PART 2/2
Many people make the mistake of thinking that there is only one way to practice Zhan Zhuang. In a complete path, it is necessary to distinguish fundamental phases and respect their proper order. In this second part of the text I translated, Wang Xiang Zhai describes some functional elements to develop the Hun Yuan Li (Multidirectional force) using the Zhan Zhuang training. Even though many practitioners start with this "Hun Yuan Li" approach, I have learned that you must create the proper density and suitable internal space before you can generate expansion. After all, you cannot expand what is rigid, and you cannot expand what has no room. In Wang Xuan Jie and You Peng Xi's lineage, I found a very useful approach to create the right conditions before seeking the multidirectional force. I will discuss this in another article."夫樁法之學，最忌身心用力，用力則氣滯，氣滯則意停，意停則神斷，神斷則受愚。尤忌揚頭折腰，肘膝過於曲直，總以似直非直，似曲非曲為宜，筋絡伸展為是，頭宜上頂，閭骨宜直，氣宜下沉，心宜靜思，手足指尖稍微用力，牙齒似閉非閉，舌捲似頂非頂，渾身毛孔似鬆非鬆，如是則內力外發，弱者換為強，自不難得其要領也。"。
When it comes to the study of Zhuang methods, the most important thing is to avoid using any kind of body or mind exertion. The exertion will cause energy stagnation. The energy stagnation will stop the intention. When the intention stops the spirit will brake. When spirit brakes you will be misled. It is very important to avoid lifting the head back, arching the waist, bending or straightening too much elbows and knees. Always use the reference “Seems straight but is not straight, seems bent but not is not bent” and keep the intent of stretching the [Jīn Luò]. [See Note 1]
The head should stretch up, “the gate bones” (the coccyx area) should be straightened, the energy should sink downward, and your mind should reach a meditative state. [See Note 2] Hands, feet and fingers slightly express strength. The teeth seem like they are closed but they are not. The tongue is curled up almost touching the upper palate, but is not touching it. The pores all over the body seem are free of tensions but they are not relaxed. In this way, the internal power will manifest externally, and the weakness will be transformed into strength, and then it will not be difficult to get the essence of the practice.
NOTES:
1 - 筋絡 Jīn Luò: It can be translated as sinews or energy channels
2 - 静思 Jìng Sī : Is a term that in Buddhism indicates the state of meditation but it can also mean “Calm the thoughts”. Very often Master Wang Xiang Zhai refers to classical Chan Buddhism terms, that is why we can assume that he was talking about an actual state of meditation.
The head should stretch up, “the gate bones” (the coccyx area) should be straightened, the energy should sink downward, and your mind should reach a meditative state. [See Note 2] Hands, feet and fingers slightly express strength. The teeth seem like they are closed but they are not. The tongue is curled up almost touching the upper palate, but is not touching it. The pores all over the body seem are free of tensions but they are not relaxed. In this way, the internal power will manifest externally, and the weakness will be transformed into strength, and then it will not be difficult to get the essence of the practice.
NOTES:
1 - 筋絡 Jīn Luò: It can be translated as sinews or energy channels
2 - 静思 Jìng Sī : Is a term that in Buddhism indicates the state of meditation but it can also mean “Calm the thoughts”. Very often Master Wang Xiang Zhai refers to classical Chan Buddhism terms, that is why we can assume that he was talking about an actual state of meditation.
