Engaging the Kua; Being in the Moment

Most of us live with one foot firmly set in the past, mired in the mud of old worries and regrets, while the toes on the other foot are stretching tentatively toward the future. So, the weight of our life rests on the tips of our fear- filled toes! Then both of our arms and hands are stretched out to snatch our elusive dreams. Seldom do we recognize that we are out of balance when we expend our energy on past regrets and future concerns. Little energy is left for us to engage our awareness in the present moment. Because we are unaligned, we miss opportunities to use our daring curiosity to capture life’s real possibilities.

Engaging Our Kua: The first pillar, Being Present, invites us to place both our feet in the present moment – literally and figuratively.  With the correct posture, we can relax in balanced alignment.  This alignment is what some know as the kua, the resting pose of Tai Chi. When we
are in the kua stance, both feet are firmly placed on the ground and our knees are slightly bent and our butt tucked in.  Pressure is taken off the small of our back, and our weight is evenly distributed.  We connect with our center of balance located just below our belly button and midway between our hips.  As we practice the physical stance
of the kua, we experience better alignment between our body, mind, heart, and spirit.

This posture physically supports our first pillar, Being Present.  The kua posture, and the mind-body connection it supports, fosters self-awareness and being present in the moment.  It therefore helps us to share compassion.  We are always poised for action!

Being Present.  Choosing to remain balanced in the now, while acknowledging illusions that upset our balance, alleviates much of the stress in our lives.  Practicing the kua reminds us of the balance we must maintain to be present.  With this balance, our intent is compassion-focused and our resulting actions are compassionate.

Staying balanced in the present moment requires patience and practice.  As our thoughts shift from the past or the future and we begin to focus only on the present, we may feel some strain, pain, or anxiety percolating within us.  If we maintain our present focus and balance, we may become aware of what is bothering us, whether it is a feeling related to a past situation or our hope for the future.  Only with practice can we remain poised in the here and now.  When we are present, we discover more easily how to respond to our internal feelings in loving, gentle ways. Instead of wallowing in angst producing emotions, we are able to acknowledge and release them compassionately.  Being mindful allows us to engage in practices that alleviate the angst, fears, and regrets swirling in our being.  With practice the kua becomes second nature, and we respond from this place of balance.

Here’s to being in the kua!

Vanessa

Engaging Compassion Through Intent and Action, p 50-51

For more on being in the moment or information on purchasing the book: www.intentandaction.com