Everyone is free to have their own perception and this can also change over time, depending on everyone’s experiences.
For me it has always been about Spirit and Physicality, always felt and exemplified by the Masters I sought and who allowed me to learn with them.
I think we need to work with both, Spirit and Physical, for the simple fact that we have both and because they both store different emotions, baggage and energies. There are things that are not resolved only by the mind, because the trauma is closed in the body and… everything is connected, right?
And as an example, here’s what an old Chinese text said (apparently about martial arts imported to Okinawa).
8 essential rules are extracted, which can be extrapolated to any form of integrated somatic and spiritual practice:
1. The human heart is equal to heaven and earth (Jinshin wa Tenchi ni onaji)
Human nature is one with that of Heaven and Earth.
2. The bloodline is like the sun and the moon (Ketsumyaku wa Jitsugetsu ni ni tari)
The rhythm of circulation in the body (body fluids, subtle elements, air, etc.) is similar to the cycle of the Sun and the Moon (just as Ha and Tha in Hatha Yoga mean Sun and Moon – clearly indicating an internal alchemy)
3. Hô wa Gôjû wo Donto Shi
The method consists in combining hardness and elasticity, in absorbing and emitting (generally applied to breathing but not only)
4. My body changes from time to time (Mi wa Zuiji ôhen su)
Act in accordance with Time and Change
5. When the hand meets the sky, enter (Te wa Kû ni Aeba Sunawachi Hairu)
The technique appears to you in the absence of conscious thought.
6. Advances and retreats strengthen and separate (Shintai wa Hakarite Rihôsu)
The movement of the body is to advance or retreat, to reunite or separate.
7. The eyes must look in all directions (Me wa Shikô wo Miru Koto wo Yôsu)
The eyes will look in 4 directions.
8. The ear can hear all directions (Mimi wa Yoku Happô wo Chôkin su) Urechile vor receptiona din 8 directii
– quote from the Essence of Kenpô (legea / Methoda ‘pumnului’ – martial method) from ”Kenpô no Taiyô Hakku” 拳法之大要八句 (Bubishi)
Note that beyond the title where the term Punch – Ken appears, in the rest of the text, nothing has a martial connotation! This is probably why the text is successfully ignored by all practitioners of Okinawan and derivative schools (Japanese Karate, etc.) – because they have no idea how to use it in practice or because their practice simply does not make use of the concepts of this text (which is supposed to be a foundation of practice! 
)
Even though we have no martial terms, we only find a maximum of 3 verses that offer relatively physical indications. The text clearly begins with the first verse which clearly suggests a spiritual approach (the most important, because it is the first, right?). We also continue to have principles of awareness, energetics and internal alchemy. Maybe it makes us think seriously… (please apply verse 5 in this case)
About Bubishi:
Originating in China, and transmitted secretly for a time, the Bubishi text became public after 1900, with the export of Okinawan Kenpo and its transformation into the then universal Japanese Karate. Unfortunately, most of them interpret it based on current forms of Karate, formed only after 1700-1800, while Bubishi is the work of Chinese masters of the White Rooster and Fujian Kung Fu branches of that period.
Although it was written in Okinawa, the text is written in Chinese (reflecting a high degree of classical culture of the author) and contains references to vital points, meridians and energy pathways, a form without a partner, details on palm positions with their energy applications, 48 applications with a partner (rare) and a special chapter dedicated to medicinal plants!!!
For those who come to the training courses, we will discuss and apply these principles in the lessons and not only in the internal arts part of Taiji Qigong.
And I’m planning a new Meditation/Purification workshop under the waterfall where we will also practically apply these principles. You can contact me if you are interested.
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