Standing Meditation
I've been involved in Chinese Martial Arts, specifically the "Internal" styles of Taijiquan, Baguazhang and Xingyiquan for over 18 years now. I credit the teachings of my last teacher in opening up my mind to the world of magick. The things he taught me to do with my mind, my intention and my body opened my world up to incredible possibilities. The two are certainly related, as Yoga was brought into Western Mystical practices, so too can we bring other disciplines such as Tai chi. Indeed, many adepts I know are practitioners of Qigong and Tai chi.
There's many different benefits for applying this technique to your magick. You can perform the Middle Pillar while standing in Wuji. This will make your willpower very strong, as the exercise takes willpower to perform. It will increase your focus, and your energy flow. Sitting still, you learn more than busily seeking knowledge.
Zhan Zhuang (Standing Meditation)
The potential of standing meditation is as numerous as sitting meditation. There seems to be a thousand techniques for a thousand goals. The point is not choosing the right one so much as it is actually DOING THE WORK! Below I explain the easiest and most simple techniques. It can be performed by anyone who is capable of standing for any period of time. The big mantra we use with Zhan Zhuang is "Quiet on the outside, busy on the inside."
Let me say I've practiced many different martial arts styles. I can do flips, hand stands and all manner of flashy techniques. But standing straight up, for any length of time, is by far the hardest thing I've ever done. Start slowly, work your way up. This isn't a race, and every little bit will give benefit.
Technique: Wu Ji (Empty form/Void form) Standing
Stand up straight, with your arms to your sides. Bend your knees slightly, so that they are not locked out (soft knees.) Flare your elbows out slightly, as if you have tennis balls under your arm pits. Tuck your butt under, slightly, as if your about to sit on a bar stool.
Imagine a golden string attached to the top of your head, gently pulling your spine upwards. Imagine from the waist up, is being held up by this string.
Imagine from the waist down, you are "rooted" into the earth. Your feet are sinking down, grabbing the ground, and settling in. Imagine your muscular structure is hanging like a coat on a coatrack, being held up by your skeletal structure (NOT your muscles).
Relax, is the key. Relax. Breathe in, breathe out. Each inhale and exhale is a count of 1. Count to 18.
Simply doing this, relaxing and breathing, is all the exercise is!
After performing this for a month, you can move onto more advanced energetic techniques, which are countless. The basic relaxation, improving of posture and opening up the energy centers is the main goal. It seems simple, but your world will start to change with the practice. Don't be deceived by how simple it appears on paper. Once you perform this, you will see how difficult it truly is, even for 18 breaths!
Technique: Dan Tien Breathing
Once you've mastered standing in Wuji posture for 18 breaths, you can add this technique.
Focus on your Dan Tien, which is 3 fingers below your bellybutton (navel.) On the graphic, this is your "Lower Dan Tien". This is the energetic center of your body; where you store all of your Chi (lifeforce/energy).
Simply start by putting your mind there. Focus on your dan tien.
When you breath deeply, you will notice it is NOT your chest that rises and falls, but your lower abdomen. As you inhale, imagine your breath as a blue mist going into your chest, down your abdomen and into your dan tien. Feel it filling up your dan tien, as your abdomen rises, with pure, blue energy.
As you exhale, imagine the energy moving from your dan tien and filling your entire body with this blue mist. Inhale, and imagine your breath filling your dan tien. Exhale, imagine it filling your body.
Do this for 18 breaths.
You will notice great things happening with regular practice of this, including an awareness of your own internal energy.
