Writing — Gathering Essence

The following is from the 2024 Autumn Retreat Booklet by Tez Sawicki

Gathering Essence: Training in Body-Mind Consciousness

San Bao Meditation, Harmonic Oscillation, Fusion of the Five Elements

Regulating the Sense-Body and the Processes of the Sense-Mind

Welcome to our retreat for seasoned practitioners. As a small, informed group we have come together to continue developing the skills to harmonise a more stable field consciousness. We aim to do this by cultivating and honing the potential to process our inner shadow and hidden entanglements, building the potential to regulate the shadow self’s compromising conditions, and establish connection to the integral embodiment of natural self.

In essence, an internal awareness via the realignment of systemic fluid exchange.

As we mature our relationship with arising vibrations within the sense-body and the dualities and processes of the sense-mind, the relationships between Qi and the mind are clarified, processed, rectified, and cleared of stagnation. This allows us to develop a skill base to cultivate and regulate the forces of duality toward Taiji, the mother of Yin and Yang.

The union of the three dan tian regulates the elements and returns the dual dynamics of positive and negative charge towards a balanced, centralising point of tension - Taiji. The balance of yin and yang gradually becomes aligned with the orientation and resonance of Wholeness.

Welcome Om Shanti

Developing the Powers of Cultivation and Regulation

The cultivation of the Three Treasures (the three dan tian) involves the transformation of Jing into original Qi, our integral potency. The dynamics of cultivation are further developed through the processes and emancipation of internalised mindfulness and sublimated presence.

Our alchemical potencies are regulated within the fluid drive through good quality food Qi, water Qi and air Qi. The mental body’s abilities to process and regulate psychophysical conditionings and build systemic coherence are developed and oriented with equanimity and sensitivity. The coherent application of Qi pressure within depth perception illuminates and regulates, and over time awakens to the embryonic, ordering principle of original Qi, and the gradual distribution of the water and fire elements throughout the body.

The relationships between Mind and Qi are formed within a dual sense consciousness; the sense-body and the sense-self conditions of mind states. Enquiry into the conditions of the sense-body and clearing unhelpful conditioning are primary skills that can lead to a wholesome integral consciousness. An understanding that consciousness of the conditioned self is of paramount importance as it gives us the power and incentive to propagate wisdom. In this retreat we will utilise sense-data to regulate poor conditions and compromising dualities. The sense-self and the sense-body are contemplated, with the integral intelligence of the body-mind’s biodynamic wholeness as the focus. The wisdom-mind is oriented towards anchoring and grounding in the ordering principle of systemic integration and emotional intelligence. This is the ground of internal Daoyin practice, where potency and wisdom gradually form the Yi, our wisdom mind.

Intermediate Development & Original Qi

The intermediate stages of practice are oriented towards the embryological ordering principle of original Qi, turning Jing into original Qi and the potentisation and transportation of systemic fluid exchange. The mind’s relationship to sensation, feeling and clarity tends to be restrictive and contractive due to ignorance, habit, or trauma; generally, all three. Mind and body form tendencies and these tendencies form attitudes and preferences that significantly limit feeling and presence and restrict a coherent range of good emotive grounding. Periods of activity that are more automated become commonplace; a condition that is often described as being asleep.

Under these conditions the fluid body slowly loses its universal fluid exchange due to a Qi degradation and an imbalance of fluid. The balance between fire and water gradually becomes destructive - fire insults water, water controls fire. Excessive fire can lead to burnt out fluidity and excessive water extinguishes fire. Coherence and balance within the sense-body and sense-self become compromised and well-resourced physical, emotional and psychological equilibrium become eroded, resulting in stagnation and blockages. This gradually becomes normalised as self-suffering limitations. The shadow self begins to govern and joy in life is diminished as the mind and Qi fixate in sensorial bondage.

To prevent and alleviate this happening it makes sense to develop a ‘good enough’ aptitude to readdress the balance of the systemic tension and regulate the sense body and sense mind. By following this practice, a growing relationship to wholeness, clarity and insight are developed. In developing our internal awareness, we can create the opportunity to orient towards insight and process subconscious habits of body and mind. Unwholesome emotional conditions, beliefs and insecurities can change, blockages can be cleared, poor insight can be regulated and strengthened, and body and mind can be nourished by Daoyin longevity practices.

With a degree of presence, the mind’s relationship to body sensation and feelings are perceived with degrees of precision allowing us to gain insight into our mind states and attitudes so we can shape and generate change. We become aware of the character of the charge, its meaning and consequences. With maturation and awareness, we enter the progressive understanding of the nature and nuances of our sense of self. Our ability to feel and process consciousness ripens, deepening into engagement with an integral sense of self. Our comprehension comes and goes as destructive or inadequate mind states are illuminated, understood and gradually resolved. The sensorial dynamics of perception are brought into clarity, and coherent systemic vibration can be supported to regulate throughout the Fluid Drives. In this Daoyin of illumination, Shen potentises and resonates.

Fluid Cultivation and Regulation

The fluid drives are the prime agents for transportation and biodynamic transformation. These include:

Cerebrospinal fluid

Intravascular fluid

Interstitial fluid

Intercellular fluid

Lymphatic fluid

Synovial fluid

Digestive fluid

The pressurising amplitude of force being applied within our fluid systems differ in their expression of hydrodynamic power and fluid potency. The various fluid’s structural passageways differ according to what they contain and transport, such as tissue conductivity or fluid absorption. Fluid consistency also varies in composition; some flow like streams or rivers, some ooze, marinate, absorb and further still some form lakes and tributaries. All systems regulate through exchange under differing pressures and chemistry. Each system can integrate systemically when the fluid pressure is well-regulated and able to facilitate capacity for fluid interchange. One system supports another through the transformational power of potency and the transportation and clearing of waste. This applies to the Whole Body and to various states of mind.

The Benefits of Good Fluid Drive Function

Internal Daoyin works with fluid drive function to open and clear blockages, develop elasticity and improve the body-mind complex and establish resonance.

So how does it all work? Intercellular fluid makes up around 66% of the human body, and extracellular fluid makes up 33%, all of which are maintained through some form of hydrostatic and thermodynamic pressure. The ability to regulate the water element is dependent on good irrigation. Hydrostatic pressure is the force of fluid volume against a membrane, forcing fluid out the capillary with osmotic pressure and drawing fresh fluid back in. It is akin to breathing and is supported by biodynamic rhythmic breath and biodynamic rhythmic movement, such as in Daoyin meditation. A breathing practice is an important skill in facilitating this. Rhythmic breathing (often in patterns of two and four) regulates and harmonises to allow mind, Qi and body to become calm and equitable. Where possible these breathing skills can ground us in stressful circumstances.

When activating the fluid body during movement, the level of pressure activation is regulated creating a coherent range of ease. Percolation and states of ignition are expressions of good hydrostatic and thermogenetic potential (i.e. the appropriate production of heat within the fluid systems) and propels water exchange. Fire and water regulate the balance between Yin and Yang forces.

Whole-Body Resonance

As a Daoyin practitioner, we work with whole-body resonance and this requires elasticity. Elasticity is dependent on fluid potency and a coherent hydrostatic pressure. As a Daoyin practitioner, these core skills need conscious activation and the fire element - the ignition of thermodynamic potency. Yang activates yin, yin responds.

Yang Qi’s generative force (thermogenesis) warms and expands fluid volume, empowering fluid exchange and elasticating tissue with the uptake of biochemical fluid absorption. The water element’s hydrodynamic systems absorb generative force empowering thermodynamic potency within the fluid drive. Positive regard in relation to the water element’s molecular structure creates high functioning crystalline formations, capable of high levels of conscious capability. The cooling, dense energies and nutrients of Yin Qi are distributed through the balance of fire and water oscillation, promoting coherent vibration.

Harmonic Oscillation

When activating the fluid body through movement the level of pressure activation is developed to a high standard. We call this advanced skill ‘harmonic oscillation’. A good enough whole-body breath pressure throughout the sense-body and the sense-mind regulates and creates advanced vibrational oscillation leading to non-dual awareness.

Working within Your Range of Ease

Effective pressure management and mastering the ability to operate within one's range of ease are essential skills. These balance the elements of fire and water, enabling the regulation of Yin and Yang. This key skill will open the door to whole-body transformation. In developing a sensitivity to applied pressure, our acquired wisdom states that working within one’s range of ease builds potency and balances vibration. In doing so our positive intent can erode dissonance and blockages throughout the body. In practice, a hydrodynamic fluid movement between compartments are regulated - not forced – thus improving the distribution of yang Qi’s bioelectrical magnetics, and Yin Qi’s biochemical nutrients.

These empowering forces awaken the mind to the virtues of coherent vibration and the unifying potential of resonance. The fluid drive can facilitate the transportation of nutritional potency as well as waste disposal. In our standing and sitting forms we aim to balance excess heat or cold by upgrading if deficient or downgrading if there’s an excess.

A good enough balance ignites potential throughout the body, orienting the mind to the ordering principles of original Qi.

By acknowledging and processing any dissonant feeling tone, and by nurturing our comprehension, attention and intention, we can engage the virtues of coherence and clarity. An advanced practise which incorporates systemic vibration and grounding and regulating field awareness can result in various stations of realisation.

The Mind-body Relationship and the Perception of Sensation

Through observation and practise, the energies of attention and the activation and projection of intent become harmonised. The physical condition of the body is regulated, harmonised, and transformed through the clearing of stagnation and the realignment of the biodynamic ordering principle within the embryological potency of original Qi. Sense data is illuminated, registered and centred.

Embryology, Ignition & Sense Data

The origins of sense data begin with the first major ignition in fertilisation: the fusion of the nuclei of sperm and egg. A new form emerges and proceeds to travel down the fallopian tube, changing form as it rolls into the uterus and burrows into the uterine wall, securing implantation and triggering embryonic cell division. This is the second major ignition of biodynamic embryological potency. The growing embryo’s cellular systems now unfold into expanding networks with deep rhythms and pulsations, fluctuations and flow, whilst developing an intensity of sensation. The third major ignition is the first beating of the heart, and the fourth ignition is the first breath integrating the heart and lungs with one another.

The unborn mind - the deep unprogrammed aspects of spirit that will define sentience - becomes magnetised through the energies of ignition but are in the early stages of incarnating. Spirit is unidentified with the sensations of cellular ignition. There is no manifest fixed sense of form, and the spirit comes and goes.

As the foetal body develops so too does sensation. The unborn mind registers and becomes identified with sensations. In time the spirit within the evolving embryo will gradually come to its senses. The sense-self develops from the sensations of the sense-body. Feelings, reactions and responses all register through a centring of attention and the sensory states of ignition. The body-mind takes shape according to the nature and conditioning of the sense-body and so the sensorium unfolds its potential within these conditions and the experiences of life.

A delicacy of sense perception – sublimation - is required to access depth and personal inquiry. Developing the constitution to regulate pressure and flow along with being able to process sensations, feelings, and mind states are at the heart of the Muscle Tendon Changing formulas in Gathering Essence Daoyin practise. This is the key to the regulation of vibration, resonance and states of fusion - the fusion of the five elements in Harmonic Oscillation.

Building potency brings substantial potential to our perception and working within one's range of ease develops the wisdom mind. The relationship between mind and Qi constitutes how we hold shape, how we define our sense of self, how we feel and what we generate.

Sensorial Consciousness

In our work at Gathering Essence, and on this retreat, we aim to increase our understanding of the relationship between mind and Qi, known as The Palace of the Sensorium. To do this, our direct awareness is centred in the sense organs of the three dan tian. This in turn coordinates the polar dynamics between mind and Qi and through balancing sense consciousness we can regulate the five elements.

Equanimity and a balance of Yin and Yang energies can be achieved by a willingness to process our inner content and our capacity to regulate attention and process feelings/emotions/mental intent. In regulating the data of direct experience, we develop the skills to regulate that which is held in tension (both positive and negative aspects of mind and body) We then encounter the relationship between mind and Qi and habits of tension and emotion. Positive tension regulates coherent aptitude and how we hold shape and form relationship. Negative tension is a call to pay attention and, where possible process, rather than stack that which needs serviced.

Grounding and processing feeling tone, becoming aware of dissonance and states of balanced or unbalanced tension, and awareness of the attitudes that govern within the sense self are all grounds for contemplation and engagement. It is within this depth of engagement that we can understand and learn to regulate the edges of resistance shaping our sense of self. We begin to understand the importance of clarity and its role in reflecting the wisdom of wholeness within sensorial consciousness.

The application of direct experience and intention define the vibration of the Sense-Self. The alchemy of refined observation and internal insight helps to evolve mind states, from inadequacy and ignorance into coherent vibration and resonance. This refining of Qi is a transformation from gross vibration into resonating frequencies of Shen. The inner field becomes redefined, rewired and the planetary field reconnected.

The relationship between mind and Qi gradually evolves towards integral vibration and resonance. In effect, sentience matures. Clarity is established by means of presence and mindfulness. Integral consciousness is re-established. Our felt-sense regulates and shapes meaning. It follows that servicing the sense-body services the sense mind. Sensing is to feel, to register, to react, to respond, to learn, to render meaning. Patterns of behaviour are developed from sensation into feeling. Function and meaning are unconsciously shaped by our dominant attitudes.

Becoming Sovereign

Becoming sovereign in the Palace of the Sensorium is a central theme in the Gathering Essence work. Harnessing the ability to centre the relationship between the mind and the Qi negates compromising polarity and we can return our attention to non-dual consciousness through the fusion of the five elements. The wind of harmonic oscillation will blow and the doors of perception open.

Om Shanti

Edited for the website by Emily Gibb