Centering

Lots of people talk about 'centering', but what is it?

Centering means to align our body and mind, taking the time to be in the moment, to focus and calm ourselves.

Everything is made up of energy and there are hundreds of names for this energy.  Two types of energy that we're concerned with when centering are 'Earth' energy or chi and 'Heaven' energy or chi, two of the primary components of the Universe. 

We're made up of a blend of these energies, earth chi represents the physical and heaven chi represents the mind.  To integrate mind and body we need to work on balancing earth and heaven chi, which then creates centredness.

Think of the earth chi point - this is about 2 inches below the naval.  This is known in Zen Buddhism as the tanden.  This is reputed to be the centre of gravity and balance for our body.  When you focus the mind here it is immediately integrated with the body.  The mind and body become balanced.

Breathe in to this point below your naval, deeply and slowly.  Affirm to yourself 'I am centred'.

By doing this exercise the mind becomes focused in the now, the physical self, rather than racing all over the place with our day to day thoughts.