Physical
Dynamic Concentration
in
Other Traditions
Dynamic
Concentration
The
idea of Dynamic Concentration (DC), as has been explained in the
previous chapter of this
book, is to cut through all layers of the self-based mind and in
consequence access one's pure wakeful nature. This type of yogic
exercise is done with sudden explosive yet purposeful and controlled
force. It can be done solely on the level of the mind but easiest way
to apply it is through shout, often as repeated shouts.
Physical
Dynamic Concentration
Dynamic
Concentration can also be done physically. In Pemako Buddhism this is
known as Physical Dynamic Concentration (PDC). Find Physical Dynamic
Concentration with simple tantric mantra of Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe
Tsogyal taught in this
video, under the name of Vajra Body-exercise.
The
idea of Physical Dynamic Concentration is to tense all muscles of the
body at once in a controlled yet forceful manner while being fully
aware of it. Because tensing of the muscles is so engaging, during
this type of concentration it is very difficult for the mind to start
drifting and therefore PDC also accomplishes very well what the
practitioner intends to do, which is to access and establish one's
wakeful nature. Flexing is kept for few seconds, usually while
holding the breath, with tantric elements such as mantras and
visualisations, and then relaxed. As in the above video instruction,
PDC should be done at least few times before a brief pause (half a
minute or a minute) before second (-third-fourth) series of
repetitions. Same idea of several repetitions (up to 100 in one
series) and few sets (usually 2-4) is used with both DC and PDC in
Pemako Buddhist practice. This is because many repetitions and sets
works more effectively and accomplishes the task splendidly in
comparison to just few repetitions.
Physical
Dynamic Concentration in Other Traditions
Yogananda
Probably
the most widely practiced form of PDC, is Paramahamsa Yogananda's
Energisation Exercises. Yogananda is famous through his Autobiography
of A Yogi. He is one of those who brought a type of hindu tantra
called Kriya Yoga to the West beginning in 1920's. See from this
video how he formulated PDC, together with prayer and breathing
practices.
According
to Swami Satyananda, Yogananda's childhood friend and dharma brother,
Yogananda got the idea of PDC from a book on gymnastics by a German
physical educator in the early 1900's. According to Swami Kriyananda,
Yogananda's close disciple, Yogananda practiced Energisation
Exercises twice every day of his life until his passing. See a photo
of Yogananda taken just an hour before his passing in 1952, at the
age of 59. I find his energy and appearance quite impressive.
Goswami
Another,
though much less known, tradition of hindu yoga that uses PDC is the
lineage of Shyam Sunder Goswami. Goswami published few books and was
the founder of the Sweden-based Goswami Yoga Institute. His Advanced
Hatha Yoga introduces PDC as ”Carana Yoga”. See these pictures of
Goswami students practicing ”yogic bodybuilding”.
Shaolin
The
only buddhist tradition that uses PDC exactly in the same way as
Pemako Buddhism and the other examples is the Shaolin-tradition from
China. Shaolin monastery is considered to have been founded by
Bodhidharma, the yogi who brought Zen from India to China.
Over
the past 1500 years, the training system of Shaolin temple has
developed into a three-way system: 1. kung fu, 2. chi gong and 3.
meditation (c. chan). Roughly speaking, kung fu refers to martial
arts training, chi gong refers to conditioning of the body, focusing
of the mind and cultivation of breath energy (c. qi) and meditation
refers to cultivation of mindfulness. These three can also be
explained as physical cultivation (c. jing), cultivation of breath
energy through intention (c. yi) and cultivation of wakeful nature
(c. shen).
 | |
| https://www.shaolinshixingmi.com/ |
The
Gift of Physical Dynamic Concentration
People
arrive and have glimpses of the natural state accidentally, as a
side-effect and purposefully. The point of DC and PDC is to have a
reliable and mechanical tool that enables recognition of one's
wakeful nature anywhere and anytime to anyone, with or without a
tantric empowerment.
Thank
you for reading and many blessings,
-Kim
Rinpoche, 16 of July 2020
Pemako
Buddhism, www.pemakobuddhism.com
*
This text is additional material to What's
Next? On Post-Awakening Practice
