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DISCIPLINE OF BEING
Consciousness and Authentic Essence
Ontological Foundation
The Discipline of Being corresponds to the fundamental philosophical principle that recognizes consciousness as the primordial space of experience: the pole of opening that makes room for everything that appears. Within the framework of the MCMC, this is related, by analogy of function, to Primordial Space (Ep), the essence that precedes all material manifestation.
Cosmic Correspondences
| Dimension | Correspondence | Manifestation |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmological | Primordial Space (Ep) | The opening that allows the expansion of the universe |
| Philosophical | Consciousness | The inner space from which the mind observes without judging |
| Energetic | Shenwu Jing Zhi | Upper energy center (Dantian of the head) |
| Personal | Authentic essence | That which remains when the masks are removed |
The Four Aspects of Being
CONSCIOUSNESS
The observing aspect of Being. The pure consciousness that exists before thought, the divine spark that animates all experience. It is the fundamental “I am,” the eternal witness.
ENERGY
The vital force that flows through Being. The Qi or prana that sustains life and connects the physical with the spiritual. It is the dynamic manifestation of consciousness in action.
BELIEFS
The deep structures that shape our perception of reality. Authentic beliefs arise from direct experience, not from external imposition.
VALUES
The principles that guide the expression of Being in the world. Authentic values emerge naturally when we connect with our true essence.
Intention and Will
In the Discipline of Being, intention does not arise from egoic desire but from connection with our essential nature. Authentic will is that which is aligned with the natural flow of life.
Pure Intention
The intention that arises from Being is clear, uncontaminated by fears or superficial desires. It manifests as a natural direction, like water finding its way to the sea.
Conscious Will
The will of Being is not brute force but gentle power. It is the capacity to persist without rigidity, to act without exhausting oneself, to flow with determination and flexibility at the same time.
Perception and Judgment
Being perceives without filters, experiences without prematurely categorizing. The judgment of Being is not condemnation but clear discernment, the capacity to see things as they are.
DIRECT PERCEPTION
To see without the veil of expectations, to listen without the interference of prejudices. The pure perception of Being is like a clean mirror that faithfully reflects reality.
WISE DISCERNMENT
Judgment that arises from wisdom, not from reactivity. To distinguish the essential from the incidental, the true from the illusory, without falling into the rigidity of prejudice.
ACTIVE ACCEPTANCE
Accepting reality as it is does not mean passive resignation, but the first step toward any authentic transformation. We can only change that which we first accept.
Cultivation Techniques
The cultivation of Being requires practices that reconnect us with our essence, clearing away the layers of conditioning that obscure our authentic nature.
EARTH CONNECTION
Stand barefoot on grass or soil. Feel the energy of the earth rising through your feet. This technique anchors you and connects you with the here and now, reminding you that you are part of something greater.
CONSCIOUS TOUCH
Take a moment to touch objects around you. Close your eyes and feel their texture, temperature, and shape. This develops sensory presence and connection with the present moment.
ACTIVE LISTENING
In a quiet place, close your eyes and tune in to the sounds. From the nearest to the farthest. This exercise sharpens your auditory awareness and expands your field of perception.
ZHAN ZHUANG
Static standing posture to accumulate and feel Qi. Remain motionless like a tree, feeling the deep roots and the branches reaching toward the sky. External stillness reveals internal movement.
CONSCIOUS BREATHING
Observe your breath without modifying it. Notice how the air comes in and goes out, the natural pause between inhalation and exhalation. In this simple observation lies the door to Being.
JOURNAL OF BEING
Write daily from the perspective of the inner observer. Do not judge, do not analyze, simply record. In time, a more authentic voice will emerge.
Embodied Practices
Official Kata: The Dance of Authentic Being
This kata is a pure expression of who you are, a reflection of your deepest essence. Each movement is an affirmation of your conscious existence.
Begin in a neutral position, feet parallel and shoulder-width apart, hands at your sides. Close your eyes. Feel your weight evenly distributed. You are here, now.
Inhale deeply as you raise your hands toward the sky, palms facing up. Feel how you draw in the pure energy of the universe. Your hands rise as if floating in water.
When you reach the top, turn your palms outward, symbolically embracing the sun. Feel its warmth and light nourishing your Being. Remain for a moment in this total openness.
Exhale as you slowly lower your hands to heart level. Imagine that you bring the sunlight with you, depositing it in your center. Feel your connection with the earth.
Move your hands out to the sides as if they were gliding over the surface of water. This undulating movement represents the fluidity of the authentic Being, which adapts without losing its essence.
Bring your hands together in front of your heart in a prayer position. Lean slightly forward, a bow to your essence, recognizing the sacred within you.
Return to the starting position, arms at your sides. Open your eyes gently. Feel a renewed connection with your Being. The cycle is completed, but consciousness remains.
Practice this kata at dawn or at dusk, moments of transition that reflect the fluid nature of Being.
Meditation on True Being
This meditation guides you toward the encounter with your most authentic essence, beyond roles, labels, and conditioning.
- Preparation: Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted. Sit comfortably, with your back straight but not rigid. You can sit on the floor or in a chair.
- Centering: Close your eyes and take three deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. With each exhalation, release the tensions of the day.
- Connection: Imagine a thread of golden light connecting you from the crown of your head to the center of the earth. Feel how you anchor yourself, how you put down roots while your consciousness rises.
- Introspection: Ask yourself: “Who am I?” Do not look for concrete answers. Simply let the question resonate within you, like a stone falling into a deep lake.
- Stripping Away: Observe how each answer that arises (I am my name, my profession, my roles) is only a layer. Let each layer dissolve, revealing something deeper beneath.
- Recognition: Arrive at that space where there are no labels, only pure presence. Give thanks for any perception or feeling that has arisen on this inner journey.
- Closing: Slowly bring your hands to your heart, one over the other. Feel the warmth. Carry that sense of connection with you as you open your eyes and return to the present.
Suggested duration: 15-30 minutes. Practice regularly, ideally at the same time each day.
Visualization: The Forest of Being
Close your eyes and visualize a quiet forest at dusk. The golden light of the sun filters through the leaves, creating patterns of light and shadow. Listen to the soft sound of the leaves swayed by the breeze and sense the aroma of the damp earth.
Enter the forest along a trail covered with dry leaves that crunch softly beneath your feet. Walk without hurry, absorbing the peace of the place. As you advance, you feel that the forest recognizes you, welcomes you.
In a clearing in the forest, you discover an ancient mirror with a golden frame, held up by roots that emerge from the earth. You approach. In the mirror you do not see your physical reflection, but your purest essence: light, color, energy. This is your truth without masks.
Approach the mirror and place your hand on the glass. Feel how your energy blends with your essential reflection. There is a sense of reunion, of coming home. Stay in this union for as long as you need.
When you are ready, give thanks to the mirror and the forest. With a sense of renewed authenticity, return along the trail. You leave the forest transformed, carrying with you the certainty of your true Being.
Integration into Daily Life
The Discipline of Being is not only for moments of formal practice. Its true value emerges when we integrate it into every aspect of our daily life.
Moments of Presence
Set reminders during the day to pause and reconnect with your Being. It can be upon waking, before eating, or in moments of transition. Just a few seconds of conscious presence transform the quality of your experience.
Response vs Reaction
When you face challenging situations, pause briefly and connect with your center before acting. The conscious response of Being differs profoundly from the automatic reaction of the ego.
Authentic Relationships
In your interactions with others, practice being truly present. Listen from Being, not from the mind that is preparing its reply. Authentic connection arises when two Beings meet.