The Practice of Recapitulation (part 3)

In this post I would like to catch on to some of the ideas that have to do with the recapitulation practice upon which i touched in some of my previous posts. Please refer to the parts I and II to familiarize yourself with them.

As it turns out, while recapitulating we touch upon a much more complex set of methods and related practices, then it is shared to us in the books by Carlos Castaneda, which are largely a historical account and a set of guidelines. Although, the psycho-analytical aspect of the recapitulation seems to be the most obvious one, it is far from being the only one. To put it straight - its a hook created by the ancient Toltecs of the ancient times.

The fanning breath from right to left and vice-versa is only one kind of breathing, which grossly and persistently jolts the energy body, and makes it travel to various locations in the luminous sphere with the purpose of helping to dislodge the assemblage point and learn fluidity. Where exactly it is going to travel to for its final destination can only be speculated upon...

Further, the intense visualization that this practice helps to develop is a perfect vehicle for all kinds of things whether it be healing at a distance or warding of malevolent influences.

 I think it becomes sort of obvious that there is no point in concentrating only on your own experiences all the time after a while (which may take years) and while the more conservative practitioners may find this blasphemous, i am simply stating the obvious, and in no way am trying to reinvent the wheel as it were. Yes, it is possible to recapitulate for another.

What was recapitulation prior to its more groomed version that we have learned from Carlos and his cohorts is hard to say, but I am very sure that large groups of the toltec seers doing this breathing and rotating their heads in unison could achieve results of great magnificence that go beyond the "sacrifice of your life experiences to the Eagle", which in this light seems more like a point of departure....Indeed, if a whole group was able to shift simultaneously, it is not unlikely that they would be able to enter into other worlds. What those worlds are - i don't know, and why would one want to travel into them beyond curiosity i don't know either. 

The greater ones of the ancient toltecs were powerful beings, not very easily limited by the more human side of things. They didn't care about feelings- just about the mission, which was more power. That, under certain conditions can be a great impetus: just imagine the breadth of the pastures for someone who is completely detached from anything human. However we know from the stories that that has also become their downfall. In my opinion, only some of the old toltecs have fallen, many others are doing just fine in the inconceivable positions of the assemblage point, they or their forunners only approach a prospective dreaming talent if they know that it is going to be a sure hit.

By this i mean that they will need your energy constantly, and the set ups for taking it are ludicrously fiendish. I think the practitioners of dreaming have clue of what I am trying to say: dreams are created by unspeakably ingenuous forces out there, i am sure that the Old Toltecs have joined those forces in their prolonged search for knowledge and are sort of in on it for the energy.

They have succeeded in becoming beings of a different order.

Kettlebell and TaiJiQuan

So, i was inspired to write this blog in response to some of the videos on the Youtube, which feature pretty strong guys doing their kettlebell routines, they also run, ride the bike and do various calisthenics in addition to their kettlebell workout.

I do my Tai Ji form in addition to kettlebell, and I have to say that weight training and Tai Ji go perfectly together. The heavy air, that we are attempting to envision and go by while moving in Tai Ji ("air like water" principle) is not so simple to achieve just by doing Tai Ji, although it is advised to be done in a gradual manner, thus developing the qi over time.

However, after giving it some thought some time ago I realized that the heaviness of the air can be emulated if you add weight. So, I started doing a Tai Ji form with weighted hands and that was fine but I realized that I am doing myself a huge favour by adding substance to the already substantial air. So, after sometime I started doing weights rather than just weighting my hands, and realized that in conjuntion with Tai Ji I am actually fulfilling that, which Tai Ji is trying to achieve without the weights - a very substantial air. Furthermore, I started to realize that my kettlebell training is being informed by my Tai Ji practice - rooting, alignment and so on so forth, all of that has taught me apparently to avoid unnecessary pain and injuries while working out with the weights! I thought this was pretty awesome, and my gong fu took new flight. 

The thing is that I don't really know what Tai ji quan, and the nei gong in general was like or was meant to be like during its inception. However, I am very sure that it must have been a conjunction of various such methods that strengthen the qi both internally and externally. Otherwise, it is simply impossible to achieve anything because the process is way too long. For myself, it took 20 years to realize this, not that it was a waste before, not at all, but I think if I "heavied" the air earlier in my carrier as a Tai Chi student, I think I would be further ahead now. 

So, if you are a student, and find this useful - cool. The point is to come to the external gradually and smoothly without any shenanigans such as injuries, which would simply impair you. 

Good luck in your training and may the Tai Ji deities be happy with your efforts.