Basics, Part 1

The theme for today is Basics,
by which I mean general (though not abstract) principles
which convey knowledge
as well as skill in activity.

Sometimes the simplest, most basic things
are the most profound and powerful.

They are easy to take for granted,
easy to understand superficially,
and harder to know in depth.

There are three very basic Basics,
principles that go together
in the way everything works:

These are Relaxation, Grounding, and Space.

Each of these is worth sustained study and practice
with direct experience of the principles in action
but for now let's just consider them conceptually.

Relaxation means to let things flow
into their natural pattern
rather than holding them in place,

like water follows the course of a streambed.
Relaxation is not a state of low energy
but the condition in which energy is most free to move.

Grounding is where things naturally go
when things are relaxed
like the water settles into a stream or lake.

Space is the openness in which things occur,
getting larger or smaller
or taking different shapes
depending on their energy and movement.

When one is relaxed and grounded
energy then naturally extends throughout space.
The way these principles work together
is expressed in various sayings and proverbs
such as "need to go down to go up".

These principles show up in many ways.
They are "literal" - a description of the actual behavior of things
and they also appear in countless metaphors
and as the hidden basis of many concepts.

One way to know them is by direct observation.
For example,
What happens when you relax?
You settle down into your base, or ground.

And then what happens?
Something interesting!
Maybe even a transformation
in what self or the surrounding place "feels like".

Meditation practices use these principles.
The most basic meditation practice
without its conceptual complexity
is, in essence:

• find a place to sit (a place or base)
• take a stable posture
• relax and settle into the ground there
• be aware of space around and within.

These basics have deeper powers
and lessons to convey:
subtle, simple and natural, not "metaphysical"

Relaxation softens the body / mind
deepening sensitivity and awareness
making it possible to sense what's going on in it
a place where all kinds of knowledge are registered
as they pass like wind-stirred ripples on a pond.

Where can "self" fall into when deeply relaxed and awake?
What ground does it find?

One may start to be aware of the Soft Center,
the open, "unborn awareness" or field
that exists before and "under" all Self-concepts.

Relaxation, grounding, and space
are present all activities
and can be practiced
without taking away any "time"
from whatever you need to do
and will enhance both the physical and mental quality
of those activities.

These three principles show up in many awareness practices and rituals,
relaxation being most common
followed by grounding,
and then space.

Examples of space practices
are the 8-direction awareness
of the Chinese martial tradition
and the "medicine wheel" or "directions" practice
associated with native Americans.
Details vary, of course
but the basic pattern is
to be aware of space in each direction
to be aware of what is "in" that space
up, down, left, right, above, below, outside, and inside.

This cultivates a sense of the whole,
an openness to whatever happens,
and an awareness of focus:
the ability for one's attention
not to be captured
by a single thing, event, or concept.

Relaxation and grounding
likewise have many lessons to convey:
can you think of some examples?

Where do you notice
the basic principles of relaxation, grounding, and space
in your daily life experience and practices?

(Or maybe, the absence of those!)