Chi The Sixth Sense: Introduction and Synopsis
Introduction:
When we come into this world, we are suggestible and vulnerable. We
are taught how to breathe and move in specific ways by those around us
to become a thread in the social tapestry that we are born into. It is these
breathing and moving patterns that create and anchor our story and way
of perceiving, or our self-identity.
As we grow older, through repetition of these patterns, we move ever
more deeply into our trained idea of “ourselves” and its manipulations.
These tendencies seep ever more deeply into our breathing and moving.
Our natural Self gradually becomes overshadowed and limited by this
repetition of learned behavior. This begins to severely limit the range of
our feelings and perceptions and can have a negative impact on our health
and well-being.
But somehow, all the while, something in us knows we are more than
our belief in who we are taught to be and the way that it has trained us to
perceive and interact with the world around us. We begin to sense there
is something missing. We begin to sense a beckoning to return to wholeness, to unite with the stream of the natural movement around us.
The feeling that there is more “beyond” us increases. This force begins
to knock against our conditioning or learned behavior. It jolts us sometimes quite strongly. We somehow sense that this force is pulling us towards Union. As we proceed along this path, we become more keenly aware of the pull of this force of Life within us and how it manifests and presents itself—something ungraspable but there.
We also experience the difficulties that are caused by this force seeking
to break through our learned behavior and the psychological and physiological imbalances that are produced as a result. It becomes more and
more obvious that the biggest obstacle to our evolution is the rigidity of
the story we have been taught, or who we are supposed to be in the world,
as we are being called to sink deeper into ourselves.
What I focus on in Chi—the Sixth Sense is how to deal with disruption in the “normal functioning” of our learned body concept by the surfacing of the substrata of our being or our True nature. Or, to put it into other words, what our learned idea of the body and our learned perception goes through as it tries to stabilize itself when it is being barraged by the energy of our True nature trying to actualize. I look at what this
process of integration looks like as we are being pulled towards our true
or natural beingness and how to deal with the dismantling of this learned
body concept and resultant physical and psychological dysfunctions that
are created.
It is important to realize how deeply our social self is implanted in us
through the moving and breathing patterns we adopt. Having had an
acupuncture practice, a Chinese herb store, and teaching movement arts
for many years I have had the opportunity to see the negative effects that
the limited patterns of relating given to us by our learned behavior have
on our health and well-being.
I not only saw firsthand how we are limited, hampered and made ill
by those learned patterns, but also how simultaneously there is a greater
force working to loosen those bonds and free us to pursue our natural
evolution. This perspective gave me the opportunity to sense and explore how,
when we begin to align properly—gravitationally with the Earth and the
pressures it creates around us—we can enhance our ability to become
whole with less reliance on others to “hold us up.” And how this aligning
allows us to move away from the suffocating social fabric engulfing us
and to sense and merge with the life stream flowing around and through
us. We begin to realize that true healing is to call on the knowledge of the
Self to align with wholeness. Working with our body concept is pivotal. In this book I use Chi Gung that is focused on saturating and moving beyond our movement
and breathing patterns as the vehicle for allowing the Earth’s energy to
flow more freely through us. Chi Gung used with this focus can be used
to override the limited body concept given to us by our conditioning. By
doing this we can enhance our relationship with the Earth’s gravitational
force aligning our body in motion, so that we can store the energy released
through the knocking of the spirit into an ever-evolving structure. This
then can enable the dismantling of our conditioned concepts of mind and
body to occur in a more smooth and graceful way.
Along with this, I seek to impart how any attempt to change who we
think we are, or our self-concept, in a meaningful way in relation to our natural evolutionary process by not considering the depths to which we
are programed in our body computer is only a superficial exercise. This is
only a redistribution of the amount of energy made available to us within
the agenda of our learned behavior. What is important is to dismantle
this agenda. When I meet someone who has had an “opening experience” and has
begun to sense their inner evolutionary path pulling them there seems
to be an overriding force propelling our interaction. Our conversation
seems to wander from subject to subject, or better yet many different
subjects arise seemingly of their own accord. Being in this serendipitous
sequence allows our paths of evolution to enliven us, behind the scenes
as it were, and a larger energy exchange happens as we commune with
each other. In a similar way I have composed the story in this book by using a
series of characters with different, yet similar perspectives, each one of
them presenting a different way to access body consciousness. This I feel
can enable us to perceive the body, our storehouse of perception, and its
interconnectedness to the Earth’s force in a more comprehensive and
integrated way. It is my hope that you, the reader, can allow an appropriate serendipitous conversation to arise within you as you read Chi—the Sixth Sense, extracting what you intuit is important.
Chi—the Sixth Sense is set in various locations and cultural backgrounds. It has basically three sections; the sections overlay each other like spirals, with each pass going deeper. In the first section the basic concepts are introduced. I then go back through and expand upon these underlying concepts in more depth and begin to explore their applications. Here in the second section, body practices and training are detailed.
And finally, in the final section, along with further reiteration of the basic
concepts, I amplify and focus on the title of the book, Chi—the Sixth
Sense: how to engage and flow with the evolutionary force that is pulling
us along our specific individual path to develop deep knowingness, joy,
and well-being.
Dr. Daniel Santos
Tiruvannamalai, India 2024
Synopsis:
Chi The Sixth Sense takes the reader on a transformative journey of self-
discovery weaving together the realms of Chi Gung, Yoga, Shamanism, psychology, and ancient Chinese philosophy. This book Dr. Santos explores how our cultural matrix is transmitted and imprinted on us via moving and breathing patterns. And how to begin to transcend its suffocating effects.
Set against the backdrop of exotic locations and diverse cultural backgrounds, the narrative unfolds in three sections, each spiraling deeper into the exploration of body consciousness. The book introduces a myriad of characters, each offering a unique perspective on accessing body consciousness. For example, Felina, with her captivating life journey, brings forth the concept of “Zen sickness” and the transformative power of Chi Gung in stabilizing mental and emotional well-being. Silvio, a Chi Gung teacher, discusses the intricate connections between awareness, energy, and learned behavior, emphasizing the role of conscious body practices in accessing natural energy flow. Li Ts-e, against the serene backdrop of Wat Umong, shares profound insights into gravity as a force and how it affects our awareness. The narrative explores different bodily postures and delves into the idea that perception extends beyond the conventional five senses. Li Ts-e hints at the “power within us that knows,” and also to the all encompassing energy of the Earth around us pointing towards a deeper level of bodily experience. Chapters unfold with rich exploration—Silvio playing with friction toys to illustrate the interconnected concepts of truth, energy, and health. Li Ts-e guiding the narrator through Chiang Mai, exploring the world as pressure and revealing the unique pressures linked to presence. Hollow Bamboo, through a ritualistic tea ceremony, imparts teachings on breath, movement, and Chi awareness. Noi, the freelance software writer and Chi Gung practitioner, draws parallels between the body and a computer system, exploring the impact of our learned behavior on energy flow. Angelique’s Chi Gung classes prompt a dialogue on breaking learned behavior patterns through collective movement. The narrative continues to unfold, exploring the significance of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians with Angelique. Veronica imparts insights on body electricity, The Tai Chi Pole, and fluid dynamics, emphasizing their connection to health, disease, and Chi-flow. In the dream-like Chapter 15, the protagonist experiences a vivid dream workshop, symbolizing a profound shift in perception and a path towards wholeness. Li Ts-e’s guidance in Chapter 16 delves into ancient Chinese philosophy, redirecting energy flow, and the transformative role of sexuality. The book continues by probing diverse disciplines, examining the boundaries of knowledge-centric and physical approaches. These explorations touch on themes like sexuality and the magical realm of dream creation. We are then taken on a journey exploring consciousness, realization, and the internal force that shapes our authentic path. The book concludes with a profound realization—life’s flow proceeds without intervention, highlighting our essence. “The Power of Chi” invites readers to reflect on the intricate connections between internal transformation, external expression, and the timeless rhythms of the Universe.
I
The Power of Chi: Synopsis and Introduction
Synopsis
The Power of Chi is a short book by Dr. Daniel Santos about techniques to re-connect the body through 8-point Chi Gong, Feng Shui for the Body, and understanding and interacting with the movement body. The book explores how learned behavior patterns are stored in our breathing and moving patterns, and how these create a perceptually limited concept of the body that we are trained to inhabit. But then the book shows us how there is a greater force that knocks at these patterns. It jolts us so that we begin to intuit that there is more to us than our conditioned selves. This then leads un into a new journey as our learned reality becomes untenable and we are forced to redefine ourselves. Creating a new moving body concept enables us to become flexible and capable of integrating the new energies we are exposed to. This book is about one way to create a subtle and flexible body concept. We learn how the movement of the joints is a major way that energy is transferred through the body, and why acupuncture points are located at the articulations of the joints.
But over all we come to understand that Realizing the Self is the only useful and worthy activity in this life.
Introduction:
This book, The Power of Chi, is the middle section of my larger book
Chi–The Sixth Sense. I have isolated it and turned it into a short book so
that the actual movements and sequences presented could be isolated for
quicker reference for those more interested in body mechanics. In it, I
describe techniques that can be used to re-connect the body, 8-point Chi
Gung, Feng Shui for the Body, and how to understand and interact with
the movement body.
In the beginning chapters of Chi–The Sixth Sense, I go into depth as
to how our learned behavior patterns are placed into and stored in our
breathing and moving patterns after we leave the gravitational prenatal water world of the womb and emerge into the postnatal air world.
And how the repetition of these learned behavior patterns creates the
perceptual limited concept of the body we are trained to inhabit. Then I
speak of how a greater force, our True Nature, begins knocking at these
patterns. When this happens, we begin to intuit that there is more to us
than the patterns or outlook of our conditioned selves, and our learned
reality becomes untenable. Problems then arise, because we can no longer
function as the thread within the social fabric that we were given. And
at the same time, we don’t have the dexterity and ability to engage the
new reality we are exposed to. Thus, creating a new moving body concept
becomes important, because it enables us to become flexible and capable.
In this way we can integrate the new energies we are exposed to. This
book is about one way to create a new subtle and flexible body concept.
As our joints develop and make a new connection to the world upon
leaving the water world of the womb, the gravitation orientation of the
body shifts. We move into the air world and begin to actively interact
with the Earth’s energy in a new way. Our feet and legs, arms and hands
develop so that we can we manipulate and interact with the world around
us. The moving of the joints is a major way that energy is transferred
throughout our body. If you look carefully, you can begin to understand
why so many important acupuncture points are located at the articulations of the joints.
Our joints act as electric transformer stations or pumps that circulate
the energy or Chi from the trunk of the body to the ankles and wrists and
back. They form the basis of how we access and engage the new air world
that we find ourselves in. Re-connecting our joints forms the groundwork for the creation of a new evolving body concept
Re-connecting our joints allows energy to move through them at maximum efficiency, and thus we can open and experience a state of “flow,”
or a merging with the environment, a merging of what sometimes is
referred to as the “inner” merging with the “outer”. This then allows the
body to naturally line up with the gravity body of the Earth, which allows
the learned body concept to dissolve. Right intentioned Chi Gung can
provide a base upon which one can do this while building and sustaining
health.
Our learned concept of the body given to us by our social conditioning provides us with only a limited interaction with the world around us.
A new fluid body concept can be created by well-focused Chi Gung, so
that when we are exposed to energy from “beyond,” we can take on the
jolts of that energy and store it in a new platform. So, when we experience
or gain more energy, this influx of energy can be more efficiently held,
and not co-opted back into the agenda of our learned habitual moving
and breathing patterns.
Our given body concept is only a reflected state that we are taught. It
is only partially in the flow of the Earth’s force. The so-called body is a
culturally defined aggregate of sensations that partially separates us from
the world. We actually live in a body of movement that encompasses all
of our perceptual capacities and beyond, not just the fixed reflected pattern we see when we look into a mirror. That “you” that your story creates
wants to keep experiencing through your given concept of the body. As
the false identification with the body mind dissolves, the body will be
allowed to gravitate towards synchronicity with the environment around
it and seek to heal itself.
In actuality the whole world is an involuntary phenomenon. It moves
without “you”.
Here is an excerpt from the latter part of Chi–The Sixth Sense that can
give you a flavor of the overall picture:
Silvio continued, “Your path becomes your story. Remember,
your story is that special idea of ‘you’ created by learned behavior, embedded in your breathing and movement patterns. This
is what makes you feel unique and special in relation to others.
You can see your path as the unwinding of that ‘specialness,’ that
special relationship with yourself,” he grinned. “Your story will
no longer obstruct the way you perceive and flow with the world.
And the world the way you know it will disappear,”
I wondered for a moment, thinking about all the people in
my life, and I asked, “So how does one relate intimately with
people if not through one’s story?”
Silvio nodded over to Li Ts-e who answered, “You relate to
people through your path. This process is so obvious that it is difficult to grasp. Our path disables our story. It’s a process of slowly
loosening up learned behavior and dissolving it and allowing it
to re-assemble itself. The path with its accompanying realizations
takes over—you begin to live in a living stream of realization, and
you don’t have time for the internal dialogue of your story anymore. You may not even have Time.”
Silvio took the baton again and peered at me, “Do you
remember you are not the mind, you are not the body, there is no
personal self?”
“Whoa whoa whoa” I said, as the import of his statement hit
me. “After all of this talking about the body, now you are saying
the body is not ultimately important. If that is true why deal with
the body at all?”
Silvio looked again over at Li Tse, who looked at me bemused
for a moment then said, “Yes, you are right: in Truth the body
does not exist—it is just a concept that comes from our karmas
and learned behavior. And this is what we are trying to realize all
along. But for some of us slow folks.” he said as he looked over at
Silvio then back at me, “we need to work with and refine the body
concept until we can realize that it is only a concept. We need to
keep the concept of the body as fictional as possible and use this
as a stepping stone as we unravel. So, we can dissolve gracefully
into the True Self.
The more our body concept gets gravitationally lined up
with the Earth’s gravity, the more the so called or body concept
disappears.
From your point of view, or the view from the little self, this
is a great paradox. When you realize that there is no body and no
self, the realization engulfs us—that all the world you perceive is
involuntary.”
Again, I was taken aback. “Involuntary? What exactly do you
mean?”
Li Tse smiled, slowly spread his hands out in front of me,
then put them down. “Normally we say that breathing and heart
beat and digestion etc. are involuntary. We have no “voluntary”
control over them. Right? What I am saying is that when you
realize that there is no self, then everything you perceive and create through the senses in involuntary also—your thoughts, your
actions, the movements of your body are all involuntary. There is
just Being.”
Just as one can learn to focus the mind to dismantle the mind, one can
use the concept of the body to dismantle the body concept. By dissolving
and expanding our body concept, we can begin to merge with the lifeforce around us.
There is a world beyond our story. The question is how can we reconnect and move our body without directly engaging our learned
behavior patterns. Allowing the flowing of Chi to move in its innate natural patterns. Learning to walk between Heaven and Earth in a new way
with a focus on gaining energy and allowing the murmur of our True
Nature to surface.
Tiruvannamalai, India 2024
Chi The Sixth Sense 