AboutJonathan Gaines Expertise T`ai Chi and meditation. I am a 30+ year student and teacher of T`ai Chi Ch`uan. My teacher was the late Grand Master Cheng Man-ching with whom I studied for seven years. I am knowledgeable about the principals, practices and the applications of Tai Chi as well as the many benefits and some of the pit falls of practice. I am also knowledgeable about Chi Kung and have developed my own `simple and easy` method. The benefits of T`ai chi Ch`uan and Chi Kung include health and wellness as well as self defense based on principles of yielding rather than resisting. Fascinating! As a life long spiritual seeker I am also knowledgeable about meditation and contemplation. My principle practice is Dzog Chen which I am learning from Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. The benefits of Dzog Chen are the potential to discover your own mind stream and master it. The point is to enter into the non dualistic state of `no thought` and then learn to be aware of this state while entering into thought. Self liberation from samara and for the sake of all sentient beings is the purpose of Dzog Chen practice.
Question Hello, I have already become familiar with some of the yoga postures through videos; and I have found to be very soothing and relaxing although, very intense. I find myself trying to focus on my breathing and form, but its challenging to relax completely when I'm trying to hold the positions. I would really like to tap in to my spiritual being and control the impulse and anger disorder that I have developed through years of verbal and emotional abuse. How or what form of yoga do you suggest that I start with to achieve my goals of internal peace of mind and spirit. I currently weight train and use calisthenics to sculpt by body, so I have already began to create a mind body connection. Thank you very much for your time and willingness to share.
Answer Aloha Erika
First I suggest you look for a qualified Yoga instructor who you feel is a good communicator, taking time in class and with postures for your to relax and breathe without tension or anxiety.
A different style of Yoga may be worthwhile.
Yoga means to Yoke 'Prana & mind' (Non-dual state of spiritual awareness). and thus is a great deal more than just exercise or trimming the body.
Re; ...control the impulse and anger disorder that I have developed through years of verbal and emotional abuse....
Anger is linked to desire for when desire is unfulfilled anger arises. Once this gets a hold in your mind it poisons your prana/ chi that is held in your subtly body channels. The goal is to be aware of desire(s) and avoid attachment to our ideas of outcomes as then these thoughts (of Self) lose their power to condition us, to generate 'Afflictive Emotions'.
Since everything happens in our mind, and upon closer inspection you can see everything is as empty as a dream, then we can loosen our grip on so-called Reality and be more heartfelt in relationships, be they casual or deep.
Maybe see the ideas of the practice of Dzogchen in books by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, a great rinpoche teacher from Tibet.
