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Authors: Robert G. Santee
Tags: Non-Fiction
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Maria experienced significant physical and mental stress as a result of their excessive and deficient behaviors, which were linked to problematic thoughts, judgments, and beliefs. Both experienced unpleasant symptoms that caused them to see their doctors. In both cases, their doctors recommended a simple guideline to address their problem: moderation—
not being excessive or deficient in their eating and exercise behavior.
Both were provided with information and resources offering guidance on eating, exercise, and stress management.
Because both of them were tired of their chronic stress, they accepted the advice to practice moderation and chose to believe in themselves. As a result, both had an “I can!” attitude and were able to change their stress- producing behavior. Arthur began eating less, while Maria began eating more. Arthur started exercising, while Maria dialed back her exercise regimen. Changing their thoughts and beliefs resulted in a change of behaviors and lifestyle.
Taoists believe in practicing moderation in all aspects of life. In fact, in Taoism finding the balance point between excessiveness and deficiency constitutes harmony (Guanzi 2012).
Interlude
As first noted in the previous chapter, each chapter has a mental, or rationally focused, component and a physical, experiential component, consisting of qigong practice. The mentally based component of this chapter focused on how chronic threat- based thinking (problematic thoughts, beliefs, and judgments) agitates the mind and creates and maintains chronic stress. It also examined how simplifying life by rationally changing or eliminating problematic thoughts, beliefs, and judgments can be helpful in calming the mind and thus removing chronic stress.
The physical qigong component, which comprises the remainder of
this chapter, has the same goal: removing chronic stress by changing or eliminating chronic threat- based thinking. However, it does so via a 51
uncorrected proof
The Tao of Stress
completely different pathway: relaxing the body. By simply and solely focusing on the physical practices, the body will naturally relax because you aren’t thinking. Because you aren’t thinking, you aren’t subject to threat- based thinking. This being the case, the mind isn’t agitated and begins to relax. Through consistent and regular practice, chronic threat-based thinking naturally fades away, allowing chronic stress to
dissipate.
Qigong
As noted in chapter 2, all of the postures in both the Baduanjin (the sitting form) and the Yijinjing (the standing form) are part of a sequence and an ongoing practice. Each new movement flows from the previous movement. To build each qigong sequence, first learn the new posture.
Then go through the sequence, beginning with the first posture and linking all of the postures you’ve learned thus far in a continuous series.
Because you will have been practicing the preceding movements in each form, the transition into the new posture should be straightforward.
Throughout, work on developing and improving the five basics— posture, attention, concentration, breathing, and guan— with all of the postures of both the Baduanjin and the Yijinjing. Also remember to smile!
Upon finishing each two- posture sequence, reflect on what you
experienced while performing it. What are your body and mind telling you about yourself? Are you starting to feel rooted and centered? Take some time to write in your journal, describing what occurred while you performed these movements.
Practice Posture 2 of the Baduanjin
Sequence: Gently Clicking
Your Teeth and Embracing
Kunlun Mountain
Having completed the first movement, Sitting in Stil ness, remain
seated with your back straight, head pulled up, legs crossed, and
52
uncorrected proof
Simplifying Your Thoughts
hands on your upper thighs or lap. In other words, stay in the Sitting in Stillness form.
The second posture has two parts. The first part is to keep
Maria experienced significant physical and mental stress as a result of their excessive and deficient behaviors, which were linked to problematic thoughts, judgments, and beliefs. Both experienced unpleasant symptoms that caused them to see their doctors. In both cases, their doctors recommended a simple guideline to address their problem: moderation—
not being excessive or deficient in their eating and exercise behavior.
Both were provided with information and resources offering guidance on eating, exercise, and stress management.
Because both of them were tired of their chronic stress, they accepted the advice to practice moderation and chose to believe in themselves. As a result, both had an “I can!” attitude and were able to change their stress- producing behavior. Arthur began eating less, while Maria began eating more. Arthur started exercising, while Maria dialed back her exercise regimen. Changing their thoughts and beliefs resulted in a change of behaviors and lifestyle.
Taoists believe in practicing moderation in all aspects of life. In fact, in Taoism finding the balance point between excessiveness and deficiency constitutes harmony (Guanzi 2012).
Interlude
As first noted in the previous chapter, each chapter has a mental, or rationally focused, component and a physical, experiential component, consisting of qigong practice. The mentally based component of this chapter focused on how chronic threat- based thinking (problematic thoughts, beliefs, and judgments) agitates the mind and creates and maintains chronic stress. It also examined how simplifying life by rationally changing or eliminating problematic thoughts, beliefs, and judgments can be helpful in calming the mind and thus removing chronic stress.
The physical qigong component, which comprises the remainder of
this chapter, has the same goal: removing chronic stress by changing or eliminating chronic threat- based thinking. However, it does so via a 51
uncorrected proof
The Tao of Stress
completely different pathway: relaxing the body. By simply and solely focusing on the physical practices, the body will naturally relax because you aren’t thinking. Because you aren’t thinking, you aren’t subject to threat- based thinking. This being the case, the mind isn’t agitated and begins to relax. Through consistent and regular practice, chronic threat-based thinking naturally fades away, allowing chronic stress to
dissipate.
Qigong
As noted in chapter 2, all of the postures in both the Baduanjin (the sitting form) and the Yijinjing (the standing form) are part of a sequence and an ongoing practice. Each new movement flows from the previous movement. To build each qigong sequence, first learn the new posture.
Then go through the sequence, beginning with the first posture and linking all of the postures you’ve learned thus far in a continuous series.
Because you will have been practicing the preceding movements in each form, the transition into the new posture should be straightforward.
Throughout, work on developing and improving the five basics— posture, attention, concentration, breathing, and guan— with all of the postures of both the Baduanjin and the Yijinjing. Also remember to smile!
Upon finishing each two- posture sequence, reflect on what you
experienced while performing it. What are your body and mind telling you about yourself? Are you starting to feel rooted and centered? Take some time to write in your journal, describing what occurred while you performed these movements.
Practice Posture 2 of the Baduanjin
Sequence: Gently Clicking
Your Teeth and Embracing
Kunlun Mountain
Having completed the first movement, Sitting in Stil ness, remain
seated with your back straight, head pulled up, legs crossed, and
52
uncorrected proof
Simplifying Your Thoughts
hands on your upper thighs or lap. In other words, stay in the Sitting in Stillness form.
The second posture has two parts. The first part is to keep
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