I was discussing the value of teaching mindful exercise for the prison education program I am currently teaching in, and thought I would post the below. It also relates to another discussion about the value of practicing outdoors, using whatever resources are available. Although only briefly mentioned in the below section of the story, the three youths used a plow as part of their training while staying with the farmers. since the oxen had been taken by bandits, the Shaodai "pull" the plow as part of their iron leg training. Kung fu and tai chi are great for strengthening both the mind and body. Below is an excerpt more on the mental part of mindful practices, called Zen in Japanese, and Chan in Chinese. This is from a book I used for several years in my classes at Fullerton College, upon the encouragement of my Dean. Since it was a class on mindful exercise, I added a non-fiction instructional part to the book, and used it with great success. I was fortunate to have Joseph Girzone, the author of the best selling "Joahua" books read it, and he wrote a kind letter stating ""The message is rich and much needed today. I have never seen such a strong and healthy case for the ascetical side of spirituality described in such a fascinating and enjoyable way as you have in this book."
The feedback from the prison education program has been fantastic, and I am told it is the first book the inmates ever asked to be able to use prison funds to purchase. The publication of my book "Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai CHi" by YMAA publications put it on the back burner, but I did make a special edition available on Amazon, for those requesting it. In any event, below is the section where one of the youths, Reb, shares the teaching of mindfulness with the people of the village they are staying with:
From "Journey to the East: An Experiential Book - Special Edition"
https://www.amazon.com/Journey-East-Experiential-Book-Special/dp/153687891X
Moving over to the ancient tree, the small group sat in a half circle about Reb, a mix of emotions playing across their faces. Some, like the village elder, came eager to learn, their minds remembering the magical stories of Shaolin, the birthplace of Zen and Kung Fu. Others, encouraged to come by the first group of villagers, were curious, but at the same time skeptical as to what a young boy could teach them, despite the children’s heroic feat with the plow yesterday. A third group consisted of those dragged by the first two, a few grumbling farmers that openly doubted any “child” could teach a man anything of value, and doubted the value of Zen anyway.
Reb could read their interest or lack of it in their faces, and knew that her youth would be the major stumbling block. But at least they thought her a boy. She could just imagine their reaction if they discovered that they were being taught by a girl! Sitting down she explained the origin of Zen, how even the very emperor of China could not understand the teachings of Bodhidharma, the father of Zen and the patriarch of the Shaolin Temple. And that the primary reason for the emperor’s misunderstanding was his inability to see simply, to step away from his role as the emperor, and to just be. To be just a person, as is any man or woman, whether emperor or farmer.
Some of the farmers grinned at the thought of being placed in the same status as the emperor. Others became agitated. Before any could voice a complaint however, Reb continued. “This is a warning,” she cautioned. “Without stepping away from your roles and expectations, without creating an open mind, you won’t see the hidden essentials. And Zen will be just sitting in boredom.”
Lung-an the headman spoke up at this. “Wandering monks speak of the hidden essentials, but I have never understood what it is that is so essential. They speak in riddles and conundrums. Did your monk in the hills above your farm ever say what these essentials are?”
Reb smiled at this. “Our teacher was particularly frank about many of these things. He stated that much of what these mysterious wandering monks say is hidden in their own need to be recognized as mysterious and aloof. If it were simple and easily explained, then suddenly they would become quite ordinary. He said that even monks are human, with human needs and weaknesses. Then too, there are many, who having learned the words but never understood them, repeat by rote what they have learned and use the shroud of mystery to hide their lack of understanding.”
Several were appalled at the gall of Reb to speak so, but their more interested friends held them in check, waiting to see what else she had to say.
“The thing I want you to understand is that the ‘hidden essentials’ refers not only to what is important but also to what is basic and at the foundation of Zen and life. The most simple basic and essential elements. What makes these ‘essentials’ so ‘hidden’ is their very basic nature. The essentials are so simple that people can’t see them – they expect the “meaning of life” and the source of “enlightenment” to be complicated and profound. There is a saying that only when you stop looking for enlightenment will you find it. It is one of the riddles of Zen, that you can’t find “It” without looking, yet by looking, you miss “It.” Think of it as losing a needle in a pile of straw. You look and look, but never find it. It is not until you stop looking that you are stuck by it. But without being aware of the needle, without having looked for it in the first place, you will not recognize it for what it is. Reaching down you will pluck out the needle and cast it away as a bothersome thorn.” She paused a moment, letting her words sink in.
“Enlightenment – self-understanding and empowerment, is every person’s heritage and within everyone’s grasp, but it requires being able to truly ‘see,’ to be aware. And it requires that one has the desire, that they ‘look’ for it. Meditation is the tool that allows one to truly see. To become aware.”
She spent the next hour instructing them in the basics of meditation, sitting and in kung fu practice, before they broke for breakfast, and then headed to work in the fields. The Shaodai continued using the plow to dig more furrows as the farmers began planting the sweet potatoes. The three kept their skills honed during the night, and Reb continued teaching meditation in the morning, along with some basic breathing exercises and Shaolin movements. Slowly the farmers tried to incorporate what she taught them into their daily lives, and over the course of the week found that the training did indeed empower their lives. It brought a calmness and reserve of energy and power that made the day flow by easily.
Reb felt regret that they could not spend more time teaching the villagers how to deepen and strengthen the well to their inner being, but at least now they were more aware and had the tools to continue on the road themselves. For one thing about the hidden essentials, is that they are essential to and in everyone, and only hidden from those who do not know to look for it. Those who are clouded by the artificialities of society. If looked for they would be found, and no further teacher was really necessary. She had taught them how to look. The rest would be up to them.
The feedback from the prison education program has been fantastic, and I am told it is the first book the inmates ever asked to be able to use prison funds to purchase. The publication of my book "Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai CHi" by YMAA publications put it on the back burner, but I did make a special edition available on Amazon, for those requesting it. In any event, below is the section where one of the youths, Reb, shares the teaching of mindfulness with the people of the village they are staying with:
From "Journey to the East: An Experiential Book - Special Edition"
https://www.amazon.com/Journey-East-Experiential-Book-Special/dp/153687891X
Moving over to the ancient tree, the small group sat in a half circle about Reb, a mix of emotions playing across their faces. Some, like the village elder, came eager to learn, their minds remembering the magical stories of Shaolin, the birthplace of Zen and Kung Fu. Others, encouraged to come by the first group of villagers, were curious, but at the same time skeptical as to what a young boy could teach them, despite the children’s heroic feat with the plow yesterday. A third group consisted of those dragged by the first two, a few grumbling farmers that openly doubted any “child” could teach a man anything of value, and doubted the value of Zen anyway.
Reb could read their interest or lack of it in their faces, and knew that her youth would be the major stumbling block. But at least they thought her a boy. She could just imagine their reaction if they discovered that they were being taught by a girl! Sitting down she explained the origin of Zen, how even the very emperor of China could not understand the teachings of Bodhidharma, the father of Zen and the patriarch of the Shaolin Temple. And that the primary reason for the emperor’s misunderstanding was his inability to see simply, to step away from his role as the emperor, and to just be. To be just a person, as is any man or woman, whether emperor or farmer.
Some of the farmers grinned at the thought of being placed in the same status as the emperor. Others became agitated. Before any could voice a complaint however, Reb continued. “This is a warning,” she cautioned. “Without stepping away from your roles and expectations, without creating an open mind, you won’t see the hidden essentials. And Zen will be just sitting in boredom.”
Lung-an the headman spoke up at this. “Wandering monks speak of the hidden essentials, but I have never understood what it is that is so essential. They speak in riddles and conundrums. Did your monk in the hills above your farm ever say what these essentials are?”
Reb smiled at this. “Our teacher was particularly frank about many of these things. He stated that much of what these mysterious wandering monks say is hidden in their own need to be recognized as mysterious and aloof. If it were simple and easily explained, then suddenly they would become quite ordinary. He said that even monks are human, with human needs and weaknesses. Then too, there are many, who having learned the words but never understood them, repeat by rote what they have learned and use the shroud of mystery to hide their lack of understanding.”
Several were appalled at the gall of Reb to speak so, but their more interested friends held them in check, waiting to see what else she had to say.
“The thing I want you to understand is that the ‘hidden essentials’ refers not only to what is important but also to what is basic and at the foundation of Zen and life. The most simple basic and essential elements. What makes these ‘essentials’ so ‘hidden’ is their very basic nature. The essentials are so simple that people can’t see them – they expect the “meaning of life” and the source of “enlightenment” to be complicated and profound. There is a saying that only when you stop looking for enlightenment will you find it. It is one of the riddles of Zen, that you can’t find “It” without looking, yet by looking, you miss “It.” Think of it as losing a needle in a pile of straw. You look and look, but never find it. It is not until you stop looking that you are stuck by it. But without being aware of the needle, without having looked for it in the first place, you will not recognize it for what it is. Reaching down you will pluck out the needle and cast it away as a bothersome thorn.” She paused a moment, letting her words sink in.
“Enlightenment – self-understanding and empowerment, is every person’s heritage and within everyone’s grasp, but it requires being able to truly ‘see,’ to be aware. And it requires that one has the desire, that they ‘look’ for it. Meditation is the tool that allows one to truly see. To become aware.”
She spent the next hour instructing them in the basics of meditation, sitting and in kung fu practice, before they broke for breakfast, and then headed to work in the fields. The Shaodai continued using the plow to dig more furrows as the farmers began planting the sweet potatoes. The three kept their skills honed during the night, and Reb continued teaching meditation in the morning, along with some basic breathing exercises and Shaolin movements. Slowly the farmers tried to incorporate what she taught them into their daily lives, and over the course of the week found that the training did indeed empower their lives. It brought a calmness and reserve of energy and power that made the day flow by easily.
Reb felt regret that they could not spend more time teaching the villagers how to deepen and strengthen the well to their inner being, but at least now they were more aware and had the tools to continue on the road themselves. For one thing about the hidden essentials, is that they are essential to and in everyone, and only hidden from those who do not know to look for it. Those who are clouded by the artificialities of society. If looked for they would be found, and no further teacher was really necessary. She had taught them how to look. The rest would be up to them.
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