The Fourteen Methods of Synchronizing with Primary Respiration – Metaphors of Interrelatedness – Post #11

Homage to Shantideva who wrote the greatest book ever on compassion:
“As long as space remains, as long as sentient beings remain, until then, may I too remain and dispel the miseries of the world.” – Shantideva

Homage to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the King of Compassion. Please guide us in this time of need:
“May I become at all times, both now and forever: a protector for those without protection; a guide for those who have lost their way; a ship for those with oceans to cross; a bridge for those with rivers to cross; a sanctuary for those in danger; a lamp for those without light; a place of refuge for those who lack shelter; and a servant to all in need.” – Shantideva

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is a compassion-based practice.
“Compassion – our ability to feel the pain that we share with others.”
– Pema Chodron

There is no embodiment of order without dynamic stillness,
There is no movement in the universe without Primary Respiration.

18.  The Three Levels of PR Function in Tibetan Medicine

1. The fourteenth synchronizing is with the three levels of PR function. These functions may occur after a neutral or in the midst of an Ignition process:
2. The first is Gross: Guiding the constant structuring and functioning of the human body.
3. The second is Subtle: The movement of cognition, emotions and self-awareness through the five chakras (crown, throat, heart, belly and sexual) and three channels (central and two lateral). The yoga of breath, the yoga of body and the yoga of meditation are helpful in purifying these channels. The color of PR in the central channel is aquamarine.
4. The third is Wisdom: The movement of loving kindness and compassion emanating from the heart as purified life sustaining wind. PR at this level transforms emotional energy into wisdom energy. Wisdom PR is the self-existing energy behind the ultimate lack of duality and the felt sense of an interconnection to all life. One could say that it is the energy of enlightenment.
5. When appropriate make a nonverbal aspiration for the client to be happy and know the sources of happiness.
6. Principle: Biodynamic sessions begin with the totality and the neutral. The middle is Ignition. Endings are an open exploration.
7. Principle: Everything in the universe is moved by the wisdom aspect of PR.
8. Principle: All the above is happening simultaneously. As the elements form a body and a universe they are also dissolving a body and a universe at the same time. Biodynamics is a training in perception of the whole of life. As my wife Cathy always says: ”Slowly is Holy.”
9. Final Principle: Psalm 46, often quoted by Sutherland and Becker, says: “Be Still and Know.”

18.  Dedication

1. 1. May these random thoughts of mine reverse confusion rather than cause confusion in the community of cranial practitioners and teachers that I love and respect and also love to argue with. May these ramblings of mine be a cause for compassion to flourish everywhere and bring peace to those who are not at peace. May these useless thoughts be a cause for kindness to be felt everywhere and in every body. May our hands be blessed continually with the grace of Primary Respiration. “Trust the Tide.”
   2. One More Principle:
      1. The Buddha did his enlightenment, you must do yours.
      2. “There is only one koan – You.” – Zen Master Ikkyu (1394-1481)
      3. You are your own master of your mind and emotions.

Sources:

 Anyen Rinpoche & Allison Choying Zangmo. 2013. The Tibetan Yoga of Breath: Breathing Practices for Healing the Body and Cultivating Wisdom. Boulder, CO: Shambhala Publications, Inc.

Dr, Peme Dorjee with Janet Jones and Terence Moore. 2005. The Spiritual Medicine of Tibet: Heal Your Spirit, Heal Yourself. London: Watkins Publishing.

Dr. Yeshe Dhonden (commentary), Jhampa Kelsang (Trans). 1977. The Ambrosia Heart Tantra (written in Sanskrit in the fourth century CE). New Delhi: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.

Dr. Yeshe Dhonden, Jeffrey Hopkins (Ed and Trans). 1986.  Health Through Balance: An Introduction to Tibetan Medicine. Boston: Snow Lion Publications.

2012. Blechschmidt & R. F. Gasser, 2012. Biokinetics and Biodynamics of Human Differentiation: Principles and Applications. Berkeley CA: North Atlantic Books.

Gerald H. Pollack, 2013. The Fourth Phase of Water: Beyond Solid, Liquid, and Vapor. Seattle, WA: Ebner & Sons Publishers.

Giles Marin, 1999. Healing From Within With Chi Nei Tsang. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Jamgon Kongtrul (1813-1899). 2003. Treasury of Knowledge Book 1, Myriad Worlds. New York: Snow Lion Publications.

Kenneth G. Zysk. The science of respiration and the doctrine of the bodily winds in ancient India by. Journal of the American Oriental Society. April-June 1993, 113(2), pp 198-213.

Khechen Thrangu Rinpoche. 2004. Medicine Buddha Teachings. New York: Snow Lion Publications.

 Lati Rinbochay & Jeffrey Hopkins. 1979. Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism. (originally written in the 18^th century). New York: Snow Lion Publications.

Mantak & Maneewan Chia, 1990. Chi Nei Tsang: Internal Organs Chi Massage.

Pema Chodron, 2002. The Places That Scare You. Boston: Shambhala.

Porges, S. W. (2001). The polyvagal theory: Phylogenetic substrates of a social nervous system. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 42(2), 123–146.

Porges, S. W. (2004). Neuroception: A subconscious system for detecting threats and safety. Zero to Three, 24(5), 19–24.

Ronit Yoeli-Tlalim. 2010. Tibetan ‘wind’ and ‘wind’ illnesses: towards a multicultural approach to health and illness. Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and

Biomedical Sciences.

Shantideva (eighth century), 1979. A Guide to a Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. Translated by Stephen Batchelor. Dharamsala, India: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. (There are many translations of this book. This is my favorite)

Shunryu Suzuki, 1970. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. Ney York: Weatherhill.

The Dalai Lama, 1994. A Flash of Lightening in the Dark of the Night: A Guide to a Boddhisattva’s Way of Life. Boston: Shambhala.

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. 2002. Healing with Form, Energy and Light: The Five Elements in Tibetan Shamanism, Tantra, and Dzochen. New York: Snow Lion Publications.

Yuri Parfionovitch, Gyurme Dorje, Fernand Meyer. 1992. Tibetan Medical Paintings: Illustrations to the Blue Beryl treatise of Sangye Gyamtso (1653-1705). Volume Two: Text. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

Ikkyu (15^th century), 1989. Crow with No Mouth. Versions by Stephen Berg. Port Townsend, WA: Copper Canyon Press.