Esoteric Kata

Let’s keep on the path of our #BNDChallenge. First perform the Ghost Hand visualization module for the initial five minutes of your daily meditation. If you’re a newcomer to this series, please use the #BNDChallenge category link on the right side to access previous modules.

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This post will introduce you to the second of my meditation modules. This module will lay the cornerstone of a very powerful Kata called Sanchin. Sanchin Kata lies at the heart of the concept of “Moving Meditation.” 

As you can see from the Kanji, the word Sanchin is composed of two root words. The root word “San” means “Three” and the root word “Chin” means “Battle”. The word “battle” does not refer to warfare; rather, “battle” refers to conditions, or aspects requiring attention and cultivation by the performer of the Sanchin Kata. Thus, while Sanchin literally means “Three Battles” , the interpretation of the Kanji should be extended to mean “three aspects of the human condition.” Through the regular performance of the Sanchin Kata the three aspects of the human condition are incubated, nurtured and evolved so as to facilitate an enraptured human experience. 

At this juncture I’ll give you a rudimentary delineation of the three battles as:

• Breathing;
• Bodily movement;
• State of Mind.

Let’s get started with Sanchin. 

In my Katannabis Meditation session last night I remembered a video I had prepared to help people use Sanchin as a means of maintaining lung capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This presentation is a good introduction to Sanchin Kata. So as to allow me the time to build upon these modules for you in the BNDChallenge series, it is a real good starting point. You may access that free class using this link – “Sip of sanchin” – https://senseijohn.me/2020/03/25/coronapause-entry-3-breathing-efficiently-sip-of-sanchin-overview/

To add that introduction to Sanchin into your daily meditation as part of the #BNDChallenge, I would recommend the following:

First, perform the Ghost-hand Kata. Try to perform at least the single hand version with the correct gazing technique as described in the prior class. Again, you can access prior modules using the #BNDChallenge category tab to the right.

Next, perform the breathing and dynamic tension methodology from the “Sip of Sanchin” above.

Lastly, sit in Zazen (seated meditation), breath in the manner of Sanchin (deep abdominal breathing, but without dynamic tension). Use my favorite visualization technique to shut out extraneous thoughts – close your eyes and visualize the Ghost Hand Kata (single hand version). “Feel” the flow of the hand movements with your mind. Then strive to quiet your mind.

The above should fulfill at least the required fifteen minutes of mediation in the BNDChallenge.

Again, my preference is to perform the above three modules during the entire course of my day.

In closing this submission I’ll note that it occurred to me that my entire #Coronapause (see endnote # 1) category of posts also would apply here to the #BNDChallange, so here’s a link to all posts. Please feel welcome to incorporate any aspects of that series into your #BNDChallenge. Full #Coronapause itinerary:  https://senseijohn.me/2020/11/02/coronavirus-free-resources/

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More Sanchin Modules to come, but you can check out the whole Sanchin Kata in the videos below.

Cum superiorum privilegio veniaque *

Sensei John Szmitkowski

  *. (with the privilege and permission of the superiors)

Endnotes:

1. During the Covid-19 crisis, I had watched a news conference with Governor Cuomo from New York. He had adopted the phrase “Coronapause” so as to indicate the shut-down and other measures were but a pause. Ironically, that’s exactly what you need from the #BNDChallenge – a phase from the, well, let’s call it what it is — the absurdity of what life sometimes throws at ya.

Note: – I will teach you more of Sanchin in future #BNDChallenge posts. You can, and should perform Sanchin Kata, ANYwhere, ANYtime you need it. Here’s fun video of the full Sanchin Kata during a motorcycle ride when I lived in Arizona – enjoy. If I did this right you may have access to my full Sanchin Kata playlist, we’ll see:

Tags: #BNDChallenge, #Katannabis, #KataRX, #workingmanzen, Anxiety, Depression, Ghost Hand Kata, Kata For Wellness, kata Innovations, Kata Mindfulness, KataRX, Mental health, Mindfulness, PTSD Help, Sanchin Kata, TaiChi Alternatives, Wellness, Yoga Alternatives