Class 24: Cultivating the Golden Ball #4: Discovering Multifaceted Meanings

Description

This is our 4th class on the quest for the Golden Ball in the Eastern and Western Mystery traditions. We continue the Grimm’s Brothers teaching story of Iron John about the king’s son losing his golden ball, symbolizing the loss of one’s inner child, and the wild man who helps him recover it. The thesis is presented that the answer to the Western mystery tradition’s loss of the Golden Ball can be found in the Eastern mystery tradition of Tai Chi and Qigong. The mythopoetic dimensions of Golden Ball practices are explored. We emphasize importance of the dimension of meaning in Bodymind Healing Qigong and Tai Chi.

Some specifics:

• How to find the Golden Ball in Qigong/Tai Chi practice when practicing static Standing Meditation Qigong  and dynamic Moving Qigong.

• The Old Testament has four dimensions of interpretation without which Torah study is incomplete: P’shat (the plain or literal meaning), Remez (hints or allegorical meaning), Derash (inquiry or homiletic meaning), and Sod (secret or mystical meaning). Similar to Kabbalistic study of the Torah, the thesis is presented that Tai chi/Qigong is incomplete without knowing its movements’ four esoteric purposes: self-healing, spiritual unfoldment self-defense and changing one’s life stance psychologically.

• The shamanic underpinnings of Tai Chi are revealed in the names of the postures and provide and entryway into Tai Chi/Qigong as an age-old shamanic practice.

• To embody the archetypal qualities of the Zodiac that we are lacking, we can use the Tai chi movement corresponding to each sign of the Zodiac and each of its elements (fire, earth, air, and water.). For example, practicing “Grasping the Birds Tail” in four, eight, and twelve directions to draw in the archetypal qualities of those directions. Develop your own unique practice based on your missing elements.

• Healing psychological imbalances through Golden Ball practices. The wounded healer’s Qigong prayer.

• Fajing-Cultivating the explosive power of the Golden Ball through filling Ming Men (lower back)—for healing and self-defense.

• “How long should I practice for?” The student asks the Sifu. Hear the answer in this episode to the length of time of practice needed to find the Golden Ball.

• What is the relevance of the Caduceus (healing staff) of Aesclepius to Tai Chi practice and our health?

• Some Golden Ball practices: Using the posture Holding two Golden Balls in the River of Life to practice not getting knocked off by the cross currents of life. Shape shifting into a Golden Ball and Tree simultaneously. Using classic Tai Chi Ruler practice to find the Golden Ball. Playing with the Golden Ball of Life. Rolling with Life the Wu Wei way.

• Views on esoteric qigong practices related to where we may go when we die. Becoming the Star you are.

As always, the Bodymind Healing Qigong set will be used to illustrate and build upon the topic of the day. To see the PDF description of the 9 sets of Bodymind Healing Qigong Extended Short Form set CLICK HERE.