Words to Ponder: Contemplative Practices Part l

Contemplative Stress-Reducing Practices

     The first part of this fourth entry of Words to Ponder tells how I have gone from being without direction and insecure to a much stronger, inner-directed man. This section will list and briefly discuss several practices I have found to be effective in progressing toward this end.

First up: Chi Kung

Without going into details, and believe me, I can get lost in the details, so let’s make this short, okay?

Chi Kung, also written as Qigong, is an old Chinese system of what I consider meditative movement. These movements are very gentle. They seem to energize and relax the participant at the same time, unlike Western systems of exercise which can push the participant to do more, faster, and under greater pressure in a process of graduating levels.

I like Chi Kung because at the end of a session I feel centered and complete as I am. The western systems of calisthenics and weight training can leave me exhausted. All too often that is seen as a positive effect.