Somatic Awareness
The field of Somatic Awareness is both deep and wide: each topic of interest and nuance goes deeper and deeper into research, theorems and [consequentially] more information found in a plethora of books.Here, we will take a look at Somatic Awareness from a very specific perspective: somatic awareness and chi.
Somatic Awareness Defined:
Merriam-Webster defines “somatic” as follows: “of, relating to, or affecting the body… as distinguished from the viscera”.
The term “viscera” is of great importance in understanding the nature of what is called somatic, as the very meaning and play of this word build into the “awareness” thereof.
Again, going back to Merriam-Webster, we find that “viscera” is equivalent to all of the eternal organs located in the “great cavity of the trunk proper”, with regards to human anatomy.
Furthermore, the term “visceral” speaks directly to: elemental emotions.
In effect, the body is aware; and should be able to communicate its various [nutrition; rest; therapeutic] needs on a very basic, emotional level.
The awareness of this communication, the ability to perceive and understand this process of communicating with one’s own body [with a specific purpose/message] is the overarching goal of Somatic Awareness.
This theme has been propagated throughout time in as many cultures. In Issai Chozanshi’s treatise of the martial arts, he quotes the Confucian sage’s somatic understanding of the truth of the self: “The scriptures are within yourself; [those that are written down] only point out what you have not been able to see on your own”.
The instruction we provide will help you get greater insight into your own personal truth, both physically and figuratively.
Somatic Awareness and Chi:
Chi, as defined by Eastern mystics, is synonymous with that which Western scientists have called the Quantum Field. The theories are markedly similar when compared side-by-side. Each [Eastern Mysticism and Quantum Mechanics] speaks of an energy field made up of tiny particles that comprise everything, and move through everything.
Somatically speaking, Eastern mystics have been investigating the “inner space” of the mind/body relationship whereas their Western counterparts have delved into the “outer space” of formally investigating and documenting that which is often perceived yet not specifically understood [as to why such is the case]; hence the relevance of Issai Chozanshi’s quote in the previous section.
Using scientific jargon, the phenomenon of somatic awareness is achieved thru: “bioentanglement- quantum connections within and among living systems” (Entangled Minds, Dean Radin).
Information transmitted on a quantum level, carried throughout space and time, is not only directly related to the functioning of the human nervous system, but also gives rise to more “esoteric” abilities beyond simply wiggling one’s finger: psi-related abilities and a thorough understanding of the physical and psychological “self” are among them.
Somatic Awareness and Chi Development:
We have found “somatic awareness” to be a natural and appreciated by-product of chi training and chi development.
With increased sensitivity to chi energy, greater sensitivity to the messages from our bodies and our surroundings are achieved; the information transmitted on the quantum level through “bioentanglement” can be easily received and deciphered on an emotional level with little to no internal, conscious “analysis”: the difference between “thinking” and “knowing” will be made apparent.
3 Responses to “Somatic Awareness”
Dr. Thomas Earnest on
Good article.
Have you read “Somatics” Thomas Hanna or any of Moshe Feldenkrais’s books?
Attaining better body awareness can be a real accelerator regarding our chi training…
Take care.
Thomas
Roosevelt Carter on
Good insight on developing chi and ones relationship to the energies
in an enviroment.
Peter Dallman on
Becoming aware of your own chi is a big step. But as your sensitivity to chi develops, you sense others chi as well. The yin/yang, flip-flop or two sided coin is there is good chi and bad chi. Most people do not understand how to daily dump the bad chi. It happens naturally but it can get stuck or clogged. So, you have developed you sensitivity and now you walk into a crowd and you feel terrible. Your good chi is being pulled out to balance the other bad chi in the room, like all water seeks to level itself. Now you know why monks seek to be alone. First, they lower the risk of adding bad karma, second to avoid the drain of humanity. Are there ways to sheild yourself? Yes, there are advanced techniques and they require daily riguorous drills. These are buried within the Tai Chi forms and if you are an inner door student you will be shown how to use these. It also means you will learn DimMak and other dangerous techniques at the same time because you must be aware of bad energy to learn good energy. If you apply bad chi to attack someone it will bounce back and damage you as you have to connected to transmit it. That is why you must be careful as you may not be aware you are doing that bad transmition of chi. It is easier to tear down a building than create one.