Day Off

I took yesterday off from meditation and Tai Chi Chih. I can't say I feel better for it, although getting extra sleep was nice. I'll meditate and do Tai Chi Chih today.

20 minutes today

warmth in the arms, hands, thighs, and stomach, and a "feeling" of energy running up the back to the skull. Tai Chi Chih before hand helps...the easy movements wash back and forth, like waves hitting a beach and leaving...and relaxation flows.

Another Day

Did some tai chi chih earlier in the day, then, after dinner and playing with the kids, fell asleep. Woke up at around 11:30, and had the urge to meditate. Felt some particular sadness as one of our favorite stores, Wally's, is closing. Meditated for about 23 minutes, belly breathing and running the orbit in alternation. Saw some green and purple on the backs of my eyelids.

Wu Short Form

I'm changing the Wu short form to incorporate principles from tai chi chih. It seems more natural and the energy appears to flow better.

22 minutes today

Ran the orbit for 22 minutes. Did tai chi chih last night. Felt a lot of heat in my kidney area. Tai chi chih is arguably better than tai chi: I'm more relaxed, and energy flow seems to be more apparent, faster, and sustainable. It seems to take the thought out of tai chi...not having to worry about what sequence is next.

Switching to AM

Decided to switch to AM meditation - in an effort to try and sleep better at night. Logged 27 minutes. I'm amazed, and amused, at the amount of time I spend "dreaming" while in meditation, and my ability to recognize the dream, at the tail end or right after, as a dream. Am I (Was I) dreaming? Yes I am, Yes I was.

Day 9

Did another session of Tai Chi Chih. My numbers for exercise doubled tonight. It was entirely spontaneous and felt good. Seated meditation, on the other hand, was difficult. It seemed I could not, initially, get into the groove, my mind was wandering, and concentration was difficult. At about the 10 minute mark, something kicked in. As my abdomen filled with air, my concentration was propelled up my spine to the head, and then things dropped down the front of the body upon exhale. It was as if the abdomen was a pump that was connected to the flow of concentration, driving concentration up with expansion, and drawing it down with contraction. More tomorrow.