Our view of cultivation embraces the totality of our being where nothing is rejected or suppressed. This inclusive approach allows us to observe the incessant activity of the conditioned mind (the ‘self’) which we often refer to as the ‘doer’. We take time to observe how these thoughts arise and how we identify with them. This enables us to look more clearly at the process of emptying out the mind.
There are several aspects that shape and support the way we enter into the practice of cultivation; one of which is a complete trust in allowing things to unfold in their natural way.
In the practice we trust that tranquility and clarity are inherent in our being and not added or imposed through applying concentration or effort. No artificial elements, such as mantras or visualisations or concentrating on areas of the body are added to what is naturally arising in the mind-body process and in fact, concentration is not seen as a benefit in our tradition. These artificial elements have a tendency to be just concepts of thought that have no relationship to what we actually feel.
The practice we adopt, emphasises the importance of not forcing our will and in fact, allowing these conditioned tendencies to drop away.
The classical daoist text; The Dao De Jing is full of wonderful images of nature. These poetic images reveal a lot about Laozi’s view on cultivation and life:
‘Can you remain quiest while the mud settles?’
This passage emphasises a sense of trust and non-interference that is allowing things to return back to stillness – we are not doing something to bring stillness about – if we try, we only get in the way.
Taking this approach to practice allows us to move towards releasing the layers of conditioned thinking and obsession with self, which includes striving towards a goal, orientation towards preference and a need for purpose – most of the things that in society, we are taught are essential to our development and success.
With adopting the practice of ’emptying’ out of the mind and dissolving the interference from the constant stream of thoughts and emotions, we can become more present with each moment, which allows an inherent stillness to be revealed. The Qi that was previously caught up in the mind’s compulsive activity can then be released. This is a core aspect of our cultivation that flows through all aspects of the practice irrespective of whether it is sitting or walking meditation, or going about ones day-to-day life.
Many things can be revealed to us through the practice, many things that are occurring at every moment, even below the normal level of consciousness. These may includes such things as impatience, obsessing, frustration, fear and neediness or experiencing a separation from things. It can reveal false perspectives that the self has fabricated and show us just how controlling we can be. Through the practice, these things are allowed to drop away, allowing the mind to become more still which in turn effects a smoother, flow of Qi throughout the body. These experiences are unique to each individual.
The core cultivation practices are not something that we see as special or unique to the workshops or retreats and time is spent discussing how participants can integrate the practice into daily life where the same quality of awareness can be experienced.
In essence, the core cultivation practices do not involve adopting a complicated method or fixing the mind on a concept, but discovering for ourselves, what is constant and what is impermanent (such as thoughts) and allowing us to move away from what is impermanent, to what is constant.