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| The authentic self | ||
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Ego
Your self-image is constructed of thoughts, memories, opinions, ideas,
preconceptions and expectations.
It is nurtured by the mass media, fashion, your education, your peers, your
colleagues and your relationships. Unfortunately, it is not even real.
Meditation
The main purpose of meditation is to lose our self-image. This is accomplished
by noticing what is actually taking place right now.
Our emotions, our thoughts, sounds around us, what we see and our physical
sensations. By bringing our attention to the immediate, we erode the illusory
self-image and it slowly begins to fade.
'Spiritual'
The spiritual component of martial arts training encompasses the same goal as
meditation. In order to deal with combat skilfully we must take ourselves out of
the equation.
Our self-consciousness is a hindrance. We must focus our mind on what is
happening right now, rather than on our anxieties, extrapolations or ego.
Facade
The problem with confusing self-image with reality is that it is easy to debunk
the fantasy. Investing emotion in our image does not make it any more tangible.
It just makes it more difficult to shed.
You must concentrate upon and consecrate yourself wholly to each day, as
though a fire were raging in your hair.
(Zen mondo)
Burn
The falsehood of self-image must be shed for the student to become truly
skilled at tai chi. This will be difficult to accomplish.
At the start, the student will cling desperately to their ego - believing it
to be their identity, their true self.
With time, practice, patience and perseverance, they may begin to see the
possibility of freedom.
The old ways
All Taoist and Zen
traditional practices require the student to just do what they are told. The
routines and skills must be trained without any deviation from the teaching.
No omissions, no additions, no embellishments. Just an accurate
reproduction.
Stealing the art
Over time, the student becomes so immersed in the art that they forget about
their self-image. They are part of something greater. A living tradition.
Being
When the mass media feels transparent and empty (the news inane and politics
a rich man's idea of humour) you feel a sense of detachment from society.
Like a spectator. This is a good sign.
You have become adrift.
True self
Somewhere along the journey, self-image is lost. It no longer mattered. The
mind is quiet and rested. The chattering voice is gone. Instead, there is a
child-like feeling of freedom.
No longer requiring the facades so common in adulthood, the self is now
genuine; real, sincere, strong and friendly.
The eyes are the window to the soul
Sifu Waller opens the door to class and permits the student access to the
training hall. He is greeted by many smiling faces.
Grown adults show their respect, sincerity and warmth through their genuine
friendship and enthusiasm.
Play
When long-term students enter the training hall, the authentic self is there
in their faces; in their eyes. The young, happy child - normally hidden
beneath years of clutter, anxieties and despair.
For a brief two hours a week, that person comes out to play.
Peter Pan
This is you. This is the real you. You never grew up. Nobody does. You just
forgot, that's all.
Beyond class
Once you learn how to shed your self-image, your mind will remain quiet. The
authentic self will be visible in your everyday expression. Your lines will
soften and youth will emerge.
Of all the
people who begin the discipline of tai chi, only a handful will continue
past a year or so. Humility, compassion, lack of ambition, non-aggression,
spontaneity and silence are not qualities that our societies value. There is
no more difficult journey than the journey to the self.
(John Lash)
For
Rachel
Page created
27 October 2007
Last updated
16 June 2023
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