't be disappointed!

And keep those back yard shows going! Gives the neighbors something to talk about over their coffee clatches! LOL!

(*taichigrins*!)

  • 3 votes
Reply#6 - Sat Jan 7, 2012 9:08 AM EST
Jackie-2759125

Hello Augur and thank you for stopping in with your experience and suggestions! When hubby is gainfully employed and we have some expendable income I may just do what you suggest and see if there is anyone in the area conducting classes. I live in an extremely small town that I know doesn't have any so I'd have to venture in the direction of Dallas or Ft Worth to find what I'm looking for and we only have one car atm. So in the mean time I'll keep skimming and reading and just doing what comes natural to me.

The backyard shows you mentioned lol - just feel so great. Doing flowing hand movements, balancing and stretches that just come without thinking if I'm "doing it right" are best for a chatter mind like mine. When I go to the "am I doing it right" place my inner critic and "too many mind" kicks in which takes away from the gentle, relaxing nature of just moving in ways that feel good. Being conscious of breathing and not over extending are things I'm thinking more about in my brief exploration of Tai Chi so far. I'm finding I get so much more relaxed and "in tune" when I breath more deeply as I move. It's like a gentle dance isn't it?

You'll have to let me know if you do in fact find a new instructor/group you can connect with like your previous one (sorry you lost your instructor).

  • 1 vote
#6.1 - Sat Jan 7, 2012 11:11 AM EST
Augur Well

You'll have to let me know if you do in fact find a new instructor/group you can connect with like your previous one (sorry you lost your instructor).

I will certainly do that!

"too many mind"

LOL! Oh yea! There's always that going on! If there wasn't we'd all be teaching! LOL!

Sounds like you're already well on your way! Just be patient with your teacher, when you do find one! He/and or she (*grins*!) will probably be "correcting" your form here and there for a while! Be patient and have fun with it! There really is a "right" way to practice the forms, they only help more, they help and aid even better when done correctly. Just as in any physical exercise. But it really sounds like you're doing just fine!

A couple of links that I think are good teachers, and their cds,

Here and Here

Have fun!

  • 3 votes
#6.2 - Sat Jan 7, 2012 11:32 AM EST
maria lyn

Jackie/congratulation on your program and i hope all goes as you hope. Maria

  • 2 votes
#6.3 - Sat Jan 7, 2012 11:40 AM EST
Jackie-2759125

Thanks for the links Augur and I will check them out! Friend invite sent. Thanks for words on encouragement Maria. I'm always "questing" for ways to get the "bad head space renters" to shut up! "-)

  • 1 vote
#6.4 - Sat Jan 7, 2012 11:58 AM EST
Augur Well

FR heading your way too!

I'm always "questing" for ways to get the "bad head space renters" to shut up! "-)

Well, then there's always a good bourbon too....LOL!

(*sillygrins*!)

  • 2 votes
#6.5 - Sun Jan 8, 2012 10:03 AM EST
Reply
HollyKl

I've not had any experience with chi or Tai Chi but I'll be interesting to hear how your exploration progresses.

  • 3 votes
Reply#7 - Sun Jan 8, 2012 4:56 PM EST
Kara Shalee

Jackie, I enjoyed reading about your experiences with the Life Force known as chi or qi, alternately I think it is yin/yang, and reversed by the Japanese vs Chinese. It makes for a fascinating life study and I wish you well.

For me too, being grounded in the earth is very important. The eperiences you report, I would love to hear more about. Great article, as always.

Nice to see you,

Kara

  • 2 votes
Reply#8 - Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:57 AM EST
Jackie-2759125

Good morning Holly and Kara! I will keep you all informed as I explore this. Augur gave me a couple great links to check out and that helped.

Yesterday I had my New Age CD going in the backyard and for a time was in the "flow" but found myself getting distracted by road noise (we live right next to a busy road that has truck and vehicle traffic). There were moments, in between, where there was the just the music, bird song and a faint breeze and it was then I was able to relax into what I was doing. My husband joked yesterday that I need to put up nature posters etc in the garage and do my exercises in there but there is a part of me that doesn't feel it would be as rewarding. When I'm in the "flow" outside and surrounded by earth energy, it permeates my entire being and I feel so connected to all the elements of nature. Doing it inside just doesn't feel the same, it's incomplete.

We are thinking that when it's time to replace our privacy fence, we are going to request a variance and instead of just 8ft put in a 9-10ft fence. The road behind our house is higher than our property so people driving by, whether it be in cars or 18 wheelers, can see right into our yard! I hate it and it makes me self conscious and distracted. Also considering finding a way to privatize our open back patio pergala. We'll figure out something!

Anyhew - thanks for stopping in ladies! Won't be out today because we are getting much needed rain! :-)

  • 2 votes
Reply#9 - Mon Jan 9, 2012 11:23 AM EST
Kara Shalee

Anyhew - thanks for stopping in ladies! Won't be out today because we are getting much needed rain! :-)

Yes, well be sure and send some of that to California, will you please?? Don't know how HollyKl feels about that tho............LOL

  • 2 votes
#9.1 - Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:55 PM EST
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